I recently opined in the Washington Times that people should forgo the Thin Mints this year because of the far-left sociopolitical agenda pushed by Girl Scouts HQ. Others, too, have sounded the alarm. Feathers have been ruffled.
While their transgressions are sundry (forcing troops to admit cross-dressing boys being just one example), Girl Scout executives and their apologists seem most eager to defend the Scouts’ supposed “official neutrality” on abortion and “official non-partnership” with the nation’s abortion giant, Planned Parenthood.
Here are just five facts for the skeptic to consider:
FACT: On March 5, 2004 Girl Scouts CEO Kathy Cloninger admits on NBC’s The Today Show: “We partner with many organizations. We have relationships with…Planned Parenthood organizations across the country.” Watch her admit it here:
FACT: In January 2012, Girl Scouts employee Renise Rodriguez wears “Pray to End Abortion” t-shirt during off-duty visit to her Tucson Girl Scout office and is ordered her to turn the shirt inside out or leave. See Renise in her t-shirt here.
FACT: For fourteen years the Girls Scouts in Waco, TX co-sponsored a sex ed conference with Planned Parenthood. “It’s Perfectly Normal” book (written by Planned Parenthood executive) given to all children in attendance says abortion can be “a positive experience.” View the 2003 event brochure listing Girl Scouts as a cosponsor here [PDF].
FACT: In national survey, sixteen other Girl Scout councils admit to partnering with Planned Parenthood; many other councils refuse to answer survey question. Watch interview about the survey on The O’Reilly Factor here.
FACT: In 2010-2011 Girls Scouts in New York partner with Planned Parenthood sex ed program, “Real Life. Real Talk.” The program website touts their partners: “Real Life. Real Talk. is proud to count the following organizations, faith communities and companies as partners: …Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways.” See screenshot of program web page here.
There are many other things to consider, especially for those for whom this is not an academic exercise (i.e., if you have a daughter in Girl Scouts). Please, please visit www.100questionsforthegirlscouts.org or any other of the Girl Scout watchdog sites proliferating on the Internet.
LifeNews.com Note: Cathy Ruse is senior fellow for legal studies at the Family Research Council, a national pro-family group that focuses on pro-life issues and opposes abortion.
