I noticed a couple of items over the last few days that might be of some interest here. For starters, the Santa Cruz county (California) United Way voted the other day to discontinue funding of the Boy Scouts based on their discrimination against gays. The value wasn't tremendous - about $30,000 per year - but the Monterey Bay Area Council only has a handful of paid scouters on the staff so it is probably a significant blow to their annual finances. Secondly, I hope somebody in the southland of California can provide details on a story that hit the paper the other day. It seems that some council sent out a scad of fundraising letters asking people to donate to the Scouts so that the BSA can continue to maintain its standards and values. In the ensuing uproar, apparently the council president had to backpedal a bit and said he never intended to affront people of various lifestyles. Anybody have the full scoop? In Wimachtendienk, John johnk@consilium.com