LAPD Tells Discriminatory Boy Scouts To Take A Hike

[DeSwiss]

LAPD plans to run its youth program without Boy Scouts

Dailybreeze.com
Posted: 12/22/2009 04:57:15 PM PST



The Los Angeles Police Department's Explorers youth program will end its nearly 50-year relationship with the Boys Scouts of America, pledging not to tolerate discrimination. As of New Year's Day, LAPD Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger said the department will run the youth program under a different name independent of the Boy Scouts, with the program being funded in part through donations.

The Boy Scouts started the Explorers program in 1949 as a career-oriented program for boys. The LAPD began participating in 1962. Since 1998, the LAPD has been running the Explorers program while Learning for Life - an organization created by the Boy Scouts - provided insurance coverage to participants.

But the Police Commission voted last month to sever ties with Learning for Life, saying the Boys Scouts' policy of barring gays, atheists and agnostics from being troop leaders violates the city's non-discrimination policies. "It's bittersweet in the sense that the Boy Scouts or Learning for Life have been part of this for a long time - in name only - but the LAPD is committed to a better program and we can do that without having discrimination," said Police Commissioner Alan Skobin.

Commissioner Robert Saltzman, who is openly gay, said that because he cannot support the Boy Scouts, he has invested a lot of time to ensure the new youth program is "as good or - I'm confident - better than the program it replaces." "The Boy Scouts are clear that they discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity and religion, and the result of that is I could not be active on the Boy Scouts," Saltzman said. LAPD's Explorer program provides training to youths ages 14 to 20 who are interested in law enforcement careers. About 1,000 Explorers are assigned to the 20 police stations around the city.

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- The Boy Scouts were at first adamant in their demands that their boys still be allowed to earn a badge for helping little old ladies across the street.

But then they were reminded they were in LA and no one here walks. So they gave up and just went home and tied each other up in some knots......
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DeSwiss


http://www.atheisttoolbox.com/">The Atheist Toolbox




"The bliss of the elect in heaven would not be perfect unless they were able to look across
the abyss and enjoy the agonies of their brethren in eternal fire. ~ Pope Gregory I

[stopbush]

1. Excellent. Many people will be surprised by this because they think the BSA is so wonderful.

They don't know about their overt discrimination.

This is discrimination that is the result of the BSA being a Christian organization.

[DeSwiss]

2. That....

...and being taken-over by Mormons didn't help either.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. THey were taken over by Christians

Even Lord Baden Powell is spinning in his damn grave...

I was in the movement in another country, and I would never send a kid of mine to the BSA

[hayu_lol]

4. Baden-Powell started the scouting program...

primarily to get city boys away from both their mothers and their pastors by exposing them to the self-reliance of getting along in the wild/learning new skills and perspectives.

England has a national religion.

Scouting in America has become a branch of fundie/Mormon religious training. It is not what it was in the 30s, 40s and 50s which followed Baden-Powells original format.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. I know as a Scout Leader (in another country)

I had to learn these things.

The BSA has become something it was not intended.

[depakid]

8. It's not like that in Oz

Then again, Australia is about the most secular Western nation that there is.

[TexasObserver]

5. Recommend

They've been taken over by Mormons, Catholics and Fundie Protestants.

They're homophobic, discriminatory, theists.

[beyurslf]

6. It is the natural progression when they went to the courts to protect their right to discriminate.

[Mr. James]

7. Finally!

Someone on the centre-left with some fucking balls.

[Jakes Progress]

10. A bit of good news.

Mommas don't let your boys grow up to be Scout Leaders.

[Forkboy]

11. I never thought I'd say this is 10 million years, but good on the LAPD.

I feel funny just typing it. :P

[katkat]

12. Thank you LAPD

Kind of feels strange to type that :-)

[Paladin]

13. Good. (n/t)

[KittyWampus]

14. Excellent. It's great there're alternatives.

[fishwax]

15. excellent

:applause:

[Divine Discontent]

16. the boy scouts are outdated & bigoted. I'm a Christian by choice, who is born Gay &

I commend the LAPD!

I hear from a guy about how his troop is tolerant of people, but they can't be out, etc... and I said, what a bigoted group.

And ps - that old comment by a former pope is not reflective of Christ's love, man does his best to reflect Christ - oh don't we know it! LOL

[blondeatlast]

17. EXCELLENT! I discouraged my son from joining BSA strictly based BSA v. Dale.

I don't regret it a bit--and he doesn't feel as though he missed anything, either (he's 12 now)

[Xicano]

18. Excellent! Thanks for the post. +1000

K&R!