DISCLAIMER: This is MY view on what happened with the Boy Scouts of America and the "morals" or society, and it not representing anyone else's views but my own. I am exercising my first amendment right of free speech to tell my side of the story...for I USED to BE a Boy Scout. I am glad that I am no longer, and will not subject any of my kids to it unless they wish to, and will be informed of what has happened in those dark days.

PART ONE (first posting: 12.21.2000)

You know, I can remember a time when being in a group was for fun, and not for politics. When did the wave of "homophobia" come about...that's what I want to know. I used to belong to a very nice troop of Boy Scouts back in the 80's in Montana, and there was a LOT of fun to be had by all, and not ONCE did the subject of petiphiles (I hope I'm spelling that right) and/or gay people come up!

Now, of course, we're talking the 80's there, and from my limited experience back then, I did not know if there was any strong sense of gay pride as there is today (I'm hoping there was), but if not, then I'm glad to see it's grown so much, as a lot of my friends are gay. I, for one, think gay people, from my experience, tend to be more clear-minded and focused on what they want out of life than the average straight person.

OK, now....on to the "Boy Scouts of America". Yes, I do clearly remember in the Scout saying, RIGHT AT THE END, it does say "and to be morally straight". Now....let's stop right there for JUST a moment if you will, and let's examine that point just a TOUCH more carefully, shall we?

Back in the 80's, there was a movement among the punk community known as the "straight-edge" movement, which meant no drugs, no alcohol, and being basically an honest citizen. Here is my definition of "morally straight", and you can challenge me on this if you like....

"Morally Straight" has NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING to do with your sexual orientation! Being "morally straight" has to do with BEING HONEST! It means being an "upright person". One who steals, does drugs, drinks heavily.....THOSE are the things that makes one not "morally straight". You are keeping your life on an even keel and are basically being a good person at heart.

It is my firm belief that this has come up only recently among the many swarms of "homophobia" that has plagued our country, and will continue to do so until we all put our feet down and STOP it! It's kind of like the "don't ask-don't tell" theory in the military. Come on! If someone is committed to defending their country, what difference does it make what their sexual orientation is????

I've read on many websites, and heard on a number of radio shows, that many many organizations and businesses are pulling out funding for the Boy Scouts SPECIFICALLY for that reason...and I applaud you for your stance! We are ONE NATION under GOD on this Earth! We are ONE PEOPLE! The time has come for us to put these kinds of discrimination behind us and work together for the betterment of all people....sounds a bit like a grand statement, but I've always wanted to say it.

The Boy Scouts were a good organization at one time, and they stood for a lot of decent things that made boys into good men, but if this is the philosophy that they are going to teach the boys of this generation and of future ones, then I'll have to look elsewhere to suggest people to try to make sure they're ready for the "real world"....and with an open mind intact.

PART TWO (first posting: 05.29.2001)

The other day, I was listening to talk radio (yeah...I do that), and I heard during the Doctor Laura radio program, which I do not partake of anymore, thank goodness, what was probably the single most disturbing thing all week. There is an amendment going through Congress called "The Helms Amendment".

What is it?

According to resources, the "Helms Amendment", if passed, would cause any school that does not allow the Boy Scouts of America to use their facilities for their activities, to stop getting government money! They would be cut off!

WHY is it?

This is a "threat tactic", done by more conservative elements, to strongarm the schools into giving in to the Boy Scouts, whose leaders have been teaching their troops to be anti-gay. They term that in the Boy Scout motto that "morally straight" means you HAVE TO BE HETEROSEXUAL TO BE ACCEPTED!!!!

Now, come ON people....this is just WRONG! Why are we teaching our youth to have a narrow vision of what is acceptable and what isn't? Some people will tell you that the gay/lesbian community is trying to down the amendment to further "special interests". I'm sorry, but gay people have been around quite a bit longer than the "Boy Scouts of America".

If you believe in a free America, you need to call your US Senator and tell them not to support this amendment! This amendment will deal a crippling blow to free-thinking people! We, as a nation, used to teach to respect others for who they are, no matter what.

THEN WHY ARE WE CHANGING THIS VIEW?

It makes NO SENSE as to why people are doing this! We are teaching the next generation to make people who are different from the "majority" that they are inferior and do not deserve the common decency and respect that others have. We will be becoming no different than the other types of supremacists that are out there...this amendment will just make it "legal" to discriminate. It's adding fuel to the fire and it will explode, and ladies and gentlemen, it won't be pretty.

It's time we all just got along and remember we are ALL on this planet together, as ONE people. There are a number of companies and organizations that support all types of people, no matter your race, age, creed, religion, sex, nationality, or SEXUAL ORIENTATION!

Teach our children patience and tolerance...not to turn away people since they are different from you and have a different lifestyle. We should embrace people for having the courage to be who they are!

Until the Boy Scouts of America change their stance, I stand in shame that I actually used to belong to this once-proud organization, and will no longer support what they stand for. I have also advised people to tune out Doctor Laura for her position on the subject as it goes against what we stand for in America...freedom!

PART 3 (posted 06.09.2002)

Sad to say, but the "Helms Amendment" has been passed (as noted HERE and HERE), so now we are "under the thumb" to allow the discriminatory Boy Scouts of America free access to our places of education and free-gathering, or else face the wrath of our government, and watch them hold the money sacks saying "You don't wanna let them in? Well, I guess you can't have THIS then!".

It falls upon the parents to educate their kids that being gay is NOT WRONG! I would suggest that kids are allowed to make their own choices, but also teach your kids to have an open mind when it comes to issues of the gay/lesbian community. People are people, and human nature is what it is, but people should be allowed to grow up with as many doors OPEN to them as possible.

To me, the "Helms Amendment" is just another way of saying that it's OK to discriminate against the gay & lesbian community, which is totally WRONG! Conservative elements in today's "society" have twisted around the original intent of the Boy Scout motto to suit their purposes, and unfortunately, have succeeded in getting their own way.

There are other youth groups out there BESIDES the Boy Scouts! There are places that people can go that don't have to deal with this sort of conservative reterich! They Boy Scouts is NOT the only place for todays kids to experience life! This is another blow against diversity, and a sad one at that.

Freedom is the right of ALL people!