KATU sucks.

Just thought I'd toss that out there. KATU is one of our local television stations. They're no better or worse than any of the other stations, but I HATE CBS and NBC, so most of the time that's where I read the news. I do NOT watch it, can't stand the breathless plastic people on camera... the "On air personalities." Ugh.

I've left comments on their website for one story or another for quite some time. 

I don't use profanity, I don't call people names, I follow the rules left for comments... and in the past few days, they've deleted several things I've posted without explanation. Just post it, and then, it's gone. *poof*
The latest was on this story:Girl Scouts stop selling cookies

Well, tonight I tried three times to post a response, and all three of them were deleted.

I think the first one was the best, unfortunately I didn't save it. I DID save the other two, however.

If you didn't want to click on the link, I'll give you the short version. Some girls in Longview have decided that they're not going to sell cookies this year because the local council is closing down their camp, and therefore the money they raise will be going to other camps etc... the nearest one being four hours away. They feel like this is a way to get the attention and the ear of their local council and that it's not fair for the money they earn to go to places so far away.

My first comment was deleted. I didn't save it.

The 2nd comment I left was this: GSUSA makes a LOT of money from cookie sales. They can tell you the money 'stays local' but that four dollar box of cookies nets the troop approximately sixty cents. The troop is much better off if you hand them a dollar instead of buying a box of cookies. Of course one must buy at least one box of Thin Mints or Samoas.

GSUSA and council 'ask for input' from the girls, then proceed to do exactly what they'd planned in the first place most of the time.

A position working for GS pays a good salary and great benefits. Girl Scouting is no longer for the girls, it has become a very lucrative business for the people employed by them.

They keep revamping the program, making it into more of a politically correct fuzzy feel good save the planet thing and less like scouting used to be. The days of pocket knives and canoeing and hiking are receding more and more into the past.

A few years ago, the Columbia River Council decided to close and sell Camp Arrowhead in Stevenson, Washington. The outcry and protesting caused them to reconsider their position and the camp is still open.

I support these girls who have decided not to sell cookies, it gets GSUSA in the pocketbook. The only language they really understand.


That comment was deleted really fast.

So I tried again. Toned it down a bit.

A few years ago, our local council tried to close and sell Camp Arrowhead. The ensuing outcry actually got council's attention, and the camp is still open.

Hitting the organization in the pocketbook is the only way to get their attention. It's important to note that GSUSA does not exist for the girls, it's a BUSINESS. And a lucrative one. The people employed by them make a lot of money and have excellent benefits.

I wholeheartedly support the girls who have made this decision.
Good for them!

That comment lasted as long as the first one.

Not sure why, but evidently they have a position and don't want to post anything that might tell the truth?

So screw you, KATU, here's the real scoop:

Girl Scouts USA and local councils are money grubbers. I'm a capitalist, I get it.

Capitalism is okay, as long as someone doesn't practice subterfuge with regard to the money grubbing. You know. LIE about their purpose.

Girl Scouts tries to make you think that scouting exists 'for the girls' when that's not true at all. GSUSA is a corporation, and corporations exist to make a profit. They can CALL themselves non-profit, but anyone who's been involved with the organization knows better.

It's bullshit.

They exist to make money, and a great deal of the money they make is earned by the girls they supposedly exist to serve. That four dollar box of cookies really does net the troop about sixty cents, and the rest of it goes to pay for council stuff.

They pretend to ask for input from the girls, then they proceed to do exactly what they want without regard to anything but the corporate bottom line.

Evidently, that's what KATU does, too.

So, KATU. Kiss my ass. Right in the puckered up middle.
(Thought about doing a google image search for that one... haha)