Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Don't Make Me Yell at You

Unless you get accosted at a booth set up outside of your local supermarket, the 2006 Girl Scout Cookie Sale is over – so today’s thoughts arrive a little late. Still, Itchy was talking today (amongst other things) about Andy Rooney’s recent whine about Girl Scout Cookies and it got me riled up. So I thank you in advance for indulging me.

Nevermind the artificial colors, flavorings, and preservatives. You're going to find that in any cookie unless you make it yourself, Andy, so hush up about that. Bottom line is, we all love Girl Scout Cookies, right? Maybe you have a few you don’t care for as much as others, but I’m confident in saying that if you don’t like at least one kind of these sweet little confections, there’s something innately wrong with you. I mean, come on. Decadent peanut butter patties. Caramelly-good Samoas. Simplistically perfect Shortbread Trefoils. Cooling thin mints, the quintessential #1 best seller. Just to name a few.

In short … COOKIES!!! What’s not to like?

Yes, they’re pretty pricey for what you get – especially some of them where you only get maybe 15 in a box. And if you’re on a diet, by all means you’re allowed to resist a purchase. But otherwise, listen up. If you want cheap cookies you can go to Wal-Mart and buy 5 times as many for the price, sure - but please don’t gripe about Girl Scout Cookies being a gyp. These girls aren’t trying to rip you off. They’re selling cookies to earn money so their troop can buy supplies for community service projects and so they can take some field trips and go camping.

Do they get a whole lot of the proceeds? No, not really. But it’s more than that. They’re also learning responsibility, communication and follow-through skills by participating in the cookie drive. They’d appreciate it if you kept your bellyaching to yourself and show a little encouragement for what they’re doing.
No, this is not a picture of me.
Somewhere along the line, Scouting became thought of as nerdy, which is a damn shame. Scouting teaches kids about friendship and loyalty and honor. It helps develop them into good people and keeps them out of trouble. They gain skills in teamwork and community service and putting others’ needs before their own. Buying cookies is investing in these girls’ futures. Next time you want to open your mouth to complain about the Girl Scout “cookie racket”, just remember that.

Stop at that booth. Answer the door when they knock.
Buy some cookies.

(And if any of you smartypantses out there say anything
about eating a Brownie I’ll kick your butt ;D.)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Heh heh heh...
I got a picture for ya.


http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1760/3/74/59/3/72/4/472035974303_0_ALB.jpg

Itchy said...

Aww man! I remember the little outfit well. I loved being a Scout...but more than anything...I love them darn cookies!!! Who can resist a Tagalong? Stupid Andy Rooney...

Not this time said...

You glazed over it a bit, but I'm allowed to obstain because of my diet, yeah?
I didn't buy girl scout cookies this year, because every year I buy a frillion boxes and eat them in three hours.

Martie said...

Great post, Clew! Let's all support the Scouting movement.....and we don't have to buy those wonderful cookies to do it either. Have you ever heard of emotional support and they do ask for other things such as canned goods for food drives, newspapers for paper drives, etc.

bigwhitehat said...

If Andy Rooney bothers you, you have a skin condition. Thin skin that is.

I have swatted flies that were more significant than him.

My word verification was, "utuclew." Spooky.

Cheryl said...

Let me know when the Girl Scouts shut those booths down. It's not safe to go to grocery shopping, doggon it!

Excuse me. I have to go ignore the Samoas that are calling my name...

Lori said...

Hey, any Girl Scout that approaches me gets my money. And anytime kids are selling something for an organization, you have to look at it as a donation as much as anything. Working at a school, buying wrapping paper, pies, raffle tickets, holiday greenery, decals for your window, sponsoring Jump Rope for Heart, etc. etc. etc....is all part of it. I'm a softie when they come around because I remember what it was like as a child myself. Are you a sweet-faced child with something to sell? Stop at my place. There's no way I'm going to turn you down!

Joy said...

I was deprived wearing a girl scout uniform, but it doesn't stop me from buying a box of cookies. Give me a box of Samoas and I'll be a happy girl for the rest of the day. :D

Michelle said...

Remember how I told you that we had to make six dozen cookies for last Friday's play? Well one mom brought in all kinds of Girl Scout Cookies. I stole the Thin Mints and ate the whole box while we were setting up. I burped mint for two days. YUMMY!

*** said...

Thank goodness for those little ladies doing their booth sales at the local grocery stores. No one ever comes to my house selling! If only they knew the sales they're missing out on with me!

juanitagf said...

Andy Rooney is annoying! Girl Scout cookies are the very best, especially the PB ones and the Thin Mints!

i used to be me said...

Andy Rooney looks to me like he's enjoyed his share of girlscout cookies. What an old curmudgeon!
I love them, myself. Except those new cafe flavor.

Anonymous said...

Hey,

I love Girl Scout cookies! My favorites are thin mints, lemon creme, and peanut butter. Yum! :)

Take care,

bf