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Do Boy Scouts and Liberals Mix?
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Anonymous
I'm not ordering you to pitch in. If you don't like it, leave us alone. I'm just trying to insert a little factual content into this discussion. Not all Scout troops discriminate against gays. Capitol Hill Troop 500 does not discriminate against gays. We're not afraid National HQ will "catch us." We don't hide our beliefs. We argue our cause within BSA, and someday we'll prevail. In the meantime, we have an organization run by the boys that does great things for the community--and for the Scouts. And, yes, we do believe our boys understand the Scout Oath and put it into play every single day. |
Anonymous
cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo |
Anonymous
| That letter went out 10 years ago. What has happened since? |
Anonymous
Didn't you read what I wrote? Ten years ago we promised we'd do four things. I am very proud to say that for ten years and into the future, we pursue those four things all the time. We meet with the dunderheads at BSA HQ. We promote our position at meetings with other BSA adults leaders. We publicize our position in the community. And we do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of sexual orientation, ever. We are a Scout-run organization, and each cohort from Webelos who enter Troop 500 understand part of the responsibility of being a Scout on Capitol Hill is to continue to pursue the goal of changing National BSA policy, just like they pursue the goals of being Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent. The question was, "Do Boy Scouts and Liberals mix?" On Capitol Hill, yes. Even if it's difficult some of the time. Probably because it's difficult, the boys really throw themselves into it. |
Anonymous
It's GREAT that Capitol Hill Scouts have adopted a policy of not discriminating against gays. To your knowledge, though, has anyone complained about gay leaders or volunteers to national or regional HQ? If so, what was the result of that complaint? Because that is where the problems occur. Everything's fine, as long as nobody complains. HQ doesn't go out and look for homosexuals. But if it comes to their attention, then the people are told that they have to step down. |
Anonymous
Although Capital Hill Troop 500 is accepting of diversity and it's members are good hearted people full of integrity the overall BSA organization has serious problems and should be avoided. BSA and for the most part even on the Troop level have become far too insular organizations which can be harmful to children. At present troops concentrate on advancement and not on teaching the alleged core values of the Boy Scouts. Boy Scouts used to be about earning a few merit badges, going on a few camping trips and a few truly outstanding scouts actually made Eagle. Today these troops have kids building their resumes at age ten and they are pumping out Eagle Scouts by the dozen. Today the true value of being an Eagle Scout (although it remains hyped) has been watered down and devalued. |
Anonymous
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To your knowledge, though, has anyone complained about gay leaders or volunteers to national or regional HQ? If so, what was the result of that complaint?
Because that is where the problems occur. Everything's fine, as long as nobody complains. HQ doesn't go out and look for homosexuals. But if it comes to their attention, then the people are told that they have to step down. How do you know that? Or are you just making that up? Believe me, it has come to their attention at HQ. How do I know that? Because Troop 500 brings our own policy of non-discrimination to the attention of BSA HQ. In the process of urging National BSA HQ to change [/i]their[i] policy. In the meantime, our Scouts do great things for the community, and learn leadership. |
Anonymous
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How do you know the overall BSA organization has serious problems and should be avoided. BSA and for the most part even on the Troop level have become far too insular organizations Not Troop 500. Maybe you have become far too insular. You're gonna let a few doofuses at National BSA HQ scare your boy out of a great experience? Why can't your troop be just as admirable and true to your neighborhood's values as Troop 500? Here's what one Troop 500 Eagle Scout contributed to the community: http://www.capitalcommunitynews.com/CCN_Website09/images/papers/HR/Nov/1110/pdf/76-77_RAG_1110.pdf |
Anonymous
2009: Lesbian moms told they can't continue volunteering in cub scouts after they disclosed to Council HQ that they are part of same-sex couple. Previuosly they had been allowed to volunteer. "We’re not an investigative authority. We don’t go out and search through the private lives of our leaders," said Stockton, explaining that the disclosure in itself made it necessary under BSA policy to bar the women from further volunteering. "The person they were talking to was an employee of the Council," said Stockton. "In his job, you have to adhere to all the membership standards. http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc3=&id=100558 2010: Gay father told he can't be popcorn coordinator because someone complained he is gay http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20101016-Gay-father-not-allowed-to-be-639.ece A University Park father learned this week that he will not be able to serve as a leader in his 9-year-old's Cub Scout pack because he's gay. For the last two years Jon Langbert has organized a popcorn fundraiser for Pack 70 at University Park Elementary. Then at a September Scout meeting, someone complained about his homosexuality, Langbert said. He said he was told this week that he can't wear the Scout leader shirt he was given last year and that he cannot serve in a leadership position because of his sexual orientation. (Comment: Actually it says later that he CAN be popcorn coordinator because that isn't a leadership role. But he can't wear the Scout Leader shirt.) |
Anonymous
Do you realize that, under federal law, every employer or other entity has the "legal right" to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation? THere is no protection under any of the federal laws. Granted, some states and municipalities include GLBT as a protected category, but my point is the the Supreme Court didn't just decide that the BSA had some right that no one else did. I guess I'm with the PP who believes that the organization has value in spite of its position on gays. I'm not a single issue voter on anything, and I don't think it is a responsible way to make choices. |
Anonymous
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That's them, not us. Nor will these horror stories befall the OP's DS's troop, not if the OP won't stand for it. Your solution is to clip nasty stories and use them to discourage anyone's son from ever being a Scout? Why not join the effort to encourage a change in National BSA policy, with all this great ammunition you've collected, instead of trying to scare people out of Scouting? |
Anonymous
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This thread is interesting to me as I am a liberal, gay rights supporting, non-religious den leader and happily married dad. I have known that the scouts have an anti-gay policy, but I never really seen it in action. Our troop seems very diverse and very liberal, but I know parents who won't let their kids join. I definitely would stand-up and even quit if a gay or aethiest leader in our troop was kicked out of a leadership position. That said, the BSA stance is probably keeping many of these parents away.
On the other side, my boys love scouts. They learn great values and get to participate in wonderful service projects. I also get to spend time doing things with them that I might otherwise miss. I can definitely tell you that the BSA HQ stance stinks and I am torn. In the end, though, I think my boys are better for participating. They definitely have no clue about these larger issues. I will probably have a talk with them prior to joining boy scouts so they know the issues. I plan to raise them as tolerant, giving individuals who can make their own decisions. |
Anonymous
| Private clubs, groups, organizations get to make their own rules. Don't join if you disagree but STFU this has gone on for 10 pages and you have accomplished nothing but showing that most PPs are as intolerant as the organization they are complaining about. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
Yes, private clubs get to make their own rules. But they shouldn't be allowed to meet in public schools and locations if they disriminate against anyone. And they shouldn't have a reputation as being a great, patriotic organization. People shouldn't invite them to march in parades at civic events, even if individuals involved don't personally discriminate. I tolerate the club's right to exist. If people decided they wanted to have a club for kids but just not allow Mexican kids or their parents to join, I'd tolerate their right to exist. But I would for sure want them not meeting in my kids' elementary school, or in a community center, or even in my own church's meeting center. I'd hope my church and my neighbors would know that the club had gone to the Supreme Court to defend the right to exclude Mexicans. And I'd question them pointedly -- why are you OK with allowing your child to be in a group official feels it's OK to exclude Mexicans? Is it OK to do that just because earning the badges is fun, and it's a well run organizatino, and boys need to do boy things? (As long as they aren't Mexican?) |