Re: Bobcat inversions
Bob Haar (rhaar@ALBERT.CS.GMR.COM)
Tue, 9 Nov 1993 10:42:31 EST
> From: "Settummanque, the blackeagle" <waltoml@WKUVX1.WKU.EDU>
>
> The Bobcat "inversion" (where I was turned upside down by my parents
> and the Cubmaster placed the metal Bobcat pin on me, then turned me upside
> right and the pin is upside down until I completed a good turn) IS HAZING.
>
Mike,
This statement is wrong. There may be some risk and National may have
banned the inversion, but none of the Bobcat "inversions" that I have
seen or ehard about can be called hazing.
The Webster's Ninth Collegiatt Dicitionary that I have in front
of me defines hazine as "harassing by unnecessary or disagreeable
work, or by banter, ridicule or criticism." To which I would add
the implication of physical pain or discomfort.
At all the Bobcat ceremonies I have seen, the boys very much wanted
and enjoyed being turned upside down. The only injuries were when a
parent was careless with the pin and stuck his/her son. Beyond that,
the biggest danger was that the people hold the boy upside down
might drop him.
The cermony was discussed ahead of time with the Bobcats and
their parents. It was stressed that it was voluntary and that
anyone who didn't want to or had a medical problem could choose
to not be turned over. This option was taken by a few boys
with no teasing by the others and no bad feelings. Other than these
few, the rest were very eager to be inverted for the pinning.
Many of them had seen older brothers go through the ceremony
and wanted the same experience.
I have not seen anything about a ban by National. I believe your
statements about it, but the news has not reached us at the unit
level.
But I can easily believe that National has made such a decision
given the recent history of CYA actions that have little
to do with real risks, only the public perceptions and the
threat of law suits.
- Bob
Bob Haar
Chartered Organization Representative, Troop and Pack 188
BSA, Clinton Valley Council, Pontiac, Michigan, USA.
Chippewa Lodge #29, WWW
email: rhaar@gmr.com (InterNet)
rhaar@aol.com (America OnLine)
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