Yet another pedophile scoutmaster arrested

[Sapphocrat]

Yet another pedophile scoutmaster -- this time from my hometown:

Los Altos (CA) scoutmaster held on molest charges

The Santa Clara County Sheriff arrested a Los Altos Boy Scout leader Thursday morning for allegedly molesting several scouts over a five-year period.

Terrance Helm, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, said Gregory Allen Wagner, 42, has been associated with Troop 31 of the Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America, since 1986. Authorities said he is a scoutmaster.

<snip>

The sheriff's office now believes that Wagner had inappropriate contact with several scouts from 1987 to 1992. Most of the alleged molestation took place on scouting trips and the age of the victims ranged from 12 to 17 years, Helm said.

<snip>

Helm said sheriff's investigators are hoping that more victims will step forward ...

More:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/peninsula/12476986.htm

The local TV news adds that he's been charged with lewd acts on a minor, and distributing pornography to a minor.

I can't say for sure, but considering the ultra-con makeup of the BSA, and knowing the stultifyingly conservative makeup of Los Altos, I'd wager good money he's a repuke.

What is it with the Boy Scouts (and all anti-sex tighty-righties, for that matter)? Repression does seem to create monsters... and monsters are drawn to youth organizations with plenty of fresh prey.

One of these days, the BSA is going to be blown wide open on this issue as the RCC has been.

[YDogg]

1. Well that sucks.

For the kids. Sorry to hear about this sort of thing.

[underthedome]

2. ^ Pun intended? nm

nm

[xray s]

3. please don't presume all the BSA is ultra-con

believe it or not, BSA volunteers come from across the political spectrum.

Casey Sheehan was an Eagle Scout.

I think their teachings on conservation and respect for nature and the environment is a good thing.


It's is indeed sad that pedophiles seek out victims in youth organizations. But it happens in schools, churches, sports teams...and the BSA.

.

[Sapphocrat]

38. Granted, not all are...

But, honestly? I say the same thing about Republicans. Not all are. But there's a significant enough percentage who are. And as long as the "official" leadership continues to bash atheists and gay folks, well...

And yes, it does happen everywhere. Blame it on the media (or not), but there seems to be an extremely high incidence among BSA leaders. (And I don't go looking for this stuff -- it just jumps right out at me in my daily news-reading.)

As for conservation and respect for nature and the environment, that's a wonderful thing, and I applaud it.

It's just a bloody shame the BSA doesn't instill the same respect and value for fellow human beings, be they non-Christians, non-heterosexuals, etc.

And as much respect and care as I give our animal and plant friends, it seems to me that caring for the earth is canceled out by dissing your fellow humans.

But that's just me.

[smoogatz]

4. I wouldn't sign my kid up for the freaking Boy Scouts on a bet.

The whole para-military thing is too creepy for words; not to mention all the Christian bullshit. And then there's the fact that the organization is apparently rife with pedophiles. Yech.

[underthedome]

5. Nah everything you said is Bull

BoyScouts overall is a good thing in my book.

[walldude]

7. Maybe in your neighborhood

Depends on where you are I guess... My parents made me stay in the scouts and I hated it...

Good thing they don't let gays in the scouts. Made room for all those pedophiles.

[TexasLady]

9. My 12 tr old is in it

He went to summer camp, and had a blast. There were lots of moms and dads that went along as well. He had a ton of great stories to share, especially the late night jokes and skits they did.

Its a good thing for him too. JMHO.

[smoogatz]

11. Cogent argument.

Well articulated. I'm convinced! Not. The whole creepy little uniform thing is wayyyy to 1984 for me, thanks. If my kid wants to go camping, he doesn't have to wear a freakin' neckerchief to do it. And then there are those pesky pedophiles. You haven't really addressed them.

[underthedome]

17. You judge an entire group by a few ehh?

That speaks volumes about you.

Your big issue you have with BSA is the uniform, seriously?

[Bluebear]

18. The entire group forbids atheists and gays

No use for them.

[underthedome]

19. True the top levels do, but tolerence varies on the local level

but hey don't be involved with it, I'll support trying to change it from within, slowly yes, but chnage none-the-less.

Grassroots from within baby.

[smoogatz]

21. Bingo.

Future Fascists of America.

[underthedome]

23. haha, you guys really crack me up. BSA now equals Hitlers Youth ay?

haha

[smoogatz]

24. They think they have the right to discriminate

against people on the basis of sexual orientation and religion. That smells a bit of fascism to me.

[underthedome]

25. So do most states via marriage laws, should we just pack up and quit?

It's not like the BSA is the Young Republican's Club.

[smoogatz]

30. Apples and oranges, friend.

If nobody joined the BSA, they'd dry up and blow away. You're perpetuating their bullshit just by participating and paying your dues. I have no choice about paying my taxes, even if I disagree with how they're spent. But you could choose to stop paying the Future Fascists to discriminate, if you wanted to.

[Sapphocrat]

35. Isn't it?

At least for the moment?

IIRC, the President of the United States is the honorary president of the BSA.

So, in my book...

[foreigncorrespondent]

27. Where was the term...

..."Hitler Youth" used? From what I saw the poster said "future fascists." That doesn't equate to being Hitler Youth.

[smoogatz]

20. Speaks volumes about me?

Does it really. In what way, exactly?

It's what the uniform implies, if you actually care. The whole paramilitary thing. And then there's all that clean and loyal faithful rule-following crap. Not to mention the fact that they don't like gay people. The whole deal just gives me the creeps.

And no, I don't judge all Boy Scouts based on the fact that the organization seems to be a haven for pedophiles. But that doesn't exactly dispel my skepticism about them, either.

[underthedome]

22. I Don't have a problem with children being clean ,loyal or following rules

nm

[foreigncorrespondent]

28. And that...

...speaks volumes about you!

[Sapphocrat]

36. So...

...being clean, loyal, and following rules negates bigotry?

Now, bigotry -- there's a real American value. At least, it boasts tradition.

[foreigncorrespondent]

26. Why not?

That group has judged the OP of this thread for being gay. That speaks volumes about THEM!

The fact that there has been several of these cases speaks volumes about THEM.

So you like them because they are a "good" thing overall? Even though there are kids getting molested? Even though they do not believe in letting gays in?

[TankLV]

32. From personal experience and all the evidence presented in this very

thread - I'd say you are the one with the bull.

He's backed up his statements with facts - and I've had similar experiences.

[NaturalHigh]

10. I was in the Boy Scouts when I was a kid.

Overall, it is a very good organization. I learned a lot and made a lot of friends. Our scoutmaster (who is still serving in that position) was, and is, a very good man. We never had anything happen that would qualify as any kind of scandal.

[smoogatz]

13. I was never a scout.

But I had friends who were. It was just an excuse to go out in the woods and smoke dope, according to them. Which I'm not really opposed to--I guess I've just never been much of a joiner.

[porphyrian]

6. They don't allow gay scouts, just gay scout masters.

Gay pedophile scout masters, that is. Sorry to group them with the majority of gays. I do know better.

[underthedome]

8. Yep, a bad policy but i'm not going to write them off because of it

Get involved in scouting and bring in values that teach tolereance and changes will occur. Shunning the organization isn't the answer.

[porphyrian]

14. I was a scout.

Unless you're planning on infiltrating the administration and changing its core policies, you're not going to get any tolerance for homosexuality from them. Fuck them, there are other ways for kids to go camping and learn skills.

[Sapphocrat]

39. "bring in values that teach tolerance" ...

Tolerance of whom?

I don't mean to keep jumping on you, underthedome, but I think you're either seriously unaware, or seriously in denial, of the overt bigotry of the BSA's official "party line."

I'm not going to beat you over the head -- but will you do me a personal favor? Visit this site:

http://www.scoutingforall.org/

We don't even have to discuss it if you don't want to. Just please visit the site, and read as much as you can. That's all I ask.

The site/org is the brainchild of Eagle Scout Scott Cozza, who, at the tender age of 12, recognized the wrong being done by the ogranization he loved. Steve (at least last time I checked) is a young straight man.

"The Boy Scouts were the ones who taught me to take a stand and try to make the world a better place," he told the Gay Standard. "They say to treat others as you would want to be treated. "By discriminating they are not following their own Scout Oath and Law, they are not trying to make the world a better place. I am the one who is following the Scout Law. It is them who are not following it by discriminating."

[foreigncorrespondent]

29. Self delete...

...misread!

[seabeyond]

12. cool, just got back from first pak meeting with my son.....

so friggin paranoid anymore, i am looking into all these mens eyes. wonderin

[LincolnMcGrath]

15. Good thing they kept the queers out!

:eyes:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

16. I wouldn't let my son join the Scouts. I abhor their bigotted policies.

As to pedophiles. Anywhere there are children there is a chance for a pedophile to worm their way into the organization. I was always very careful with my sons when they were playing sports. A dear friend of mine was molested years ago by his baseball coach.

[TankLV]

31. I used to be a scout - 1 merit badge away from eagle.

I quit when they became a paramiltary hitler-youth type cult during the Vietnam War.

I told my scout leader to go fuck off - this isn't the army and he's no soldier - we were there to enjoy the outdoors and camping, etc., not march around in unison in the hot sun for not aparent reason.

He couldn't do a thing to me. Had a lot of supporters from the other scouts - can you say "mutiny"?!!! I'll never forget the look on that nazi's face when we just did what we wanted. It was priceless.

Never been back since - and I'm glad I haven't. Sounds exactly like the hitler youth to me nowadays.

[mixedview]

33. slightly OT: this is horrible, but it's not pedophilia

and neither were those cases involving the Catholic priests.

Pedophilia is sexual attraction to pre-pubescent persons (children). These boys were post-pubescent (adolescents).

Pedophiles aren't attracted to anyone with secondary sexual characteristics.

[Sapphocrat]

37. OK...

I'll bend on the strict definition of pedophilia.

But what do you call an adult who preys on post-pubescents below the "age of majority"?

Not baiting you, I swear -- what is the correct term? Besides "statutory rapist"?

[mixedview]

40. the correct term is hebophilia. /eom

[wli]

34. more Republican family values n/t

[burrowowl]

41. As are others, maybe,

"One of these days, the BSA is going to be blown wide open on this issue as the RCC has been."
You would not believe the number of 'respected members' of the community get away with child abuse. A woman I met wondered why their Collie didn't like the 'well respected businessman of the community' until she caught him screwing the dog and then she added 2 and 2 together, wondered about the children and sure enough, but the children stuck with the father, he gave then stuff, and now she has low-paying work and the dog, the children prefer the money.