Boy Scouts

General Lee 01 · July 23, 2001

Being a Boy Scout myself was wondering......

Is anybody here involved w/ the BSA or GS (Iguess we can include girl Scouts in this disscussion LOL)???Were you a Scout? Is your SonDaughter a Cub, Webelos, Boy Scout, Brownie, ETC?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm leaving next Sunday for Summer Camp. I'll be gone ALL next week until the following Saturday (Horray, I'll be home in- time for the Brickyard 400) .

I'm just wondering if I have any "Brothers" out there. LOL

The Beav · July 23, 2001

I was a Scout. I made it to star w/ Order of the Arrow before giving up Scouts due to time constraints. My son is only 2, but when he's old enough I'll have him in Scouts and take an active part in the den/troop. And on a political, potentially inflammatory note, I fully support the Scouts and their ban on gays and hope they stand firm and don't bow down to 'political correctness'.

76BBSub · July 23, 2001

I am an Eagle Scout, and was also Order of the Arrow. Like The Beav, I stopped going around 16 or 17 when I got a part time job and a steady girlfriend, which is why I always encourage younger Scouts to work hard on their Eagle before they turn 16 and all the distractions really hit you hard.

Been to Philmont twice, summer camp every year, etc. I was pretty hardcore, our troop went camping once every month except December (holidays, ya know). Held pretty much every office there is as a troop member, PL, SPL, Quartermaster, Scribe, I think I was even Bugler once...

I also agree with The Beav the Scouts are right about their ban on gays, and am glad they have stuck to their guns on that one.

Jeff

Charles · July 23, 2001

I was a Scout and also made it to Star w/ Order of the Arrow. I stoped working for Eagle when our good Scout Master left.

patrick · July 23, 2001

I was a scout, and now will never have a child of mine join because of their stance on basic human rights,

they want the best of both worlds.. to be able to be a public institution, use schools etc for meetings, but to be able to set their own discriminatory practices (that are no different than a country club, etc not allowing african americans or jewish people into their clubs)

but, that said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion,

As Beatrice Hall said (widely attributed to Voltaire)-

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

(Edited by patrick at 1:37 pm on July 23, 2001)

Badger · July 23, 2001

I was a Scout also. Made it to Star and was OA (ceremonial team). The native american customs always interested me and the night I was "Tapped" struck fear in me. It was a good experience and I wouldn't trade it. My Father followed me through from Cubs as a Den Leader or Scout Master. It just started to get too expensive. Camping gear, summer camp, ceremonial clothes, etc. I sure had some great times and did a lot of things I wouldn't have gotten to do otherwise had I not been involved. I appreciate BSA's stance also.

LT · July 23, 2001

I was a scout and when my Boy's were younger they were involved in scouts and I became a Webelo leader. Good organization.

July 23, 2001

I was a Star (I think. It was a loooong time ago). I quit when I was 14 and my family moved. We looked into troops at our new home, but they were lame.

If I had boys, I would definitely encourage scouting. I think it is a great organization.

mblrds · July 24, 2001

Quote: from patrick on 12:51 pm on July 23, 2001
their stance on basic human rights,

being?

If you're referring to their stance against homosexuality, there's a big difference between being a African American or jewish and being a homosexual.

One you are born being (you had no say in the matter), the other is a chosen lifestyle. It is the lifestyle that is deemed inappropriate, not the people.

Not to mention, the trust needed in a particular person, if they are to be the Scout Master or Den Leader. Who in their right mind would send their sons out on overnight campouts with a known homosexual? Would you like to be in the military and have to take showers with a known homosexual?

(Edited by mblrds at 8:42 pm on July 23, 2001)

DigUout · July 24, 2001

Normally I wouldn't go near a post with such a sensitive "side" topic, but to answer the General, I was awarded the Eagle rank in '88. I spent many years in boy scouting, and was involved with leadership in my Mom's girl scout troop. Following my years as a scout, I was also involved as an adult leader with my troop.

I won't waste space defending or decrying someone's sexual orientation and their right to be involved in scouting, but mblrds, who I have cordially chatted with about several different subjects, suggesting that homosexuals are equivalent to child molestors or sexual deviants, leaves the door open for the possibility that all NC mountain boys are toothless, shine drinkin', barnyard animal lovin', sister pokers. After all, as residents, it's a lifestyle they choose!!

Now before anyone misreads this post as me knocking mblrds, or flaming him and his crusty old school republican views, please know that I'm from the same area and still enjoy a good shine myself. I'd probably even like mblrds sister.........;) I've never seen the sense in treating personal perceptions as fact or just. There are a lot of heterosexual men out there who wouldn't want to be judged soley on who they are married to or sleeping with!!

patrick · July 24, 2001

well said, diguout, well said

as I said, I have my opinion, others have their opinion, and my view is that no one has any more choice in who they are attracted to than they have in their race (unless you are Michael Jackson

mblrds · July 24, 2001

Quote: from DigUout on 3:12 am on July 24, 2001
... suggesting that homosexuals are equivalent to child molestors or sexual deviants, ...

That is just one of many issues facing the scouts in allowing homosexuals to be Scout Leaders. Many young men are recruited into the homosexual life-style by other homosexuals who take advantage of young men who are struggling with raging hormones and confused about their own sexuality. Why do you suppose the leaders in the homosexual community are pushing so hard to be allowed to be Scout Masters and Den Leaders? They want to be able to get to the young men when they are most vulnerable.

What is the purpose of the Boy Scout?

True, not all homosexuals are child molestors. But some are! How do you know who is and isn't? You don't!

I know, the same can be said for heterosexuals. It is usually the most unlikely person. Usually the one person nobody would ever dream.

In my book, homosexuality is a deviant life-style (no middle road here, folks). It goes against nature. You won't find anywhere in nature where homosexuality is normal. It is unique only with man.

Am I ignorant about what I am talking about? You tell me. I had a brother that was a homosexual. He's no longer one though, he died of AIDs.

mblrds · July 24, 2001

Quote: from patrick on 10:14 am on July 24, 2001
my view is that no one has any more choice in who they are attracted to than they have in their race

So, basically what you are saying is that it comes down to chemistry, something that's totally out of our control? And because it is something that we can't control, it should be accepted as normal and allowed?

So, if a man, finds he desires little boys more than women, it's okay and he should be allowed to "love" little boys.

So, if a man desires his daughter more than his wife, it's okay and he and his daughter should be allowed to live "happily ever after"?

So, if a woman finds sexual fulfillment with a German Shepard, that's okay, it's none of our business and she should be able to do as she pleases with the dog?

NewbieZ71 · July 24, 2001

Poor General!!1 All he wanted was to put up a nice little post about summer camp!!!!

Theres a moral in this but Im not sure what it is!

The Beav · July 25, 2001

I left Georgia about a year and a half ago and am now living in PA. I'd forgotten what fun it is to kick open a fire ant hill until I responded to the General's post with what seemed to be a simple supportive gesture. But while I'm on the topic, I too, think that homosexuality is a perversion of nature. Now, I'm no Jerry Falwell Bible thumper, heck, I don't find myself in church too often at all, but I do have my morals. The reason there are males and females in all species is so they can reproduce and perpetuate the species. Tab A is not supposed to fit into Tab A, it's supposed to go in Slot A. They can't reproduce, so they are unnatural. Albeit, I get a laugh out of homosexuality (Will & Grace) and Broadway, and entertainment from girl-girl adult entertainment, but I don't want my child exposed to that lifestyle until they're old enough to know what's what and can make up their own, mature minds.