Eagledad

I'm impressed, let your Quartermaster try his ideas and see how they work. Some of the ideas won't work well which is what you want because you want him to struggle in figuring out changes to make them work. Our troop works like Stosh describes, but that is something your scouts will have to work there way toward because they don't see that kind of process right now. Forcing it now would only be the SM making his ideas work through the boys, right Stosh? Only our Quartermaster and CC have they only keys to our trailer. Nothing goes in or out of the trailer or storage room without the Quatermaster's attention. No need for a SM to have a key, he just stands and watches. And from my point of view, it forces the scout to figure out how to get a key to someone when he can't make it. Our QM is also responsible for working with the driver of the tow vehicle for hitching up the trailer properly. I would respond with "Sounds good, lets go with it". Barry

>>Eagledad, I think you can relax. Nobody is calling the cops.>But it isn't every day that you see a blatant violation of BSA regs on live national tv.

>> I know that sounds odd, but most of the scouts in our troop wear their activity t-shirt under their field shirt.

This is one of my favorite ceremonies. I've done it so many times that our pack asked me to find something new because it was getting boring. It has to be practiced so that you know what to expect and how to have everything placed. I had two adults sitting close by with extinguishers. I'll bet I've lite a couple hundred necherchiefs on fire and never had one damaged. Barry

>>I have always admired and respected McCain. I thought he had better sense than this though.

I disagree Gern, McCain was hitting Obama's experience this week even when he knew who is VP was going to be. I don't think he is worried about it. Who knows, maybe he sees it as an opportunity to keep hitting her experience, which is quite good really. She reported Republican corruption, which got her elected and is one of John's favorite topics.

>>This woman is supposed to be the icon of conservative, family values eh? Didn't she just have a child in April who has Down's Syndrome?

>>It may also because some people know that trying to convince others to vote for a particular candidate is usually a pointless exercise in an Internet forum, especially one that is not primarily devoted to politics.

>>So, Eagledad, unless you have anything more official that is to the contrary, I will accept your apology in advance.

>>OK so sure, 72 is the new 52 and blah blah.

>>Eagledad, why do you have to be so nasty about it?>I'm saddened by it, but I guess times have changed. I remember when a scout leader would have felt proud to see a Scout Uniform at such events. Now some feel shame. I will never understand it, but I will file it in my "Scouting is a great program until the adults get involved", folder.

>>This is assuming I am correct on the regulations, which I have not looked up.

>>And I still want to know why those guys were on stage at a political rally wearing their Boy Scout uniforms! Isn't there a specific rule against that?

The decision wasn't pandering for the liberal womens votes, it was an effort for the conservatives who are not energized by McCain. As for her experience, well I guess three years in the Senate might trump that. Barry

I think this situation became very complicated by the reaction of the father. There is something strange about all to me. So with only the information provided to us, this is where I ask the would scout if he really thinks he is ready to be an Eagle. I have done this many times, I first ask the scout to define the kind of person worthy of this position (in this case the Eagle) and we discuss that. Then I ask him if he is that person and up to role modeling that person. Then I leave it there for the scout to mill over. 99% if the time the scout makes the right decision and in most cases, they set a plan to reach the goal. It doesnt really matter if we think these actions are worthy of an Eagle Scout. It only matters what the Scout thinks because he has to live up to that expectation the rest of his life. If he is not ready, we just can't tell him that, he has to believe it himself. Otherwise he won't feel motivated to change and develop himself toward that stature. Barry

>>"But god or gods or goddesses are incorruptible and their word is eternal." This is actually a fairly recent notion. Throughout history, most gods that people have worshipped have been selfish, cruel, and deceitful. (Just like people, go figure...)

>>and if people decide to take the country in that direction I want them to embrace it AND the outcomes explicitly.

>>Without a basis (rules or guidelines) there is nothing to base ethical decisions on. How would you know if something is ethical if you have no basis?

When time washes away the slanted emotional gobbledygook of politics, history will record Bush as a good president. From a world view point, there is more stability in the Middle East than before 2000 and the Iraq war will be viewed as a major catalyst toward the peace with Israel. Since 9/11, there have been 40% fewer world wide terrorist attacks and zero attacks on U.S. property. The economy didnt take a dump after the national disasters of 9/11 or Katrina as was predicted and the unemployment remained stable considering those events. Bush will also get quiet credit for the stability in the Korean peninsula. Our grandkids will read these as historic accomplishments. Barry

Lisabob is right, offically it is "non-member". But I would like to see what the computer does. Barry

>>I don't know where to go from here. Dad doesn't understand what's appropriate and what's not. Now I see where the son gets it.

>>Debating this issue based on safety is a red herring. It is not a safety issue and no amount of safety will alter the policy.

I have had to work with and cooperated with police because of my experience of working with such boys who gave threats at the Virginia Tech level. Real problem kids don't just pop out of nowhere. Just like the Virginia Tech shooter, boys like that have a track record. Typically the SM is very acquainted with these boys and their past, which is why police like to work with them. I would have expected gcook to mention a past if the boy had one. A Scoutmaster Conference is in order and that is about it unless the boys response warrants something more. I would also talk with the parents, but I usually talk with the parents anyways about all my Scoutmaster confrences with their sons. Barry

>>First of all, NO, you are NOT overreacting. This is how Columbine and Virginia Tech started.

Yes, you are right BW, it is discrimination. Still, Ga is basing his discriminating decision from a series of experiences. Fair or not, the culture is the problem because it develops the habits that lead us to make our educated decisions. Sometimes the decision is wrong, but more often than not it is right. Barry