Oh Bernie! I just saw your post. Ok. I will red-x things and ask a moderator to cut and paste this over in Politics.

Why? Discussion of gay related issues in not PG13?

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

No don't do that, I just feel the Critter Cafe thread should be warm and cuddly, like a critter. Whilst I know nothing is off topic, I just like to feel more relaxed here, I saw a comment that made me see red and reacted!! Don't mind me!!

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Well folks, we are getting quite a way away from the thread title which is Raccoon Update XVI - All Are Welcome In the Critter Cafe.

Perhaps we should discuss whether sexual orientation or religion should be part of scouting or guiding in the politics thread?

I have always maintained that nothing is "off topic" in the Critter Cafe, however if participants and/or silent readers feel this section of the thread is better moved to Politics, then I certainly would not have a problem with a moderator moving things.

I do feel the discussion has been largely pleasant and civil so far. The Cafe is supposed to be a place where you might discuss things over a cup of coffee. Sometimes that coffee break might include a discussion of current events, right? If things start getting out of hand, then a move to Politics would be in order, but I think things are ok right here for now...

There have been no personal attacks. Just interchange of thoughts that may not conicide, but I have no problems with that. Hope some do not find my views too troubling to deal with.

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

Oh Bernie! I just saw your post. Ok. I will red-x things and ask a moderator to cut and paste this over in Politics.

Well folks, we are getting quite a way away from the thread title which is Raccoon Update XVI - All Are Welcome In the Critter Cafe.

Perhaps we should discuss whether sexual orientation or religion should be part of scouting or guiding in the politics thread?

I have always maintained that nothing is "off topic" in the Critter Cafe, however if participants and/or silent readers feel this section of the thread is better moved to Politics, then I certainly would not have a problem with a moderator moving things.

I do feel the discussion has been largely pleasant and civil so far. The Cafe is supposed to be a place where you might discuss things over a cup of coffee. Sometimes that coffee break might include a discussion of current events, right? If things start getting out of hand, then a move to Politics would be in order, but I think things are ok right here for now...

Well folks, we are getting quite a way away from the thread title which is Raccoon Update XVI - All Are Welcome In the Critter Cafe.

Perhaps we should discuss whether sexual orientation or religion should be part of scouting or guiding in the politics thread?

+100

That would be discriminating against the GCA.
(Gay Coons of America).
ROLF.

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

Well folks, we are getting quite a way away from the thread title which is Raccoon Update XVI - All Are Welcome In the Critter Cafe.

Perhaps we should discuss whether sexual orientation or religion should be part of scouting or guiding in the politics thread?

+100

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Pedophiles are a different story, and they should be ejected from any position where there is any contact with children. If detected after they act on this, they should be jailed. However, please note that gay != pedophile.

Some do equate the two.......
I am not one of them however.

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

Well folks, we are getting quite a way away from the thread title which is Raccoon Update XVI - All Are Welcome In the Critter Cafe.

Perhaps we should discuss whether sexual orientation or religion should be part of scouting or guiding in the politics thread?

Cub Scouts (which is where I am a leader currently) have no sexual orientation as they are much too young. However, the adults (parents and leaders) do. There have been cases where leaders and older boys have been ejected from the Boy Scouts over their sexual orientation.

And you have a problem with that? I am sorry, but the majority of people are 'normal' hetero men and women, who just might have a problem with having somebody who is gay trying to teach their children anything about ideals.

And let me get this straight (no pun intended).....
I hate nobody based on their sexual preferences. I know some gays......and although I would not go out of my way to be friends with them, I would not go out of my way to kick them either.
You know I have posted about a past fleeting relationship with Joan Jett. I know who she is and what she is. Her inner self and what she feels never stopped me from falling head over heals in love with her at first kiss.

I have no problem with someone that is not heterosexual teaching my children. I do have a problem with kicking people out of an organization based on this. Yes, the majority of adults are heterosexual, however, there is no reason to be afraid of non-heterosexuals.

Pedophiles are a different story, and they should be ejected from any position where there is any contact with children. If detected after they act on this, they should be jailed. However, please note that gay != pedophile.

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BOINC WIKI

Anyone wanting to be a Boy Scout or Girl Guide leader in the UK has to go through a security check with the CRB, POVA, & 99 list. As far as I know, those who are openly gay are not allowed.

Uhh, and if memory serves, you kids once jerked my post of this Lehrer song.....don't recall just why.
The Vatican Rag.....

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

I believe Tom Lehrer said it best...

Be prepared

LOL....Angela.
You know I and Lehrer go waaaaaaaaaaay back.

You opened this door, I merely walked through it.

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

I believe Tom Lehrer said it best...

Be prepared

I Want To Break Free.

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

Cub Scouts (which is where I am a leader currently) have no sexual orientation as they are much too young. However, the adults (parents and leaders) do. There have been cases where leaders and older boys have been ejected from the Boy Scouts over their sexual orientation.

Yes, I know. Tim Curran was one of my neighbors when I was a teenager growing up in Oakland, CA.

I think it is worthwhile remembering the background of scouting, which actually has a paramilitary flavour. Baden Powell, later Lord, served in the British Army during the Boer War in 1899-1902 in South Africa. He was very impressed with the local youngsters who were the forward scouting patrols for the army, reporting back upon the enemy. They were a very tightly knit bunch who looked out for each other, and were well skilled in field craft, stalking, etc. The camaraderie amongst them was unusual for the time.

During his time in the Army he had written a book called "Aids to Scouting" which outlined his methods of Army Training, this book was published in England during the time of the Makeking siege. On his return to England he found that boys had brought copies of the book and formed themselves into groups and were calling themselves "Boy Scouts" and were practicing his "scoutcraft" ideas.

In 1907 he thought that this concept could be applied to peacetime as well, with a few adult helpers set up his camp on Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour, Dorset. 20 boys, from different walks of life were divided in to Patrols with an older boy in charge of each group. At the camp the boys had a time of their life doing such things as swimming, stalking, hiking and playing games and around the nightly campfire listened to BP telling stories of his adventures.

Scout troops needed places to meet, and local church halls were ideal, hence the religious input from local churches. Which in the pre war period had far more sway than they do today. The Scout Promise, Law, and Motto stems from those times.

The Scout Promise

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
To help other people
And to keep the Scout Law

The Scout Law

A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is friendly and considerate.
A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

The Scout Motto

Be Prepared

I am sorry, but the majority of people are 'normal' hetero men and women, who just might have a problem with having somebody who is gay trying to teach their children anything about ideals.

I think that people who categorically think that people who are gay have nothing to teach are ultimately hurting themselves and their children.

And such 'tweaking' would involve removing God and what he stands for?

I believe that what a God SHOULD stand for is very well represented in that Girl Scout law. I would remove the part about serving God, but keep in all those other lovely attributes.

Honesty, fairness, friendliness, helpfulness, consideration, caring, courage, strength, responsibility, self-respect, respect for others, respect for authority, the wise use of resources, striving to make the world a better place and a sense of sisterhood are not the exclusive domain of religion, my friend.

Given, Angela. I just happen to be old school, and believe that serving God should be part of it. I have done far too little of it myself over the years.

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

Cub Scouts (which is where I am a leader currently) have no sexual orientation as they are much too young. However, the adults (parents and leaders) do. There have been cases where leaders and older boys have been ejected from the Boy Scouts over their sexual orientation.

And you have a problem with that? I am sorry, but the majority of people are 'normal' hetero men and women, who just might have a problem with having somebody who is gay trying to teach their children anything about ideals.

And let me get this straight (no pun intended).....
I hate nobody based on their sexual preferences. I know some gays......and although I would not go out of my way to be friends with them, I would not go out of my way to kick them either.
You know I have posted about a past fleeting relationship with Joan Jett. I know who she is and what she is. Her inner self and what she feels never stopped me from falling head over heals in love with her at first kiss.

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"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman