Wells Fargo Bank and the Boy Scouts

An Open Letter to Wells Fargo Bank About Boy Scouts:

I have learned that you have canceled your generous donations to the Boy Scouts of America because of pressure from gay rights activists. I strongly resent and object to this decision, which is depriving 4.1 million 12- to 18-year-old boys of funding which they seriously need for equipment and materials.

I became an Eagle Scout 23 years ago, and the training I received as a Boy Scout provided me with the knowledge, ability, motivation and self-esteem that I have needed to be successful as an attorney, a husband and a parent. This country is presently waging a tough war against street crime, gang violence and drugs, and the Boy Scouts of America is a powerful weapon in that war, giving boys opportunities to channel their energy and time in constructive and positive ways. The Boy Scouts of America should be supported and praised for its great history and contribution, not attacked by boycotts and lawsuits.

I cannot support your decision to stop donating to the Boy Scouts of America. I am therefore closing all of my business and personal accounts with Wells Fargo Bank, am canceling my business line of credit and I choose not to do business with you any longer. My loyalty to the Boy Scouts is much stronger than my loyalty to any bank.

I call on the 88 million past and present Boy Scouts, and their leaders, parents and friends, to close any accounts they may presently have with Wells Fargo Bank or Bank of America, which is also boycotting the Boy Scouts of America, and move their funds to institutions that support the great tradition of scouting. I also ask everyone to send a generous contribution to the Boy Scouts of America to replace the loss of contributions from shortsighted corporations such as Wells Fargo Bank.

MICHAEL SMITH

Torrance