johndaigler

I'm amazed (and chuckling) how quickly we go from parents asking that their children not be daily force-fed a religious preference they don't share - to Stalinist USSR, jailing Scoutmasters and, of course, blaming the ultimate evil that is the ACLU. This isn't about being forced to say the pledge or trying to get the pledge removed from schools - It's about a group of parents trying to get the Courts to see that the pledge as it is used today does not correctly represent all the parents and children expected to attend that school. Would everyone who wants to declare these Parents "Cl

WELCOME, Juliettemom! If you haven't already tried this: http://www.gpgirlscouts.org/girls/juliette/ good luck, jd

I'm not way out there on the leftist, and/or atheist tree limb - just trying to think this through. Please forgive the random streams of thought. . . Public school kids are a captive audience. Including "under God" in their day, as a matter of practice, is a forced religious acknowledgement. I don't see how we can say that's absolutely appropriate. "under god" is not as faith-nuetral as a "moment of silent reflection" - it carries a very specific religious message. I wouldn't think God needs the US govt. doing marketing. And if God did want that - wouldn't his expectation

Greying Beaver, I understand you want to do the right thing - and your thread is based on the fact that you care for all these kids. That being said, by posting this thread, what have you already said to yourself? And, if they get a chance to read this thread, to the kids involved? Assuming you follow G2SS and the buddy system and other common sense patterns - go enjoy the weekend!! And let the Scouts and families enjoy it, as well!! These girls helped with a service project??? That is sooo cool, they deserve an extra s'more!! jd

What can a distant Den or Pack do to help Gulf Coast Cubs - now, as they try to assimilate wherever they are - and in the future, as they try to reestablish their Units back home? Should we attempt to replace basics, like handbooks, uniform parts, etc.? Or should we go for "luxury" items like red vests, etc? jd

Not to over-generalize and paint with too broad a brush, but some of you guys are the worst Metaphor-ists on the planet. If we could stay away from sinking ships, fast food chains and our very own special mixture of Algebra and Geometry, I think we might more often make sense to each other. Better yet, could we just let this particular thread die its only ugly little death. If there's still a conversation being held, it's kind of hard to find and could easily be started fresh (if absolutely necessary!?)in a new thread. jd

pgking, sounds like a great effort -- good luck. I may be off base, but one suggestion. Perhaps it might be better to channel your efforts through one of the major support agencies ( or atleast local Councils)as opposed to specific Scout Units. All of these helpful efforts are more effective when they're coordinated under the overall umbrella of aid. Good Luck and thank you for your efforts, jd

Agreed, Kahuna. But I don't think anyone deserves (or will get) a pass on this one. There are a lot of questions that need answers. I'm assuming the Senate will have its hearings, and we'll get closer to the truth. But, I also assume, we'll never really get satisfactory answers to many of the questions. An answer I keep looking for, is: when told to evacuate, why did so many stay? jd

This is from jk's earlier post: "The COR's et al have VOTED the slates DOWN. Chicago Area Coiuncio has TWICE now refused to approve the handpicked slated proposed by their Council "leadership" that wants to remain in place. Yet the Council "leadership" refuses to allow the hand-picked "nominating committee" to nominate ANY candidats that the volunteers (through their COR's) WANT to VOTE for. " BW, your response to jk was to tell how it is CORs who have a vote in this situation, and that they represent CRs not volunteers. He seems to have already addressed this. It appears, Co

I understand the urge to go to the school board, but I'd be slow to do that. I'm a former school administrator, and I can tell you, going to the board will definitely burn any bridge with the superintendent. At least try the superintendent - as I said, on her terms, before you go over her head. Even with the board you're not going to get back what you used to have. The reality now is to build the best bridge you can - it would be better if the superintendent can be on your side as you do that. The supe has no reason to try to make it difficult for you. Together you can talk out th

jk defined this thread to be about Smith and St. Jean - thus the Irony. This is as good a place as any to focus on the St. Jean part of the first post. TJ makes some good points - and has actually brought a little sense and collaborative discussion to the thread - saints preserve us! Let's run with it a while. Isn't the point the seeming lack of consistency on the part of BSA as employer? I'm not saying they handled Smith inappropriately, but if so, was St. Jean handled fairly? Surely, it's not inappropriate to ask the questions, given the obvious disparity in the base causes, and

Scoutnut . . . er . . . better played?! (ooops, gulp . . .) jd

great ideas, seabear! Also, Vince, someone from the Unit or District should approach the Superintendent again. You have to understand his role, his constituencies, and his legal obligations and constraints. Try to cooperate and work with him to succeed within his rules. There are ways - usually they involve paying your own way and never having a captive audience - that between you, the Supe, and probably the PTO, you can get better access than you have right now. It will never be like the good ol' days, but . . . jd

Welcome, Tuscarora!!! WNY? jd

The Chicago story makes me sad. The Atlanta story makes me sad. The Idaho story makes me sad. The St. Jean story makes me sad. The Smith story makes me sad. The growing (and hardening) devisiveness on this forum makes me sad. jk, OK, great, now I'm sad. What the heck are you trying to accomplish? Are you making a call to action? If so, stop complaining and do THAT. Are you asking a question? If so, stop complaining and do THAT. Are you suggesting we be vigilant in our future? If so, stop complaining and do THAT. Are you suggesting you have an answer to

Hunting wolf, Welcome!! Unfortuantely, discussing ex-wifes would be taking this thread in a new direction and, though you are cordially invited to start such a thread, our tiny brains prefer to stay on one topic at a time . . . Quisp and Quake Unless you're traveling, then you just need the 4 major food groups: beef jerky, mountain dew, moon pies and either (choose only one!) chocolate or red licorice! jd

rk, well played jd

WELCOME, tlamkin!! jd

WELCOME, bnnykllr!!!! OGE, I think it's . . . er, . . . Bonnie Keeler!! Or, . . . maybe . . . Benny Keller!! jd

Let's hope so, but briant may have a point - around the periphery. I would assume there's a story or two to be told. jd

Time for an Ever Lasting GobStopper?!?!?!?

Hunt, good post. I've recently listened to Ellis' "Patriots" lecture series for Barnes and Noble Audio. It's a great listen and a great learning. I'd more likely give a "slavery" pass to Lee than Adams, Franklin, Jefferson or even Washington. AFJ were intimately involved in the decision to avoid the slavery issue. They purposefully kept "property" out of the list of inalienable rights - a right included by G. Mason in his work for Virginia (though he undoubtedly lifted it from someone else - A Smith, I think) which was the basis of that section of the D of I. AFJ chose to leave slave

Ironic that "screaming irony" has devolved to "screaming chicken"? You decide! jd

Hi, wahoonfp, WELCOME! Your Boy Scout can (should!) wear the knot for earning his religious emblem as a Cub. The device pins are worn to show when the award was earned. Check with your Unit and/or religious org. to determine who will purchase medals, badges, pins, etc. You can double-check this info with the insignia guide. jd

Thanks, OGE, I get that. But Hunt turned the discussion in slightly new direction, and I thought Merlyn gave a bit of a corpspeak answer. And amidst the usual piling on in both directions I didn't want Hunt's thoughtfulness to be lost. Ed, please challenge words not people. jd