Gonzo1

Gern,

I had heard that the page was 18 or 19. Either way, 19 or 16, it's wrong and the congressman should go as he has resigned.

I didn't mention Clinton by name, there was also Gary Hart and the Chandra Levy case, but I don't remember his name, not really important here.

To me, there seems to be a double standard, one for democrats, one for republicans.

Just do the right thing, that should be a good standard.

OK Lisa, I agree, but I have an unusual sense of humor, my guys know that. How about a nice going a away present that is nice and small, so it can be packed easily, then plaque upon his return. Depending on the town a hero's welcome, parade, the whole 9 yards, but it depends on the town. A hero's welcome for one guy might not work in chicago or Atlanta, but in Nowhere Wyoming, it would be right.

I agree with OGE, making peace is better than making war. We make both well. It would be nice to provide clean water for everyone, but not feasible. I think we could teach other countries how to do it for themselves.

We win wars by defeating the enemy, not by holding hands, lighting candles and singing Kum Ba Ya.

We currently have thousands of the enemy as "detainees". We clothe them, feed them, give them worship materials, allow them to worship, allow them to bathe, they sleep in quarters equal to our lowest ranking enlisted personnel. They are gaining weight now and ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT!!!!!

To my knowledge, only one U.S. Soldier remains unaccounted for, Staff Sergeant Matt Maupin. What has the enemy done with others they captured? THE CHOPPED OFF THEIR HEADS! THEY BRUTALIZED THEIR BODIES AND DRAGGED THEM THROUGH THE STREETS. And now, our wonderful media and democrats in the congress want, make that demand that e grant rights to the enemy. The animals are not U.S. citizens. They are also supposed to get Geneva Convention rights. Geneva Convention rights are for member nations who signed the convention, not enemy terrorists without uniforms, rules, ethics, borders, etc.

Also remember something nice for dad. Sailors (and Marines) deploy all the time, but if Dad is Army or Air Force or a reservist deploying, do something nice for him too.

Then upon his return, you might present him with contrived awards like Desert Survival Merit Badge, etc.

Isn't it unfair that if a republican is involved in a sex scandal, the media and democrats will scrutinize every aspect of it and crucify the republican. But, when a democrat is involoved in a sex scandal, the media and democrats tell us that the affair is a private matter between consenting adults.

Hmmm.

Isn't it unfair that if a republican is involved in a sex scandal, the media and democrats will scrutinize every aspect of it and crucify the republican. But, when a democrat is involoved in a sex scandal, the media and democrats tell us that the affair is a private matter between consenting adults.

Hmmm.

Many people say to never discuss religion, politics and abortion, however, we do so here.

I am convinced that we can't win a war by talking to the enemy, by trying to learn about them, trying to figure out why they don't like us, by not ticking them off, by not disturbing them, etc.

This enemy wants to kill you, me, your kids, our families, our way of life and everything we stand for.

If they had their way, we would all be speaking arabic, reading the Koran, praying 5 times a days when the loud speaker tells you it's time to pray, our women would walk around with burquas (spelling) and there would probably not be any BSA. This enemy will not stop until we all convert and the world is a muslic or islamic world.

Gonzo

There are siblings, siblings, siblings,

buying all the bling bling

at the store, at the store.

There are siblings, siblings, siblings,

buying all the bling bling

at the Quartermaster's store.

My eyes are dim, I can not see.

I have not got my specks with me.

I HAVE NOT got my specks with me.........

I'm not really sure where this thread is going or what Aquila calva wanted to achieve here.

Peace does not come about by appeasement, it comes about by victory.

The Policy of Containment did not and does not work.

We will be victorious. Then, we will return to peace.

Be vigilant but not a vigilante.

No soldier really WANTS war, but the soldier is prepared to go to war.

When our civilians realize that we really are winning the war, that our elected official have more current and relevant intel than the media, then our civilians would know that we are winning. More people in the US are dying from motor vehicle accidents than US soldiers are dying in Iraq. More than 1,00 soldiers died in a TRAINING MISSION for the D-Day invasion of WW-II

Take a good look around next time you're outside, see America around you and thank a veteran.

John-in-KC

Horsehockey???!!!!

I'm simply saying that I believe cubs in particular, and many boys scouts in general are too young to understand the meaning of what would be going on. Even some of the parents didn't quite get it.

The narrator said some patriotic things for each stripe as it was being cut and then placed in the fire. One parent said afterward "gee, I didn't realize there was a meaning for each stripe of the flag?" I informed him that the flag already existed when JFK said "ask not what your country can do for you....." or MLK saying "I have a dream...." and then he realized the contrived meaning for each individual stripe, but rather some patriotic message.

I agree that good citizenship is an aim of scouting. I also agree that scouts should know HOW to do it, I don't agree that they need to see it or do it.

It seems that Flag Retirements are becoming the 'trendy' thing to do, not some 'special campfire' but the everyday campfire. 7 - 10 year olds may not understand why their 40+ year old leaders are crying like little girls seeing Old Glory go up in flames. Got an old flag? I suggest giving it to the American Legion.

G

Other than personally not yelling "Signs Up!" whenever the scout sign goes up, what is the best way to get others scouts and leaders to not yell "Signs Up!"

Thanks,

Gonzo

I know I'm going to ruffle some feathers with some of you, but here goes:

Why does it seem lately that campfire programs must include a flag retirement?

I've been involved with scouting for over 20 years. Lately it seems that campfire programs include Flag Retirement ceremonies. I know we are now in a more patriotic period, but I believe scouts, and cubs in particular are too young for flag retirement ceremonies. In my opinion, our youth need to see Old Glory going up a pole, not going up in smoke. Let's leave Flag Retirement ceremonies for the American Legion, VFW or some other veterans group.

Our council recently had Webelos Woods where a poorly planned campfire program included a flag retirement. I recently retired from the Armed Forces and had never been to a flag retirement. I had never before seen one as a scout or leader, but I saw one 2 weeks ago. The participants presented a dignified ceremony with nice patriotic things to say. I admit, I sobbed like a kid. I believe the scouts and cubs are just too young, they can not handle or understand the gravity of Flag Retirement.

Having a Flag Retirement at campfire programs will have everyone leave the fire feeling down, sad and depressed, I did. Shouldn't we have skits, songs and jokes and be happy?

I just read another post in a different thread that a cub pack is or was planning a Flag Retirement for their outing. If we keep this up, it may become common place and might lose (or diminish) its meaning, like a cap and grown graduation ceremony for kindergarten, nursery school, 6th grade, etc.

How can we discourage Flag Retirements at the cub scout / boy scout level?

Thank you.

I agree with the others, if he earned it, but had not received it, that's one thing. If he did not earn it and is now too old, that's life.

It may be time for him to learn the lesson about quitting, and then not getting the award (AOL) or reward in other aspects of life.

Gonzo1

Sing with all your might! Be proud of your Woodbadge accomplishment, and achievement (when completed).

Be proud of your patrol and sing!

Also, Communications MB and Public Speaking MB have SPEAKING requirements which should suffice the Master of Ceremonies part of what you're looking for. Toastmasters is also a great place for the ins and outs of public speaking.

Lastly, practice, practice, practice. Have him practice in front of the PLC, then he'll feel more comfortable.

Many Army Navy surplus stores sell olive drab blanket that work well. There are not embroidered, but you could sew your son's patches to it.

Thanks for the replies.

I don't think we're pole vaulting over anything, I was just curious about pinning the badge upside down.

Thanks,

Thanks for the replies.

I knew about not flipping the boy, but i wasn't sure about the badge being upside down.. I'm not concerned about "hazing" here, I was just curious.

Thanks,

Scoutmom111

I'm smiling, I even chuckled.

I agree, if everyone did it my way (or your way or anybody elses way) we wouldn't need these discussion areas and exchanges of ideas and information.

Thanks for elaborating, but I still think boys scouts (not cubs) need to do the cooking, maybe I'll cave in a little and say that maybe an adult could help, but that's puching it for me.

Thanks for elaborating about the different events, etc. I'm also glad to see a boy found problem and a boy solution.

I hope you realize I'm not personally attacking you.

G

I'm sure the pictures are nice.

T-shirts usually work well.

I'm for changing the shirt, but Brianbuf wants to make a polo shirt THE uniform shirt.

Oldsm, I'm not arguing either, please take it as it is. I also agree there is more than one side to a story.

Your comments:

Think backpacking and Leave No Trace. Where to put all the grease that cooks out of sausage and bacon? It's not healthful to eat, and it's a mess to haul out,

scoutmom111 did notmention backpacking or LNT, so I assumed plop camping. Regardless, IMHO, scouts should generally not be pre-cooking anything. Instead of backpacking with bacon or sausage, how about backpacking with fruit? How about pita bread, tortilla or something else. I'm not saying that scouts can't bring pre baked bread, they should, but we also bake cakes though, don't we? Besides, how hard is it really to cook bacon or sausage. You could but the leanest available, then absorb the grease into paper towels or newpaper, zip lock it and pack it out.

I agree that pre-cooking minimizes prep time, it also minimizes cook time, so let's bring in the Burger King too.

I completely and vigorously disagree with the notion that scouts should bring any food on their own. I believe it's just wrong. Why should one have something the others don't have (food wise, not gear wise). It decreases appetite and invites critters. If you're cold weather camping, plan it on the menu, everyone gets the same stuff in the same amount. I've done (we've all done) plenty of camping, I don't feel the need to graze between meals, none of my scouts do either.

Remember, I agree to many sides of the story.

Gonzo1

BSA has had a red polo shirt for years, but I have NEVER seen anybody wear it. I think it might be best to change the material, cut (style) and design of the shirt. Columbia and many other outfitters have active shirts that could be adapted.

H m m m , Candlestick maker, someone better tell Brianbuf, cadlestick making should improve things.

We had about a dozen cubs earn Bobcat last night. Is it customary for them to get the patch and safety pin it on the uniform UPSIDE DOWN until the scout has performed a good turn?

thanks,

Gonzo1

Lots of good comments here by many knowledgeable and experienced scouters. I have read many of your posts and respect you, your comments and opinions. I'm not looking for a fight or argument.

Some observations:

At the Boy Scout level, adults should NEVER, I mean N E V E R do the cooking for the boys. Patrols may want ot use a duty roster and rotate duties like cook, helper, clean up, etc. everyone cleans his own gear. One or two scouts shouldn't get stuck with cooking for the whole weekend, or doing dishes for that matter.

One way to break them of troop cooking is for the rocking chair to take the PLC on a separate campout and teach them. In between meals, they can hold PLC and do some planning and learning.

Patrol boxes are OK, but heavy. Rubbermaid tubs are fine, different colors are great idea, but label them too.

Maybe some Saturday morning, PL's, APL', SPL, ASPL, QM, SM, ASM get together and inventory the troop gear and divide it among the patrols, then label it. Adult shopping is fine, adult guidance on shopping is better. Adults have more experience at the store, so guide them.

Sorry Scoutmom111 - Pre-cooked food??????? You may as well bring TV's, TV dinners and microwaves. How hard is it to cook bacon or sausage? Let's add the Lay-Z-Boy to the trailer.

Snacks outside of meals should generally not be allowed. It can lead to squabbling over something, ruin appetites, invite critters and ants. In the South, we have fire ants and they are not nice. If scouts want snacks, add them to their menu and have them as a patrol.

So cook by patrol, say grace and eat by patrol. If a scout is caught with "contraband" (snacks) he shares it with his fellow patrol members on the spot. If he didn't bring enought for everyone, he shares what he has. He won't bring it again.

By the way, when I was a scout, we almost never started fires with matches, always used flint and steel or some other method first. We never had stoves, we used wood or charcoal.

An no electronic games, period. OK for car travel, but not once we arrive at camp.

Gonzo1