Takei Reacts to Boy Scouts Announcement

[TrekToday]

Last week, the Boy Scouts of America upheld its ban on gay members in the organization and this week, actor George Takei, a former Eagle Scout, replied to that announcement. In a new column, Takei expressed his disgust with the ruling and vowed to fight the ban. “The words that comprise the motto of the [...]

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[Garrovick]

I don't think that the Boy Scout ban on homosexual leaders is quite the same thing as Jim Crow laws since those were laws passed by state and local governments as opposed to the rules of a private organization.

That having been said, Mr. Takei is absolutely correct that sexual orientation shouldn't matter. I suspect that this ban will eventually be lifted. To paraphrase Will Riker, it's pretty hard to stop evolution.

 

[Ultramann]

He'll get over it. They have a right to have who they want as leaders predicated on behavior.

 

[Avon]

what the hell does 'predicated on behavior' mean?

 

[Sindatur]

what the hell does 'predicated on behavior' mean?

Sounds an awful lot to me like exactly what George Takei is protesting about, the myth that being Gay makes you prey on boys

 

[bbailey861]

He'll get over it. They have a right to have who they want as leaders predicated on behavior.

That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read. And my comment is predicated on the writing that I read. Boy Scouts are making themselves look foolish.

 

[Avon]

oh. that sounds like a dangerously ignorant view to hold.

 

[bbailey861]

I disagree. Denying entrance based on results of a criminal records check is one thing - but denying entrance based on one sexual orientation is another.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

He'll get over it. They have a right to have who they want as leaders predicated on behavior.

I smell bigotry in a velvet wrapper. Let's also keep the blacks out because we don't trust their morality. How much farther can we carry this.

 

[TOSalltheway]

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts openly discrimate against gays and atheists. We must stopping supporting their cookie sales, bottles drives, etc until they stop the discrimination.

 

[bbailey861]

He'll get over it. They have a right to have who they want as leaders predicated on behavior.

I smell bigotry in a velvet wrapper. Let's also keep the blacks out because we don't trust their morality. How much farther can we carry this.

A velvet wrapper? I think not. That was a shit-stained brown bag. I am always amazed to see the people who are drawn to Star Trek then end up spewing garbage. It always makes me wonder if they get it or not.

 

[Argus Skyhawk]

Speaking as a former boyscout who loves the organization and all that they do for kids, an organization that helped teach AGAINST bigotry based on race, ethnicity, social class, etc, I am frightened--very frightened--of the possibility that they will marginalize themselves and find themselves remembered mostly as a group that practiced discrimination. Sad indeed.

 

[BillJ]

They'd rather have kids raped by solid Christian role models (Jerry Sandusky) than have good role models teach children respect for everyone.

I've gotten so use to decisions organizations like the Boy Scouts make that it doesn't even phase me anymore.

 

[Doug Otte]

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts openly discrimate against gays and atheists. We must stopping supporting their cookie sales, bottles drives, etc until they stop the discrimination.

Hear, hear. This is possibly the most effective things we, as individuals who are not involved in the Boy Scouts, can do.

The next time a Scout or his parent asks me to buy a Xmas wreath or something, I'll feel bad for the scout, but I will decline.

Doug

 

[Greg Cox]

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts openly discrimate against gays and atheists. We must stopping supporting their cookie sales, bottles drives, etc until they stop the discrimination.

It's probably worth pointing out that it's the Girl Scouts who sell cookies--and, as I understand it, they don't discriminate.

So we shouldn't tar them with the same brush.

 

[Mage]

He'll get over it. They have a right to have who they want as leaders predicated on behavior.

Now, that isn't a very clever comment to make. I'd love to hear what you mean by that, perhaps we misunderstood you. If you do however mean what we think you mean.... please leave...

 

[JarodRussell]

What's the reason boys and girls are separated in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts?

 

[Daddy Todd]

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts openly discrimate against gays and atheists. We must stopping supporting their cookie sales, bottles drives, etc until they stop the discrimination.

Wrong. The Girl Scouts are inclusive, and have no such exclusionary policies based on religion or sexual orientation. That's strictly the BSA's deal -- largely because the Mormon church has incorporated Boy Scouts seamlessly into their "young men's" programs, and many of the highest leaders of Scouting are Mormons.

LDS "young women's" programs don't have the same seamless integration with Girl Scouting, so Mormons don't run the national Girl Scout organization.

And we all know what the Mormons think of the gays.

ETA: Or what Greg Cox already said...

What's the reason boys and girls are separated in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts?

Mostly historical. Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, didn't think girls needed to be civilized through manly outdoor activity. Girl Scouts was started later -- and because they have different goals and principles than the Boy Scouts, they've never felt the need to surrender their autonomy to the Boy Scouts leadership.

Same reason we have both a YMCA and a YWCA -- the women's organization came later.

 

[Avon]

i always thought the second 'm' was a typo

 

[Sindatur]

i always thought the second 'm' was a typo

(There's only 1 "M" in Discrimination?)

Oh...DUH I had to read that comment 3 times before it finally clicked