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None of this is about tolerating homosexuals in the Boy Scouts. There are, and have been, gays in the scouts since I was a kid and there are gays in the scouts today.

I sent this to the BSA this weekend...

We had our Klondike Derby this weekend and I was around a lot of adult scout leaders. Not surprisingly, the gay ban was on most people’s minds. I can tell you that there were THREE very vocal proponents — two of which were our scout master and assistant scout master. Many parents were unhappy with this strong support but felt that voicing such concerns would stigmatize them.

Personally, I am disappointed that an organization built on a strong value system has put find raising above those values. I think you are doing this all wrong.

First, stop talking about this. Do not respond to questions and do not make statements. Second, instead of chasing the wavering supporters, promote the solid supporters. Include a list of scout friendly merchants as part of your parent communications and encourage scout families to support these friends of scouting. Scouting families buy a lot and should be seen as something to be wooed.

I’m concerned that the BSA is the next JCP. Penny changed their values to woo an attractive demographic. The attractive demographic would never patronize JC Penny, so few new customers were gained. The wooing process chased away a lot of customers who were offended by the changes and JCP now has no customers.

Just last fall senate and presidential candidates lost elections after campaigns distancing themselves from values voters — democrat voters didn’t believe them and republicans did.

The BSA is (was) an organization based on values. It’s OK if people who do not like those values do not support us. It’s not ok if the people who like those values do not support us.