The Importance of Complaining
jay.thal (jay.thal@TCS.WAP.ORG)
Sat, 30 Jan 1999 18:09:34 -0500
Does the rooster cause the sun to rise? The answer is, obviously, no.
But, only perhaps, there may be a connection between writing to National
with a complaint and forthcoming action, or at least an apology.
Over the past two days I’ve received two letters from National.
One, from the Magazine Division, announced that:
“BOYS’ LIFE will no longer accept advertising for “Laser Pointers”
effective with the April 1999 issue.”
I had, earlier, pointed out the health and safety risks from misuse, and
the sadistic recommendation in one ad: “Drive The Cat Nuts!!”
(They did not comment about ads for types of knives which seem to have
no relationship to program needs.)
The other was an apology, from Irving, TX, rather than North Carolina,
regarded the Supply Division’s dropping its (IMO - minimal)
representation of Scouts with disAbilities from the 1999 Catalog.
Irving stated:
“We should have been more proactive regarding this important segment of
our membership.
“We did, as you point out, begin to use models with disabilities a few
years back. this was done not to be politically correct, but rather to
visually show that Scouting is for everyone. ...
“Let me assure you, we will again be more conscientious in future
promotions of visually depicting that Scouting is for everyone.”
[The new SM Handbook ONLY depicts Scout inclusion only on the two pages
(130 & 131) where Special Needs are discussed; and, in the new Boy Scout
Handbook on pages 342 & 402 (from the same photo shoots). No disAbled
adults are depicted.]
Anyway, the message is: “Make your complaints known.” - with a copy to
the CSE! Volunteers should lead, the professionals should follow.
YiWWSWd,
Jay Thal
