Did you hear the one about Chuck Norris being homophobic? Yeah, not so funny anymore is he? This action TV/movie star, (and I use the word 'star' loosely), has taken a stand against allowing gay leaders and scouts in the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Norris recently wrote an article (if you can call it that), for Ammoland.com, (a shooting sport magazine) about his views on gay Boy Scouts. He accuses James Turley, a member of the Boy Scouts of America national board, being in President Obama's pocket, after Turley stated he will try to change a BSA policy that bans gay scouts and leaders.
Just because Turley has taken a stance against this BSA archaic rule that discriminates against homosexuals, doesn't mean he's being paid with "perks and favors" by the president. Perhaps Turley has just decided to see all people as equal, and not contribute to the hate and basic ignorance that such rules incite.
Norris, has decided that there are a lot of coincidences considering his favorite line the whole article seems to be "Is it a coincidence... " I'm not sure Mr. Norris, is it a coincidence that you are so homophobic you need to take to a gun site, to broadcast your narrow-minded views?
Norris would like us to believe that the BSA has, "First Amendment rights to stand against atheists, agnostics and homosexuals," but I have faith that there are enough intelligent people to realize that the First Amendment isn't a right to practice bigotry.
He even goes so far as to say that the scouts and leaders he has met along the way "epitomize the best of America. Indeed, the BSA is as integral a part of American life and culture as hot dogs, baseball and Grandma's apple pie."
I'm sorry, is there a manual, "How to be Homophobic," that states that gay people don't like apple pie, and are not an integral part of American life?
As if he wasn't a big enough genius already, he decides to drag poor John F. Kennedy into his argument, because Kennedy once gave a speech about boy scouts. Kennedy stated that, "In a very real sense, the principles learned and practiced as Boy Scouts add to the strength of America and her ideals." Also that Boy Scouts helped "To train these boys to become good citizens of the future."
Wow -- Kennedy really had a point. Wait where did he say that gay scouts and leaders couldn't be good citizens of the future? Or that just because someone is gay they can't add to the strength of the country? That's right he didn't, and no good president or person would.
Sure, I primarily write about television on this site, but seeing as Chuck Norris once stunk up our screens on Walker,Texas Ranger, I feel this is as good a forum as any to slap down such a sad excuse for a role model.
There are so many issues plaguing our youth today, so many people telling them what is 'normal' and acceptable. What they need are more role models who stand up for equality, and less that are allowed to spew their hatred and bigotry across the internet. Shame on you Chuck Norris, for contributing to the problem instead of the solution -- did you even take the time to ask the scouts themselves what they wanted? You'd be surprised how many of those young men are far bigger people at their age, than you are.
Hand back your Ranger Star -- you are not a protector of justice anymore.