The Brief: Top Texas News for Feb. 4, 2013
The Big Conversation
The renewed debate over gay membership in the the Boy Scouts of America has pitted Gov. Rick Perry squarely against President Barack Obama.
Addressing the Texas Scouts' annual Report to State on Saturday, Perry urged the Boy Scouts of America to keep its policy refusing gay members and leaders, as The Associated Press reported. The Scouts, an Irving-based organization, announced last week that it would reconsider the ban at a meeting of its national board this week.
"I think most people see absolutely no reason to change the position, and neither do I," Perry said after his ...
Comments (71)
Charles Peckham via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Again, who asked either of you to get involved?
Cheryl Cox Brinkman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
popular culture????
Duane Florschuetz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
To be true to their creed, the Scouts ought to be leading our culture rather than catching up with it.
John Hawthorne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Right or wrong at least Perry stands for something.
Kathy Kennemer Genet via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So much hate in one human heart.
Carrie L. Stewart via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yes, when Perry was a Democrat he stood for Ann Richards. I'd like that Perry back.
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Lgbt is not "pop culture", Governor.
Gilly Harris via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He's so mean and self-centered. Has no interest in helping anyone but himself.
Derick Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
To have Bigotry continue for 100 years is pathetic. Do not let this bigot frame the debate. Please expose all bigots in public office and encourage others to vote them out of office.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why not open the Girl Scouts to gay boys instead?
Kathleen Painter via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yeah, we don't like our society to involve much. What?
Carolyn Moon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The Girl Scouts are open to transgender, I've heard.
Tim Thomas via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Girl scouts should open to boys and put the BSA out of business.
Scott Magee via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The same logic employed to perpetuate slavery.
Vanessa Burnette via Texas Tribune on Facebook
how about a ban on pedophiles instead?
Suzanne Hardie Lander via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wonder if he'd have said the same thing about the famous golf course that wouldn't allow blacks...
Jade Chang Sheppard via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Keep 'em coming.. The more stupid, ignorant crap he spouts, the better..
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Huh? Popular culture? This should not be a political issue.
Cheryl Cox Brinkman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And I think he has it the other way around (bass-ackwards as usual). Homosexuality has been a documented variation in human and other animal species since history has been documented. It is the Boy Scouts that are the pop culture phenomenon.
Greg Joiner via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That's Gov. Good Hair. He wants us to live in the past. I hope we can vote him out.
Allen Michie via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If only homosexuality were over 100 years old, maybe it would have seniority. Too bad it's just something from popular culture.
Steve Hesse via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rick's better at creating problems than solving them. Dumb as a box of hammers!
Mary Nugent Cantrell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ignorance and intolerance at it's finest!
Jason C.N. Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'm surprised Rick Perry of all people opposes gays in the Boy Scouts.
Dan Hoffmann via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is why the GOP needs a different candidate for governor.
Jeff Scroggin via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Odds are, any other GOP candidate in Texas would have the same opinion as this one.
Bill Bush via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Sounds like he is a Scouting originalist.
Lulu Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What a dick wad...
Ron Deutsch via Texas Tribune on Facebook
only a fool would want their kids to join the boy scouts, regardless of the child's sexuality. besides being historically religiously intolerant it's been a haven for pedophiles since like forever. only some sick crazy person would want their child to join. the last time I heard anything about scouting, btw, was when they had their jamboree in dc about six or seven years ago, and two scouts were electrocuted putting up a tent and thousands were passing out due to the heat that gwb never landed his helicopter to speak to the kids and flew away - which left me wondering what kind of skills these scoutmasters are teaching the kids. what happened to carrying canteens in the heat? that rusty iron-flavored water was the best thing about scouting.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-18/business/sns-rt-us-usa-boyscouts-abusebre89h0zf-20121018_1_abuse-cases-boy-scouts-files-show
Susie Martinez-Dominguez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why do we give this back*sswards any attention???
Ron Deutsch via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I mean seriously, you want your kids to join THIS organization??
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8705262/
“Boy Scouts are taught not to put their tents under trees or under power lines. I don’t know what happened in that case,” , Jamboree spokesman Gregg Shields said.
Kimberly Levinson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Governor Goodhair's hair covers a pinhead and pea brain.
Patrick Scroggin via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rick P is inappropriate.
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No Cheryl, The Governor got it right. While Homosexuality has been a documented deviant variation in human and other animal species since history has been documented, it was also recognized as not a normal part of human or animal nature. The Boy Scouts recognize this and have for over a hundred years perpetuated a consistent model of behavior. They fact that you think Boy Scouts and what they stand for is "pop culture" indicates that you favor the moral decay of our society.
Cheryl Cox Brinkman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Bulloney Matthew Cowan- get yourself some education.
Raul Garcia via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Too much hairspray!
Toni Mikel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't think Rick Perry is up on news or facts; Boy Scouts has allowed thousands of boys to become sexually exploited by pedaphiles who preyed on these young boys so its past sure isnt anything to brag about. Maybe the introduction of caring, protective gay parents might be a proactive way to find these predators (who are normally straight marriage monsters) from molesting young boys. I'm sure there are many gap parents that would make wonderful scout leaders and I know there are gay boys in scouts hiding themselves so maybe the example will make them feel like that fit in or provide a good responsible example for them!
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
LOL Cheryl, you are the one in need of education.
Allen Michie via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Previous incarnation of Perry: "I think most people so absolutely no reason to admit Negroes into the Boy Scouts. To have popular culture impact 40 years of their standards is inappropriate."
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Allen Michie, you would be wrong on your history of the Boy Scouts. No incarnation of Perry would state that since that was not the BSA policy. Blacks were admitted into scouts from its early days in history.
nick pell
Let's just say there's not a little irony in Ricky's comment.
Michael Hull
Matthew, you wrote:
"While Homosexuality has been a documented deviant variation in human and other animal species since history has been documented, it was also recognized as not a normal part of human or animal nature. The Boy Scouts recognize this and have for over a hundred years perpetuated a consistent model of behavior. They fact that you think Boy Scouts and what they stand for is "pop culture" indicates that you favor the moral decay of our society."
As is often the case, you're wrong. The BSA started barring homosexual membership in the 80s and it apparently first promulgated a formal policy or statement against such in 1991. Before that, it apparently didn't care, nor should it have.
Derick Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Matthew I am sure you are good at Trivial Pursuit and Jeopardy Matthew. But do you often lose the forest for the trees? You seem like you would be real good at rearranging chairs on the Titanic as it is sinking. Otherwise I am sure you are a good person and learned from scouting.
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No Derrick, I do not loose the forest for the trees. I know my history and I know bovine excrement being shoveled by liberals. But I do see that your comment added nothing to the discussion. I am sure you will find something to contribute.
Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Matthew--
You forgot the part about them being segragated. Plus in the South they weren't even allowed to have troops.
http://www.npr.org/2013/01/30/170585132/boy-scouts-repeal-of-gay-ban-mirrors-its-approach-to-racial-integration
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Does anyone agree that his statement is indeed shared by the majority of people?
Manny Soy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The BSA established the position that African Americans should be included, but that local communities should follow the same policies that they followed in the school systems. Thus, much of the American South as well as many major northern communities had segregated programs with "colored troops" until the late 1940s. Some troops in the South threatened to leave BSA and burn their uniforms if African American Scouts were permitted, ,,,,,, so much like foxnews you only tell one detail but leave the rest out, matthew cowan.
Derick Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wow Matthew - I think you just got schooled by Manny. Most importantly arguing for how the Boy Scouts dealt with racism in the midst of Bigotry is pathetic. Your narrow thinking won't let you see that as you grasp a hold of a bigoted narrow herd mentality. It is no wonder you make silly references to farm animals in an insecure attempt to make yourself feel better. You lost the forest for the trees when you tried to go down the bunny of trail of bigots.
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Manny, Derick and Stanley, if you would take the time to read Allen Michie's post, you would understand that the inference that was made was that blacks were not allowed in the BSA. I clearly pointed out Allen was wrong. Whether there were segregated troops or not was not the issue. If any of you had a clue as to the history of the BSA, you would know that the BSA reached out across the racial barriers and allowed kids of all races to participate in Scouting from their inceptions
Whether there were troops or councils that did not integrate was not a reflection upon the BSA who allowed those troops with blacks in them to participate. By the mid 1930's there was only one council that did not integrate in the south. The BSA promoted scouting among all races and socio-economic strata. Was there opposition from local troops? Yes but that in no way reflects on the whole of the BSA.
Derrick, again, it is clear that you fail to offer anything of substance. I am not surprised.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Someone please award Derek his pink badge for sewing together so many tired and worn-out cliches. Ignorance and arrogance breed an inferior product, whether it is thought or speech.
Derick Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Matthew I am not surprised you just rode the Titanic down to the bottom of the ocean while typing your dribble. You dug your hole deeper by saying some troops decided not integrate. The issue is what the Boy Scouts have done and what they are going to do going forward. Bigoted comments like the Governors take us no where. The substance is in common sense. Your silly tunnel vision can't get beyond that and can't even comment on the issue at hand. No form of bigotry should be tolerated and no form of distraction from bigotry such as your should be tolerated either. As you sank to the bottom of the ocean rearranging chairs you failed to see that. So I will repeat my post from earlier in response to perry: "To have Bigotry continue for 100 years is pathetic. Do not let this bigot frame the debate. Please expose all bigots in public office and encourage others to vote them out of office." Nor will your distraction into denying you understanding the practical side of history of bigotry, racism and sexual preference discrimination. Come here locally to Fort Bend County and try to selling your nonsense. The entrenched institutional historical racism here is tantamount to understanding how silly you comments are trying to belittle the obvious point Manny made. From white only primaries with Jaybird and Woodpecker century long matter to seeing the local mayor bury the city pool when faced with integration in civil rights. On a day when everyone is reflecting on Rosa Parks and Civil Rights and you want everyone to believe the scouts were out front on integration. The only tolerance the Scouts have been known for is tolerating bigotry. It's one thing to have something on paper. It's another to enforce it. Here is just one of a few posts that contradict your so called facts Matthew - http://www.scouter.com/forum/scouting-history/24087-scout-racism The National Organization could have stripped the Utah Charter in the 1970's but they did not the just let the courts decide. So too is it true for other instances of racism. One time for white camp and one time for black camps. This was all well after you said they supposed integrated in the 30's. Entrenched institutionalized bigotry does exactly what you are trying to do and that is distract from the bigotry. Seeing how you have not even once addressed the pathetic issues with perry's bigoted comments, I am not surprised.
Cheryl Cox Brinkman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Steve Munday- the only tired and worn out cliche here is bigotry and racism. It is born from a lack of proper education of sociology, history,biology, genetics and the complexities and variations of human development. Fear of anything that is not testosterone laced and sandwiched in Wonder Bread has pushed aside compassion and open minded tolerance for others that are the least little bit different from you and your inbred ilk. The recent re-election of Obama, the rise of LGBT rights, long overdue women's rights to reproductive health and some serious re-thinking of the 2nd amendment and its lack of relevance in today's society are all signs that the train has left the station... Without you. Times have changed and wont be going back so you and the others might as well just relax and enjoy the ride.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Haha, girl. You stole that line from Claytie Williams.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Derick, did you have the pleasure of talking with Hilmar G Moore about your bra oad
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Your broad assumptions?
Cheryl Cox Brinkman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cant steal something from someone I havent heard from. I guess he didnt pen one of the classics?
Derick Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No Steve I know everyone in town that knows the history. I knew Hilmar and did not throw this history in his face. I know Glen Adams who is many generations back and whose family were Jaybirds and the Us Suprdme Court shut down white only primaries. After the civil rights act passed in the 60's Hilmar could have integrated the city pool. He did not he filed it in. Talk to the Van Slykes or go to the museum next to the old courthouse before you spew your knee jerk arrogance and ignorantly call something an assumption. Looks like you had the same foolish reaction to Cheryl.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cheryl: No his inbred ilk could not have done a classic. Although he has a biography by the esteemed Mike Cochran...Derick, you and I were fortunate to know Hilmar, in my opinion. I did not always agree with him, but he was special.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh, speaking of inbred ilk, Cheryl, have we met? (Did you know my crazy Uncle Dale?) I do find your condescension amusing and wonder how in such a short time you came to own compassion and tolerance. You may need some remedial work done on those. You could share with us your expansive knowledge of science and where we, too, might seek that enlightenment. You see, uh, times are changing.
Kathy Kennemer Genet via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I have a lifetime membership in the Girl Scouts. I like scouting and led my daughter's Girl Scout troop, but when my sons were little Cub Scouts we just couldn't let them continue in an organization we'd be embarrassed to mention in front of our gay friends, workmates, and relatives. We explained that the Boy Scouts wouldn't allow some of our dearest to join, and our family didn't want to be a part of a group that did that. Girl Scouting has always been inclusive and that is what adds to the honor of the group. The Boy Scouts, the GOP, our Governor, The Tea Party can keep digging in their heels for all I care, I hope they make themselves obsolete. Hatred ultimately loses to love and justice, and we can do without all of the haters.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kathy, why do you feel the need to apologize? Do you apologize for being a woman or being white, too? BSA is a private organization with membership requirements. You don't have to join them. Lord knows, kids have too many options to waste their time as it is.
Toni Scott via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is too easy Guvna. Popular culture brought on the Enlightenment, an end to slavery, child labor laws. Not to mention the American Revolution.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Toni, what would list as the downsides to those events? I would digress if I pointed out that slavery and child labor still exist.
Larry Dale Butler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Popular culture may bring on some Enlightment as you say (don't know why you capitalize the word, but I will just to be consistent with you); however, popular culture also brings on Darkness. One must be Enlightened to see that popular culture isn't always "Right" for culture and that popular culture is just like any other.....there are always two sides that are extreme. One must be Enlightened to realize that they are not always right. So, the Enlightenment being promoted here is not enlightened at all, just opininated extremism delving into the Dark and always pointing at those with another opinion as less-than-enlightened. Stand back, many can get totally lost in Humanism and spend eternity wishing they had been less Enlightened by humanistic ideals.
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh, Derick, do tell me more about my knee-jerks. I probably need a lawyer and a doctor to fix that, you know. Perhaps you could make a suggestion?
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And, Derick, perhaps you could help me in filing against Cheryl for racial profiling me as a (ugh) W.A.S.P.?
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
LOL Steve, you have Derrick pegged. Once he was shown to be the empty vessel that he is did he try to make some coherent statement on the issue. But sadly he failed. Derrick still have yet to demonstrate a mastery of the history of the BSA. He links to links that go nowhere except to a generic chat room. He speaks of segregated primaries in Fort Bend but he fails to mention that was for the Democrat primaries. LOL
Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Do you know how old this man-child (Derick) claims to be?
Bill Asher
When he comes out of the closet what will Perry he be wearing? A boy scout or girl scout uniform?
Derick Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wow Matthew what planet did you come from that makes you feel like you can distort so pathetically what someone just posted. You obviously didn't even bother to read the reality of racism in the Boy Scouts in the link that clearly contradicted your assumption that after 1930 there was isolated racism in the Boy Scouts. The Boys Scouts didn't stand up in Court in Utah or other times to get rid of this racism. That post is people that were in Scouts discussing there personal experience not someone in a text book trying to summarize it. You knowledge of history is a further testament to your attempt to distort history to your liking when you say the primaries in Fort Bend that were white only primaries were for Democrats. Novice historians know that the Democrat Party essentially became the Republican Party. Your arrogance in trying to change the focus shows your blatant insensitivity to the essence of the original post and to the history of racism. As if what party was the focus of white only primaries even matters. That is far worse than losing the forest for the trees. Your desperate reply exposes how shallow your rhetoric really is.
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
LOL, nice try Derick. Yet history shows that blacks were allowed and included in the BSA almost from the start of the BSA. Facts show they recruited blacks for the BSA. The BSA did not turn them away. Fact is that by the mid 30's only one council in the south did not permit any black scouts. The history of the BSA is of inclusion. Nothing that you have posted disputes. You mention the Utah case. Here is where you demonstrate your lack of knowledge of scouting. The issue was with one particular troop allowing someone who was not a leader in the Mormon church. That was a requirement of that local troop that was sponsored by a Mormon Church. That was not a BSA policy. The BSA did not have control over that. The Court never ordered the BSA over the issue and it was the local sponsor who changed its policy that lead to the suit never going forward. YOu were quick to cite the Utah case but were lacking on the details and it shows that you are ignorant of the facts yet once again!
But you are obviously ignorant of history of politics in this state. Fact, democrat primaries excluded Blacks. Republican primaries did not. Even with the demographic shift in primaries, what makes you think that the racist of the democrat party moved to the Republican party which did not practice exclusion of Blacks! The only reason this is even a topic of discussion is because YOU brought it up!! So please stop your desperate moronic attempts to spin this discussion. YOu knowledge of history is lacking and it is clear that you can not discuss the matter intelligently.