Totin' Chip--Harassment?

Mike Crothers said:
>I have been taught that to cut off a corner of a totin' chip=20
>is a form of harassment.

Mike, I don=D5t understand that reasoning. It seems like there
are some who object to every little gimmick we use to teach
responsibility. To call such things =D2harassment=D3 cheapens
the word, and numbs us to cases of REAL harassment. Is it
harassment to remove Totin=D5 Chip rights from a Scout who
is untrustworthy with woods tools? Would it be another
case of harassment if a Scout were removed from a Troop
office for lack of performance? How do we teach without
at least some mild consequences to bad decisions?

Professionally, I am a college professor. Unfortunately, I=20
must assign course grades. Is it harassment to give a student=20
a (well-deserved) low grade? I sure hope not! I=D5ll have to
look over my shoulder to make sure the authorities aren=D5t
after me! <g>

I think we need to teach Scouts that there are consequences
to inappropriate actions (or inactions). However, we need
to make sure that the consequences match the offense
and the maturity level of the Scout.

Yours in Scouting,
Greg Benesh
SM Troop 308, Waco, TX

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