FScouter

On the other hand some hold the opinion that any moderation at all is "censorship". I would say that when you observe a lack of decorum, make public mention of it.

"More ridiculous predictions: " All of those dire predictions are prefaced with "If we don't take steps now, then later we will see... ". And we've taken steps to head off those potential environmental disasters. Considering the growth we've experienced, what would air pollution in our big cities be like today if control measures were still at 1970 levels?

Yeah, but sometimes it's "important" to make the other person look stupid, even if there's no disagreement. Or so it would seem.

IRS has pretty much already defined "qualified" so there is no need for Joe Taxpayer to interpret. From pub 526: "You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. To become a qualified organization, most organizations other than churches and governments, must apply to the IRS." The org you donate to will be able to tell you whether or not they have applied and received approval from IRS. Any further clarification is found in the 24 pages of pub 526.

It tells folks that you can carry on a meaningful conversation in that language, that you can translate as needed for another person, and that you can read and write in that language.

There is no WFA requirement for the Star rank!! It's a silly rumor, and an old one to boot.

PLCs decide all kinds of dumb things. When they decide that the next meeting will be to shoot hoops, they're off track. Same as if they decide the next series of meetings will be a lecture class on some merit badge or other. That's why we have a Scoutmaster, to help the PLC focus on their purpose.

More proof that training is worthless. Or rather perhaps that training is worthless if don't want any value from it.

Found on a respected internet web site: Profanity in the classroom is a growing and disturbing trend. Understanding it can help teachers manage it. What part does cursing play in our lives? Is it a sign of widening disrespect? Underdeveloped vocabulary? Or is there something more to it? Experimental-psychology studies have traditionally ignored cursing, a morals-driven decision to marginalize taboos. Looking to dictionaries for curse words, we find theyre external to language; theyre slang. Recent studies in the UK suggest that cursing might play a bigger part in language than we realized. Cursing may be actually good for us. Researchers from Keele University discovered that cursing taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere. Their research showed one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists: to relieve pain. The study asked subjects to submerge their hands in freezing water for as long as they could. Men who cursed while taking part kept their hands in the water for an average of 190 seconds. Those who didnt swear managed only 140 seconds. The link between cursing and pain control isnt clear, but the effects are both physical and emotional. The findings could lead to discovering more about the history and origin of cursing (but we dont recommend trying this in science class). Details: http://keeleuniversitypressoffice.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/swearing/

Well, it has been attributed to that smart Greek guy that gets quoted a lot. It's an interesting thought. Here's another from another smart guy from the olden days: "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

There are 101 ways to serve your country. Mention one or two others as well in your lesson.

I like it.

If as you say the den is getting the "shaft" because of being busy with your pack responsibilities, the solution then is to give up that job and tell the Cubmaster to recruit an assistant Cubmaster so you can properly do your Den Leader responsibilities.

As someone said, a tempest in a teapot. Clearly, the ONLY reason for dumping this added duty on the Scout is that the adults are too lazy to do it themselves. Hey OGE, you haven't figured out how to censor without leaving the telltale evidence "This message has been edited by a staff member"? The forums have been relatively clean for quite a number of weeks, heh, heh, heh!

Hmmm... Don't like the topics of conversation around the campfire? Getting up and walking away doesn't fix that. You could introduce your own topic of conversation and let someone else go take a walk. You might even be surprised at how your own topics will draw others in and the racist will shut up.

"Too bad it's made in China. (No I'm not looking for a flame war in the source of uniforms debate)" Ah, yes of course. But then why bring it up...

Easily one of the most misunderstood rules in Scouting: the "2-deep" rule. 2-deep is very simple, 2 adults on every outing, that's it. Don't analyze it to death. Specifically, the official rule is: "Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings."

A coach who has to use profanity to motivate his players is lacking in vocabulary, self-discipline, and character. Coach John Wooden

"please explain how this could be done without breaking the rule of a service being rendered for money." No such rule. A troop with no money will by necessity do a lot of money-earning events. A carwash works. Boy Scouts earn their own way.

Den meetings are separate from pack meetings. It's a great idea for the den to meet at the DL house. The other dens have no involvement.

An assistant Scoutmaster is not a youth member.

Pack dues? Den dues? Who should pay for the operation of the Scouting program?? Is the Cubmaster expected to pay the expense of operating a pack? Does a Scoutmaster pay to run a troop? Does a patrol leader pay the cost of his patrol? Of course not! Why then should a den leader be expected to pay the costs of running a den program? Den expenses should be budgeted in the pack budget and paid by the pack. If the pack doesnt have a budget or some kind of plan to cover costs, Id have no problem at all with the den leader making her own arrangements.

A good insurance agent will get a certificate faxed or mailed out the same day or next day at the latest. In a bueracracy the requests would go into a basket where they would sit, then once a month or so they would be handled.

Rank patches are for youth members. After age 18 a Boy Scout is no longer a youth. A Venturer is.

The attitude seems to be that the project recipient is doing the Scout some big favor, allowing him to do his project on they're property. Turn it around, try this approach. Say "Yes, we are wondering about insurance as well. We need to know what coverage you provide to protect our Scouts when they're working on your premises."