Choose your dessert Carefully
“Behind every choice is a story.”
Planned Parenthood proudly displays this quote on their Web
site. It’s an interesting thought and relevant to most situations.
I’m sure the Girl Scouts of America find this quote very relevant
to a situation in Texas that dissolved one troop altogether and
left Troop 7527 with two members.
Even Girl Scouts and their cookies are not exempt from political
controversy.
You see, the choices made in the stories of several people made
this the current situation. One was of the Planned Parenthood
Executive who was honored by the scouts as a “Woman of
Distinction.”
The leader of a religious group who called for a boycott of Girl
Scout cookies because of the “cozy relationship” between Planned
Parenthood and Girl Scouts is another.
But probably the most important story that led to the boycott
came from the parents who made the choice pulled their girls from
the troops.
“It’s not that we’re a bunch of activists. We’re just a bunch of
moms who care about our kids,” Lisa Aguilar told the Associated
Press after removing her 10-year-old from the troop.
I think it’s ironic she seems to have a problem with activism.
Participating in a boycott is not exactly pacifism. Aguilar has
every right to disagree with the organization as she pleases. I’m
glad she’s taking an active role in the life of her child, but
think it’s pretty interesting and a telling sign that she would not
only discount her own decision, but also belittle what it is to be
a mom. Distancing herself from activism and undermining motherhood
with “just a bunch of moms,” doesn’t do much for her cause or
position.
And for what?
“For us, it’s the morality,” said Aguilar. “Where is the Girl
Scouts going?”
Parents are upset because the Girl Scouts, along with 20 other
organizations, made the mistake of putting their logo on posters
for a sex-ed program sponsored by Planned Parenthood.
The funny thing is the Girl Scouts do not take a stance on sex
education. Girls are not required or directly encouraged to go to
the program. None of the profits from those addicting little
cookies are given to Planned Parenthood.
Even if it was, Planned Parenthood is an important resource in
our community. However you feel about abortions, Planned Parenthood
offers reproductive health care to people who may not be able to
afford it otherwise. They educate our community about sexual
health, including abstinence, in their presentations on how to
prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Pro-Life Waco, the group that promoted the boycott, has harshly
singled out the Girl Scouts amongst the 20 other organizations that
supported the sexual education program.
Pro Life Waco’s leader, John Piscotta, even cites the honoring
of a community leader as a problem. The Waco-based Bluebonnet
Council of Girl Scouts gave Planned Parenthood of Central Texas
director Pam Smallwood the “Woman of Distinction” award. Smallwood
is a strong woman and powerful role model.
I don’t think this goes too much against the policy of Girl
Scouts where “Girls grow strong.” Piscotta disagrees.
“I saw the head of Planned Parenthood held up as a role model to
little girls, that was great irritation to me,” he told the Star
Telegram.
Fortunately, not everyone agrees with Piscotta’s stance. Many
have made the choice to not only ignore the boycott, but buy more
cookies. Sales in Waco are expected to be higher than years
past.
“You (pro-life Waco) just made buying Girl Scout Cookies a
political statement and it’s one I am not afraid to make.” Wrote
M.B. Tankersley in a letter to the Waco Tribune-Herald. “Thanks for
the reminder that we need to support a worthy organization.”
Behind every choice there’s a story and even your personal
cookie preference can be political.
Marika is the news director for KCSU. Her column appears every
other Friday.
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