Fuzzy Bear

sct, Salt of the earth just wouldn't do in today's world. FB

Even before Lot made his choice of abode he knew that the inhabitants of Sodom as being exceedingly wicked. When the two angels visited, Lot was insistent that they spend the night in his home and not in the street. Prior to their going to sleep, the men and boys of the city surrounded Lots house and shouted for Lot to bring the men (angels) out so that they could have intercourse with them. Lot called to the throng and said, Friends, do not be so wicked. He offered his two virgin daughters for intercourse because of the dictum that one must at all costs protect any who visit. (*This offer was not extended lightly nor made because Lot knew that the inhabitants didnt like women.) They called Lot an alien and spoke of Lots personal prejudicial judgment against them. The mob decided to smash the door in but the angels pulled Lot inside, closed the door and blinded the intruders so that they could not find the door. The next morning, the angels insisted that Lot and his family leave prior to the destruction of the city. Lot could not believe that God would destroy it but he accepted the warning and left with his family. Upon leaving, they were warned not to look back. Lots wife was not just smitten with curiosity but also with disbelief so she was iodized. *check this story with a similar one in Judges 19: 16-30. It was decidedly rape because consent was not obtained and force was the object. Gomorrah and several other towns (and the Plain) were also destroyed in Gods judgment, Jer. 49:18, it was done in a moment and nobody was even worried about it, Lam.4:6. The remains of Sodom, Deut. 29:23, the land that is burnt up with brimstone and salt, so that it cannot be sown, or yield herb or green plant,desolate, Isa. 13:19. a pile of weeds, a rotting heap of saltwart, a waste land for evermore, Zep. 2:9. Sodom never again shall be inhabited, no man shall dwell there through the ages, nor pitch a tent, or watch their flocks, and animals will not live there (although Jackals, marmots and Desert Owls will, Jer.50:39) but Gods nation will own it, Zep. 2:9. If you visit today, that is what you will find even after 6,000 years, not a bad prediction. I summarized the story. It does not sound much like a welcoming party and one must also consider Gods judgment which to my knowledge has always been known to be fair. The deeds of Sodom are brought up again in Deuteronomy (32:32). The results of their actions were poisonous, venomous, and cruel. God remembers their actions and has set aside a particular punishment for them. In Deut. 23:17, both Israelite women and men are cautioned against becoming temple prostitutes. (which they had done and continued doing) In 1 Kings 14:24, Judah under Rehoboam had erected shrines and had male prostitutes. God disapproved of these practices because he felt they were abominable and these were the practices of the nations God dispossessed in favor of Israel. Later Kings ridded themselves of the shrines and the male prostitutes. The reason: Lev. 18: 22, 23- You shall not lie with a man as with a woman: that is an abomination. Lev, 20: 13- If a man has intercourse with a man as with a woman, they both commit an abomination. The act and the warning are clear but the practice has been around from the earliest of recorded times and in all societies. FB

Did the band ever really need a guy that couldn't speak English give them an intro with, a one-a and a two-a? If they could count in English, the "a" should have thrown them off. Myron always seemed like the son that didn't belong. He wasn't pretty and didn't have two smiling sisters to accompany him.

At one time, Scouting was politically neutral. The President was honored as a position of authority and not as an advocate of special interests. Scouting supported the overall institution of government and Scouts were considered as an army of helpers to the whole process, thus Jamboree or celebration was in order. Today, partisan politics has become a standard throughout the nation as people have taken sides. We are defining our beliefs and making our camps further apart, thus widening the gulf and deepening the chasm. Churches on both sides have been both victim and perpetrator in using politics as a lever to achieve their agendas. Institutions are doing all they can to quicken the separation. As being a moderate becomes anathema, the center will become a void and we as a nation will reach a threshold of hatred where it will spew from both sides on all issues and that includes judges who are part of the whole and cannot possibly exist on their own. We may still have an opportunity to mediate our differences instead of attacking but many believe it an inevitable righteous battle of good against evil required to fulfill a mission. We appear to no longer celebrate liberty as our mission instead we crave the opposite. People still have a choice to just say no. FB

I fully support a MB for learning to play the accordion. This would prove two things. It would prove that mankind has evolved to a spiritual high point in endurance and patience. It would also prove creationism's explanation about some "musical" instruments not being the product of evolution is correct. These kinds of instruments were gifts from God made especially to benefit everyone's spirituality. Let's Polka down!

Homosexuality could be a choice and a genetic trait at the same time but then it would no longer be a choice but the outcome of a personal struggle. In the Genesis story at Sodom, the deliverance of Anybody to the door for sex is a clear violation of one's choice and can not be interpreted any other way than for rape. Nobody directly involved was asking for permission to have sex and nobody that was to be directly involved was going to grant it. Look at the definition of rape. This was not a Halloween visit either. "Trick or Treat give me a person for sex." Today's many versions of the Bible is the result of the same search for truth that has permeated the Christian Church from the beginning until this day. The Church has continually tried to bring people in line with their one and only truth by using every manner of evil deed that can be thought of by mankind over the centuries. They have had Ecumenical Councils, purges, beheadings, tortures, Inquisitions, burnings, on and on and on to make people "accept" their one and only way to truth. The problem now is that people have the freedom to understand and an education to think for themselves. They do not need the church to tell them what they should think and that has given the modern church much to fear and more to hate. We have good records to show that over the centuries, God spoke to individuals and one individual would find a truth that the next God believing individual thought to be wrong. God was not unjust or small minded or contradictory in either revelation. It has always been man that was unjust, small minded, and contradictory. It is up to each man to open up to God and it is God that teaches the individual. There are many denominations today and they all can't be right and they all can't be wrong. But moreover, it may be that we have a God that is so infinite in wisdom and knowledge that the individual is God's one central focus. It may be that God really does have many rooms in his mansion for those individuals. FB

Welcome James, We are glad that you are back in Scouting and that you are here. We hope you feel welcome. Please join us. FB

stl, For awhile I was of the mind that it was genetic. I figured that by now somebody would have isolated the culprit and would have switched it off permanently but I was proven wrong by a few alert readers. They convinced me fully that it was a choice that people made because of a weak will and probably an involuntary colon spasm. I now accept the theology that a person will one day, out of the clear blue decide to blow a bagpipe or squeeze their accordion to the shear horror and disgust of any unsuspecting by-stander. Since I have never enjoyed a tuba solo either, I am hoping that it is contained to just a few of the world's (most miserable) instruments but we can never be sure. I hope I have not stepped on anyone's musical toes in the past few entries. If I did it was only out of ignorance and probably stupidity, a trait that my wife has confirmed on many occasions but was never my conscious choice either. But it was also a feeble but humble attempt at adding a little insight to a highly interesting and rewarding discussion that lead me down this path. I feel that somehow I have been enlightened. I am hoping that others feel the same. I don't think it was gas. FB

There is another problem which has to do with the number and kind of patches that were stolen. It would be easy to run up a bill to a few hundred dollars for the stolen patches. It doesn't appear that the owners were contacted or restitution attempted. Most people know their patches and readily know what is missing. The young man may remember which tents he stole the patches from and those Scouts will know. The theft is probably not small and it involves his fellow Scouts. It also sounded like he gave Mom a different story to add deceit to the list. Giving him a time out is a way to bring insult and injury to a difficult situation. Dad wants to sweep it all away by sending it all to Alaska; a two step solution that appears to make it all good. No, there is a problem because the defense wants a quick settlement. None of it sounds right. One part of the solution could be to have the Scouts that bestowed the SPL position on him have a new election. They all will know what he did by now and they will vote accordingly. As a SM, I wanted the Committee do their job and preside over the hearing and decide the punishment. I trusted a fair hearing and a just punishment without my presence. I would just want a SM conference with the young offender. He is a Scout for as long as he wants to remain a Scout and I want him to know that I stand with him this day and the next but it is the Scout Oath and the Law that makes it so. "Now carefully repeat with me because I want to know that you understand each part

The stock answer is simply to ask the Scouts in your Troop. Another way to get a good answer is to ask your Scouts what they want to get out of their year. Another way is to ask the Scouts what kind of events they want to attend. A last method is to let the Scouts decide for themselves, of course, with committee approval for their support. I cannot think of any other reasons that don't include the Scouts in figuring it out. Other than the reasons listed, it looks like the Scouts have the best answers because I am positive we don't. I hope this helps, FB

Ano, The best advice I can give you is to put one hand on each side of the little red wagon you are sittig on and get ready for a ride. FB

No matter how much one disdains the accordion, one still must appreciate the accordionist that is able to play the keys on the one side and know which little black buttons to push on the other while maintaining an adequate supply of squeeze in the middle. It could be that nobody has ever mastered that amount of (a)coordination and what we hear is a kind of rough beginnings of an evolutionary noise that will finally make music that will capture the imaginations of our children centuries and centuries from now. This is one point that evolutionists and creationists must agree on. There are few other explanations.

Two accordions walk into a bar and the Bartender says, "We don't serve your kind in here". They look around and sure enough all the other musical instruments are represented at the tables. It dawns on them that if they want to be accepted they would need to disguise themselves. So they go back out into the parking lot and return in drag looking like small pianos but they were still ignored, even the tuba didnt give a hoot. The accordion gets bad press even from their family, so it best to move on to another instrument. What about the drums? Now there is one we could beat to death. FB

Since men are so weak willed, driven by an intense sexual proclivity and already have numerous opportunities to choose homosexuality, then the whole human race should end pretty soon. Churches should be empting and/or change their creeds as we speak. Boy Scouts should no longer have the problem with the homosexual ban because everyone would be one. This forum on Issues and Answers would turn into us arguing about Issues on Styles concerning the uniform. But, nobody here has even remotely shown an interest in becoming a homosexual, even given all of the chances to choose otherwise. All I hear is that most are happy being heterosexual, married, and with child. Now, let me comment on the accordion music. From the first time I heard it played until the last time I heard it, I have not changed my opinion one itsy bit. I cannot stand the sound of it. If I was given free lessons and an accordion, I would just simply stop, drop and roll. Just think about it. If the guy on the Lawrence Welk Show was something of a phenom, then what would someone sound like just learning and practicing? Not a pretty sight or sound, right? I think we both agree that the accordion is not the kind of squeeze we want in life even under threat of bodily harm.

Here is the challenge. Try playing the piano either with or without instrution. You will find that it is difficult to do even with a good teacher. A person must have a talent to do it and even if they do have talent, they still must practice. So the question remains, does playing the piano rub off on any unsuspecting by-standers?

I vote for Scout Lifeguard. (*I realize it is not a rank but it helps one get there in many ways.) A Scout must overcome fear of water. A Scout must become a good swimmer while developing confidence. A Scout becomes more fit with the exercise. A Scout learns preparedness and First Aid. A Scout learns the safe use of various watercrafts and to have fun in the outdoors. A Scout learns lifesaving techniques which makes him helpful. A Scout learns a skill that is needed at Summer Camp and at Troop outings which gives him self-esteem and pride in doing a good job. It gets a Scout well on his way to Eagle. It gives depth and meaning to being a Scout. FB(This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Let me take it a step further. Now if one wants to play music but has no talent, then play the organ. It has little keys that can play all kinds of music just by pushing buttons. One can play a tom-tom or cymbal and make pretty good sounds but it is done automatically without much thought. So, it is has nothing to do with musical talent but is more like an air traffic controller. I guess we could call that person a musician but few would agree. He probably should be at the airport. It doesn't take talent to have a fat butt but it does take a lot of time on the bench. I love a good philosophical debate. FB

Rational thinking defines a choice as something easy to do based on an aptitude. I would like to play the piano but it takes time and practice. I don't have a desire to take the time for the practice, so I do not play the piano. Playing the piano is not a disease process either where it rubs off on the would-be player, so I can't just "get it" by being in the same room with a piano. I know some who are mechanical players that make music but the sound is not from the heart and that is not the kind of music I would like to play. I know some players that are gifted and that is the music I would love to play but that still doesn't get me there. I know that playing the piano is not my gift, so I attend concerts where I appreciate great playing from a distance. I will never understand all of the reasons that playing the piano passed me by but appreciating the gifts that I do have is an important and difficult goal in my own life. FB

I just developed what I call the Jambo 2010 umbrella. It comes in 8 combinations of colors, depending on the event logo and that the price the participant is willing to pay. It has fringe that hangs down around the edges and a colored magnifying visor for better viewing of presidents from distances up to a mile. It has a personalized fan that blows a fine mist of water onto the participant. It can keep the person cool and out of the sun while waiting for the chief executive for up to 9 hours. It is made of an organic plastic with stealth technology that can pass through any check point and have the Scout on his way in seconds for hours of waiting. It has been field tested in desert heats up to 115 degrees. For an additional fee, it comes with speakers and a flat screen TV. It is the only umbrella that can be used and then eaten as a meal to cover the Scout policy of LNT. Some that have tried it say that it tastes good and is similar to chicken. Since production has been limited, the initial price is $6,000 per unit but with orders of over 20,000, a reduced price of $4500 can be had. It has been advertised in Backpacker and Fine Dining Magazines on news stands everywhere. For an additional fee, it comes with a small dessert packet and a side salad with low calorie dressing for those watching their weight. I hope this helps. FB

Helping from a distance has its' draw-backs. One thing goes wrong, and then another and then it looks like a calamity from the comfort of the arm-chair. Our leaders have been trained and so have the boys. When Scouts engage in activities that are high adventure or there is unexpected weather changes, problems can easily happen. Note that once the problems occurred, first-aid was administered and people were taken care of as soon as possible. Also note that once they figured out there was a problem, they tried to prevent it from getting larger. They contained it. They gave out water. Having thirty thousand plus people in any one area will bring about unexpected events. Putting up a tent that has poles 20 feet high is difficult and if you have ever tried it, you would know that one can get easily blinded by the size, weight, and amount of canvas. It looks like they were trying to keep the Scouts away because of the dangers and they forgot about their own situation. Affixing blame from across the country or from news reports isn't helpful because it may sound an unnecessary alarm. It is frustration, sadness and the resulting anger from these tragedies that we feel. It is anger that is felt when an accident happens that appears to be so easily averted. It is a kind of desperation that is felt when one cannot reach across the country and pluck people up and make them do the right things. We should make a conscious effort to trust our leaders to use their training and Scouts to know what is best. The BSA has a good record that has stood for many years and we should trust that even now. FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Hiking in a thunderstorm on a mountain is confusing. It is difficult to walk out of it and retreating downhill can also be dangerous. Another Scout and another Leader dying is too much sorrow in one week. The things we do in Scouting are sometimes dangerous. We are not prepared for death. We need to be prepared for the dangers. FB

mmhardy, I have a suspicion that TTFN is not a blessing. "But true humility has no fear. It trusts that God will provide, in His mercy, whatever is necessary." Harold Bul Mr. Bul's message is clear and welcome. Thanks for sharing. Please accept that beating the dead horse is more of an art form here. FB

MB's are like gold dust. They are shiny and sparkle and when you touch them it rubs off on you. Some of the most fascinating things I have shared with Scouts are MB's. The ones that I teach are the ones that I love. I show and tell and then they do. Even the small things a person learns in life can have lifelong consequences that can be beneficial. Today, after many years, I remember some of my MB counselors and how and what they taught me. I still use some of those things and have improved and added to them but some are still the same. Some were fairly insignificant but they gave me a beginning in a direction and I took it from there. I will only teach the things that I know and care about because enthusiasm carries the weight of the message and unravels complexities. I know that a young person may find that their experiences involving MB's are not highly important for various reasons. Some feel that the counselor just gave them a badge but even that kind of irritation can lead a person to make a decision in their life to do things well, be excited about what they teach, and be honest. I have a truth that I teach every time and it comes from being a Scout in a MB class. I tell Scouts that I only ask them to do what the book says, no more, no less. I have this picture in my mind when I say that of one particular person. He is still there in my mind and it has been 30 plus years ago. FB

Rooster, As an American: The coalition of Homosexuals is trying to be accepted as Americans in a land of diversity and freedom and that appears to me as an acceptable action. They are not breaking the law of the land ,instead those in charge of the law of the land are trying to stop gays from living as they feel is right for them and that is prejudicial. Your challenge: If you are referring to any post that I have ever written here, then I have not said that homosexuality was right/not a sin. I personally believe that homosexuality is a sin and is wrong. I have read the same book (i.e, gospels, the Bible from page 1 to the end) as you have and on that count we agree but I do not condemn homosexuals because I see condemnation as a greater sin. My personal reason for believing homosexuality is a sin: A reciprocal love relationship with another human of the opposite sex makes ones heart full of joy. When there is an infant born from that union, then the love that one has goes beyond the universe and life itself. Missing that union and the results of that union is wrong because it is impractical. There are people that feel that they were born to be gay and for them it has to be confusing. There are people that cannot have babies and that is wrong but it is not a sin, just a tragedy. Homosexuals are Americans and can and should live as they please. Religious arguments are a poor method to challenge or change anyone at anytime. A person changes only by having a relationship with God and that can only be accomplished by God and not by men. I attend a fellowship of sinners that welcomes homosexuals. I have now seen so many people mortally wounded by life and by church people that I it is overwhelmingly sad. Our fellowship is not a means to change any person for any reason but only a way to point people to God. Its those who dont struggle that concern methose who accept their sin as righteousness. Your concern is noted for those who accept their sin without struggle but to assume that people do not struggle in the midst of sin, is to give little credence to the impracticality of sin.

The A. A. U. W. did not go far enough. Their statement should have included that the thought of leering is enough to have one's head chopped off and pounded into pudding and spread like jelly onto a thin wafer for an afternoon snack. One can never be too careful with such behaviors.