Scout Law

Howdy, Yall!

Just got back from Quantico, Virginia...Right next to CIA headquarters, the Marine University, and the spot where they had several thousand boyscouts gathered up in a field so the President could fly in for a photo op. They called it the National Jamboree and the President was a few days late getting there.

The Boy Scouts of America are a fine idea with bad execution. Let's see...How 'bout we dress a bounch of kids up in quasi military outfits, you know, like the Hitler Youth, and get them to chant things like "...a scout is obedient..."

Here is what the Scouting website says about being obedient:

"OBEDIENT
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them."


Think about that, for a second...

Scouts are also ordered to be:

"REVERENT
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others."

While respecting the beliefs of others, Scouts cannot be agnostic...They get publicly ostracized and kicked out if they are. They are also kicked out if they are not "...Morally straight!" There are court cases saying so.

So you see, Scouts are supposed to respect the beliefs of others as long as they aren't other scouts who don't believe the right things. Scouts have to swear an oath to be morally straight, while giving the scout salute.

Scouts are also supposed to be:

"BRAVE
A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him."

The Sout organization has kicked out lots of brave scouts who had the courage to stand up for what they think is right...Here's something that just happened that I don't think was right...

Making 3000 boy children stand in a field in 94 degree weather, waiting on George W. Bush to show up.

The humidity was near 100%...Heat index over 100.

The Boy Scout motto is, "Be Prepared", and the boys tried to be prepared for the suffering they were about to endure on behalf of the President's photo op team by bringing water bottles...

Sorry, you can't do that...someone might throw a water bottle at the President.

15 year old boys dangerously armed with waterbottles are apparently a matter of National security...

The water bottles were taken from the boys and nearly one third of them had to be treated for heat related health problems. 300 of them had to be evacuated for medical treatment. I talked to a government official who was there.

George W. Bush decided this was a bad day for a photo op and didn't show up.

A Scout is also:

"TRUSTWORTHY
A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him."


I like that one! These things are part of what is known as the "Scout Law" You can be kicked out of the Scouts if you disobey them. I think we should make that last one the "Presidential Law".... Let me rewrite it for you:


A President is Trustworthy!

A president tells the truth.

He keeps his promises.

Honesty is part of his code of conduct.

People can depend on him."

The Boy Scouts have their own salute..just like the armed forces, who get to use the entire hand brought to the temple as a measure of a respectful greeting. Boy SCouts only use three fingers in their salute...Cub Scouts only two fingers, and so on...


President Bush only used one finger to salute them back.


Peace,

Steve

PS: Bush did show up three days late...Apologized...must have had to attend a National Guard meeting.