Boy Scouts reviewing Ban on Gays ...

[LA Ute]

Our council is trying to come up with a policy that will allow us to be gay-friendly and still not get kicked out of the BSA. Seems to me that ought to be possible.

What I've never understood is why this even comes up. I've had kids in my troops over the years who seemed to be gay and later came out, but while they were in the troop it wasn't an issue. In most Scout troops leaders are not talking about their sexual orientation or conduct around the boys, and the boys don't talk about such matters - not around the campfire, at least. Most 12-16 year old boys are not sexually active anyway. So I don't see a problem with gay scouts or gay leaders, as long as they're not acting out. Hetero leaders and Scouts, as well as gay leaders and Scouts, should be booted if they are acting out sexually or talking about sexual matters with the boys. That's how it seems to me, anyway.

[TripletDaddy]

Our council is trying to come up with a policy that will allow us to be gay-friendly and still not get kicked out of the BSA. Seems to me that ought to be possible.

What I've never understood is why this even comes up. I've had kids in my troops over the years who seemed to be gay and later came out, but while they were in the troop it wasn't an issue. In most Scout troops leaders are not talking about their sexual orientation or conduct around the boys, and the boys don't talk about such matters - not around the campfire, at least. Most 12-16 year old boys are not sexually active anyway. So I don't see a problem with gay scouts or gay leaders, as long as they're not acting out. Hetero leaders and Scouts, as well as gay leaders and Scouts, should be booted if they are acting out sexually or talking about sexual matters with the boys. That's how it seems to me, anyway.

you started out well but crashed and burned towards the middle there. I still see this as progress, though.

[smokymountainrain]

I call BS on the author of that letter. Nobody calls it an Eagle medal.

[Clark Addison]

This outcome tells you the LDS church hasn't changed a much as some of you hope.

As much as we hoped, maybe, but as far as expectations, I don't think anyone was surprised by this.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I call BS on the author of that letter. Nobody calls it an Eagle medal.

What do you call it?

[PaloAltoCougar]

Speaking of Scouts, I remember a great joke from Boy's Life Magazine.

Q: What did the Scoutmaster say when he picked his car up from the mechanic?
A: Beep. Repaired!

In fourth grade, at our school's talent show, I did a five-minute stand-up comedy routine consisting entirely of jokes from my older bro's Boy's Life. I totally rocked the Parsons School cafeteria that day.

[Topper]

In fourth grade, at our school's talent show, I did a five-minute stand-up comedy routine consisting entirely of jokes from my older bro's Boy's Life. I totally rocked the Parsons School cafeteria that day.

So stand up routines have been the highlights of your academic career at every stage. One wagers your mother is ever so proud!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Another one. I sense a trend.

[LA Ute]

Another one. I sense a trend.

This one called it a badge. That actually sounds more like common usage to me. Not that it matters much.

[SeattleUte]

To the BSA:

I return my second class rank and fishing merit badge (I don't have them any longer but please expunge my records). I wish I had made Eagle so I could resign from that. I will not hold awards from a bigoted organization.

[CardiacCoug]

To the BSA:

I return my second class rank and fishing merit badge (I don't have them any longer but please expunge my records). I wish I had made Eagle so I could resign from that. I will not hold awards from a bigoted organization.

[TripletDaddy]

To the BSA:

I return my second class rank and fishing merit badge (I don't have them any longer but please expunge my records). I wish I had made Eagle so I could resign from that. I will not hold awards from a bigoted organization.

You care more about making the effort to expunge your Boy Scout records than your LDS church records?

[LA Ute]

To the BSA:

I return my second class rank and fishing merit badge (I don't have them any longer but please expunge my records). I wish I had made Eagle so I could resign from that. I will not hold awards from a bigoted organization.

There is a Scout Shop somewhere near you. You can buy the badges there and send them in. Shouldn't cost you more than a few dollars.

[Uncle Ted]

There is a Scout Shop somewhere near you. You can buy the badges there and send them in. Shouldn't cost you more than a few dollars.

Think again... those BSA badges are expensive. Su, just buy some cheap used ones off ebay or something. e.g. here is a whole set for $4...



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boy-Scout-Ra...#ht_500wt_1189

[Jeff Lebowski]

This one called it a badge. That actually sounds more like common usage to me. Not that it matters much.

Sorry, but this whole "badge vs medal" issue is a lame cheapshot at the sender of the first letter.

Look at the top of the photo with this second letter. There is both a badge and a medal. The photo of the first letter only included the medal. Yes, it is common for someone to say "I earned my eagle badge", but the reference made perfect sense in terms of what the guy was including with the letter.