gwd-scouter

uz2bnowl - I never intended my post to imply that I thought everyone should do it my way. I was trying to show the option my family chose. Yes, I'm very grateful that for us it was a choice. I know full well that there are many many families out there that do not have that choice. I also know there are families that rely on our tax dollars to support them. As to my second son being a surprise. Husband and I wanted a large family . After older son turned six years old, and after receiving several medical opinions, we gave up the idea of a large family. Second son was a wonderful and marvelous surprise indeed. I wholeheartedly agree with you that one of the biggest problems we have today is parents that don't reign in their childrens' actions. Those of us that spend a lot of time with other people's children can see the consequences of that up close.

Pack, around here most people wouldn't eat ANYTHING that comes out of Lake Greenwood. Back to the topic. I'll go out on a limb here and admit that as many folks derisively say, "I drank the Kool-Aid." At least early in the primaries. I was overwhelmed by Obama's speech at the convention in 2004 and thought then that he would be running for president. I was delighted when he announced his candidacy, but didn't think he had much of a chance since I was pretty much on board with the conventional wisdom that Clinton had the nomination in the bag. I will also admit that I came into this year's election cycle with a very slanted view and, while it may be wrong, I was not open minded at all to anything the republicans had to say. I've listened though. I listen to both sides - not to the pundits and news jockies, but to the speeches, town hall meetings, debates, etc. that are well covered on CSPAN. I dislike the criticism that Obama is merely a great orator with no substance. I haven't heard heard details from McCain either. They both needed to secure the nomination first with lofty goals and party rhetoric, then move on to the details during the debates. Side by side, I doubt anyone would disagree that Obama is a much more inspirational speaker than McCain. I liked that. I've never felt so excited about voting. For the first time I am casting my ballot for someone I want to win, rather than against the person I want to lose. Maybe that in itself is a good enough reason for me to vote for Obama. It is not the only reason, though. I like his idea of helping pay for college tuition if the students give back by joining the Peace Corps or working in under-served communities. I like his health care plan. It doesn't force everyone into a one-size fits all national plan. I have good insurance and I'll keep it. Why not allow regular folks to subscribe to the health care plan the Congress has? Good enough for our government folks, ought to be good enough for everyone else. I am fortunate that my husband, sons, and I have always been very healthy and haven't given our health insurance much thought. That changed 2 1/2 years ago. For the past 2 1/2 years, I've been chasing a diagnosis for a mysterious and scary disorder. Without my health insurance I would not have been able to be as aggressive as I've been. It is because of this that I come to the realization that there are many in this country that are no so lucky. Energy plan. It is an idealistic goal to become energy independent in 10 years. It was also a lofty goal to land on the moon "before this decade is out." Please folks, I am not comparing Obama to Kennedy. I am merely stating that, as Americans, we need a healthy dose of idealism again. We work best when put to a challenge. Personally, I think we can do it. We can't get there though without some pain, struggle, and sacrifice. Obama has said that too. I'm sure many folks think it's funny when the republicans hand out tire gauges as Obama's energy plan. The fact is, correct tire pressure does save gas. I was surprised to find out just how much. So while we're exploring the possibilities and working toward renewable energy, why not do everything we can as individuals to conserve and save now. Those are a few of the reasons I'm voting Obama. One thing is bothering me now though. I watched a rally he and Biden had in Ohio yesterday. I don't like it when Obama attacks McCain's policies. Leave that to Biden and the surrogates. Obama needs to get back to telling people what he will do, in more detail now, and with the same intensity, hope, and optimism that lifted people up during the primaries.

My father-in-law used to called me a female chauvinist and a rabid feminist. I admit I resembled those labels to a point. But, then I had children. My post is not meant to be an indictment of other women and the choices they make. I know there are many women who work because they must to pay the bills. I also know women who work because they want a career. I had a promising career when I married. One year later I was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. I quit my job shortly before he was born. Why? Because I felt it was important to raise the lad in his early years myself rather than day care providers. My husband at the time was not fully supportive of this decision as he was worried about paying the bills. We found a smaller house that we could afford on my husband's salary. We didn't eat at restaurants. Once a month we had a "date night" and went to the movies and maybe for a drink after. Visiting family out of town was our vacation. Had friends over for game night, cards, or movie night rather than meeting out for dinner and drinks. We drove old cars and husband kept them running as long has he could. When we did have to get another car, it was used and we paid cash. We paid cash for everything, except our mortgage). If we didn't have the cash, we didn't buy it. I did work on and off part time evenings and weekends to put some money away in savings. That came in very handy because... When older son was ready to start first grade, I went back to work full time. I was very excited about going back to the adult world. Surprise! Six months after I started work I found out second son was on the way. Yep, quit work again. My husband changed jobs to working from 4:00 to midnight when younger son was three, so since he was home during the day I went back to work. Our sons spent a couple of hours from 3-5 at a day care between when husband went to work and I got off. Now, my sons are 21 and 15. I have a career I enjoy and live in a nice home in a quiet neighborhood. We drive nice cars. We live very comfortably. It took 16 years, but five years ago we took our first family vacation to the beach. Maybe ours is not a typical story. I know it's an unpopular view, but I've always felt that the problems we have with children today began, in part, when women in great numbers went to work outside the home. I know, we can never go back to Father Knows Best and I wouldn't want to. The other problem I see is the generation of parents today that feel they must give their children everything: new cars, cell phones, all manner of up-to-date electronics, extravagant vacations, and so forth. My boys do at times mention friends who went such and such place or just got a new gizmo. They do not show indignation that they were not afforded those luxuries, but rather give me the sense that they appreciate the priorities of our family.

"On one hand, I really like the idea of big government dictating morality." "We really need guns. We need more of them. Everywhere, schools, churches, courts. What a perfect world...." Pack, are you being sarcastic? Edit to add: if you're not - since we have very divergent viewpoints, do you still want to have lunch next time you're in Greenwood? Could be a lively discussion.(This message has been edited by gwd-scouter)

We just had a ceremony for an Eagle Scout who was always a bit of a fire bug. We nicknamed him pyro many years ago and he could always be counted on to have a least one lighter on hand. We gave him an engraved zippo lighter with a raised eagle on the front.

Hey packsaddle. Convince you otherwise than voting for McCain? Maybe you said it yourself in your post about how you liked the McCain in 2000 and your reasons for liking Obama? As to this thread: I don't think it is really possible to have a sincere and objective discussion on the forum. Too easy to post extreme views rather than intelligent debate.

This is certainly the most interesting election year I can remember. One thing is sure, McCain's announcement today definitely stole the media coverage from Obama's speech last night. Clicking around the channels this evening everyone is talking about Palin, very little about Obama.

I thought she was only in her first term as Governor.

McCain himself said in a recent interview that his number one criteria for picking a VP is someone who could step in and be prepared to lead if something should happen to him. Since he's campaigned so much on Obama's lack of foreign policy experience, why in the world would McCain pick someone as his VP with even less experience?

"But my head and heart are clear now. McCain/Palin will have my vote. Too bad many others will vote purely on race or on how well they were "entertained"." Why is it that so many people think that anyone supporting Obama is merely doing so because of race or "rock star" quality, and those supporting McCain are doing so for real reasons. I'm so tired of this.

DYB-Mike, my post was meant to convey that I am not turning into a conservative as I get older, but more liberal. I was idealistic in my youth, but would say I was most definitely not open minded. Some personal life changing events have happened as I've grown older, especially in the past couple of years, that have caused me to think more about my rather strident and, on reflection, unkind beliefs about people less fortunate than myself. I will not go into detail here, but suffice to say I had little tolerance for folks looking to our government to assist them in times of need. I also had a fair dose of fear about people that were not like me or did not share my beliefs. My how I've changed.

It would disappoint me greatly to find out that after the years of hard work and suffering getting women the right to vote, there is even just one woman today who doesn't think for herself but rather casts her vote based on her husband's choice.

I like what I've heard about the fair tax. Talk about overhauling or getting rid of our current tax system has been around for a long time. No matter what, drastic changes need to be made and someone is going to get hurt. The problem is, no one wants to take the hit. Don't tax rich people, don't tax poor people, don't tax the middle class. Let's just keep spending money without hurting anyone in the wallet. Other areas for drastic change: Let's just keep on drilling for oil so we never hurt enough to lose our dependency and get serious about finding and funding alternatives. Let's give folks vouchers to go to private schools and allow the public school system to fade away. Let's stretch our military so thin that we don't have any chance of ever getting out of, much less actually 'winning' wars. Social security? I see no way we can sustain the program indefinitely. Do away with it altogether? Change it to a safety net for the truly needy by use of means testing? But then, where do you draw the line? A 'rich' person in a small southern community such as mine, would be considered 'poor' in New York City, San Francisco, etc.

I wanted to go back and delete (edit) the duplicate post in the other thread, but I don't have the edit button. Sorry for the double posts folks.

Oops, I posted this on the thread I started on switching parties that turned into a religious debate. Sorry for the double post on two threads. ------------------ I guess I'll answer my own question about changing my party affiliation: "Obama scares many older Americans because he wants to make drastic changes in our government and these older people want to hold on to the way things are." What scares me is four more years of the way things are. Like BadenP posted, I've also made the observation that younger people tend to be more liberal and become more conservative as they get older. For me, when I registered to vote for the first time in 1976, I registered as a democrat. My parents were democrats and I didn't pay much attention to politics outside of the nightly dinner table. I cast my ballot for Jimmy Carter and moved out on my own. I got a job, paid taxes, bought a house and a car, and entered the adult world. I began to pay more attention to politics, listen to speeches and read the news when elections came around. Wasn't too happy with the Carter years (I naively thought the gas lines were solely his fault), so I decided I was most definitely a republican and voted for Reagan. Only the first time though. Still, I wasn't sure I wanted to align myself with democrats either so I declared myself an independent. I've never been a fan of George Bush but I wasn't exactly delighted to vote for Al Gore in 2000. Again in 2004 it wasn't so much that I was voting for Kerry, but against George Bush. This year I am proudly back to declaring myself a democrat. Growing up, as election years rolled around, I remember listening to my parents talk about their candidates with excitement. I've never felt that way in any year I've voted. Sure I supported a candidate, but never with an real sense of excitement. Voting merely to cast a vote AGAINST someone rather than FOR someone was dissatisfying. Living in South Carolina I know I'm among the minority in my choice this year for President and that my vote will be overcast by republican votes. In essence, I know my vote won't count. This is the first time I've been excited about voting and supporting a candidate. Apart from his political views, which I mostly agree with, Obama has stirred a sense of optimism in me and a restored faith in our future. I hear all the comments that he is just a empty suit that can make lofty speeches. I don't agree with that assessment, but even if I did, I've been so underwhelmed by our choices in leaders for so long that without knowing anything else about him I've been waiting for Obama to run for President since I heard his speech at the convention in 2004. People look at me incredulously when I tell them I support Obama. You see, I'm one of those middle aged, middle class, white woman that couldn't possibly vote for him. According to the pundits, I either should have supported Clinton because she's a woman or support McCain because only the republicans share my values. Bring on election day. I can't wait!

I guess I'll answer my own question about changing my party affiliation: "Obama scares many older Americans because he wants to make drastic changes in our government and these older people want to hold on to the way things are." What scares me is four more years of the way things are. Like BadenP posted, I've also made the observation that younger people tend to be more liberal and become more conservative as they get older. For me, when I registered to vote for the first time in 1976, I registered as a democrat. My parents were democrats and I didn't pay much attention to politics outside of the nightly dinner table. I cast my ballot for Jimmy Carter and moved out on my own. I got a job, paid taxes, bought a house and a car, and entered the adult world. I began to pay more attention to politics, listen to speeches and read the news when elections came around. Wasn't too happy with the Carter years (I naively thought the gas lines were solely his fault), so I decided I was most definitely a republican and voted for Reagan. Only the first time though. Still, I wasn't sure I wanted to align myself with democrats either so I declared myself an independent. I've never been a fan of George Bush but I wasn't exactly delighted to vote for Al Gore in 2000. Again in 2004 it wasn't so much that I was voting for Kerry, but against George Bush. This year I am proudly back to declaring myself a democrat. Growing up, as election years rolled around, I remember listening to my parents talk about their candidates with excitement. I've never felt that way in any year I've voted. Sure I supported a candidate, but never with an real sense of excitement. Voting merely to cast a vote AGAINST someone rather than FOR someone was dissatisfying. Living in South Carolina I know I'm among the minority in my choice this year for President and that my vote will be overcast by republican votes. In essence, I know my vote won't count. This is the first time I've been excited about voting and supporting a candidate. Apart from his political views, which I mostly agree with, Obama has stirred a sense of optimism in me and a restored faith in our future. I hear all the comments that he is just a empty suit that can make lofty speeches. I don't agree with that assessment, but even if I did, I've been so underwhelmed by our choices in leaders for so long that without knowing anything else about him I've been waiting for Obama to run for President since I heard his speech at the convention in 2004. People look at me incredulously when I tell them I support Obama. You see, I'm one of those middle aged, middle class, white woman that couldn't possibly vote for him. According to the pundits, I either should have supported Clinton because she's a woman or support McCain because only the republicans share my values. Bring on election day. I can't wait! GWD put this in the wrong thread, she put this post in the 'Back to switching parties' Thread, respond there, OGE (This message has been edited by a staff member.) (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

We always travel in Scout pants, socks, and Troop T-shirt. They do not wear the uniform shirt in the car, but have it with them to put on when we arrive at our destination.

I've always been curious about the reasons regular people, but most especially politicians, switch political parties. I'm sure there are many more, but Reagan switching from democrat to republican and Lieberman from democrat to independent come most easily to mind. I hear callers into CSPAN saying they've been loyal Democrats since XX year but are voting for McCain because Clinton is not the nominee and have heard avowed Republicans that say they are going to vote Obama.

Our guys went on their cave trip to Raccoon Mountain in Tennessee this weekend. While they were at a rest stop having a snack, a trucker approached the Troop and asked who the Scoutmaster was. My husband stepped up and the trucker handed him a $20 bill saying, "I know the price of gas must be hard on the Boy Scouts taking trips, hope this helps." Wonderful!

OK, I'll speak up as a lonely Democrat on the forums. I'm not so sure Biden was the 'safe' choice for Obama. With lightening speed and tremendous predictability, the Republicans put out an ad using Biden's words against Obama during the primaries. I'm sure they had the same ad ready replacing Biden with Clinton in case she was chosen as the Veep candidate. The pundits were having great pleasure yesterday pouncing on Obama's gaff introducing Biden as "our next President...our next Vice President" and Biden calling Obama, Barack America. Good grief, I sure hope McCain and his VP choice can manage to read their speeches without any mistakes. If they make any mistakes, I know the Democrats will pounce and the ads will appear in minutes. I'm really getting tired of all that from both sides, i.e., Obama's energy plan is for Americans to inflate their tires. McCain doesn't know how many houses he owns. Can't they both get back on board with what they promised - to run clean campaigns without the childish mud slinging? I've liked Biden's rather unscripted speaking style better than the polished performances 'tell the Americans what they want to hear' style of other candidates, but I know it has and will get him into trouble. Also predictable: Clinton's camp is whining that she wasn't even vetted for the job and that if she wasn't going to be seriously considered, Obama should have consulted her while making his choice. Early in the primaries I had considered supporting Clinton, but as time went on I became disenchanted. How could I possibly support someone for President who can't even manage to control her own campaign finances? Now she's expecting Obama and his supporters to help pay off her debts. Incredible! Why doesn't she just ask each of her 18 million supporters to send her a dollar? McCain picking Lieberman? I think that would be the last straw for those Conservatives that don't trust McCain and feel he has abandoned the party. I hear Romney's name most often by the pundits when they are debating McCain's choice for VP. If he's chosen, I'm sure the Democrats will put out their ads showing the clear dislike between McCain and Romney during the primaries. Gern, don't you know that Biden won't have a chance to run in 2016? Clinton is running a campaign for Obama to either 1) lose this year or 2) do a poor job if elected, so that she can run in 2012 and tell everyone "I told you so." :-) Weeeee, what a fun year! Can't wait for the conventions.

Cub Scouts - 1995 Boy Scouts - 2003

BW - if a SM is not yet meeting requirements for the SM Award of Merit, it would be nice if Council would let them know that he/she has been turned down and why.

A couple of guys in our Troop used the movie Hoot.

Neilup and Bobwhite: I suppose either of those scenarios could be correct. I was figuring that since we are such a small troop perhaps our number of first class Scouts wasn't large enough. Or maybe just the fact that we've been a small troop for so long. Maybe because we've only recruited one or two Scouts a year, while one or two age out at the same time, that shows that we (I) am not delivering a good program. Section 5 certainly is subjective and I can see how, because of our size, some may think that I couldn't deliver on some of those items.

Since someone brought up the Scoutmaster Award of Merit knot, I have a question. I was put in twice for this, but it never came through. Not an issue for me, but I feel badly for the SPL and Committee folks who took the time to complete the paperwork. Does anyone know of reasons why an application would not be approved?(This message has been edited by gwd-scouter)