2000Cadet

Your post seems to infer that what I've said refers to you, which it is not. I've seen a lot of what you've done last year so I am not trying to make any issue of the steps you've taken. What I am saying is there are people who come here to do exactly what I pointed out, like one of the threads yesterday that was taken down. There was a DCP member who explicitly stated they were available for questions, or to clear things up, or to set the record straight. The post was STILL inserted into another thread even when the original thread was closed and when the entire subject was cleared up.

Lol, so my statements are assumptions, but you're telling ME what I'm saying. I said exactly what was on my brain. If you want to take it as that, do what you want. I don't really care. But the points I made are statements by which I stand so we can both move along.

As I've said. They're not assumptions. They are things I've witnessed myself. I'm not going any further than that, but my statement stands whether you want to label it an assumption or not.

They are not assumptions. They are things I've witnessed myself. Additionally, that one corps chose to treat their alum like they're not entitled to information does not mean that's the same for every drum corps. Just because one thing works for one doesn't mean it works for all, and I acknowledge that with my own ideas and statements as well. AGAIN, I'm not saying people should be quiet. And I'm not going to beat a dead horse with it. I believe there are better ways to handle it, you believe posting these stories on DCP is appropriate.

The difference is I'm not blaming a whistleblower or a victim. Some of those who have posted things about other corps don't come across as whistleblowers or victims, but rather someone with an ax to grind (yes, I said it again because I have seen it myself). AGAIN, I am ALL for holding corps accountable for what they've done (I was one of the first who came out against you know who when we all found out what he'd done). What I'm saying is, I don't think DCP has been the most effective way to do that. We don't. But the point is, too many times, the issues pop up on DCP with no context, with no idea whether or not someone within the org has brought it to someone's attention, so on and so forth. See my previous post for the steps I recommend.

I am not affiliated with the Cadets as far as staff or otherwise. I only marched and now I donate. Any attitude you think you're getting from me (which is none) would be coming directly from ME and not Cadets. And I think a lot of people on this site could practice a little humility. Well, I did not say I was against holding any corps accountable for the wrongs they've done. I am specifically talking about the way people feel the need to post dirty laundry on here. If I were in that position, I most certainly would take action to make sure people are held accountable. But in my view, there are more effective ways to do it. And let's get real folks. We ALL know there are certain people on this forum with axes to grind, who foam at the mouth at the slightest bit of controversy within corps they do not particularly like (or maybe the people within those corps), so let's not get brand new. Additionally, none of us know if people have tried to bring up issues in the past within their specific drum corps so speaking negatively about the entire staff as a whole on a drum corps forum doesn't seem to get anywhere. When I was in the Navy, we were taught if we had a problem, to handle it at the lowest level. If that doesn't work, you take it to the next level and the next and the next until the issue is fixed (and I'm talking about certain issues, so let's not twist my words here). I was never taught to go directly to the media (or social media, although we know a lot of people have done that) to get the issues fixed. While that doesn't always work, it's a start.

First off, I'm not "complaining" and you can leave your little attitude at the door. I am simply saying if people really want to solve an issue, DCP is not the place to do it. Second, I'm pointing out an issue that is ridiculous in my view. As I've said in my original post, I think it's right to point out when drum corps have done things that need to be addressed, but DCP does not seem to be the right place to handle issues. Third, The POINT of my initial post was to ask why people choose to bring issues on DCP, which usually leads to nothing being done except threads being led down rabbit holes with no solutions, and ultimately that thread getting closed. If people TRULY want to get something fixed within that specific organization, then they should approach that organization instead of adding to the destruction of that organization. But if you're all for posting that type of crap, then by all means, do you. Just because you can do something doesn't mean that's the right way to do it.

Have the postings about SCV's troubles led to changes within their org? I'm asking because I don't know, not to be an a-hole.

This, I already recognize, IF those options have been already exhausted. But from what I've seen on this site regarding certain issues lately, that is not always a true statement. As to your second point, when someone or an organization commits crimes or does things to people without their consent, I am all for "cancel culture."

We’ve had corps fold, corps take a year off, etc. What I have noticed to be constant is people coming onto this site to air those corps’ dirty laundry. Don’t get it confused. I am all for holding corps accountable for what happens with their finances, ESPECIALLY when much of their coins are from donations. But if we protest to love this activity as much as we do, WHY are we trying to destroy the reputations of corps we claim to love? Drum corps is still a niche activity. We don't get much support outside of those who already know about us. With all the changes that have taken place just over the past 20 years, we STILL have a relative small group of people who watch and enjoy this activity. Pandemics, inflation, and other things have have caused so many issues with in society so it comes as no surprise to me that drum corps is feeling the same pain. Maybe instead of pouring salt on the wounds, we should be talking directly to those corps and possibly provide suggestions on fixing the issues issues they're facing. Not saying it would be an easy task, but anything is better than coming onto a forum and posting terrible news just to get a rise out of people. Just a thought.

Here's a simpler question: Why are you asking that type of question on a forum like this when you could simply just reach out to the source?

REALLY!!! I lived in Cali for 7 years and even though it was expensive at the time, I loved it. I would move back in a heartbeat if my job sent me there. 5th largest economy in the world and people talk #### about it as if it's a developing country.

Uh huh. If you truly want answers to those questions (which I HIGHLY doubt), here's someone who may be able to answer for you since this person has made themselves available for questions:

Quoting these posts as this person clearly is one who was ACTUALLY in the room...

COMPLETELY agree with you, and you've made the point about Cadets' transparency so other people should take note. Example: Cadets have been more than transparent over the past few years about where their donations have been going. Just this year, they've disclosed a lot of that information. Perhaps if you leave your feelings at the door and go to their website, you'd have seen that. But I get it is more fashionable to kick a corps when they're already down.

Wow. This is a prime example of why it's always best to avoid this site when things like this happen. I felt bad for SCV for all the crap they were getting last year, and here we go again with people trashing an organization because they THINK something nefarious was going on.

Unfortunately, given how expensive things are, this has happened and is bound to happen to other corps, so careful with the sanctimony. I presume a lot of corps are looking at their finances right about now. Then what do you suggest? It's always easy to sit behind a computer and criticize something that you were more than likely not in the room to observe. Instead of pontificating about what's nothing more than conjecture, perhaps put your money where your mouth is.

I think that's a GREAT idea!

I'm not going to hijack the thread, but I have so many interesting stories about the interactions between Gino and our hornline.

I would LOVE to see Gino again. He's literally THE BEST teacher I've ever had in my life.

Yes. There was a guy doing a documentary on us. He'd asked Gino if one of us could hold his camcorder during our drill at the end of the show. Gino asked me to do it, so that was me holding the camera instead of my horn.

First SCV, now Cadets. Beware, alum of other corps, because what is going on in this thread will happen to your corps once they're forced to take a year off. Too many people here seem to lack empathy and are not really seeing the forest through the trees.

I think I now understand how SCV alumni felt last year.

Cadets helped to take an 17 year old teenager, who spent his childhood surrounded by drugs, gangs, and typical inner-city problems, and allowed him to see what life should be like. If it weren't for Cadets, he wouldn't have spent 21 years in the Navy created a life for himself that's worthy of celebration. That kid was me. The Cadets mean EVERYTHING to me. If they need to take a year off to get things back in shape, then so be it. I'm sad that this is happening, but with the continuing rising costs of everything, I can neither be surprised nor naive that this won't happen to other corps, because with the current trend, it will.