Trump Tramples the Lofty Principles of the Boy Scouts

Trump Tramples the Lofty Principles of the Boy Scouts

While the Boy Scouts require a belief in God, they are inclusive of all religions. Similarly, they are nonpolitical, and do not participate in politics as Scouts. Because of this, they are a tax exempt organization. Trump violated these with his maximally political talk to the 40,000 strong Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.

Congress or the IRS could launch an investigation of the BSA tax exempt status, after his talk. He discussed all of his key political gripes, most of which did not fit this audience. Scouts are patriotic, and Trump’s gripes are anything but respect for normal government processes and the law.

Trump said that Secretary of the Interior Zinke would protect National Parks, just the opposite of what he is doing. Camping and nature are important to Scouts.

Trump bragged about how many of his cabinet were scouts, but these have sold out to represent special interests, mostly fossil fuels.

Trump gave his graduation success speech about doing what you love and keeping your momentum for success. Scouts are more about serving and developing character, rather than just success.

The Jamboree must have been very embarrassing for Scouts whose parents were Democrats, since Trump treated it like his partisan campaign rally, and sought cheers for his very partisan claims. He even asked for Hillary to be investigated.

Trump said he would fire Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price if he couldn’t get an ACHA Republican health care plan passed. Besides the fact that it is Trump’s, McConnell’s and Ryan’s responsibility, Trump was publicly planning his scapegoat. This was not a great example of accepting responsibility, or serving the public. Health care is the most political issue of this year, and Trump is asking a government employee, Dr. Price, to get involved in arm twisting, possibly violating the Hatch Act, preventing such employees from political activities.

In summary, Trump abused the Scouts at the Jamboree for his own benefit, and insulted the ideals of Scouting. All of the Presidents since FDR have addressed the Scouts, but nobody has abused the privilege until Trump.

About Dennis SILVERMAN

I am a retired Professor of Physics and Astronomy at U C Irvine. For two decades I have been active in learning about energy and the environment, and in reporting on those topics for a decade. For the last four years I have added science policy. Lately, I have been reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic of our times.
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