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Despite GOP suspicions of 'liberal agenda,' Obama honors the Girl Scouts

COMMENTARYIt was a day to honor icons at the White House today. President Obama celebrated the latest Medal of Freedom Recipients.
Magnolia Scott, left, Alivia Whitlock and Hannah Beeson, troop 2578, Divide Elementary School students in Lookout W.V., participate in the Girl Scout Regional Cupcake Challenge held at Crosspoint Church in Beckley, W. Va.
Magnolia Scott, left, Alivia Whitlock and Hannah Beeson, troop 2578, Divide Elementary School students in Lookout W.V., participate in the Girl Scout Regional Cupcake Challenge held at Crosspoint Church in Beckley, W. Va.

COMMENTARY

Al Sharpton

by Rev. Al Sharpton

It was a day to honor icons at the White House today. President Obama celebrated the latest Medal of Freedom Recipients. More than a dozen cultural and political icons received the nation’s highest civilian honor, like former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association.

Author Toni Morrison was honored. Rock legend Bob Dylan was there! And John Doar was a recipient; he was a legendary leader of federal efforts to protect and enforce civil rights during the 1960s.And then the president honored Juliette Jordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts who died in 1927 at the age of 66.

Obama: Juliette Gordon low was not exactly typical. She recognized early on that in order to keep up with the changing times, women would have to be prepared. A century later—almost 60 million Girl Scouts have gained leadership skills and self-confidence through the organization she founded.

A fitting tribute to an incredible organization teaching character and ethics.But I hope Republicans weren’t watching: Some of them aren't really fans of the Girl Scouts. Like Indiana State Representative Bob Morris, who said that he thinks Planned Parenthood works with Girl Scouts to sexualize young girls.” He also says “Girls Scouts... promote homosexual lifestyles.”


Then there’s Alaska State Representative Wes Keller. He blocked a resolution honoring the Scouts, because he heard they were linked to Planned Parenthood!So I was wondering—where do Republicans get these outrageous ideas anyway?

Steve Doocy, on Fox & Friends: Turns out Girl Scouts, more than just the cookies. Kind of what you would feel is a liberal agenda in the national girl scouts organization.

A liberal agenda? Hmmmm.I guess it’s a liberal agenda to build courage, confidence and character to try and make the world a better place!Not to mention—great cookies!Seriously though—this isn’t a group we should be tearing down, it’s one we should be building up, one we should be honoring.