Stosh

Alcohol stoves if tipped over can be a serious issue.

BTU's are lower per volume/weight than white gas.  Propane cylinders are dead weight.

Manufactured wood stoves are lightweight and don't generate the heat that fossil fuel stoves do..

Rocket stoves produce equivalent heat to fossil fuels and consume 1/8th the wood than manufactured wood stoves.

On 12/31/2017 at 5:06 AM, scoutldr said:

Boys' Clubs became "Boys' and Girls' Clubs"

Campfire Girls became simply "Campfire"

YMCA?

YWCA?

Family Y

It's a forgone conclusion that Ireland will be the first female eagle scout designated by BSA.

And this is why some of the better members of the forum are no longer on the forum.

The point being, I was well within the rules... of which I was being challenged by a one used title "heretic", which is what this thread is all about and I was using the rules of the forum that even when one operates within the rules, there are some who are going to take offense, i.e. a moderator.  This is clearly pointed out by the negative arrow for making a perfectly acceptable, according to the rule, statement that offended someone i.e. a different moderator. 

BSA has rules the same way Terry has set up the forum.  Yet as long as one stays within the boundaries of the forum, it's no big thing.  Some rules are restricted by the software same as membership formalities in BSA.  Then there are policies set forth by BSA and Terry.  Scout Law, Oath and such, no big deal.  Then there's the scouters and moderators who make sure people aren't coloring outside the lines.

So, no one got upset when I used the title title BSA Heretic, nor the change of my ID to Stosh.  But now when one points out the fact that there are those in the BSA who feel it okay to make up heavy handed rules to accommodate their own agendas, it would seem the same practice applies to the forum.

How far does this go?  Moderators going in and modifying profiles, that's how far. 

This is why some of the best aren't around on this forum anymore.

By the way, this questionable practice is how Ms. Ireland is going to get her Eagle. 

it's well within the scope of the thread and it might step on a few toes, but then, if profiles get moderated, I'm sure there won't be any breach of Scout Law to go in and alter someone else's post.

Better check out the bugs in the system, there's nothing that says one is restricted in anyway from putting whatever title they wish on the input screen title.  One is restricted to only one screen ID, but that can change occasionally to a new unused ID. and the word moderators and members are affixed below the avatar. 

The point being, as long as one stays within the rules, they should be okay unless someone comes around making up new rules along the way that suits them.

This then takes this thread back to where it belongs, 

I don't, I was a moderator on a number  of highly charged forums.   There were other "titles" that were even to the point of derogatory and demeaning.  I couldn't use them on this forum.  So I stuck with the ones my moderator friends and I bantered around behind the scenes. 

If one only wonders why certain things are one way or another without making a judgment?  Try reading the book, not  just the cover.

My boys are not at all involved in the fundraising of the troop other than in volunteering to help with the adult's project.  The parents are totally responsible for the finances of the troop.  Either they pay for the program out of their pocket or they fundraise.  I don't care which they choose to do.  If they plan an event, they can take in 100% of the proceeds for the troop.  If the boys help out, they get a cut for their patrol account.

I've never had any drama with the set-up over all the years it's been in place. 

OMG!! the boys don't EARN THEIR OWN WAY?  Seriously people, 99% of the scouts basically are getting other people to pay their way, either mom and dad cough it up or one walks up and down streets hawking over priced merchandise.  And seriously, who really sells more mom and dad at work or the scout himself?

Get real and get practical.  Mom and dad do the selling, just have them set up the fundraiser they want to do and as SM don't worry about it. 

I don't know how many hours I spent sorting out wreaths, popcorn, and Mother's Day flowers over the years.  Really wasn't my job, most parents were invisible, and as an adult led program so were the boys.  Nope, not for me.

It was interesting at the first meeting with the parents, they asked me if all the traditional fundraisers were going to be kept in place.  Told them it wasn't my problem and I wasn't going to make it my problem, but if they want to take over, no problem.  If not, all moneys necessary for their boy's activities will need to be paid in advance.

As the program support person and not a member of the committee, I focus on my own lane.  If the money isn't there, not my problem.  And for some strange reason, they money always shows up so I'm happy with how it works.

Nope, Heretic and Stosh are old Internet nicknames I was given when I was a moderator on other forums.  Just used them over the years.  Neither are at all complimentary..

I find it rather unfortunate that judging covers of books has become the ultimate sport in today's society.

There.... I think that's better.

Even bird know when it's time to kick the fledglings out of the nest.  And, no, time in the nest doesn't get longer each season because mamma bird has become their warm fuzzy BFF and there's an inherent danger in the shear drop from the nest.

The sad part of the whole process is that the modern parent really doesn't want to "let go".  "They're my babies" after all, and all that coddling stunts their development. - and the same can be said for the patrol-method.  The more the adults interfere, the longer it will take for the boys to actually lead.    I'm thinking the - No patrol outings without adult supervision was implemented because at the rate we're interfering, that ship has already sailed, having been pushed back to legal adulthood age.

By the time I was in Junior High School, my parents were pretty much hands-off any involvement I may have had outside the home.  That included school and church.  It was pretty much the same with my buddies.  "Hey, Mom, I'm heading out with the guys. See you at supper time."  Yep, prior to Junior High we pretty much need getting kicked out of the house, but misery loves company and the group formed.  We did Little League, same team, Scouts, Rifle Club, Civil Air Patrol, and a ton of other activities.

I have no idea how any of us ever grew up without the constant hovering parents do today.  Was life more difficult back in the day?  Yep, because one couldn't rely on Moms and Dads to help out.  If you wanted to do something, you figured out how to make it happen on your own.  Were we better prepared for life at 18 than 18 year olds of today?  I think so, your mileage may vary.

I didn't pick the name. 

Nor did I pick Stosh.

 If this dad is so worried about his kid, why does he drag him into the lion's den every week?  This isn't a helicopter parent he's an A-10 Warthog parent.  Your buddies right, I carry $1,000,000 liability umbrella policy on my homeowners insurance just for parents like this.  Welcome to your next 7 years unless you pencil whip him though and get him his Eagle by the time he's 12.

I'm afraid with that kind of a start, the finish will be worse than ugly. 

Totally agree, but with all the parent MB counselors, MB in troop meetings instead patrol meetings,  assigned POR's and MB Mills, the pencil whipping goes all the way up the ladder now.

19 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

Well, it’s not a theory at all. You can tell by all the laughter.

Alas, methinks thee but a young lass so as to be befuddled.

I wasn't complaining.  The boy on the video seemed calm and articulate.  I push Swimming and First Aid with my boys at their first summer camp.  I have nothing against going for MB's.  After all, they're more fun than the ovals.  From the interview I was quite impressed with the lad and having just "observed" the Heimlich, he did a great job putting it together and pulling it off.  I would love to have a kid like this in my troop.

By the way, it is obvious he has the desire to take care of others (take care of your boys) and sets a great example (lead by example).  I would have no problem having this kid as the PL of the NSP if they selected him. 

Bizzaro theory.

5th Grader, 10 years old, 10 MB's? Cit in the Nation?  First Aid? Maybe the Eagle Mills can do something positive after all.  Or maybe this is a one-in-a-million Scout.    Well done!

My problem with the Eagle situation is that this has become the Holy Grail of the girl inclusive agenda.  If BSA hadn't run around making grand statements about how totally wonderful the Eagle is and left it as nothing more than the highest rank in scouting, much of the bluster of today would not exist.  When Scouting first began the highest rank was First Class, then they added Star Life and Eagle.  This turned First Class into chump change overnight.  What's the big deal about First Class?  If pushed anyone can get that in the first year.  Not only did it negate the importance of First Class it also destroyed the importance of actually earning it and allowed for pencil whipping, once and done attitude we have today.  Simply add an "Honorary Eagle" to the process and the same thing will happen to the earned Eagle.  Maybe we can get back to the real intent of the program, developing moral young men with character that can lead.  With all the bluster about BSA not being allowed to be in politics, it would seem that BSA is floundering in politics way over it's head right now.

Both Second Class and First Class rank requirements #1.a both state the same first two words.  "Since joining...."

Troop 414 is seriously out of bounds with their political pencil whipping agenda.

10 minutes ago, HelpfulTracks said:

So, I have some frustrations with old Scouters who complain about new parents. 

So, I have some frustrations with new parents who complain about old Scouters. 

Mostly, I have a lot of frustration with adults arguing over which of the adults is going to run (ruin) the program. The entire premise of the thread is based on what the adults are doing.

Bottom line......be youth-led, adults are there to support, guide mentor the youth, not lead, run, manage the troop. Secondly, if everyone follows the Oath and Law in everything they do, then most problems will take care of themselves. If you have adults that cannot or will not follow the Oath and Law, help them to change by leading, if you cannot lead them to change then find a new unit for your youth that values the Oath and Law.

As long as adults are focused on what some other adult is doing wrong, then they are not focused on the youth, and most like;y the youth will be focused somewhere other than Scouting.

This is the conundrum I have always had with this forum.  All the adults, whether they are young or old are all fighting and bickering about who's calling the shots.  Well guess what, it's supposed to be the boys.  The more I get into the hands of the boys, the less I have difficulties.  I don't make it my problems and I don't ever get caught holding the bag.  If the parents get involved and try to make it their problem, they quickly learn that's not a good spot to be in because I always side, right or wrong, with the boys and their decisions.  It's always two against one against the adults.  If the boys make a bad decision and the parents are upset, I always remind them this is the place to learn, fail and grow.  After a while the parents do run out of steam and life goes back to having fun.

Stop and think about all the forum threads dedicated to bickering among the adults.  Every one of those "concerns" revolves around adult led troops.  And from where I stand, whatever decisions the boys make, it can't ever be worse than the behind the scenes bickering going on with the adults.

I wear a $12 silver ring, the Mrs. has a diamond and diamonds around it in a jacketed wedding ring.  Mine is just as valuable as hers and it doesn't make any difference which finger it's on. 

Just make sure it fits correctly.  I had my BSA ring from when I was a youth and lost it a few months back on an ARC relief operation.  It was too small for my ring finger and I was wearing it as a pinky ring. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/elder/8720182/Wisdom-comes-with-age-study-shows.html

Food for thought.

1 hour ago, qwazse said:

Not that I'd encourage such a thing now. But I could see my troop showing up at the disciplinary hearing with their knives in their pockets!

Nope!  all In full uniform, shirt, pants, necker and belt with the camp knife clipped to it with the belt clip.  Maybe a scout or two with the BSA belt ax and sheath knife, too.   And don't forget all the scouts with a match case clipped there too, we wouldn't want to leave out any arsonists' issues.

Having this much control over other people's lives is what the US Constitution was adopted to avoid.  King George III would be proud of how the Colonials fared over the years.  I guess Common Sense is not as common as it used to be.

I kidnap them every so often..... hide them away in the woods for a while.