The Boy Scouts of America were a fixture in the news last week for the usual reason, as well as a new twist. The usual reason, of course, is the Scouts’ ongoing ban on gay Scout leaders, which has driven some to accuse the Scouts of teaching hate, caused entertainers like Carly Rae Jepsen (remember her?) and Train to pull out of Scout events, and cost the organization the support of sponsors like Chipotle and the Merck Foundation.
It was two years ago this week that the group’s National Council voted to lift its ban on gay scouts, although gay adults are still barred from leadership positions. Last week, though, the president of the Boy Scouts of America, Robert Gates, himself called for an end to the ban on gay adult leaders.
Boy Scouts president says ban on gay leaders not sustainable http://t.co/44aUxqP8fQ
— TIME (@TIME) May 21, 2015
The Boy Scouts’ president called for an end to the group’s blanket ban on gay adult leaders. http://t.co/nzuLgYpIA0 pic.twitter.com/bTXYppENuX
— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) May 21, 2015
NEW: Boy Scouts Nat'l Pres. Robert Gates says ban on gay leaders cannot be sustained: http://t.co/KhkIrnesTs pic.twitter.com/NZ6zrbtkWS
— ABC News (@ABC) May 21, 2015
The lifting of the ban on gay Scout leaders has been debated for years now; the true curve ball came a few days earlier, when the 2015 Boy Scout handbook announced a ban on water gun fights and fights with water balloons that are non-biodegradable and larger than “ping-pong ball size.”
Why the ban on squirt guns? Michigan Crossroads Council of Boy Scouts of America marketing and communications director Kerrie Mitchell explained that the Scouts’ mission is “to prepare young people for life and part of that duty is to ensure our youth become civically-minded adults. Pointing a simulated firearm at another individual is not aligned with our Scout Oath nor Scout Law.”
Adults officially trying to ruin childhood. Stop it. http://t.co/7j00pEJ985
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) May 19, 2015
I will never support a @boyscouts event again in my life. My children won't participate either. #Ruined http://t.co/IQdikGT3ua
— Chris Loesch (@ChrisLoesch) May 19, 2015
The @boyscouts ban squirt guns, call them "firearms." http://t.co/cdOEpv4MZq The future is so screwed. #2A
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) May 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/600843970625871872
Just found out about the Boy Scouts banning water gun fights…WTH! Is this America? This is ABSURD. Wussification of America to the max.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 20, 2015
Boy Scouts can't have squirt guns but Iran can have nukes.
Obama's America.
— John Ocasio-Nolte (@NolteNC) May 21, 2015
Why are we bringing this up today, Memorial Day? Because while the adults fuss and fret over the effect of squirt guns on childhood development, Scouts themselves were out and about this weekend, showing that they’re well on their way to becoming civically minded adults, if they haven’t surpassed many “adults” already.
Canton MA Boy Scouts carry huge American Flag during town's #MemorialDay Parade. #fox25 pic.twitter.com/A8zjowjImI
— Capturegirl (@jenyp) May 25, 2015
Continuing today: Volunteers honoring fallen troops at @ArlingtonNatl Cemetery: http://t.co/pwT0Qug55t @cjlinSS pic.twitter.com/kQffgWdU9y
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) May 25, 2015
Boy Scouts decorate Veterans' graves for Memorial Day http://t.co/VwyTVYSR39 via @600ortiz pic.twitter.com/dSGYKOtnTq
— Veterans Affairs (@DeptVetAffairs) May 24, 2015
The @boyscouts place flags at graves in Jefferson Barracks Nat. Cemetary honoring those who have served. @FOX2now pic.twitter.com/u0OPY0uEnk
— Randi Naughton (@RandiNaughton) May 25, 2015
PHOTOS: Hawaii @Boyscouts honor fallen at National Cemetery of the Pacific http://t.co/UUTL5DuQsX pic.twitter.com/ovcIvHtd5G
— Star-Advertiser (@StarAdvertiser) May 25, 2015
#PHOTOS: @BoyScouts honoring fallen troops at @ArlingtonNatl Cemetery for #MemorialDay: http://t.co/72mnsLaf9l pic.twitter.com/D2qWFyvXfX
— C.J. Lin (@cjlinDC) May 24, 2015
Scouts prepare veteran grave sites for Memorial Day http://t.co/6sLbEq8SW3 #808news pic.twitter.com/cpZekQtWP3
— khon2 News (@KHONnews) May 25, 2015
PHOTOS: Bethlehem Township boy scouts recognize Memorial Day. http://t.co/YmAYl5Zxdh #MemorialDay @lehighvalley pic.twitter.com/yL5CtMLjWI
— Matt Smith (@msmith_photo) May 24, 2015
Photos: Scouts placed thousands of flags in cemeteries to honor veterans for Memorial Day. http://t.co/tQ15A35raP pic.twitter.com/Y1VPw3SoxF
— Coloradoan (@coloradoan) May 24, 2015
Bethlehem Township boy scouts recognize Memorial Day 2015 (PHOTOS) http://t.co/3mmtDfmNJI pic.twitter.com/YaJObrc4nU
— lehighvalleylive.com (@lehighvalley) May 24, 2015
These boy scouts will place more than 5,200 flags on veterans graves for Memorial Day. #ROC @News_8 pic.twitter.com/PW0FpvwrzY
— Allison (Norlian) Collins-Smith (@Allison2Names) May 21, 2015
Boy Scouts read the names on every tombstone out loud as they lay a rose. @wusa9 @ArlingtonNatl #MemorialDayWknd pic.twitter.com/UBPNdhrD7f
— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) May 24, 2015
4500 Leaders and Scouts here to pay tribute. Memorial Day weekend. Proud to be an American! #moleg pic.twitter.com/VNGY1cdMpl
— Rob Vescovo (@RobVescovo) May 24, 2015
Memorial Day flag retirement and walk with the cub scouts pic.twitter.com/JNNLn8lCtE
— Keith Garner (@ktgeek) May 25, 2015
Boy Scouts helping with lowering flag to half mast for Memorial Day. Also retiring our old flag. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/CdeyQIs0xi
— Tim Capps (@timpcapps) May 25, 2015
Just for comparison’s sake, this is how some #BlackLivesMatter protesters in New York demonstrated recently how they retire a flag. We wonder which Boy Scout troop taught them that method?
LIVE: Protest shut it down at 59th street bridge in NYC & burned U.S.A flag for #MalcolmXDay. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/EXaEA1dpev
— Ａｎｉｓ Ｍｕｓｌｉć ⣢ (@0xUID) May 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/KeeganNYC/status/600815049486290944
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