Rick Talbert

Thanks for the explanations, both here and in the e-mails. I was probably being a little over dramatic when I said, I didn't know if I would get my son involved with an org. that handled problems in this manner. I am really not the type to judge an entire organization that I have always had a positive opinion of, based on one bad story. I did want to express how something like this can look to an outsider such as myself, and how this SM's attitude can hurt the perception of the org. as a whole. I understand that we are only hearing one side, but this lady seems to have been very open and honest and expressed this situation with great detail and concern, and I don't think she has been unfair in her evaluation. It appears that the "other side" is unwilling to express (even to her) his reasonning.

As was pointed out, the BSA's "chain of command" so to speak may be set up a little differently than I assumed, with little accountability to the national scope. But as (I think I) understand it, the BSA sets the roadmap that the scout follows to attain his Eagle Scout title. It certainly would be a shame in my opinion if this young man has done all that was required and is blocked from this goal due to what sounds like a personality conflict with one person. To me, these types of situations should be researched some, by those running the BSA. Regardless of the fact that the org. is run by volounteers who answer to a more local district or whatever. The BSA should not be so disconnected from its membership, not to be concerned with problems on a grassroots level. If there is a possible bad apple in the ranks acting as a representative of the BSA, then the BSA should at the least make a phone call to whoever is in charge of that region and request that he look into the complaint. And it is true that life is not always fair. Ussually it is not fair, that is a tough and disheartening lesson to learn. Sometimes life throws you lemons. But fairness should be a goal when an organization is dealing with youngsters where in there is an implication that rewards are based on merit and documented work. Not to change the subject, but I am finding only one cub scout troop in my area, and no boy scout troops. I am going to send an e-mail to the leader of this troop, about the possibility of my son joining up. I think scouting is right up his alley. Could there be other cub scout and boy scout troops that are not listed for some reason?

I just found this site this evenning. I have a six year old son who I think would enjoy getting involved with the cub scouts, so I was trying to research this possibility. Something caused me however to click on this thread and I began reading, and reading, and reading. I felt the need to post from an outsider's perspective, what I feel about this lady and her son's problem after reading several, but not all of the pages here. First it appears to me, (and I may be wrong)that many of you posting here are deeply involved with this organization and I am sure some of you hold some managerial positions with the BSA. This lady and this young man need help, not red tape and a bunch of hoops to jump through. Looks to me like they have been getting the run around. What I have read of the conduct of this "SM" and the trouble this young man has had, it does not shed a positive light at all on the BSA. Some of the powers that be should take note of this situation and resolve this conflict and have a little talk with the SM. This family and this young man have undoubtedly made many sacrifices and have been committed to and supportive of this organization for many years. To think of what this young man had to put in to get to the point he is now, in and of itself deserves something in return from the organization. I had envisioned the BSA as a very positive organization that builds these kids up, not one that tears them down and obstructs their path towards their goals. If this kid was having trouble, he should have been helped, not "taught a lesson" by denying him the goal he has pursued for many years. Gimme a break. To be honest this story makes me a little sick and a little angry. Not sure if I want to get my son involved if problems such as these occur and go unhandled by the org. My father always had good memories of scouting and told wonderful stories. But it is grassroot leaders such as this SM who really hurt what should be a positive reputation. I don't care if the kid made a mistake in judgement at 2 o clock in the morning at some camping trip. Get over it. He is a kid. Kids sometimes do stupid things, that does not make them bad kids. What creates "bad kids" is when adults continually and outwardly express the opinion that they are a "bad kid". The kid will eventually give up on himself and accept that role. This young man's life is just beginning and the BSA is gonna kick it off this way? He is gonna remember this and its gonna shape not only how he views himself, but how he views the organization. This is the Boy Scouts for crying out loud, not even the Marine Corps are this a-nal retentive.