The war on the Boy Scouts

The Denver Post ^ | December 18, 2007 | Al Knight

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

The war on the Boy Scouts

By Al Knight
Article Last Updated: 12/18/2007 07:45:49 PM MST

Some topics are best left both out of sight and out of mind. The American Civil Liberties Union's war on the Boy Scouts is not one of them.

The ACLU, in a rational world, might well have been expected to champion the First Amendment rights of an organization like the Boy Scouts. After all, the First Amendment to the Constitution (so dear to the ACLU) protects both speech and the right to associate.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2000 upheld the right of the Boy Scouts to select members and leaders without regard to state laws that bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.

That ruling hasn't stopped the ACLU. It has simply shifted tactics away from the courts and focused its energies on local and often mean-spirited campaigns to deny the Scouts places to meet and the ability to raise funds.

Sadly, the campaign appears to be working. Earlier this year, the Philadelphia City Council caved to pressure from the ACLU and gay and lesbian groups to end a 75-year-old, $1-a-year lease on the Boy Scouts headquarters. The lease was originally granted to run "in perpetuity."

But now, the Scouts will have to pay almost $200,000 a year in rent. Not only that, but the city's Cradle of Liberty Boy Scout Council, after years of resistance, gave in to pressure and essentially agreed to the demands of gay and lesbian groups. And more bad news: The left-leaning Pew Charitable Trusts and the United Way in Philadelphia have stopped funding the Boy Scouts.

The youth of Philadelphia need the Boy Scouts as much as ever, but the City Council is too cowardly to stand up to the unreasonable and vindictive demands of special interest groups.

These campaigns against the Scouts can no longer be disguised as efforts to end discrimination. They have only one purpose: to punish an organization that has performed countless good turns for a century.

At this point, it is unclear what can be done to convince the American public that actions like those taken by the Philadelphia City Council pose a risk to the nation and to the common good. Today, the Boy Scouts may be the target, but tomorrow the same shabby tactics could be aimed at the Rotary Club or any other private civic group.

Those who care about traditional notions of diversity and tolerance might consider joining the battle by showing support for the American Civil Rights Union. The ACRU, which was founded in 1998 as a response to the ACLU, is a champion of the First Amendment and conservative causes, including support for the enforcement of existing immigration laws, opposition to the Fairness Doctrine and support for the principle of executive privilege. Contact them at theacru.org.

Al Knight of Fairplay (alknight@mindspring.com) is a former member of The Post's editorial-page staff. His column appears twice a month.

[wardaddy]

Amen brother

I do charity straight up directly to folks I know need the help.

[MrEdd]

even some so called republicans

[garylmoore]

Aren’t the Girl Scouts dicriminatory, do they let boys in?

The Girl Scouts gave in to the pressure of the ACLU and now allow lesibians and homo’s to be a part of their club, talk about feeding sheep to the lions.

[cricket]

Don't have the stomach to read. . .but the hate and ignorance that passes for a social good i.e. the left's hideous 'political correctness', works for one cause only. PC is not the elephant in the room. It is a frickin monster.

The diaster of 9/11 awakened America's sensitivities; but not for long. The million little 'thought crimes' that allow PC to successfully manipulate the Left's agenda; receive scant attention. PC as the monster 'root cause' for so many of our problems; cannot be identified - because to do so; is 'anti-PC' or simply politically IN-correct.

And so, United Way can fearlessly drop the Boy Scouts. . .States, communities; schools. . . can be predjudicial by PC strictures, of course. We can destroy a past and future of an American legacy. . .while savaging members of Boy Scouts.

PC is viral and it is insidious. It's potency - it's threat - cannot be underestimated or misunderstood. Truth is the anti-dote; and little available in our current Education agenda.

I think of the painting 'The Scream'. . . Think America needs a 'Think and Speak for Yourself/Stop PC/campaign. Maybe an image fashioned from Edvard Munch's painting would convey the warning. . .

[cricket]

p.s. of sorts. . .Think America needs a 'Think and Speak for Yourself/Stop PC/campaign. We certainly need a 'Save the Boy Scouts'. . .

[Jimmy Valentine]

"Looks like I was right !"

Yes you are. United Way has one of the highest operating cost per donated dollar in the country. In addition their periodic and tawdry scandals usually following embezzelment by a senior official to pad a love nest for a girl (please see William Aramony) are off putting. Added to that, even though you designate your gift to a specific charity, it does not mean yhey will get it. United Way transfers funds to the "most deserving" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

I wouldn't give a penny to these thugs.

[Morgan in Denver]

What galls me is every time the ACLU wins a case, taxpayer funds are used to pay them.

These extremem leftist positions by companies is why I refuse to shop at Radio Shack or buy Levi’s, among other things.

[Morgan in Denver]

If you get the chance, read something by Tammy Bruce. She seems to nail the motivations behind the left. I don’t support her homosexual lifestyle but her conversion to conservativeism makes her viewpoints interesting to read and to understand why the left does what it does.

[beebuster2000]

United Way: doesn't it bear a strange relation to the United Nations? i find that curious. both set up with fine ideals, both lost in bureaucracy and waste and scandal.

[Non-Sequitur]

OK, please help me understand why Philadelphia isn't breaking it's contract with the Scouts? Shouldn't Philly be forced to pay damages if they want out of it?

Because the article is exaggerating a bit. There was no formal lease, just an unwritten 'agreement' that the Scouts could stay for a buck a year. Legally the city is well within their rights to cancel the agreement, and I believe that they are claiming that anti-discrimination laws require that they do. As for the Scouts, they are finding out that in God they should trust but for all others put it in writing.

[twntaipan]

Liberals donate to no one and nothing; not their money nor their time. They want to redistribute wealth, not “give back to the community”.

The only thing the gay community has given the world is rampant HIV and AIDS.

[purpleraine]

A related question: why are people still giving money to the United Way?

[reg45]

Fagadelphia: The City of Buggery Love

[Congressman Billybob]

I am proud to say that the American Civil Rights Union, which this article promotes in its last paragraph, is the legal charity I have worked with for fifteen years now. It has had me file eleven briefs in the US Supreme Court.

It is a fine organization for what it does in many areas, not just on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Our Disastrous, Canadian Future"

A Freeper in Congress? Please act now.

[Congressman Billybob]

Yes, Philadelphia is breaking its contract with the Scouts. And it is worse than that. The Scouts built their own building (current value, $3 million+) which they donated to the City in return for the "perpetual" lease.

In my view, the Scouts should sue the City for the value of the building. Then it should put that money in an endowment to pay for the "fair market rental" on the property. That would fix the whole matter.

John / Billybob

[bruoz]

This is one way that I support support the BSA.

[Rick.Donaldson]

And when the cute little kids came knocking on the door with UNICEF boxes at Halloween, I politely explained that “I do not support the United Nations” just loudly enough for the parents to get the hint. Apparently a good portion of my neighbors had similar tactics....

[Rick.Donaldson]

The Girl Scouts are sanctioned by the “LEFT” folks. I know, my wife worked with them for over 20 years as a GS Leader, and spent a good portion of her time trying to UNDO some of the damage they were doing.... She finally had enough and gave up a few years back. She said, “Never again”.

[glmjr]

 

Giuliani  = Liberal

Has our Party gone the way of the dinosaurs?
Have we lost our values?

If we elect a man who supports gay rights and is pro-choice, we can no longer call ourselves conservative.  Have we sunk so low that we would elect a person who dresses in drag?  Marches in gay pride parades?   Giuliani is a liberal running as a conservative.  He's pro-amnesty, pro-gun control, and pro-gay.  He is intelligent and has governed New York City successfully, BUT he is not a true conservative by any measure.  Conservatives wake up?
God help us if we elect a liberal.

Giuliani in drag

 

 

Giuliani in drag

[Rick.Donaldson]

I can’t see images posted on FR due to blocking from the government. Which is probably good. However, I understand that Rudy did that as part of a SNL skit.

So... just so you know, I have no plans to vote for Rudy. Unless he ends up being the “Conservative candidate” (I’ll vote for Ron Paul if he gets it). I’ll vote for ANY of the alleged Republicans BEFORE I will vote for Hillary or Obama. Period.

But, using a TV skit as a reason to not vote for him is LAME :)

And Merry Christmas

Oh yeah, GO FRED!!!!