"Welcome to this century, Scouts," cheered liberal Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak in her January 29 column headlined "Boy Scouts can, belatedly, set an example of courage." Dvorak hailed the announcement on Monday by the National Council of the scouting organization that it would propose doing away with a national ban on openly gay members and leaders, instead allowing local chapters to set policy on the matter.
Hailing the "righteousness" of the move, Dvorak hailed how the Scouts had earned a "courage badge" for the move. In truth, however, the maneuver comes after intense lobbying by gay rights advocates that dried up previously reliable streams of corporate funding. Dvorak failed to mention this, but gay rights activists have been hard at work of late pushing corporate boardrooms from ending donations to the Boy Scouts of America. Thus far drug manufacturer Merck, computer process manufacturer Intel and parcel shipping giant UPS have ended their donations to the 102-year-old organization in large part due to petition drives by gay activists.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines courage as the "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." If the Scouts were to decide to stand by their convictions, that would exhibit strength in "persever[ing] and withstand[ing]" the "danger, fear or difficulty," or indeed, all three, of increasing public and corporate disapproval.
The "Scouts' stubborness [sic]" on the issue "made them a symbol of hate," Dvorak groused, lamenting how the BSA's position had made her and her husband morally conflicted about whether they should have their son participate in the organization absent a policy change.
That double-mindedness, that "lack of courage or resolution" is what Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines as cowardice.
P.S.: Dvorak is no stranger to criticism on NewsBusters. You can read more of our criticism of her left-wing screeds here.
