Pam's Pics/Flickr
Conservatives' antipathy towards the Girl Scouts has generally been found on the fringes. In 1994, for example, James Dobson's Focus on the Family published a memorable attack on the Girl Scouts, insisting the group "lost their way" after the Scouts made a religious oath optional for membership. (For the religious right, faith shouldn't be voluntary; it should be mandated on children by authority figures demanding vows of allegiance.)
I can't find it online anymore, but back in 2005, Amanda Marcotte had a great item about various paranoid voices on the right, complaining about "radical lesbian feminists" having taken over the Girl Scouts.
And while much of the mainstream likely considers Girl Scouts as American as moms, baseball, and apple pie, the freak-out continues.
In today's prayer alert, the Family Research Council boasted that as a result of their pressure campaign against the Girl Scouts "their cookie sales are suffering." The FRC has long attacked the Girl Scouts over discredited allegations that the Girl Scouts work with Planned Parenthood to promote "casual sex" and train girls about living with HIV. [...]
Although "none of the money" from Girl Scout cookie sales "is given to any other group," that hasn't stopped FRC from asking for prayers against the Girl Scouts. The prayer alert says the "Scouts had better confess their errors" and stop "collaborating with Planned Parenthood," and even cites a passage from Matthew 27 on the suicide of Judas Iscariot to imply that the Girl Scouts are taking blood money.
The Family Research Council is one of the leading organizations in the religious right movement, but it isn't the only outfit on the right to be worked up about the Girl Scouts.
As recently as December, Fox News went after the group quite a bit, and CNN contributor Dana Loesch not only lamented the "moral decline" of the Girl Scouts, she also suggested conservatives should stop buying their cookies as a form of political protest.
Comedy Central recently responded with the appropriate derision: "Don't be fooled by those cute little outfits or merit badges. The Girl Scouts aren't just selling you a pack of cookies -- they're selling you a pack of lies, with a light coating of toasted coconut communism. Why do the Girl Scouts teach survival skills? It's clearly an attempt to build some kind of liberal tween militia. Volunteering and 'helping' others? Just another strategy to mobilize the working poor and other key Democratic voting blocs."
This was, in case it's not obvious, sarcasm.
(Image: Pam's Pics/Flickr)
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Just as a point of fact... Family Research Council is the lobbying arm of James Dobson's Focus on the Family. Although they are technically separate organizations out of tax-status concerns, they are of one DNA. Another attack, same source.
The paranoia of the reich knows NO lows!!! Love those cookies....
<i>I can't find it online anymore, but back in 2005...</i>
It wasn't that long ago, but it seems like it.
http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2011/09/the_girl_scouts_allegedly_radical_feminist_lesbian_agenda.html
Ever since the right began its ludicrous attack on the Girl Scouts, I started buying two or three boxes when the local troop showed up at my door rather than my usual one.
This is simply another example of why friends in Canada, the UK and Europe constantly ask me in emails and phone calls, "What is wrong with Americans?" I have no answer.
Seriously, past even parody for the daily show. You have to wonder how an alleged Christian group finds so much blatant hate in their hearts. They seem to be unaware they more resemble the Taliban than the teachings of their Savior
I hear you Charley...I will buy more boxes this year too...
Yep, that's the question I get from foreign friends all the time as well.
This is all a conservative plot to make Liberals fat through overzealous, high-minded cookie consumption.
It's working, people. It's working.
Well, I've already ordered about 30 boxes. Guess I'll be upping it.
Hear, hear Charley. I increased my purchases this year as well.
Those who haven't had the opportunity can go to this link: http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/
I think they do this because it's the Girl Scouts. They hate anything that might empower a woman in any way, shape or form, even if it's just survival skills.
Oh, I take that back. It's all right to be an empowered woman if you're a screaming B like Ann Coulter.
So I'll be buying all my clothes at J.C. Penney's from now on, all my cookies from the Girl Scouts, all my breast cancer care contributions will go to Planned Parenthood -- soon companies will start begging to be attacked by the "religious" right.
I can understand their problems with the Girl Scouts. After all, how can a proper Christian tolerate a group where the leadership has turned its back on the Biblical requirement to submit to men? For proof, find one -- just one! -- man in a position of authority in the organization.
There aren't any. Bunch of man-hating radical feminists.
My husband is a Girl Scout.
D.C Sessions picture says it all. Red neck radical republican conservative " the south shall rise again" male woohoo eeeehhhaaawww. We all know the Republicans and religious zealots, really care about women in general.
I don't know a whole bunch of men who want to BE Girl Scouts...and most of us girls really like men. There are a lot of Christian girl scouts. We want to grow up to be mommies and happy wives. I think you may need to take another look at the motivation of the Girl Scout leaders. Have you actually applied for a leadership position in the organization? Well, if not, why not? Maybe YOU are the future man to whom we will all be happy to submit....best wishes.
Tari, he's being sarcastic and his logo is ironic...
Tari, thank you. I've been using this icon for months and months, and you're the first to comment on it.
Your logo is a great metaphor Sessions!!! or should I say symbol?
Symbol, I think. Picture, thousand words, all that. Although I'm considering switching to the "You're Americans, Damn it!" poster.
Especially like the way the blue ribbon covers the Elephant's anus. That's absolutely essential these days given the high productivity of the GOP as they become completely unhinged headed toward a monstrous electoral loss in November.
That's it. No more news or commentary for the rest of today. The maddness is getting to me.
The Girl Scouts teach respect for others. I guess that is simply too radical for some folks. Girls are encouraged to learn and grow. All positive things.
Some people define themselves not so much by what they are for but by what they are against. What is their problem?
You might be confusing Amanda's newer piece with Jesse's older one.
Oops, double posting because I didn't realize the first post was sent, But this one reads better and I don't seem to be able to delete this one.
The Girl Scouts teach respect for others and encourage learning and being your best. All positive things. Unfortunately that seems too radical for some folks.
Some folks define themselves by what they are against rather than what they are for. That's ok, but when they decide to bolster their uninformed opinion by making up lies it is not ok. Those people should be treated as the losers they are.
Don't worry. Keep going.
We can squash 8 year olds and their cookies but can't figure out anything to do to help their dads and moms get jobs or keep their homes. We deserve what we get- the best government money can buy!
This is proof that madness is contagious.
why are they(right wing) always attacking the females?.....is there no limit to subjugating females?.....are you sure they're not Islamics at heart?
I think they are latent homosexuals themselves just like Ted Haggard. They just haven't come out yet. "Methinks the lady doth protest a bit too much." In other words, they certainly seem to be obsessed with sex and homosexuality to the point of madness.
Not that science has been able to discover.
The desire to dominate women is not exclusive to any one group.
So far it seems to be men who want to dominate women.
Women who support men who want to dominate women have their own issues to work out I guess, but mostly, the domination thing seems to come from men.
From my perspective as a woman.
I wish I could just shake some of these people about their ridiculous ideas. I thought religion was optional in this country? And I don't remember my daughter learning any of these ideals they talk about other than, as others have said, respect for others, etc. I wasn't going to buy any cookies this year because of the limits of our diets but geez, maybe I will have to buy some after all! AND shop at Penneys. When I say I just don't get it when these outrageous things come up my husband always says there's nothing to get. So I guess this is another of those situations!
According to these people, religion - specifically Christian zealotry driven by the Old Testament - isn't optional, it's mandatory because despite what they wrote into the Constitution or in their letters and papers, our founding fathers secretly meant for America to be based upon the Bible and Christianity.
And to show how forward-thinking they were, they meant it to be based on a variety of Christianity that didn't even exist for another half-century.
You don't have to buy the cookies for yourself. You can pay for some that the Scouts will send to service men and women. Do good and save your diet!
I don't mean to be too mercenary here. It drives me nuts that these stories come out this time every year just in time to trash the cookie sale. This year my Scouts earned badges, packed gift baskets for homeless teens, served in a soup kitchen, had a party for residents in a shelter, worked with younger Scouts, went camping 4 times, attended a jamboree in Canada, tried scuba diving and glassblowing, and will go rafting and caving. They served others, had personal growth, and had fun. Who else is keeping these 37 tweens and teens out of trouble and into good stuff?
Dawn, I wish I'd been in your troop!
"A study at University College London in the UK has found that conservatives’ brains have larger amygdalas than the brains of liberals. Amygdalas are responsible for fear and other “primitive” emotions. At the same time, conservatives’ brains were also found to have a smaller anterior cingulate — the part of the brain responsible for courage and optimism." http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/28/conservatives-fear-center-brain/
They're a'scared.
I was a Girl Scout, my sister was, and my best friend is now a leader. None of the hysterical objections are true. The Girl Scouts are politically neutral and teach good, wholesome values. I think they are being attacked because they ARE neutral, in the extreme right cause, that makes them the enemy.
Becky, I think the term "neutral" is what is being challenged. When the organization lists Media Matters as a "neutral" source for news and facts that seems to suggests that someone is less than "neutral."
For the most part, Media Matters just plays clips of right wingers and lets them foist themselves on their own petards. The people they play clips of don't need any help making themselves seem crazy.
Not to be a wet blanket but I remember a so called report claiming African Americans were inferior on scientific grounds of brain size or development long ago. I do not remember the whole sordid affair but I do remember the claim that it was a researched and validated fact.
I doubt it was true science but at the same time I do not like to see similar findings touted as factual proof that any single group is somehow inferior to another.
Darn. Now I am going to have buy more Girl Scout cookies AND shop at JC Penny. These radical right groups are ANYTHING but Christian! Geez.
That is exactly what I was thinking!
What is really interesting about the cookie comment (behind in sales) is that cookie sales have just begun, and many troops haven't turned in their orders yet. My daughter just joined the Girl Scouts, and a Brownie, and so far has learned about nutrition and first aid. I guess those radical teachings should be banned.
Do conservatives do or say ANYTHING that isn't crazy, wrong, or unhinged? The lunacy seems endless.
I wish I had something snappy to say to those "people (the wing nuts)." But when I read things like this article, all I can think is IDIOTS.
I just don't get it. Or maybe I do. When they whip up this kind of drama, like-minded trolls send them money. Lots of it. Sigh.
Some day American Women will realize that they are not only in the majority, but also control the wealth.
-they already wear trousers. . .
Please provide basis of this accusation. Where has the FRC asked "for prayers AGAINST the Girl Scouts?" I understand this is quote from another source but this site is repeating it so I would think you would want to validate it's truth.
There is a difference between praying "for" and praying "against." I have found no such request as stated above but I may have overlooked your source. Thanks for your assistance.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/abortion/family-research-council-asks-prayers-against-girl-scout-cookies
At the bottom of this article is the quote from the prayer alert. You can decide whether it is a prayer or just a political speech, expressing a secular desire.
I've read the complete "alert" from FRC including the quote you reference, I don't see any wording suggesting prayer against (or "for" for that matter) the Girl Scouts other than not allowing outside groups to "shakedown" private organizations. That is certainly not a prayer "against" the Girl Scouts.
Well, they're definitely praying against Planned Parenthood and praying that groups who in their perception support Planned Parenthood change their ways. The Girl Scouts seem to be one of these groups. Can the Girl Scouts sue Family Research Council for loss of cookie sales, if that can be established, since FRC boasts this?
I find it ironic that the right wing today keep repeating "war on religion", when in fact the extreme right wing wants their beliefs in our lives whether we want it or not.
Hypocrites to the core of their soul.
It's a very useful tactic: accuse your opponents of defending themselves just before you attack.
Think, "class warfare."
This entire extreme right-wing evangelical movement needs to be called out for what it is "Unamerican". If these people do not want a separation of church and state as well as freedom of religious beliefs move to England. The left has to be wordsmiths to win this battle. The media needs to ask these idiots some real questions and follow-up questions as well. It is so sad that such a small number of loud-mouthed individuals are controlling the political arena:-( We have catered to their simpleton ideals for too long. If they can not defend their stances with some form of logic or intelligence then it is time to tell them to "shut the hell up". Perhaps that will get through to them. Pandering does not, it only edges them on and makes them feel legitimate.
This is beyond ridiculous. The religious right is losing ground and grasping for anything they can get a hold of - so now, they're bullying the Girls Scouts. What a shame.
I used to be in the Girl Scouts, but I left because it was too girly in my eyes. I don't ever remember having to swear an oath to god, but then I don't know that I would've paid attention during such a thing anyways (which is part of why mandating people to swear oaths is bad). Anyways we used to sew and learn how to cook. When I joined the Girl Scouts I did it because I wanted to learn how to camp and go on fishing trips like the Boy Scouts did (which my brother was in at the time). When I found out they didn't do that I quit. I think I went to 2 or 3 meetings before leaving. I'm really not at all sure why anyone would be opposed to them as an organization. That's one thing for me to be all butchy about it and leave....but I'm not sure what was so 'feminist' or anti-religious about the organization.
Love it! :)
I've heard a lot of people say it depends on your troop leader if you get to do any of the outdoorsy stuff. It's not written into the purpose of the organization the way "using the wilderness to turn boys into responsible men"* is for the boy scouts.
*license taken to paraphrase freely
I was in the girl scouts and we did a lot of indoor crafts..I agree with Mech Trek it does depend on the troop leader..Ours was awlful..They had the different troops get together for a group picture for the local paper showing the badges we had all earned. Our troop leader forgot to order them so we got to hold a piece of paper in the front row showing all the badges we were supposed to get...Can you say losers in the front? :)...We eventually got our badges and half of them represented stuff we had never done.
I still have my owl made of walnuts, and macaroni though :)
And why should you or anyone have to swear an oath to the radical right- wing God of Dobson!!! ha That mean old god who will burn you for eternity and hates its own creations! That God!!! Really???!!!
We should all say NO to Dobson's god.
I went camping as a Girl Scout. And learned to fish, shoot a bow, tie knots...in addition to first aid and cooking (both in house and over a fire). I don't recall learning to sew in the Girl Scouts--I learned that from my mother. Guess it all depended on the leader you had.
The Girl Scout organization teaches girls to be independent and that is the reason the right attacks them.
Wow Becky I wish I would have had your Troop leader.. I agree with the independent thing... If we pledged an oath to God I don't remember it, but it is no big deal to me whether we did or didn't..I actually do believe in God..
Then it probably does have to do w/ the leader- I did not know that. All we ever did were indoor activities and they were crafts, cooking, and sewing. It was very 1950's and that just didn't jive w/ me. I wanted to go hiking and camping and I wanted to learn survival skills. Not that I have a problem w/ learning how to cook (I think everyone should know how to do that) or how to sew (again it can come in useful), but I didn't want that to be the sole focus. We didn't volunteer to help our community or anything like that- it was just learn how to be a good woman so you can marry a rich white guy kind've thing. It just didn't feel right.
Also FTR I wasn't meaning to attack people who want to make promises to god. I was just saying that when you're mandated to do so as part of a group it loses that intimate relationship you're supposed to be building w/ god. That's why I don't like it when people mandate that you say the pledge of allegiance. It's not that I have a problem personally w/ the pledge, it's that making people do it as part of some hive-brain group activity devalues the meaning of that pledge and makes it utterly pointless. I would think oaths to god- especially if you're someone who believes in god- should have the utmost of importance in your mind. That's a serious relationship that should be taken seriously- not something to be half assed....or so I would think.
We never helped the community either. We saw pictures of other troops helping the community..I think if you sold 200 boxes of cookies you got a wonder woman ring. Wow I can't talk about this anymore its just soooo sad LOL...
I know mellow! You and I got crap and BeckyB1 got all the fun!
Mouzer! Thanks for mentioning the pledge of allegiance as an example of forcing religion. That phrase was added to the original pledge in the 1950's, and is, in my opinion, one of the most spurious edits ever.
As an atheist, that phrase is something I omit when pledging allegiance to the US flag. But I can still remember my Girl Scout Pledge:
It's definitely been rewritten since the mid-sixties (ahem), but as a child, I repeated that pledge every week, from Brownies (age 6) through Cadets (age 12).
We were lucky, I guess, and our leaders gave us a good balance of camping/outdoor activities, and sewing/cooking/indoor activities. We never did any community service, though. That would have been a good balance.
I know Mouzer It sucks :)
I was a girl scout some decades ago, but as I remember, the pledge was:
On my honor, I will try,
to do my duty, to guide my country,
to help all others in every way,
And obey the Girl Scout Laws.
I do not remember God being in there...and my scout meetings were held at the catholic church's youth center!
Eileen, I like that one! So I guess my GS pledge was another 50's rewrite. Bother!
My daughter is currently in Girl Scouts. This is their promise...
"On my honor, I will try:
To Serve God and my Country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law."
Now, we do not believe in God, but I tell my daughter to say the promise because I like the other things the Girl scouts stands for.
God in the promise has an asterisk now. Girls are invited to say whatever they want according to their own beliefs. Some now say Allah. This is the point where everyone went crazy about Godless Girl Scouts. As a leader, it is not my job to beat God into their heads and they all say what feels right to them.
By the way, we camp, cook, sew, backpack, scuba dive, help the homeless, go caving, rafting, travel to Canada and Europe, do experiments, carpentry, and anything else they discover they want to try. That's my job. To help them discover the world and their place in it. Selling cookies helps us pay for all this.
So sorry for those of you in craft of the week troops. But, those leaders were once girls who weren't encouraged to stretch either. I hope for so many of our girls and young women that they can all move forward from that.
I see a definite pattern here, attack the girls when they are small, deny them birth control when they are young adults and prevent them from having abortions. Keep them barefoot pregnant and beholden to men. Next lets repeal the 19th amendment to the constitution and then the free white males can rule the world again. The saddest part is the women who believe they need to be subservient to men because they cannot think for themselves. Thanks to my dad I don't have that problem so there are some decent white males around.
Not a new pattern. This has been true for centuries.
Has anyone else noticed that the congress people going on record as objecting to the requirement that birth control be offered through insurance for all employees of catholic businesses that aren't specifically the church, are all men?
If churches are engaging the politics, they should be paying taxes.
And women's bodies and health care are not political fodder! Or at least, they shouldn't be!
Those wacky wing-nuts spreading hate about Girl Scouts is unbelievable. Next thing you know we'll be seeing armed assaults against girl scouts troops.