Personal Mailbag

[Dante]

In light of there not being much in the way of new topics in the mailbag, I thought I'd share one that came to me this morning via an aquaintance of mine. He sent it to the local/regional leader of the BSA.

The odd thing is, this aquaintance knows I'm a strong atheist, yet decided to include me on the distribution list. Perhaps he would appreciate an atheistic rebuttal?

  As an Eagle Scout I believe the Boy Scouts of America is based on the standards of God. For the organization to consider anything less than His standards is repulsive. I sent this same attachment to one of your regional leaders of Colorado last summer – got no response or acknowledgement of receiving it. When an organization, company, government or individual changes its principles based on what the public thinks it should do or be – it is destined to become fragmented in standing for nothing and therefore fail.

      If you are interested in meeting with me and other local leaders let me know.

Sincerely,

(Name Removed)

[screwtape]

Dear Eagle Scout,

You say the scouts are based on god's standards, but you failed to specify which god.  Which god? 

Eh, nevermind.  No one gives a rat's ass about your stupid opinion.  Getting no answer from the regional leader was a kindness on his part.  You deserved to be told what a narrowminded bigot you are. 

Now go tie some knots, start a fire or help an old lady cross a street.

[Quesi]

Apparently, the girl scouts are pissing off the right wing as well. 

My daughter is not a scout, but quite a few of her friends are.  As several moms were promoting cookie sales, they posted this on facebook. 




At least in my social circles, this piece seems to have had a pretty positive impact on sales. 

[Jag]

Thank you for this Quesi, I'll be increasing the size of my original order based on this information.

Funny, I was first just buying cookies. Now I get to make a political statement too!

[Quesi]

Thank you for this Quesi, I'll be increasing the size of my original order based on this information.

Funny, I was first just buying cookies. Now I get to make a political statement too!

Ha.  That is the same response most of my friends seem to be having.  I thought it was really funny that some moms posted this on facebook while announcing that their kids were selling.   I'm looking forward to my yummy peanut butter cookies.  And those shortbread ones.  They looks so dull.  So uninteresting.  But they are soooo good. 

[Dante]

Dammit Quesi, I can't see the pic, so I'm missing the joke. 


The premise of his writing was included in a .pdf attachment on the original email, talking about how god hates fags, hate the sin, love the sinner crap.

A friend asked me if I thought homosexuality was an abomination to God. I answered, “Yes,” and he then asked me to prove it. In looking for some answers I felt time and prayer would reveal how I would answer the question. The Bible verses did not use the word “abominable” but do use words/phrases such as “God detests” and “God hates.” I have looked up some Bible verses, found an article and referencing the Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man, a daily devotional by Walt Henrichsen.
God created men and women to think on their own and He gives us choices – how to live, believe, think and do. He gives us His Bible as the way we should live. The entire Bible, not parts of it that I choose, is His blessing to me so I can believe in the truth as how to guide my life. We are depraved and sin every day – confessing our sins and asking God and Jesus for forgiveness is what He wants us to do. My prayers include asking for forgiveness of my sins, asking God for wisdom and being His best witness. I love the sinner, not the sin. In praying for someone who is in sin my prayer is that they repent and ask God for forgiveness. God sees that no sin is greater or lesser so for me to think that my sins are not as bad as other people’s sins – is a sin in itself. God knows my heart and He commands that, “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31.

I responded to my aquaintance, with this:

You do realize that it might not be a great idea to include me on these emails that preach of bigotry related to your book of mythology, right?

I had to edit it a couple of times to tone down the animosity I was feeling, but if he writes back wanting a more in depth discussion on the subject, there will be no holding back on my part.


We'll see what he says, if he replies at all.

[Quesi]

Dammit Quesi, I can't see the pic, so I'm missing the joke. 

I'm sorry.  The gist of the post is that the girls scouts are evil because they do evil things like provide access (for older girls) to a Planned Parenthood Program called Real Life,  Real Talk.  They endorse lesbians, and even allow transgendered kids into their ranks.  The girl scout CEO is the member of a "pro-abortion feminist coalition."   And they re-wrote some badge books to include lesbian role models.  Oh.  And something about Marxists and socialists. 

[Dante]

Dammit Quesi, I can't see the pic, so I'm missing the joke. 

I'm sorry.  The gist of the post is that the girls scouts are evil because they do evil things like provide access (for older girls) to a Planned Parenthood Program called Real Life,  Real Talk.  They endorse lesbians, and even allow transgendered kids into their ranks.  The girl scout CEO is the member of a "pro-abortion feminist coalition."   And they re-wrote some badge books to include lesbian role models.  Oh.  And something about Marxists and socialists.

Fear mongering at it's worst. I'm glad it's backfiring.

[screwtape]

heh. 

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-cannot-possibly-buy-girl-scout-cookies-from-your-daughter-at-this-time

I Cannot Possibly Buy Girl Scout Cookies From Your Daughter At This Time.
BY Charlie Nadler
- - - -

So, remember this morning how you were telling everyone that you were taking orders for your daughter’s Girl Scout cookie sale? I have been thinking this over all day, and I want to let you know that I have arrived at a decision. No, I cannot possibly buy Girl Scout cookies from your daughter at this time.

First of all, I have never even met your daughter. That on its own is probably a deal-breaker for me. Had she come here personally and solicited me herself, I almost certainly would have purchased cookies. In fact, I definitely would have ordered more than the perfunctory three or four boxes I saw everyone else from the office marked down for. However, the fact that she has employed you, her mother, in the execution of her sales reflects a lazy, manipulative approach to what could have been a valuable learning experience and community-building exercise. The loss of revenue resultant from her failure to close the deal with me is the least of her problems.

Furthermore, displaying the order form openly at the reception desk was beyond sleazy; it was socially irresponsible. By making the record of orders public, you generated a volatile atmosphere of concentrated anxieties and clashing egos, and part of me believes this was not done by accident. Do you fully appreciate the colossal amount of pressure you and your daughter have put on everyone here? A scarlet letter for him who orders the fewest cookies, and consummate disgrace for those who order none at all!

The overwhelming weight was nearly enough to bully me into a purchase. (You can see on the form that I did at one point enter an order but later crossed it out.) In my better judgment I have decided to take a stand. Today, I refuse to be coerced. I only hope that my actions will help assuage any obligation felt by those who may not be in a place financially to afford to be squandering precious income on cookies. I do realize that, myself not included, everyone in the office has already placed orders, but I am also speaking of any morally bankrupt business ventures your daughter may decide to impose on this office in the future.

I will thank you to relay as much to your daughter. Also, if you can let her know that, in the case that there is a surplus of Caramel deLites, and she is unable to sell them all, I may be interested in taking some of those off her hands at a substantially discounted price.