Re: [Fwd: Lawsuit Against the BSA]

Dear Ed;
I found your posting to be refreshing and correct and somewhat
impossible.
While agreement on the substance of your posting is total, one cannot see the
literal value because of the almost total lack of facts available to discuss.
Youth protection should be discussed and I think that it has been brought a
bit out of the closet lately. The theory and practice of what adults should
do, what BSA policy is and is not and all the rest can and should be
discussed without end as there is a clear and present danger to youth today.
The case in question really cannot be intelligently discussed because
short of some rather sensational hack writing about it and the supposed
mouthings of what might charitably be termed "ambulance chasing shyster
scum," IMHO (sidebar: "How cold was it?" "So cold I saw a lawyer with his
hands in his own pockets.")
there just isn't much to go on.
Being a certified bigmouth, I would love to wade into this subject, but
until I have some facts to rant on, I must say that chewing on it would be
unproductive and could well be troublesome. Wild speculation and informed
dialogue are the same thing only in Congress.
There is no doubt that there are some serious questions raised by the
New York allegations. If and when we come into possession of the facts of
what actually happened is the time to discuss specifics. Until then,
generalities must be the rule, out of fairness to all parties.
The Youth Protection guidelines and regulations are not just to make us
look good and allay the fears of underwriters. They have been formulated for
the purpose of protecting the boys. (The whole reason for the program, the
boys) If they are ignored, you risk the very life of the child, as well as
the mental and physical well-being. Violate them or ignore them and you
deserve dishonorable dismissal because no matter how good you are at
Scoutcraft or other things, you have betrayed your trust. The difference you
make in the life of a child can be for evil as well as good, you can be as
damaging to a child as an abuser if you do not wish to be involved in youth
protection. You can be just as damaging if you think that youth protection is
hiding them from the real world inlieu of preparing them.
Its a tightwire we walk sometimes, but that is why we get the big bucks.

As always, I speak only for myself, regardless of the consequences. (And
the earth is flat.)
Patrick Driscoll Time flies like the wind but fruit flies like bannanas.
CM P244
Alamo Area Council

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