Why is it necessary to change everyone’s traditions in America today?

As an Eagle Scout, I can say the scouting program is one of the best youth programs in the world, because I got involved when I lived in Saudi Arabia in the ’80s as a Tiger Cub. I enjoyed the program so much, I am still active in it today.

Why is scouting the best? If you’ve ever been involved in the program, you’d know why. Scouting teaches people to respect other people (even those who don’t share your views), help others without asking anything in return, listen to elders and learn from their experiences, be leaders, and work with people as a team and love one’s country and all who live in it.

I can only imagine where I would have gone if I had not been a Boy Scout. I could have spent my time doing any number of socially deviant things, such as drugs. Instead, I spent my time becoming a constructive member of society.

The bottom line is, the Boy Scouts provide direction for youth. It places children in a respect-filled, family environment they may not get anywhere else.

Scouting doesn’t teach about homosexuality. The scouts don’t teach about any sexuality. That is NOT what the program is there for. The scouts have accepted many reforms. For example, females can get involved in the Boy Scouts. The system is not closed to change.

Why disallow openly homosexual individuals? The operative word here is “openly.” Sexual preference is not part of the scouting program. Why? Scouts are already taught to respect everyone. I would also argue that kids at that age don’t need to be influenced about sexual preference. That is an issue that belongs to adults (at least 16 years old).

I have no problem with homosexuals. What they do is not my business. I have no doubt that there have been homosexual scouts in the program in the past or even presently. But I didn’t know about it because it wasn’t talked about. So why do we have to talk about it now? Heterosexuality wasn’t discussed; do we need to talk about heterosexuality in the Boy Scouts too? I don’t think so. Why not just leave sexuality out of it? If a leader or scout is gay I propose the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy acceptable for both heterosexuals and homosexuals. This has been the policy. Applications for scouting do not ask about sexual preference.

So go ahead, ban scouting in major cities like Chicago. Take away a community program that provides direction and purpose to children who desperately need it.

I know! Let’s leave that job to the school systems! Why not? Drugs in school and school shootings reflect how well the school systems work for discipline

Be honest, we’ve all seen that!

Brent Hayward

Junior

Electrical engineering