Re: Eagle Candidates and Smoking
orange-eagle@JUNO.COM
Thu, 7 Jan 1999 11:14:09 +0000
I know this is a hot and emotional topic, but I feel compelled to add my
two cents worth.
I'll start by stating that I am a smoker, much to my dismay.
Boys and Adults do things that others find offensive or contrary to their
personal beliefs all the time.
Obesity is very serious health problem as is smoking, and no reputable
medical person will argue that being overweight is good for you. The
Scout oath we recite requires us to keep ourselves physically strong.
Obesity is not conducive to strenght, so must we refuse to pass an
overweight scout for his Eagle BOR???? I think not. In the handbook
explaining the meaning of A Scout is CLEAN I quote "A Scout keeps his
body and mind fit and clean" Clearly an obese scout has not kept his
body fit. By this criteria, many (if not the majority) of adult male
leaders clearly are not qualified to be associated with Scouting, as many
of us are overweight. Does the original poster refuse to reccomend an
adult be registered if said individual is obese?? I see no difference in
his argument between smoking and obesity.
One point of the scout law requires us to be CHEERFUL. Depression is a
true medical condition, and is much more common than most people realize,
especially among youth. If a boy suffers from this condition, it is
harder for him to be cheerful than the rest of the troop. I don't think
that this would disqualify him from becoming an Eagle. Along the lines of
Eagles becoming smokers later on and besmirching the rank, I suppose that
we should not grant the Eagle to someone with a family history of
depression, since it tends to have a strong genetic tendency, and we
would run the risk of having an Eagle who later on was not Cheerful.
The point in the law of being obedient is a problem with youth smokers.
I grant that in all states that I know of, it is illeagle for youth to
posess, purchase, or use tobacco. This is a clear violation of the scout
law among youth smokers. BUT, as was pointed out in an earlier post, so
is speeding, other traffic violations, and a myriad of other laws that
people break on a regular basis. I am NOT advocating dismissing the
breaking of any law as ok though. I temper my dilemma about the
lawbreaking related to youth smoking with another point of the law,
FRIENDLY In a direct quote about this point from the handbook."He
respects those withideas and customs different from his own"
I dearly love all the boys in my troop, and wish that every one of them
was perfect. I also accept the fact though that we are all human. All of
us make errors of judgment, mistakes, and poor choices. I do my best to
live up to the Scout Oath and Law, but know that I continually fall short
in some ways. However, I DO MY BEST. Doing your best means trying, not
succeeding at all times. We need to look at the totality of the boy, his
actions, his mannerisms, and his background...not at one or two items as
a Litmus test of worthiness. As a great man once said "Let he who is
without sin cast the first stone" I am qualified to form opinions and
make personal judgments, but am certainly not qualified to throw the
first rock.
Would I prefer that all Scouts never smoke? Of course!!!
Do I expect to never have a current or former Scout become a smoker??
NO!!!
Will I fail to reccomend advancement to Eagle or any other rank based
upon one or two shortcomings such as smoking. obesity, an isolated arrest
or other problem? If the TOTAL picture tells me the boy has met the
requirements, is doing his best, and truely has fullfilled the
requirements...I'll pass him with pride.
I could go on , but this is long enough. I dont mean to flame others,
but in the Spirit of Scouting, we can disagree with a position without
disagreeing with the person, and that is what I am doing .
YIS
Kent Wilkins
Amarillo Tx
