skeptic

It may just be wishful thinking, but while out on the street in uniform with scouts picking up SFF bags, I noted the individuals with whom I cam in contact seemed more receptive and friendly than in past years. We also seemed to get more donations this year in the area in which we canvassed. The thought occurred that maybe the general public is seeing through the negative hype of the yellow journalists.

Interesting article that I wager few if any major media sources would dare publish. Leavitt: Boy Scouting is not what we may think it is By Irv Leavitt for Chronicle Media — February 24, 2020 On a stinking hot summer day, my father struggled to install a window air conditioner in the front room. It was not a good fit. “Run down to the hardware store and get some Mortite,” he said, fishing a dollar out of his pocket. Mortite is “rope caulk,” thick, sticky stuff that comes already extruded, so you don’t need a caulking gun. My dad had about six tools in those days, and a caulking gun was not among them. “You sure this is enough?” I asked, having been caught short at a store about three years before, when I was 8. “Way more than enough,” he assured me. It was a beastly run in the heat, but I looked forward to getting to East Maine Hardware. It was my favorite place, stocked with exotic tools like electric drills. At home, we had a hand drill with a wooden handle and a little crank on the side. This time, I barely glanced at all the fantastic devices, because I was on a mission, with the whole family waiting to turn on the air conditioner and sit in front of it like it was a television set. I put the Mortite on the counter. “A dollar-one,” the man said. “Holy cow, I just have a buck. Can I bring the penny later?” I asked. “Yep, and you can take the Mortite later, too,” he said, picking it up off the counter, and leaving my forlorn, sweaty dollar behind. The other guy behind the counter chuckled, and the first guy laughed harder. “My father said a dollar was plenty,” I said, thinking that he was right. It didn’t look like the caulk was worth a dollar, not in those days, when you could get a hamburger for 15 cents. “Your father should have given you enough money,” the second guy said, laughing again. “I think he did give me enough money,” I said under my breath. The jokes and snide comments continued. There were now several men around the front of the store, some laughing, some staying out of it. Even a kid could understand what was going on. They saw the patched clothes, the loose flap on my shoe, the amateur haircut. They were making fun of me because I was poor. We had moved from Chicago to Niles, which was no ritzy town, but the rent was higher, and kept going up. Everything seemed to cost more than it was worth. I suddenly felt very small. I had the sensation that I wasn’t tall enough to see over the counter. I realized that I would have to leave and come back with the penny, and give it to these hyenas on my knees. A voice came from behind me. “Give him the flipping Mortite,” I heard. The man didn’t really say “flipping.” Behind the counter, my main antagonist said, “Yes, sir.” A large man in a tan work uniform and two heavy tool belts put some pipes on the counter. “You ought to be ashamed of yourselves,” he said. The plumber turned around to shake my hand. “I’m Mr. Marion,” he said, aware I might not recognize him out of context. “I’m your scoutmaster.” Irving Marion clapped his big right hand on my shoulder. “Say hello to your dad for me,” he said. People say that sexual abuse of over 12,000 Boy Scouts was already underway when I was a Scout. I don’t doubt it, but I never saw that. Scouting programs in Illinois vow to continue despite bankruptcy I saw Mr. Marion and other men who worked hard all day but still found a little time to help boys grow up to be men instead of jackals. I also saw the beauty of life under the dome of the sky. I saw animals playing in the shadows of oak forests. I watched hawks circle in the air before plummeting toward a ground squirrel like a Curtiss Helldiver. I scrubbed my clothes on a washboard. I learned to cook over an open fire, on a coal stove, and in a kettle buried in the soil. If you can do that, cooking on a Kenmore is a cinch. But no one who’s talking about the Boy Scouts of America right now is talking about camping. They’re talking about the BSA bankruptcy, and how it will affect victims’ claims against the organization. Part of the reason the BSA has taken this course is the enormous debt likely owed to the boys harmed while under the deficient protection of the organization. There’s also the likely intention of limiting the number of victims who will join those who’ve already filed, though it may not work out that way. Scouting’s financial underpinnings were weakened before the flood of lawsuits, because there isn’t as much interest as there used to be, even now that girls and gay boys are allowed under its big tent. Membership fell long ago as boys turned to indoor pursuits. In an attempt to get them back and bring in more funding, the BSA reportedly borrowed significantly to build The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, a huge West Virginia venue that is as much carnival as camporee. It used to be simpler. It cost us relatively little to be Scouts. If that weren’t the case, we couldn’t have done it. When we’d arrive at a campground, there was nothing there but grass and weeds and a latrine, surrounded by trees. We’d walk into the woods to gather logs for the fires and branches for kindling and tent stakes. Hand axes were borrowed to rough out the stakes. Everybody had a knife to trim the notches for the ropes. The tents had no floors, so the ground cloth went down first, before the wooden tent poles were lifted and the ropes pulled taut. Don’t scratch the canvas. You don’t want leaks. I shunned Scouting’s merit badges, ranks and most of its other militaristic trappings. But living outdoors for a few days at a time was a revelation, an education and a balm. Boy Scout camping isn’t like civilian camping. The BSA owns campgrounds separated from cities, and off-limits to strangers’ RVs and other imitation outdoorsy-nesses. We hiked and swam out of sight of the things of man. There is no question that the Boy Scouts made me a better human being. I’m not necessarily referring to the Boy Scout Law, which famously instructed us to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent — though that helped. I’m indebted to the Boy Scouts for giving me the know-how and confidence to do things I might have never done without them. I could find my way through the woods with a map and a compass. I cut wood with a long axe and a two-man saw. I tracked animals, and started a fire, at least once, by rubbing two sticks together. Boy Scouts have long been the acknowledged experts of first aid, aside from actual doctors and nurses. When the methodology of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation changed about 60 years ago, it wasn’t really accepted until it went into the Boy Scout Handbook. We kidded that the Scouts were so committed to first-aid training because that meant the handbook had to be regularly updated with the latest stuff, and the book isn’t cheap. The Scouts drive training by staging regional and statewide competitions, to see how many fake injuries and illnesses we could cure without our fake patients dying. One of these was the first thing I ever won. I still remember how that felt. When there’s a disaster, like a car plowing into a storefront, most people who have managed to avoid injury instinctively run away. But not everyone. Medical personnel, cops and firefighters have been trained to respond to such matters, and they run in the opposite direction. They run toward the blood and the crying and the screams. And often, right alongside them, is a guy who keeps a threadbare green suit in a dresser drawer even though it’s been a long time since it fit.

Let's look at a few of the comments and negatively weighted parts of this article. First: Any of us that have been around for any length of time likely agree with the statement about inflated pay. It has been a thorn in our sides for years. But, it has gotten far better in the last decade or so. Also, it seems to me that most of the statements about pay do include the pension benefits and medical, so the total figure is skewed a bit. Still, in this area, it seems to be legitimate to challenge the system even more going forward. The comment about people standing in line likely refers to pension benefits I would think, and that is why they are there. 2nd: Isn't it time for the BSA and others that do not feel misleading journalism is right or fair challenge the terminology that the press has labeled the "Ineligible volunteer fils" with? They were never called the perversion files except by the yellow journalists. Similar to the "Obama Care" and "Affordable Care Act". By calling them perversion files, and intimating that BSA called them that as well, they put the worst meaning on them. But, many of the files had nothing to do with child abuse, but other things that would make someone not acceptible. Of course, I have no idea how to fight that, as that is what the sensationalist journalists (?) count on. 3rd: Why are these stories never complete with all the details. For example, how is BSA overall over say the past 3-4 decades in comparison to YMCA, Schools, Sports programs. I think the figures indicate that BSA percentage wise is the lowest, or almost the lowest, even though they are the largest group. Also, why do the stories seldom mention that the perpetrator was also in other positions that allowed them to be in youth contact, such as teaching, sports, church, or even law enforcement? Why is only the BSA being sued if the perpetrator also was part of these organizations? 4th: Explain to me, all you experts and finger pointers and so on how destroying BSA serves anybody's best interests, when the overall good over the past century plus of such magnitude, and continues to overall fulfill its aims? And why do the "ambulance chasers" think they should be able to bend the norm and drag parts of the organization into the melee? I truly have no idea what it is about destroying one of the better parts of our society that serves any positive purpose, other than more money in the lawyer's pocket. Our legal system truly needs some serious overhauling, not just because of this, but as see constantly in absolutely insane sawsuits and weird judgements that do not take actual personal responsibility into play. 5th: Is there really anyone making all the accusations and demands for compensation who actually thinks that that will solve the problem of evil people that prey on the weak and helpless, or will somehow make up for mistakes from decades ago? A few of the actual lawyers have suggested they and their clients only want the BSA to do better. Well, in the past twenty years BSA has developed the model YP plan, one that is a template for other groups. They have already been offering counseling and other help to past victims, before the lawsuits. And they continue to search for ways to improve that. Also, note that decades ago, the IEV files were something nobody else even had, nor made a broad effort to combat the bad actors. Some of the files note that family members and authorities chose to NOT do anything, for whatever reason. We are dragging problems of society from decades before, ones that were met with different methods then, into today's society and trying to somehow turn back the clock. Finally: If you have read the report by the Doctor of psychology that investigate the IEV files in depth, you know that she notes that there is NO absolute way to stop these actions by sick, misguided individuals other than vigilance and tight rules. But the psychologists cannot absolutely determine who might perpetuate these crimes.

Yes, I saw the commercial last night for the second time. It is well done and to the point. Historically, there was a time when BSA was a favorite image for ad copy and also appeared favorably in most local news. We cannot overcome the bad image by ourselves, other than on our very local level. And even then, we run into issues on occasion. Our biggest resource is our ongoing service, not just Eagle projects, but numerous other activities. We have a number of serious outdoor oriented units that do regular trail work and have put up markers in remote areas and after our fires, cleaned up some local park areas. Why was this not know by the larger public? So, lets hope the new leader, not from the ranks, will address this primary need, reaching beyond National with options for local use.

Yep; I just found out that our local council does not even have a PR person on the board. That should be one of the most important positions, and lands back on the SE, since he forms the board's actual functioning groups. Right now we have Scouting for Food in motion; but we have no public communications outside of what we have units do with placing bags and such. Our unit blares it on FB and encourages sharing by members with friends on Social formats. But, we have no viable council webpage; the one we have is neve up to date. There is no direct connection to the council FB link; you have to go through the office to get anything posted there. Not sure if that is because they do not have the staff to monitor, or simply poorly planned. It does not help that the local papers are obviously biased towards BSA and seldom publish any positive stories. We have a few local throw aways that will put things in. But it should be a primary function of the board, and it should utilize resources within the units to help.

For the past decade or more I have felt that National should have had and have a focus on preserving the council level camps whenever possible, including making upkeep help available. While I am not one to feel the Summit is white elephant and not a great idea, no more than are any of the other National high adventure and training facilities. But I do feel that the money put into the Summit might have been better utilized for the broadest benefits by working to "fix" and "save" local camps first. After all, if Scouting is local, then the key outdoor element needs to utilize local facilities to the max, and at the lowest level of expense. As noted, once the property is gone, it is pretty much gone, even though in a few instances it went to a friendly and cooperative entity that still allows scouting groups. At this point though, I feel that the international interest in our large reservations and so on is a plus, and that properly managed and developed they are worth keeping. But, that being said, a primary focus should be on bringing the cost down so that more youth can benefit. Surely there are methods to do this, and the National board should have individuals that could spearhead this type of redirection.

It seems to me that much of this problem, not only with the BSA, but the Churches and those youth entities that are waiting in the wings to have BSA and the Catholic Church drained before they are drawn in, is that we have the false idea that you can fix the errors of the past by dragging them into the present. It is like the idea of preparations for Slavery. How deep and how far back do you go to find the victims, and how do you distinquish who gets the reparation today? Something that is not too often noted in the Slavery issue is that many of the ones doing the selling were tribal entities in Africa. So, are they somehow going to be held accountable for their ways of life three centuries ago? How do you do it? Some on here appear to think that there is an actual perfect response or remedy. But there is none. We need to change the way we do things and try to be sure that the safety precautions are in play at all times. No amount of money and ruination of the BSA or other groups will actually fix the past.

No amount of money, nor tombs of protective rules can keep a few of the deviants from their goals. All we can do is use the tools on hand and find better ways to strengthen them. Meanwhile, maybe we can create a miracle and bring common sense and societal responsibility back; but do not hold your breath. One thing that would help, but because we live in a greedy, egocentric society, likely will not, is to fix the legal system to be fair but not destructive.

And additionally, review this: https://www.bsarestructuring.org/

Lets use the official BSA announcement, rather than one tied to news sensationalism and skewing. https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/the-boy-scouts-of-america-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-to-equitably-compensate-victims-while-ensuring-scouting-continues-across-the-country/Insert other media

It seems that it is an option for a group to join in. In as much as GSA often chooses to not join others, for their own reasons, maybe they simply chose to not be involved. ???

This just appeared on a FB site called Scouting Buzz. I did a search here and did not see it, though could still be missing it. https://www.vanguardscouting.org/?fbclid=IwAR1VG-UXDa_NCgNtVLzBAURklCBUpX1fJscLkMNWpsmjwIWLFIQQixiTyUU

Once more, the BSA shows it is serious about its YP program; but also its response to past events. Yet, I would wager that those that continue to spread misleading and biased stories and comments will not make note of this latest addition to the program. Still, it is here and should be lauded as one more link in the barriers and responsible response mechanisms. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/02/12/boy-scouts-of-america-partners-with-sexual-abuse-support-service-to-provide-support-to-victims/

And that is part of the sadness. In today's egocentric and non-reflective society, the basis of the program could help balance the problems. That is why we DO need the program, but with the proper focus and attention to the foundational standards.

On occasion, though not as often as should be, COR's are actually involved in their position on the Executive board. And on even rare instances, the group of COR's have been known to band together and restructure the local council. It takes a lot of effort by a very concerned person or persons to get them involved. Many have no idea that they actually have a vote on the Executive board, and that if they attend, they must be allowed to participate. I am aware of at least a couple of times when the completely volunteer COR's banned together and fired the Council SE. Of course, National may still just move the fired Professional, but they cannot leave them in a council that does not want them. I know that there was a major issue in I believe the Chicago area regarding the oldest camp that saw an uprising. But most of the time, too few are willing to push the envelope, or simply do not know they can. And as has been noted, the political members of the Exec board and the paid executive do not want the majority of voting members involved regularly. Yet, IF the COR's regularly did their jobs as described, you might see some more consistently viable executive boards and councils functioning better.

Years ago, not long after I became SM of our troop, we were at summer camp. It was late, and the scouts were mostly in their bags and quiet. Two of my senior scouts, both leaders, came up to me and asked to talk. I was fairly new, and I had been dealing with a few issues due to my change in SM direction when I took over not too long before camp. So, I sort of prepped for a challenge. I got one, but not as I feared. I had been standing staring at the night sky, a stellar explosion looming out of the dark void, as the moon was not yet trespassing on the night. They stood there a moment, then one asked me how I could believe in God, noting some of the common misunderstandings seekers have about the evil in the world and why it happens if God is in control. So, I asked them what then they would attribute that immensity above us to. I broached the subject of free choice and how we all make the wrong ones. Ultimately, I suggested they simply sleep under the sky that night and consider that seemingly impossible blackness that stretched beyond our imaginations and how we were just a speck in comparison, yet we wanted to understand. I do not know for sure what I might have said that mattered, but the next morning they both told me that they knew there was something, but still did not know. It seemed to me that was enough. They had turned within for a moment, and for me, that looking inward is looking for that speck of God from which each of us is created, the momentary peace that something greater exists, even within ourself. Both of those young people had talked of dropping out. But they did not, and they became Eagles and fine young people that now have grown children. I blessed to still be in occasional contact, and while they have no scouts in their immediate families, as their children are girls from before the new era, they still support our ideals. For me, the early scripture in Exodus 3:14......"I AM WHO I AM.". This was the voice from the burning bush to Moses. It has said to me for a long time that God, whatever he/she/it is, just is. This personal thing did not come to me as a youth, but after many years of searching for answers. We all hopefully take that journey and arrive with our "own" understanding eventually.

Barry; Not quite getting the comment on the three points of Law and requiring. Certainly it is much more difficult to do your best to adhere to those points if you refuse to be inclusive, but again it becomes semantics. Inclusive to me is as simple as allowing something to be in the sphere; but it does not include requiring anyone to accept those life styles or beliefs as their own. It is harder of course to be civil if something grates on your deepest beliefs. Then you decide that you politely disengage as most as you are able without conflict, if possible. That narrow ledge of overlapping emotion and perspective, often based on personal definitions. What is even harder though is trying to listen and actually hear.

Semantics I suppose. They can believe whatever they wish. If I believe it is contradictory, and that is my right. They can continue to be contradictory. None of us are likely to know the final answer in the incarnation in which we currently dwell, or at least not without a major change in our understanding. Meanwhile, I will continue to drift in my own mental state(s).😳

I continue to believe that that atheism, or Atheism, is not possible. It is defined as the disbelief or denial of God or a higher power. But that is contradictory, as you cannot deny or disbelive in something that does not exist. So, I suggest that they are of course agnostics, those that have yet to figure it out to their own acceptance or understanding.

Healdsburg Enterprise 6 October 1927 Healdsburg Enterprise, Volume L, Number 15, 6 October 1927 Issue PDF (23.25 MB)Locked Issue Article MAJORITY OF CRIMES COMMUTED OY YOUNG MEN Text Why may this text contain mistakes? Correct this text Contributors: Wes Keat MAJORITY OF CRIMES COMMUTED OY YOUNG MEN "Three-fourths of the crimes committed today are by young boys between the ages of 17 and 24,"* said Captain Duncan Mathewson, chief of the detective bureau of San Francisco, in his address before the Kiwanis Club Tuesday. A remarkable feature, he stated, was that in all the penal institutions of the state, not a Boy Scout is to be found. He lauded the work of this organization and pointed out that along the lines, of the work and teachings of the scouts, if expanded further, great good will result. He stated that the cost of crime in the United Slates In 1926 has been estimated at four billion dollars. There have been 12,000 murders committed within the last five years. There are 137,000 living murderers in this country. There are 200,000 Inmates of states prisons. From 1919 to 1925 the Increase in crime in California was 57 per cent; in Illinois 74 per cent, and in Michigan, duo to the rapidly increasing automobile Industry and consequent flocking in of men, the Increase in crime has been 828 per cent. The quarterly report of the Department of Institutions of California for July Ist shows 326 girls In the Ventura detention home; Preston School for boys 1241 inmates; Whittier school, 502 hoys. Folsom state prison 2C84 inmates, and Sian Quentin 5157. Thorn are 28,551 wards of tip* state. i In San Francisco last year there wore 60,778 arrests made, 11,000 of which were for drunkenness, 300 for driving automobiles while drunk, ami more than an average of one a day for robbery. ' • “We need no now prisons in California sudh as are now under contemplation,'' said Captain Mathewson, “but What we should have isan Institution tq house the professional reformers, molly-coddles, upr lifters and psychologists on crime, who are the primary cause of the present crime wave in the United States. ” i Harold Rosenberg was chairman of the day and he had as his guest his. father-in-law. Max Goldberg, at one time a member of the Sun Francisco police commission. A number of townspeople were invited to attend the meeting and also Santa, Rosa Klwanians were present. The meeting was undoubtedly tha best ever hold by the club. Captain. Mathewson is an earnest and interesting talker and his remarks wera based on more than thirty years’ experience In handling criminals. Uet has a wide reputation as a criminologist, and altogether ills remarks made a telling impressson on his hearers. i

I do not recall actually seeing or hearing of them being so challenged, or the father, who, let's face it, was the instigator. That was a long time ago now, which is a comment in itself.

I have looked over the article twice and cannot find when this actually occurred. Is it another rehash of already reported and hung out in the press, or is it something new? I get the impression that it is a short movie up for Sundance consideration that once more brings up an old series of cases. The time of publication, in conjunction with a film festival entry, is notable. I keep waiting for similar stories to appear about stuff in schools, sports, and youth clubs.

The merit badge part of the discussion made me think a bit about the "oldest" days. Shirts were long sleeved then, not sure when a uniform with short sleeves became available. The first six MB's could be worn on the right sleeve up from the cuff in two's, though again will need to review, maybe the limit was not there initially. Merit badge sleeves, attached sleeves for jus them, became an addition for a while, then replaced with the sash. Early sashes were narrow. I have seen some seriously cool early photos with scouts wearing sleeves covered shoulder to cuff almost. Have tried to find even one for my assortment of stuff, but they are few and far between and more money than I prefer to pay. I still remember though having three or four mb's on my right sleeve when I was first starting. It was a big deal. I occasionally wear WB beads alone with T or the basic shirt, but usually I have a neckerchief with the beads twisted to hold the tips down. Only wear the complete WB setup on rare occasion. Have one of the English neckers that is larger, and it fits well; my original one was way too short.

Similar conflicts date back a couple of decades. One of the larger ones was the long drawn out case in San Diego over the use of Balboa Park and later Fiesta Island for camps. The ACLU took up the case and dragged on for a very long time. The City of San Diego paid the ACLU a large sum to be removed from the suit. But, after ten years or more the case was thrown out. It started with just Balboa, and then had the other camp added when it was developed, with the request of the county, city and other youth groups. The ACLU as far a I know never was asked to return the money either. Another was the infamous Randall Twins who were cubs. Their father claimed he was atheist and so they too were. He was also a lawyer. It went round and round, but they eventurally were allowed to actually go all the way through the scouting ranks. Have to check, but I think it became a news bit years later when they reached Eagle. The crazy thing, at least for me, in the very early stages was when a reporter asked the boys, when they were still young Cubs, how they understood natural things such as the forest, or the stars and such. The boys responded that that was just Mother Nature. I could not help but wonder how come nobody at the time pointed out that Mother Nature is just another Godess, which in my mind contradicted their position. Reality is that most of these young people are still trying to reconcile their beliefs and understanding, and when they make such claims, it is a result of that searching within. Ultimately then, they are still trying to deal with their own spirituality, or at least so I feel. And that is what we ask, that they recognize something beyond themselves or at least see that there is that unanswered question. I am still searching within, even though I consider myself a Christian. We will not likely know until the time arrives; and even then, we may not encounter what we may hope or think. Way too out there I guess.