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Boy Scouts review controversial anti-gay policy
msnbc.com ^ | 6/6/2012 | Miranda Leitsinger

Posted on 06/06/2012 4:13:18 PM PDT by Hunton Peck

The Boy Scouts of America is considering a newly-proposed resolution that calls for ending a 102-year-old policy they’ve grappled with in recent years: banning gay scouts and scout leaders, gay advocates told msnbc.com on Wednesday. Though the organization said it would review the proposal, a spokesman insisted there were no plans to change the policy.

The new policy would throw out the national ban and allow local chartering organizations to decide whether or not they would accept gay youth and leaders, said Zach Wahls, an Eagle Scout who has advocated for the change, citing unidentified people he spoke to within the organization.

Boy Scouts of America spokesman Deron Smith said a resolution to amend the national policy to allow each of the Scouting’s chartered groups to set its own standards regarding gay members was turned in by a voting member before April 30, the deadline for submitting resolutions.

“While we’ll carefully consider this resolution, there are no plans to change this policy,” he said noting that resolutions and petitions on the matter were “not unique” and dated back to 2000, when the Supreme Court heard a challenge over their stance (the justices sided with the Boy Scouts in the lawsuit involving a former Assistant Scoutmaster who was gay, citing the protections of the First Amendment).

Wahls, the son of a lesbian couple, last Wednesday delivered a petition bearing 275,000 signatures calling for an end to the 102-year-old policy and the reinstatement of Jennifer Tyrrell to her post as den mother after she was ousted in April because she is gay.

Wahls said he was “absolutely ecstatic” when he heard about the proposal to change the policy, saying it would be akin to the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a...

(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: boyscouts; bsa; childsexabuse; homosexualagenda; homosexuality; lavendermafia; pedophiles; perverts; pinkjournalism; sexpositiveagenda; sexualizingchildren
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To: Fledermaus
The irony here is that by standing firm in their commitment to morality, the Scouts can actually represent the values they extol. And by example, show the world that there are some principles worth adhering to. I can't help but think that in the moral desert that is today's world, that has to represent a refreshing -- and alluring -- oasis. In other words, it would probably be good for membership in the long run.

Caving means they're just one more organization cowed by the demands of a tiny, deviant minority. Nothing makes them stand out, so they eventually fade into irrelevance and oblivion.

41 posted on 06/07/2012 7:13:15 AM PDT by IronJack (=)
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To: Myrddin

The LDS Scouting units have had their share of scandal as well.

The LDS also register every registered church member of that ward who is of scouting age, regardless of activity and/or participation. Thus, their real numbers are grossly overinflated.

But, they do still send in that all important $ to BSA National.


42 posted on 06/07/2012 7:16:43 AM PDT by SZonian (Throwing our allegiances to political party's in the long run gave away our liberty.)
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To: Hunton Peck

This is a flagrant violation of the Scout Oath. What part about being “morally straight” don’t they understand???


43 posted on 06/07/2012 7:29:43 AM PDT by Biff55 (A furore Normanorum libera nos, O Domine!)
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To: Hunton Peck

I refer the perverts to the Sandusky trial.


44 posted on 06/07/2012 8:08:47 AM PDT by Neoliberalnot (Marxism works well only with the uneducated and the unarmed.)
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To: Tax-chick

” One deduces that, the proposal’s having been made, procedures require they “consider” it.”

Then immediately reject it.


45 posted on 06/07/2012 10:30:46 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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To: All

There is a posting from the B.S.A.’s Facebook page that there is no plans to change this policy, and that the reports are false.

The fact that this comes from PMSNBC should be a huge tipoff.

(Mom of a soon-to-be 2nd year Webelo and wife to the assistant den leader)


46 posted on 06/07/2012 10:34:13 AM PDT by Hoosier Catholic Momma (How long till my Arkansas drawl fades into the twang of southeast Ohio?)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

Exactly.

“Oh, look! Another proposal to admit self-proclaimed rump rangers to Boy Scouting!”

“Where’s the cat? We need him to crap on the proposal!”


47 posted on 06/07/2012 11:37:51 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Make sure you notice when I'm being subtly ironic!)
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To: Tax-chick

I suppose this will cause another round of MSM “Scout bashing”

Sheesh!


48 posted on 06/07/2012 11:48:29 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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To: SZonian; RonF; AppauledAtAppeasementConservat; Looking for Diogenes; wisconsinconservative; ...

Scout Ping


49 posted on 06/07/2012 2:51:15 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: Hunton Peck

It’s just ALL GAY, ALL the TIME with these people. So glad there are no important issues in the U.S. which need to be discussed. GAY, GAY, GAY, GAY, GAY. Shove it down our throats.


50 posted on 06/07/2012 3:30:37 PM PDT by beaversmom
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To: FreeAtlanta

Please convey my congratulations to your son. I’m the Scoutmaster of a mostly homeschooled troop. My son is just beginning to plan his project.


51 posted on 06/07/2012 6:26:38 PM PDT by cyclotic (People who live within their means are increasingly being forced to pay for people who didn't.)
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To: IronJack

Great post.


52 posted on 06/07/2012 8:41:12 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Democrats are dangerous and evil. Republicans are just useless and useful idiots.)
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To: cyclotic

Thanks! He was nervous, but nailed it easily. I am really proud of him.


53 posted on 06/08/2012 7:12:03 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Liberty and Justice for ALL)
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To: FreeAtlanta

Excellent


54 posted on 06/08/2012 9:22:43 AM PDT by cyclotic (People who live within their means are increasingly being forced to pay for people who didn't.)
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To: FreeAtlanta

“I am really proud of him.”

###

You should be.

Eagle Scout: That’s rarefied territory.

From the days when EARNING a rank really meant something.

Congratulations to you and your son.


55 posted on 06/08/2012 9:30:09 AM PDT by EyeGuy (Armed, judgmental, fiscally responsible heterosexual.)
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To: EyeGuy
Thanks!

Sadly, there are some Eagles who don't earn it. I have heard of kids getting it who have connected parents. I know my boy earned every Merritt badge, but some kids get Eagle at really young ages who don't even know what badges they have. The parents should be ashamed.

What does the kid gain other than the great Eagle title? They are robbed. I wish the BSA would require a minimum age of 16 for Eagle.

56 posted on 06/08/2012 9:45:20 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Liberty and Justice for ALL)
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To: FreeAtlanta

Wow, I’m sorry to hear that is going on.

It certainly wasn’t in the Troop my son was in in his brief Scouting experience.


57 posted on 06/08/2012 9:48:16 AM PDT by EyeGuy (Armed, judgmental, fiscally responsible heterosexual.)
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To: EyeGuy
It isn't happening my our troop, either. The kids have to earn and understand their merits.

Another incident in our region was a minority kid who got Eagle when his politically connected dad kept pestering the board with letters hinting racism. The kid didn't earn the honor and barely participated. It is a really sad story that resulted in a lot of elder leaders being demoralized and less enthusiastic with their scouting efforts. I don't know the answer other than Scout leaders taking a stand and doing what is right. I believe the vast majority of Eagles earn the honor. Maybe, we just accept the occasional unjust promotion like happens in the military, private and government work. It just happens. God will sort it out.

58 posted on 06/08/2012 10:06:03 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Liberty and Justice for ALL)
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To: SZonian

I call BS on your claim that they register every church member with the BSA. I raised 3 sons in the church and none of them were registered with the ward troop. My middle son belonged to a troop sponsored by the Catholic church. Get your facts straight.


59 posted on 06/08/2012 11:16:41 AM PDT by Myrddin
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To: FreeAtlanta

Good luck to the young man. He probably doesn’t need it though as he’s discovered that hard work leads to “luck”
The things I learned in scouting still serve me well today. I hope that isn’t ruined for future young men


60 posted on 06/08/2012 3:10:31 PM PDT by Figment
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