Next up on controversy's hot plate
Because things have been so dull around here and nobody’s had any strong opinions about anything, we decided to serve up something juicy today: A new Media Bias Chart created by the Democratic National Committee.
Kidding.
But when we bring up the Boy Scouts of America, a subject that for a century or so has been about as controversial as whether you’re going to eat your apple pie and ice cream with a fork or a spoon, there is today divisiveness and drama. It needn’t be that way. On Thursday, it wasn’t.
That’s when the head of Northwest Specialty Hospital, Rick Rasmussen, led the annual Scouts Leadership breakfast at the Coeur d’Alene Inn. When Rick and his 130 guests were done, more than $31,000 had been raised. That’ll put some kids in Scout uniforms who could never otherwise have afforded them. That money will send some kids to amazing and wonderful Camp Easton on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The money so generously donated by all those people from different walks of life represents an important investment in our community’s future, because when you give kids healthy options to boredom or destructive behavior, everybody wins.
Some longtime supporters of Scouting have aimed their energy elsewhere, as is of course their right. When BSA decided to allow gay Scouts and Scout leaders into the fold, some support disappeared. When BSA determined recently to open its doors to girls, that created a precedent other supporters could not abide. It did not matter that the girls are in their own groups while finally having the ability to do anything and everything their brothers do; some goodwill went away.
What remains, however, is cause for tremendous optimism. This month, the organization officially becomes Scouts BSA. The name recognizes the inclusive focus of the organization while preserving respect for the past. Thursday’s one-hour breakfast offered early proof that those who believe in Scouting’s mission will stand tall with and for the children and young adults willing to do the hard work and enjoy the many fruits of their productive labor. In other words, to have fun and keep learning every step of the journey.
Scouts BSA remains one of the best ways parents can ensure their children become self-sufficient and responsible citizens. They will learn leadership skills that will serve them and those around them for the rest of their lives. They will come to understand that there is no greater purpose in life than to help others.
Now, why does that have to be controversial?