Comments
by Java Mann
|
Scout's
Honor
OK, rehashing old news: The
Boy Scouts practice discrimination, banning homosexuals, agnostics and
atheists from membership. They were sued, lost, then appealed to the Supreme
Court, where they won. |
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The decision concluded that
as a private organization, the Boy Scouts have the right to free association
and can discriminate at will.
As a result, many cities,
states and charitable organizations that have free access policies have
chosen to break their ties with the Boy Scouts. There are cities that no
longer allow the Scouts to use their schools, gymnasiums and halls rent-free.
Charities (The United Way to name one) will no longer support the organization.
Connecticut will no longer allow state employees to make donations to the
group through payroll deductions.
The Boy Scouts asked to be
treated as a private organization, and got what they wanted, only to find
they don’t like it one bit. Tough noogies. Rather than accept the results
of their own actions in a quiet and dignified manner, they have engaged
in nuisance lawsuits, claiming that they are the victims of discrimination.
And now it gets worse.
Congressman Tom Tancredo
of Colorado has introduced House Bill 5306, referred to as the "Scouts
Honor" bill, which, if passed, will "prohibit the use of federal funds
to discriminate against, investigate, or deny access to public property
or facilities to the Boy Scouts of America." In addition the bill says,
"no agency that accepts federal funds can compel the Boy Scouts to accept
members who do not share their beliefs".
In a nutshell, this ludicrous
piece of legislation places the wishes of the Boy Scouts above the wishes
of the voting public. If your community passes a non-discrimination policy,
the wishes of the Boy Scouts overrides it. If your state has a non-discrimination
policy, it cannot be applied to the BSA. This legislation would put the
Boy Scouts on a pedestal, making them above the law, and the wishes of
the people. Should this bill see the light of day, and by some twist of
politics, gets passed, I am sure it will be overruled as blatantly unconstitutional
and unenforceable.
As I have said before, I
have nothing against the Boy Scouts. I appreciate the work they do, and
feel that any organization that actively assists young people to become
responsible caring and community active young adults deserves to be commended.
I do, however, feel that their discriminatory practices are wrong, and
that continuing these practices sets a bad example and teaches a very bad
lesson.
The Boy Scouts could easily
correct this situation by abandoning an archaic policy. The Girl Scouts
of America have been around almost as long with no discriminatory policy.
Scouting exist worldwide, and few if any scouting organizations practice
discrimination. The Scouts adherence to their discrimination policy serves
only to tarnish their, otherwise, spotless reputation.
It's time the Scouts wake
up and realize that this is the year 2000, and discrimination is no longer
an American value.
JM
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