Gold Winger

"I've purchased numerous handguns and the background check has never taken more than a few minutes." That's why it is called an Insta-check. You're lucky that there's no nefarious person named Puck Saddle, your check might take a couple days. Lots of things will cause a delayed response. Same first and last with different middle initial. Names with spelling that is close (Marc vs. Mark) or variations on a name (Rob vs. Bob) Overall the system works pretty well. The funny thing about the whole system is that very rarely are people who shouldn't be sold a firearm prosecuted for attempting to buy a firearm. Chuck Schumer said that wasn't the purpose of the insta-check. Go figure.

I think that I'd have a tough time returning a pair of worn out socks or my ten year old shirt. They may honor it but that really isn't the spirit or intent of the guarantee. JMHO.

That's true. The FBI (actually a contractor) does gun purchase insta-checks based on name and birthdate with a city of residence. SSN is requested but not required. If something strange pops up, they request more info and investigate further. Never takes more than a couple days. Maybe BSA ought to ask a gun dealer to run checks on all the adults. It would be free and fast. :-)

" The ASM does have her husband present so this is not a 2-deep issue." Two adults aren't required for a meeting, only an outing. As for attendance . . . if you can stay quiet in the background and not speak unless asked a direct question, go for it. I used to attend PLC when my son was a PL, simply because I didn't feel like driving back and forth. I'd use it as paperwork time, just sit in a corner and fuss with advancement paperwork or read. If a question was directed to me such because of my knowlege and expertise, I'd answer and stay out of the subsequent discussion. Remember, the SM's job is to teach leadership. The ASMs are there to support the SM. Only one adult needs to be involved in the PLC.

"You could call them 4th Grade Webelos and 5th Grade Webelos, but, if they do not have den names (dragon den) it is easier, quicker, and just as descriptive to use Webelos 1 and 2 when talking about the Webelos dens in a Pack." What's wrong with saying "Den 5" and "Den 9"?

Actually, better you make the call than the UC. The kid probably doesn't know the UC and he knows you.

". I do tend to think that I'd sooner place my trust with a agency like the FBI or the State Police than some company that the BSA choose because they came in with the lowest bid for doing the checks." I understand that the Feds outsource much of that work now and they use the same company as BSA.

I never had to do the mental arithmetic to add up shillings and pence to get pounds but I always thought that the old British money with its unusual units of pounds, shillings, pence, farthings, ha'pennies, half crowns and guineas was far more interesting than just dollars and cents or marks and pfennigs or rubles and kopeks. The metric system came about because the french couldn't do the mental arithmetic to convert inches to feet. I wonder if the french had something to do with the decimal pound. Hmmmmmm . . .

" I don't see any problem using the I and II to distinguish the year in the Webelos program." I don't have any problem calling den leaders "Den Mothers" but does that make it right?

Required? Other than required for advancement where does it say that th project must be "required." Required by whom? God? A guy with a gun? The troop? The church? The requirement (BSA's) says "community service project." A project has goal, a beginning, a middle and an end. Does being an altar boy or Cantor fit that? Does Helping a teacher teach fit that requirement? Others may disagree but I would call that service but not "projects." Painting the Sunday school would be a project in my mind. Ultimately, it is up to you.

" The idea was that, as BP had originally suggested, the uniform is an equalizer. One is judged on one's merits; not on one's insignia." Didn't BP wear a bunch of do-dads on his uniform?

We're thick with adults who wear the silver on purple knot.

CYA in case a pederast tries to sneak in.

I don't know about the corn flake but I do know that various other prohibited items are allowed if their collector value exceeds their value as "whatever." For example, if you have a bottle of 1881 vintage wine bottled by George Washington, that is far more valuable as a collectable than as a drinkable. So they might allow the cornflake because no one would pay even $1 to get a cornflake to munch on. Unless they are in Vegas.

"When he turns 18 he changes the knot to an adult knot, silver with purple cord knot," Not quite. If you earned the religious award as a youth, you continue to wear the silver knot on purple. The "Adult Knot" is only worn if you earned the adult religious medal. "Or does the scouter use one knot and apply two devices?" You may only wear one knot of each type so you're right on with this one. Whilst pondering this one, it occurred to me that there is no was to show that one has won multiple heroism awards.

"Buying 45's (Six shillings and sixpence each 3 for a Pound.)" If I understand the old British money, the record store was making out. Check my math. 6 shillings 6 pence x 3 = 18 shillings 18 pence = 19 shillings 6 pence. Which is a bit shy of a pound. Or is there something that I'm missing?

"Would you settle on a return to New Brunswick?" Canada?

Omentum is a big chuck of fat in your abdomen that is what gives you a "beer gut." I don't think that Obomba has a gut.

There is really no such thing as a Webelos I or Webelos II. There are simply Webelos. One does not move from "Webleos I" to "Webelos II," one merely continues as a Webelos. I don't believe that there are any pins, patches or anything that can be earned by a second year Webelos that can't be earned by a first year Webelos. I know that someone will yell, "What about AOL?" but that's a whole 'nother ball of wax. Parents create a distinction that doesn't exist in order to make themselves feel special and to make their kids feel special. If you want to do anything, point out to the boys that they are beginning their last year of Cub Scouting and that soon they'll become Boy Scouts and that they are expected to lead by example.

I love it!

That's only a half gallon. That's not much water at all. However, I'm sure that in a few years another study will show that we should again drink a half gallon every day.

"I'm curious does the Committee Chair always have the right to appoint people to positions" Yep, with the approval of the Charter Org Rep, which is a rubber stamp in most cases. Most unit committees have votes and discussion and more votes about everything. However, if the CC wants, she can rule like a dictator, appointing and firing whomever she wants until she runs afoul of the COR who can either tell her to stop or fire her. Unfortunately, husband & wife teams often have some problems. Your only course of appeal is the COR.

I've been in only two councils but I'd say that neither was over staffed. Understaffed is more like it.

How much is guzzling?

" That is part of the appeal of the merit badge program, to get the kids to try something new and different. " However, what does it accomplish when the requirements are shortcut and some even ignored?