Trump's political speech at Boy Scout Jamboree

Oh and the majority of the activities were closed for the day, a few closed at 10 am and a few other others closed at 2 pm due to security.  So for the youth at the more coveted high adventures areas (like the BMX bike course, scuba diving, and the big zip line) that have a pre-scheduled appointment time for that day, they were out of luck and their appointments cannot be rescheduled.

The President of the United States is an honorary President of the Boy Scouts and has always been extended an invitation to attend the Jamboree for nearly a hundred years. Some Presidents have attended, others have not. President Obama sent a videotaped message as have other Presidents.

Boy Scouts is co-ed as it has a Venturing program and also Explorer's.

As a 12 year veteran as being a Cub Scout and then Boy Scout leader, an Eagle Scout Mom, and I paid $850 to work as staff at the 2013 Boy Scout Jamboree, I don't have any problem with President Trump being at the Jamboree (even though I am a Democrat and I think he is an a$$).

However, what the President said when he veered into politics was completely inappropriate. He should have continued to read from his teleprompter (great to be here, what a great facility, these are the values in Scouting, wish I could do the zip line, have a great Jamboree, continue to provide service to your local community). However, he cannot stay on message and appears to confuse this appearance with a political rally.  Many of the those applauding were Scouters and some Scouts follow suit. Scouters should not have whooped and hollered and also should not have allowed anyone to wear the MAGA hats.

BSA has clear policy prohibiting Scouts or Scouters in uniform appearing at political events or being noted as being a Cub or Boy Scout at a political rally even when in civilian clothing (even to lead the pledge of allegiance).

The BSA well-advised the Scouts and Scouters regarding proper behavior ahead of time. Too bad the President has no self-control. His narcissistic personality was on full display.

But then, the avid Trumpers see nothing wrong with it, but would have crucified President Obama or Hillary Clinton if either would have done the same.

Jul 25, 2017 15:26:28 GMT mom said:

OK, I am going to chime in. I am a 2x Eagle Scout Mama and both boys have gone to Jamborees in the past.

In the past (and I am fairly confident this is still the same this year) no one is REQUIRED to go anywhere. Yes you are encouraged to take part of the activities. But it isn't like they are forced to sit there.

Its a tradition to invite the sitting president. Because theJambo is only like every 4 years, they usually will attend and give a speech. At the last Jambo, Obama was invited and many were under the impression he was coming, then and didn't show up.

I assume that is why they were booing. Absolutely is not ok that they booed him, but I am fairly certain that is why. Now would be a good time to talk to them about respect.


Now, Trumps speech is over the top. And out of line. But I am not sure what the BS leaders could have done once he got started? Pull him off stage? Cut his mic?

I just want to make a few corrections to what is in your post.

I worked as Staff for the past few Jamborees, I was registered to attend, but then with my mother being on Hospice care last summer, I withdrew my registration or I would have been there now.

Yes, while it is true that no Scouter or Scout HAD to attend the event when the President gave his speech, but skipping that also prevented the Scout or Scouter being able to see the band concert that was held after the President's appearance. Trump was not the only thing going on at the arena that afternoon/evening. At a certain time about 45 minutes the President was scheduled to arrive, no one was allowed past the arena access check points (either coming in or going out). Exception for medics.  No program areas were open, so the Scout or Scouter would just be sitting in their tent or dining tarp area back at their base camp.

I was at the 2013 Jamboree and it was well known ahead of time and once the Jamboree started, that the President was not attending. Someone's impression or the rumor mill is just that and doesn't make it factual. Every President has always been invited to appear in person at the Jamboree, some do, some do not but send a video message instead. I don't have a problem with the invitation being issued, even to President Trump.

I well remember the "boos" coming from Scouters (adult) and some Scouts when President Obama's message played at the 2013 Jamboree. Again, adult leaders and Scouts not displaying Scout law of "courteous".  Any Scouter seeing someone wearing the MAGA hat should have asked them to remove it.

While I think that a President is deserving of the respect of the office even if I don't agree with the politics of that President, trust me, President Trump's staff was WELL INFORMED of not going into politics at all during the speech.  His speech was submitted ahead of time, but Trump's problematic statements was when he was clearly not reading from the teleprompter. Personally, the higher ups of Scouting could have let the first 1 or 2 statements go, but when he kept on going, there were breaks in his speech when people were whooping and hollering that someone could have whispered in his ear, "Pardon me, Mr. President, but you cannot discuss politics here at this event."