http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/bsa/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:35:49 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418027/posts The LAPD plans to launch its own Explorer program for young people this month, removing the Boy Scouts of America from management, officials said Tuesday. The Police Commission voted two months ago to end its relationship with the Scouts because of the organization's policies that discriminate against gays. The program had been operated by the Learning for Life Foundation, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts. The move to create the Los Angeles Police Department's own teen program should be launched by Jan. 1, Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger told the Police Commission. "We have received inquiries from dozens of agencies on... http://www.dailynews.com/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418027/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:35:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399870/posts San Francisco » The Mormon church and Boy Scouts of America were named as defendants in lawsuits Monday claiming childhood sexual abuse by youth leaders decades ago. Alleged victims filed suits against both organizations in San Francisco and Seattle, and against the church alone in Portland, Ore. The plaintiffs are all represented by Portland attorney Kelly Clark, who has brought similar suits against the church and the Boy Scouts in the past. In the suit filed in San Francisco Superior Court, three brothers claim the church ignored their complaints about being molested by their Silicon Valley Boy Scout and Mormon... Salt Lake Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399870/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 02:40:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404970/posts The Boy Scouts of America turns 100 today! Boy Scouts of America http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404970/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:49:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949574/posts Is Mitt Romney Conservative? by Gary Glenn Chairman, Campaign for Michigan Families The Washington, D.C. conservative weekly Human Events last year listed Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in its Top Ten list of RINOs (Republicans in Name Only), ranking him at number 8 in the nation with the following entry: "Has said, ’I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.’ Supports (homosexual) civil unions and stringent gun laws. After visiting Houston, he criticized the city’s aesthetics, saying, ’This is what happens when you don’t have zoning.’" (Human Events) Romney should have ranked even higher on the list... CP.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949574/posts#comment Mon, 7 Jan 2008 14:18:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395800/posts Hauling brush and old tires out of the woods in Allentown early Friday, members of the Service Employees International Union learned an Eagle-Scout-to-be is just as forgiving as he is trustworthy, loyal and helpful. The Eagle Scout service project of Kevin Anderson, 17, of Upper Saucon Township was caught up in a national media firestorm after Nick Balzano, an Allentown union official, threatened to file a grievance over Kevin's work clearing a trail in Kimmets Lock Park. Conservative pundits seized on the remark as evidence of the SEIU's ''thuggery,'' and Balzano later resigned. To show there were no hard feelings,... The Morning Call Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395800/posts#comment Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:51:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391383/posts The Boy Scouts' motto is: Be prepared. Who knew it meant preparing to de fend themselves against union thuggery? Kids, pay attention: This is a teachable moment for all of you on power, politics and Big Labor's culture of corruption. At last week's City Council meeting in Allentown, Pa., a top official of the local Service Employees International Union chapter ranted about 17-year-old Scout Kevin Anderson's park-cleanup work. To earn an Eagle Scout badge, Anderson devoted some 200 hours to picking up trash and helping clear a 1,000-foot walking path with fellow members of Boy Scouts Troop 301 of Center... NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391383/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:33:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391254/posts A brouhaha over a Boy Scout and his Eagle Scout project has brought down a local union leader. Nick Balzano has stepped down as head of the local Service Employees International Union. Balzano was roundly criticized for crying foul over a Boy Scout's effort to clear a walking path in a park in Allentown. He said the project was taking work away from union workers. Six other high-ranking members of the union have also resigned. wfmz-tv news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391254/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:18:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389446/posts ARLINGTON, Nov. 18, 2009 – Character was the focus as Scouting saluted the military yesterday. U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri told about 500 people from Boy Scouts’ National Capital Area Council that the values of Boy Scouts and the military are constant and that both organizations seek to serve something greater than themselves. This was the first Scout dinner saluting the military. Retired Navy Capt. Scott Gray, who now works with event sponsor General Dynamics, said he hopes to make the event an annual affair. The Crystal Gateway Marriott – a stone’s throw from the Pentagon – hosted the... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389446/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:56:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386983/posts In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park. Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of the city's largest municipal union. Nick Balzano, president of the local Service Employees International Union, told Allentown City Council Tuesday that the union is considering filing a grievance against the city for allowing Anderson to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path at Kimmets Lock Park. "We'll be looking into the Cub... The Morning Call http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386983/posts#comment Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:55:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387771/posts More mischief from the SEIU? SEIU members think they are entitled to work and make money. Of course, if there is no government money to fund projects and volunteers step in and take up the slack, union thugs are demanding all work stop. It’s not fair! Cry me a river. From Jarrett Renshaw of the Morning Call. In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park. Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him... http://www.radioviceonline.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387771/posts#comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:19:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2363272/posts FirstCall/ -- AT&T* announced today a donation of more than $250,000 to the Patriots' Path Council, serving Boy Scouts of America in northern and central New Jersey. The money is a result of the first annual AT&T NJ Golf Classic which was held at Fiddlers Elbow Country Club in Bedminster and featured appearances by former NY Yankees Joe Pepitone and Lee Mazzilli. Proceeds will be used to support Inner City Scouting programs providing camp scholarships for children living in urban areas and will also fund the cost of a full-time bilingual Program Director for Hispanic communities. Yahool Business Wire http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2363272/posts#comment Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:57:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2360497/posts NEWARK, Del. — Finding character witnesses when you are 6 years old is not easy. But there was Zachary Christie last week at a school disciplinary committee hearing with his karate instructor and his mother’s fiancé by his side to vouch for him. Zachary’s offense? Taking a camping utensil that can serve as a knife, fork and spoon to school. He was so excited about recently joining the Cub Scouts that he wanted to use it at lunch. School officials concluded that he had violated their zero-tolerance policy on weapons, and Zachary now faces 45 days in the district’s reform... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2360497/posts#comment Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:54:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2333881/posts New advice published in Scouting, the official in-house magazine, says neither Scouts nor their parents should bring penknives to camp except in "specific" situations. Scouts have traditionally been taught how to use knives correctly, using them on camping trips to cut firewood or carve tools. At one point Scouts were allowed to carry a sheath knife on their belt as part of their uniform although this is no longer the case. In recent years the Scout Association guidance has been that parents should carry knives to camps or meetings. Dave Budd, a knife-maker who runs courses training Scouts about the... The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2333881/posts#comment Mon, 7 Sep 2009 13:29:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2332562/posts Lucas Wondra has Down syndrome and communicates with a few words, sign language and a PDA with a speaker and voice software. But when it comes to the Boy Scouts, he concedes no disability. On Monday, Lucas, a 16-year-old freshman at Hutchinson High, became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America and the latest in a collage of medals and merit badges covering his uniform. Scout Master Bill Whitlow said Lucas is the first Scout with Down syndrome from Troop 301 to achieve his Eagle rank. "I feel like it's been a community effort," his... The Hutchinson News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2332562/posts#comment Sat, 5 Sep 2009 00:39:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2306307/posts Even though there was a slight hitch in their plan, a group of Boy Scouts who while on their way to a national competition in Indiana found themselves stranded in Atlanta, are now on their way. After exhausting all other options to find a flight that would get them to Indiana before 8 a.m. Sunday, the Scouts were able to rent a charter bus, which Delta will be covering the cost, said Carlos Santos, Delta spokesman. Although they bought their plane tickets in April, the group of 30 Boy Scouts and their eight chaperones were forced to rent the bus... ajc.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2306307/posts#comment Sun, 2 Aug 2009 04:12:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2252361/posts (WCCO) The Boy Scouts of America is sending a message to overweight leaders: shape up or stay home Starting next year, volunteers must undergo annual physicals and meet weight restrictions before they can take part in the most rugged Scout activities. Last summer, Kevin Wright's sons went to the Philmont Scout ranch in the mountains of New Mexico. Wright didn't go make the long trip. The longtime Scout leader didn't meet Philmont's weight restrictions. "I wasn't in bad shape," he said. "But considering what you're going through on that trek, that was a good instance where they need to have... WCCO.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2252361/posts#comment Sat, 16 May 2009 20:49:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2247271/posts ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center (TMLC), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) joined forces to file a friend of the court brief asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals penalizing San Diego Boy Scouts because of their “morally straight” values. At issue in the case are leases from the City of San Diego allowing the San Diego Boy Scouts to build and operate campgrounds and an aquatic center for use by the Scouts and the... California Catholic Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2247271/posts#comment Fri, 8 May 2009 23:40:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2246138/posts With work ramping up in Washington on a "hate crimes" bill that would create special rights for homosexuals, a case that addresses a related issue – claims by same-sex couples they have the right not to be "offended" by "straight' morality – has been presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case involves a series of projects by the Boy Scouts of America in San Diego. The private organization has provided millions of dollars in improvements to public facilities in exchange for their use but faces being banned because homosexuals and lesbians who never even were exposed to the work... WND http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2246138/posts#comment Thu, 7 May 2009 15:49:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2245598/posts Larry Armstrong has been volunteering with his local Boy Scout branch for years, chaperoning trips, serving on the council committee, even becoming certified in archery instruction for a day camp. But Armstrong, at 6-foot, 2-inches tall and about 370 pounds, may no longer qualify for some scout outings because he's overweight, part of a new push by the national organization to ensure the scouts and their volunteers are healthy. A new mandatory weight requirement by the national Boy Scouts of America that will take effect next January has some longtime volunteers concerned they will be left out of trips they've... abcnews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2245598/posts#comment Wed, 6 May 2009 20:59:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2224809/posts Out of Georgia comes a heart warmer about the Boy Scouts for a change. Instead of radical gays attacking this noble organization, instead of extremist left-wing politicians trying to make a name for themselves by attacking one of America's finest youth organizations, we have a story that makes you smile. And you can bet it won't make national news. Rodrigo and Rosa Cano moved to the United States in 1980. A decade or so later Rosa gave birth to David who the proud parents enrolled in a local Boy Scouts troop when he reached his tenth year. They hoped that... Publius' Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2224809/posts#comment Wed, 8 Apr 2009 13:28:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2222415/posts Because of the Boy Scouts of America's policy prohibiting gays from becoming leaders, I vowed as an idealistic new parent a decade ago to never let my children participate in the organization. The discrimination went against all that I planned to teach my sons about equality and social justice. I am now the mom of three scouts and the wife of a den leader. Months after my oldest son transformed into a sullen pre-teenager not interested in soccer and baseball or anything else, he heard some kids talking about camping out with the scouts on a real battleship. He enthusiastically... The Hartford Courant http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2222415/posts#comment Sat, 4 Apr 2009 19:49:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2199622/posts President Obama says he wants to be president of all the people. But some groups are urging him to make an exception for the Boy Scouts of America. Critics of the Scouts who are outraged that the group is allowed to exclude gays and atheists while receiving federal funding are urging Obama to reject the group's honorary presidency, a designation bestowed on every U.S. president since William Howard Taft in 1910. "I'm hoping and praying he turns down the honorary presidency," said Howard Menzer, president of Scouting for All, which advocates for inclusion of gays into the Boy Scouts. "No... Fox http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2199622/posts#comment Thu, 5 Mar 2009 06:42:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2198504/posts Tory Green, the first Eagle Scout from Troop 400 in Huntsville, met President Barack Obama at 2 p.m. this afternoon inside the White House. "It was breathtaking," said the 17-year-old Lee High School senior. "Not only did I get to meet the president, but I got to give Michelle Obama a big ol' hug." Green is in Washington D.C., to present the National State of Scouting address to Congress tomorrow morning. Today Green was scheduled to meet with President Obama, but meeting the president's wife was a coincidence. "We were walking toward the Oval Office, and she walked by, stopped... Huntsville Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2198504/posts#comment Tue, 3 Mar 2009 23:16:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2198489/posts President Obama says he wants to be president of all the people. But some groups are urging him to make an exception for the Boy Scouts of America. Critics of the Scouts who are outraged that the group is allowed to exclude gays and atheists while receiving federal funding are urging Obama to reject the group's honorary presidency, a designation bestowed on every U.S. president since William Howard Taft in 1910. FoxNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2198489/posts#comment Tue, 3 Mar 2009 22:59:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2191447/posts If you've seen the yellow bags on your door knob, you probably know this is the day Boy Scouts collect food for the hungry. Their goal - 500,000 items. But behind one door knob, a local Cub Scout troop solicited a pretty special donor, former president George W. Bush. For 10,000 local kids, scouting for food is door to door, and it's neighbor to neighbor. But for the boys of Troop 19, their newest neighbor is guarded by the police and the Secret Service. Getting the former president's canned goods is no simple matter. "You had to do a bit... WFAA.COM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2191447/posts#comment Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:48:59 GMT