They rent public buildings for prices like $1/year, the military helps them set up their events, etc. Just because the government isn't handing them sacks of cash doesn't mean they aren't using public funds.
The BSA can discriminate against whoever they want when they aren't using my tax money to do it.
They rent public buildings for prices like $1/year, the military helps them set up their events, etc. Just because the government isn't handing them sacks of cash doesn't mean they aren't using public funds.
If there is anything more than a de mimimus cost, they have to pay. Using a room in a building that is otherwise sitting empty doesn't cost the government a dime.
What public buildings does the BSA rent for $1 a year?
That's news to me. Be careful; Penn and Teller is entertainment and satire, not a documentary.
The military helps a lot of organizations set up and conduct events. The usual example in the BSA's case is the quadriennial National Jamboree. Yes, the military helps the BSA set up and host the National Jamboree at Fort A. P. Hill in Virginia. Fort A. P. Hill is a training base for the military. The National Jamboree affords the military an excellent opportunity to train support personnel to set up feeding, sanitary, electric, and other facilities for 40,000 people. That's something that the military has to do a lot of in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, and other places the U.S. has overseas bases. Most people in the military don't shoot guns; they support the people who do. Hosting the National Jamboree actually probably saves the military (and the taxpayers) quite a bit of money by providing a training opportunity that they would otherwise have to pay the participants for, and that would also entail more legal risk.
Do you have any idea how much public money is consumed by massively increased police presence for gay pride parades? How much public money is consumed to clean up after them?
The public buildings rented for $1/year come with the responsibility to completely maintain the building, grounds and utilities. That is a major expense removed from the backs of the taxpayers. The Balboa Scout camp has enjoyed capital investments and improvements financed by the Scouts. The Scouts provide all the grounds maintenance, utilities and administrative staffing. The facilities are open for public use at the expense of the Scouts. There is nothing preventing gay members of the general public from using the pool, picnic facilities or parking. Their attacks on the facility are totally unwarranted.
I think RonF and XJarhead and Myrddin pretty much covered the "tax" and fair use thing, so I won't even address that part of your comments.
Instead, I will take issue with this other comment: "The BSA can discriminate against whoever they want when they aren't using my tax money to do it."
Sorry bud, I think it is appropriate to keep people, who because of their actions are inappropriate role models, away from children. I think it would be wrong to have a porn star as a troop leader, or a racist, or a bank robber, or a serial killer, or someone who swears excessively, or someone who cuts themselves, or someone who has sex with members of the same sex, or drug addicts, etc., etc.
My point is, only a fool believes all discrimination is bad. I think we can agree, some of those I previously listed have no reason to be next to children. Since the BSA is charged with provided a wholesome environment with strong role models for the boys, the challenge is on you to prove that they are wrong and men who engage in sodomy with other men are appropriate role models for young boys.
(On a side note, I have never met anyone who would knowingly enroll their child in an organization that promoted men who engage in sodomy with other men as role models. Would you?)