Gold Winger

Music, Sports, Dentistry and Law

He's pining for the fjords.

"The point is there are lots of different folks with lots of different experiences that dont see the logic." Yep, back in the 1800s there were a lot of folks that didn't see the logic of letting black folks go free. In the 1900s there were folks that didn't see the logic in letting women vote (I still don't see the logic there). Nowadays there are folks who just don't see the logic of letting kids go to school instead of working in factories. If you believe you are right, sometimes you have to keep shouting from the rooftops even if everyone ignores you.

I haven't had haggis for nigh unto 20 years.

" Bylaws can't be changed without a vote and a quorum." Who says? No vote is required for anything in a troop. " The deadline for the fundraiser isn't going to be the same in perpetuity." Sure it can. "Unless an extension is announced, popcorn order forms must be turned in before noon on the fourth Sunday following their distribution."

Sounds like they're having fun. Bring us a shrubbery.

"Everything not covered by BSA publications can be handled by applying the 12 points of the Scout Law... " I don't know about that . . . quite the oversimplification if you ask me. Deadline for popcorn orders . . . not covered by Scout Law Deadline for popcorn money . . . not covered by Scout Law That's just two. I could go on but I'm wearied wi writing and I fain wad lie doon.

"What are you implying that it implies?" I'm only implying that you seem to have trouble with the nuances of the English language. According to my Funk & Wagnalls "should" is the past tense of "shall" and acccording to my attorney is simply a variation of "shall." According to F&W, "should" expresses a duty or obligation. If it is a duty or obligation, one must do it or suffer the consequences. If you read the requirements, no one is obligated to wear a uniform to a BOR, they may chose to wear a jacket and tie instead. If they chose to eschew the uniform and the jacket with tie, there may be consequences.

"I've always taken uniform to mean everyone wearing the same attire. So, if everyone is in Class B's with hats, that's a uniform. Salute away. " Ever been on a navy base? In 20 yards you could see someone in mess dress, someone in service dress, another in undress and yet another in utilities. All are considered to be in uniform and all would be expected to salute when appropriate. Why do you need a cap to salute? Are you following the traditions of the sea services?

I'm not sure how BSA insurance really works. A few years back we got a memo in my council telling us that about the limits on council/BSA insurance. I don't recall the numbers since it wasn't important to me because I have good insurance but it was pretty low by modern standards. Before they changed the insurance, I tried to use it when I was injured at summer camp and needed a quick trip to the emergency room. The SM said, "Here, take these numbers with you for BSA insurance." If I had known what a hassle it was going to become, I would have opted to just pay the $25 co-pay for my insurance. Six months after the event, I was still fielding phone calls from the hospital about insurance coverage. It looked like BSA insurance was giving them the runaround.

Weapons! Weapons! Weapons! Let's all run around and wave our hands in the air!!! A BB gun isn't a firearm so comparing it to a .270 isn't valid. However, outside of warfare more people have been killed with the .22 LR than any other caliber. That still doesn't change the fact that on a range, shooting paper targets it is no more of a weapon than a baseball bat is during a baseball game. Weapon or not, poor attitudes about safety are what get people hurt or killed. Have you seen what happens when someone is "warming up" outside of the on deck circle and clocks a teammate with his bat? That can be as deadly as your moron with the bow. How about the idiot that decides to chase his buddy with a chain saw? What about the dimbulb that decides to re-energize a tagged out circuit and fries a co-worker? Does that make the circuit a weapon? Stupidity doesn't make the implement a weapon. I've been a competitive shooter for over 30 years, a shooting instructor for about 20 of those and an FFL for fifteen years. The firearm in my bullseye box is simply a gun. The gun in my nightstand is a weapon.

He ought to be drummed out of the service . . .

"There is legislation being proposed in congress to "allow" Army veterans (maybe others too) to salute while in civilian clothes." Wouldn't this create a "special class" of civilians?

Try WOSM http://www.worldscoutshop.org/sommaire.asp?langue=2&prcid=294&menuprcid=0%2C184%2C200%2C294&prcidm=184&sid=YPN5O4P5A88EAKB0XFNEVFAA The biggest size is 62 cm. About $60 plus shipping. Not as cheap as an expedition hat but less than the $95 for a BSA smokey hat.

""Should" infers a preferred way or best practice." You may infer that but that isn't what the word implies.

Dang! How big is your head? In other words, what is your hat size?

"(and yes a BB gun or 15 pound bow is a weapon!)" Wah! Wah! Wah! So is a baseball bat, pipe wrench or a pencil.

" I would rather be led by someone who had my interests at heart rather than someone who was using me to build their empire." What if building their empire is in your best interest?

"I looked at the Flag Code, and it refers to "persons in uniform," rather than specifying military uniforms, so presumably the Scout uniform would count. It does refer to the "military salute," though. The Scout salute is, in essence, a modified military salute. Perhaps it's close enough." If you dig into the US Code, you'll find that the Boy Scout uniform is defined right along with the uniforms of the Army and Navy. So in the eyes of the government, the Boy Scout uniform is "a uniform" (TITLE 10, Subtitle A, PART II, CHAPTER 45, 772, paragraph (j))

Hmmmmm . . . rules and regulations. Always an interesting subject. Since you brought it up, Scout units may not use raffles as a fund raiser. That's a standard BSA rule. Even in a time of economic depression, people will cough up a couple bucks to help out Scouts. The problem is that most people don't know how to sell. I used to sell raffle tickets for my neighbor's baseball league (no, I didn't play but I could sell). Just knock on doors and ask. People would buy. As for rules, put it on paper, have the CC sign it and then distribute it to every Scout. Pretty simple.

When I went to Philmont last year none of the Scouts took their cell phones that I was aware of. However, our young adult (21) had his and we weren't more than 5 minutes from our meeting point on the way to the airport that he got a text message from his sweetie. He spent the entire ride to the airport sending SMS messages to his sweetie. At the airport, the same thing. On the plane . . . no messages but as soon as we landed . . . message city. He did leave the phone behind when we were hiking but it was slightly comical. I think that I made three or four calls during the entire 3 weeks we were gone. "We landed" "We're atop Pike's Peak" "What size shirt does Grampa wear?" I don't understand the fascination with text messages. Maybe it is because I'm older but most text messages seem to be inane. "Judy's wearing a blue shirt!! Can you believe it?" (Translated into standard English) or "Bob is a dork!". I know executives, guys who are supposed to be responsible adults who spend their time during meetings sending messages to each other mocking the moderator. I work with a fellow whose wife sends him about ten messages an hour. Not anything like "Don't forget milk" or "You won't believe what your son broke" but "I love you" and "how are you" or "Do you still love me?" If he doesn't respond, she calls on the phone. I feel sorry for him.

Hmmmm . . . interesting. Let's look at the logic here. If God indeed hates homosexuals, why would he kill some Boy Scouts? Members of an organization that won't accept homosexuals. Wouldn't he go after GSUSA or the YMCA? Personally, I think that God is too busy keeping the gravity sprites in line to worry about smiting homosexuals.

"I also thought it looked sloppy - there was no firm point of reference for its placement, and people were sewing it on all over above the pocket. I think it still looks kind of goofy." There is a proper position for that patch but most don't read the Insignia Guide. Midway between the top of the shoulder and the top of the pocket or the top row of knots. That said, in ten years, I've never worn the purple patch.

It usually comes naturally when they realize that most insects mean them no harm. On the other hand, I'm 49 and I still can't abide centipedes in my house. I think that it must be all of the legs.

"What did you lose in these supposed ID thefts, cause it looks to me like your blowing t his way oout of porportion, because from your 3 examples they are filled with may's or possibles." The world is filled with "mays" and "possibles." We lock our doors because someone may want to come in without our permission. We carry car insurance because we may be in an accident. Folks insist on waiting periods for gun purchases because the buyer may want to kill his wife. Others keep a gun in their nightstand because someone may break in and do them harm. Security is the business of guarding against "mays" and "possibles." In days of yore, Virginia used your SSN as your DL number. Made sense back then and people would have their DL number printed on their checks. That's no longer the case. When I started college in 76, my student ID number was my SSN which was posted with grades all over the halls of the school. You don't see that anymore. Tis better to err on the side of caution.