johndaigler

It's pretty hard to argue that the song's point is to remind the Adult to keep announcements short when the song itself is invariably longer than the original announcement. I doubt many adult leaders need the group acting as instructor. Wouldn't a polite word discretely spoken serve the purpose better and model the preferred behavior? Secondly, I think the original point still holds. Whatever the intent of the song - it intrinsically teaches several things that not all of us want to teach. I agree, it's just a silly song -- so why try to keep it, if it's not helping you accomplish wha

I didn't want to step on Barry's lines, but since he hasn't been around . . . This Scouting Stuff . . . I'm lovin' it! jd

John in KC, What she said. jd

The problem isn't his right to rave -- he uses it quite well. The problems are: #1)it's a book we've all read at this point; #2)there's never any thought given to solutions; #3)jk's posts have in the past set us all up for conversational failure and in-fighting. I'm happy to see that we're not falling for the traps this time. jd

Well said, Proud Eagle. The idea that what is legal or approved by parents should be a good enough standard for us and all Scouts is, I think, a rather empty idea. I don't think this idea was presented. It may be splitting hairs, but there is a significant difference between what we try to teach our boys and what we see as our role to regulate. The standard we should strive for is the Scout Oath and Law. I agree wholeheartedly. That seems simple enough, but do the Oath and Law, or any policy, morality, etc., give Unit Leaders the role to create Scout-time consequences for non

Named after old BSA council, town strips of those colors? jd

BrentAllen, Great story - thank you. Mr. McCord seems like a great SM, and a great person. I think my point rests in the difference between the behavior you credited to Mr. McCord and the threatened behavior (over flag burning) of the adults in your unit. I think it's an important point and a huge difference between the grace an SM shares with the lives of his Scouts and the punishment of a legal behavior with which the Unit Scouters are uncomfortable. Mr. McCord's behavior was welcomed by the boy and focused on the best future for the boy. Your emotionally-charged response to the ear

Welcome, Akela!!! Return greetings from a former WNYer - now in IL. jd

BrentAllen, burning the flag while in uniform WOULD be inappropriate and worthy of a chat with the lad to help him understand the reasons why we don't make such political statements while representing the group by being uniformed. Outside of Scouting, I can't see that it's the SM's business -- given the parameters you originally proposed. jd

Are you only a Scout when you wear your uniform, or are attending a Scouting event? Is that what you teach your Scouts? Good points, BrentAllen, but I think the first question is for the boy to answer not the SM. A corollary to these is, "As SM, are you in charge of (responsible for, able to create consequences for) a boy's behavior when he's with his parents or acting within the rules of his family and NOT in uniform and/or at a Scouting event? I understand your disappointment in the Scout's behavior, but I think it would be tough to follow through with the consequences you laid ou

Sure, the Scouts support the pledge, but would we support it any less if it didn't say "under God"? I worry that the Scouts attending may be making a more politicized statement than is appropriate for uniformed Scouts. Certainly we want our boys and adults to be politically aware and act on their beliefs, but to do it in uniform is getting into a very gray area. We run the risk of politicizing our uniforms - (even more?) - and making it acceptable to praise or condemn Scout uniforms based on political ideologies and goals -- based on which side of a political hotbutton you're on

I agree with baden. All you've got right now amounts to gossip. If the boy wants to join, and he reads and submits an app., how can you do anything but celebrate a new Sea Scout? I don't think you can talk to parents (his or any others), and you can't take the word of the other guys. Maybe your young woman dancer is close enough to talk with him about it, but it doesn't seem fair to put that responsibility on her, or the stress on their friendship. I doubt any boy in his social position is ignorant of his public image, or the public image of BSA. Seems like the ball is in his court.

SSScout, WELCOME! IMHO, The UC and parents should react respectfully, and away from the Cubs. I'm hoping the CM's conniption wasn't public and/or embarrassing to the boy, but even if it was, it would be better if the moment wasn't made larger by an angry public response. The standard for every action a Cub Scout undertakes is "Do Your Best". Given the family's beliefs, the boy is performing fine - perhaps better than that, given peer (and other) pressures. Seems like the CM could use a bit more training. In general, a Scouter needs to show the same level of respect

OKScouter, WELCOME!! Scoutnut is right on target. I wish he had a different answer for you, but I've looked and there doesn't seem to be one. I also think he's probably right about how to spend that money. Perhaps a quick but important ceremony at a Pack Meeting to celebrate leaders who reach trained level -- or to acknowledge any training completed. Less involved parents probably don't understand, and therefore can't appreciate the effort your leaders put forth. Give them a chance to understand it, and cheer for it. jd

Kahuna, wouldn't a VAT - like a national sales tax - take care of underreporting in cash businesses? -_ While keeping the simplicity and some other benefits of a "flat" income tax. I believe (tax non-expert, that I am) this plan is also purported to motivate saving over spending, and preparing for the future over spending for the moment. Though, I'm sure, that's an optimistic overstatement. And eliminates much of the IRS infrastructure and bureaucracy. jd

Thanks, Voyageur, I knew you would make sense - and I agree, snakebites are definitely a time when everyone needs to stay within their knowledge and skill zone. jd

kittle, search these forums. I know similar threads were around last year - my guess is, >> every year. Are you going with "Cubs in the Future" as a theme? Do you want generic blue and gold? In a nut shell, here's a quick idea that was explained in detail last year. glue a 1/2 styrofoam ball to a square base. (easy to cut a styrofoam ball in half, but be careful -- a ceramic tile makes a great base) Cut blue and gold colored cocktail napkins (?maybe a dozen of each color for a 6 inch ball?) into quarters. Have the Cubs randomly pin the colored squares into the

Rooster, you might be older than me, but I don't recall an Olympics when the nations "knew they were accountable to God". Wouldn't it be complicated (beyond our frail, imperfect humanity) in such an international event to focus on God? Whose god? Whose peace? It is much more common to find public displays of appreciation of God in sporting events these days than ever before. Perhaps invoking God in something as frivolous as a sporting event is less than respectful? If a set of cartoons can create such international chaos, maybe we foolish humans can't be trusted with

Try other Units to scrounge up more participants. Your district/council may see more value and work out the details. Offer to take a starring role -- or a supportive role -- whichever will help the training group put this together.

Voyageur, You've piqued my curiosity!! Why the "leave it to professionals" secrecy? Aren't those the guys most likely to have better skills and info? Isn't it the rest of us who need your advice? Especially if we're "backcountry"? jd

Roger, WELCOME!!!! I wish you luck with your efforts! Thank you for them!! With all due respect, I would be more comfortable shipping books to your local council office. There are probably others who are just as cautious and it might simplify your efforts in the event you get a large response. We might even be able to get our local councils to support your efforts and ship boxes. Could this be possible?? Is there a similar program specifically for Scouts: equipment, uniforms, handbooks, etc.? jd

Beavah, can you please give some background, explanation or evidence for the following sections of your post. I'm trying to read your posts with a more friendly, kind, and courteous eye. Unfortunately, these statements seem like typical, agenda-ed rhetoric. You say that's not your intent, so if you could help me, I'd appreciate it. jd Conservatives are more comfortable with the language of universal truth and common, shared belief. They are more comfortable seeking it, they are more comfortable declaring it, talking about it openly, evangelizing. They are more comfortable viewi

Well done! jd

Yah, JD, dat's a bit much, eh? Perhaps a separate thread for each topic? Beavah, you start a thread where you address Lisabob's various ideas but you don't have the patience to read through other posters' responses?? Hmmmmm. . . so much for a dialogue of ideas. Give my comments about "skimming" another look. One thing I think that's apparent in your postings that I didn't catch before is the insistence on presenting/categorizing things as personal opinion/belief, absent any group label. Of course whatever any of us writes or says is our own personal understanding. That's so obvious

Hmmmm, now there's an idea . . . How about: There are many ways to measure success; not the least of which is the way your child describes you when talking to a friend. - Unknown jd