Wednesday, April 18, 2001 | 9:26 a.m.
In an April 8 letter to the editor, Mel Lipman proclaims, then requests, that public funds and facilities not be used to support private discriminatory organizations, such as the Boy Scouts and religious organizations. Schools and police departments were singled out for their support of Scouting.
I think that "standards for membership and/or participation" better describes the process used by the Boy Scouts, and other institutions and organizations that provide valuable services in our community.
In our schools varsity coaches select who plays in the games based solely on a standard of athletic talent. Police departments use standards as well, like height, weight, and character. They join all state and local entities in this process. If applicants don't meet the standards for a job, they aren't hired.
Standards are a huge part of our national fabric, in both the public and private sectors, as well as in home environments.
And while Lipman doesn't want his taxes supporting groups like the Scouts and churches that have standards he cannot support, the helpful and caring people these groups produce will be there to help him, and many others, if ever there is a need. Perhaps that's why so many people support groups like Scouting and churches. They are good for our nation.
MIKE MILLER
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