An open apology to gays and atheists

[Akker Redd]

I let the boy join scouts knowing what they are and I allowed myself to look past it. So it should come as no surprise that they are simple minded idiots. I guess I should have known it or seen it coming. It's not okay for them to act like fools towards Molly, but it is the kind of organization that is intolerant of so many other things and I knew that. I gave them a pass because it wasn't me they were discriminating against. That wasn't my thought process but that is how that works out in reality, and I should have known better than that. It has opened my eyes and taught me something though. So I just want to say I'm sorry to anyone who has ever felt discriminated against by this group of Brown-Shirts , and that I apologize for tolerating their intolerance until it was directed at my own family. I'm sorry and it's a mistake I won't repeat.

Pete

[Shotoku]

I don't think it's you who owes the apology. Furthermore I have practiced a policy of discrimination against the cub/boy scouts since before I realized they were discriminating against me. I say let them all rot in hell. If only I believed n one.

[Brand Nar Gath]

I let the boy join scouts knowing what they are and I allowed myself to look past it. So it should come as no surprise that they are simple minded idiots. I guess I should have known it or seen it coming. It's not okay for them to act like fools towards Molly, but it is the kind of organization that is intolerant of so many other things and I knew that. I gave them a pass because it wasn't me they were discriminating against. That wasn't my thought process but that is how that works out in reality, and I should have known better than that. It has opened my eyes and taught me something though. So I just want to say I'm sorry to anyone who has ever felt discriminated against by this group of Brown-Shirts , and that I apologize for tolerating their intolerance until it was directed at my own family. I'm sorry and it's a mistake I won't repeat.

Pete

I guess I'm confused.  Is Molly gay?  If so, I support her fully and have a newfound respect for the functioning of your family unit.

[Johnny The Cook]

I guess I'm confused.  Is Molly gay?  If so, I support her fully and have a newfound respect for the functioning of your family unit.

She wasn't very gay after confronting the narrowminded scout folks.

[Akker Redd]

I guess I'm confused.  Is Molly gay?  If so, I support her fully and have a newfound respect for the functioning of your family unit.

She was hassled about breast feeding Morgan at a recent scout meeting. Apparently some people were worried that their boys might think that women are more than the objects of male sexual gratification. That their kids might somehow learn that the purpose of the female breast is the nourishment of babies.

I just feel bad that I let my child near this prejudiced military recruiting tool.

[Brand Nar Gath]

Damn, that is hilarious.  Though they do teach you how to start a fire they can't handle the physical reality of breast feeding.  Khe Sirrah sirrah.

[Akker Redd]

Here is the email Molly sent to the the local Boy Scout Council Executive and his reply.

I can post the link to law that protect breast feeding in this state, but on of the points we have tried to get through to this man is that there are no clauses to this law in regards to discretion (and by who's definition would that be by anyway). The law simply states that a mother has the right to breast feed anywhere she is allowed to be. PERIOD, no qualifiers, no "as long as the babies head is draped." Not only have we never received a formal apology from the Scouts (we did from the Den leader (and I'll accept that), but not from the woman who confronted Molly, or from the organization. As you can read from his email he displays only a grudging acknowledgment of Molly's right but shows know understanding of them. Most of have been around Molly when she has nursed one of our children and it is very far from any kind of inappropriate display.

Anyone who wishes to contact Mr. Coyle and give him their views on the matter is most welcome to.

jocoyle@bsamail.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Molly [mailto:molly@loxsomdigital.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 10:27 AM
To: jocoyle@bsamail.org
Subject: Question regarding nursing at scout functions


Good Morning Mr. Coyle,

Thank you for your time on the phone yesterday.

I am still a bit confused about our last conversation and I would
like some fairly simple clarification.

Am I welcome to nurse my children at any scout function at any time
without restriction? (for example, not covering up)

Thank You and I look forward to your response.

Molly Loxsom



Molly,

You are welcome to nurse your child at any Scout function and at any time,
so long as it is done in a discreet manner.  You should keep in mind that
parents may be concerned by a mother who is overly-exposed while breast
feeding, especially if they feel uncomfortable for their own child's sake.
The purpose of Scouting activites is to further the best interests of the
Scouts and to keep distractions to a minimum.  As a parent myself, I know I
would appreciate nursing mothers trying to be heedful of others' reasonable
concerns.

Sincerely,

John Coyle
Scout Executive

[Akker Redd]

If only the words "I'm sorry" had just ever come out of this man at any point I'd probably be more willing to drop it by now. But the truth is my wife was treated poorly at a Scout function, and the Scouts have yet to  appologise .

[Brand Nar Gath]

I know that if I were a little scout, I might be mightily interested and distracted by an 'open feed ' during one of the meetings.

[Mr. Woodhope]

Anyone who wishes to contact Mr. Coyle and give him their views on the matter is most welcome to.

Here's my letter that I sent him:

Sir,

I was both a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout and I have fond memories of both experiences. But I am gravely distressed and disappointed to hear of the shabby treatment Ms. Molly Loxsom received at the hands of you and your organization. To think that an organization that works to promote children’s respect for nature would have people who are so squeamish about a natural and wholesome act leaves me chagrined and embarrassed by my scouts. This is no longer the 1950s when doctors pushed bottle feeding exclusively. A copious amount of research shows that children who are breast fed are healthier and better adjusted (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=40879). This does not happen at our schedule, but at the baby’s. Your small mindedness in this matter reflects poorly on the entire scouting organization. I now realize that it is probably not appropriate for my child.

[Akker Redd]

Thank you for that. 

Please post his reply if he should ever send one.