WASHINGTON, D.C.--The Bluebonnet Council of Girl Scouts will no longer cosponsor two sex education events organized by Planned Parenthood, reports the Waco Tribune-Herald. The move followed Baylor University Professor John Pisciotta's call for a boycott of the group's cookies. But Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International, says that Pisciotta prematurely ended the boycott.

"Our policies basically state that we do not take a position on issues like abortion," said Beth Vivio, council executive director. "We feel these are private matters that need to be discussed or determined by each family."  (Scott said this is a "pro-choice" position.) Vivio said some council members had opposed the Girl Scouts logo being part of brochures for the "Nobody's Fool" and "3R Coalition" sex education programs.

"As part of an organization whose mission is to help girls grow strong, some local Girl Scout councils may make girls and their families aware of the information and resources that are available to them on such matters," a statement from the board said. "In all instances, these topics are discussed from an informative rather than advocacy point of view."

Pisciotta said the change is a step in the right direction, but a complete break from Planned Parenthood is needed. "I hope they will do this and this whole thing can end." Vivio said it is possible that Girl Scouts will still make available information about sex education conferences like "Nobody's Fool." Girl Scouts had sponsored the program for many years, though it had not been widely publicized.

"I'm sick to think that an organization as illustrious as the Girl Scouts would make a decision based on one person's political agenda," said Pam Smallwood of Planned Parenthood of Central Texas. She accused Pisciotta of distributing misinformation about "Nobody's Fool," including quotations from sex education books that were taken out of context.

Pisciotta appeared on "The Today Show" with Girl Scout Chief Executive Officer Kathy Cloninger to discuss the boycott of the group's cookies. Cloninger said her group is "very disappointed that a citizen would use something as American icon as the Girl Scout cookie sale to really bully young girls into getting involved in an issue that has absolutely nothing to do with the mission of Girl Scouting, which is to help girls grow up strong and capable and to aspire to their highest ideals." Exactly who is responsible for forcing "young girls into getting involved in an issue that has absolutely nothing to do with the mission of Girl Scouting"? Is it not the same people who chose to associate with Planned Parenthood in the first place?

"We are very disappointed that an organization which considers its fund-raising program to be an American icon would associate itself with a group as un-American as Planned Parenthood," Scott said. "And it is an amazing coincidence that Cloninger uses the same rhetorical tricks as those employed by Planned Parenthood." Scott specifically referenced the use of the phrase "bullying young girls" in their effort to paint a mental image of a man harming children. The overall goal of the technique is to demonize Pisciotta and refocus the public away from the real issue--the group's choice to be associated with Planned Parenthood.

Cloninger noted that the decision has local ramifications only. "The Girl Scouts in Waco, Texas, really made a decision based on local community context. They decided that in this particular situation that it would be in the best interest of girls and their families to discontinue the relationship with Planned Parenthood." Cloninger said that girls "grow up with very complex issues facing them" and that her group addresses "the issues of human sexuality and body image and all of the things that girls are facing."

Cloninger said the Girl Scouts partner with many groups, such as with the pro-abortion YWCA. She said Girl Scouts relies on Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country "to bring information-based sex education programs to girls."

The Girls Scout's chief defended her group in a way that would make Hillary Clinton proud. "It's really impossible for girls to grow up in today's society without having access to good information. And so we will continue to partner with organizations across this nation and local community Girl Scouts will make decisions based on...the local needs of both the girls and their families," Cloninger said.

While Pisciotta had initially said a complete break from Planned Parenthood was needed, he accepted Cloninger's statement and declared an end to the boycott of Girl Scout cookies. Pisciotta even encouraged the national television audience to buy Girl Scout cookies. "This is unfortunate because it is clear that the tie between Girl Scouts and Planned Parenthood continues," Scott said.

"Are we really satisfied with identifying which local scout groups are or are not associated with Planned Parenthood? Are we happy that the leadership at Girl Scouts has made an association with Planned Parenthood a local decision?," Scott asked. "We will be throwing to the wolves those children who reside in the areas where there is an association with the ungodly group. A change in policy from the top that completely eliminates any association with Planned Parenthood is the only real solution to the problem. Anything less is unacceptable."

Ellen Christie, a Girl Scout's spokesman, offered additional insight: "We are not a Judeo-Christian or religious organization at all. We never have been. We've always been a spiritually-based movement." Scott responded: "This is interesting rhetoric, but exactly what kind of spirit is the movement based on?"

Christie said Girl Scouts does not discriminate and welcomes lesbian girls and scout leaders. She also said it does not take a position on sex education or abortion. "Nonsense," Scott replied. "When you allow Planned Parenthood into your midst you are taking a position on sex education and abortion."

When Girl Scouts began to go down the wrong path it became clear that an alternative was needed. American Heritage Girls (AHG) was founded in 1995. It describes itself as "a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country." AHG offers merit badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities and outdoor experiences. AHG calls itself a "program of character building" and has served thousands of girls since its inception.

ACTION: Write to Ms. Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA, 420 - 5th Ave., New York, New York 10018-2798. Phone: 1-800-478-7248 or (212) 852-8000.

INFORMATION: American Heritage Girls, 130 Tri-County Pkwy., Ste. 202, Cincinnati, OH 45246. Phone: (513) 771-2025. Website: ahgonline.org.