Sellouts

The Boy Scouts, panicking at their ever-dwindling numbers, apparently are willing to chuck their own background check procedures over the side in order to attract more Hispanic Scouts:

"We go in a uniform that looks like the Border Patrol," said Paul Moore, head of the Scouts' Los Angeles Area Council. "Then we ask (adult volunteers) to fill out complex applications that ask for their Social Security numbers. I think we've found some good ways in L.A. to deal with some of these things, but we have to do a better job of getting parents to see Scouting as something that aligns with their hopes and dreams for their kids." (Emphasis mine)

Those "complex" applications (perplexing because they're in English, maybe?) that ask for SSN's are required for a very specific reason - to conduct background checks on prospective Scout leaders, so that previously convicted sex offenders aren't allowed to join troops. The fact that Mr. Moore is complaining about the fact that prospective leaders have to fill them out is quite disheartening, to say the least, and flies directly in the face of statements made to me personally regarding ensuring Scout safety.

Also, what's with the cheap Border Patrol crack? Both uniforms are shades of brown, that's about it. That fact shouldn't be a problem, unless the BSA is willing to go on record as sanctioning law-breaking and wishes to specifically attract illegal immigrants. There goes "obedient" in the Scout Oath, I suppose. The Border Patrol is an honorable agency attempting to do an impossible job with no support from the Federal government. It's not some sort of evil group that scares law-abiding people away.

I guess diversity and tolerance of illegal immigration, along with that desperate attempt to gain numbers, trumps any policy of ensuring the safety of the boys in the troops.

This is yet another eye-opening story that shows that the Boy Scouts aren't serious about following their own system of checks and balances. Enroll your child at your risk.