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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Community WEDNESDAY APRIL 25, 2001 6 The American Legion stands by Boy Scouts The nations largest veteran organization has come to the defense of the Boy Scouts of Americas constitutional right to maintain its leadership standards. The chairman of The American Legions National Americanism Commission found one so60 bering truth in a CBS-TMinutes segment that aired V recently. Joseph Caouette agreed with correspondent Lesley Stahls observation that, Boy Scouts have found them- selves on the front lines of the nations culture war. Indeed the organization has become the political target of gay activists who disagree with -- the Supreme Courts ruling in favor of the Scouts right to prohibit avowed homosexuals from serving as Scout leaders. This assault on a venerable American institution like the Scouts is an effort to topple yet another domino in the devaluing of America by those who have a very different vision of what the nation is or ought to be, said Caouette, whose 2.8 million member Legion has supported scouting troops since its inaugural National Convention in 1919 in Minneapolis. Scouting supporters note two important aspects in the issue: One is the First Amendment right of the people to peaceably assemble, to associate. The second, also a constitutional guarantee, is the right to set standards in membership that, in the case of Scouts, excludes avowed homosexuals. This policy, supporters claim, while not new to Scouting, was newly affirmed by the United States Supreme Court in June 2000. With the right of the people to Boy Scouts ofAmerica must have freely associate comes the the same access. Those who would deny access equally important right of freeto Scouts dom not to associate, said ignore the reality that Caouette. For the private orga- Scouting is a natural element in most communities; the Scouts nization, that right is critical not just to proclaims and pur- exemplify the values outlined in poses but to its very existence. the Scout Oath and Law and Had the Boy Scouts been founded dedicate themselves to serving to teach camping skills and craft- their communities, Caouette ing, its demise may have come said. Scouting always has, curlong ago. But it began as a characte- rently does, and always will rer-building organization, and flect the values held by nearly continued as a revered institu- all Americans. In response to the purported tion because of the educational of assistance by some withdrawal and of an its program quality of the United Way, ability to instill in young boys agencies the values of a nation, under Caouette suggests that regular contributors should be aware that God. In a move by some agencies United Way organizations operand government entities, Boy ate as independent charities. As Scout troops are being told that such, they have the authority to they may no longer use parks, direct monies received, he said. You can, and you should, specify schools and municipal sites because they discriminate in their that your contribution or any part membership and leadership. of it go to the Boy Scouts of Caouette insists that just as America. If you get no satisfacother student or community tion, you might want to consider groups are permitted to have a direct contribution to your local access to public facilities, the Boy Scout Council. Maximum effort for mini dog pays off By Carolyn Mitchell The day Kristi Littrell returned to the sanctuary after Christmas vacation last year, she was greeted by a chubby Dachshund. I suppose this one needs a diet foster home, Kristi remarked to Dogtown manager Sherry Woodard. Sherry nodded emphatically, saying Maxis elderly owner had passed away in Nevada, and she had come to us since none of the family wanted her. As foster mom to all Best Friends little dogs with special needs, Kristi took Maxi home. Maxi soon blended into my household, says Kristi. It took way too much energy to chase the cats, and she was surprisingly submissive to my other Kanab Lions Club has re- mit an application for consider- dogs when it came to food, but I elected president Bob Russell ation to share in the Lions an- soon found out that when my for the coming year. 2000 was a nual 4th of July breakfast and back was turned, any leftover successful year for the local Li- hamburger cookout. Applica- food was vacuumed up by her. ons Club, with a large gain in tions are available at the Kanab She would put her long snozzle accelerated direct be underneath my cupsubmitted membership, Library and must contributions to its community to Kanab Lions no later than boards and slide herself up and down picking up crumbs. She projects and increased involve- Wednesday, June 13, 2001. ment in aiding sight impaired July 23 will mark the 71st could sit up and beg and wave at residents. year Kanab Lions have served me with her little paws, looking Boone Hulet was elected to ourcommunity. Shouldyouhave like a stuffed sausage. But with fill the vice presidency, Doyle any questions concerning our her weight problem, she needed Swallow will continue as trea- programs, we welcome the op- no extra calories! surer and Carl Gustafson as portunity to discuss them with Maxis medical conditions - in4 Bob Russell at secretary. cluding an enlarged heart - reyou. Phone Local or Carl Gustafson at organizations quired four different medicines. are reminded that they can sub- One was a diuretic that produced a lot of puddles. Luckily my flooring is linoleum, Kristi says. Kristi has an enviable record of finding homes for her fosters in short order. Maxi was the exception. For three months they traveled 27-2to Las Vegas every week end - Maxi riding beside Kristi in a little cat bed - in Nuthm But Hound Dogs in hopes of finding her a home at our mobile adoption Kanab... and You're Invited event. APRIL 27 Kristi tied a floral banFrontier Movie Town, 7:30 p.m. dana around Maxis neck Welcome - Mayor Alvey it looked like a cape on the .wee doggie - to call attenAPRIL 28 tion to her, but without success. Elementary School West, 9 a.m. Blur of Fur Rim While people thought she was cute, Kristi says, Center Street, 11 a.m. nobody would take the Parade and Costume Contest chance on adopting an Elvis and Roo Kanab Lions elect new officers 644-503- non-prof- it April posted Maxis picture on the Best Friends website and contacted Dachshund rescuers in nearby states. I thought if Maxi was meant to live with me, it would be for a reason, not for my lack of trying to find her that special loving home, Kristi says. Then, a few weeks ago at the Saturday adoption, Wellman Pike strolled up to Kristi and inquired about little Maxi, who sat nearby wagging her tail. He told me that he had driven two hoiu-- s from Kingman, Arizona just to meet her! Kristi says. Wellman had recently lost his Doxie, and Maxi looked just like his longtime pet. Wellman worked at home, has a fenced-i- n yard and his mother, who lives nearby! has A 19-year-- Chihuahua needing a compan- ion. Best of all, Wellman didnt mind Maxis age or her special medications. Who knows how long any dog will live? he said. Kristi knew that Maxi had hit the jackpot in Vegas. She embraced her little foster. friend and sent her off with all her things, bandana and cat bed included. Thank you for the best gift you couldve given me, Wellman told Kristi. I need her as much as she needs me. I will love her with all of my heart just as you have done. 9 -- (Greyhound Songfest) For more information, visit www greyheundgang com eight-year-o- ld Doxie with heart problems. Undaunted, Kristi Mini Maxi hits the jackpot. Photo by Jana de Peyer. |