GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Backing Away From the Scouts

• 7366
  

  Wasn't this about a Scout troop that happened to be located on a military base? Where are they supposed to go? After all, the kids live there with their families. Aren't they entitled to the same opportunities that other American kids have? Isn't that the American way? The Scout leaders were military personnel, who volunteered to serve on their own time. Isn't it prejudicial, and hypocritical, to say that the Scouts have done a lot of good, but these kids can't have their own troop because of where they live? Unless they travel to a surrounding community, where they'd be strangers, they can't enjoy the benefits of Scouting? Sounds like second class citizenship to me. The military has chapels on its bases, where military chaplains conduct religious services and otherwise serve the religious needs of military personnel. Will that be the next target of the ACLU?

  GovExec.com reader Posted December 2, 2004 1:09 PM
• 7341
  

  No one is condemning the BSA, or even saying it's a bad organization. Clearly, the BSA has been a positive influence on our lives for decades. The problem is that the federal government had put itself in the position of directly sponsoring the BSA. The problem here is that the BSA really is a religious organization, due to its required oath of belief in God. As such, the federal government must refrain from direct sponsorship because the Constitution's promise of religious liberty is supposed to guarantee that no citizen's religious affiliation - or lack thereof - should matter when it comes to dealing with the federal government. A government-sponsored organization that discriminates based upon religious belief violates that constitutional promise.

  GovExec.com reader Posted December 1, 2004 1:03 PM
• 7338
  

  I strongly echo the previous comment on this story. The Boy Scouts of America have been under attack from such liberal, God hating organizations and individuals for years. The BSA had lawsuits filed against them because one father wanted his son in the Scouts, but didn't want him to recite "duty to God and country" in the Oath. The Scouts won. The United Way dropped all affiliation with the Boy Scouts because of this. Yet the Scouts persisted. Gays petitioned and filed suits to be allowed in the Scouts. Again the Scouts won. Now the ACLU is taking shots at the Scouts. The solution is simple. If you don't believe in the principles set forth by the BSA, don't join. And for those who don't join because of this, too bad you don't believe in God, because you're gonna need Him. Win, Lose or Draw, I'm extremely proud of the Boy Scouts for upholding their moral and ethical standards and not knuckling under to "political correctness" like most would have. If more organizations did this, we'd be a lot better off. Hold firm boys! I salute you!

  Barry Ward
  Soil Scientist and Eagle Scout

  Barry Ward Posted December 1, 2004 10:39 AM
• 7253
  

  What a disgrace! This nation is facing tremendous challenges in many areas, and the ACLU has nothing better to do than pick on a respected youth organization that has served this country well for over 90 years! Maybe we'd be in better shape today if we all subscribed to the principles the Boy Scouts stand for, such as trust, loyalty, helpfulness, courtesy, kindness, bravery, and yes, reverence. Of course, in today's "anything goes" society, such values are viewed by some as quaint and old fashioned. They were good enough for many of our best and our brightest, including elected officials, educators, military heros, astronauts, etc. I am proud to have been a Boy Scout, as my father was, and as my son will be. Have any of those critical of Scouting actually belonged to a Scout troop, or seen firsthand what good Scouting does for young men (and women!) from all backgrounds? Of course not, but it's hip in some circles to take ignorant pot shots at our heritage, isn't it? What's next, revising the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, our currency, etc. to eliminate all references to a higher authority? This nation welcomes all, but it was founded on Judeo-Christian principals and beliefs, and to deny that shows ignorance of our history. I'm sure the founding fathers would be appalled by what is going on today, as many Americans already are! So congratulations, ACLU, you won a great victory over a bunch of kids. I hope you're proud of yourselves. Instead of strengthening this nation, you're helping to destroy it.

  GovExec.com reader Posted November 23, 2004 12:27 PM
• 7207
  

  The ACLU "oath" is to the Constitution. Like the military's or any other government entity. Not like the Boy Scouts. Clear enough?

  GovExec.com reader Posted November 19, 2004 2:23 PM
• 7189
  

  It is a sad day in America...or at least what used to be America.

  Guess how many men and women in the military used to be Scouts? I don't know either, but I am sure the number is high. I was one.

  BTW, I wonder who the ACLU says their oath to....

  GovExec.com reader Posted November 19, 2004 7:57 AM