Posted on 07/02/2007 6:43:53 PM PDT by kellynla
Philadelphia has big city problems.
The murder rate is on the rise, and gangs make some areas unsafe even in the daytime. It’s no secret that fatherless, undisciplined boys are the main reason the streets are deadly.
So what is the city doing about it? Let’s imagine for a moment that we’re in a Philadelphia City Council discussion.
“How about a crackdown on gangs? Or a crackdown on drug dealers?”
“Nah. Those people shoot back. I’ve got it! Let’s persecute the Boy Scouts! They won’t give the police any trouble.”
“Yeah, this will be a great way to pay back those gay groups for donating to our campaigns. The media will love us, too. Watch how they’ll frame this: ‘Enlightened Officials Reign in Hateful, Bigoted Boy Scouts!’ Good for us! Now, let’s take a Starbucks break!”
So it was that on May 31, the real-life City Council, without debate, and under pressure from an organization that promotes the rights of “sexual minorities,” stabbed the Scouts in the back. They voted 16 to 1 to break a 79-year-old agreement allowing the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts to occupy a building in a city park. The Scouts built the building in 1928, and turned it over to the city in exchange for a rent-free lease “in perpetuity.” Apparently, “perpetuity” in Philadelphia now means, “until gay groups boot you out.” The Scouts can stay only if they will open their ranks to open homosexuals.
Sexual immorality is now the moral high ground in Philadelphia, and the Boy Scouts are the bad guys. Does anyone with clout in Philadelphia see why this is monstrously wrong? Let’s be generous and assume that lots of people still don’t know about this. The story was ignored by all the networks except Fox News Channel, and the local press didn’t even put it on the front page.
It’s bad enough that the City Council wants to force the Scouts to allow homosexuals to be role models for young boys. There’s also the issue of child molestation.
Just ask the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. They’ve faced lawsuits from 218 men and 33 women who claim to have been molested by priests. The church has paid out more than $1.4 million in settlements.
Councilman Darrell L. Clarke, the Democrat who introduced the motion, is urging the Scouts to “compromise. Honestly, no one wants to see them out of there.”
Okay, let’s be honest, Mr. Clarke. Everyone knows the Scouts cannot compromise. The lawsuits would bankrupt the organization. You’re telling them to slit their own throats or get out of town.
The Boy Scouts of America themselves have had to deal with hundreds of incidents of molestation. They cannot afford to surrender.
Given the clearly illustrated danger of mixing homosexual men with boys, it is criminal to use government power to force a youth group to put boys at risk just to please a special interest group. Actually, it’s criminal for any reason.
The Cradle of Liberty Council has a year to submit to this ruthless bullying and pony up rent (the amount is still undetermined) or abandon their longtime headquarters. As City Solicitor Romulo Diaz warns, “the year’s-notice clock is ticking.”
Philadelphia is getting a reputation for heavy-handedness. It was Philadelphia where 11 Christians sharing the gospel at a homosexual street festival in 2004 were arrested on “hate crime” charges and jailed, with five facing eight counts that would have netted 45 years in jail upon conviction. A judge who viewed a tape of the event months later finally dismissed the charges, but the city had made its point.
Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love. Now they’re beating up on the Boy Scouts’ Cradle of Liberty Council.
The irony here is thicker than a Philadelphia cheesesteak, and it’s a good deal more odiferous.
Somebody ring that Liberty Bell, will you?
Look at the politicians there then ask yourself if your surprised...
Bleepin' FReep! "Rein," y'all!
I don't expect Philadelphia Councilpersons to No They're Homophones, but I expect "Human Events" would!
Gee, I don’t know. A city of brotherly love embracing gays doesn’t sound far-fetched at all.
I’m no attorney, but I would think if you give away property as long as you have a perpetual lease, and are then thrown out, then it seems the scouts should have legal recourse to getting their building back?
Paging Hannity, O’Reilly, Glenn Beck...
I recently discovered Beck...and don’t tell anyone but I have actually programmed my tv to CNN to watch him... surprised the damn set hasn't blown up. LOL
Philadelphia is a sh!thole.
Everyone who lives there is in some way corrupt.
Your secret is safe with me ;-)
Every day I am reminded how liberals do not hesitate to use the coercive power of government to beat up on helpless citizens. The most enlightening thing about this term’s Supreme Court is reading the honest dissents from the liberal judges. They openly believe the end justifies the means, including going against the Constitution that they swore to uphold. They are truly dangerous and very much capable of tyranny.
Sue them for defaulting on the lease and take the property back.
Wait a minute, The gays have no interest in children, which is why they have so much interest in children.
We are a VERY suck nation, and getting more so by the minute.
Excuse me while I go and puke.
So far, Philly’s answer to the rampaging gangsta killings has been to demonize guns and now the Boy Scouts. The Mayor is waiting in line for an iPhone.
I suppose all the members of this council would feel safe with their young boys spending much time with a homosexual scout leader. I don’t care what the APA claims, homosexuality is not the same as heterosexuality. Not to mention, this scout leader may inevitably promote homosexuality. If I were a parent, I would not want my child learning about that. Why doesn’t Philly worry about things of real importance instead of a group that doesn’t share their morals.
Breach of contract.
Sue.
When the mafia and unions become one with the ruling democratic party, the place will go to hell. When ruled by a compliant black puppet, the force of law is gone.
City of brotherly lust. ;0)
I’m sure the Council & BSA attorneys are all over this — I wish I knew more about the details of the agreement, but it sounds to me, an interested layperson, that BSA has a good case.
OTOH, it must be more complicated than that, because (IANAL) I think from b-law that buildings (”improvements”) go with the land, and the land was always owned by the city.
I also recall from b-law that transactions involving real estate must be in writing to be enforceable, which makes me wonder why the details of the contract (if one exists) haven’t been made public.
“He’s not heavy, he’s my brother.”
“Well, he sure looks heavy to me.”
“He’s not, really. You get under here and see for yourself.”
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