9 May 2009
My International Interview
Posted by admin under: blog news .
Some of the people on my Twitter list and quite a number of my local troop acquaintances know that as a result of my January post about the BMI chart being implemented in the new medical forms I was contacted by ABC news who did a story about this policy. One dad back in Tennessee went to his local news station and told them about the new BMI chart and how he was told he couldn’t go to a high adventure base so they did a story about that. That’s when it got picked up by ABC News and their story hit the wires which prompted Fox News, MSNBC, and even a Canadian news outlet to give me a call to talk about it. I thought it was cool that my blog was getting attention, albeit from simply referencing a post at BuffaloEagle’s site. I was asked to go on the national news programs for Fox and MSNBC and I said I had to check with the council first, which I did, then I said I’d do it. Afterwards, my local Scout Executive told me that although I had every right to do the interviews and there would be no punishment if I decided to do so he was clear in his desire that I should decline the opportunity and allow the trained personnel at the national office to be the ones giving a response to the questions from the media. I told him I would consider his request, but ultimately decided to go through with the scheduled interviews rather than cancel them. One reason was because the national office wasn’t addressing what I thought was a reasonable concern: some volunteers that are physically fit will be obligated to remove themselves from some outings if they do not meet the BMI guidelines. The overriding reasons, of course, was that it was an opportunity for me to plug my blog on national media and that I thought I could handle myself and not be drawn into a discussion that would tarnish the Boy Scouts of America. Probably an arrogant belief, but that’s what I thought.
Those interviews took place with me sitting in the remote locations here in Los Angeles while hosts spoke to me from back east. My father-in-law captured the interviews with his cable station DVR and I’ll hopefully get a copy of those over the weekend. I think I did okay. I also did a phone interview with a Canadian news show, As It Happens, and that was posted on their web site on Thursday. That I’ve got a copy of by pulling it off their site and editing out all the other parts of the show.
So, here’s my international interview. Okay, it’s a border country, but it still counts: josh-canada-interview
- BoyandGirlScouts.com on FoxNews and MSNBC
- BSA Height/Weight Controversy
- International Camporee
- O/A’s Canadian High Adventure
- Steve B. on Robert M.
6 Comments so far...
ScoutingMouse Says:
10 May 2009 at 7:38 am.
I haven’t had a chance to listen to your interview and I’m sure you did just fine. But something in your post bothers me.
It’s troublesome that the local council applied pressure for you to back out of the interview. I’m sure National would just love it if they could carefully spin the image of Scouting in the media without the input of the unwashed masses, but I’m glad you didn’t let that occur (for whatever reason). How average Scouters react to and are impacted by these new rulings are just an important part of the news story as are the reasons National implemented them in the first place. Just like we try to teach the boys — if they don’t think their actions can stand up to an honest scrutinization then maybe they shouldn’t take such actions.
Anyway… I’m glad you didn’t let them shut you down. And I hope this reminds National that the rank and file leaders are their bread and butter. And I’m sure you did just fine — can’t wait to hear it.
admin Says:
10 May 2009 at 1:33 pm.
Thanks!
dualscoutmom Says:
10 May 2009 at 2:42 pm.
That’s great news that this is getting ‘real’ attention. By now, through Buffalo Eagle’s Troop 483 blog, you know how physically active we are with our scouts. According to the chart, at 3 pounds above the maximum weight limit, I couldn’t have possibly crab clawed my way up to the top of the 45 foot tower. Being able to hike all about El Rancho Cima Scout Ranch near San Marcos, Texas must certainly be out of the realm of possiblity as well. Oddly enough, I, and a couple of over the limit dads, managed just fine and had a fantastic weekend with the troop.
From Troop 483 and myself, we thank you for standing up for this cause.
dualscoutmom Says:
10 May 2009 at 3:03 pm.
I just listened to the interview and I think you handled it beautifully. I do think that should have some limits, but like you pointed out, it should take muscle content into account. Yes, I way more than the maximum height/weight comparison allows. However, I also wear clothes that I used to have to be 20 pounds less to where; thanks to working out with weights 2-3 times a week. I’ve made great efforts to build my upper body strength to handle the safety requirements on climbs… too bad it could eventually knock me out of being able to use it. Here’s hoping that the doctor’s scale is ‘off’ when he weighs me for summer camp since I’m supposed to help teach a Kodiak course.
BoyandGirlScouts.com on FoxNews and MSNBC | BoyandGirlScouts.com - News, Opinion, Advice Says:
15 May 2009 at 6:15 pm.
[...] world seemed weird again the next day when I got a call from and did a phone interview for Canadian radio and a Canadian [...]
