Dubious Achievement of The Year: Boy Scout Earns All 121 Merit Badges

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"A Long Island teenager has earned all 121 merit badges offered by the Boy Scouts of America. Oceanside resident Shawn Goldsmith earned his final badge - for bugling - in time for his 18th birthday in November. He far surpassed the 21 badges required to achieve the elite rank of Eagle Scout.

The Binghamton University freshman was awarded his final badges on Dec. 19. He said he hopes to become a businessman and politician." The Associated Press

Most people who read this AP article probably think that Shawn Goldsmith's accomplishment is noteworthy and emblematic of America at its best, but I'm dumbfounded by his meaningless pursuit. Will Goldsmith's merit badges for insect study, bugling, wood carving and basketry prepare him for a career in business or politics?

The Boy Scout Law:

A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

The Boy Scout Law and a career in politics are incompatible, how many politicians do you know who keep their promises? The only individuals who can depend on politicians are lobbyists and campaign donors, the rest of us can only hope that our elected officials don't do too much harm. Goldsmith is better suited for a career as a librarian or a monk.

When I was a kid I reserved my ire for Boy Scouts clad in their neatly pressed uniforms, and I wasn't a tough guy, but a nerd who spent most of his time reading books. It was the thugs who really had it in for the little Storm Troopers.

Boy Scouts represent uniformity, conformity and everything else that I hate. Homosexuals, atheists and agnostics are not welcome in the reactionary and homophobic Boy Scouts Organization.

I think Goldsmith knows what I think he can do with his 121 merit badges.

Robert Paul Reyes is a NewsBlaze writer on Politics, Pop Culture and Pointless Pontificating. Contact him by writing to NewsBlaze.

Robert Reyes