Boy Scouts fine just as they are
5/21/2013The Boy Scouts of America are deliberating a change in national policy (“Boy Scouts proposing to lift gay ban for youth,” April 19). The proposition is that youths who identify themselves as gay should be openly accepted as Boy Scouts.
We identify the Boy Scouts as a quiet, properly behaving, family-friendly organization. The Boy Scouts have drawn a line in the sand, and have firmly said they will not change.
The Boy Scouts have stood for more than 100 years on the front line of challenging boys to become men of honor, character, and valor. We honor the sacrifice and achievement of a scout who attains the lofty rank of Eagle.
I am an Eagle Scout and an adult who is involved in scouting. I do not call these the values of a bygone era, but eternal values.
We should respect what the Boy Scouts of America stands for, and tell the BSA to keep its current policies.
ERIK OLSON
Grantwood Drive
Scouts’ anti-gay stand defended
The only thing right about your April 24 editorial “Halfway there” was the photo of a Boy Scouts of America badge representing honor to God and country. American society has been blinded by misguided tolerance and acceptance.
Why can’t you tolerate and accept an organization, namely the Boy Scouts, that chooses to have core principles built upon Scripture? Where is the organization’s freedom? God cannot tolerate sin, especially the sin of homosexuality.
As parents and caregivers, our goal should be to honor God and protect impressionable minds and spirits from a godless lifestyle, in the name of morality.
GREG BONNELL
Oregon
WW II mariners awaiting benefits
Today is National Maritime Day, honoring the U.S. maritime industry. The maritime force during World War II was an all-volunteer group of boys and men, ages 16 to 70. I am a World War II veteran of the U.S. Maritime Service.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to provide the mariners with benefits similar to the GI Bill for the Armed Forces. To date, Congress has not passed the benefits requested by President Roosevelt.
Mariners for years have petitioned Congress for benefits. Mariners and widows of World War II are in their upper 80s and 90s now, and do not have many years left. We will keep waiting for Congress to act.
JOSEPH LENKAY
Springfield Township
Gas-price stories lead to increases
Please refrain from running stories that Toledo’s gasoline prices have been lowered or are going to be lowered (“Consumer confidence up in April,” May 1).
Every time a story like that appears, the next day prices go up, sometimes as much as 30 to 40 cents a gallon.
I’ve given oil companies yet another excuse for sudden price increases at the pump: The Blade.
HENRY RYBACZEWSKI
Douglas Road