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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/12/21 in Posts

  1. I don't think anyone said that. What they said is that we shouldn't just do weekly meetings and eliminate the outdoor program. Honestly, scouting without an outdoor program is not scouting ... its school. So why continue? Risk management is not eliminating all risks. It is mitigating them while still ensuring the program/process/product can continue. My son downhill skis. Yes, he can die. He could get seriously injured. He wears safety equipment and skis within his ability ... but there is still the risk. The ski club makes me sign a wavier to tell me of the risks. My
    8 points
  2. As you to which you allude, it was a stupid decision. He should have been one of the very last to go before turning off the lights for the final time.
    6 points
  3. Um ... really. You laid off your Director of Youth Protection while in bankruptcy due to issues with youth protection? Um ... ok. I am just laughing right now .... I just. I hope there is more to the story.
    5 points
  4. If we cannot instill character in the program then it is no longer Scouting. Unlike you appear to be, I am confident that outside experts and experienced volunteers can modify programs to make a safe environment.
    4 points
  5. QUIT ATTRIBUTING WORDS TO ME THAT I DID NOT SAY!!! He did a fine job with Youth Protection and was a champion. In my discussions with him, he did not understand that the experiences in the Scouts BSA program were to build character so he had difficulty in understanding what elements needed to be retained with a new way to protect youth rather than cutting it. It is not an excuse. I was the one advocating external academic researchers to continuously study the program. I agree with outside observers and did not say otherwise. You do not have the only valid viewpoint.
    4 points
  6. Not replacing MJ with another external CSA expert is a disaster of a decision. It is fueling the anger in each of these speeches. If MJ wasn't working out, they should have hired a new CSA external expert. This was a major unforced error. This ignores everything else and assumes firing MJ was the correct move. This was under Mosby and he should be dismissed due that move regardless of anything else. There may be more reasons, but I feel that is enough.
    4 points
  7. Not really, in this sense: The plan was going down in flames anyway. This just reaffirms it. The TCC was going to demand tougher YP standards. This just reaffirms it. Johnson may (or may not) have gotten subpoenaed, now he 100% will get deposed by like EVERYONE. The TCC wanted $1.5 billion? Yep. That just got more likely. Where it comes in the longer term, post-bankruptcy The bankruptcy covers claims prior to February 2020. All future claims? Johnson is their star witness. As I noted and Kosnoff put it better: he'll be in depositions for the rest of his life.
    3 points
  8. Thank you for contributing and sharing this info! I really think having external CSA experts with experienced scouters working on change is a great approach. There are aspects of the program that are critical. External experts may not realize that so hopefully they can help provide solutions within the framework of the program. I could imagine that is a tough balance at times.
    3 points
  9. 3 points
  10. Credibility - that will be the issue today. If the "star witness" comes across as sincere and has a ton of supporting documents, e-mails and other persons who back his statements, it will likely be a devastating blow to the BSA. If it turns out that there has been an effort to falsify information or hide the extent of the youth protection issue, the BSA stands to lose not only external credibility but also internal support. If the BSA is to survive, it must be prepared to make a compelling case that statistics show the program is safe and they are committed to youth protection. They
    3 points
  11. Perhaps the report later today will be a nothing burger. Perhaps BSA YP is strong. I'm not ready to buy into the report until I hear it along with the evidence. If MJ is correct, then BSA's response won't matter as I expect the organization will fade away. It is actually more important they act if they believe there are no issues. This will be a PR crisis and risk the settlement that was already at high risk. The BSA board needs to take immediate action. As ThenNow stated, the truth will eventually come out; however, you also need to deal with the immediate damage. This isn't
    3 points
  12. Truth wins out over impure or questionable motive, especially when a bombshell lands in the hands of people eager to magnify, disseminate, leverage and propagate the choice morsels. We shall see.
    3 points
  13. @RememberSchiff's sarcasm or maybe better labeled dry wit can easily be missed, so don't feel bad.
    2 points
  14. Honestly, I think it primarily shifts the full force of leverage back to the TCC, where it rightfully belongs (imnsho). It utterly validates what it has been saying and likely assists in tanking the current Plan, opening wide the door to TCC 1.0.
    2 points
  15. Yes, it can be tough to find that balance but it can be achieved. Victor Vieth who was part of the press conference has been very helpful in being strict with policies to protect children while preserving the vital program elements.
    2 points
  16. So one day we had a conversation of why there should even be an outdoor program as it would be easier to protect children in just weekly meetings. So we should have just ditched the outdoor program? No, we needed to improve our methods to protect children in the activities.
    2 points
  17. The many speakers did talk about other organizations. However, they emphasized that BSA is a higher risk organization for youth because you have men taking young boys for extended overnight outings. They also said that older youth (15-17) is the age when pedophilia begins. BSA should be screening older youth more for those risk factors. They also said boys are taught to be tough and many times boys translate that to being silent. Finally, the pedophiles are known to utilize religious aspects of organizations to harm children. So, the BSA is a mix of these that makes them much more risky
    2 points
  18. Yes, recorded...you can watch later...it's just over an hour long. https://www.andersonadvocates.com/boy-scouts-of-america-is-not-a-safe-place-for-children-today-congress-must-take-immediate-action/
    2 points
  19. I cried a couple of times. Quite sure there was more than just you and me.
    2 points
  20. I sent the link to one of the top bankruptcy division chiefs in the country. I can almost 100% guarantee it.
    2 points
  21. America needs the ideal of scouts BSA & every kid should participate in scouting. If you know me, it is not about ending scouting. We need oversight that is independent to make scouting safer. He mentioned scouters ... you know me, I want scouting to continue, it just is not safe right now.
    2 points
  22. There will be a lot of Cub families that will walk away. Not because they have something to hide, but rather they cannot afford the fees that BSA will be charging in order to do the CBC. I see the 72 Hour rule as a result of Cub Scouts, not Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, and Venturing. And BSA will definitely need top change the parent policy, which will make it seem like we are hiding something. As for my troop, the only time non-registered adults camp with us is A. Webelos visiting with their parents and B. Parent who has submitted Application (which includes CBC authorization), has completed
    2 points
  23. My ex wife had to go to the RCMP in Canada for a background check before she was allowed to go on an overnight with our daughters Girl Scout/Girl Guide troop. And we paid for it out of our pocket.
    2 points
  24. That is how our GSUSA Troops do it. There is 0% chance I can be near the kids without registering.
    2 points
  25. Not really...we do this, for overnighters. Wanna camp out with us? Gotta have a background check...
    2 points
  26. I'm not sure there is a smoking gun, but he does bring up valid concerns. Overall, the only "inside baseball" that could turn out bad for the BSA: - 72 hour rule .. if BSA didn't follow their Youth Protection expert, why? It would be good to see their internal discussions. My guess is upsetting volunteers which probably won't look good. - Known offenders having access to kids ... really bad if true. Really, really bad. - 50% of abuse is from other youth ... that has started to be an increased focus, but I don't know if BSA ever made this public. Also, some scouting orgs
    2 points
  27. Obviously we will need to let this play out. I've seen much, much lower level individuals come out with claims after being laid off including calling regulatory agencies. Most of the time that was just false acquisitions (or misleading statements) made by an upset individual. Clearly other times they are completely legitimate. We will have to wait and see. 1) We don't know for sure who this is and the timeframe it is based on. 2) We don't know what evidence the individual has and if it is opinion based or evidence based (or some combo) 3) If it is someone that recently lef
    2 points
  28. We need an up vote emoji for "I see what you did there"
    1 point
  29. And that, in a nutshell, is the biggest blind spot for scouters and scouting. "He doesn't really understand Scouting, therefore..." Let me tell you this. The people who really DID "understand Scouting" got the organization into this mess because they were MORE focused on Scouting and its reputation and brand and LESS about the safety of scouts. I WANT an outsider. I agree with Johnson: this cronyism of scouters and insiders leading the parade drove BSA into a ditch. There needs to be OUTSIDERS or else you are just going to get the BSA groupthink of "we are great, we are per
    1 point
  30. As far as recognizing the award, that is most appropriately done at that Scout's place of worship. But, that is up to the Scout. Ask them how and where they want it presented.
    1 point
  31. BSA does not sell the awards...and it depends on the award. Most Christian awards are available at https://www.praypub.org/ You may have to establish an account there to purchase. Some religious organizations may order them as well. Which award is it, may I ask?? You can get the religious emblem knot at your Scout store, though... item 5007, for $1.99 https://www.scoutshop.org/youth-religious-award-knot-5007.html That depends on your unit policies for purchase of awards...
    1 point
  32. That specific poster has a history of doing exactly that.
    1 point
  33. Some of you must be really good with knot tying, and even better with splicing with the way you twist things to make yourselves seem the only ones with valid views. And yes, while this is regarding BSA, the issues extend beyond them, and if that is not important to you as well, then you need to step back and reexamine. Your inuendo and often insulting responses is juvenile and very narrow, as well as hints at actual vengence. Please do not embarrass yourselves further.
    1 point
  34. This is devastating ... Mosby should be walked out today. It is not just MJ ... there are others coming out right now. Edit: To be fair, I was never a Mosby fan and thought he was a poor Chief Scout, so I would have walked him out a year ago ... so that may influence my opinion.
    1 point
  35. Right, think about what he is saying: "BSA should only have to report data on sexual abuse of children if it gets civil immunity." That's insane. Without the threat of civil litigation, BSA would still be doing what it had been doing: hide, obfuscate, deflect. And just as a reminder to @qwazse: if it has NOT been for civil litigation (and in particular the case in Oregon), BSA would NEVER have been forced to admit to the IV files, much less released parts of them UNDER COURT ORDER so we could have even the hint of what was going on with BSA and child sexual abuse. Civil litigati
    1 point
  36. Litigation is the only reason that BSA has even acknowledged a problem. Without litigation everything would be set back to 100 years ago. PS of all the statements I have read this might be the most ludicrous. Is there a trophy for that?
    1 point
  37. @CynicalScouter, I think my comment went over your head, so I will clarify. You stated there were 3 options specifically: And you would be : My comment is that the Patrol Method circa 1910 to 2012 is already dead. Option 1 is not acceptable. Option 2, Modifying the Patrol Method occurred from 2012 to 2018, and scout on Scout abuse occurred. Patrols camping on their own ended in 2012 and were only allowed day activities up until 2018. IMHO modification does not necessarily mean splitting the program, as that was tried once in the 1950s and did not work (Explorer Scouts anyo
    1 point
  38. Another nail in the Patrol Method coffin. Patrol Method works best with mature role models. Prepubescent scout are not mature enough for a mature program. Barry
    1 point
  39. Taking his recommendations of limiting age ranges in contact with each other also probably means splitting the scouts BSA program into 11-14 youth and 15-18 aged youth, similar to the scouts and venture scouts groupings in other countries.
    1 point
  40. Personally now that this has been announced I am not surprised that it is Anderson and Associates who MJ has chosen to help him. They are a well respected firm in the CSA arena and definitely not a wall street backed mass tort firm. I believe this will totally damage the BSA's and Coalition lawyers expectation of a faster pennies on the dollar settlement. Hooray!!
    1 point
  41. So, I read his 12 recommendations. In short, as I've said and others; the BSA cannot be trusted. OUTSIDE folks with NO BSA connections (no more insiders) need to be put in charge or have oversight power over this process. A lot of this tracks with the USA Gymnastics resolution: outside experts, outside committee of victims and experts, etc. No more hand picked BSA people telling BSA what they want to hear: everything is fine.
    1 point
  42. Michael Johnson is new board member of the zero abuse project. Announced Friday last week. https://www.zeroabuseproject.org/zero-abuse-project-appoints-three-new-board-members/ Michael Johnson (Detective Mike) is an internationally recognized expert on all aspects of child abuse and exploitation and specializes in abuse investigation, detection, and prevention efforts for organizations serving youth. An early pioneer and visionary in the field, Johnson was at the forefront of promoting the multidisciplinary team investigative approach and the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) movemen
    1 point
  43. Hmmm...It was MJ who tried to skewer me in an email back in 2019 when I pointed out 1) widespread confusion with and implementation of the 72-hour policy, 2) inconsistency in application of the "registered leader" policy, and 3) incoherence of a 2-deep policy that did not extend to MB Counselors. He cc'ed my SE on the return email, and my SE subsequently removed me from all District and Council positions to try to silence me. The SE said he did so under the guise of addressing my outspoken efforts to drive transparency in council finances... Of course, he retained me as one of his usefu
    1 point
  44. Right but as you point out it’s not the substance of the report it’s the media and public relations nightmare. A substantial report that identifies continued lapses in youth protection is going to get the interests of a variety of different people. We already know at least one Attorney General is looking into this. but even in insubstantial report that doesn’t contain much new or interesting it’s going to be taken a lot more seriously when and if it’s coming out of the mouth of the former head of youth protection. What I also I think is interesting is references to nondisclosure
    1 point
  45. Some casedoc links BSA Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Court Dockets (in order of most recent to first) with Search Documents tool https://cases.omniagentsolutions.com/documents?clientid=CsgAAncz%2b6Yclmvv9%2fq5CGybTGevZSjdVimQq9zQutqmTPHesk4PZDyfOOLxIiIwZjXomPlMZCo%3d&tagid=1153 Official Form 201: Voluntary Petition for Non-Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy, filed 2/18/2020 https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/799024_Boy Scouts of America - 20-10343.pdf Debtor (BSA) Information Brief (history of BSA program, youth protection, abuse claims
    1 point
  46. Mike Johnson was very briefly my SE. From what others told me who worked with him more, he is a "straight shooter" who cleaned up a lot of messes his predecessor created. On the face of it, it does not look good. But as others have mentioned, if he was fired and "screwed out of his pension" that will hurt his testimony as it will appear vindictive.
    1 point
  47. I would think that you are correct if what Michael Johnson has to say is as salacious as the advertisement alludes. The insurance companies could say that the BSA acted in a manner that violated the terms of the policies thus removing their obligations to cover the cases. This is starting to look increasingly more likely that the BSA will have to convert to a Chapter 7 with the local councils following suit with their own Chapter 11 or 7. The insurors will say that they are not longer liable and most of the churches have little. It does not seem to me that this will gain much for the
    1 point
  48. Please don't make me laugh so hard. You give answers that are basically saying why you can not give a straight answer to a question. I do care about current and future youth and have never said that I wish for BSA to go away. I will say though that if BSA did go away then there will be other organizations to fill in the void and I doubt there will be lives lost or current scouters who become so traumatized that they have to enter psych wards, take neurotransmitters, have failed lives where they can not connect within relationships, issues with authority etc. etc. because of it
    1 point
  49. An article from The Conversation today: Sexual abuse survivors are voting on the Boy Scouts bankruptcy settlement: 5 questions answered https://theconversation.com/sexual-abuse-survivors-are-voting-on-the-boy-scouts-bankruptcy-settlement-5-questions-answered-168337
    1 point
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