InquisitiveScouter

A to-the-point editorial today by Tucker Carlson on FoxNews. Find and read/view The military goes woke, and the consequences could be disastrous "Over time, identity politics will destroy our country. No nation can remain unified for long if people are encouraged to think of themselves as members of competing ethnic groups first and citizens second. Countries need a reason to hang together; unity doesn't happen by accident. The fixation on race that has seized our leadership class guarantees permanent disunity. It's terrifying if you think about it, but it could be much worse." "The military, we have all been told since childhood, doesn't care what you look like, what your parents did, or where you're from. They care about your performance. That's why the U.S. military is impressive and why they've been able to keep us from being invaded, because they only care about what matters, and what matters is protecting the United States. Not any more."

@Greeneagle5, While the idea for the project itself is a good one, your friend may be cool on the idea for reasons already mentioned, and possibly because of the idea that "...this project could be continued in future years..." As adult leaders, it is inappropriate for us to commit the unit to any ongoing (or possibly perpetual) projects. Program planning is the purview of the Patrol Leaders Council. And it is for the PLC to decide whether to undertake an ongoing project. (That is most certainly off limits for an Eagle Scout candidate.) I even caution our PLC during annual planning that, if they venture down that road, a future PLC may decide to end a "commitment" they make. That is, a current PLC may not tie the hands of a future PLC. Over 15 years ago, a long gone PLC (or leader) signed us up for an adopt-a-highway. At the past seven PLC Annual Planning Conferences (we do planning semi-annually, actually) when they review our previous year and come up with a list of their desired activities, I always remind them that they are not committed to any specific activity (like a perceived "Troop tradition"). Me: "You are not obligated to do an Annual Troop Picnic, or the Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Cookout, or the two-times-a-year Adopt-a-Highway clean up. You can pick other activities if you want." PLC: "Really? We don't HAVE to do those??" Me: "Nope...don't HAVE to do them. Remember, the Committee can support almost ANYTHING you want to do, but you don't have time to do EVERYTHING you want to do." There usually follows some discussion of past instances of the "traditional" activities (nostalgia), followed with comparing priorities on their list of "want to's." PLC: "Well, we voted and decided we still want to do those things again this year." Me: "I support you 100%, and I'll recommend the Troop Committee to approve."

No way! I just found it today. Maybe my computer hacking skilz are getting better

Lol...then someone is asleep at their "narrative steering wheel". It's been there since June.

@MattR for gauging, that video was not removed by moderators at my.scouting.org https://discussions.scouting.org/t/diversity-and-inclusion-mb/172457/30

@CynicalScouter, I begin to see a way through this... I sign up as a Merit Badge Counselor for this badge. I ask the parents to discuss all these topics and do any items with their Scout. When they tell me it is complete, I sign off the badge. I think I could do that ethically. A Scout is Trustworthy!

The video is a compilation of interviews and speeches by prominent actors, performers, social activists, etc., and relates the experiences of those people with regards to whether "systemic racism" (see the MB requirements) exists, whether they experienced instances of it, what some of the facts are that people use to justify stereotypes, and appropriate response to perceived wrongs. As @fred8033 said, the video itself is respectful of these people and their views. @BamBam gave a perfect negative example of what the MB addresses with "Tell what more your unit can do to ensure anyone can participate regardless of their ability, ethnicity, faith, financial background, gender Identity, race, or sexual orientation. " in making a judgement about the validity of someones views and experiences based on their perception of the commenters' "financial background". @BamBam is "hoist with his own petard"

@EagledadBarry, thank you. What we really need is a Merit Badge that teaches classical disciplines of Logic and Rhetoric versus emotion and persuasion. https://www.hillsdale.edu/hillsdale-blog/writers/logic-rhetoric-intellectual-self-defense/#:~:text=Logic and rhetoric are the,things differently%2C but not defenselessly.

Lol, I think you meant "right", brother

@MattR On that point, I agree. The video title does enter the realm of clickbait. But the title does not diminish the importance and perspective of the thoughts, experiences, facts presented by, and advice of any of those it portrays.

@fred8033, to your point, and to move the discussion forward with you I respectfully ask you to search for a You Tube video on the interview with Mike Rowe (an Distinguished Eagle Scout, I'm sure you know) titled The Scouts' wounds are 'self-inflicted' To save those whose feelings would be hurt by the content of that video, and not to burden the thinly stretched moderator corps, I will not post the video here. It goes to the heart of the discussion here.

"must pertain to the original post and respectfully move the discussion forward." How does this not pertain to DI&E MB requirements? Req 1. The video address facts and opinions of influential people who are members of a perceived disaffected group. Helps to understand what "equity" and "bigotry" are and are not. These people are perfect examples of "upstanders." They witness unjust accusations and asperisons being cast, and they address them publicly with facts and experience. Req 2. Self-evident Req 3. Replete with examples Req 6. Yup Req 8. Yup @MattR , I respectfully disagree with your assessment. Lol, @CynicalScouter I just thought, maybe I should be a Merit Badge Counselor for this!

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Because subversion and deceit go against the Scout Oath and Law, and my own personal code of ethics.

I saw that, too.

Your statement could not be more prejudiced, bigoted, racist, and classist. And this merit badge will never help you see yourself in the mirror.

Because of the inherent political agenda of the entire enterprise, and the misguided intent with which it has been established. I will not indoctrinate Scouts into the language and mindset of "social justice warriors". Nor will I tread on territory I deem sacrosanct to parents. Over the past few weeks, I have been deep in research and thought, prayer, and in discussion with conservatives and liberals whose opinions I value. This may be the straw that breaks the camel's back, and ushers me out the door of the Boy Scouts of America. Although I have a fundamental belief that our American youth are not being encultured to value who we are as a country (warts and all), and have sought to take personal action to remedy that through my years of participation in and service to Scouting, I find as those years have gone by, the BSA establishment and I have been on a divergent path. I do find many kindred spirits at the grass roots level...in the units, which gives me validation and hope. But my usefulness at the "institutional level" seems to be drawing rapidly near its end. I have made a commitment to serve as Scoutmaster for the next six months. My son just completed his Board of Review for Eagle Scout. My daughter will complete hers in January. The timing is perfect, and almost seems ordained

I would never in a million take this merit badge on as a counselor

This is the video I would share as a MBC:

Would this be fodder for the presentation requirement in #5, or for #6? https://www.dailywire.com/news/judge-rules-father-who-raped-daughter-can-receive-sex-change-on-taxpayer-dime https://www.ohiocrimelaw.com/blog/2014/01/tax-dollars-pay-for-sex-change-for-inmate-really/ reductio ad absurdum

Here is a National Office Hours video put out recently... Discusses DE&I requirements and says they are already approved (and that was 12 Nov.) Scouts may start earning the badge on 01 Jan, required to earn for Eagle on 01 May. Also notes that there will be no pamphlet, just Notes for the Counselor. (Can't find those yet.) Also says there will be rank requirements for Scout through First Class. Rank requirements will not be in Scoutbook until 01 May. https://scouting-org.zoom.us/rec/play/p2Uq0xy0QJ9DAOZf1mIK2AKqCPaI-sCDyhQ8XSF1ToF-3PRz6i7nykYtnGe1nuIea6nyz57NNl2lOtmS.P95iGTFSGTTs1iPe

Where was that one? Do you have a link? All we saw was this... https://scoutingwire.org/bsas-commitment-to-act-against-racial-injustice/

Shame on you for trying to promote peace and harmony based on the commonalities of our human condition! Back to the education camp with you! You may return when you promote tribalism and identity politics veiled in terms like "diversity, " "equity," and "inclusion." https://medium.com/@samuelkronen/modern-tribalism-and-the-danger-of-identity-politics-33150fd257f2 https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jordan-peterson-when-the-left-goes-too-far-the-dangerous-doctrine-of-equity https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/blog-posts/lie-of-diversity/

Colleges and universities, judicial system, language, media, family, etc... This is just part of the long march through the institutions... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_long_march_through_the_institutions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institution

Clash of the Titans! (Although, they weren't Titans.)