Education

Florida School Board Cuts Funding to Boy Scouts’ Program Over Anti-Gay Stance

The seemingly never-ending debate over gay marriage and homosexuality is heating up in Pinellas County, Florida, as the local school board decided on Tuesday to cut ties with an educational program that is affiliated with the Boy Scouts.

As a result of the Pinellas County School Board’s decision, the subsidiary program, called “Learning for Life,” will no longer receive funding and support for local officials. The nationwide program, which was founded in 1992, is intended to teach students important values like personal responsibility, respect, honesty and fairness. On the “Learning for Life” web site, the following mission is given:

“To develop and deliver engaging, research based academic, character, leadership and career focused programs aligned to state and national standards that guide and enable all students to achieve their full potential.”

The basis for the funding rejection is the board’s perception that the Boy Scouts discriminates against gay youths. The $54,000 grant would have provided the funding needed to host the program at a number of schools in the district.

Boy Scouts Learning for Life Program Cut By Pinellas County SchoolsBoard Member Linda Lerner, whose son is gay (though she says her opposition to the program isn’t personal), stated her support for the funding cut during the meeting. “This board has a chance to send a strong message to the Boy Scouts,” she said. ”I was pleasantly surprised, and I believe that it is so good for our district for our educators, students, and citizens, gay and straight.”

ThinkProgress recaps the reason a number of institutions are separating themselves from the program:

The Boy Scouts prohibit atheists, agnostics, and “avowed” homosexual people from leadership roles. In 2004, the organization adopted the following policy statement: “Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed.

The conduct of youth members must be in compliance with the Scout Oath and Law, and membership in Boy Scouts of America is contingent upon the willingness to accept Scouting’s values and beliefs. Most boys join Scouting when they are 10 or 11 years old. As they continue in the program, all Scouts are expected to take leadership positions. In the unlikely event that an older boy were to hold himself out as homosexual, he would not be able to continue in a youth leadership position.”

In the past, “Learning for Life” has directly responded to controversy surrounding the Boy Scouts’ policies on homosexuality. In 2010, The Advocate reported the following:

…Learning for Life’s national director, John Anthony, told The Advocate in a statement that “Learning for Life programs are not Boy Scout programs, and Boy Scout membership requirements have no relevance to Learning for Life programs.” He also asserted that Learning for Life has always enforced a policy of nondiscrimination.

Contrasting the criticism that was thrown at the Boy Scouts, Board Chairwoman Carol Cook heralded the program’s 10-year success in the district and voted to keep it in tact. ”I think it’s more valuable to have left the character education in the classroom and attack the concerns with the national organization in a much different way,” she explained. A program called “Commitment to Character“ will replace ”Learning for Life.”

As an organization with Christian roots, the Boy Scouts will likely continue to find itself embattled and attacked over its stance on homosexuality.

Comments (329)

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  • rangerp
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:54pm

    Why does the “mainstream press” condemn the Catholic Church for allowing predatory homosexuals to destroy the lives of boys, while simultaneously condemning the Boy Scouts of America for not allowing precisely the same thing in their organization? —

    Report Post » rangerp  
    • FNG
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:02pm

      Uhhh… Because they’re hypocrites?!

      The BSA can make due without the handouts.

      Report Post » FNG  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:36pm

      I believe you mean pedophiles, not homosexuals. While some may be both, having a sexual attraction to a child is quite different than having one to an adult.

      Report Post »  
    • StandOnYourTwoFeet
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:42pm

      AGENDA… if the government has hand in it, then they can say “cut the bucks” amd everyone jumps! If I wanted my son in the boy scouts I would hope he would not be surrounded by homosexuals… if that were the case I would send him to the girl scouts!! :)

      Report Post » StandOnYourTwoFeet  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:48pm

      It isn’t so much an attack on those priests who have done harm to young boys as it is an attack on the Catholic Church as a whole. They are out to destroy any and all Christian religions since these organizations tend to stabilize the family unit and call for a sense of moralities and virtue in our individual character. Without these traits, it is much easier to control the masses!

      (I am not Catholic, but indeed consider myself a Christian.)

      Report Post » kapnkd  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:03pm

      Because the Catholic Church prevented people who they knew to be guilty of crimes from being punished and allowed them to commit more, and the Boy Scouts prejudge people to be potential criminals without evidence, and both of those are evil and un-American.

       
    • JRook
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:14pm

      United Way pulled the Boy Scouts from their supported organizations over 10 years ago. Which is why I no longer donate to the United Way. They have a diversity pledge they make each organization sign. Boy Scouts would not do it.

      Report Post »  
    • StPeteBroker
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:17pm

      What upsets me is that a friend of mine lost her job from this budget cut here in Pinellas Co. She works hard and is in a charity organization to give back to the community. While the same school board just fired their superintendent in August and paid Julie Janssen over $200,000 and the fired superintendent wants over $620,000 from the school board for being fired.

      http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/former-pinellas-schools-chief-wants-school-district-to-pay-her-621000/1190075

      Report Post »  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:34pm

      Locked: I believe Ranger said exactly what he meant. Read carefully: the term was “predatory homosexuals”.
      And although you’re correct that same-sex attraction is not automatically equivalent to underage attraction, if you think adolescence and before adolescence isn’t a targeted period for pro-homosexual recruiters, I think you’re either uninformed or naive.
      The Boy Scouts are right to uphold their ban. It doesn’t prevent diversity, but it does protect the boys from potential problems of chemistry–the same common-sense reason we keep separate bathrooms for the sexes.

      Report Post » HappyStretchedThin  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:09pm

      Ranger, it’s because libs hate conservative morality and those who promote it, so they will wink at the sins of their fellow perversity lovers while holding all the righteous to account for any failing on their side. If the Catholic Church would just ordain women and condone homosexuality all the pederast abuses would be categorized as isolated instances.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • scarebear83
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:10pm

      Instead of punishing the Boy Scouts or demanding that the organization change to allow in homosexual thoughts and ideas how about make your own scouts? Call it what you want and let in whoever you want but leave this organization alone. Since the girl scouts seem to be going the opposite direction I have wondered about making an organization that sticks along the same ideals the boy scouts have… instead of demanding the current girl scout organization to change back to good and decent ideals (I think I’d be told to hit the road and be called bigot etc. if I gave such a proposal).

      Report Post » scarebear83  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:32pm

      I quit donating to United Way many years ago because of the leftist groups they give money to, like Planned Parenthood. And regarding this article, the attack on the Boy Scouts has been relentless for years, and why I support the local Boy Scouts Council.

      Report Post »  
    • VanGrungy
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:34pm

      The Gay Boy Scouts… the Wandervogel… the forerunner for the Hitler Youth…

      Report Post » VanGrungy  
    • child of the King
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:36pm

      It is all about this political correctness garbage. The Boy Scout‘s fortunately and hopefully won’t bend to this politically correct garbage.

       
    • rangerp
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:58pm

      Never had the opportunity to take part in boy scouts when I was a kid. Did find it interesting that back in 87 when I was enlisted in the 75th Ranger Regiment, there was no shortage of Eagle Scouts.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • gsplgtr
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:10pm

      Back in the late 80‘s Levi’s pulled their support from the BSA because they would not allow homosexual scout masters. It was the last time I bought any Levi’s. Talk about letting the fox guard the hen house?????

      Report Post »  
    • HD Veteran
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:37pm

      Hey FNG – so, kids are hypocrites? Bet your daddy never referred to you as a genius .

      Go fling poo at someone truly responsible, like your mom.

      Liberals: Sound out the big words or ask for help .

      Diversity Statement:
      Hey FNG – así que los chavales son hipócritas? Apuesta su papá nunca se refirieron a usted como un genio .

      Vaya lancemos poo a alguien verdaderamente responsable, al igual que su mamá.

      Los liberales: El sonido de las grandes palabras o pedir ayuda .

      Report Post » HD Veteran  
    • DrFrost
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:54pm

      “I believe you mean pedophiles, not homosexuals. While some may be both, having a sexual attraction to a child is quite different than having one to an adult.” – Locked

      I’m going to agree 100% here that being a homosexual and being a pedophile are two VERY different things. But boy scouts go up to 18 and Venturing goes up to 21.

      I honestly wouldn‘t want a straight male leading my daughter’s girl scout group anymore than I‘d want a homosexual man leading my son’s boy scout group. Call me overly cautious but when it comes to my kids I’d rather be safe than sorry any day.

      Report Post »  
    • ptharris
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:01pm

      I call that confused, They don’t stand for anything, therefore they can change when convenient!

      Report Post »  
    • C.Gallicchio
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:17pm

      Very true FNG the BSA is self-sufficient with volunteers, parents and churches to step up and provide for the boys.

      Report Post »  
    • C.Gallicchio
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:21pm

      Sorry to burst your bubble there Chet but the BSA is definitely what America is all about , Self – sufficiency.

      Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:28pm

      Good point. Unfortunately we know the answer don’t we?

      Report Post » pamela kay  
    • dawghowse
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:36pm

      Well said!

      Report Post » dawghowse  
    • apollo18
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:43pm

      If someone is homosexual, why would they want to be a Boy Scout leader? Do they have sons in the troop? If not, take a hike.

      Report Post »  
    • ColdDeadHands
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:27pm

      @RANGERP

      ““Never had the opportunity to take part in boy scouts when I was a kid. Did find it interesting that back in 87 when I was enlisted in the 75th Ranger Regiment, there was no shortage of Eagle Scouts.”"

      In WWII, The Boy Scouts provided great service to the country, both on the home front and in places like Burma, where, the story goes (I believe), that Merrill (of the Maurauders) wanted volunteers for a particularly dangerous mission requiring certain skill levels. He asked for Eagle Scouts and rec’d all the men he asked for, as at that time, The Boy Scouts were plentiful and patriotic and had enlisted in droves.
      Although times have changed, the Boy Scouts still do a great job in character development, and Eagle Scouts are generally easy to pick out from a crowd. They provide a fantastic experience for a young man.

      Greg in FL ( Eagle Scout, USAF vet, NRA member, patriot)

      Report Post » ColdDeadHands  
    • WeDontNeedNoSteeeenkinBadges
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 8:38pm

      “This board has a chance to send a strong message to the Boy Scouts.”

      Message received & understood. Instituting a new merit badge:
      — the Anti-Hòmo Badges Of Merit –
      It’s like a video game … the more diseased fàggots you target, the more arrow badges you accùmulate.
      http://avoncubsny.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/arrows-patch.jpg

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoSteeeenkinBadges  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:33pm

      If a gay scout master were to touch my son…he would be hanging by his b a lls from a barbwire fence so fast I would win a Merritt badge!!!

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 5:02am

      I think we need the gay, lesbian and transgendered scouts…. Can u imagine those uniforms ?

      Report Post »  
    • davefaith
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 7:32am

      Hey, Board Member Linda Lerner, whose son is gay, I know a really nice 54 year old gay man who would just loooove to dress up as a scout master and take your boy for a camp out.

      Why not just start your own group? The Gay Scouts? Rainbow Scouts? Just think of the fun that jamboree would be!

      Report Post »  
    • UPSETVET
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 7:37am

      If I was a chicken farmer, I wouldn’t put a predatory animal in with the baby chickens. Would you? I applaud the stand of the Boy Scouts of America leadership on it’s stand against homosexuality. As a father of two bys, I wouldn’t put them into jeopardy exposing them to a homosexual Boy Scout leader.

      All homosexuals are PREDATORY and they seek out the youngest and weakest as their prey. The Florida School Board that has punished the Boy Scouts of America and rewrded homosexuals with it’s baised action should be sued. Homosexuality has become a privilged perversion in todays world.

      Report Post »  
    • old white guy
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:56am

      some strong message. that message being that they support a perverse and devient lifestyle. i think the boy scouts should be pervert free.

      Report Post »  
    • cavyR
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 11:19am

      UPSETVET said it best.
      Now that queers are out of the closet, they think people will not look at them as pedophiles.

      Report Post » cavyR  
    • Blackman Standing Tall71
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 1:12pm

      The reason the Catholics are ignored is because they are a powerful organization.Anytime there is money that’s exchanged between the government and organizations there are certain rules that apply.It sucks but that’s the reality.

      Report Post » Blackman Standing Tall71  
    • robert
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 2:05pm

      Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:36pm
      “I believe you mean pedophiles, not homosexuals. While some may be both, having a sexual attraction to a child is quite different than having one to an adult”

      The mental aberration known as homosexuality imvolves sex with those of the same sex and doesn’t dfferentiate between children or adults. If homosexual males confine their perversions to adults, it’s simply because they are not in a position to corrupt young boys, which they would prefer, like the perversions by homosexual priests against young males.

      In any event the mental illness known as homosexuality is curable, but homosexuals, like drug addicts and alcoholics, like their lifestyles and refuse to seek treatment.

      Opposition to homosexuality by those not afflicted is instilled in every person, and it‘s nature’s way of assuring the perpetuation of the species. All normal people are instilled with feelings of disgust over people of the same sex who want to have sex with each other.

      It’s perfectly natural and inbred, and it has nothing to do with religion, and it certainly isn’t present in the rest of the animal kingdom.

      Have you ever seen two male birds building a nest together?

      Report Post »  
    • StanO360
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:01pm

      Locked – you are correct, however do note that something on the order of 40% of child molesters are homosexual. That’s far and above the 2-3% of the population. And you can be sure that the teen molestations are the least reported and most targeted by homosexuals.

      Report Post »  
    • LibertarianForLife
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 8:24pm

      KAP, thank you for your hilarious comment, completely made my day. Considering religion has been used to control the masses since the beginning of civilization, go ahead and add that statement to the long list of irrational things you believe.

      Report Post »  
    • Tim Law
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 1:35am

      BSA is one of the few organizations the has not folded to PC and the homosexual agenda. It’s all part of the socialist dream, destroy the family unit, remove GOD from our live’s, and we will have no hope. Even some of the Church’s are allowing homosexual pastors and ministers. We can only hope that BSA will not fold to PC, they are giving our young men the chance to grow up as normal human beings. May the Good LORD Bless them and help them to remain strong.

      Report Post »  
    • UBKidding
      Posted on October 20, 2011 at 3:05am

      Sorry Locked, you got it wrong.

      Over 92% of all incidents were of a completely homosexual nature and not pedophilia.

      Evil people like to hide in the oddest of places.

      Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:53pm

    Organizations such as the Boy Scouts should never accept any money from any government. That ties you to their agenda, just say no thanks.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:11pm

      This is the reasoning of the school board as well. They aren’t taking the grant and then refusing the fund the program; they are refusing to take the grant, because it is specifically for a subsidiary program of the Boy Scouts and they wish to not be seen as endorsing their recruitment rules. At the same time the school is setting up an analogous program that’s unaffiliated with the Boy Scouts so that nothing is taken away from the students; I couldn’t find where the funding is coming from for that.

      No one can force schools to take grant money, nor do the Boy Scouts need to change their rules.

      Report Post »  
    • mntwins
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:16pm

      I could not have put it better. Well said HKS.

      Report Post » mntwins  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:17pm

      Stay strong Boy Scouts!!…we don’t need a bunch of gay pedo scoutmasters, nor a bunch of Nancyboy members, that will go on camping trips with your son and decide to play Brokeback Mountain in the tent at night. Scouting is a moral, Christian organization with traditions of patriotism and service, so naturally that means it’s a target for the perverts and radicals to attempt to destroy.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • tankyjo
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:35pm

      Righto !!!!!!!!!! Disconnect.

      Report Post » tankyjo  
    • ofallon
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:40pm

      Mega-dittos

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:43pm

      If you aren‘t queer you aren’t here. It is fine to expose these boys to queers, just think the boys won;t have hemroids. My nephew was exposed at boy scout camp and at age 38 he still is. He was a school teacher but some one found little boy porn on it and they forced him to resign – ruined his life. This is pure discrimination if I ever saw it.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:54pm

      “Learning for Life (LFL) is a United States school and work-site based youth program that is a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. It utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and self-esteem, and for careers.” -wiki

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_for_Life

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:56pm

      EXACTLY, The Boys Scout of America have no business accepting government dollars to teach government propaganda. The Scout are suppose to teach boys and girls about self reliance and morality. Homosexuality should be tolerated(aka I don’t think anyone should be attack gays) tolerating something doesn’t make it moral. San Fransico tolerated junkies giving them free needles and places to do drugs. Does that make drug addsiction a moral lifestyle? And there are some very nice drug addicts just like there are nice homos. Point is just because someones not advocating the annihilation of an immoral lifestyle doesn’t make it moral. The Scout have every right not to accept homosexuality in it’s orginazation. They not only have the right they have a duty to not accept or promote it.

      Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:02pm

      Ever wonder why the “mainstream press” condemn the Catholic Church for allowing predatory homosexuals to destroy the lives of boys, while simultaneously condemning the Boy Scouts of America for not allowing precisely the same thing in their organization? —

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:04pm

      @Smithclar

      You’re misunderstanding. Learning for Life gives a grant to schools in order to set up a local program there. The school oversees the management of the funds, but they need to abide by the rules of the grant. The Boy Scouts (and Learning for Life) are not taking any money at all… they were giving it to the school. The school just voted to refuse the grants, because they did not want to be associated with the Boy Scouts.

      It‘s similar to how FL’s governor, Rick Scott, refused millions from the federal government for education because he didn’t want to be associated with them.

      No money was taken away from the Boy Scouts or Learning for Life.

      Report Post »  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:05pm

      “Learning for Life” is one of the “non-God” divisions of BSA for the very reason sited. In 1995 BSA divided their co-ed Exploring division into “God”( called Venturing now) and non-God (Exploring) because of these issues. BSA practices “Don’t ask, don’t tell” with regard to a gays. They want their programs to be asexual – just good clean fun that builds character, physical and mental fitness. They throw out heterosexual leaders who feel the need to convey feelings to their partners in front of the kids as well as homosexual ones. I’ve known both homosexual scouts and leaders during my 20+ years in scouting and they make if very difficult to determine their sexual orientation; they are just people trying to do for kids. The kids will find out soon enough which way they lean, there is too much else to teach them about human relations and decision making to even broach this subject.

      Report Post »  
    • carbonated
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:07pm

      Yep. Goverment money comes with too many strings.

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:28pm

      Let’s be discriminating when it comes to leadership and our childrens values that we as parents want installed. This country was set up on the Constitution under God and His Son. Obama set a homosexual as Czar over education because the demoralization of a nation starts with our children. If this is the way they want to play let’s strike back. Let us organize a Christian army for God and Jesus, He is the true teacher of values and integrity. We need to throw these Islamic Communists out of this country. It will take a community by community compliance like an Acorn in reverse. This tiime it will be God’s way not theirs. Anyone out there ready to get this ball rolling????????????????????/

      Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:27pm

      I guess I could add that it’s not only the Boy Scouts getting tied to Government agendas, anybody that takes government money is tied to the same agenda. So all you folks looking to get a little from Obama’s stash take note, now they own you.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • JRook
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:54pm

      Ok tying the government agenda to $$ is not a new practice as it has been used by every President. Nixon with the 55 mile speed limit and Reagan with his 21 drinking age. (Yep you are old enough once again to serve and potentially die for your country, but if you live you can’t come home and order a beer). The secondary question as referenced is why the organization feels a need to seek funding from School Boards and other organizations? Seems like they were taking the easy road.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:26pm

      @Locked Are you sure about the funding stream. Cause if what you said is true this is one of the most misleading and lie ridden report I have ever seen. No where does it give the indication the money was being provided by the program. It certainly sounds like it was a third party grant, perhaps from the country.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:57pm

      JRook,

      I looked for a while before finding the answer from this article: http://www.wtsp.com/rss/article/215133/250/Gay-discrimination-leads-school-board-to-reject-money-from-Boy-Scouts
      “The ”Learning for Life” grants provide a character development program, but that program is not controlled by the school system.”

      LfL’s money likely comes from federal funds having to do with acts like Title IV, and the rest through donations. But the program itself is only included after the school wins the LfL grant and agrees to its terms (as they ultimately control how their money is spent).

      The article overall was written in a rather vague manner. At first reading it, it sounded like the school was refusing to fund the program; in fact they were refusing to take money to fund it. There’s quite a large difference; no one is forcing a school to take money if the school board doesn’t agree with the terms that come with it. And other organizations and schools can still apply for TfT‘s grants if they don’t mind the association (several others in FL do so).

      Report Post »  
    • CottonMPG
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:29pm

      I agree!! No money from the government! Hopefully people will step up and meet their financial needs individually.

      Report Post » CottonMPG  
  • txwheels
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:53pm

    Hmmmm…Must be a bunch of butt bandits on the school board..

    Report Post »  
  • Rightsofman
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:53pm

    The scouts should not have to depend on gov’t subsidization anyhow. It should be a free organization in a free society free to conduct themselves by their own stated principles. No gov’t money = no gov’t control They are then free of the wacky whims of whatever special agenda groups that get themselves elected to power positions.

    Report Post »  
    • ZAP
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:12pm

      PALMERRACHELLE83 FRIENDS MOM IS DOING it on a COMPUTER

      Report Post » ZAP  
  • cemerius
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:53pm

    You will toe the line or the borgs will assimulate you!! Religion is just an excuse to be homophobic racist hillbillies clinging to guns and bibles? I am sick and tired of the “minority” speaking as a moral compass to the majority and they call it Democracy? Democracy at its basics is Majority Rules!! Thus we ARE a Republic where the Law Rules!!! Democrats are distorted and THEY should be sent to “re-education camps”!! You wonder why the academia are the first ones to go to the chopping block??

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Ralphbp
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:52pm

    They claim to be making a strong statement…they are, they say that everyone should agree with them or else. It is obvious that they are the instruments of the radical gay lobby. The answer for the scouts is that they seek personal sponsorship apart from the Marxist school board. It’s the only answer. Perhaps a local church will sponsor the troop.

    Report Post » Ralphbp  
    • TumbleBumble
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:58pm

      It took a little digging, but I found the email address for the Pinellas County school board… board@pcsb.org

      I just finished up a nice letter, thanking them for bring this to our attention and offering my support to the group they just cut off.

      Report Post » TumbleBumble  
    • rightwingwacko
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:02pm

      Nudge,,, nudge…. shove.

      Report Post » rightwingwacko  
    • apollo18
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:17pm

      Re: TUMBLEBUMBLE

      The “body armor” for teacher’s protection from public opinion (parents and community) is tenure. They couldn’t care less and laugh at anybody. But do it anyway. Never know.

      Report Post »  
  • Falsegods
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:52pm

    The commie PLOT
    to rid the country of any morals and Christian values.

    Report Post »  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:27pm

      I take it that your Christian experience growing up, wasn’t a happy one.

      Report Post »  
    • Falsegods
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:11pm

      Jesus Christ is,
      was
      and always will be
      the best thing in my life !

      Report Post »  
  • ImJusSayin
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:51pm

    Ill send them $20, If everybody that post will do that they wont need the Grant.

    Report Post » ImJusSayin  
    • Scott1791
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:24pm

      I sent $100

      Report Post » Scott1791  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:31pm

      You guys do realize that the grant is coming from the Learning for Life people, right? The organization gives money to schools or local organizations to establish a program at their schools. It’s their own money: the school just refused to accept it.

      What you should do is see if another organization would be willing to accept it and keep the program locally instead: perhaps a church group of some sort. Right now you‘re just sending money to a group that hasn’t lost anything except a host for their program.

      Report Post »  
  • ZAP
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:50pm

    Only PERVERTS get PAY

    Report Post » ZAP  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:50pm

    .
    Florida School Board Cuts Funding to Boy Scouts’ Program Over Anti-Gay Stance…..

    What is an Anti-Gay Stance?

    I guess it’s Standing in the Straight and Up-right position as apposed to one grabbing his ankles……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • momrules
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:49pm

    The homosexual community strikes again. They are similar to Islam in many ways. They expect everyone to accept them even if it goes against one’s personal beliefs or else they sue, scream victimhood or in this case withhold funding. Great people these professional victims.

    Report Post »  
    • Oldphoto678
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:16pm

      So tell me MR what is it about withholding funds from an organization who’s policies you disagree with is bad. It seems to be SOP for the tea party types, yet you seem to object when others do the same thing. Some would call that hypocrisy. I just call it what it is… Two faced!

      AND…. I’m sure that most gays give a goose full of poop if you except them or not. However I‘m sure that gay men and women care very deeply that people like you aren’t allowed to discriminate against them. The constitution states that all men are created equal. To make that easy for you to understand, it means that all of ‘We The People” have exactly the same rights as you, and that also covers marrage. So in conclusion all I can say to your type is Pi$$ Off.

      Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:12pm

      @oldphoto………..my, my, my, touched a nerve did I?

      Report Post »  
    • chicago76
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:46pm

      Boyscouts are a prime target for gays because of all the boys there that can be indoctrinated into the new social system where being a homosexual is a valid lifestyle choice for those boys who feel alienated. They want to be able to play mind games with the boys, like they do with people on these websites and in the media. Unfortunately, boys aren’t prepared to handle gay mind games. That is good for the gays, but bad for the boys. Odd, gays say they do not have a choice, yet they are more than willing to help alienated boys make a choice that apparently the boys do not have.

      Report Post »  
    • suncat
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:45pm

      Christianity is very much like Islam. Both religions hate homosexuals.

      Report Post » suncat  
    • C.Gallicchio
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:33pm

      OldPhoto @Don’t seem to see a marriage clause in the Constitution

      Report Post »  
    • 45Sentinel
      Posted on October 17, 2011 at 11:38pm

      There is a difference between tolerance and acceptance. I tolerate homosexuals and they can lead their life. I don’t have to accept it or allow it to become my philosophy. Unfortunately it seems to be a one way street.

      At what point do the hetero teachers go up on the board? Maybe Christmas? Let’s email the board and see when it will happen.

      Report Post »  
  • Diablo4965
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:49pm

    What a joke, if this is true then funding needs to be stopped for the Girl Scouts due to their relationship with Planned parenthood!

    Report Post » Diablo4965  
  • JD Carp
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:49pm

    These people are bigots for excluding the Boy Scouts on the basis of their stance on homosexuals. The Boy Scouts don‘t condemn Gay Pride parades they just don’t go to them. Seems freedoms are reserved for the left and the right has to tow the line.

    Report Post » JD Carp  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:57pm

      JD Carp – Exactly! Look for DOJ to get involved and tell them they HAVE to let homosexuals be in the Boy Scouts.

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • godhead
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:21pm

      Exactly. And the state doesn‘t condemn the Boy Scouts for being bigots They just don’t fund their bigotry. See? Everybody’s happy.

      Report Post »  
    • joe1234
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:30pm

      @pothead…the only bigotry I see is from the brown-shirted, jack-booted gay fascist movement.

      Report Post » joe1234  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:38pm

      @Godhead

      Not quite. The funding for this program is from the Learning for Life organization itself; they give a grant to a school, which takes the grant to set up a program there. It‘s not Learning for Life who’s losing funding; it‘s the school who is refusing to take Learning for Life’s grant.

      The organization can go to another organization to set up their program, as they now have almost $55k to set up a new program.

      Report Post »  
    • godhead
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:41pm

      Joe1234 . . .ah the old “brown shirted jack booted blah blah blah”

      Nice to see the idiot Tea Baggers like your self have been given enough buzzwords to repeat ad nauseum. Well done! Now try this . . .”Socialist. Marxist, Leninist, Communist Fascist!”

      Ooh, doesn’t that make you feel all smart inside? yews it does. Yes it does. You’re a smart boy, yes you are, Look at my little Joey, talking all political like that. Who’s a smartypants? Huh? Who? You, that’s who.

      Report Post »  
    • henryKnox
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:12pm

      Since the school board claims to be part of the gov’t, it doesn’t seem that they should be allowed to squash the 1st Amendment rights of the Boy Scouts. If the school were a private organization then they would have that right. The school claims to be gov’t when they claim that they are supposed to separate church and state (regardless of the fact that it isn’t in the constitution, but that is another discussion).

      Report Post » henryKnox  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:14pm

      godhead
      The funds originally came from the Boy Scouts through a subsidiary & then thru the school board ran by people who have deep seated & very bad issues.

      Report Post »  
  • Grace1798
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:48pm

    Only way to stop these school’s bad behavior is to take your kids out of these kinds of schools permanently.

    Report Post » Grace1798  
    • cemerius
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:54pm

      Get rid of TENURE!! Why the hell it ever was granted to K-12 schools amazes me!!!!

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • dnotestine
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:09pm

      And the Unions. Schools have been ruined by teachers who can not get fired.

      Report Post » dnotestine  
  • momprayn
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:48pm

    They might be anti-gay, etc. but unfortunately are pro-Muslims.
    “The Boy Scouts of America maintains scouting partnerships with Islamic groups closely tied to the Muslim Brotherhood, WND has learned.

    The Boy Scouts of America welcomes major religions, including Islam. It has incorporated under its banner a group called the National Islamic Committee on Scouting, or NICS, which provides Muslim scouts an opportunity to earn badges or emblems by participating in religious activities.

    The NICS scouting emblems include an “Allahu Akbar” emblem, which means “Allah is greatest” in Arabic.
    More:
    http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=352145

    Report Post »  
    • SimpleTruths
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:38pm

      Your source is WND and we’re suppose to take you seriously? Yeah, not so much.

      Report Post » SimpleTruths  
    • COFemale
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:47pm

      This is a separate program supported by the BSA. Muslim boys would not be able to fit in with the BSA because of the religious differences. This Council is set up to instill the same values that the BSA instills into their youth. As long as this BSA determines who leads and is in charge of the National Islamic Council to prevent the corruption of Muslim youth getting an education in jihad, I have no issue with this organization. At least some organization is trying to instill responsibility and that it is okay that we have different religions and different beliefs as long as we respect each other.

      Apparently you feel that most conservatives are against all Muslims period. I can’t speak for all conservatives, but this conservative has no issue with Muslims who do not instill hate and want to live in peace like I do. However, if they want to try and kill me because they are twisted in their thinking, then they will get a fight from me.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • VanGrungy
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:36pm

      “Your source is WND and we’re suppose to take you seriously? Yeah, not so much.”

      yet you don’t seem to be able to attack the facts presented..

      Report Post » VanGrungy  
  • sapper
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:47pm

    oh, I soooooo like the hetero-phobic comment. I’m going to start using that often….

    Report Post »  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:47pm

    More of the Communist manifesto being played out – remove religion and God, pervert marriage and values/morals. The Boy Scouts are a wonderful organization and young men who go through the Boy Scouts come out as wonderful citizens. We should all send in donations to help keep them going and doing the excellent job they have always done. I guess Homosexuals aren’t satisfied that they are now free in the armed services, they want more and more. Would you send your son to a camp where one of the leaders was a homosexual? Homosexual are free to choose whatever life they want to live, but don’t ruin things for other people.

    Report Post » NHwinter  
  • sapper
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:46pm

    Um, @florida school board….go to hell!!!!!!!! I would not want some queer camping out with my son and/or filling his head with liberal gayness indoctrination. The Boy Scouts are a Christian organization and if they were to allow gays in leadership positions they would be openly approving the message to young impressionable boys that homosexuality is ok and normal. THat is not their belief, is not the belief of most if not all of the boys and parents and yes my son was a boy scout and I was an unofficial assistant to the scout leader. My daughter is currently a girl scout and my wife the scout leader…..we have our own troop. Kudos again to Boy Scouts for standing their ground. I support them fully, in fact I think I’ll go send them a check………………..

    Report Post »  
    • StandOnYourTwoFeet
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Amen… I am with you!! I am a christan woman and I do not an will not have my son’s head filled with liberal smutt!! Infact I am proud the boys scouts are taking a stand! I would be one pissed off momma if my son had a camp out with a homosexual troupe leader… it would not be good for him!! People can say what they want I refuse and will never except that homosexuallity is right EVER!!!! And I chose not to associate my children with such!!!

      Report Post » StandOnYourTwoFeet  
  • bruce_baker
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:45pm

    What were they doing taking government money in the first place? The Boy Scouts is a fine organization that all Americans should be proud to support. They should use this event in a campaign to get public donations. We all need to learn to get along without government tax money supporting everything for us. We have to start somewhere to turn this Federal Monster around.

    Report Post » bruce_baker  
  • checkit
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:43pm

    The Boy Scouts need to file a lawsuit against the school board. Funds are not to be given or with-held based on ones religious beliefs. And of course the simple obvious fact of the school board being bias… you do this or we will punish you.

    Report Post » checkit  
    • the hawk
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:52pm

      Boy Scouts prohibit atheists, agnostics, and “avowed” homosexual people from leadership roles. In 2004, the organization adopted the following policy statement: “Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed.
      AND WHEN SOMETHINGS NOT BROKEN DONT FIX IT ! To bad some kids only exposure to this group may be through the schools !

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:57pm

      “The Boy Scouts need to file a lawsuit against the school board. Funds are not to be given or with-held based on ones religious beliefs.”

      You’re getting your facts wrong, but the article is rather unclear. The school has been receiving a ~$50k grant from the Boy Scouts, and the grant has been used to fund a subsidiary program called Learning for Life. The school board voted to no longer accept the grant, as doing so was seen as endorsing the Scouts’ policies to discriminate against gays, agnostics, and atheists. The Boy Scouts themselves can still use the money for whatever they want; meanwhile, the school is establishing an analogous program called “Commitment to Character” to replace the one formerly paid for by the grant

      You‘re right that it shouldn’t be based on religion… and it‘s important to note that it isn’t. Instead it‘s based on a decision that the program’s association with the Boy Scouts promotes an anti-gay message (which is not inherently religious). As the school is simply refusing to take their grant money, there is no conflict or grounds for a lawsuit; you can‘t force a school to accept an outside organization’s money.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:00pm

      Slight edit to my comment: I‘m not sure who’s been giving them the grant, actually. Either way, they‘re refusing to accept it because it dictates the need to be spent on a Boy Scout subsidiary’s program.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:18pm

      Found it. The grant is from the Learning for Life program itself; what it does is it gives money to the school to set up a Learning for Life program there. The LfL people lost nothing here; they can simply give the money to someone else to set up a program.

      Report Post »  
  • geonj
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:42pm

    everrybody has to stand for something. boy scouts stand for morality.

    Report Post » geonj  
  • BowHuntingTexas
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:42pm

    The military wasn’t enough. Now, and for the last few years, they’re coming for the kids.

    Report Post » BowHuntingTexas  
    • bernbart
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:09pm

      If your kid is gay, he is born that way. Nobody is trying to recruit your kids, Why are you so paranoid? And why are so many of those minsters who run the medically unsound programs that attempt to gays straight gays themselves?

      Report Post »  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:53pm

      Bernbart, there‘s no evidence that you’re born homosexual.

      Report Post »  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:42pm

    Corn holers rule, well not in Iran.

    Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • DanWesson455
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:40pm

    Every believer in what the Boy Scouts is about should withhold their school taxes. Turn about is fair play.

    Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • skepticalbecausesomeoneneedstobe
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:33pm

      good idea!
      screw over every other kid so they cant get a proper education!

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:32pm

      [skepticalbecausesomeoneneedstobe
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:33pm
      good idea!
      screw over every other kid so they cant get a proper education!]

      Your first and most obvious glaring error is to conclude that a public education is a “proper” education.

      Report Post »  
  • TSUNAMI-22
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:37pm

    Homosexuals are hetero-phobic, evidentally.

    Report Post »  
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