Bank of America vs. the Boy Scouts

Yesterday, I talked about a legislation that I felt was important because it fights discrimination. Some said that a law that prevents it (more specifically, a law that requires inclusion) wasn’t necessary. Well, the following example of that very same discrimination tells me that it certainly is.

When my buddy Josh sent me an email about how Bank of America withdrew it’s funding from a local Boy Scouts troop, and the response to that withdrawal, I just sit here and wonder why people care so much about being bigots. I just wonder what is so threatening about being inclusive, understanding, and compassionate to diversity. I just wonder why those concepts are so threatening, and damning, that they must be treated as they are. Basically, here’s the deal, Bank of America sent this local Valdosta Boy Scout troop a letter saying:

Under the non-discrimination policy, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation cannot provide funding to any organization that practices discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, or veteran or disability status. The Boy Scouts’ current employment and membership practices do not comply with this policy.

Basically, Bank of America told them, since you have a discrimination policy on the books (in this case, against homosexuality) then you gets no money. Nada. None. Not from us, anyway, because we don’t believe in discrimination. Way to go Bank of America! Way to stand up for what you believe in, and show that discrimination of any sort has no place in this country! Way to stand up and send a message to an organization that regularly and continually teaches values of imposed morality and discrimination that you refuse to fund such shit as that. Thank you Bank of America for having my (and every other minority’s… did you see that long list..) back. (more after the jump)

The troop issued a response, which, quite frankly reinforces their beliefs that bigotry is a-okay; at least, as long as it isn’t directed towards them. In fact, this is my favorite quote from the response:

I think this policy and what this policy represents is an attempt to cause a serious erosion of personal freedoms, personal rights to associate, the right of parents to know that the Boy Scouts of America does everything it possibly can to be as inclusive as it can be and still carry forward the traditional and applaudable character building programs of Scouting and to see to the safety of every child whose safety is entrusted to the Boy Scouts of America. I understand that the Bank also has the right to make these same choices for itself. I too have that choice and I now choose to close all of my accounts at the Bank to move them to another Bank
which does not discriminate against the Boy Scouts of America.

HA! Don’t discriminate against us? Does anyone else smell hypocrite? I think that someone stepped on some hypocrite outside and brought it in on their shoe, because I definitely smell hypocrite in here. Seriously, check your shoes!

Anyway… who cares what this troop thinks, because they are a private sector of a private organization; Bank of America doesn’t owe them anything. We all knew before today that the Boy Scouts promote bigotry, so who gives a fuck what they think. Now that they have shown that they are hypocrites too, it doesn’t mean that we forget the bigotry part. Unfortunately, the troop’s response, isn’t where it ends; here’s a higher up, and possibly farther reaching reaction:

In a joint statement, House Rules Committee Chairman Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder
Springs, and Sen. John Wiles, R-Marietta, said, “Georgians’ and Scouting’s
values are not for sale and should not be subject to extortion by any
entity.”
They added, “When a large, out-of-state corporation tries to use its
resources to stifle those rights and obligate certain behavior, we have an
obligation to act.”

Now, I know that these silly little senators are not going to have much of an effect on the powerhouse Bank of America’s business, but just the fact that these radical conservatives are proposing “an obligation to act”, is insane. Completely and utterly insane. Additionally, when they say things like this:

Wiles said, “Bank of America, like any company, has the right to support
whatever causes it chooses. However, the state of Georgia also has rights –
the right to stop doing business with corporations who refuse to support
organizations who exercise their right to freedom of association.”

I just have to question where their heads are. You are telling me, that a business, that’s right a business, such as Bank of America, cannot choose which organizations it wants to fund with its own money??? And, you are telling me that because an organization VIOLATES Bank of America’s policies against discrimination, that they are still obligated to keep giving them free money?And if they do, we, as a state, are going to threaten them by saying we won’t do business with them? Basically, that tells me that these senators, and the state of Georgia, are more concerned with enforcing discrimination, than thinking clearly. Basically, these senators are more focused on spreading discrimination, and punishing those that don’t jump on board the killin’ wagon. THAT is bullshit, and they know it. I know it, you know it, we all know it.

All I have to say, is that if the fucking Boy Scouts want the money from businesses like Bank of America, they need to STOP being bigots. Fuck off for thinking that you are above judgement from other people. You are not so high and mighty that we are not going to question your motives and ideals, especially because those ideals are so utterly judgemental and discriminatory. I applaud Bank of America for taking the high road, and sticking to standards that promote inclusion and diversity. Businesses like Bank of America make me believe that there is still hope in this country, and that we may all be able to coexist; rather than have everyone try to continually push us down and judge us. I hope that these senators will just get laughed at for their stupid suggestions, but if it goes further, I hope Bank of America will stand strong; that is the true example of “love thy neighbor” and “judge not, lest ye be judged”. Oh yeah, those are “Christian” principles… isn’t that what the Boy Scouts are supposed to be teaching? Well, maybe they should take a lesson and practice what they preach.