Gold Winger

Never heard of them. Looks like they don't have knee socks or campaign hats so I'm not going to join.

"I have all of my rank patches and scout camp patches on the back of my sash, is that right?" Uhhhh . . . no. Camp patches are okay as are just about any other patch from ships, trails, or what have you. However, rank patches are supposed to be put into a drawer and saved for your grandkids.

I can't print my phone conversations here but I did dig through my email archives and found a message from the American Legion, those left leaning anti-Americans who believe in descrating the flag at every turn. The toothpick flag is really an image of the flag. It is difficult at best to commonly display this item. With regards to the flag blanket, if an item is not made from an actual flag, it is difficult at best to disregard this patriotic intent" and as such, bring forth the cessation of the manufacture and sale of these products. There is nothing illegal about the wearing or use of these items. Of course if it were fashioned from an actual United States flag, we would then have great concerns with the use of the flag in this manner. (This message has been edited by Gold Winger)

"Unfortunately these people can be ignorant of the law just like a lot of others." Yeah, I guess that lawyers with the AttyGen don't understand the law or its interpretations.

" tell me the name of the Democrats Gestapo," We can't, the "Ge" of Gestapo is for "geheime" which means "secret" so if we knew who they were, they wouldn't be geheime.

No EBoR doesn't have access to your records but I'm sure that they'll know about your troubles.

We all make some bad decisions . . . well, most of us . . . but we need accept that and move on. I made some horrible decisions in my younger days, fortunately nothing that landed me in jail but they disrupted my life plans. I only have myself to blame. You aren't charged with a prank like spray painting your team's name on a rival's school walls. You haven't protested your innocence to us ("I wuz set up" or "I wuz holding it for a friend"). So I'm guessing that you were caught holding but that does show character. Based on what I know, if I was sitting on your BOR now, I'd deny your Eagle. How long before you turn 18? If you have a couple years and you keep your nose clean, you could delay your BOR and they might view you differently. If not, go before the Board, plead your case and if they decide against you, take the decision with graciousness. If nothing else, they'll say as you walk away, "Too bad he made a bad choice, he seems like he has character." If that does happen, you can use that experience to help other youths who might be ready to make questionable decisions. "I almost made Eagle but I screwed up . . ." might keep someone else on the straight and narrow.

"Councils really aren't the best ones to be managing camps in the first place, it should be done by experts with a lot of experience." Isn't that the job of the rangers? I know that at the camp where my son's troop goes, the rangers are there year round doing routine maintenance and co-ordinating contractors as well as volunteers. Maybe that's why the showers work every year.

I wouldn't have a problem with them as long as the Scouts aren't smoking the cee-gars.

At one time, I had conversations with people from the Army who deal with the flag and flag history as well as the Atty General of the US's office about the flag, treatment and disposal. Postage stamps, patches and toy flags (like the ones on cupcakes) are not considered flags and can be tossed into the trash without feeling guilty.

To sell them on ebay. Can you imagine the potential market for partially completed merit badges?

"That's because your patriotism is now imported." All together now! Arise! All who refuse to be slaves! Let our flesh and blood become our new Great Wall! As the Chinese nation faces its greatest peril, All forcefully expend their last cries. Arise! Arise! Arise! Our million hearts beat as one, Brave the enemy's fire, March on! Brave the enemy's fire, March on! March on! March on! On!

Interesting that's he's anti-religious because much of the first book focuses on how if you don't have your soul, you'll die.

I have no idea what your point is or even if you have one. DoD rules apply to the DoD, BSA rules apply to the BSA. Oddly and thankfully, the DoD does not make the rules or laws for civilians. The Army could chose to wear purple and orange polka dotted flags but that would make it neither right nor proper.

Gee, I missed all the controversy. I thought that the movie was pretty good. Read the first book too and enjoyed it. Have yet to read the second and third but that will happen in a couple of weeks.

Not really. Back in those days, the state was your homeland and "These United States" was just a loose confederation of sovereign countries. Once their country withdrew from the confederation, their oath was no longer binding.

"Do any of you have a clue about what it takes to turn on the lights at a Scout Reservation these days?" If Dr. Kleshinski is to be believed, he asked that question and was not answered. Money, its a gas. Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash. (This message has been edited by Gold Winger)

The Scout should. If he loses it, it becomes a life lesson in why he should hold onto things of importance.

Two red or two green are appropriate but not one of each.

Tell us more. What was the crime? Was it something silly like climbing through your girlfriend's window to visit her or did you boost a car?

That's just too danged confusing.

Face, we're just cannon fodder. We have no more rights to answers about the operations of a council than a private in the army has to answers about the plans for the invasion. As good as a concept as Boy Scouting is, National and the councils really only care about one thing, numbers and money. Okay, that's two things but they are closely related. They wouldn't and don't care if a troop is running an Eagle mill and the boys can't tie a knot. We need members so lets ease up on the req1uirements so we don't scare boys off. Let's keep the parents involved so they'll keep their sons in the program even though the boys don't want to be there. Besides, that's extra registration money. After decades of trumpeting about American made uniforms, let's quietly get them made in China so we can pocket a few extra dollars. Once any enterprise gets large enough, the focus shifts from the mission to feathering the nest.

Money, get back. I'm all right jack keep your hands off of my stack. Money, it's a hit. Don't give me that do goody good bull **** . I'm in the high-fidelity first class traveling set And I think I need a lear jet.

". I would respectfully suggest that the Scout is totally within his rights thinking that" You could suggest that but we might be within our rights to expect that the teacher has our grades recorded and that we don't need to hang onto our homework until the end of the grading period. " when I was in the Air Force (1969-1973) our colonel directed us to discard anything that we did not reasonably expect to use in six months. He said that, if needed, we could recover it." Different situation and they had an unlimited supply of money. "The term enabler is a real hot button for me. I resent it deeply, particularly in a case like this." Oh, that has sooooo many hidden meanings. LOL!

Bug free, it sounds like fun. Being on an island is a great thing becuse it is different. I wouldn't worry about it if it was just me but since you'll have a bunch of Cub Scout and nervous nellie parents, find out what they do for emergency extractions. Sure you're almost a paramedic and that far exceeds my training but what do you do when Jimmy's dad has a heart attack at 2 AM. Will the rangers run the ambulance out on the ferry? Will they bring in a whuppity-whup? I know that most folks don't walk around worrying about a heart attack but there's always that one. The likelyhood of a major emergency is pretty low but knowing what can be done is half the battle. I know! Take an inflatable boat for emergencies!