Appropriate discussion
Rick Busdiecker (rfb@CMU.EDU)
Fri, 19 Nov 1993 09:54:41 EST
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 08:30:14 EST
From: Rod Anderson <anderson@ERIM.ORG>
Much as I'd like to respond to this thread, I believe it is
inappropriate to this list (as I've unsuccessfully tried to point out
via email).
Folks, I read this list for the collective wisdom presented here, not
for an ongoing arguement on social issues. These continuing flame
wars are distracting, and the participants should take them off line.
Aren't posts to this list supposed to conform to the scout law?
There are frequent discussions on this list about the appropriateness
of various policies held by various youth organizations, including a
number of issues related to leadership. While I think that it is
important to maintain civility, and I have attempted to do so, I don't
see any conflict between the Scout Law and discussions of policies
which are potentially harmful to youths and youth organizations.
The primary differences that I see between this thread of discussion
and, say, the Tiger Scout thread are the particular policies in
question and the level of strength with which people hold to their
viewpoints. While I am not necessarily opposed to people exploring
different avenues, I think that in many ways it would be preferable to
have such issues resolved through civil discussions among interested
parties.
As with many other forms of discrimination, I believe that
stereotyping has played a major role in BSA's relatively recent
emphasis on issues surrounding sexuality. Discussion can be a
valuable tool in coming closer to agreement as to the facts of a
situation which in turn can be valuable in resolving disagreement.
Rick
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
