NationStates Jolt Archive

(http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Scouts_Piracy_Patch.html)

Am I the only person who thinks the amount of special interest groups controlling the boy scouts right now is appalling? It used to be kinda of an outdoorsy thing for kids to do, and now it's a mouthpiece for hate, intolerance, and corporate greed.

Source, bitte.

yeh, probably. the scouts hated me.

uh

you seem to have missed the "yet another" part

what are you talking about?

Dammit! the links do not work!


http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Scouts_Piracy_Patch.html

Dammit! the links do not work!


http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Scouts_Piracy_Patch.html

oh thats just pathetic.

do they also give out merit badges for the evils of shoplifting and steriod abuse?

This is hilarious.

Thankfully I only stayed in long enough to learn how to load and shoot a rifle.

I was in the Boy Scouts once. Then they found out I was an atheist and kicked me out. So to get back at them I ran up to every member of my former troup and kissed them.

I was in the Boy Scouts once. Then they found out I was an atheist and kicked me out. So to get back at them I ran up to every member of my former troup and kissed them.
What percent of that post is bullshit?

What percent of that post is bullshit?

100% USDA choice.

What percent of that post is bullshit?

The kissing part. I only kissed one of them. It was disgusting, so I didn't repeat it with the others.

The kissing part. I only kissed one of them. It was disgusting, so I didn't repeat it with the others.

I knew you where a homophobe.

My 13 year old nephew and I discussed the boy scouts. I was surprised and gratified when he quit after I told him they didn't allow gays or atheists.

The kissing part. I only kissed one of them. It was disgusting, so I didn't repeat it with the others.

What was his reaction?

I was in the Boy Scouts, I got my Eagle award in 2002, after that I just quit.

I am also an Eagle Scout and I think this anti-piracy merit badge is nonsense.

I knew you where a homophobe.

Homophobe? Ha! No, I'm just heterosexual.

...though the occasional man DOES interest me...and I randomly dream about being a catgirl attracted to Martin Septim from Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion...:confused:

Soheran: He sputtered and ran for his mom. What else would he do? The kid was a freaking fundie in the making. It's kinda why I chose him to be first, 'cause it would be downright hilarious. Shame he was last, too, but it WAS fun. Ey. Funny.

Who cares if they don't let atheists and homosexuals in? Would any decent person want to join a group of bigots like that, anyway? I wouldn't.

Soheran: He sputtered and ran for his mom. What else would he do?

Well, it isn't what I would have done. (Though I would have lasted all of ten minutes in the Boy Scouts.)

The kid was a freaking fundie in the making. It's kinda why I chose him to be first, 'cause it would be downright hilarious. Shame he was last, too, but it WAS fun. Ey. Funny.

I can imagine, I'm laughing just reading about it.

I am also an Eagle Scout and I think this anti-piracy merit badge is nonsense.

I agree, when I was in the scouts, I learned stuff about camping, knot tying, and about obeying the law, physical fitness etc.

Who cares if they don't let atheists and homosexuals in? Would any decent person want to join a group of bigots like that, anyway? I wouldn't.

I was in the Scout aond I don't consider myself a bigot....

I was in the Scout aond I don't consider myself a bigot....

I do. You clearly hate mexicans, gays, and crackers.

I do. You clearly hate mexicans, gays, and crackers.

and yet I'm a cracker myself LOL. So, umm, would that make me a self hating cracker? :eek:

Why do young men still join these medicore conformist force-fed-values groups?

Why do young men still join these medicore conformist force-fed-values groups?

Comon, the Boy Scout is not that bad....

How many of yall have actually been in the scouts for at least 6 months?

I was in the Scout aond I don't consider myself a bigot....

Neither does Ny Nordland.

In my own defense, I joined BEFORE I knew they were gay bashing, atheistic hating assholes.

Neither does Ny Nordland.

In my own defense, I joined BEFORE I knew they were gay bashing, atheistic hating assholes.

Yea....:rolleyes:

Why do young men still join these medicore conformist force-fed-values groups?

Peer pressure?

Sheer stupidity?

Peer pressure?

Sheer stupidity?

Or maybe they have a geuine intrest in learning how to survive in the outdoors, and how to be a good citizens?

I was in the Scout aond I don't consider myself a bigot....

Never said you were. Just that the organization itself is run by some.

Or maybe they have a geuine intrest in learning how to survive in the outdoors,

Really. And what did you learn about "how to survive in the outdoors"?

and how to be a good citizens?

Good, Christian, homophobic citizens who insist on servility to the proper authorities.

Yeah, we need lots more of those.

Never said you were. Just that the organization itself is run by some.

I think alot of people on this thread think that members who are, or were in the Boy Scouts are biggoted, homophobe, assholes, when that is clearly not the case. Now I do not agree with this new Merit Badge, but yall do realize that members of BSA do not have to take the course to get the badge.

The Boy Scout of America teaches young men how to survive in the outdoors, how to go camping, tie knots, administer first aid, how to be a good citizens and a good smaratain. They are susspose (I was taught) to judge everyone base on character, and what's inside. Now I realize that there are a few bad eggs, what organization don't have them, but comon, it's not like the BSA is the KKK for the youngns'.

Really. And what did you learn about "how to survive in the outdoors"?

Beside learning how to camp, I learn how to boil any water so that it's pure, I learn to always carry a mirror with me so I can signal aircraft that I am lost, I learn how to do smoke signal, I know how to find out which is west, east, north, south without using a compass, I learned how to use one, I learned which plants are eatible and which are not, and basically you can drop me anywhere in the wilderness with a mirror and a knife and I'll survive for a long time.



Good, Christian, homophobic citizens who insist on servility to the proper authorities.

Yeah, we need lots more of those.

We're not homophobes, I think you watch South Park too often, and since when is it wrong to obey the law. You know, some of the Scout Masters are some of the toughest strongest person I've ever met, and I doubt they got that way on their own. Of course you probably don't care what I have to say, you'll just listen to what the talking heads (news) are telling you and believe every word they're saying without checking out their stories. Run along sheeple, run along.

Beside learning how to camp, I learn how to boil any water so that it's pure, I learn to always carry a mirror with me so I can signal aircraft that I am lost, I learn how to do smoke signal, I know how to find out which is west, east, north, south without using a compass, I learned how to use one, I learned which plants are eatible and which are not, and basically you can drop me anywhere in the wilderness with a mirror and a knife and I'll survive for a long time.

Impressive. And do you see yourself in that situation any time soon?

We're not homophobes, I think you watch South Park too often,

I've watched maybe a minute of it in total. Television and Soheran do not get along.

But how on earth can you say that the BSA is not homophobic?

and since when is it wrong to obey the law.

It is always wrong to obey the law simply because it is the law.

You know, some of the Scout Masters are some of the toughest strongest person I've ever met, and I doubt they got that way on their own.

No, they were probably helped; most strong and tough people are. It does not follow that the Boy Scouts were the relevant factor.

Really. And what did you learn about "how to survive in the outdoors"?



Good, Christian, homophobic citizens who insist on servility to the proper authorities.

Yeah, we need lots more of those.

One can be a good citizen and not be a heterosexual or a Christian. In fact, good citizens, IMO, are those who stand up to the authorities when they (the authorities) are wrong.

Beside learning how to camp, I learn how to boil any water so that it's pure, I learn to always carry a mirror with me so I can signal aircraft that I am lost, I learn how to do smoke signal, I know how to find out which is west, east, north, south without using a compass, I learned how to use one, I learned which plants are eatible and which are not, and basically you can drop me anywhere in the wilderness with a mirror and a knife and I'll survive for a long time.
You'll see that I would also survive pretty well. Despite not joining the scouts, I still neared how to survive in the wild. My dad taught me everything I will need to learn about the wilderness; how to chop a tree drunk, how to build a big ass fire drunk, how to drive an ATV drunk, how to cook bacon hungover, and how to binge drink.

Drop me in the woods with an axe and a six pack, and I'll be fine.

Impressive. And do you see yourself in that situation any time soon?

One of the first thing the Boy Scout has taught me is "Be Prepare". I fly alot, and who knows maybe I'll crash in the wilderness and will need to use my wilderness survival training.

But how on earth can you say that the BSA is not homophobic?

Because I can't think of any meetings I've been to where we sat around and have the Scout Masters say "Now children, Homosexuals are icky people, and they like to stick their pee pee up your bum hole."

It is always wrong to obey the law simply because it is the law.

Ok you're going to have to clarify on that, because that just made no sense.

No, they were probably helped; most strong and tough people are. It does not follow that the Boy Scouts were the relevant factor.

It actually does because most Scout Masters have been in the BSA for most of their lives.

Tell me, how much (outside the talking heads) of the BSA do you actually know? Have you ever been to one of their meetings, or join a troop?

Because I can't think of any meetings I've been to where we sat around and have the Scout Masters say "Now children, Homosexuals are icky people, and they like to stick their pee pee up your bum hole."

LMAO

Impressive. And do you see yourself in that situation any time soon?

But how on earth can you say that the BSA is not homophobic?


Way to generalize and sterotype people there, Soheran.

The guys who joined the Scouts when I was a kid tended to be fairly outdoorsy types to begin with, so yeah, for the amount of camping and backpacking they do, both within the troop and on their own, those skills are needed. I was a Scout for awhile, I learned the basics of preparing a campsite, lighting and maintaining fires, knife usage and safety, knot tying, and quite a few other woodcraft skills.

The organization, yes. The people, no. For the most part, while I am sure their are people like that within the Scouts, that doesn't cover everyone in the organization. Your assuming everyone in the BSA is exactly the same. They ain't. And you should know better then to make such an assumption.

i was a scout, briefly, and they never told us one way or another about sex or sexuality.

i think it really all depends on who your scoutmaster is

They banned Drew Carry from the Scouts because he married Mr Wick.

i was a scout, briefly, and they never told us one way or another about sex or sexuality.

i think it really all depends on who your scoutmaster is

That is true, we never talked about sex or sexuality in our troop either. We mainly focused on the outdoors.

i was a scout, briefly, and they never told us one way or another about sex or sexuality.

i think it really all depends on who your scoutmaster is

Yeah, I should have added that in all the time I was a Cub-Webelo-Scout, nothing about sex came up, unless it was us teens talking about girls we liked.

They banned Drew Carry from the Scouts because he married Mr Wick.

That was a TV show...just a TV show.

That was a TV show...just a TV show.

Why would the TV lie to me?:rolleyes:

Why would the TV lie to me?:rolleyes:

Because, they hate you! They think you're ugly and worthless! :p

Because, they hate you! They think you're ugly and worthless! :p

So! I'm still less ugly and worthless than you!

So! I'm still less ugly and worthless than you!

Do not know if your kidding or not so I will be quiet now.

Do not know if your kidding or not so I will be quiet now.

*points to sig*

My troop was in Southwestern Ohio--at that point I lived in Middletown, about midway between Cincinnati and Dayton--so what I mostly remember is eating various sweets and mumbling about a few things vaguely dealing with camping. Then, one meeting, the Scoutmistress started mentioning Christian values and all that jazz, including about how homosexuality was bad. At which point I spoke up and said I was an atheist. That's how I was kicked out. The rest, you know.

My troop was in Southwestern Ohio--at that point I lived in Middletown, about midway between Cincinnati and Dayton--so what I mostly remember is eating various sweets and mumbling about a few things vaguely dealing with camping. Then, one meeting, the Scoutmistress started mentioning Christian values and all that jazz, including about how homosexuality was bad. At which point I spoke up and said I was an atheist. That's how I was kicked out. The rest, you know.

It's all about location, location, location I guess. My scoutmaster NEVER discussed sexuality with us. I doubt he or his predecessor actually cared one way or the other. And I don't remember anyone saying a word about it even at the big Camporees' when all the Ventura County troops got together. But then I grew up in SoCal, so that might make a difference.

Even as Cubs, our meetings and camping trips were all about being outside and having fun. All the bullshit was ignored.

oh thats just pathetic.

do they also give out merit badges for the evils of shoplifting and steriod abuse?

It's not a merit badge. The activy badges are crap. It's just an "attaboy" thing that doesn't mean much and well they go against the principle of doing a good deed.

Our area didn't use them.

My 13 year old nephew and I discussed the boy scouts. I was surprised and gratified when he quit after I told him they didn't allow gays or atheists.

Officially yes.

There are many troops that have gays in them.

Athiests? Well it was designed with the idea of having a religion is a good thing.

Who cares if they don't let atheists and homosexuals in? Would any decent person want to join a group of bigots like that, anyway? I wouldn't.

I was in one for many years. We had gays and bigotry wasn't tolerated.

Why do young men still join these medicore conformist force-fed-values groups?

Which force fed values are that?

Neither does Ny Nordland.

In my own defense, I joined BEFORE I knew they were gay bashing, atheistic hating assholes.

:rolleyes:

Officially yes.

There are many troops that have gays in them.

Athiests? Well it was designed with the idea of having a religion is a good thing.
Was it? I thought the original Boy Scouts were meant as a truly tolerable organization that accepted everyone for who they were. It was only when the Morman church started funding them in the--80's?--that they turned into the crap they are today.

And I'm serious. I had no idea what they'd become when I first joined. I was eight, for the world's sake.

Was it? I thought the original Boy Scouts were meant as a truly tolerable organization that accepted everyone for who they were. It was only when the Morman church started funding them in the--80's?--that they turned into the crap they are today.

And I'm serious. I had no idea what they'd become when I first joined. I was eight, for the world's sake.

8? Don't you mean you were a cub scout? Usually you have to be 11 though they allow for 10 year olds.

As to the question of Religion. It was there since the founding of the BSA. Now Powell didn't have as much an issue as we seem to have now.

When I was in it; we didn't seem to have as many arch religious types on the main council like they do now.

I don't remember having to sign a declaration of Religious principles like I recently saw they have now.

Our troop was different as it wasn't sponcered by a church so maybe we had a different view on things.

Like I said, we looked the other way on the gay issue. There were a couple scouts you knew they were. As to athiests? Well the ones I know don't care about scouts. So I wonder if there is an interest to be involved or is it because they can't be involved.

Overall the org does far more good then harm.

But I might be tainted because I am an Eagle scout. ;)

They aren't intolerant. Since everyone knows that Gays and Nonchristians are stupid godless animals, and not humans. And we didn't evolve from apes, either. You stupid (Insert here: Racial Slur/Athiest/Gaywad/Faggot/etc.)

It's not a merit badge. The activy badges are crap. It's just an "attaboy" thing that doesn't mean much and well they go against the principle of doing a good deed.

Our area didn't use them.I never even heard of them. :D

They aren't intolerant. Since everyone knows that Gays and Nonchristians are stupid godless animals, and not humans. And we didn't evolve from apes, either. You stupid (Insert here: Racial Slur/Athiest/Gaywad/Faggot/etc.)Nice of you to paint the entire organization in such a bland color :rolleyes:

Nice of you to paint the entire organization in such a bland color :rolleyes:

I thought they might object to rainbow

*Ducks*

bumpery!

Comon, the Boy Scout is not that bad....

How many of yall have actually been in the scouts for at least 6 months?

ME!
I quit because I was a closet atheist and because they were homophobic.

"On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to the RIAA and MPAA, to help the media barons at all times, to keep the record industry strong, the populace overpaying, and politically tone-deaf."

This makes me sad. Boy scouts should be about learning valuable skills, not propaganda. :(

This is rather silly. It reminds me why Civil Air Patrol totally kicks the shit outta BSA.

This is rather silly. It reminds me why Civil Air Patrol totally kicks the shit outta BSA.

The CAP does rule. I'm thinking about joining it, hopefully I can be a pilot for the CAP.

LOL, is this a joke, or are a bunch of moonbats attacking the Boyscouts for teaching their members that stealing is wrong?

LOL, is this a joke, or are a bunch of moonbats attacking the Boyscouts for teaching their members that stealing is wrong?

But But, they have a RIGHT to those songs! I mean afterall, how DARE the artist try to make money off of their creation, and how DARE they actually try to take measure to prevent illegal downloads of their song, why it's capitalism, and that is WRONG!

/Sarcasm

Comon, the Boy Scout is not that bad....

How many of yall have actually been in the scouts for at least 6 months?

Try 7 years. :)

The direction the national council is going really saddens me.

My troop was pretty old school. All camping pretty much, backpacking was the big thing.

We were all bay area guys, so pretty much everyone in it was pretty liberal, a few socialists and greens even.

This should give you a good idea about what it was like: Most of the troops seemed to be sponsored by a church or something. Ours was sponsored by a drinking club.

LOL, is this a joke, or are a bunch of moonbats attacking the Boyscouts for teaching their members that stealing is wrong?

No, it's more that this is not something that one needs a merit badge for.


Also, I remember being in the Scouts. I liked it, mainly because we sat around and played that Jame Bond game with the Golden Gun.

I've been with the Scouts for a long time, and recently applied to be a Leader at a local troup. In the first document I had to sign to start the process it specifically stated that no-one would be disadvantaged due to personal religion, sexuality et al (full equal ops.). I guess things are just run differently in the UK

I've been with the Scouts for a long time, and recently applied to be a Leader at a local troup. In the first document I had to sign to start the process it specifically stated that no-one would be disadvantaged due to personal religion, sexuality et al (full equal ops.). I guess things are just run differently in the UK

I live in the UK too, and this was the first time I had heard that gays and atheists weren't allowed in the US scouts. I didn't think it was possible or legal anywhere but in 'tin-pot dictatorships'(As my Dad calls them) to exclude people from things like scouts because of religion or sexuality.

If people tried to exclude someone from the scouts or most other youth groups based on their religion or sexuality here, I can only imagine there would be a huge outcry, which would be supported even more in most of western Europe.

ME!
I quit because I was a closet atheist and because they were homophobic.

Maybe Scouts is different in America. In Australia and England that sort of stuff never came up in the 4 years or so I did scouts.

A couple of friends run scout troops, and they're not exactly bible bashers.... more outdoor types.

btw - I'm not religious.

Who cares if they don't let atheists and homosexuals in? Would any decent person want to join a group of bigots like that, anyway? I wouldn't.

agree. brainwashing 101

I live in the UK too, and this was the first time I had heard that gays and atheists weren't allowed in the US scouts. I didn't think it was possible or legal anywhere but in 'tin-pot dictatorships'(As my Dad calls them) to exclude people from things like scouts because of religion or sexuality.

If people tried to exclude someone from the scouts or most other youth groups based on their religion or sexuality here, I can only imagine there would be a huge outcry, which would be supported even more in most of western Europe.

I heard something a few years back about a huge bunch of Eagle Scouts quiting over the whole 'gays & co. not allowed in the BSA' argument (quite a lot of them straight 'accepted' Scouts IIRC), but then it all went quiet when nothing got done about it :(

I think it ended up being taken through the court system, and the last ruling I heard was that the BSA was considered a private organisation and so allowed to have restrictions on who could and couldn't be members (will have to go through and check that up though)

Maybe Scouts is different in America. In Australia and England that sort of stuff never came up in the 4 years or so I did scouts.

A couple of friends run scout troops, and they're not exactly bible bashers.... more outdoor types.

btw - I'm not religious.

Everything's better in America! :-l

Yeah, everything is better in America. Guns, Tobacco, Slaves, and no queers or mexicans: It's the American dream.

oh thats just pathetic.

do they also give out merit badges for the evils of shoplifting and steriod abuse?
I am also an Eagle Scout and I think this anti-piracy merit badge is nonsense.
I think alot of people on this thread think that members who are, or were in the Boy Scouts are biggoted, homophobe, assholes, when that is clearly not the case. Now I do not agree with this new Merit Badge, but yall do realize that members of BSA do not have to take the course to get the badge.

The Boy Scout of America teaches young men how to survive in the outdoors, how to go camping, tie knots, administer first aid, how to be a good citizens and a good smaratain. They are susspose (I was taught) to judge everyone base on character, and what's inside. Now I realize that there are a few bad eggs, what organization don't have them, but comon, it's not like the BSA is the KKK for the youngns'.
read again... It's not a Merit Badge, but an Activity Badge... Like the Conservation Activity Badge. not mandatory... now you scouts that say it's a merit badge, turn in your current events and community service pins and your Library keeping Merit Badges... now... :D

It's not a merit badge. The activy badges are crap. It's just an "attaboy" thing that doesn't mean much and well they go against the principle of doing a good deed.

Our area didn't use them.*Nods* activity badges were encouraged to be gotten but not pushed. it's totally voluntary.

Comon, the Boy Scout is not that bad....

How many of yall have actually been in the scouts for at least 6 months?I was a CUB, WEBLOS, and Boy Scout.

Really. And what did you learn about "how to survive in the outdoors"?Outdoor Survival, Environmental Science, First Aid...

Good, Christian, homophobic citizens who insist on servility to the proper authorities.nope, didn't get any of those lessions... tho I'd have to admit, I we were not taught how to defend ourselves from an adult with a gun... so we did kinda obey proper authorities...

Yeah, we need lots more of those.proper scouts, yes, we do need more of them.


Try 7 years. :)

The direction the national council is going really saddens me.

My troop was pretty old school. All camping pretty much, backpacking was the big thing.

We were all bay area guys, so pretty much everyone in it was pretty liberal, a few socialists and greens even.

This should give you a good idea about what it was like: Most of the troops seemed to be sponsored by a church or something. Ours was sponsored by a drinking club.mine was my schools. Intermediate and High.

then I went to a troop that was sponcered by a Buddist Temple.

I'm here to put a plug for the boy scouts, on a local level. While the national level has loads of red tape, and absolute bullshit, on the local level, I've found it to be a great organization. The adherence to the gay, atheist, and all that varies greatly. I once worked for the BSA, at a summer camp. My fellow staffers were one of the most interesting, diverse groups of people I've ever been privleged to know, especially considering the area in which the camp is.

I'm here to put a plug for the boy scouts, on a local level. While the national level has loads of red tape, and absolute bullshit, on the local level, I've found it to be a great organization. The adherence to the gay, atheist, and all that varies greatly. I once worked for the BSA, at a summer camp. My fellow staffers were one of the most interesting, diverse groups of people I've ever been privleged to know, especially considering the area in which the camp is.

I also led a scout troop in my local area for nearly a year but had to quit because of work commitments, and would echo your call. Most troops are desperately short of volunteers and in more deprived areas it is the only chance many kids get to see the countryside and meet other kids.

As for the religious issue you will find that most troops vary from area to area. Some troops attend their local church on a weekly basis, some never at all. My own troop attended church maybe four times a year (Rememberence Day, St Georges Day, Easter and Christmas), nut religious activity was not pushed or forced on anyone. I myself am an atheist and we had two hindu members of the troop. A lot of it is just the leaders using common sense and respect. I was quite prepared to attend church out of respect fopr the christian scouts and the movement as a whole. No-one forced me to, and if they had tried to I would have quit.

Im really surprised to hear all this im guessing scouts is differnt over there but in Australia its really good, first of all please dont refer to it as boy scouts since i am most definatly a girl and have been part of it for years. im curently in a group that had more girls than boys and i love it. Before anyone says im prolly a tom boy im totally not i mean i dont scream at the sight of bugs and stuff and i love doing things out doors but im one of the girly girls in my group and my friend totally dont get it.

thank you for your time :) hugs and kisses

This is hilarious.

Thankfully I only stayed in long enough to learn how to load and shoot a rifle.
We never learned anything like that. Meh, I guess It's different in America.

I was in the Boy Scouts once. Then they found out I was an atheist and kicked me out. So to get back at them I ran up to every member of my former troup and kissed them.
I lol'd.
i was a scout, briefly, and they never told us one way or another about sex or sexuality.

i think it really all depends on who your scoutmaster is

I was in the scouts(well beavers->cubs->scouts->venturers) for about 11 or 12 years and nobody ever mentioned sexuality. It was pretty Christian though, we had mass parade a few times(basically we march into mass and two unfortunate buggers have hold flags for the whole thing, then we march out), we had to say 'The Prayer' at the meetings too, and the local priest was always at the initiations. But Ireland is almost entirely catholic, slighlty less so these days, so it isn't that big a deal.

Oh, and where the hell do they still call it boy scouts? When I first joined it was the Gasoga Cathloici na hEirinn(Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland), then the Catholic Scouts of Ireland(same Irish name) and now it's the Scouting Association of Ireland(don't know what it is in Irish, been out of the loop for a while).