New Haven Independent

Posted by: Stamford Talk | July 9, 2008 2:20 PM

Wonderful, clear-headed, well-researched argument.

I was pretty proud when the Greenwich superintendent of schools decided to not allow to Boy Scouts to come to the HS to recruit during school hours. A few people complained, but I think those who didn't agreed that a group cannot discriminate and expect to be given the red carpet welcome.

Posted by: Deuce | July 9, 2008 2:47 PM

As a scout dad, I am proud to be part of an organization that still has the balls to stand up to 'political correctness'. Besides, I don't see the gay community knocking down any doors to join. Seems like everyone but them is complaining.
There are so many private organizations that cater to so-called oppressed groups, why not start the Gay Scouts?

Posted by: Carole | July 9, 2008 4:13 PM

Deuce,

If the Scouts disallowed black boys, or non-Christians, or people whose last names end with "o," would you still admire their courage?

If you haven't heard the complaints of gay men who were kicked out as leaders, you haven't been listening.

Posted by: robn | July 9, 2008 6:32 PM

DEUCE,

Henry's point is that in ten years scout membership has dropped by half. So maybe if they've spent the better part of that time expending their energies in a right wing culture war...just maybe that's distracted them from their mission statemenr of educating youths.

Posted by: -fairhavener- | July 9, 2008 9:09 PM

Right on Carole and Robn. I was a Boy Scout when I was a kid, but my son won't be mostly because of their non-christian stance, and generally because of their twisted ideology in general. Seems to be more about adults and their agendas than it does about caring for the children. And if you think protecting your child against non-christians is good for your kid, than you're as twisted as I thought.

Posted by: write&wrong | July 9, 2008 9:55 PM

Henry,

Good article. I was a Boy Scout back at the same time you were. Growing up in an inner City, are troop had the same range of scouts you experienced. I attribute lots of my success in life to being a scout (and Catholic school education.) I learned lots of good lessons, not one of them about hating anyone. I agree that times have changed. I wonder if my 4 year old will follow in my footsteps... I hope the Boy Scouts will move back to basics....We need some good, role models for our youth.

Write&Wrong

Posted by: JMS | July 9, 2008 10:02 PM

Good story Henry... thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I was a scout when I was a kid... and like Hnery learned a lot of useful stuff. But like others have said I won't sign my son up because I don't want him involved with any organization that (1) discriminates against ANYone or (2) puts their moral agenda ahead of their actual purpose which in this case is to edcuate and improve the lives of young boys through a variety of simple, traditional events and experiences. It's sad really... that the scouts have lost sight of their own purpose and chosen to make a "moral stand" on an issue that they ought to have no position on at all. What are they thinking? Sadly it sounds like this will be a non-issue as soon as they manage to destroy themselves.

JMS

Posted by: Sally Tamarkin | July 9, 2008 10:47 PM

Great points, Henry. Thank you for writing this.

Deuce,
I'm not sure why you think that protection from discrimination in employment (or elsewhere for that matter) for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is a matter of "political correctness" rather than an issue of human or civil rights. I also can't figure out how Boy Scouts of America "has balls." Practicing exclusion and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity doesn't seem all that courageous. On the contrary, it's merely fearful, hateful and bigoted.

By the way, you don't need to see a community "knocking down any doors" en masse to make the argument that the organization has discriminatory policies (although you are aware that gay former employees have sued for being fired once the organization found out they were gay, right?). Finally, yes, it's a private organization. However, its chapters make use of public spaces, so, yeah, they should be subject to state and local laws.

Posted by: Ned | July 10, 2008 8:15 AM

Religion is some kind of brain malfunction that apparently makes uptight people more sex obsessed than they already are. Aside from that fact, what kind of guy wants to dress up in a uniform and lord it over young men in a quasi-military way??? In addition, aren't the Boy Scouts just a training ground for the Mormon (Moron) Church? Also, the knot tying expertise is highly valued in the bondage/SM community - shines a whole new light on it, doesn't it?

Posted by: scout eagle | July 10, 2008 8:21 AM

WOW WHAT THE HELL HAPPENTO OUR COUNTRY
boy scouts and girl scouts of AMERICA.
eveything so damn political....Henry i agree ..what i learned in the scouts is still with me today...and i have two sons in it today..
how about the city taking a small group to a scout function ..they might enjoy it...the city always wants a place were kids can go ..well here it is..city hall put some different effort for these kids....yes i was a a wise guy one time but a friend ask me to join them one time and now i have a family and try hard to give them the good values...amen

Posted by: Deuce | July 10, 2008 8:23 AM

Fairhavener, what is this 'non-christian' stance you refer to? I know of several troops, including the one my boys belong to, that have christian churches as their home base. Our troop t-shirts have a picture of the church on them. Hardly anti-christian.

With respect to the dwindling numbers of scout enrollment, I see that as a sign of uninvolved parenting more than any kind of discrimination.
You don't see Boy Scouts out selling crack and killing each other.

Posted by: Ned | July 10, 2008 9:09 AM

Hey Deuce: Boy Scout killed family, staged discovery of bodies. I don't see anything about him selling crack though...

Posted by: Ned | July 10, 2008 9:25 AM

Here's another gem: Boy Scout official pleads guilty
to child porn.

Posted by: Deuce | July 10, 2008 10:19 AM

Ned, yes there are scumbags who infiltrated the organization. Kick 'em out and throw in them jail.

Posted by: nick | July 10, 2008 2:53 PM

It is extremely unfortunate that the Boy Scouts national organization has gotten themselves so screwed up recently. I don't agree with the organizations recent fight against all gay men's involvement blindly and not instead enacting some sort of background check for ALL leaders, gay, straight or otherwise.

That being said, scouting was a huge part of my childhood that taught me to be a responsible person, how to work well with others and most importantly it got me outside. I don't have any kids yet, but I do plan on having them involved in the Boy Scouts. For parents who are worried about who is monitoring their sons on trip and at meetings, how about getting involved and becoming a leader yourself? My father was a leader when I was a scout and I plan on being one when my son/s join. It will be a way to bond with them and I will also be there to make sure nothing happens to them.

Posted by: Really Bored | July 10, 2008 7:33 PM

Why do we always get Fernandez in our faces every time he posts something on his trivial little web site. The man was a total failure as a Development Director in New Haven and resigned suddenly. He wants this publicity as hes trying to get a cabinet post with Obama. Bass is helping him as they both have extreme Liberal agendas. Now its character assassination for the Boy Scouts. Anyone check up to see if Fernandez was ever in the boy scouts as he claims. They do background checks, you know, Henry

Posted by: JMS | July 10, 2008 9:28 PM

Really Bored,

1. While it might be mildly amusing if Henry invented the story about his scouting background... I kind'a doubt that he would bother... too easy to verify for an ace news hound like Paul Bass.

2. If what you suggest is true... can you really blame him for wanting out of the local New Haven political scene?

Just curious.

JMS

Posted by: really bored | July 10, 2008 10:57 PM

JMS

Bass wont do squat because he knows he dont need to. Fed up with Liberals or one of the other folks in the land of the living on this site will just send this stuff off to the McCain and it will go into a big computer and get verified for later use.

Posted by: bloggersareidiotsb | July 11, 2008 2:07 AM

the Boy Scouts of America are mired in tradition. they are slow to change. they are a bit conservative.

but they are one of the most inclusive organizations in the world.

and they are hands down, the best youth organization in the world.

Posted by: Exiled Italian Shill | July 11, 2008 8:54 AM

Henry still keeping in the mix of things to stay in the fray of running for mayor. Got to love New Haven.

Posted by: Walt | July 13, 2008 8:01 AM

Viva Boy Scouts!

Protect our kids!

Posted by: David B. | July 13, 2008 8:00 PM

Posted by: bloggersareidiotsb | July 11, 2008 2:07 AM

but they are one of the most inclusive organizations in the world.
and they are hands down, the best youth organization in the world.

The Boy Scouts started in England. An American brought it to the States, and made it increasingly conservative Christian, until American scouting is hands down, not the best youth organization in the world. There are many quality leaders and volunteers, or at least there used to be. But the "professional scouters" who make six figures and live in Texas make the national policy and lead the witchhunts.

Go to a World Scouting Jamboree. Notice the atheists, gays, and god-forbid, girls and women allowed to participate in other countries. How is it that they can participate in the same organization in other countries, but not in the United States? How on earth did you get the idea that the BSA was inclusive? Do you know what the word means?