An Eagle Scout reflects on Trumps Jamboree speech

[Miles Archer]

An Eagle Scout reflects on Trump’s Jamboree speech

BENJAMIN PONTZ | Special to LNP Jul 28, 2017



http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/an-eagle-scout-reflects-on-trump-s-jamboree-speech-opinion/article_654f89fc-7151-11e7-960b-9729b51aec31.html

Trump, whose meandering address contained nuggets of advice cloaked in shameless self-aggrandizement, redoubled his attacks on both Democrats and civil institutions, derided “Obamacare,” and touted economic indicators that have been on the rise for years.

I am disappointed in the president for exploiting a captive audience of young people to engage in flagrant self-promotion and to widen the chasm of division that pollutes our politics. I am disappointed in attendees who applauded the president as he demeaned his predecessor Barack Obama (who, incidentally, was involved in scouting), his former opponent Hillary Clinton, and the media.

On a foggy evening in London more than 100 years ago, a disoriented businessman named William Boyce received directions from a young man who expected nothing in return. He was a Scout doing a good turn. Inspired by this simple act of kindness, Boyce brought an organization to America that has been part of its fabric for 107 years.

In a time when our politics divides us, the Scout Law reminds us of our duty to ourselves, to one another and to our country. It extols the virtues of citizenship; it centers our mind on service; and it reminds us of our fundamental duty to love our neighbors as ourselves.

[lindysalsagal]

1. Benjamin Pontz for potus!

He's got to be 80 I.Q. pts higher than 45.

[smirkymonkey]

3. I'll second that!

The kid could run circles around Trump and he is an infinitely better human being.

[BigmanPigman]

14. Is 45 45's IQ? I wouldn't be surprised a bit.

[spanone]

2. light-years smarter than the CIC

[Achilleaze]

4. The Boy Scouts still don't get it.

They mumbled an apology of sorts after being bombarded with harsh, just criticism of how they whimped out at a critical hour.

But their apology was basically "sorry if the a-hole who peed all over The Scout Law in front of the kids was upsetting for you. You need to get over it." Not a real apology at all.

They do not see and will not admit that The Scout Law was totally disrespected in front of thousands of kids, and not one adult Scout Leader stood up to point it out, and to assert and defend the Scout Law that the BSA claims to live by.

Tainted by the toxic touch of Comrade Casino, the republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief, the BSA has shot its wallet and entered into moral bankruptcy.

[jmowreader]

13. Shouldn't they have picked someone who embodies at least one of those traits?

[demmiblue]

5. Good for him for speaking out.

...

Trump, whose meandering address contained nuggets of advice cloaked in shameless self-aggrandizement, redoubled his attacks on both Democrats and civil institutions, derided “Obamacare,” and touted economic indicators that have been on the rise for years.

I am disappointed in the president for exploiting a captive audience of young people to engage in flagrant self-promotion and to widen the chasm of division that pollutes our politics. I am disappointed in attendees who applauded the president as he demeaned his predecessor Barack Obama (who, incidentally, was involved in scouting), his former opponent Hillary Clinton, and the media.

...

On a foggy evening in London more than 100 years ago, a disoriented businessman named William Boyce received directions from a young man who expected nothing in return. He was a Scout doing a good turn. Inspired by this simple act of kindness, Boyce brought an organization to America that has been part of its fabric for 107 years.

In a time when our politics divides us, the Scout Law reminds us of our duty to ourselves, to one another and to our country. It extols the virtues of citizenship; it centers our mind on service; and it reminds us of our fundamental duty to love our neighbors as ourselves.

[Caliman73]

6. It is a very good reflection.

Service to others begins at home and is typically a familial and community value that is internalized by individuals. I like that the scouts teach that being of service is important. I think that Pontz's commentary overall is excellent. One thing that perhaps reflects my cynicism more than anything else, but which I differ with Mr. Pontz is regarding the teamwork v. credit aspect that he spoke about. I think that the statement reflects the idealism of youth (which, as I said, is perhaps much better than the cynicism of age). I think that the majority of people would be willing to work together, and I think I can say with confidence that Democratic politicians would be willing to work to resolve problems in a bi-partisan way. The problem I see is that the goals of the Republican party are not the same as the goals of the Democratic party. Perhaps at one point they were similar but today, it seems as though they are not remotely similar. The difference is not just in the approach and in who gets the credit. I firmly believe that Democrats would work with any president, even Trump, if there was a sincere effort to actually help the most vulnerable citizens. The difference is in the actual goals and in the constituency being served.

Republicans claim to have the interests of "religious people" in mind, but the reality is that they have the interests of the wealthiest people in mind. Tax cuts is what they care about. Removing regulations that protect people and prevent the largest polluters from befouling the environment with impunity, that is the endgame. They bring along people who have grievances regarding the dominance of the religious and racial hierarchy along with them because they would have little support if they stuck to their core agenda, which is promoting the interests of the wealthiest people.

Democrats cannot "work together" to achieve those ends in any capacity and Republicans will not work to make it harder for the wealthy to exploit their advantages, which is why we are at this stalemate. It is not about how you get there and who gets credit. It is fundamentally about what is the goal at this point.

We should head Mr. Pontz's words. They are excellent. However, we must understand what each party is trying to achieve so that we can decide whether to work together is feasible.

[VaBchTgerLily]

7. very well said! The POTUS should read this and be deeply ashamed

BUT OH YEAH- the current POTUS doesn't read

[ailsagirl]

8. Shoot! You beat me to it!!

[Leith]

9. And He Never Feels Shame

nt

[calimary]

15. True. He wasn't a bit ashamed of that speech. He thought it was great.

Incredible. People are saying. This I can tell you. Believe me.

[MiddleClass]

10. Common decency would dictate Oh yes it is Donald Trump were talking about, never mind

[grantcart]

11. As an Eagle Scout I couldn't be prouder of this young man. You should edit

your great OP to include results from the poll that the newspaper had which is running 75% wished that Mr. Pontz had given the response.

[Miles Archer]

12. Here are the results so far (poll is at same URL as OP)

A local Eagle Scout Benjamin Pontz's viral op-ed explains how President Trump could have used the Scout Law to inspire the Scouts he addressed last week. What did you think of the president's speech?

I wish the president had focused on the Boy Scout Law, as Pontz suggested.
I wish Pontz, not the president, had addressed the young Scouts. Trump's speech was overly political and inappropriate.
I imagine the Scouts were just thrilled by the presence of the president.
I think the president's speech was just fine.

1336 voted for #1

4024 voted for #2

136 voted for #3

146 voted for #4