Posted on 08/07/2005 7:12:10 AM PDT by benjibrowder
Those critical of the Boy Scouts of America argue that the Boy Scouts' exclusion of gays, atheists and females makes America more divided and divisive. One side wishes to strengthen the Boy Scouts; the other wishes to destroy the Boy Scouts by forcing politically correct changes upon it.
Over the past two decades, the Boy Scouts has been both a flash point and the ground of sustained struggle between traditional and PC values. The central issue is whether the Boy Scouts is a private or public organization.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
There is always the fringe in America who want to destroy anything that is good and wholesome.
Do any liberal groups, such as PETA or GLAAD, receive governmental support?
It appears you've got the liberals pretty much figured out, TK.
They don't receive any direct funding, but have been hosted by government agencies. An Army base, Fort A. P. Hill (I think) hosts the Jamboree, and they do spend some federal funds on events like that.
DoD's contention is that they receive a lot from the Scouts (who do improvement projects) that more than makes up for the expenditure. The Army also uses large events like this as a training ground for crowd control and issues like that.
A recent lower court case ruling attempted to deny DoD from further sponsorship, but Congress responded with an amendment to the Authorization Bill that prohibited agencies from "discriminating" against the Boy Scouts.
While that has bought some time for local Commanders, I suspect we haven't heard the last of the issue.
Response: No. The central issue is egalitarianism and its abnormal fear of exclusion.
I would almost bet money on it....
PC Values?
Who gives a hang about what some liberal twit from Canada
thinks about our Boy Scouts?
Mike
Unfortunately, the ACLU also benefits from federal grants and other tax money wherever possible.
I appreciate the compliment, but it isn't that hard for us that keep up with the news.
I'm eternally grateful to FR for opening my eyes on a lot of issues.
It is a private organization which is open to the public, subject to its rules.
In the larger picture, Scouting is an international organization, founded in Britain and exported to America in the early 1900's. BSA is the American "branch", and I'm certain there is a Canadian counterpart.
I'm concerned, in a general way, about all youth (cue Kum Ba Ya). A friend who recently returned from Bagdad brought me a patch from the new Bagdad Scout troop that he helped to stand up.
Just another good news story I bet you haven't read about in the MSM.
The Scouts recieve funding only from private donors and organizations so the boy Scouts are exclusively private. They have their own rules for membership not unlike any other private organization that has membership requirements.
True that scouting and military/government do interact. Many times the scouts participate in improvement projects in public parks and public trails that are funded by public funding. But any organization can donate time to public service so the relationship of scouting and government is not exclusive.
As far as scouting and the military, there is an enlistment bonus for Eagle Scout rank. The military knows those scouts have achieved an award exclusive to 3 out of 100 boys who enter scouting. The scout has proven dedication to a work ethic and has learned some basic skills beneficial to military like first aid, compass skills, ropes and general improvisation to meet a situation.
Those who seek to destroy tradition will continue to attack BSA. It is unfortunate. All 3 of my sons were Scouts and the skills they learned during their tenure have been and continue to be invaluable as they move on with their life.
Well, you learn something new every day. It does make sense. As I posted earlier, my son will enter Boy Scouts from Cubs in the spring. He's been to some "Big Scouts" events, and the older boys have been kind and supportive. His goal is to become an Eagle Scout, and that's the kind of goal I want my son to have.
We didn't have Scouts in my area when I was a boy, and I wish they had. We've been learning on the fly since Tonto Junior was a Tiger Cub. Many people think Scouts is all about camping, and there is plenty of that. But Scouts can also earn badges in Music, Art, Personal Finance, one where they run a business, heck even atomic energy. And, a little different from Cub Scouting (which is adult-led), the boy chooses what badges he'd like to work on.
I don't do links, but meritbadge.com is a great place for people to go and learn about all the things a boy can pursue in BSA.
As an Eagle Scout I have nothing but praise for this organization...It led me in the right direction while growing up.
"...it led me in the right direction..."
Well there you have it. That's exactly why the liberals don't like scouting. They would rather you went in the wrong direction because it fits in with their business development plan. How can they expand government employment if you are going in the right direction? How can they increase their power if you are leading an upright life? Of course they can't, and it makes them furious.
"Apparently they get to use Governmental land for free."
Where?
Two of my 3 sons achieved Life Rank with enough requirements to achieve Eagle. one son lacked his community project to fulfill his requirements and squandered his time away thinking high school social life and friends were more important. When he turned 18 that opportunity was lost forever. And both sons voiced regret for being so close and not finishing with the 3rd deciding to quit because none of his friends were members any more.
I also served as an Assistant Scoutmaster during the tenure of my sons. I really enjoyed the camping and attending the meetings, working with the kids. Those boys are starved to learn those neat little skills they don't teach in school. And spending the bonus time with my sons was worth every dime and every minute. The skills learned in Scouting far outweigh the skills learned in the sports programs that consume the kids.
Take advantage of the time spent with your son in Scouting and encourage him. He will be forever grateful his dad spent the time with him, and you will be grateful likewise.
IIRC they killed the Canadian one just a few months back.
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