Girl Scouts are dangerous -- and not just to your diet. At least that’s what Indiana lawmaker Bob Morris says. He has labeled the Girls Scouts of America a radical organization that promotes homosexuality and abortion and is out to destroy American values.

The Republican state representative is being roundly ridiculed for his position, even within his own party. But Morris isn’t backing down.

“My family and I took a view and we’re sticking by it,” Morris told the Associated Press this week, adding that his daughters are now members of a group for conservative Christian girls. “My girls are no longer Girl Scouts. They’re now going to join American Heritage Girls.”

Morris said he made his discoveries after talking to some knowledgeable constituents and conducting “a small amount of Web-based research.” He said the discussion and research led to his conclusions that the Girl Scouts encourage sexual activity, are a front for Planned Parenthood, and that scouts are encouraged to look up to role models who endorse feminist, lesbian and Communist agendas.


He also noted a Colorado troop’s decision to allow a transgendered boy to join, adding that the fact that First Lady Michelle Obama is honorary president of the Girl Scouts of America “should give each of us reason to pause before our individual and collective endorsement of the organization.”

His comments were made in a letter he circulated among fellow lawmakers that was obtained by the Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne, Ind. The letter explains why Morris refused to add his name to a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the scouting organization. The resolution was passed unanimously by those who chose to vote. Morris suggested that in the days ahead lawmakers will remove their names from the resolution in the wake of his revelations.

Planned Parenthood has released a statement denying any connection to the scouting group. In a statement of its own, the Girl Scouts of America did not address Morris’ individual claims, but said:

“Regarding Representative Morris, if the freshman representative wishes to discredit the contributions that hundreds of thousands of Indiana women and girls have made through the Girl Scouts program over the last 100 years, then he’s entitled to his opinion. Not only is Rep. Morris off the mark on his claims, it’s also unfortunate in his limited research that he failed to discover that since 1917, every First Lady has served as the honorary leader of Girl Scouts including Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Laura Bush.


“We believe that leadership is about hearing from all sides of an issue before making up one’s mind. We only wish we had the chance to speak with Freshman Representative Morris before he distributed his letter.”

Morris’ comments are also being dismissed by people within his own party, including Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma. He spent much of Tuesday handing out Thin Mints to lawmakers, according to the Associated Press.

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