greg_orangecounty

Having raised 4 kids and now watching my grandkids grow up, there is a BIG difference in emotional maturity between a 14/15-year-old and an 18-year-old – generally speaking. An 18-year-old is much more equipped mentally and physically to be able to deal with, report, and say no potential physical, mental, and sexual abuse – be it member to member, or instructor to member. It wouldn’t solve the problem in its entirety, but it would remove the most vulnerable from the clutches of the pervs that continually infect the activity. In retrospect, what were/are we thinking? Packing busloads of children, hormonal teenagers, and young adults, together for weeks at a time on the road cross-country in close quarters without much, if any parental supervision. And we wonder why this keeps happening.

Raising the minimum age to 18 wouldn't solve the problem of sexual abuse completely, but it would help. Hate to have to do it, but under the circumstances I'd be all for it.

We had minors march in our alumni corps in 2008. At least a half-dozen, or so. They were adorable and good.

Disagree Counselor. Because with that line of reasoning you could also say murder is “ok” because it’s not mentioned in DCI charter rules. I know they didn’t do background checks, but the perps were already through the door and doing bad things. We knew as kids in the 70’s and the adults in charge knew too. My point is DCI cared about the little stuff (marching overage members) and not the big stuff (protecting members). They had a moral obligation to do so even if not mentioned in any charter/rules. I could “somewhat” buy the excuse that those were just the times and it’s “wrong” to apply todays standards to different times, but some of these people (at least two) are celebrated to this day.

The disconnect I have is that DCI sure had no problem wielding their authority on corps with the suspected HORROR of marching an overage member. Dealing with their own authority figures and luminaries who molested kids in and outside of Drum Corps, not so much. If DCI is brought down by this or any other sexual harassment lawsuit I will cry, but at the same time it might be justice finally served.

I'd be very surprised if DCI's legal counsel would allow them to do that at this time. It would not be prudent.

In my time on this planet I have noticed some of the most gifted and talented people are also the most......*messed up. Not all, obviously, but in disproportionate numbers. *(I wanted to use a different phrase).

..............I'm not so sure. Hey, fwiw, I think you do good work and I appreciate your service to our country.

Katie Hopkins has been at SCV for at least 5 years now, teaches WGI Guards, and high schools guards too. I don't know her personally, but I understand from those that do she's a quality individual. Based on her body of work, and until there is more substantive evidence other than a Reddit post, she should be allowed to make a living despite the sins of her father. To do otherwise is gross and illegal under state of California employment law. For concerns on her training maybe ask Gio Bastante. I assume you know her.

One of the most storied corps in the history of our activity died today and this is what you care about? Good Lord.

Whatever year they did the peace sign. It was either 1971 or 72. It was considered VERY controversial by the VFW crowd at the time; "#### Commie Hippies"!

The Kingsmen did twice but they were never the same and didn't have a sexual harassment lawsuit hanging over their heads. This is different and permanent for Garfield. "The first thing we do is kill all the lawyers" Dick the Butcher - Henry IV, Act IV, William Shakespeare

Who am I kidding? I'm in pretty decent shape for my age, but the first time I have to run backwards or sideways like a crab I'd fall and break a hip.

If push comes to shove, and they really overlook the age rule, I'm available.

And you can tell. It's as if the judging panel on Dancing with the Stars has taken over.

I wish DCI would not schedule shows in San Bernardino. Move it to Orange County where there are a myriad of safer municipal stadiums.

In the beginning, the California corps that travelled east received a lot of love because they were a novelty. As the activity changed from regional to national the love disappeared a bit as the east lost to the west on a semi-regular basis.

Drum corps has survived depressions, recessions, wars, political upheaval, pandemics, etc. etc. etc. It will be around in 20 years but it may not be called Drum Corps International.

I trust your research, I just don't remember that there were that many judges (10?) in the first half of the first decade of DCI, especially the first year.

Drum Corps has gentrified and it’s sad. Instead of being an activity any kid off the street can do it’s now something akin to grad school for music and dance majors. Good for the kids that can afford it but sad for those from low income and “at risk” kids that cant. A spending cap for costs that can be controlled should have been implemented decades ago for the greater good of the activity.

Where do I sign?

Someone should pitch the show concept to Bravo; "The Real Band Moms of Chino Hills". Follow them through marching season; drama, power struggles, betrayal, inner-rivalries, favortisim, and everything else that makes for good entertainment. I'd watch that one.

I forgot about the uniform Moms. I take it back; THEY had the hardest job! They did it out of love but in reality they should have received bio-hazard pay. For fun, we would do Rorschach tests on the mold pattern on the inside of our cadets. 🤢

Depends if the driver just drivers, or is also responsible for loading/unloading on a truck without an electric lift gate. But I agree 100% on what it means to be a volunteer.

Stan Kenton (and jazz in general) Hector Berlioz Tower of Power 🥲