Will Rogers is right in thinking that maybe "something's up." I am
affiliated with a local Boy Scout troop but am speaking here only as a
citizen of the congressman's (Adam Schiff's) district.
It is traditional for Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Eagle Scout to
invite their local representatives to attend a "court of honor," where
this significant achievement is celebrated. In our troop, as is the
custom, our congressman and other local officials are invited. On one
recent occasion, when he was "Candidate Congressman Care Bear," it seems
his office only expressed interest in attending when informed that his
opponent would be represented.
This summer, our Boy Scout Council sponsored a group of about 70 boys
to attend the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. The Jamboree
happens only once every four years, and is often the highlight of a boy's
scouting experience. In the past, our congressmen always met with the
scouts on the steps of the Capitol in Washington to greet them, be
photographed with them and make them welcome. This year, Congressman
"Care Bear" was at first "not available" to meet with the scouts, citing
that he would not be in town. I don't know if this was because he was on
some official business or whether he declined because of his concern
about associating with a group of boys whose organization has taken a
firm stand on character and a particularly sensitive moral issue.
Although we surely want to give him benefit of the doubt, many scout
parents and troop leaders thought that it looked like a petty attempt to
ignore all the good and decent work of the Boy Scouts in general, and the
particular contributions of these scouts, just to be politically correct.
It seems the the congressman forgets that some of these scouts will soon
be his (voting) constituents, as well.
As it turns out, most congressmen gladly agreed to meet with the
Jamboree scouts from their home districts on the steps of the Captitol.
In the end, Congressman "Care Bear" had a change of heart and did meet
with our scouts.
I am glad that he finally made this decision for the benefit of the
scouts, but I wonder if he made the decision to do it as well as his
decision to become a champion of his district's problems (as evidenced by
the Charter ads) for the right reasons or for the "image."
ARDEN ACORD
La Crescenta
