Do Boy Scouts and Liberals Mix?

[Anonymous]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/071800-02.htm

More evidence that the BSA is not going to be changed from within. Or without.

[Anonymous]

I'm encouraging people not to let their children join the Scouts, or at least I'm trying to make people aware of the BSA's position on homosexuals not being allowed to be members because they "aren't morally straight".

A lot of people kinda sorta knew the BSA frowned on gays, but thought it had to do with fears of child molestation. They didn't realize that the BSA is passing moral judgment on people (including lesbians) just being the sexual orientation that they are. What's the molestation risk of a lesbian mom being a den mother of a bunch of boys? Zilch, right? But she can't be a den mother or troop popcorn fundraiser chairman, because the BSA says she isn't a good role model.

And the BSA really takes this stuff seriously. If hey find out someone in your pack or den is openly gay, they will tell you he has to go -- or your pack will lose its charter.

[Anonymous]

But some day, a guy in a troop in a place like Takoma Park will come out, and the entire troop will support him and fight it. I live in Takoma Park and I know a kid in the local troop, and I can totally see this happening.

MLK made progress on civil rights by working with LBJ, not by insulting him. Maybe MLK didn't like all of LBJ's positions, but he realized that this was a way to make change in a way that the Black Panthers never would. When MLK finally broke with LBJ, it was over Vietnam, not civil rights.

[Anonymous]

19:42, how many posts in a row is that? 5 or 6? You need to dial it back, because you're probably alienating any lurkers who are on the fence about this. And turning the lurkers against gay rights for Boy Scouts would be a bad thing, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

19:42 here, and I am not behind all the posts pointing out that the BSA is not going to be changed from within. More than one person is providing evidence because there is so much to be shared.

The BSA has the legal right to discriminate. For it to change its policies, it would have to decide that it wants to make the social progressives, who form a tiny part of its membership, happy, rather than the hyperconservatives. Do you seriously think it's going to alienate the Catholics and LDS members of the organization. Get serious.

[Anonymous]

19:53 - In Selma they boycotted the buses.

[Anonymous]

What we need is a competitor. A group like the BSA but that is more tolerant. Let the public choose which organization to support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:42, how many posts in a row is that? 5 or 6? You need to dial it back, because you're probably alienating any lurkers who are on the fence about this. And turning the lurkers against gay rights for Boy Scouts would be a bad thing, IMHO.

Just three, and not in a row. At lieast one other person must be posting similar information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:42 here, and I am not behind all the posts pointing out that the BSA is not going to be changed from within. More than one person is providing evidence because there is so much to be shared.

The BSA has the legal right to discriminate. For it to change its policies, it would have to decide that it wants to make the social progressives, who form a tiny part of its membership, happy, rather than the hyperconservatives. Do you seriously think it's going to alienate the Catholics and LDS members of the organization. Get serious.

Hey, *I'm* 19:42!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:19:42 here, and I am not behind all the posts pointing out that the BSA is not going to be changed from within. More than one person is providing evidence because there is so much to be shared.

The BSA has the legal right to discriminate. For it to change its policies, it would have to decide that it wants to make the social progressives, who form a tiny part of its membership, happy, rather than the hyperconservatives. Do you seriously think it's going to alienate the Catholics and LDS members of the organization. Get serious.

Hey, *I'm* 19:42!!

Idiots like the other PP can't possibly accept that there are multiple (in fact TONS) of people who disagree with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you are equally intolerant. Have you ever thought that the way to change something is to participate and try to change within. Also, Boy Scouts is a great organization for boys of single parents and boys who would never know anything about the outdoors. Stop being so sanctimonious with your close mindedness.

Great point. I'd be interested to hear about your efforts to change BSA policy from within.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I was thinking of your post from about two pages back: "I suggest you 1) read a newspaper once in a while and 2) take some time to investigate the organizations you involve your child in before you enroll."

I disagree with the conservative poster, but your post made me cringe. It's so counter-productive to make random insinuations about the PP's unknowable newspaper-reading and child-raising habits.

That wasn't me, nor am I the one who called their policies "bigoted".

That was me, and you left out half of the sentence I wrote. Silly!

[Anonymous]

Like a school or a church or any similar organization, your neighborhood's BSA Troop will reflect the values of the people who organize it.

Here's the letter BSA Troop 500 fired off to national HQ:

http://www.capitolhillscouts.org/TrDivers.htm

It is therefore our intention to take the following actions:
1. We will make our position on these issues public and known to our community and seek a meeting with the National Capital Area Council to discuss this matter.
2. We will not adopt a policy that discriminates against participants based on sexual orientation, race, gender or religious affiliation.
3. We will work actively with other troops and councils across the country to attempt to influence the National Council to re-think and change its policy of excluding gays.
4. We will continue to sponsor and engage our youth and community at large in dialogue and educational events that promote a greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance of diversity.

Finally we look forward to the continued support of our community our local council and our families. We welcome your feedback, involvement and support as we strive to conduct the best program possible.

Sincerely Yours,
Capitol Hill Scouts
National HQ hasn't changed its position, but Troop 500 is still fighting. So kwitcherbitchin' and pitch in to support BSA troops that represent your values, like Troop 500 does.

[Anonymous]

Scouts have oaths and laws, but they are too long and complex for children to truly understand or to put into practice.


Beware of any organization that wears paramilitary uniforms, removes children regularly for periods of time from their parents supervion and loves to march in parades.

The Boy Scouts provide an indroctrination that is not beneficial to children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like a school or a church or any similar organization, your neighborhood's BSA Troop will reflect the values of the people who organize it.

Here's the letter BSA Troop 500 fired off to national HQ:

http://www.capitolhillscouts.org/TrDivers.htm

It is therefore our intention to take the following actions:
1. We will make our position on these issues public and known to our community and seek a meeting with the National Capital Area Council to discuss this matter.
2. We will not adopt a policy that discriminates against participants based on sexual orientation, race, gender or religious affiliation.
3. We will work actively with other troops and councils across the country to attempt to influence the National Council to re-think and change its policy of excluding gays.
4. We will continue to sponsor and engage our youth and community at large in dialogue and educational events that promote a greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance of diversity.

Finally we look forward to the continued support of our community our local council and our families. We welcome your feedback, involvement and support as we strive to conduct the best program possible.

Sincerely Yours,
Capitol Hill Scouts
National HQ hasn't changed its position, but Troop 500 is still fighting. So kwitcherbitchin' and pitch in to support BSA troops that represent your values, like Troop 500 does.

I know it's hard to distinguish between posters, but most people weren't just bitching for no reason. OP asked a question and they were responding. I think it's great that people in Troop 500 are trying to effect change, but personally I still don't feel comfortable giving money to the BSA organization. That's my right, just as it's your right to do otherwise. I don't agree with the Catholic church's stand on abortion but I'm not about to start going to Mass to try to change their minds. Don't tell me to "pitch in" to something I have no interest in being part of.