hops_scout

I checked Harvard's web site and there is of course no record of this occurring. The page with facility hours on it has not been updated since last fall. I could also find no way to reserve a facility other than for a court at the tennis facility. I know from working at our Rec Center on campus that our Professional Staff does everything it can to only schedule facility rentals for times that will least have an impact on the students' use of the facility. To rent out the whole facility would have to come at a time where it is normally closed. Groups are able to rent out parts, but never the whole thing during regular hours. That is what Harvard has done. They have allowed a small group to bump other people out during regular hours. And now that small group hasn't even used it!! Calico, that's horrible. It's completely wrong what those leaders did. But tell me, what does it have to do with Muslim women getting special treatment at Harvard's Recreation Center?

Sorry Calico, didn't realize I needed your approval before I posted something. Can I please have your cell pone number so I can call at any moment so we can discuss a topic? Moving on.. -We have the Harvard article posted in the initial thread. -We have Michigan-Dearborn http://media.www.themichiganjournal.com/media/storage/paper255/news/2007/06/19/News/UmDearborn.Awash.In.Foot.Bath.Controversy-2916347.shtml -We have Normandale Community College http://www.startribune.com/featuredColumns/12551256.html I could probably go on if I felt like digging some more. Why do they get special treatment? Merlyn, I'll bet other groups can reserve it. But I'll also bet that they have to pay to reserve it when it would completely close the facility to other students and members. At least that's the way it is around here at our Rec Center.

Why are the Muslims considered "special" in this country? We seem to give them whatever they want. We don't do that for other religions.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080304/ap_on_re_us/harvard_women_s_hours By MARK PRATT, Associated Press Writer Tue Mar 4, 6:40 PM ET BOSTON - In a test of Harvard's famed open-mindedness, the university has banned men from one of its gyms for a few hours a week to accommodate Muslim women who say it offends their sense of modesty to exercise in front of the opposite sex. ADVERTISEMENT The policy is already unpopular with many on campus, including some women who consider it sexist. "I think that it's incorrect in a college setting to institute a policy in which half of the campus gets wronged or denied a resource that's supposed to be for everyone," said student Lucy Caldwell, who also wrote a column in The Harvard Crimson newspaper critical of the new hours. Student Ola Aljawhary, who is Muslim and works out elsewhere on campus but is not one of the women who requested the change, rejected that argument. "The majority should be willing to compromise," she said. "I think that's just basic courtesy. We must show tolerance and respect for all others." The trial policy went into effect Feb. 4, about a month after a group of six Muslim women, with the support of the Harvard College Women's Center, asked the university for the special hours, spokesman Robert Mitchell said. "We get special requests from religious groups all the time and we try to honor them whenever possible," he said, noting that the school has designated spaces for Muslim and Hindu students to pray. No men are allowed in the gym between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays, and between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even the staff during those times is all women. The special hours allow the Muslim women, who adhere to traditional dress codes by covering their hair and most of their skin while in public, to dress more appropriately for exercising, said Susan Marine, director of the women's center. "It's a pretty big breach of their moral and religious code for a man to see them with their hair uncovered and it's just not possible for them to be in a mixed environment," she said. When student Kareem Shuman showed up to work out at the gym on Monday, he was turned away but didn't mind. "Knowing it was requested by women of my faith it's very understandable to me," said Shuman, 21, who figured he'd just come back later for his workout. Other men find the new hours inconvenient. Nick Wells, a junior who wrote an opinion piece in the Crimson criticizing the policy, suggested setting aside one room for women. "It's not that I am opposed to the idea of helping people in religious groups or women in general, but I just think Harvard is not being fair to people like me who live (near the gym)," Wells said in an interview. The policy only applies to one gym, a facility mainly used for intramurals. Because of its location at the edge of campus, it is the university's least used gym, Mitchell said. The women-only hours are of minimal inconvenience because they are just six out of the 70 hours a week the gym is open, Marine said. "Harvard has a moral and ethical responsibility to make sure our students can stay healthy," she said. An Associated Press reporter who went to the gym Monday did not see any Muslim women entering. Efforts to reach some of the women who requested the policy through the Women's Center were unsuccessful. The policy will be reviewed at the end of the semester, Mitchell said. Kent Blumenthal, executive director of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, which has 660 member colleges and universities nationwide, said he could not think of any other institution with a similar policy. "It seems in some ways contrary to the purpose of campus recreational programs, which is all about access," he said. Harvard's policy is no different from commercial gyms that cater partially or even exclusively to women, said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations. "The Muslim bashers portray it as the world coming to end, but if women have a couple hours a week to work out in private, I don't see it as a major issue," he said.

Since the math has been questioned.. it's actually 0.004% or 4 in every 1,000 Scouts.

My take: If you're rejoining Scouts just to get Eagle, you're doing for the wrong reason. If your plan is to do the bare minimum with the troop to skate through and get Eagle, then don't waste the adult leaders' time.

John, maybe you should actually read the posts. Eagle732 at 8:24PM on Feb 25,2008 posted this "I spoke with Philmonts Health and Safety Officer after trading emails and playing phone tag for the last two days. He agrees that EMT exceeds the standard of WFA Basic, However he answers to a Medical Director (an MD whose license the paramedics and health staff operates under) who does not agree."

"Eagle732, why are you so resistant to the additional training?" I'm not Eagle732, but let's think about this. He's already spending a significant amount of money to go to Philmont. You want him to drop another $100-200 on something that he *might* learn something he's not already qualified and certified to do?

Trev, same profession;) just got a promotion you know? Apparently they reward for something...

Lisa, great to hear a little about what you do! I'm just one of pesky first year college students here;) I came into college with 6 American History and 6 Political Science credits from dual-credit classes in high school. But I still have to take a Political Science class to fulfill basic University Studies requirements. I'm thinking about taking it online this summer, what do you think? I look forward to graduating college with my Athletic Training degree and a Political Science minor So I guess to answer your question, I'm a full-time college student and a part-time employee at the Rec Center and a part-time employee in a physical therapy clinic/fitness center at home. ****Sorry to sidetrack ALREADY****(This message has been edited by hops_scout)

Berkeley gives Marines the boot City Council says recruiting station not welcome; military mum for now By Doug Oakley, STAFF WRITER Article Created: 01/31/2008 02:42:43 AM PST Click photo to enlargeAnti-war protestors outside the Marine recruiting office on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley...1 FORUM Join a reader discussion about Berkeley's ban on the Marine recruiting center Related Berkeley vs.Marines Rage for, against recruiting in BerkeleyStudents hear debate on military recruitingBerkeley to revisit stance on MarinesBerkeley's mayor backs off MarinesEast Bay assemblyman threatens to stop road funds for Berkeley over Marines flapEditorial: Council goes berserk with assault on MarinesBerkeley in Republican crosshairs on MarinesBerkeley to revisit Marines resolution Berkeley's action against Marines draws flakBerkeley mayor offers to help Marines leaveDemonstrators face off on Iraq in BerkeleyBERKELEY Hey-hey, ho-ho, the Marines in Berkeley have got to go. That's the message from the Berkeley City Council, which voted 6-3, with Gordon Wozniak, Betty Olds and Kriss Worthington dissenting, to tell the Marines that its Shattuck Avenue recruiting station "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders." It also voted 7-2, with Wozniak and Olds dissenting, to explore enforcing its law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against the Marines and to encourage the women's peace group Code Pink to protest in front of the station. In a separate item, the council voted 8-1 to give Code Pink a designated parking space in front of the recruiting station once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week from noon to 4 p.m. Councilman Gordon Wozniak opposed both items. The Marines have been in Berkeley for a little more than a year, having moved from Alameda in December 2006. For about the past four months, Code Pink has been protesting in front of the station. "I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said after votes were cast. A Marines representative did not respond to requests for comment.The resolution telling the Marines they are unwelcome and directing the city attorney to explore issues of sexual orientation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Advertisement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- discrimination was brought to the council by the city's Peace and Justice commission. The recommendation to give Code Pink a parking space for protesting and a free sound permit was brought by council members Linda Maio and Max Anderson. Code Pink on Wednesday started circulating petitions to put a measure on the November ballot in Berkeley that would make it more difficult to open military recruiting offices near homes, parks, schools, churches libraries or health clinics. The group needs 5,000 signatures to make the ballot. Even though the council items passed, not everyone is happy with the work of Code Pink. Some employees and owners of businesses near the Marines office have had enough of the group and its protests. "My husband's business is right upstairs, and this (protesting) is bordering on harassment," Dori Schmidt told the council. "I hope this stops." An employee of a nearby business who asked not to be identified said Wednesday the elderly Code Pink protesters are aggressive, take up parking spaces, block the sidewalk with their yoga moves, smoke in the doorways, and are noisy. "Most of the people around here think they're a joke," the woman said. Wozniak said he was opposed to giving Code Pink a parking space because it favors free speech rights of one group over another. "There's a line between protesting and harassing, and that concerns me," Wozniak said. "It looks like we are showing favoritism. We have to respect the other side, and not abuse their rights. This is not good policy." Fran Rachel, 90, a Code Pink protester who spoke at the council meeting, said the group's request for a parking space and noise permit was especially important because the Marines are recruiting soldiers who may die in an unjust war. "This is very serious," Rachel said. "This isn't a game; it's mass murder. There's a sickness of silence of people not speaking out against the war. We have to do this." Anderson, a former Marine who said he was "drummed out" of the corps when he took a stand against the Vietnam War, said he'd love to see the Marines high-tail it out of town. "We are confronted with an organization that can spend billions of dollars on propaganda," Anderson said. "This is not Okinawa here; we're involved in a naked act of aggression. If we can provide a space for ordinary people to express themselves against this kind of barbarity, then we should be doing it." http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_8127493 ----- I don't know how many of you have seen this recently, but it seems the City Council doesn't stand too strong on the issue.. (CNN) -- The Berkeley City Council voted early Wednesday to rescind a previous vote that said Marine recruiters are "not welcome in this city," but held tight to its anti-war stance. Military supporters and anti-war demonstrators began gathering in Berkeley early Tuesday. 1 of 2 more photos The vote came after more than three hours of animated citizen input and council debate. More than 100 speakers took turns at the podium. Each speaker was given up to a minute to comment. In a 7-to-2 vote, the council said it would no longer send a letter to the local Marine Corps Recruiting Station and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway saying recruiters aren't welcome in Berkeley. Instead, the city is now simply stating it's opposed to the war and the billions spent on it. However, "we recognize the recruiter's right to locate in our city and the right of others to protest or support their presence," the council said. The council also said it supports and respects the men and women of the armed forces. Ahead of the vote, passions ran high on both sides of the debate as pro-military demonstrators squared off with anti-war protesters. Berkeley police reported four arrests before the meeting began, all misdemeanors. Police said there were minor scuffles between the anti-war and pro-military camps. An American flag was set aflame outside the City Council chambers, damaging a pair of bicycles, police said. Inside, members of the anti-war group Code Pink lined up at the podium to speak. Their salmon-colored signs read, "Berkeley says No to War" and "City Council - We have your back." But others scolded the City Council. "City Council -- shame on you," said one sign, and "Don't surrender to terrorists," read a T-shirt worn by a Vietnam veteran. Debbie Lee, whose son Marc was the first Navy SEAL to die in the Iraq war, demanded an apology from the council. "My son gave up his life for you," Lee told the council as she clutched his framed picture. "I'm appalled at what you did," she said, referring to the council's vote on Marine recruiters. Don't Miss Berkeley tells Marines to leave Coalition casualties in Iraq Iraqi women killed at alarming rates Jolie in Iraq: 2M refugees need help "It's despicable what you said about our military," said another military mom, Debbie Parrish. Her son, Victor, currently serves in Iraq. "It's very, very sad. Shame on you." But Jean Stewart called the council's stand "courageous and gutsy," saying the war was "immoral." And Judy Christopher said, "We need to stop the war. We need to stop recruitment." In the measure passed by the council on January 29, Marine recruiters were called "uninvited and unwelcome intruders." It went on to say the council applauds residents and organizations that "volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley." Protesters with Code Pink have been camped outside the Marine recruiting office on Shattuck Avenue for the last four months, singing peace songs and chanting slogans for an end to the Iraq war. See photos of Code Pink protesters outside Marine office Republican lawmakers in Washington fired back last week, threatening to recall more than $2 million of federal funding to the city as well as money designated for the University of California-Berkeley, the campus that became a bastion of liberalism during the Vietnam War. The Marine Corps has said it has no plans to move its office, which is located about a block from the college campus. http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/13/berkeley.marines/

Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO

"That brilliant flash you just saw from the East was the light bulb going on in my head." Was wondering about that as I look out my room window looking across the Mighty Mississippi...

"Don't judge a book by its cover" My high school football coach was 5'7" and weighed roughly 225 pounds. On most charts he's "overweight" and maybe even "obese." Guess what... he is far from "fat!" He works out EVERY DAY and does martial arts. He is as strong as an ox. He is one person that I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley even if I've got an assault rifle and he's doesn't have a gun. I think it really comes down to Body Composition. Exercise does so much more than just physical health. It relieves stress. It gives an individual a chance to clear his or her mind. Exercise allows you to get away from life's problems even if just for an hour a day. I don't eat perfect. In fact I eat a lot of junk food. Fries, burgers, etc. But I don't drink soda, I typically have a salad every day and I get some exercise (walking from class to class is significant amount of exercise to some here). Genetics can play a part here, but so can a person's lifestyle. I get tired of hearing the same people who are overweight watching TV and eat junk food tell me that their weight is due to their family history. Sure, it may play a part, but so does the fact that you don't exercise, you lay around all the time, and you eat junk food. I had a roommate last semester who was largely obese. He ate a ton of fries and burgers and he took the shuttle everywhere he went. I doubt he knows where the Rec Center is on campus. He was in the marching band. I'm told they had a day where they practiced and then had a couple hour break. He made somebody bring him food rather than him walking 100 yards to get his own! Just glad I'm out of there.. I couldn't stand him. Anyway, so I'm going to stop now before I really rattle on more from what I've learned in my classes under a Health Management Curriculum:)

About those superdelegates, I heard about the "smoke-filled room" and such, but someone else said there'd be no smoke.. The place that the convention will be held is smoke-free . If it were in Illinois, it'd definitely be smoke-free

This will be my first Presidential election where I can actually vote. Will I? That's still to be decided... Right now I have NO IDEA who I'd vote for. For starters, how many of the major candidates currently hold other governmental positions? Let's see: Ron Paul (is he "major"? in the House of Representatives, Obama in the Senate, McCain in the Senate, Hillary in the Senate... And how many of them have actually done their jobs these last 2 years? They've been too busy campaigning nearly since the 2004 election got over. Hillary rubs me the wrong way after she and Bill "moved" to New York shortly before Bill's term expired. And she was elected a Senator there just like that. Obama is from Chicago. He served in the state legislature for a term or two before turning to the US Senate. He's served part of a term in the Senate doing very little. What makes him think he's ready to be the most powerful person on Earth? Ron Paul I can't stand. My friend is a HUGE fan of his. McCain I don't know that much about. Definitely could be an interesting election. I can't wait until it's over so we see "Change" like the Demorats have been calling for since forever. What's their Congressional approval rating again????

So who is going to tell me that the BSA is the ONLY organization that it is possible for a Marine, a President, a Senator, etc to not be eligible for membership.

RememberSchiff, Correct me if I'm wrong, but here's my interpretation of your post.. "It's better we have large amounts of people in our units than it is to have a program that teaches the boys in our units morals and values that we believe in." And I have to disagree. I truly believe that I live the Scout Oath and Law in my everyday life. I'm not perfect, but I try to uphold those values. I feel those things are important.

Pappy, your goal here is to radically change the program as we know it. YOU want that, maybe the boys you know want that. It doesn't appear to me that the people who run the ACTUAL PROGRAM want that. As far as your experiences go, to me, they mean NOTHING when we are talking about changing the program known as the Boy Scouts of America. You are a boys' club (or the 'Be a Man' club) that is operating under the BSA name. What makes the Boy Scout program so good is that a Boy Scout is a Boy Scout a is a Boy Scout. With a standarized uniform, a standarized program (with small deviations), and standarized recognition a Boy Scout from New England is the same as a Boy Scout from Illinois and the same as a Boy Scout from California. Your plan would totally destroy the Boy Scouts of America as we know it. The Brotherhood of Scouting would be gone. I'd like you go come visit my troop and tell THEM that the Boy Scout program isn't wanted by the boys. I'd like for you to have seen our Lock-in we had with 3 other troops and tell me that the boys don't enjoy Scouting the way it's done. I'm in Illinois too. How many of your boys have experienced a TRUE Boy Scout Troop program? I'm going to guess very few if any. They are a part of the "corps" that calls themselves Boy Scouts and they're wrong.

Lisa, no Venturing Crews at Jambo. Venturing members can go as Jamboree staff only. Which is also a great bunch of fun!

Well it sounds like you've got some good ideas. Enjoy yourself as you start your own organization. I wish you luck:) Me-- I'll stick to the program that we've got.

Put him in charge of something. Use him as a Troop Guide or JASM. I didn't make Eagle, but I served as a JASM for almost two years. Basically from the time my SPL term expired. I became SPL right around my 16th birthday and then after the SPL, I moved to JASM. If done right, the JASM can almost play an adult role in a youth setting. What I mean by that is the JASM can do certain things that the ASM or SM cannot do.

Beav, we're just like all the rest. We see something and we respond. We have no specific "juristiction" or anything.

Eamonn, you're posting on one right now:) TK, your best bet is to set up a Yahoo Group or MSN Group or something like that. You can lock it up so that only certain people can see what is posted there.

Make Wilderness First Aid certification a requirement somewhere. I'd like to see it required for both adult leaders and for the Scouts above the rank of Star. Well, that's the only thing that comes up right now. I'll post something else later.