In a message dated 2/11/2001 1:00:29 PM US Mountain Standard Time,
jeff@hatch-miller.org writes:
> Subj: RE: HB 2403: public moneys; boy scout discrimination
> Date: 2/11/2001 1:00:29 PM US Mountain Standard Time
> From: jeff@hatch-miller.org (Jeff Hatch-Miller)
> Reply-to: jeff@hatch-miller.org
> To: Dmitrovgeorgi@aol.com
>
> Mr. Walsh
>
> The Supreme Court of our land found in favor of the Boy Scouts.
Dear Mr. Hatch-Miller:
The Supreme Court's decision was based on the status of Boy Scouts of America as a private organization. When they decide to take government money and accept government sponsorship, however, they must behave in a non-discriminatory manner. If the justices of the Supreme Court don't grasp that, then more the fool they, but we are not bound to copy such illogic. The leadership of the Boy Scouts want things both ways. They want the independence of a private organization with the benefits of a state-sanctioned organization. To that I say that what applies to one applies to all. Either any private organization is entitled to state funding and support or none is.
> The Boy Scouts have a long history of working for the general benefit of our
> nation, our state, our community. The Boy Scout organization has dedicated
> itself to helping children grow in character, honor, citizenship, and to
> develop their personal fitness. I challenge you to name a private
> organization that has done more good for the general development of children
> over these last 90 years.
I accept your challenge. I name American Atheists, the organization which helped to free my mind of the chains of religion when I was a youth and which has helped other youths and still helps today. If we don't reach as many young people for good as Boy Scouts of America reaches for evil, our best defense is that we do not have the vast financial resources of the Boy Scouts, and certainly not the government funding and sanction. If, on the other hand, you take the funding Boy Scouts receives and provide it to a religiously neutral youth group, you can accomplish the same good without subsidizing discrimination.
> A few wish to discriminate against the Boy Scouts for those very ideals they
> believe are important to building children into responsible adults. It is
> they who should be the focus of society's concern.
Perhaps there are indeed some people who wish to discriminate against Boy Scouts of America, but I assure you that I am not among them, nor are many who would oppose HB 2403. I have no wish that Boy Scouts of America be treated differently than any other sectarian organization, political organization, issue organization, church, or other private entity. BSA should have the right to complete discretion in membership and the accompanying responsibility to provide for its own financial support and not be a drain on the taxpayers. HB 2403 does not protect BSA against discrimination. Rather it gives HB 2403 special privileges and immunities which other private organizations do not enjoy. If BSA has the right to discriminate on the basis of religion and receive tax money for so doing, so should American Atheists.
> I will support the Boy Scouts in their efforts and resist those who wish to
> ignore the evidence of history and law.
>
> Rep. Jeff Hatch-Miller
> Arizona House of Representatives
> (602) 542-5051
>
> PS I see you have sent copies of your e-letter to several other people.
> Feel free to forward my response to them as well.
Thank you for your permission. In addition to Mr. May and Mr. Smith, there are several others, not all constituents of yours, who are interested in this issue and would like to know of your opinions on the matter. Although we have some disagreements, I thank you for giving me your candid opinions. It is unfortunate that many letters to public officials are ignored. I am glad you choose not to follow this path.
Sincerely,
Kevin Walsh