RIP. A true pioneer in so many ways.

Just like Jennifer Tyrrell, who was removed as the head of her son's Tiger Cubs pack recently because she was gay.

It's shameful. Those kids need heroes and leaders, mentors and role models and there are precious few enough of those in the world, today, for me or anyone else to give a rat's ass whether they're gay or straight or white or black or atheist or Jewish or any of that other goddamned nonsense which still, amazingly, seems to have a grip on the reins of our society- or some notable parts of it, anyway.

PB

But you know what? I didn't want to have anything to do with the scouts from the time I was 6 years old, and saw something from them that had the word "God".

Even then, I knew I was an Atheist.

Who is not eligible for any of Dr. Ride's Federal benefits.

Like the song says, "how come the future has to take such a long time"

Because I can't think of a better case to bring to shut DOMA down for good.

Though women can serve at all levels of Scouting.

In Boy Scouts, they're called Troopleaders and can be either men or women.

She was a wonderful role model.

is that you need to separate the nonsense national wraps itself around and look at it unit by unit. The way the program is carried out is what matters, and the troop is where the program is carried out.

I've seen troops from churches adhere strictly to common belief systems. I've seen secular troops with liberal leaders. The program itself is pretty liberal when you look at it--especially in being stewards of nature.


I can tell you a couple of stories from a Council perspective as well:

1> I am a Wood Badge trained adult leader. That's kind of a big deal for what it's worth. A couple of months after our pre-course was finished, we met for a reunion. A woman there brought her partner (who had already completed the full course with her Wood Badge training troop previously.) The situation was not paraded, but was obvious enough, No one said a word.

2> I went to summer camp 4-5 times in the past 8 years. Every year, adult representatives from each troop gather to listen to whatever the Chief Scout Executive wants to present. It's usually about recruiting, or major facilities being planned or whatever. Every year though, we always got the dubious rationalization of the anti-gay, anti-atheist policies. In my experience, no one gave a shit. Sex, heterosexual or homosexual, was not a reasonable discussion to have while carrying out the program.

No one ever questioned my sexuality (I happen to be straight) or my religion (many would consider me an atheist). It just doesn't come up in a meaningful way.

My point to all of this is that their policies of exclusion are largely unenforceable. That's a good thing, because it's a good program. National needs to quit being a puppet of the LDS--no mistake about it. They deserve all of the criticism they get. This should be somewhat amusing to see how they react to the news.