ThenNow

1 minute ago, vol_scouter said:

Michael Johnson was hired after serving as a detective investigating child abuse cases in Fort Worth.  I think he said a 20 year career so he is exactly who you wanted.

We also need a, “You missed the joke, my friend” emoji.  

22 minutes ago, MattR said:

As for clumsy leadership, the BSA hired one great person but, due to their constant lack of focus on what's important, they dropped the ball.

You mean Mr. Johnson? If so, I think they punted it over the fence and into the tar pit.

22 minutes ago, MattR said:

There were no numbers about how bad it is now, so I don't see that the sky is falling. If anything, that group of speakers believed in the mission of the BSA. Other than YP changes, the only suggestion I took was a change in leadership. But, that's my bias so maybe I'm just seeing what I want, just like everyone else.

Here’s my take, now that I’m somewhat recovered from the press conference. (It will take more than a couple therapy sessions to work that out, I’m certain of it.) Regardless how damning or not, sky falling or aloft, sour grapes or not, highly substantive or not, it happened and it looked, sounded, smelled and tasted rotten to the majority of the public who might view it. To survivors, you read some of our reactions and you will certainly hear and read more. “Pitching it over to you, TCC, up in the booth.” Net, net? BSA took a YUGE credibility hit in the bankruptcy, if not much more broadly. HEADLINES (not details). BSA is going to need to eat some road kill crow and wring its hands if it’s going to maintain any equilibrium in the case. That’s just what I think and feel. Maybe too much feeling, but can you blame me?

40 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

I think it gives more ammunition to the forces that think Chapter 7 is the right way to go.  Dissolve the organization and start over.

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.

1 minute ago, CynicalScouter said:

Oh, and he wasn't fired. It was layoffs due to budget cuts.

Let that sink in a second.

Quote

The Boy Scouts said his employment was terminated “as part of a difficult but necessary reduction in force” resulting from the bankruptcy restructuring. Like other eligible employees whose positions were eliminated, “Mr. Johnson was offered a severance package that, as standard practice, included a nondisclosure agreement and a nondisparagement clause,” the spokesman said.

Expand  

So, to be clear, that REALLY does seem to indicate he NEVER got replaced as YP director.

I guess that means they cut very close to the bone in all other nooks and crannies, leaving drilling into the marrow and sucking out the source of healthy blood production. Makes percent sense, er cents, to me.

21 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

 

@ThenNow ... could use your magic

https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-boy-scouts-head-of-abuse-prevention-says-group-is-still-unsafe-for-kids-11634066497

 

Workin on it…

2 minutes ago, MikeS72 said:

I watched as well, and that is not at all how I interpreted that comment.  I took it to be a response to not signing the NDA, and not talking about the problems he feels have not been dealt with adequately, not that someone at BSA tried to tell him not to cooperate with a discovery request.

I’ll view it again and hope for the transcript, but I agree that is a hop and a step from what I heard. I think he would’ve made a very specific allegation if he meant to say precisely that. My sense anyway.

26 minutes ago, skeptic said:

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.

Sorry. This is an absurd response and you just did what you begged me/us not to do. Those things are true in light of my history here, my telling everyone here I’m involved with CHILDUSA Advocacy, the fact that this is not a Child Sexual Abuse in Society forum, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

5 minutes ago, johnsch322 said:

I am supposed to be at work at 12PST already told them I will be 1 hour late.  Not sure if I can actually make it today.

I cancelled my 1:30 CT call and planned to run an errand. Not sure that’s happening either. 

9 minutes ago, johnsch322 said:

I cried a couple of times.  Quite sure there was more than just you and me.

Honestly? That was brutal. I feel like I just had 4 hours of intense trauma therapy. I’ve felt this way before in other contexts. One that comes to mind is reading my trauma-focused life “story” to a group of patients and staff in residential child trauma treatment. The treatment center had a focus on Eating Disorders. That was in 2012. I cried so much my notes became barely decipherable. I’m exhausted. 

1 minute ago, CynicalScouter said:

4 minutes ago, skeptic said:

I would suggest that the blinders that some are referring to, or the obfuscation of many indications of problems is common to not just BSA, but to our society as a whole.

Great, so it isn't BSA's fault it refuses to exercise sufficient oversight. They are a victim of society!

We are talking about BSA. Why must this deviate to the broader population to dilute and distract from the focus? That’s why we’re here, right?

7 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

The question is: will media pick this up or not and how much? This could be the lead story on CNN, and BSA's toast.

I sent the link to one of the top bankruptcy division chiefs in the country. I can almost 100% guarantee it.

6 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

Comment: "They [BSA] pushed him [Johnson] out."

Yep. He was fired/terminated. And that will be what BSA will run with: disgruntled former employee.

Good bloody luck with that, BSA. Anyone who reads the transcript, and especially if they watch the video, will conclude they are grasping at straws and/or a life preserver. 

Can we anticipate a speedy and easily available transcript? I’m thinking so without question.

I am by NO MEANS singling myself out here, but I have to say his mention of Eagle Scout BSA child sexual abuse survivors made me cry. I haven’t felt this validated in a long time. Maybe only when I allow myself to acknowledge that my wife and kids continue to love, trust, respect and welcome me. Yikes. Didn’t anticipate his combined passion, tears/vulnerability and tenacity. 

17 minutes ago, qwazse said:

Another harsh reality: if we really want to promote transparent reporting, we have to remove the threat of litigation. More carrots, fewer sticks.

“When carrots fail to work, get a bigger stick.” I think Teddy Roosevelt said that. Oh. Wait. That was ThenNow. Let attribution be given where attribution is due. Sorry Teddy. You’ll have to stick with the other stick with which you are eternally stuck. 

Incoming…

Michael-Johnson-Letter-to-Congress.pdf

26 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

If what he saying or what we suspect he’s going to say is true he should be walking into the Michigan Attorney General’s office or law enforcement.

He may already have done that. As we’ve both discussed, an AG investigation produces reports and they’re unlikely to holder a press conference or release a statement when they get a substantive piece of information one way or the other. “I’m not going to comment on an ongoing investigation...”

17 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

Same lyrics, just a slightly different tune.

One a New Orleans funeral march, the other a ridiculous circus calliope piece.

11 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

Deny. Conceal. Divert.

That’s insurance companies. I mean BSA.  

6 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

To me, those are the three immediate actions and it must come from the board not the current leadership.

You guys know the landscape and the historic MO of this operation in this context and many others. Do you think they do that with any measure of efficiency and sound judgment? I’ve not seen a lot that I would say meets my standards or what I would want and expect if I were on the board of such an enterprise. They seem to have “stupid in buckets,” as a buddy once said. (I’m so ripping off that line from this point until my dirt nap.)

7 hours ago, SiouxRanger said:

What background about "Anderson" can you provide?  Many may not understand the reference, nor do I.

https://www.andersonadvocates.com/?identifiers=kwd-39552198631%3Aloc-4125&Campaign=MA-Augurian-Search-Brand-USA&CampaignId=132797948&AdGroup=Jeff Anderson&AdGroupId=4554139401&AdId=81570058109454&Network=s&msclkid=b1f337c678db1efb001556a315cfe919&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MA-Augurian-Search-Brand-USA&utm_term=jeff anderson&utm_content=Jeff Anderson

1 minute ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

. 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.

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.

15 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

No matter what, this isn't good for the BSA.  How bad it ends up will really depend on the details that start coming out tomorrow.

Remember, this is no solo presser out of the clear blue. This is Jeff Anderson orchestrating the attendance, context, timing, publicity, presenters and to significant degree (I bet) directing content. Not his first ro-dee-o. 

46 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

the Stang

Because I’m me, I must call attention to this beautiful ‘typing too fast’ moment. “The Stang.” OMG I LOVE that!! Done. Write it in stone. The Fonz. The King. The Rock. The Stang. 

I’ve tried to perish the thought, but if this is indeed cataclysmic doesn’t it rather aid insurers in their coverage defense arguments, in or out of the bankruptcy? Not my mud puddle, so just wondering out loud in the dark.