HERE'S HOW SCOUTING BUILDS CHARACTER, FOLKS

This is the Boy Scouts of America's mission statement, from their website:

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

This is the news they've made a couple days ago, legally supported by a 2000 Supreme Court ruling (via Huffington Post/David Crary):

After a confidential two-year review, the Boy Scouts of America on Tuesday emphatically reaffirmed its policy of excluding gays, angering critics who hoped that relentless protest campaigns might lead to change.

And this is a response I came across today from writer/author Martin Cizmar, a 1998 Eagle Scout:

How many of you could do what Martin has done here? Could you give up the symbol of something that took you years to achieve and that was close to your heart? It takes courage and sacrifice, especially when you aren't sure that anyone will care about your action, or if it will matter in the end. Martin did this because he understands the real lessons of character, strength, staying true to your values, and "the responsibilities of participating citizenship."

The Boy Scouts of America must accept the fact that their organization has a moral responsibility to instruct all young men to reject bigotry and discrimination in all its reprehensible forms, or it is nothing but a hypocritical haven for ignorance.

Thank you, Martin Cizmar.