General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDon’t fall for (conservative) smears against the Girl Scouts
The culture wars in this country have grown so acute that we cant even agree to support a patriotic, faith-affirming, achievement-oriented group like the Girl Scouts.
I smile when girls from the local troop stand nervously on my doorstep and ask me to buy Thin Mints and Trefoils. I see the next generation of a treasured institution about to celebrate 100 years of giving girls a chance to hike and camp, learn skills such as gardening and first aid, and build character and leadership.
But some religious conservatives see something very different: representatives of a dangerous, secular organization that aggressively promotes abortion and quietly encourages paganism, homosexuality and other alleged social ailments. Its ill-informed nonsense. Nonetheless, its spawned a smear campaign against the Girl Scouts thats starting to have an impact, including in our region.
Conservative activists have used social media to encourage parents to boycott cookie sales, pull their daughters out of scouts and push churches not to provide meeting spaces for troops.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/robert-mccartney-dont-fall-for-smears-against-the-girl-scouts/2012/01/27/gIQAEJtMYQ_story.html
Betsy Ross
(3,147 posts)I don't normally buy them, but the boycott encouraged me to do so.
MH1
(17,595 posts)I usually don't, because I don't think the cookies are all that great, and I don't even know how they're made (or if even in the US for that matter).
But I bought them this year because of the fundie nutjob's attempt to boycott.
WolverineDG
(22,298 posts)Fuzz
(8,827 posts)Thin mints in the freezer. mmmm
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)This is what conservatives are using on facebook (and I'd guess elsewhere) to make their point. It has encouraged me and many others to seek out Girl Scouts and buy cookies.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)You're helping them promote this nonsense.
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)Every single person that has commented on it, has commented positively and stated they would now be SUPPORTING the Girl Scouts. I'm using their ignorance against them as are others who are sharing the link with comments such as, "Look at what jack-ass conservatives are saying about the Girl Scouts."
jwirr
(39,215 posts)justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)Go Girl Scouts! Need to find some cookies to support them.
If this is supposed to make me not like the Girl Scouts, then it failed cause it only makes me like them more and makes me that much prouder for having been one.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)You always need to know what the conservative talking points are, as well as the POV of the supplier.
Initech
(100,060 posts)But WTF was that flyer? Their broad definition of transgender is so stupid it's hard to wrap one's head around it.
WolverineDG
(22,298 posts)but put "This is why I'm PROUD to be a Girl Scout"
dg
txwhitedove
(3,928 posts)That's just crazy.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)I've forwarded this to our Girl Scout leader, so she at leas knows what she's up against.
MattBaggins
(7,901 posts)but the younger one has a friend in GS who wants her to join.
I have no problems with 4H but would like to get my girls in GS just to help support them.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)in because it is going to be good for them.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,769 posts)The current Girl Scout "Promise" (there may be variations)
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
I remember when I was one and we did it as (I think when I was a Brownie):
To love God and my country,
To help other people every day
Especially those at home.
I have come to accept that anything coming out of a convervo-fake's mouth is a lie, distortion, or exaggeration.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)I don't buy 'em.
The last thing I need is cookies. Now jelly beans are a different matter.
Booster
(10,021 posts)them to our troops, which they will do. Like you, the last thing I need is 10 boxes of cookies. lol
noamnety
(20,234 posts)Weren't so laser-focused on contributing to the obesity epidemic.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)(althought the boy scouts sell popcorn -- I suppose that's not so bad).
noamnety
(20,234 posts)I'm just suggesting that there's a disconnect with an organization that has a mission of helping people doing their fundraising in a way that harms people.
It's not so different from the ethics involved in running a state lottery in that regard.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)..and, unlike Vegas or your local grocery store, the money is going to a useful cause.
noamnety
(20,234 posts)probably a more important cause.
Both get people to "voluntarily" donate by preying on people's unhealthy addictions. (gambling, sugar)
I'm not saying it should be illegal, mind you, just saying that neither meet my standard for ethical fundraising, for similar reasons.
Arkansas Granny
(31,514 posts)I don't think they would raise nearly as much money selling veggie seeds. There are a lot more people who buy cookies that there are who grow veggies.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)One of the parents wouldn't let her daughter sell cookies, and indicated that when she went on the Girl Scouts website she "clicked on a link, which took her to another link, which took pher to Planned Parenthood's website."
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, cookie sales are otherwise strong.
Initech
(100,060 posts)That's the equivalent of going on Wikipedia and clicking on how many topics it takes you to get to the page on Hitler.
tanyev
(42,542 posts)But I don't buy them when they've got a table set up at the grocery store or a co-worker puts an order form in the break room.
MattBaggins
(7,901 posts)Times have changed and kids are discouraged from door to door sales. It is considered annoying by the majority of people and in today's world is down right dangerous.
tanyev
(42,542 posts)I usually get one girl at my door every year and I will buy cookies then, but that's it.
MattBaggins
(7,901 posts)I'm a diabetic so I don't even buy the candy from my own kids.
CatholicEdHead
(9,740 posts)Reading through the link it looks like SOP for ultra-conservative Catholics to take something really minor, blow it out of proportion, sometimes make things up, and stand firm with the unflexable position.
I have also seen them go after Kormon for the Cure breast cancer group for similar things. One hearsay that a very small amount was given to PP, so then in their minds it is evil overall and treated as a enemy ever since.
The pro-life, pro-family movements are extremely paranoid about anything that contradicts their narrow world view which rises or falls on only two or three things (abortion, gay marriage, contraception), the rest is irrelevant.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)...but boy are they loud.
They see the word 'faith' as crusade, and tarnish us all.
PassingFair
(22,434 posts)Catholic churches are well within their rights to toss the troops
out of their churches and schools.
I wouldn't want my girls belong to a group that told
them that contraception was evil anyway.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)Vinca
(50,258 posts)The only thing you can blame them for is about 10 lbs. of my body weight . . . damn Thin Mints.
Iggo
(47,547 posts)It's probably a good idea they leave out the "patriotic, faith affirming" part, or I'd laugh them right off my porch.
Patrick_Bateman
(47 posts)Girl Scout goooood
Evangelical Christians baaaad
One little nit however. The cookies are really not as tasty as they were 25 years ago but then again what is?
"I'd like to order a truckload please."
ellie
(6,929 posts)Girl Scout cookies in years (perpetual diet). But I will this year. I was a Girl Scout and I loved it.