By
Cory Spiller
Tucson's Boy Scouts of America have lost their claim to city funds. The decision by the Tucson City Council is one event in a nationwide effort to reprimand the Boy Scouts for blatant discrimination. In the past they've discriminated against atheists and agnostics, but lately the debate is concerned with their no-tolerance policy for homosexuals - that is no tolerance of homosexual leaders or scouts. The problems with the Boy Scouts run deeper than discrimination - it is an antiquated organization that warps and manipulates its young members. America no longer has a need for the Boy Scouts.
After the decision was released Monday, KOLD channel 13 supplied coverage. In one scene, a reporter asks a pre-pubescent boy if he feels homosexuals should be allowed to be Scout Masters. No, the boy replies. His educated and experienced opinion is that homosexuals cannot control themselves around young boys and are a danger to the organization. The interview served as a frightening reminder of the ignorant propaganda that is force-fed young kids.
In past cases of Boy Scout discrimination the Scouts have relied on their oath to explain their behavior, pointing to the fact that it requires them to be "morally straight," a position they equate with heterosexuality. This is both ignorant and bigoted. In no way do either of the above requirements have anything to do with sexual orientation. The Boy Scouts are preaching ultra-conservative crap, unacceptable in intelligent debate. They rely on the stereotype of gay men as sodomites and dirty old buggers.
Conservatives, Christians and now the Boy Scouts have made a moral judgment on homosexuals. However, morals and sexual orientation are completely unconnected. Molesting or sexually assaulting a small boy is a crime committed only by power-hungry individuals who want to claim someone's innocence. Gay men are attracted to other men, not boys. If the Boys Scouts are worried about the safety of their scouts, they should not kick out members beneficial to their troops who happen to be homosexual.
When Arizona state law is concerned, the Boy Scouts is a private organization and can discriminate at will; as do churches and fraternities. However, the city of Tucson will no longer fund its activities. Other city, state and federal organizations have been and will continue denying it funds as long as it continues with its present policy. However, states such as New Jersey see things quite a bit different form Arizona.
New Jersey classifies the Boy Scouts not as a private organization, but as a public accommodation, like a restaurant, library, school or theater. When classified as such, discrimination is not allowed, and the teaching of bigotry and ignorance is not tolerated. The Boy Scouts is a public accommodation. It is expected to teach first aid and camping skills, when in fact it is propagating militant right-wing conservatives.
America needs to face it, the Boy Scouts of America is a paramilitary organization. Impressionable young men are forced to conform, wear uniforms, shoot guns and exclude their gay peers, just like in the US military. However, it isn't the military; it is a private organization appealing to God and country. The Boy Scouts is as close to a fascist organization as our country has seen.
Our local troops will only lose $29,000 dollars under the current change. It won't be a big hit to their funding; they'll get the cash elsewhere. Under the present laws, Boy Scouts have every right to continue spouting their gay-hating morals. The organization will not be dissolved: too many of those in power once belonged to the organization. How better to recruit new members of the Conservative gun-toting right than the Boy Scouts of America?
Our nation's Constitution allows for bigoted organizations, but they also allow for organizations that spread awareness. America has the Ku Klux Klan and we have the Pride Alliance: that's the beauty of the freedom of speech. The next time you or a relative are about to sign-up junior for the Scouts, look the beast in the face. The Boy Scouts of America is a narrow-minded, bigoted boot camp for the soon to be voting members of the ultra-right.
