One of our favorite characters is Kyle Anderson—boyfriend to one of the daughters in the Baxter household. Kyle is often a foil for Tim Allen’s lead character, as the young man seems so naive yet charmingly honest and with the best intentions. He can say some of the dumbest things…but often brings profound simple truth to a situation.
In some ways, Kyle reminds me of Forrest Gump. I trust you’ve seen the movie by that name. Here was a kid from Alabama who seemed out of place in our world yet also charmed us with his simple wisdom. His movie lines are often quoted. Especially this one: “Stupid is as stupid does.”
The online Urban Dictionary explains. “It means that an intelligent person who does stupid things is still stupid. You are what you do.” True.
It is with this in mind that I call to your attention a startlingly dumb move by the Boy Scouts of America. A recent headline* in the Chicago Tribune lays it out. “As of this month, girls officially can be part of Boy Scouts program and are able to work way up to Eagle designation.” (*That is the headline as written.)
Sadly, we average folk are expected to cheer such a decision. Our ability to discern with logic has fallen and it can’t seem to get up. Clear thinking has been replaced by politically correct pressure. Stupidly.
This new policy follows just a year after first to fifth grade girls were allowed to join Cub Scouts. Would we imagine a kid asking Mom or Dad, “Why do they allow boys in Boy Scouts?” Of course not. That would be, well, a stupid question. But asking mom or dad why GIRLS are allowed in Boy Scouts isn’t.
Obviously, young people just don’t arbitrarily join these programs. Parents are involved. The Tribune cites one parent who volunteers in both programs who views “the Boy Scouts as more leadership oriented and the Girl Scouts as more culturally oriented.” Her view believes girls in Boy Scouts receive that leadership perspective.
Wait. Really? What do the Girl Scouts think of that? The Girl Scout mission says, “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” Isn’t that leadership??
Another parent cited his thoughts that since Boy Scouts in several other countries have included girls and boys together for years, we’re missing the mark. He said, “I always scratched my head why we wouldn’t.” I’m scratching MY head as to why we should play “follow the leader” with a weak-minded international community. Even Kyle could figure this one out!
Fortunately, the Girl Scouts haven’t jumped on the stupid bandwagon. Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois spokeswoman Lynda Fillipp noted that “Girl Scouts are entirely girl-focused, and offer all sorts of high adventure and activities.” Good for them.
Forrest Gump gave us some earthly wisdom. He needed better spiritual insight. Lt. Dan famously asked, "Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?" To which Forrest replied, "I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir.”
Forrest would have seen that Jesus had close friendships with women, But his day-to-day companions were men. No one should ever quibble that women were less in the eyes of Jesus. They weren’t. Women hold high esteem in the eyes of God.
As for the Boy Scouts, their history had them focused in the right direction. But they’ve drifted. Too bad. They should have listened to Mama Gump who said, “You have to do the best with what God gave you.” The leadership of the Scouts failed on that important lesson.
Stupid is…as stupid does.
That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.
Join in each weekday at 4 PM Central for Mark’s encouraging Facebook Live message on the workplace. For more information, visit www.elfstrandgroup.com.
For more information:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.