Dan Frisa, Eagle Scout
Monday, April 2, 2001

Ostensibly a look at Scouting following the Supreme Court ruling upholding BSA's First Amendment right of free association, CBS instead proceeded to make a vigorous political statement enthusiastically promoting the homosexual agenda over the rights of others.

Beginning with the title of the segment and continuing throughout, CBS either blatantly lied or mislead viewers. Both the court case and stated Scout policy apply to adult leaders, not Scouts. This, however, was purposely omitted and along with some crafty editing, CBS portrayed the BSA as an "uncaring" and harsh organization.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, the high court ruled in favor of Scouting – and the prerogative of every private organization – to retain the right to establish membership criteria in furtherance of its organizational objectives.

Here, assistant scoutmaster James Dale chose to publicize his homosexuality. Up until his voluntary decision, Dale was an active adult participant with a local New Jersey scout troop. Only upon openly declaring his sexual orientation in a newspaper did the BSA act in accordance with its founding principles that such an adult supervisor’s values were in conflict with its own.

Since the decision was handed down last June, gay activists and their leftist colleagues in the media have embarked upon an aggressive campaign to undermine Scouting. These tactics have undertaken a variety of approaches, including pressure on local schools to deny meeting space to troops as well as efforts to strong-arm United Way chapters to withdraw funding of local councils.

Not surprisingly, media coverage has tended to strongly favor these anti-Scouting actions while portraying the Scouts as somehow close-minded and out of step with current social values.

"60 Minutes," however, went over the top in both its support of homosexuals and its antagonistic disdain for the BSA.

It even went so far as to "report" misleading statistics of incidents involving homosexual pedophilia, falsely implying lower rates than for the rest of the population. Curious, though, that neither on the program, nor ever on CBS, has the brutal rape and murder of thirteen year-old Jesse Dirkhising by two homosexuals even been reported. (See Mum's the Word on Gay Rape and Murder.)

The Boy Scouts of America has issued a statement to "60 Minutes" that is worth reading and passing along: BSA Statement of Values.

Much can and should be done to support Scouting. Please lend your support to a group that has been formed to fight back: Save Our Scouts.

Also, consider supporting your local Boy Scout council by making a donation or volunteering your time: Index of Local Scout Councils.

For the millions of boys and young men who benefit so richly from Scouting, and for the very future of our nation, it is vital that each of us make a commitment to support what is good and right, and to oppose those who seek only to tear down that which has long served to promote the best society has to offer.

The time is now to stand up for Scouting.

E-mail Dan: danfrisa@newsmax.com.

Read Dan's previous column: Kooky Kyoto Kool Aid.

Dan Frisa, an Eagle Scout, represented New York in the United States Congress and served four terms in the New York State Assembly.

On the Air: Dan Frisa will appear on these programs, all times Eastern. Check local listings. Listen while visiting NewsMax.com!

• April 4, 6:25 p.m. – on The Newshour with Steve Myers.

• April 12, 5:00 p.m. – on WHRW radio in Binghampton, N.Y.

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