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Showing content with the highest reputation on 05/09/22 in Posts

  1. I know there often is a back and forth about suicide. Some say it's the ultimate selfish act by the one who lost the battle. Others who know the anguish understand it CAN be a severe mercy. I DO NOT condone or encourage self harm of any kind and certainly not the most extreme. I share these thoughts as someone who has been there. I thought everyone would be better off, including me, in my mortal coil absence. It seemed merciful to all involved, which of course is distorted and doesn't account for the good or the potential for healing, forgiveness, restoration, redemption and love that "covers
    4 points
  2. There's a third option, not at all volitional. I did not come to a place of factors allowing me to share. I had hinted, but never disclosed to anyone other than the girl I dated who was abused by her father, along with her twin sister. Even then, the words were few. In my case, the factors wrenched from me the box I had been desperately clutching to my chest. A box of "dark and dangerous treasures" which had been poisoning me from the inside out for 30 years. In a very real sense and more accurately, the infectious box finally ate its way out of me in true Alien fashion. My body couldn't
    3 points
  3. The issue both he and I highlighted was the fact that BSA at all levels "knew or should of known" the imminent threat of CSA throughout the organization. The documented knowledge of that irrefutable evidence created/creates a gimme case of negligence under the law. The "knew or should of known" element was NOT ONLY regarding disconnected, diffuse incidents in many locations over 10 decades, but it illustrated in great detail, among other things: 1. Repeat patterns of grooming; 2. Behaviors and indicia of both abusers and high risk Scouts; 3. High vulnerability and easy access wi
    2 points
  4. Looking over that precipice, if only for a few moments, is terrifying. Fortunately, most do draw back and with luck they come to grips in other ways. For me, my losest points have often drawn words into a journal of verse and essay. And rereading things from years back frightens me on occasion, but also makes me realize that hope can still be nourished. I am fortunate to have somehow developed a personal spirituality and am grateful for having been guided to that place by some important people in my life when I was at the low point. And they in turn were able to help me reconnect with the
    2 points
  5. An important issue. It is considered part of the human reaction to trauma. Think of it as part of the "fight or flight mechanism." Something so awfully traumatic is buried so that the mind doesn't have to deal with it again and the resulting impacts. Another way to look at it is not the lack of emotional strength but the absolute strength to keep it inside where the victim has some degree of perceived control over it. What we see then, over time, are the coming together of many factors that "allow" the abuse to be shared. For many that's just plain losing the desire or ability to hold it
    2 points
  6. This is a really big misunderstanding about the relationship between BSA's legal troubles and the IV files. The files aren't the reason that BSA is in trouble. BSA is in trouble because tens of thousands of boys and young men were sexually assaulted and brutalized while and because they participated in Boy Scouts. Most of the attackers were not in the files, most of them were not found out at the time. You don't need any kind of files when you have living witnesses who can testify about what was done to them and by whom. The absence or presence of files doesn't change the facts of t
    2 points
  7. Well, I am going to have to do a better job proofing. Or just turn in my teaching credential. 🙃 Of course, since I am retired, I do not use it anyway.
    1 point
  8. Does seem a bit ungrateful to complain about what you get when nothing is owed. If friendly with the council peeps, I'd say so respectfully. We want to help and especially now, but that kind of response is off putting and certainly I'll think twice about doing this in the future. Not everyone will speak up and say so, if you're doing this routinely - I'd consider you're doing yourself more harm than good. An effusive "thank you" and highlighting the support in a newsletter or round table would generate a lot more benefit than dickering for an extra 10%. That said, it's easy to imagine
    1 point
  9. It is I. Do you have a specific question? I believe we discussed this topic back then, though in a fairly combative exchange. You pointed to this "failure to disclose" being a major hitch in the process giddy up, stating I bore some responsibility for remaining mum. Happy to try over if there's something I can add.
    1 point
  10. We never sent any Troop fundraising money to council. We do camp cards & popcorn & they get their share of that. We also allow a FOS rep to come & give his presentation to the parents at COH or Blue & Gold. Whether they give is up to them. I do let the parents know ahead of time that a FOS rep will be there on that night and they can give, or not, as they feel led. If I had offered the council FOS a gift from our Troop fundraiser and got that kind of response, I would have rescinded the gift if possible. If I couldn't rescind it, I would make sure they knew that we wouldn'
    1 point
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