Posted on 02/26/2010 2:54:37 PM PST by SJackson
PETA is calling on the Boy Scouts of America to retire its "Fishing" and "Fish and Wildlife Management" merit badges (to read PETA's letter to Milton H. Ward, president of the Boy Scouts of America, click here). Fishing is no longer considered a benign activity. It is hunting in the water, and the idea of a scout armed with a gun or rod, setting out to actively attack animals who were minding their own business, is not in keeping with the image of scouting, now or in the past.
Fishing is also inconsistent with the Boy Scout law, which states, "A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason." Clearly, there is no reason to inflict the pain and suffering that fish endure at the hands of anglers.
Promoting fishing teaches young people that hooking, maiming, suffocating, and killing is acceptable. This is a dangerous lesson, one that hurts not only the fish struggling for their lives at the end of a hook, but all of us. According to FBI profilers, the American Psychiatric Association, law enforcement officials, and child advocacy organizations, cruelty to animals is a warning sign often seen in people who eventually direct violence toward humans. In fact, published reports show that in every single case of recent school shootings, there has been one consistent factor: All the young killers abused or killed animals before turning on their classmates.
Of course, not every child who abuses animals will hurt or kill a human being. But every child who picks up a gun or a rod and uses it to harm another living being must deaden a piece of his or her heart. Adults—parents, teachers, scout leaders, and others who work with children—must start making lessons of compassion a priority. Showing children how to use a camera, instead of a rod and reel, teaches them the valuable lesson of empathy.
What You Can Do:
Please write to the president of the Boy Scouts of America, urging him to replace the outdated "Fishing" and "Fish and Wildlife Management" merit badges with a "Waterway Cleanup" badge. Scouts could perform a marvelous service to the community and to the environment by clearing fishing debris from rivers, ponds, lakes, and other waterways. Scouts can also learn to appreciate nature, rather than destroy it and its inhabitants, through birdwatching, hiking, and many other humane outdoor activities that merit badges. Please send your letter to:
Milton H. Ward, President
Boy Scouts of America
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
Fax: 972-580-2079
how about a “Target PETA for PRACTICE” badge??
Eating is a reason. So is sport.
Or, they could rename it the “Sea Kittening” merit badge.
Tell PETA to Kiss your BASS!
As it is Friday, Lent, and I am from Wisconsin it is time for a Fish Fry.
That kind of stupid ought to hurt. Seriously.
Only if they get to replace it with a “Thrash an Animal Rights Activist” badge.
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Fish the original white meat!
Don’t we get to see some nude PETA women?
These people are nuts. An interesting article for anyone who has access to the WSJ website.
Boy, the Scout Handbook Keeps ChangingHighlights
The latest edition is an eco-friendly version that boasts recycled paper and clean production
Scouts "cannot favor one interest against another and cannot countenance interference on any debatable questions, whether social, religious or political."...Interest groups made this difficult from the start. Labor unions and socialists attacked the handbook for exhorting obedience to employers and the U.S. government.
In 1972, as Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment, the handbook's eighth edition omitted the word "Boy" from its title.
The handbook's ninth edition, in 1979, restored its masculinity,
11th edition addresses such fears with a detachable pamphlet designed to help parents talk to their sons about substance and sexual abuse. The first edition warned against alcohol and tobacco;
A 1951 fifth edition has an Indian spirit on its cover, presiding over camping Scouts [I remember that one, might still have it. Light green, I think]
The first editions are laden with text, history and diagrams. Modern editions are filled with color photos, less instruction and little history. The newest is, however, made without chlorine.
In the end, I think I will do well—as will all parents of boys—if I adopt the goal set out in the first Scoutmaster Handbook: ". . . we have placed the boy in the midst, and have tried to keep his interests in the forefront; for we realize that our purpose in this Boy Scout Movement is not to exploit methods, nor to glorify movements . . . but to lead boys into useful lives." That's something to which even grown men can aspire.
Exterminate PETA!! Sounds like a much better idea to mebeing an Eagle Scout and valueing all that Scouting Instills in You as a Young Man! More Eagles for Our Nation! and Less Liberal Weirdo! HUUUHH—RRRAAAHHH!
I suggest letters to Milton H. Ward recommend that any scout who gives any member of PETA a case of the vapors be awarded a merit badge and testimonial a steak dinner with shrimp cocktail appetizer.
I’m printing this one out and letting lose the Hounds of Hell upon PETA!
I have two stock boys who work for me. BOTH are getting their Eagle Scout certifications (or whatever it’s called; I guess I should pay attention, LOL!) this Spring.
Both are really terrific young men who worked very hard toward this goal. :)
I’ll trade the fishing for bow-hunting PETA members with my son.
Mona Lisa Vito: “Imagine you’re a deer. You’re prancing along. You get thirsty. You spot a little brook. You put your little deer lips down to the cool, clear water - BAM. A f——n’ bullet rips off part of your head. Your brains are lying on the ground in little bloody pieces. Now I ask ya, would you give a f-— what kind of pants the son-of-a-b—— who shot you was wearing?
Boy Scout pants?
I was a Boy Scout for One day.
Sent them this message: Like to fish,Really like to gut them.It’s natures’ way.
Those folks are the type that don’t cut their lawn because grass lives and breaths.A Bunch of Dorks.
You wouldn’t want to see any! The prettiest is probably Helen Thomas and then it heads south from there to the Hillary Clintoons and Chelsea Hubbell (aka Clinton), and then the Andrea Mitchells and Rachel Madcows of this World!
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