[21033] in APO-L
[APO-L] BSA & APO
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Brown Michael-EMB021)
Mon Jul 24 11:23:21 2000
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Message-Id: <11FD1D380B0CD411A23600D0B7204BE601341989@plnt051.comm.mot.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 10:57:51 -0400
Reply-To: Brown Michael-EMB021 <Michael_Brown-EMB021@EMAIL.MOT.COM>
From: Brown Michael-EMB021 <Michael_Brown-EMB021@EMAIL.MOT.COM>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
I have recently read over some of the messages regarding an attempt to
create a grassroots campaign within APO in response to the recent Supreme
Court case.
Let me add my two cents as a long time scout & scouter and APO member.
Many in the BSA would like to see some of these policies by the BSA
regarding gays, atheists, and agnostics changed. However, there is a 'right
way' and a 'wrong way' to do this. Personally, I find the tactics of groups
like Scouting for All to be the wrong way. Their tactics try to bring about
change via governmental force (court cases) and other destructive tactics
(revoking congressional charter). Thus, I will never support such an
organization as Scouting for All, even if I agreed with their goal. Such
change MUST come from within the organization. The BSA, like APO, is a
private organization, and has a right to set its membership standards.
What too many people seem not to realize is that homosexuality is still a
big issue in this country. Many people, and many groups, are still coming
to grips with it. The military has a problem with it. Many churchs will
not allow same sex marriages, or allow gay priests, etc. Many view
homosexuality as being immoral. Not everyone, but many do. As these view
change, so will society. Statistics show that those in their 20s and 30s
don't have a problem with the issue of homosexuality. Its usually those in
their 40s and 50s that do. But this change will occur over the next decade
or so. But I think some want to force this change to occur more quickly,
hence the tactics of groups like Scouting for All.
Now, if APO was to issue a statement to the BSA that they should change
their policies, fine. But I would not be in agreement with APO as an
organization joining with the tactics of groups like Scouting for All. If
individual APO members wish to do so, that's their choice.
Also, Scouting for All also makes an issue of the BSA barring females from
the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs (the Venturing program is co-ed). What
they fail to realize is that the GSUSA is the scouting program for girls,
and that both the BSA & GSUSA have agreed that the BSA will NOT open up Cub
Scouts and Boy Scouts to girls. The GSUSA was not to happy when the BSA
opened up Exploring to girls in the 70s, nor with Venturing being co-ed, as
a result their own older girl programs are very weak. If Scouting for All
is going to attack the BSA for not accepting girls, they should also attack
the GSUSA for not accepting boys, and for holding the BSA to barring girls.
Michael Brown
SWFL Council
Osceola Lodge #564 VH
APO LM
ADT SAA
