Every once in a while, an organization violates its own oath, flying in the face of everything you thought you knew to be true about it.
Disclaimer: I was a member of the Girl Scouts, and got kicked out of my Brownie troupe. Long story. Bottom line, before I had my magic wand, I used to say some pretty stupid things. Besides, I was nine. Gimme a break, ok?
Back to the Boy Scouts tearing down trees. What's up with that?
The Seattle Post Intelligencer (the best newspaper name in the whole world), has completed an investigative report on controversial logging practices designed to turn a quick buck for the beleaguered organization.
Scouting councils nationwide have carried out clearcuts, salvage harvests and other commercial logging in and around sensitive forests, streams and ecosystems that provide habitat for a host of protected species, including salmon, timber wolves, bald eagles and spotted owls.
Boy Scout councils have logged and sold for development properties bequeathed to them by donors who gave the lands with intentions they be used for camping and other outdoor recreation.
In some cases, councils have sought to use revenues from logging or land sales to make up for funding lost because of the organization's controversial bans on gays and atheists from membership and employment rolls.
Talk about a black eye. Haven't they learned from their past mistakes? Who is advising them?
The Boy Scouts should have a long-term conservation plan, complete with tree-trimming/clearing schedules for all of their properties, along with tree-planting schedules. Each and every clearing project should have the stamp of the local entity in charge of regulating it, as well and the blessing of any donors that may have bequeathed the land in question.
This is a perfect time to say that this should be a part of their long-ranging strategic plan, which also includes communications guidelines.
My work is done here. What do you think?
