Reply #7: I'm an Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, former SPL ... [View All]

[Kickin_Donkey]

all that stuff. Had some good times, especially while camping.

I'm not ashamed of it, nor am I proud of it. It's just something I did when I was a kid, like playing ball.

A couple of years ago, after the Supreme Court decision, I wrote National Headquarters telling them that I would not support the Scouts monetarily, would not become involved with the Scouts, and my kids (if I had any) would not be participating in Scouting due to BSA's discriminatory policies against gays. (To National HQ's credit, they wrote back, saying that they appreciated my input on the matter.)

I think the BSA has gotten caught up in the Culture Wars, like a lot of institutions in current American society. They're part of the polarization that has gone to the right. In my view, it's teetering on becoming an archaic institution.

I respect anyone's desire to continue their allegiance to Scouting. I feel that there are still valuable aspects to it. But it's just not my thing anymore.