NJScout1980

Signing out friends…wish you all the best! Being censured for opinions based on credible evidence is ridiculous. I have my opinions of the lawyers; now I will add the moderator. Someone needs to call out the lawyers; and yeah my words were as kind as they come! Scout law #6. Add another point that doesn’t expire 😂

I’m starting to wonder if this 15% is made up of a majority of survivors who have strong claims and come from open states. They are the ones who would benefit most from a BSA only bankruptcy.

Thought they were going to report the vote numbers today. Anyone have an idea when they will be released?

As a survivor I have to say that aside from the abuse my experience in scouting was positive. My abuse happened at the LC level and not my troop. The council leaders are total pieces of $h!t who cared for nothing except their reputation. My scoutmaster and all the leadership of my troop lived up to the standards they preached. They taught me leadership and character, and to always live the life I expect others to live. Through the many mistakes I made as a youth they taught me to accept the consequences of my decisions and guided me on how to make better ones in the future. My scoutmaster made me the man I am today. To paint the entire organization with a broad brush is unfair to the many leaders who had a positive impact on many youth. If he were alive today he would be proud of me standing up for what is right and just, and would be devastated and angry at the LC for what they allowed to happen to me. He would be the first to scream from the rafters demanding justice for the victims. I don’t want to see scouting end. I want to see YP improved and I want the ENTIRE leadership to be forced to live by the scout standards they preach! Each of us had different experiences, each of us have lived different lives. Regardless of the type of abuse we faced, each of us have been affected in many different ways; some greater than others. Whatever decisions you make, whatever attitude you have; who am I to judge you? No one, survivor or non-survivor alike, has any right to judge another. I hope we all find peace and closure. I highly doubt all will, but please know many are here to help. We’re all in this together.

Cannot wait to read the comments about Chp 7 bankruptcy filing from our favorite twitter attorney and his minions. Survivors being manipulated and victimized again? Geez. Jim Stang is 100% correct…liquidation will not happen and even if it did it would take years and years, cost a boat load of money, force bankruptcies of LC’s and lead to nothing better than what we have now. Typing words and statements on twitter doesn’t make them facts! If an LC files for bankruptcy in a closed state do you honestly think they will pay any claims outside of SOL’s? They have no morals and won’t do what is fair and just. Many will lose and it will just be more years and years of terrible suffering. Vote your conscience! The only right choice comes from your heart…not your lawyer or anyone else! Unfortunately, truth be told, there is no end in sight.

As per the DOJ in these cases the % approval is meaningless as it relates to Non Debtor Third Party Releases. The trustee believes and is challenging the releases on the grounds it violates the due process rights of individuals voting against the plan. There is no clear law prohibiting releases but many circuits are stopping them. 95% of the Purdue Pharma claimants approved the plan and yet the Circuit Judge tossed it. The approval % is what the judge will use to determine whether or not SHE approves of the plan. The number is irrelevant to the DOJ as they oppose third party releases. Keeping in mind the Perdue Pharma case it is safe to assume regardless of the approval % the BSA plan receives it will continue to be challenged in court. Again the approval % is irrelevant for the DOJ, they are seeking an end once and for all to third party releases And in all reality they are right to; why should someone else take away my right to sue a non-debtor third party? If a third party wants protection it should do it itself. But that’s a whole other can of worms. Here are a couple of articles on this issue https://www.reuters.com/business/judge-tosses-deal-shielding-purdues-sackler-family-opioid-claims-2021-12-17/ https://wtop.com/national/2022/02/bsa-reaches-deal-with-official-abuse-claimants-committee/

I think as far as the DOJ is concerned they would not agree to any releases for LC’s and CO’s regardless of whether they up their offers or not. I think the DOJ attitude is no 3rd party releases ever. I would say the believe of you want protection file bankruptcy yourself. I totally agree with you that this will drag on in the courts for a long time…perhaps years and years.

I don’t doubt it. I believe many of the firms who encouraged people to first vote REJECT and now ACCEPT had many claims from open states. This IR component is most likely the way they would get their clients to change their vote. Let’s be honest, attorneys work for money, and I am sure many were not happy with the fact they were losing money to firms representing victims from closed or limited states. And let’s be even more honest, I am sure some, definitely not all, victims from open states hate the bankruptcy and the previous plan because it took money from them and gave it to victims, according to ridiculous and unfair state laws, that are not “legally” entitled to it. Shame on the states who refuse to open the SOL window. So here we are, this is the compromise, sucks as much as it does. Any plan will be divisive and there definitely are the haves and have nots. I am black & white, just like the laws of the various states. I am sorry if I seem cross, but there is no grey for me. No plan will be approved giving money to only victims of open states, and no plan will be approved giving it out equally to all; that to me is the sad reality. This plan, as imperfect as it is, will move enough original REJECT votes to ACCEPT. Honestly in the end there will be nothing of any real value left, appeals and hearings and more appeals will drag this case on for many years. In the end most will have done nothing but relived the horrors of their childhood. Again apologies for my crassness and honesty…Living in black and white has its challenges, but for me it’s an easier way to live. For now we just need to trudge on and pray this nightmare comes to an end.

My case was filed within the New York SOL open window and months and months before the BSA was reportedly considering a bankruptcy. Therefor me case is SOL protected. I was not joking about being OCD with this case. I had all my information and evidence ready for years and years knowing New York would eventually change the SOL. After my abuse a portion of what had happened was discovered through no action of my own…I hid the total truth for years. My parents wanted to take legal action against the BSA and LC and visited many lawyers in New York at the time; unfortunately every lawyer refused the case saying we could not sue a non-profit in NY. Secretly I was extremely happy; the last thing I wanted was for all the details to come out…both my parents passed away without ever knowing the truth, it would have killed them! About 10 years ago NY made a basic change to the SOL law and allowed any civil case of child abuse that was dismissed to be reinstated. By that time I was more than ready to tell my story, but thanks to all those lawyers years earlier, I was denied an opportunity for justice. I became obsessed with the SOL in NY and followed the legislation sessions for years and years patiently waiting for the state to fully open the SOL for child sexual abuse. Luckily for me NY granted so many wishes and opened the statute. The exact day it was signed by the Governor I called a lawyer and discussed my case. I met him a few days later and brought every piece of evidence I possessed; names, dates, events, etc…my parents saved everything they had gathered for the original case they wished to follow. Again I was extremely lucky my parents did that, I would have tossed it all at the time. I have to honestly say I was sickened and vomited many times while I wrote down all the specific details of my abuse. I had never once shared every little detail and writing them down tore open every wound I experienced decades ago. Telling the story to the lawyer was just as bad. But I have to say after saying it a few times I began to feel better and better. I opened up to my family and friends and they were so supportive. I am lucky to have had a successful life so money was not a motivating factor for me. I wanted justice and wanted my story to be heard. I am a retired educator and it was extremely important for me that my students heard my story and learned it was okay to come forward if they were sexually abused. I wanted them to see it doesn’t matter how long ago it happened, they needed to see that coming forward actually helps. I wanted them to see that people that care for you most will not change their opinion of you, I wish someone I respected early in my life had given me some hope. I don’t want the BSA to end; that too was never my goal. It needs to change dramatically and it needs to “own up” and accept responsibility for all the events they did in the past. Yes own up financially, but also publicly and shamefully. I never gave up on the BSA and actually my sons were members. I of course was a leader because I wanted to ensure they received nothing but the positive side of scouting, never the negative. I said before my experience, outside the sexual abuse, with scouting was positive. I carry and continue to carry many scars and wounds from scouting, so I am somewhat conflicted. It took years and years but I finally decided I wanted justice as opposed to revenge. For some justice and revenge go hand in hand, and I don’t judge or hold any ill will towards anyone who believes that. But to me a scorched earthed campaign will not make me feel better, it will honestly make it worse. Scouting benefits so many children including my sons and nephews. Yes it has failed many, it sure has, but in many cases it helps. I agree with the TCC and want scouting to change. I am happy they pushed for changes and hopefully every problem will be solved. Yes I am wearing rose colored glasses and may be a hopeless optimist. As for the seriousness or most horrific question, I don’t think that is a factor. My lawyer told me anyone can go that route. The individual gets to determine what they consider serious or horrific. The difference is the level of evidence, a “hearing” and risk. I don’t think many will be going this direction, perhaps the ones filed prior to the bankruptcy will. The last point I wish to make deals with the lawyers and professionals. I don’t give a crap what they think about anything. Frankly lawyers saying scouting should be destroyed should just shut the hell up! They shouldn’t be spewing forth their hatred, it’s we survivors, not the lawyers, who have a legitimate right to express our thoughts. Same goes for the ones pushing for the ACCEPT or REJECT vote. Just give us the info and let us make up our own minds. I have no problem with survivors sharing their opinions and making strong statements of support or opposition, we have that right. We are the victims, not the lawyers or professionals! We share a bond, unfortunate as it is, and we should be respected. The Coalition, AIS, and others should say here is the info, and then let us vote our conscience without pressure. But no, they won’t because to them money is justice. Think what you want of the TCC, but at least they are family to us, 9 fellow survivors. They have earned their right to express their opinions and encourage us to vote a certain way. I believe what they believe and see a genuineness in what Doug stands for as it relates to YP. In the end each of us have to make our own decisions. Each of us has to use our own idea of justice and make a decision we believe would be best for us and others.

Again you are a stickler for words, and as your say words matter. Ok, you would say you would feel like a sheep, I get that. My question is whether you think anyone who changes their vote is a sheep. Am I a sheep? You certainly implied that and because words matter, you should probably choose them better. I certainly am not a sheep, and would never imply others who keep their votes are sheep either. I accept and understand why people think survivors like us have won the lottery. You were offended and called the poster out. I didn’t like being called a sheep, and accept and understand why you might believe that, but I am calling you out for the same reason. If you don’t understand why someone would be offended by the word sheep than maybe you shouldn’t be offended when someone uses the words “lottery winner.” That is their opinion and you were offended, sheep is your opinion and others could be offended You should really think about what you expect of others, and what others should expect of you. Again words matter. If I don’t live by mine I would hope someone would call me out! You and I will never agree…sadly for others I really am a “lottery winner” and fortunately for me I am not a sheep. I am done with this issue. You can have the last word. Either you know what you should do or you don’t.

I personally spoke with my attorney last week and he basically stated the $10,000 fee is to start the Independent review and the other $10,000 is to finish it. Being that the reasoning behind this fee is for the individual claimant, as opposed to the settlement trust, to pay for this review; I would assume nothing from the settlement trust will be used to pay for the judge or these reviews. I would hope she would be paid for from the $20,000. As someone who is considering this route I don’t think it would be fair for everyone else to pay for independent reviews, why should the entire trust pay for me or others to take a risk? I was also told my law firm will pay the $20,000 and assume the risk. If I lose I owe nothing, but if I win the $20,000 fee will be paid by me. I am not sure how other firms will handle this.

I respect your decision and I never stated you won the lottery…both of us can be accused of that because I too come from an open state. I also agree with all receiving something…what that is is different for us. I am a total “black & white” type of person so we disagree which is ok. I am wondering why, if words are so important and you don’t want divisiveness, you would refer to people changing their vote as SHEEP. You were offended by the “lottery” comment and I am offended by your reference of sheep. Are you saying that me and other survivors who change our votes are stupid, blind or gullible? Again, like you said, words are important.

I need to call you out. You were offended by the “lottery” comment and expressed how important words were. You also expressed how concerned your are that comments will lead to divisiveness between survivors. Are you seriously calling survivors who changed their vote, sheep? Those of us changing our vote to ACCEPT are stupid and blindly following our lawyers and the TCC? We somehow have no clue as to what should be important to us, and are unable to look at all the info and make a decision as we see best? Is that what you are saying? We are stupid and blind and gullible? We totally disagree on our votes, that is perfectly acceptable and understandable. We are all victims but we are all extremely different from each other. Each of us have had different experiences in life and each has been impacted in a variety of ways. Perhaps you were offended by my previous words, but I was critical of myself, which I have every right to do. I respect everyone’s right to vote in any manner they see fit. I don’t judge them nor will I refer to them in a negative light. Words do matter! Yours and mine.

I’m seriously OCD and have to read and reread everything. Maybe a visit to my local Chinese restaurant will do me some good. Chopsticks and OCD would be a sight to see…after all the BS of this case we could all use a laugh. Hopefully the cookie at the end offered you a great fortune. Trying to keep the faith.

Per the website Judge Welsh does have experience with child & child sexual abuse. Per the site: Civil Rights: High profile case on behalf of severely abused child against private foster care placement agency and government agencies; claim against school district on behalf of special education student raped by their students in classroom supervised by a substitute teacher; cases involving alleged hazing, harassment and sexual misconduct on a University sports team; multiple Title IX and Tort cases including claims of sexual abuse involving faculty, clergy and students in colleges, universities, primary and secondary schools, boarding schools and foster care Sexual Abuse: Successfully mediated settlements in numerous cases involving highly sensitive claims of sexual and physical abuse concerning adult and minor children and group/class action plaintiffs. Disputes included matters involving: alleged abuse at a prestigious boarding school; sex abuse leading to suicide of a college student; allegations of sexually charged hazing and misconduct in connection with university-sponsored sports teams; numerous cases involving sexual abuse claims against Archdioceses, Catholic and other religious schools, and nonsectarian private and public schools; disputes involving victims of incest and church officials; and matters regarding sex trafficking allegations against a major hotel chain Hopefully her experience benefits all survivors.