Web Publication Helps Force Reno's Hands on Boy Scouts
WASHINGTON, DC, September 3, 2000 (WebToday)-- In the battle of the Boy Scouts vs. The United States of American, the Boy Scouts just won.
WebToday, a daily alternative Web-based E-zine, was one of the major players that influenced Attorney General Reno's decision to allow Boy Scouts to camp on Federal land.
But their iconoclastic methods resembled "shuttle diplomacy" more than journalism. In rapid-fire succession, WebToday interviewed the three top media spokesmen for the Department of the Interior, Vice President Al Gore, and The Boy Scouts.
WebToday interviewed Mike Gauldin, spokesman for the Interior Dept. about his concerns over the Clinton's June 23 Executive Order that might ban Scouts from camping in his parks due to their stand on homosexuality. Gauldin said "Each year we send about 100 park rangers there (to the Scout Jamboree). We've asked for guidance from the Justice Department. We're trying to find out what we can legitimately do and stay within the law."
WebToday then confronted an evasive Gore administration. WebToday writer Jerry Mack said, "When they say nothing, we tell the world they said nothing. We published an embarrassing a series of 'I'll get back with you', and 'I'm not allowed to say' quotes from Gore's office on whether the Vice President supported Clinton's Executive Order."
Mack continued, "I think the turning point was when we asked Gore's press secretary if the he considered it an act of civil disobedience to invite the Scouts to the White House in the post June 23 Executive Order era. The lights went on and he realized how ridiculous it would be not to take a stand."
And take a stand he did.. Chief Gore White House Spokesman Jim Kennedy officially went on record with WebToday saying, "I'm confident that he (Gore) will be happy to meet with Boy Scouts at the White House."
Jubilant to be the first to break the news, the story was uploaded in seconds and the WebToday staff called the Boy Scouts relaying Gore's invitation. Scout Chief Spokesman Greg Shields told WebToday, "We would respond to the invitation when it is received." He further invited Gore, should he get elected, to continue the tradition of all U.S. Presidents since FDR who have attended their annual Jamboree, to attend next year's event at Fort A.P. Hill in Bowling Green, Virginia, which also happens to be Federal land. The quote was posted as it left Shields' mouth with a new headline screamed: "Gore Invites Boy Scouts to White House; Boy Scouts Extend Invitation to President Elect Attend Annual Jamboree."
WebToday fired off copies of their articles to thousands of members of the traditional and alternative media . When they logged on they not only saw the evolving stories, but they also saw an awkward picture of Al Gore shaking hands with a Buddhist monk wearing a name take at the "non-fundraiser."
Advisors for Clinton and Reno could "read the handwriting on the Web" with such headlines as: "Clinton/Gore Split Over Executive Order that Could Revoke Boy Scouts Charter." Having the choice of siding with her current boss, or contradicting her potential new boss, it didn't take long for Reno to render her decision that "The Boy Scouts are welcome on Federal land.
"The bottom line," Mack concluded, "Is that Clinton's Executive Order failed to convert the Boy Scouts into Bi-Scouts."
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