ThenNow

Ha! Right? I still have my dad’s, but he had such a tiny bean I can’t get it on my big noggin, other than like a yarmulke. (Forgive me if that is in any way disrespectful. Hope not.)

This is not me picking yet another nit, rather speaking to others for whom masculinity has never been a place of refuge or a safe place. Maybe I’m alone. I never found it a shadow to step into as a way to avoid exposure. I found it uncomfortable and unnatural, which created a whole other stigma; going against the grain of the expected. I have never been a man’s man, exuding or wanting to exude machismo. I have always been more inclined to deep conversation and emotional vulnerability. I haven’t alway been fully self-disclosing, of course, but that was shame-based and not related to any projected image. There are many reasons those among us have not stepped forward. I grant any and all reasons as valid. But for some, we have torn ourselves inside out for years and paid a whole other price for it. Abandonment. Magnified shame. Further self-condemnation and I could drone on and on. I’ll spare everyone...for now.

I agree as to all. But, do I need to wear a funny pink hat and ride a bus? I’m phobic on both fronts. Thank you. Back at ya.

I say again and invite joinders: ”...I have a long memory. I can be strategically patient. I was abused in three states, lived in seven. I have contacts in each. I know people [including in politics and media]. I can raise money. I will fight...” I spoke with CHILDUSA about all of this not too long after the case was filed. They had an astute observation. Paraphrasing, they told me, “Boy Scouts is, and has been historically, buttressed and populated by titans of industry, government and philanthropy. They have been insulated and protected. It’s no mystery why this has gone unchallenged for so long.” I don’t disagree.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind mine doing it, but he eschews Twitter in favor of betting on vintage episodes of Hollywood Squares, Who's Line Is It Anyway and the Dating Game. There's an app for that. Jk. But seriously, he's a force. Look how much he's discussed here. Force of nature, legal clout or his wealth and leisure. Maybe all of the above. He's also speaking for and to "his" (someone's?) clients. Having a firebrand isn't bad unless they shoot off their foot and your head with it. Don't ask me to explain the positional physics of that. It just sounded cool. I don't see how his angering or disparaging the "court" (aka, judge) does any harm to his clients at this point. I used to think it harmed them and me, but I've lost my religion. Not generally, but you feel me. Remember, he has a self interest in the outcome and I doubt he would be want to retract the downpayment on the next art collection or that Gulfstream G550. He's a man you love to hate and hate to love. I would take him as my attorney, but my current guy works cheap and would be very sad.

This was wonderfully discussed and debated back when I had dark hair and didn’t need trifocals. I think Qwaze, Cynical, ynot and Fred (?) were the most engaged. Not p-positive on all four. Oh. Perhaps Mr. Lambert, too. I was, but I’m now weary, old and gray and don’t remember what I said. I seem to have run out of Geritol. I inherited my gampa’s bottle. Maybe someone can link back to those days of hail and thunder?

I connected with several on this months ago. Other than reporting what’s been said in the pleadings — now in my favorite takeaway carton — they’ve been reluctant to touch it. I gather they’re waiting for something more definitive on the composition of the various attorney groups and the background info we hoped would/will be the result of the TK depo. I offered to take a couple with me to Puerto Rico on the yacht hunt, but they were all busy tapping out the latest hot scoop of hoopla and horse pucky.

Sweet. Now I have them all in one, uber convenient document. Not being a citizen of the Tweeterverse, I genuinely appreciate this compilation. I think it’s suitable for framing.

Hm. I hadn’t known. It makes sense I couldn’t remember. I feel better. Thank you. Now I “know” something else about a subject and context I hope I never need to remember, even though I now know it in my knower. As to death, resurrection and miracles, I’m getting a Zombie Apocalypse vibe. I think I’ll prepare accordingly. Not sure if we’re in the Walking Dead, Zombieland, Resident Evil, Night of the Living Dead or Train to Busan. I’ll give it some thought and report back.

As I’m a titch dim, what are you looking for, specifically?

Kosnoff Law @SexAbuseAttys I told BSA and the mediators eighteen months ago this was a bottomless pit of agony. They said I was exaggerating. Then…84k proofs of claim. Say what you want, he nailed it. Ha. “Bottomless pit of agony.” Personally, I think we’re back with the Albino Nurse in the Pit of Despair sizing up our chances against “the machine.” Resistance and raging are futile. So say we all. That was a potpourri of mixed references. I’m tired. Gimme some slack.

Someone among the RSA parties won’t agree to extend the expiration date, which is tomorrow. I heard no indication during the hearing as to which party or parties. If they won’t agree to extend, they don’t want to be in the deal, as cut. That’s my take.

If indeed bankruptcy is just business, this one is a corrupt enterprise. Where I was ready to step back and take aim at the Settlement Trustee process and hunkered insurance companies when this “deal” was announced, I’m back to feeling disgusted. Regardless the state of the RSA and whether it revives after the judge’s jolt today, this thing is a disgrace. I realize it’s highly complex. I realize there are a strange mix of layers and players. I realize it’s emotional and I chief among all. I also realize the fees keep getting paid like clockwork, save for an objection from the insurers. I have seen more distasteful lawyering and postering and bloviating in these last 16+ months than I had in the previous 31 since admitted to the bar. Shame. Shame. Shame.

If 50,000+ victims of CSA at the hands of volunteers and professionals within the BSA are denied a vote and/or get nothing, there will be fallout. One form I predict, and have been since way back, is SoL reform. There will be hell to pay. Another form? States Attorneys General investigations. Yes. I know, I know. Little likelihood of prosecutions. I couldn’t care less. If it goes down that “closed staters” are SoL SOL and utterly denied a voice, I will have a new reason to stay alive. I will fight to ensure both those forms of fallout happen as widely as possible. I have a long memory. I can be strategically patient. I was abused in three states, lived in seven. I have contacts in each. I know people. I can raise money. I will fight.

Yes, but hiding a bone I’ve seen before means I know it’s there. Hope springs eternal. Object permanence can be a beautiful (or horrifying) thing.

I think neither is completely the case. The SoLs are not the impenetrable wall(s) they once were or appeared to be and, for that reason and others, not to file may be completely unwise. If an attorney counsels their client against filing, depending on the state and the fact pattern, that could be unethical. Remember, highly experienced state CSA attorneys graded the "closed" states by Gray 1-3. That means something.

Yup. Here, here. I think I mentioned rotting fish up yonder and a bunch of material for a melodrama. Adopting the suggested analogy, I'm calling it, "The Chapter 11 Circus Came to Town." I'll shorten it. That's just the working title.

I want to compliment the Scouters who’ve been on this thread since I removed my invisibility cloak and have slogged through some challenging conversations. Some bailed out due to frustration and/or anger. We’ve come a long way. Allowing “us” to be heard and substantively contribute means a lot. As you know, no one else in the organization is really hearing us, much less engaging in dialogue from a motive of human understanding alone. They may be listening strategically, but that means little (to me).

Welcome. I am truly sorry for what you endured, now this painful saga. As you accurately said, at least now we are not completely alone, bumping around in the dark of our hyper-focused minds and muddling through. Come what may as the circus continues, we finally have a cohort, though we remain anonymous. It is better than we had and there is comfort in it, I believe.

That's a really good analogy. By my count, we have to add 6 or so rings to the classic Barnum & Bailey standard.

Is it the one where the elephant gets spooked and runs through the crowd?

Part of the script for my screenplay. A fictional tale, or not. For now, let’s say it is. How bitter will be the irony IF: Coalition firms are found to have unethically, improperly and/or fraudulently amassed claims. They used venture money, aggregators and call centers to do the deed, failing to vet many claims, some of which are valid but assailable because of their poor lawyering. Well before all that was discovered and proven - though suspected by insurers - the sheer volume of their client base gave them a mountainous soapbox from which they demanded access to the mediation. Access granted. Once in, things dragged on and dragged some more. They were feeling pressure to settle because, well, the clock is ticking and the piper always gets paid. “Hey! Let’s find a path to compromise. I know we can do it and it’s for the victims, after all,” counseled the Coalition to the mediation parties. To themselves they whispered, “Yes. We surely must. It’s getting a little hot in here, if you know what I mean.” “Oh, goodie,” said the BSA and some other parties. Let’s make a deal!” (Did that include the TCC? Only the Shadow knows...) “So very gracious of of you to make all these concessions!” Exclaims the judge, bolting awake from a 14 month nap. “You are indeed benevolent people seeking the good of all humankind and sexual abuse victims everywhere. I hereby decree you have made a ‘substantial contribution.’ I wave my magic money wand and award you $10M. [Swish and flick! *PING*] ”Thank you, your honor. Truly. You are most generous and we are humbled. Um. May we be excused for a minute or two?” bows the Coalition. “As it turns out, we need to see a shark about a horse’s head.” “Very well. I grant you leave,” said she, “but do remember to vote. Early and often.” To be continued... I am NOT reporting facts, only playing with the puzzle pieces to create a speculative collage. The pieces are there though.

Re: Coalition’s $10M gratuity Thank you, Mr. Buchbinder! https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/8eb26aec-4928-412c-836f-57ec9157c343_5685.pdf

Esoteric Important Unimportant are my middle names. As you know, my mother had it in for me from launch point.

Random Observation I: I had no clue you guys had this much to say about cell phones in Scouting. I’ve been tempted to say, “Get a room already.” Random Observation II: There has been an interesting concurrence of the camp distraction lull and luffing in the case. Harmonic convergence or interstellar alignment I’m thinkin. I have a slight foreboding. Carry on…