October 22, 2017Gronda Morin

aside Cub Scout Den Banishes 11 Year Old For Daring To Ask Legislator About Gun Control

AMES MAYFIELD

A precocious 11 year old Cub  Scout, Ames Mayfield dared to ask his Colorado State Senator Vickie Marble, some tough but pertinent questions. He is involved in his school politics because this has become a passion for him. He did an outstanding job but the questions were critical. As a consequence, he was kicked out of his cub scout den.

Here is the rest of the story… 

On October 20, 2017, Samantha Schmidt of the Washington Post penned the following report, “A Cub Scout pressed a lawmaker about gun control. Then his den kicked him out, his mother said.”

Excerpts:

“When Ames Mayfield’s Cub Scout den met with a Colorado state senator last week, the 11-year-old came prepared with a long list of typed-up questions. He excitedly raised his hand to ask his first one.”

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“Ames pressed the Republican state senator, Vicki Marble, on an issue he knew was important to her: gun legislation. The Cub Scout in Broomfield, about 20 miles north of Denver, asked her a slew of questions about previous bills she had sponsored in support of the right to bear arms, and he wasn’t shy about inserting his opinion.”

“I was shocked that you co-sponsored a bill to allow domestic violence offenders to continue to own a gun,” Ames said, according to a video posted to YouTube by his mother. “Why on earth would you want someone who beats their wife to have access to a gun?”

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AMES ASKING SENATOR QUESTIONS

“After Ames’s questions went on for more than two minutes, a leader in his group cut him off to allow the state senator to answer. Both the senator and the leader commended him for his “thorough” list of questions.”

“But after the meeting, the leader of Ames’s Cub Scout pack, which oversees various dens, requested a meeting with his mother. The leader told Ames’s mother, Lori Mayfield, that her son was kicked out of his Cub Scout den, the mother said in an email to The Washington Post.”

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“The son’s den leader was apparently upset over Ames’s questions, particularly the one on gun control, Mayfield said. The mother was told her son’s question was disrespectful and too political.”

“I had to go home and tell my son he was kicked out,” Mayfield said. “My son was heartbroken.”

“Ames was less than four months away from transitioning from the Cub Scouts to the Boy Scouts, his mother said.”

“The Scouts did not explicitly say he was kicked out of the den. In a statement to The Post and local media outlets the Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts said only that he remains a member of the larger pack,  and that the organization is working with the family to offer him options that will “allow him to continue his Scouting experience in a way that fits his and his family’s needs.”

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“The Boy Scouts and the Denver Area Council are “committed to working with families interested in Scouting to find local units that are the best fit for their children,” the statement read.”

But local news reports of Ames’s apparent removal from his den drew anger across social media, with many arguing that Ames was punished for asking tough questions of a state lawmaker. After all, the den had specifically assigned the scouts to prepare questions for the senator.”

Image result for PHOTOS OF GABRIELLE GIFFORD AND HUSBAND MARK KELLY“Ames’s story drew the attention of gun control advocate and former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, who was shot in the head by an assailant in 2011, suffering a severe brain injury.”

“This is the kind of courage we need in Congress,” Giffords  tweeted  Thursday. “Ames, call me in 14 years. I’ll campaign for you.”

“Giffords’s husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, called Ames and his mother Thursday night to talk about what happened, according to Fox 31.”

“In a statement to the Denver Post, Marble said that decisions about “who is in or out of a den are internal organizational matters that I won’t second guess.”

“I don’t blame the boy for asking the questions, since I believe there was an element of manipulation involved, and it wasn’t much different from the questions I normally field in other meetings,” Marble told the Denver Post.”

“The invitation to meet with the Scouts was never intended to cause friction and controversy.”

The focus of the Cub Scouts’ assignment, Mayfield said, was to meet with a government leader and discuss an important issue facing the community. Cub Scouts were instructed to decide on one or two questions, and to be prepared to ask the official about an issue in the local news.

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REP VICKI MARBLE

Ames researched the senator before the meeting and decided he would focus his questions on gun control, his mother said. After all, the majority of the videos on Marble’s site deal with gun rights legislation.

“Given that the Las Vegas shooting happened, I felt that it should be a reasonable thing to ask,” Ames told a Denver Fox affiliate. “I don’t feel like I did anything wrong.”

“His mother went along to the meeting and filmed it, because “it’s not every day you get to meet with a senator,” Mayfield told The Post.”

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“Other Scouts asked the state senator about her views on President Trump’s proposed border wall and fossil fuel dependence. One Cub Scout wanted to know “why people voted for Obama just because we’ve never had a president with the skin tone of a black person.” Marble responded that she doesn’t know either, and she wondered about that question herself.”

“Ames also asked Marble about controversial comments she made at a 2013 legislative hearing regarding mortality rates among black people.”

“According to the Denver Post, in 2013 Marble said: “When you look at life expectancy, there are problems in the black race. Sickle-cell anemia is something that comes up. Diabetes is something that’s prevalent in the genetic makeup, and you just can’t help it.”

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“Although I’ve got to say,” she added at the time. “I’ve never had better barbecue and better chicken and ate better in my life than when you go down South and you, I mean, I love it.”

“Marble responded calmly to Ames’s questions by saying the controversial statements were “made up by the media.”

“After Mayfield posted the videos on YouTube, the website Colorado Pols published a story about the senator’s exchange with the Cub Scouts. It was after this article published that Ames’s pack leader requested a meeting with his mother.”

Mayfield said she was told by the pack leader that Ames should not have brought up the topic of gun control, although Mayfield asserts the Scouts weren’t given any parameters before the meeting.”

“I completely disagree and felt my son followed the directions of the assignment and asked hard-hitting, but certainly not disrespectful, questions,” Mayfield said. She argued that other students’ questions were just as political.”

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Ames “has taken great interest in politics,” his mother said. The fifth grader was so troubled by recent events that he ran for student council and executive council treasurer at his school. He won both elections, voted in by his peers.”

“This was her son’s fifth year in Cub Scouts. He has the top seller of his pack’s popcorn fundraiser, taking in $2,750 in just two weeks to pay for his dues and all of his activities for the rest of his time in Cub Scouts.”

“Sadly, he will not get to reap the full benefit of his hard work,” his mother said.”

48 comments

  1. Apart from the reprehensible act of trying to stifle a child instead of talking matters through with them, as an observer of the USA I not once more two facets:
    1. Ordinary folk are becoming very ready to take up any cause wherein they feel freedom of speech is being stifled.
    2. When backed into a corner, folk in public office who cannot cope with the difficult questions starting parroting variations on a theme of the media critical of them as ‘making things up’.
    Point 1. A fine tradition within the USA.
    Pont 2. They really should learn by now it makes them sound whingers.

    Liked by 3 people

      • Thanks Jill.
        There is obviously at outbreak of Stupidity Aggravated Meaness in some of the political class, I suggest immersion in a bucket of water, 3 minutes every day. It’s an old cure, but it might work.

        Liked by 2 people

        • Ha ha ha … at first I thought you meant that I should immerse my head in a bucket of water, and I was in the process of saying, “But Roger … I cannot even hold my breath for 10 seconds … I would drown!” when it hit me that you meant the idiots, not me! I think I don’t get enough sleep … 😀

          Liked by 2 people

        • It’s a British thing Jill, based on the old retort ‘Go soak your head’…or ‘Go boil your head’ 😄 😅.
          I’d never suggest such treatment upon your dear self…..😮!
          Ah well I must bid you g’night. See all of you tomorrow 😴 💤

          Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Jill and Roger,

      I and Jill love your analysis!

      I would have been so proud of this young man. The Mom and Dad are doing a fine job. The representative is a politician but a lousy one. She was not prepared to answer these questions.

      Incidentally, I would say the same if the roles had been reversed. If a conservative child asked tough questions of a liberal, I would expect the adult to graciously respond.

      The difference is the liberal would have raised a firestorm if the child had been banished from the Cub Scout Den.

      Now Rep Marble will be known as the one who lost her marbles when she couldn’t handle a little boy’s questions.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. I’ve noticed when the our First Amendment bumps up against the Second, money and politics decides the outcome. Our politicians are useless when their hand is perpetually in the corporate till.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear !EarthUnited,

      The Colorado Senator Marbles is getting so much attention for her lack of graciousness. She is entitled to her opinion but she should be capable of answering uncomfortable questions.

      She had an opportunity to stop Ames from being kicked out of the cub scout den but she chose to be vindictive.

      She deserves all the negative press coverage.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Thank you for this post, Gronda … young Ames reminds me of myself at that age, and this story enrages me! We want our children to learn, to understand how things work. We encourage them to ask questions, to become involved. And then, somebody comes along and because the young person is asking questions, is doing exactly what he should be doing, somebody comes along and smashes him like a big beneath their boot! I so hope this doesn’t discourage Ames from continuing to be politically astute and involved, for I think this young man is going places when he grows up. I think he will grow to be the kind of thinking, caring person we need more of in this world. I shall re-blog. Thanks again. Hugs!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Jill,

      When I read this story, I felt similarly outraged.

      If a politician cannot be gracious when being asked tough questions, he or she needs to go get another job.

      If the roles had been reversed, the conservatives would have been yelling bloody murder. The difference is that the liberal would have joined up with the conservatives as Ames should not have been kicked out of the cub scout den for doing what we wished every civic minded adult would do. He did an outstanding job of research and of asking pertinent questions.

      This Rep Marbles lost her marbles.

      Thanks a million times over for all of your support and for this reblog.

      Hugs, Gronda.

      Liked by 1 person

      • While Marble’s behaviour and stance on guns disgusts me, what gets my goat the most is the troop leader who made the decision to oust young Ames. That man has no business leading these young boys … it makes me see red! My pleasure to re-blog, for this is something everyone needs to see and be up in arms about. Hugs!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Reblogged this on Filosofa's Word and commented:
    Today I read a story that truly enrages me, and I must share it. I will leave it to my friend Gronda to tell you the story, for she has done so well and her words need no introduction from me. Many thanks, Gronda, for bringing this abomination to our attention, and for your generous permission to share it.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Gronda, reading this I feel like we will be hearing more from Ames Mayfield in the future. He is precisely the kind of leader that is needed in business or government. The folks who run this Scouting Den should be ashamed of themselves. If a political leader cannot handle questions from a child, then he or she has no business in politics. Keith

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Keith,

      I couldn’t agree with you more. A politician doesn’t deserve his or her job, if they can’t appropriately handle tough questions from an 11 year old young man.

      This story has earned national coverage. The Colorado Rep. Marbles lost her marbles and she will rue the day that she didn’t defend Ames from being kicked out of the cub scout den.

      You are so right in predicting a great future for this young man.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

  6. He is a very intelligent boy with an enquiring mind and these sorts of people often upset the apple cart. In a democracy no one should be punished for asking awkward questions and this is dastardly treatment of an innocent lad who seeks to find answers.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Kerstsen,

      I couldn’t agree more!

      The Colorado Senator Marbles is the adult and a politician who should be experienced in answering uncomfortable questions.

      The Cub Scout Den Mother appears to have assigned a like-minded adult to talk to her troop of boys. She had no right to expect that all the children would all believe as she does. It seems to me that this is the real reason, he was kicked out of this cub scout den.

      Ames did an outstanding job. Senator Marbles has earned all the negative press coverage that she is receiving.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

  7. Plucky kid…Master Ames may have lost the support of his Cub Scouts leader, but he’s gained the support of his nation. I hope this gives him the idea that he can make a difference despite hitting walls. I hope he is reinstated in his pack…intelligent kids like this should be our next leaders.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Colettebytes,

      Thanks for your input.

      I hope his entire cub scout den finds another cub scout Mother. The mission of the Cub Scouts/ Boy Scouts/ Girl Scouts is to help develop youngsters into becoming responsible, civic minded, decent adults. It is not to have all participants, think alike.

      I agree that Ames Mayfield is a future leader.

      Huigs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Kim,

      I am certain that your husband could graciously answer an 11 year old’s questions about owning guns or for being pro-gun.

      I would say exactly the same if the roles had been reversed. Ames did an exceptional job in doing his research and in formulating his questions. He deserve encouragement and not banishment.

      The Colorado Senator Marbles is mow getting all the negative media coverage that she deserves.

      Thanks a million times over for all of your support and for this reblog.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Cornfedcontess,

      There is hope for the democratic party.

      Ames did an outstanding job of research and in formulating his questions. He put a lot of effort at executing this assigned task.

      His efforts should have been rewarded but instead the Colorado Senator Marble and the Den Mother tried to dampen and crush this young man’s his enthusiasm.

      They are reaping their just desserts.

      Thanks a million times over for your support and for this reblog.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

  11. If the Senator is anything like our own British Member’s of Parliament, I have a guess she could have coped with a tricky question or two, even from a cub scout!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Blog Andrew,

      WELCOME!

      Any competent politician should have been able to handle tough questions from an 11 year old young man.

      What the politician does not do is complain about it and he or she should have prevented this cub scout from being kicked out for enthusiastically handling his assigned task.

      The Colorado State Senator Marble deserves the negative press that she has been receiving.

      Thanks for stopping by and Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Suzanne,

      I am glad that the Gifford family reached out to the young man and his family. Then the Washington Post chose to cover this story. The actions of the Colorado senator and the Cub Scout leader have backfired and the young man’s reputation has been raised.

      Thanks a million times over for your support and this reblog.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear V. M. Sang,

      I think the unfairness of this situation touched people’s hearts. Here is a young man who did an exceptional job on the assignment he was given but the adults tried to crush him because his thinking was different from their belief system.

      I would be saying the same if the kid was conservative questioning a liberal politician.

      Thanks for stopping by and Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Telltalesnotlies,

      You are so right. The Den Leader had no right to expect that all the youngsters in her troop believed the same as she and the Politician. They were made to feel uncomfortable to where they are taking their angst out on Ames Mayfield. She should not be a den mother.

      He deserved an award for having done an incredible job.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear John Fioravanti,

      Thanks for your gracious feedback. The good news is that Ames Mayberry is receiving the accolades that he deserves while the two old biddies are garnering ample negative news that they deserve.

      I hate seeing young people’s enthusiastic pursuit of a worthwhile project, crushed..

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

      • You’re welcome, Gronda, it is heartwarming to see a youngster like Ames exercising great citizenship qualities. He wins in the end and so does America.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Thanks for this post. It was painful to read. I’m an American and embarrassed and ashamed at this country’s attitude about guns. Polls show that most Americans support sensible gun legislation, but they’re not as passionate on the issue as the “Non-Silent Minority,” which treats this issue like religion. They get active, they get loud (and frequently obnoxious). And the politicians cower in their wake.

    Hopefully Ames will use this to light a fire under his generation, because my generation has sure dropped the ball on guns.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Greenpete58,

      This young man, Ames Mayberry asked the representative hard hitting but pertinent questions about gun control as this was part of her platform in running for office.

      She was less than gracious because she was embarrassed that she confronted by having to defend her attitude towards guns.

      The vast majority of Americans want sensible gun controls..The adults in the US Congress do not have the courage to tackle the NRA.

      Hopefully Ames Mayberry will grow up to where he challenges the status quo.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

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