Text 11479, 87 rader
Skriven 2019-12-06 10:46:38 av Ward Dossche (2:292/854)
  Kommentar till text 11478 av Dale Shipp (1:261/1466.0)
Ärende: Re: 2019 FTSC Standing M
================================
Hi Dale,
 
DS> Kurt overlooked a mention of the Philmont Scout ranch which is about 60
DS> miles from Taos.  Do a google search for their web page.  Maybe you
DS> might like to go there instead of where you have been going?  I went
DS> there as a new Explorer scout 65 years ago, and still have fond
DS> memories.
 
Thank you for remembering that aspect of me. It is something that shapes a
person.
 
You will be not amused learning how it is going. Not a theme for this
conference but I'll go ahead anyway.
 
When former Secretary of Defense Gates became the chairman of the BSA a period
of change manifested itself. He started the process which eventually allowed
gay youth to become a member (which in itself is ridiculous because how many
10yr olds have outed themselves already ... the BSA has always had gay
youngsters. Even my former camp director was) openly and the LDS-church was not
amused.
 
Then like 2 years or so ago the decision was made to open the organisation for
girls as well, the BSA-programme was very appealing to them and the Girl Scouts
was ... very girlly ... remember the girl-scout cookies versus the popcorn
(actually, I like that minted chocolate). And the name of the organisation was
chenged to reflect that.
 
The LDS-church, which is the main financial backer, decided they could accepts
gays ... but girls?? <shudder> ... "Oh no" ... and the quorum of the 12 decided
they were pulling all their youth out of scouting and were starting up their
own youth programme without any idea what they were getting theirselves into
... a worldwide organisation of bible-chompers, scripture-devourers (the
LDS-scriptures are a set of books different to what other Christians would call
'scriptures') and lecturers about the book of Mormon ... a gigantic brainwash
operation.
 
That is going to happen on February 1st 2020 when the re-chartering occurs and
the LDS-chuch will not re-charter their groups. Troops can seek a different
re-charter but the pressure by the church and its structures through their
bisshops is enormous. A lot of kids will leave a valuable programme and go to a
brainwash.
 
It also means the LDS-church will not be pouring the hundreds of millions of
US$ anymore in the scouting organisation which has become so dependant on it
that a financial heart-attack is threatening the organisation. They will be
losing about 40% of their annual income in one blow, impossible to hide it in
the books.
 
Several councils are going to take a serious hit in membership ... Montana
between 40 and 60%, Arizona 80%, Washington state 80% ... that's what's being
projected...
 
Councils will go bankrupt or merge with other councils to remain viable ...
camps will need to close because the critical mass of campers to keep them
affordable will not be reached anymore. The organisation seems to fail to
understand that the 400 resident camps will now need to scramble to get campers
from a mass up to 60% smaller to stay with their nose above the water and keep
breathing.
 
Also, the organisation seems to be suffering from several lawsuits for
sex-abuse by leaders of small boys. All that information has stayed under the
radar because it involved minors and was kept out of the press. Impressive sums
have been awarded by courts and in other cases councils have been able to
settle out of court ...
 
It's a little bit like the catholic church ... older men playing with the
willies of little boys and everything remains hushed-up.
 
So ... a lot of money is needed to keep the organisation afloat, some people in
Irving TX (the head office) are making 7-digit salaries ... on scouting ??
Plus all the law suits and settlements.
 
Therefor, and here my story joins your words, the national scouting
organisation mortgaged the Philmont ranch without any guarantee they'll ever be
able to repay it but hoping the banks will never call in their markers because
... these are the scouts.
 
My last summer camp, Camp Fife in WA, is folding for next summer, only 25 kids.
The other camp of that same council is still open, but only 16 kids entered so
far.
 
It's not looking good, Dale.
 
 \%/@rd

--- D'Bridge 3.99
 * Origin: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards (2:292/854)