Posted on 09/02/2003 2:24:12 PM PDT by bedolido
Passes resolution slamming group for not accepting 'gays,' atheists.
The California state Senate has passed a resolution criticizing the Boy Scouts of America for its policy of excluding homosexuals and atheists.
The legislation, which passed last week on a 22-15 vote, begins by praising the group for the work it does in the community, but in the end demands the organization accept applicants "without discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or religious belief," reported the Roseville Press-Tribune.
The Boy Scouts has come under increasing pressure to change its policy, which has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, and has lost countless dollars in donations due to its stand.
The legislation was sponsored by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles, herself a lesbian.
"I think it's important for the state of California to speak up and not be silent, and to say to the Scouts, if you have a religious belief, that's your belief. But keep it separate from a youth-serving agency that serves kids in all neighborhoods," Goldberg told the paper. "I hope we put pressure on them to make this open to all kids. Anybody who knows me and my family knows we love scouting. This is out of concern for (Scouts)."
Goldberg's bill passed the state Assembly by a vote of 43-2. Nearly half the 80 members did not vote of abstained on the resolution.
Opponents of the bill see it as government intrusion into the policies of a private organization.
"Our moral values in Boy Scouts are being treated as if they were inferior values," Republican state Sen. Rico Oller told the Press-Tribune. "Gay and lesbian groups are saying that we with traditional Christian values have to accept people who are avowedly opposed to those views. The Boy Scouts should be able to be the Boy Scouts, an organization based on faith, God and duty. You can't have it both ways."
Continued Oller, "This is about hate on the part of the radical gay and lesbian community, on organizations that are founded on more traditional values."
The senators in CA would do well to abide by the same creed.
And Judaism. We don't go for that stuff neither.
Is that an unlawful "Bill of Attainder"?
Virgil: ...I just wanted to find out your view on the Boy Scouts and how they're getting treated by the ACLU and things like that.... I'm a Scoutmaster for one of the oldest troops here in San Diego, and I wanted to get your views on the pounding that the Boy Scouts are taking by the ACLU.Tom: First, I'm a former boy scout myself. I have an 11-year-old son who's a boy scout. I think the world of that organization, and I also am absolutely disgusted by what we see in the attacks on that organization.
People have a right to association. They have also a right to set standards -- particularly moral standards in the case of the Boy Scouts. And the attacks on them I find reprehensible. I'll stand behind the Boy Scouts in every fight they wage. They are a top-notch organization, they turn out great kids, and the attacks on them are unconscionable.
Not possible. The gays have already filled that spot.
Here is some info:
AYES
**** Alarcon,Bowen, Burton, Cedillo,
Chesbro,Ducheny,Dunn, Escutia,
Figueroa, Karnette, Kuehl, Machado,
Murray, Ortiz, Perata, Romero,
Scott, Sher, Soto, Speier,
Torlakson, Vasconcellos
All above are dems (of course)
NOES
****
Aanestad, Ackerman, Ashburn Battin
Brulte, Denham, Hollingsworth, Johnson
Knight, Margett,McClintock, McPherson
Morrow, Oller, Poochigian,
All ‘NOES’ are Republicans (as expected)
Excerpts of the text:
This measure would recognize the efforts of Boy Scouts who earn the rank of Eagle Scout and encourage the Boy Scouts of America to accept for membership and leadership positions all qualified boys and men, without discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or religious belief.
WHEREAS, Since the founding of the Boy Scouts of America, millions of Boy Scouts have taken the experience of scouting and gone on to contribute great things to society; and
WHEREAS, A Boy Scout can be followed, as he is a leader in his troop and community, regardless of the scout's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or disability; and
WHEREAS, The list of former Boy Scouts includes diverse role models and leaders; and
WHEREAS, Many Boy Scouts have been forced to hide their identity in contradiction to the Scout Mission, Law, and Oath, and Boy Scouts and scout leaders who were open about their sexual orientation have been expelled from scouting; and
WHEREAS, The policy of the Boy Scouts of America to bar from membership or leadership positions otherwise qualified individuals solely on the basis of their sexual orientation or religious belief causes harm to the innumerable boys and men such as James Dale who, regardless of their hard work and merits, are denied the opportunity to hold the rank of Eagle Scout or participate in any way in the Boy Scouts of America; and
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the Boy Scouts of America to accept for membership and leadership positions, including the rank of Eagle Scout, all qualified boys and men, without discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or religious belief;
Here is the link for the bill which is trying to push the Gay agenda down our throats (no pun intended)
I hope a couple of wayward Eagle Scouts slip some poison ivy in their sleeping bags! ;-)
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