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From their first statement on 01/09/22, I think SOA's handling of this situation through their social media can only lead to one conclusion. They were counting on the "Asteroid 7482" to strike somewhere on the planet earth. 😬🧐

Some days, I’m rooting for the asteroid. 🤣

DCI, as policy currently stands, would be a reach for any civil case to tag in a significant way under circumstances like what are being discussed. On the SOA front specifically, the plaintiffs would have to show that DCI was made aware of the situation and did nothing to stop it at such a time as they could have, which the information on the part of the reporter of the incidents doesn't claim to be the case. I suspect one of the reasons why DCI's legal advisors recommend NOT having the corps required to report these cases is to maintain a layer of separation on that front. As set up, DCI has a very limited power to interfere with the internal workings of any of their affiliated organizations. Ethically correct? Questionable. Legally sound? Yup. The failures being reported are very much in the purview of the individual organizations, not at the DCI level. I'm not hearing or seeing any issues related to harassment or problems going un-addressed* at Blue Devils. Same with Boston. Same with Blue Stars, Mandarins, Colts, Crown,etc. The majority of the organizations are being proactive in fostering a positive environment and culture, and seem to be succeeding in heading off problems and/or addressing them appropriately if and when something comes up. * not that they don't have issues of individuals behaving inappropriately or bringing baggage to the tour that negatively affects others - just that they're stepping in to resolve the issues in a timely fashion, which is what would have saved SOA from the self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the face they endured.

BSA filed bankruptcy and has mortgage their biggest asset. They are still operational but hurting big time. DCI would not survive at all. Abuses will always occur at some frequency and the answer isn’t to stop all forms of youth activity. But the corps have a duty to implement best practices for prevention and to follow up appropriately when issues do occur.

I voted for the asteroid in the last presidential election.

I’m watching 1883 now. Seeing how they ended up in Montana.

Ozark will help fill the gap while waiting a year for the next season of Yellowstone ❤️

if you wait for the 4 count break in the music you can yell their name

The same DCW that posted a story about guys peeking into the girls locker room while on tour in early 1980s?

I’m thinking there is only one top 5 corps with a female director?

National News You're the editor on the national desk of a newspaper. First thing, it's likely your newspaper, like every other newspaper in the land, is a husk of its former self. The newsroom is emptied out. You're operating on fumes. Are you going to send the scarcest resources you've ever had across the country to cover a story about a niche activity involving an organization no one outside of its neighborhood has heard of? To 99.99% of the country -- and probably 75% of the Bay Area -- "Blue Devis" means Duke University. Second thing, why this incident with this musical group? What's happening there that isn't already happening (and has been covered) in Scouting, the church, sports programs, major universities, the entertainment industry, even public schools? What's new here? (Update: See, e.g., this NYT story posted Jan. 19, followed the next day by this other NYT story). Sorry to be crass about it, but assaults happen every day in many settings. What's especially "newsy" about this one? These are real questions that real editors ask. No, unless abuse incidents in DCI are so widespread, so common, so everyday and endemic that it is an abuse category apart from all other institutions, it's hard to see how it rises to be national news. The biggest splash this story is likely to make is of the type we've already seen in the Philadelphia Inquirer -- a major metro with a corps in its own market. Disposable Resources It's entirely possible that there is a mom and a dad out there who: have a child who has been a victim of assault have the resources to pursue a civil case to its conclusion are motivated by principle only, not by the prospect of a settlement, because your average drum corps has a balance sheet that very likely amounts to less than the number of dollars you seek and will spend pursuing the case. If they were to sue, they almost certainly would do so in the knowledge that victory would not merely punish the corps in hopes of reform, but that it would sue the corps out of existence. What are the odds that all three of these dice will roll out exactly this way? Maybe better than ever given today's litigious and wired society. But still, on the whole, very remote, it seems to me. Could they pursue a criminal case instead? They can ask for one, but that decision will be made by the district attorney. The family's resources don't enter into the equation.

As Illianalancercontra mentions, this training is in response to the issues and lawsuits BSA faced/faces. Nothing wrong with learning from those who’ve been through the same problems and using the tools that they have established. Simply having the training won’t solve all the problems but the training combined with procedures and policies that are followed and enforced will significantly reduce the number of future issues. The corps need to foster an environment of prevention first and then being swift and thorough to take appropriate actions when issues do arise.

BSA, having lost multiple lawsuits, had to put this training into place or they wouldn’t be able to exist any longer. For some reason DCI doesn’t see that they are in the exact same place BSA was before the lawsuits & criminal investigations began.

Irony is so... ironic. This coming from the BSA and what not.

Sure, but at this point everyone associated with the corps needs to be replaced or it would be much better for them to just fold. New board, new management, new staff, everyone should go. The staff members who had the decency to resign over this are the only ones who should be considered for employment in the 2023 season. Sounds like a few HoF memberships should be revoked as well while they're at it.

That J&J case lives on as perhaps the textbook example on how corporate PR should deal with a "bad news" situation. Get all the facts out there... take full, unequivocal responsibility... and clearly lay out what the organization will be doing to make things right.

In my opinion, this thread has run its course.

When I finish yelling at this cloud & my neighbor's kid, I'll get on the 'googler' to figure out these names.

oh man can you imagine discovery? my hope is somewhere in Indy and at various corps directors offices/residences around the country, there are a whole lot of sphincters tightening up, and finally starting to get serious about this

The twin’s mother really took charge though. She’s amazing.

Season 2 episode 5 of CHEER should send out a clarion call for ALL youth organizations...hard to sit through but necessary..peace

Yes.

Agree that touring is the problem. I do not see drum corps continuing with the old tour formats. There was certainly some cool show stuff happening in 2021 both in Indy and via some of the artistic productions I saw- but no way is it reasonable to have a 14 year old travelling around the country on a bus with 21 year olds sharing showers and all of that. It just isn't going to work anymore in this day and age. So we can wait around for another shoe to drop or just put the old model out to pasture.

I sort of want this. I was happy to see what they did this past summer. Had the feel of SOA starting a good comeback. Sort of. If their plan is to use the year to go through the motions, and hopeful the attention and criticisms diminish, then no thanks. Iconic or not, I'd rather not see them on the field. I am petty, however. I like Bluecoats shows but can never see them take the field without remembering a couple of episodes related to arrogant, rude staff members in the stands.

…

Should mix Holst and John Adams… mash up of Fugal Overture and Short Ride in a Fast Machine.

1883 is pretty good! Mayor of Kingstown and Longmire are also good fillers.

That episode of Cheer should be more than enough of a wake up call…yuck.

I have that effect around here.

This one needs more context. DCI is an intense activity and sometimes a younger person needs the proverbial swift kick to find motivation. Definitely not saying that is the case here but have seen things like this before.

I voted for Galaxians

One of our own.Sounds like an old BD ballad .

Yep. I’m not real in-the-know so I may be incorrect here. I’ve heard that the original part of Philmont is protected by the grant/conditions from the gift that have the land to BSA. But it sounds like they later purchased a lot more land and that part is now mortgaged. Again, just third hand or further removed info.

Posted this in another thread last a response but will repeat here: just keep thinking that a SoA member had been doing offensive things for years and the corps was told about it. Yet they let him back in the corps year after year. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Beat me to saying it. Question will DCI and the corps do the same before the lawsuits and PR killing arrests start.

Joe went to his superior. as he himself did not see it, he couldn't go to the police. went to Curley and Sr. VP Gary Schultz, who also oversaw campus police since the incident was on campus...as he legally should have. and McQueary was vague with them as well. now should Joe have gone to the police? Sure. But since he didn't actually see it, if he didn't, talking to law enforcement friends, he could have opened himself up to issues if it was false. thats why anyone who witnesses something or is the victim of something should go to the police. right away

As I said in another thread, a more direct action by the victim or witnesses is needed. The concept of whistleblower sites are fine -- and well meaning I suppose -- but immediately contacting the Police (911) forces an immediate response, action, investigations and / or questioning of the accused, the witnesses, and the victim or victims. Additionally, when the police are called generally the local media gets wind. The power of the press and good investigative journalism is one of the greatest things about this country. It doesn't take long for the media to spread the word to the local media from where the corps is located. This alone will help to raise many questions with local citizens about the function of the drum corps that resides in their hometown. Like why exactly do we let this organization raise money in our town so they can fly in kids from all over the country to perform while using our Bingo profits and other funds and donations? How exactly is this organization benefitting local youth? What is their purpose? What makes them so special to our community? Is this really a local youth arts organization? When some of these drum corps get home from tour to find negative press and a note from the community saying your lease will not be renewed and your rents are due they will see the bigger picture. When they get home and have many questions from local citizens and community leaders wanting to know how they actually benefit local youth and how their money is being used they will see the bigger picture. The power of the press and immediate action will either help us burn it down or be the savior for real change.

This was my review of the 2021 Spielberg West Side Story that I posted on Facebook for my friends. I was amazingly impressed and feel it likely the best film of the year. But these are just my opinions. Enjoy! --------------------- Finally saw West Side Story in the theater. The movie is a flat out triumph! It's stunning in every aspect from script, music, costuming, cinematography, acting...you name it. Trying to hold back the tears in the most tragic scenes was impossible, and the dance segments are absolute perfection. I wanted to stand and applaud after "America." The sequence of events and overlays during "Tonight" were haunting. The ending, as we all know, is tragic. Dare I say Mr. Spielberg has one-upped the 1961 movie. There are changes, including some of the scenes being ordered differently from the 61 film. In fact the movie is more in line with the original 1957 Broadway show, as Mr. Spielberg notes in an interview. West Side Story has always been a difficult musical for my taste, yet artistically stunning. I can't stand gang violence and all the racism, bigotry, hate, and sheer ignorance that is so prevalent in these characters. It is tough to digest. For those reasons I wasn't sure I wanted to see the movie. In my heart I like to believe we are beyond such ignorance. But I see this modern remake as a preservation effort to enhance for future generations one of the most stunning and tragic shows of all time. West Side Story leaves us with the pain of hate and violence, yet fills our hearts with the hope for peace and love..."Somewhere." Hearing Leonard Bernstein's music again in the theater was nothing short of thrilling. Simply put the music is brilliant. David Newman deserves a lot of credit for rearranging some of the music to fit the scenes. The New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic provide the score with Gustavo Dudamel conducting. If your heart can take the highs and lows of this tragic, yet heart-felt story, then you will not be disappointed. Mr. Spielberg has remade a masterful musical into an even more EPIC film that takes the 1961 version to a new level. Just to hear the music of Leonard Bernstein in the theater again is reason to go. 10 out of 10!!!!

That stuff stays with you.

I certainly hope they have the wear with all to return in 2023 as a changed organization.

This is a significant if.

if they get their #### together sure.

And … if I understand correctly, and the Dear knows if I do … brains aren’t fully formed in a person until they are 25 , give or take a year. How many techs are under that age limit? How many bad decisions are being made by junior staff every day, especially with regard to interactions with MMs, whom are barely younger than they are? I could go in so many different directions on how this could go wrong, but I don’t think I have to. Iron clad codes of conduct must not only be implemented, but enforced. End of rant.

Well Spirit did lose a housing site as announced a few days ago. Don’t think anyone took the legally scary step to say why:

I’ve come to the conclusion the activity isn’t going to adopt or accept mandatory and enforceable violations of individuals or organizations. IMO it’s only a matter of time before a reported incident gets brushed under the rug again that will shutdown the whole activity. National news and a family with disposable resources to hire the best legal representation will be all it will take.

My suggestioN has nothing to do with maturity, and everything to do with legalities. It’s blatantly clear that the corps have failed at managing these issues and created more liability for the activity and themselves. It’s only a matter of time before law enforcement gets involved, and then that scandals happens DCI will be forced to fold. If that happens it will impact the entire marching arts activity, and be extremely difficult to recover. Imagine the headlines - teacher accused of sexually assaulting 16 year old for months on band tour. The activity would never recover from that.

Still not like two months nonstop. That’s a breeding ground for this.

Every time I see that I’m reminded I spent my high school and college days in a Senior corps. And some of the people I talked to and hung with were at least a decade older. “Age is just a number”.. it’s the maturity level

Yes, absolutely serious. If you’re not able to see the contradictions (kids vs adults mixed into the same “youth” activity… what can go wrong? A majority of the members in world class corps are 18 and over anyway, it wouldn’t be as drastic of a change as you might think.

I’m afraid I have to disagree with you. Many other Corps have fired staff, written policies etc. Yet this type of abuse continues. It is time for bold action. The staff firings & policing apparently do not work. SoA needs to be shut down. As well as permanent staff ban. If after a few years off if, under completely new management, perhaps they could be allowed too reapply. As open class, just like every other new Corps.