An anonymous person left a comment that I feel deserves a response, so I will do so publicly (my comments in bold):
Well Doug, there are a few things you are contradicting yourself with.....a long time fan of the Northern Muckraker
Thanks for the kind words about my main project.
I don't understand your agenda. What do you want to happen?
1. To get your Eagle Scout Badge?
I think that's a pretty small thing to ask for, given what I have been through, and especially given the fact, reported to me by email as well as numerous commenters to this blog, that the Eagle requirements have been modified and waived on a significant number of occasions, for much less compelling reasons, in my opinion.
I worked damn hard for that award, and was denied it just when it was in reach through no fault of my own. Honestly, it's the least they could do, and it wouldn't cost them a dime. Actually, the PR value alone would be worth millions to them.
2. To embarrass an organization?
If that's what it takes to get redress for past wrongs and to ensure that no other boy has to go through a similar ordeal, sure. They chose not to listen when I tried going through normal, private channels, so they brought this website upon themselves.
3. Take on your aggression on someone or an organization who had nothing to do with your situation?
The organization has plenty to do with my situation, as more than twenty years after my incident there still appears to be no institutional policies for dealing with such abuse other than to keep quiet and hope the boys go away and don't sue. Oddly, the BSA doesn't seem to understand that providing assistance, both legal and emotional, would undoubtedly go a long way towards preventing the onslaught of abuse cases that they're currently dealing with. (I've talked to one attorney who knows of at least 8 pending cases in the Northwest alone. Maybe we're going to have to begin publicizing them here, in order to show the magnitude of the problem.)
1. If that was your intention why when you start to not get your way you turn the conversation to what they (the Boy Scouts) did wrong? Did they know about the molestation? Did they transfer the scoutmaster? Did they cover up, or did they hand over the accused to the proper authorities? And why do you hold a whole religion responsible for one persons actions? Would a background check if it had come out clean prevented your situation?
I'm not sure what you're asking here, but I'll do my best to answer. The Scouts did not "hand him over to the authorities" he was caught red-handed by a parent of one of the abused kids. I don't hold them responsible for the actions of the Scoutmaser. I do hold them responsible for their actions in the wake of the incident, which was to not do a darn thing for anyone and hope that it would all soon blow over.
As to the comparison to the Catholic Church, I'm certainly not "holding a religion responsible for one person's actions". I was comparing the similarity of the two organizations' responses to the same type of situation, and attempted to point out how denial at the highest levels is hurting both groups. I merely found it telling and ironic that a high-ranking official would so emphatically deny such obvious, proven criminal actions on the part of senior officials in his own church, because it shows that he also has the same blind spot when it comes to his employer.
A background check would have come back clean on the perpetrator and would not have prevented the crimes from taking place. As I said above, however, and as I pointed out to them at their headquarters, I don't blame the organization for what happened to me, but I do blame them for their lack of response in my and thousands of other cases.
2. When the organization had no chance in understanding the magnitude of your situation and after decades you return and ask for a full on public apology when you waited so long to bring it to their attention? not saying that time resolves a situation but why now? what has happened in your life when you need to redirect your aggression from the responsible party to the parent organizations? How about the police department? how about your parents? how about your siblings? where is the end point?
I didn't ask for an apology, only the chance to earn what had been denied me, and subsequently to be apprised of how the organization's policies have changed to help future victims of sexual abuse. The end point? That is when the BSA decides to take full responsibility for their policies, both on their hypocritical iron-clad "criteria" for awards as well as for their track record of not helping sexual abuse victims.
3. Furthermore you have people responding to your postings saying they will advise people they know not to let their kids into scouting....OK so now what happened to you is going to prevent other children from experiencing a great childhood of camping trips etc.
My intent is not to deny children camping trips or other Scouting-type experiences. They're fine character-builders and fun activities. This particular organization, however, has shown on numerous occasions that they can't or won't clean up the messes that leaders of their groups have made. Until they begin to do so, it's fair to warn people about just what possibly type of predatory environment they're about to send their son to, and to inform them of the (lack of a) response and help they'll be getting from the national organization should something go wrong.
You seem like a troubled person that cannot make a rational decision about how to deal with your past. why don't you find a way past your situation instead of making yourself at home in your misery? I truly wish you all the best but until you make more sense or communicate and act with a sole purpose I will not understand your plight!
You're right, it's extremely hard to make rational decisions about this, given the level of emotion that it raises in me. I can only try as hard as I can to do what I feel is the right thing, and let the chips fall where they may. To date, the overwhelming majority of responses to my campaign have been positive, with people calling and emailing me to "keep up the pressure". That tells me that I'm doing something right at least, and that there are thousands of ex-Scouts like me who were in like circumstances that are angry at the BSA and want them to change their ways immediately. Therefore, I soldier on.
As always, your mileage may vary, and all points of view are welcome here. Just keep it civil.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Not much to report, oddly enough
I'm still waiting for the official response to my formal request, made in person, that I be able to earn my Eagle Scout award.
I'm also still waiting to hear the details of the program that provides counseling and legal help to victims of pedophile Scout leaders.
If I don't hear something on either issue by next week, I will have to agitate further.
I'm also still waiting to hear the details of the program that provides counseling and legal help to victims of pedophile Scout leaders.
If I don't hear something on either issue by next week, I will have to agitate further.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The full protest report
I set up outside BSA headquarters at 7:oo am on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Here is a piece of video showing where I set up:
Here's another piece that better illustrates my uniform, which demonstrates how much I had invested in Scouting:
One person who didn't appreciate my little demonstration:
I didn't receive any reaction from the BSA until after WFAA Channel 8, the ABC affiliate in Dallas, showed up to give me an on-camera interview. Soon after the cameraman left, someone came out to talk to me (Sorry about the traffic noise, it was full on rush hour at that point):
I took them up on their offer to come in and discuss my situation. I met with two men named David Burke and Bill Steele. Mr. Burke is the head of communications for the BSA, and was the person in the above video who approached me and invited me to chat. I neglected to note which position Mr. Steele currently occupies with the BSA.
The main points from our discussion (from memory, as I did not tape the meeting):
1. Both men were polite and respectful, as was I. Mr. Burke apologized for the lateness of their replies to my written and telephoned requests, claiming that it was an organizational problem that they are currently attempting to rectify.
2. Neither man could believe my claim that no one from Scouting ever offered any help whatsoever to me. Well, believe it, because it (didn't) happen.
3. Mr. Burke informed me that he did not know of any formal program on the national level to assist victims of sexual abuse by Scout leaders. He did subsequently email me and informed me that he had looked into matters and that such a program did exist, although he did not furnish details.
4. The only time the meeting became uncomfortable for me was when I compared Scouting's previous handling of sexual abuse cases to the Catholic church's system of archbishops transferring "problem" priests from parish to parish. Mr. Burke strongly objected and stated (paraphrased), "As a Catholic, I don't believe that the archbishops did such things".
To me, this underscores the naivete of Scouting's national leadership to their own problem. Why? To me there is overwhelming evidence that church officials did precisely what they are accused of doing and many juries agree with me, as the many multi-million dollar judgments against the Catholic Church prove. Anyone who believes otherwise is deluding themselves and possesses a dangerous blind spot about their own organization, in my opinion.
5. In summary - they told me that Eagle Scout is a youth award, and that my chances of receiving it at this late date are slim to none, which is pretty much the answer I expected out of them. If they don't see the value in correcting their predecessors' past mistakes, so be it. I believe that it's pretty small of them, however, and that their policy of not allowing former Scouts that were damaged on their organization's watch to complete their Eagle award, however late it may be, graphically shows that they don't follow their own stated values.
I also still believe that they don't go nearly far enough to protect boys against sexual victimization, and that any counseling program isn't adequate, if the head of communications doesn't know about it and subsequently has to undergo research to verify that it in fact exists.
In my view, the BSA still has a long, long way to go in this area, and we plan on being around to make sure that it either improves its track record significantly (and soon), or else we will dedicate ourselves to putting it out of business.
Here's another piece that better illustrates my uniform, which demonstrates how much I had invested in Scouting:
One person who didn't appreciate my little demonstration:
I didn't receive any reaction from the BSA until after WFAA Channel 8, the ABC affiliate in Dallas, showed up to give me an on-camera interview. Soon after the cameraman left, someone came out to talk to me (Sorry about the traffic noise, it was full on rush hour at that point):
I took them up on their offer to come in and discuss my situation. I met with two men named David Burke and Bill Steele. Mr. Burke is the head of communications for the BSA, and was the person in the above video who approached me and invited me to chat. I neglected to note which position Mr. Steele currently occupies with the BSA.
The main points from our discussion (from memory, as I did not tape the meeting):
1. Both men were polite and respectful, as was I. Mr. Burke apologized for the lateness of their replies to my written and telephoned requests, claiming that it was an organizational problem that they are currently attempting to rectify.
2. Neither man could believe my claim that no one from Scouting ever offered any help whatsoever to me. Well, believe it, because it (didn't) happen.
3. Mr. Burke informed me that he did not know of any formal program on the national level to assist victims of sexual abuse by Scout leaders. He did subsequently email me and informed me that he had looked into matters and that such a program did exist, although he did not furnish details.
4. The only time the meeting became uncomfortable for me was when I compared Scouting's previous handling of sexual abuse cases to the Catholic church's system of archbishops transferring "problem" priests from parish to parish. Mr. Burke strongly objected and stated (paraphrased), "As a Catholic, I don't believe that the archbishops did such things".
To me, this underscores the naivete of Scouting's national leadership to their own problem. Why? To me there is overwhelming evidence that church officials did precisely what they are accused of doing and many juries agree with me, as the many multi-million dollar judgments against the Catholic Church prove. Anyone who believes otherwise is deluding themselves and possesses a dangerous blind spot about their own organization, in my opinion.
5. In summary - they told me that Eagle Scout is a youth award, and that my chances of receiving it at this late date are slim to none, which is pretty much the answer I expected out of them. If they don't see the value in correcting their predecessors' past mistakes, so be it. I believe that it's pretty small of them, however, and that their policy of not allowing former Scouts that were damaged on their organization's watch to complete their Eagle award, however late it may be, graphically shows that they don't follow their own stated values.
I also still believe that they don't go nearly far enough to protect boys against sexual victimization, and that any counseling program isn't adequate, if the head of communications doesn't know about it and subsequently has to undergo research to verify that it in fact exists.
In my view, the BSA still has a long, long way to go in this area, and we plan on being around to make sure that it either improves its track record significantly (and soon), or else we will dedicate ourselves to putting it out of business.
Friday, December 12, 2008
I'm working on it
I apologize for the delay in getting the full report about the demonstration posted. I'm having some video editing issues, having never performed that task before.
In the meantime, here's a question: If abuse in Scouting is so rare, then why are other people researching whether anyone has engaged in precisely the kind of protest that I accomplished on Tuesday?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A successful protest, I must say
A full report will be coming shortly. In the meantime, here's a couple of still photos (sorry about the lighting, it's quite dark at 7 am there):
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Upon further reflection
When I rolled into town yesterday, I drove past the hotel and up the three blocks or so to BSA headquarters in order to make sure I knew where it was, and also to figure out where I'm going to be standing today. I drove into one entrance, passed through their parking lot, and exited out the other driveway in order to turn around and go back to the hotel.
As I cruised through the lot, I made eye contact with a man who was just emerging from the building, presumably on his way home. I now wonder if the only reason I received the email described below a few scant minutes later was because they saw that I was indeed in town and determined to go through with my protest. Otherwise, why not just mail me a response?
Or am I being overly cynical?
As I cruised through the lot, I made eye contact with a man who was just emerging from the building, presumably on his way home. I now wonder if the only reason I received the email described below a few scant minutes later was because they saw that I was indeed in town and determined to go through with my protest. Otherwise, why not just mail me a response?
Or am I being overly cynical?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Just a wee bit too little, too late
How's this for a coincidence?
I arrive in Irving, Texas, pick up my sign, and check into my hotel around 5 pm local time. No sooner do I drop my bags on the floor in relief after a long day of travel when my Blackberry buzzes.
Surprise!! It's an emailed letter from the Boy Scouts, sent out just minutes before. After almost two months, I finally get a response, mere hours before my planned protest. Let's see what took them so long to compose, shall we? (My comments in bold.)
December 8, 2008
Mr. Douglas J. Hester
Dear Mr. Hester:
The Chief Scout Executive, Robert Mazzuca, is travelling and has asked me to respond to your recent letter.
He's been traveling all this time, eh? No one's been around to attend to his correspondence at all? That's funny, because every time I called, he was in the office, just "in a meeting". Which story is correct?
You're the patsy that's been picked to try to stop the oncoming freight train of bad publicity, I see. I almost feel badly for you.
Let me assure you that the Boy Scouts of America deeply regrets any suffering or injury that you may have sustained as a result of the actions of David Rankin in 1987. Mr. Rankin was removed from Scouting immediately when the local council learned of his activities.
Well, duh. You mean because he was sitting in jail at the time? Yeah, I know he was removed. It's what your organization didn't do (and still don't do to this very day, as far as I know) for the many victims of pedophile Scoutmasters that's got me peeved.
You have requested that you be permitted to earn an additional merit badge and complete an Eagle Scout leadership service project in order to be awarded the Eagle Scout rank. We apologize if your earlier inquiry was not handled in a courteous manner.
That's one way of putting it, if you count ignoring it completely as being "not courteous".
However, our response must be the same, as there is simply no provision for retroactively completing significant segments of the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank.
There's no reason for you not to change the policies to at least partly compensate documented victims of sexual assault by your members. You merely choose not to do so.
The example you cited in your letter involved paperwork and not the performance of actual physical requirements for the award.
I already explained why I wasn't able to fulfill my requirements. I had to quit, because your organization member was sexually abusing me. If your administration can't see that my Eagle requirements weren't finished for a very good reason, then I might as well quit wasting my breath arguing my position. Where were the administrators, counselors and other people who could have helped me when I was still a minor? Why was my plight, and the similar plights of thousands of other boys, simply ignored by you?
While the Eagle Scout board of review and presentation of the award may take place after the Scout’s 18th birthday, our advancement policy states that all other requirements for the rank of Eagle must be completed by his 18th birthday. We recognize that the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank are stringent; this is why the rank is held in such high regard. Only 5 percent of all Boy Scouts ever attain this rank.
If my campaign is successful, 5 percent of zero won't be much to brag about.
We are sorry to learn of your unfortunate experience. However, we cannot comply with your request regarding the Eagle Scout Award.
That's certainly your prerogative, just as it's mine to continue my plans for protesting outside of your building tomorrow.
I would be happy to meet with you to discuss this issue if you feel that a meeting would be helpful.
Sure, come on out in front of your building tomorrow at about 7:00 am and we'll chat. I'll be the guy with the big black and white sign.
Sincerely,
Bill Evans
Youth Development
Team Leader
If that's the letter the BSA paid the big fancy PR firm to come up with, they were badly cheated.
I didn't come all this way to be deterred by a last-minute, half-hearted attempt to mollify me by some designated lackey. Besides, I don't want to disappoint all of the news organizations who are so interested in interviewing me tomorrow about my story.
I arrive in Irving, Texas, pick up my sign, and check into my hotel around 5 pm local time. No sooner do I drop my bags on the floor in relief after a long day of travel when my Blackberry buzzes.
Surprise!! It's an emailed letter from the Boy Scouts, sent out just minutes before. After almost two months, I finally get a response, mere hours before my planned protest. Let's see what took them so long to compose, shall we? (My comments in bold.)
December 8, 2008
Mr. Douglas J. Hester
Dear Mr. Hester:
The Chief Scout Executive, Robert Mazzuca, is travelling and has asked me to respond to your recent letter.
He's been traveling all this time, eh? No one's been around to attend to his correspondence at all? That's funny, because every time I called, he was in the office, just "in a meeting". Which story is correct?
You're the patsy that's been picked to try to stop the oncoming freight train of bad publicity, I see. I almost feel badly for you.
Let me assure you that the Boy Scouts of America deeply regrets any suffering or injury that you may have sustained as a result of the actions of David Rankin in 1987. Mr. Rankin was removed from Scouting immediately when the local council learned of his activities.
Well, duh. You mean because he was sitting in jail at the time? Yeah, I know he was removed. It's what your organization didn't do (and still don't do to this very day, as far as I know) for the many victims of pedophile Scoutmasters that's got me peeved.
You have requested that you be permitted to earn an additional merit badge and complete an Eagle Scout leadership service project in order to be awarded the Eagle Scout rank. We apologize if your earlier inquiry was not handled in a courteous manner.
That's one way of putting it, if you count ignoring it completely as being "not courteous".
However, our response must be the same, as there is simply no provision for retroactively completing significant segments of the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank.
There's no reason for you not to change the policies to at least partly compensate documented victims of sexual assault by your members. You merely choose not to do so.
The example you cited in your letter involved paperwork and not the performance of actual physical requirements for the award.
I already explained why I wasn't able to fulfill my requirements. I had to quit, because your organization member was sexually abusing me. If your administration can't see that my Eagle requirements weren't finished for a very good reason, then I might as well quit wasting my breath arguing my position. Where were the administrators, counselors and other people who could have helped me when I was still a minor? Why was my plight, and the similar plights of thousands of other boys, simply ignored by you?
While the Eagle Scout board of review and presentation of the award may take place after the Scout’s 18th birthday, our advancement policy states that all other requirements for the rank of Eagle must be completed by his 18th birthday. We recognize that the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank are stringent; this is why the rank is held in such high regard. Only 5 percent of all Boy Scouts ever attain this rank.
If my campaign is successful, 5 percent of zero won't be much to brag about.
We are sorry to learn of your unfortunate experience. However, we cannot comply with your request regarding the Eagle Scout Award.
That's certainly your prerogative, just as it's mine to continue my plans for protesting outside of your building tomorrow.
I would be happy to meet with you to discuss this issue if you feel that a meeting would be helpful.
Sure, come on out in front of your building tomorrow at about 7:00 am and we'll chat. I'll be the guy with the big black and white sign.
Sincerely,
Bill Evans
Youth Development
Team Leader
If that's the letter the BSA paid the big fancy PR firm to come up with, they were badly cheated.
I didn't come all this way to be deterred by a last-minute, half-hearted attempt to mollify me by some designated lackey. Besides, I don't want to disappoint all of the news organizations who are so interested in interviewing me tomorrow about my story.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Someone's panicking
A high-powered (and expensive, no doubt) public relations firm has decided to check out my amateurish scribblings.
Fellas, it would no doubt be much easier on your wallets to just do right by your organization's victims. That doesn't cost anything.
What a convenient itinerary
DFW airport to Fedex/Kinko's (To pick up the sign) - 7.59 miles
Fedex/Kinko's to Courtyard by Marriott - 2.14 miles
Courtyard by Marriott to BSA headquarters - 0.27 miles
Speaking up for and protecting victims of Scouting everywhere? Priceless.
Fedex/Kinko's to Courtyard by Marriott - 2.14 miles
Courtyard by Marriott to BSA headquarters - 0.27 miles
Speaking up for and protecting victims of Scouting everywhere? Priceless.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Why are you hiding?
Someone from the Dallas area (Irving, maybe?) has taken quite an interest in myself and my websites recently. Coincidence? I doubt it.
Why not contact me directly, instead of constantly checking my blog for updates? I'll let you know my future plans, including my scheduled visit to your headquarters on Tuesday. Boy, you should see the sign I ordered. It's a ripper.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Updates
1. At least one news outlet has contacted me, expressing interest in covering next Tuesday's planned demonstration in front of BSA headquarters. I will now have to "dress for success" for television, it seems.
2. Ken commented yesterday:
"Ok folks... just got a call from David Park in Texas (Dallas area) who is legal counsel for the Boy Scouts... He indicated that he will be calling Doug regarding this issue asap."
Nope. My phone hasn't rang from anyone there, which is pretty much consistent with their past actions when dealing with me, which is to do absolutely nothing and hope I go away. Wishful thinking on their part.
3. I have it on good authority that the assistant for Bob Mazzuca isn't getting much work done lately, as she is having to spend all of her time answering phone calls about this issue. Please keep spreading the word. We are definitely having an effect.
Thanks to everyone for your help and support. It's appreciated more than you'll ever know.
2. Ken commented yesterday:
"Ok folks... just got a call from David Park in Texas (Dallas area) who is legal counsel for the Boy Scouts... He indicated that he will be calling Doug regarding this issue asap."
Nope. My phone hasn't rang from anyone there, which is pretty much consistent with their past actions when dealing with me, which is to do absolutely nothing and hope I go away. Wishful thinking on their part.
3. I have it on good authority that the assistant for Bob Mazzuca isn't getting much work done lately, as she is having to spend all of her time answering phone calls about this issue. Please keep spreading the word. We are definitely having an effect.
Thanks to everyone for your help and support. It's appreciated more than you'll ever know.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Press Release - Feel free to share
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Douglas Hester
651-503-1099
Reaver thirty three at gmail.com
Sexually abused former Boy Scout member to demonstrate in front of Boy Scouts of America’s National Headquarters to protest their handling of his case, others
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – December 3, 2008
Contact: Douglas Hester
651-503-1099
Reaver thirty three at gmail.com
Sexually abused former Boy Scout member to demonstrate in front of Boy Scouts of America’s National Headquarters to protest their handling of his case, others
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – December 3, 2008
Douglas Hester, a 39-year-old former Life Scout who was one of several people molested by his scoutmaster in the mid-1980s while a member of Troop 740 in College Park, Maryland, will picket in front of the Boy Scouts of America’s national headquarters in Irving, Texas on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 from 7:00 am to noon. The demonstration will call attention to the shameful practices of the organization, which include: Failure to offer any legal assistance, trauma counseling or restitution to its past victims; the continuation of ineffective practices that allow sexual abuse to take place; failure to fully disclose the large number of sexual abuse offenses committed by its members; and not providing a way for adults who were abused as boys to finish their Eagle Scout requirements, while allowing other adults with far less serious impediments to complete their Eagle award.
Hester is also expected to shortly file suit, seeking compensation from the Boy Scouts of America for the many hardships he has endured as a direct result of the abuse.
For additional information: Please visit www.theboyscoutsdontcare.blogspot.com
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