[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 30 points 1 week ago

Article says they were arrested in 2022. Did the kids not realize it was for espionage?

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 20 points 3 weeks ago

Every day we stray farther from God's light

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 30 points 2 months ago

All work is not degrading. Underpaid work is degrading.

Hyperbole will just undercut valid arguments and convince people they don't need to tune in

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 20 points 3 months ago

The Expanse made other sci-fi seem like fanfic

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 21 points 3 months ago

Well they already tried suing them when they began accepting girls and changed their name the first time to Scouts BSA, but that didn't work. But truthfully the two organizations have different missions and methods.

Historically, a lot of girls who joined GSUSA thinking it was going to be Boy Scouts for girls were disappointed and would leave. GSUSA is more about empowering girls through community engagement and exploring careers. Yes there can also be camping, hiking, etc but these are more or less optional components, up to each troop to integrate. Rank advancement is based on age and grade level, while awards are based on merit.

Boy Scouts is much more focused on outdoor skills and citizenship. These are integrated into the program in that advancement in rank is based solely on merit and demonstrating proficiency with these skills. You can spend six years in Boy Scouts and never make it past Tenderfoot.

So for girls who want more emphasis on the outdoors built into their program, Scouting America would be the better option. For those that want more flexibility and are less outdoorsy, GSUSA is still an option. Both are good programs. I have kids in both. There are some things I like better about GSUSA and some I like more in Boy Scouts. I think Boy Scouts is a more challenging program overall, but GSUSA's Gold Award is way more challenging to achieve than an Eagle project. I definitely prefer GSUSA not having a religious requirement.

Both programs will continue to adapt and change. Both have been experiencing declines in membership for decades anyway, so there's bigger problems that they're facing.

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 23 points 3 months ago

Girl Scouts USA has always been a completely separate organization with no affiliation to Boy Scouts of America

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 18 points 3 months ago

BSA literally helped set the standard by which all modern youth organizations operate to keep kids safe. Back in the 80s/90s they began making background checks mandatory, implemented 2-deep leadership (minimum of two leaders present at all functions and never one-on-one with a scout), and mandated reporting suspected abuse to local authorities and the national office. All leaders must go through a training on these policies and recognizing signs of abuse every 2 years. No one is allowed to overnight functions who isn't a registered leader and current on this training.

Most of the sexual abuse from the big law suit took place before all this was implemented. At the time BSA tried to cover it all up. Since then they have changed course.

Are there still things to improve to improve safety? Probably, but I'm honestly not sure what that would be at this point.

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 26 points 3 months ago

Imagine saying this at a Civil Rights sit-in in the 60s

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 22 points 7 months ago

I can't read "secret tunnel" without hearing the song from The Last Airbender

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 21 points 10 months ago

Seymour! Gaza's on fire!

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 22 points 11 months ago

His Dark Materials

[-] MerrySkeptic@sh.itjust.works 20 points 1 year ago

I loved this movie. The fact that they're terrible people is the point, like Seinfeld or Always Sunny. It's more of a comedy than a serious movie

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MerrySkeptic

joined 1 year ago