jrush

Personally, I expect the end of DADT in the military will spell the end of the BSA's policy on homosexuals. I think it's going to become more difficult for the BSA to bar homosexuals on moral grounds when openly practicing gays have the moral courage to put the nation ahead of their own lives. But, we'll see.

le V, have you gotten into granddaddy's "medicine" again? Reagan was nothing more or less than a "big business" Republican who expanded the tent to make room for hawkish southern democrats and the religious right. He is revered for his ability to bring together a large constituency and shellack his Demmo opponent, for his ability to sign tax multiple hikes and a gun ban into law and still maintain the image of a "pro-rights" conservative. His admin was no more scandalous than either Bush or Clinton or Obama's by the time his servie is over. By the way, unless you can cite somet

I don't get the ire, either. If you don't want yourself or your family frisked, don't fly commercial. Period. Take the bus. Or the train. Or drive. Or walk. Bike. Horseback. Job requires you to fly? Get a new job. Heck, get your pilot license and fly yourself. But noooo, people are too lazy for any option except the most convenient, and then they are sorry enough to complain about the manner in which that option is provided. I'd just as soon hear someone on welfare complain about the size of their plasma TV.

You aren't going to stir up any trouble. The BSA doesn't ban sheath knives. They simply advise scouters to avoid large sheath knives due to their impracticality. Some councils (mostly you'll see this at the council-run camp) ban sheath knives to some extent, typically allowing fillet/fish knives. In the councils that don't ban them, some troops will as a matter of policy. As far as politicking for sheath knives in a troop which discourages or bans them (for whatever reason) you are facing an uphill battle, for one primary reason: There is no camp chore in the scout ha

Well, an option is to have "field uniform" and "dress uniform" shirts. Field uniform shirt with minimum patches (let's face it, patches and sewing are the majority of the shirt cost by the time it's said and done). If it requires going near a pine tree, the field shirt goes. Meetings, COA, fundraisers, etc get the nice shirt.

For whatever reason, the boy is being hazed, which the Camp Director should have zero tolerance for. The days of the junior CITs being given brown ball caps with "Staff Helper In Training" written on the front are (or at least should be) over.

NJCubscouter and quazse, that's why I said "IIRC"...I could be completely wrong...I should've said "IMO". My bad. Given the BSA's description of the position, JASMs are for all intents and purposes 16 year old ASMs. IMO, if they're going to function as ASMs, they should act like ASMs. So, while they aren't required to take YPT, they *should* start to be cognizant of such requirements...because they are acting as ASMs. They are a different critter than a 16 year old Troop Guide. In a nutshell, they are part of the adult leadership group, not the youth leadership group (as the TG is

Yes, it's 16. Troops often add an additional requirement that the young man be an Eagle, but that's not a BSA requirement. IIRC the BSA also requires that the JASM follow all BSA policies regarding driving, 2-deep leadership, sleeping quarters, etc.

"By and large I like to lurk until someone says something arguably untrue about God or the Bible." You know, it always reassures me when we have a self-appointed inquisitor who knows what is and is not true about God (at least, the Christian version of God) and the Bible, and can swoop in to intercept any untruths. What a relief.

I would counter that while the JASM has certain priviledges, he also has a new set of responsibilities. Arguably, he shouldn't be in a patrol watching or helping them make their menu for the upcoming campout, he should be with adults approving that menu. He should be able to perform any of the duties of an ASM except where age and maturity are legally and ethically required.

Flags are typically shipped folded into a square (to fit the square box) and there's certainly nothing wrong with storing them that way, either.

Lord only knows how I managed to participate in mutiple 50 milers and a trip to Philmont without mommy being able to contact me at a moment's notice, 24/7. And we wonder what's wrong with Scouting... Yes, a cell phone can be useful (as neil just stated), but so can fixed blade knives, liquid fuel stoves, or any of the other things Troops restrict the use of, because they aren't necessary, and their usefullness is outweighed by the issues they cause. If it bothers you that much, find another troop. The BSA doesn't exactly make it difficult to transfer.(This message has been edited b

BDPT, the problem with that is that they HAVE earned the right to "just be a Scout". True, they should continue to serve in positions of responsibility (elected or appointed) if they wish to, but they shouldn't be pressured (or worse yet, forced) to. "just being a Scout" is exactly that...coming to meetings, participating in outdoor activities. There's nothing wrong with an Eagle who wants to stay in his patrol and help a younger PL be a success simply by setting the example of being a good follower. I didn't say "hang the uniform up and move on with life".

jblake, keep in mind my opinion (and that's all it is) is coming from military leadership training, but there isn't a thin line between leadership and responsibility. It's like noting the difference between leadership and management. The closer comparison is responsibility = management, because the PORs have a common thread of requiring good management skills. There's a reason only 4 POR patches actually have the word "leader". Again, that's why there is virtually no leadership requirement. Even the Eagle project, what says "give leadership to others"; the potential Eagle doesn't ev

jblake, to answer your question about PORs being required, IMO part of being an Eagle Scout isn't leadership, but responsibility. Hence, why a scout could conceivably become Eagle and never be a "leader" such as a PL, SPL, Troop Guide, Den Chief, etc...he can be a scribe, librarian, trainer or quartermaster and fulfill the requirement just as well. Hence, why the requirement is "position of responsibility", not "position of leadership". The PORs are there for a Scout to learn the importance of responsibility to the organization. That's also why the requirement says "serve actively", no

Eagledad, when I say "encouraged", I mean troop leadership doing anything from holding elections to going to OA events with the boys. I don't mean "beating the war drums" about OA at every opportunity. I say that because some troops don't even hold OA elections...I would call that "discouragement", even if the leadership isn't actively bad-mouthing the OA. My point was that everything an adult leader does, even ambivalence, makes an impression. With multiple Lodge Chiefs from your troop, I'd say you're encouraging OA participation, even if you don't think you are...congrats to your

bigbovine, you brought up OA, but there's a reason you're missing regarding lack of interest. The OA is the BSA's camping honor society. In a nutshell, while the OA is the "botherhood of cheerful service", and the lodge will do service activities and events, it is about additional opportunities for the boys to camp with their friends. The OA is also where the boys can camp without half a dozen moms in their campsite. Also, the Troop not encouraging it *does* discourage it. How many troops have you seen that don't encourage camping or earning Eagle? Yes, a Troop is "youth run", b

northerntier sells the Bemiji version (IMO better construction, slash hand pockets, made in America) for $115.

BadenP, I didn't miss the point; I floated a theory as to why national would create a Venture shirt that doesn't have a pocket designed for the OA flap.

It would kinda make sense since a Crew can't hold OA elections.

Well, it's glued-together thread. You can remove the flag with a steam iron and sew on a flag, but just so you know, the US flag patches in the scout shop are made in China, too. I salvaged a flag off an old uniform and sewed it on...just to have at least one thing on my shirt that was made in America.

Merlyn, I agree with much of what you said, that the BSA has painted itself into a corner by using proper-noun "God" in the Oath and Law, and then turning around and accepting faiths which are outright nontheistic, and certainly don't center around worship of God, with their statement that they are "absolutely nonsecular" regarding religeous requirements. For that matter, it's not even a requirement...as has been said, the Oath says "do my best", not "you will". It's not Yoda and the force. That's why I said we don't get to unilaterally label someone an atheist and boot them out until they

Of course the prices didn't go down, because the "profit" is one of national's funding streams. I'm surprised they didn't go up. That being said, it doesn't make any sense for the BSA to accept a poor-quality uniform from the manufacturer, because they have a lifetime guarantee against defect. Come on, BSA, the things are made in China or Bangladesh or somewhere else where some embroidery, buttonholes and double stitching only adds a buck or two. That being said, by the time you embroider the letters on, sew the flag on, overstitch the stress points and buttons, cut off the velcro

Calico, you should hear what troops say when they see a 42nd Infantry Division patch, and we're talking about adults.

Packsaddle, I should've been more specific, and said "nothing beyond yourself of a spritual or philosophical nature exists"...I made the assumption that since the discussion was in regards to faith, I wouldn't have to be specific. Oops.