Absence of target populations; background checks

[Malcolm Taran]

On Sun. 24 Oct
Janos wrote
> That 7 year old boy... even with other teachers...was a liability..

you (Rich) had also written
> However, there were 2 other teachers, and 5 students, and it was in a
public library.

Yes, there exist human predators, there have been as far
back as we have history--back before writing.  But we 
are no more under siege than we ever have been; less now 
'cause we no longer hide or ignore human predation.

I volunteer with the Boy Scouts.  I had to submit to the 
WSP background check formality--but that's national 
policy.  More importantly, they _teach_ adult volunteers 
_and_boys_ about _awareness_.  For adults, for just a 
little example, _never_ be with a boy or boys alone--
always have another adult present.   Awareness and 
teaching awareness require no ID and no background 
checks.  I submit it is effective as red tape and 
implicit external authority cannot ever be.

Rich wrote
> Given our difficulties in recruiting (and keeping) volunteers, we won't
> have enough vols. to expand our services...

We have that problem right now.

> ...  Rather that putting effort 
> into processes that intrude on potential vols. (which we don't have
> enough
> of), lets focus on real and existing issues.

Yes, Janos, we do need to be intelligent, and 
forthright, about dealing with risk.

If an adult teaching a child in public is a 
liability, our society, values, and our collective 
mental health are in _serious_ trouble.

Rich, Kurt, someone needs to gather some 
quantitative data.  This discussion is getting 
hysterical--and not just in fun.

Malcolm Taran

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