Kahuna

Electronics are here to stay. Get over it and make reasonable rules for what and when they may be used. They can cause problems and they can create solutions. The 2010 Jamboree is supposedly going to be set up to handle 40,000 cell phone calls at a time. The new uniform has a pocket for electronics. We are just going to have to adapt.

Good story. Thanks.

AT1988: I've been a practicing Buddhist for a number of years and have done a lot of study on it. I'm Shambhala, which is a Tibetan offshoot. Regardless of what Wallace says, I've seen nothing and heard nothing about refuting existence of a creator. I do agree that in many ways Buddhism is not really a religion, but it certainly is not atheistic in philosophy or practice. Many, if not most, Buddhists do pray to a creator, in addition to chanting to various entities that are not really gods. Perhaps there are some lineages of Buddhists who do refute a creator, but I've not en

AT1988 writes "Religious atheists (Buddhists and Scientologists) whom the BSA has no problem with" Buddhists are not atheists. Buddhism is not a monotheistic religion and simply doesn't deal that much with theology. I suppose it is possible to be an atheistic Buddhist, but I haven't known any.

Some of his comments are thought provoking, but getting into an exchange with him is exasperating. I think I've finally learned to stay out of his discussions.

Beavah writes: "At it's heart, the argument you're proposing is an argument for single-payer government-run health care." I suppose that's the liberal way to look at it, but that would not necessarily be the result if the Supreme Court eventually kicks it out. It would mean the Democrats would have to be in power at the time to pass it into law. Meanwhile, that provision of the bill would just be out. Right? Heh, heh, is that the argument I want to make? Certainly not, but one thing I've learned about liberals is that they never, ever stop trying. So, my assumption is tha

Beavah writes: "There's not much of a Constitutional argument here, IMO" I think there really is. I guess we have to agree to disagree. But then, that's what lawyers are for, eh?

"How are you defining Deist? Most of the founders were from organized religions. You'd be hard pressed to name some who were non-Christian." How about Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and James Madison? You can look up the others yourself. Some were members of churches and organized religion, yes, but if you look at what they wrote (not least the Declaration of Independence), you see they were really Deists. Pretty much everyone in society in those belonged to some church or other. Doesn't mean they subscribed to all the doctrine. Deists can be defined differentl

"As to governments requirin' purchase of a product, seems like that's what my state (and many others) do with auto insurance, eh? " Beavah, as an attorney, you must be joking. There is a vast difference between requiring to insure your automobile, which you are not required to have, and requiring you to insure yourself at your expense.

"Although I serve on our Council Religious Relations Committee, I do not consider most of the "worship" services at Scout outings to relate to my worship of God. Most are inclusive of other beliefs which I feel are unacceptable, dangerous, and wrong minded." Boy, is that scary. I certainly hope not too many of the BSA relationships people feel that way. As to the Declaration of Independence, there is no question really that most of the founders were Deists, which was quite common among educated upper class at the time.

"Can a citizen be forced by law to purchase a product" A lot would depend on how you view a product? Actually, it's ultimately going to depend on how the Supreme Court views it.

Whatever is in the bill(s) being reconciled, to pass something this major with a 51% majority is just outrageous. We're talking about something here that will affect every American and about 6% of our economy. It will be challenged on the constitutionality of many provisions and I think some are unconstitutional. Can a citizen be forced by law to purchase a product (health insurance)? This is simply a bad way to do it. They need to stop and start over again.

I don't think your arguments add up to exactly what you think they do, Scoutfish. First of all, the BSA is boys organization. Boys who join are not really thinking about being gay or being atheists. They are thinking about joining an organization that is fun. As they grow up and advance in Scouting, they may discover that they are gay or conclude they are atheists. But they still like the organization and they would like to make Eagle, or go to Philmont or a jamboree. Next, as I think was the case with Dale, they may find they want to continue as a leader, again because they like

Ditto on that! I never realized that he and Olave had the same birthday.

My personal view as a leader is full uniform or no uniform (and if you can't afford a uniform, we'll get something for you), but opinions vary. In any case, encouraging Scouts to wear full uniform is not bullying unless the leader is doing something other than what you describe.

"And 40,000 cell phone users will plug in their chargers where?" As mentioned above, they (supposedly) will have charging stations all around the site where cellphones can be locked in, recharged and picked up later. I doubt that there will be enough for 40,000 at a time, though.

I agree that we staffers are not getting much info from National and a lot of people are confused about assignments, reporting dates and other things that would seem fairly simple for National to handle. Luckily, I've had great contact with my supervisor since the beginning and am pretty much up to speed on everything (I think) that I need to know.

"With people scattered around, they will be a great way to communicate. At NOAC they used them to alert everyone to severe weather and to get to shelter. When you are in a staff group and not everyone is in the same location, great way to connect with them" Sure seems that way to me. I think the advantages of having them on their person are just too good to pass up. They also will have to carry them to get them recharged. Apparently, there are going to be little lockers with keys in the door so the kids can stick the phone into the plug, lock it and take the key. That way they don't h

"I have heard talk of an old local Wood Badge course where each patrol was given a live chicken and told to prepare dinner. This was before my time, but I have heard old timers speak of it fondly." Yes, this is true. They did that at National Camp School, too (on the overnight outpost camp), back in the day.

"parents should be strictly forbidden to call except in emergencies Hah. Good luck enforcing that one." Well, true it's hard to keep parents from checking in with their little darlings, but if it's explained to them that calling means interrupting some activity that junior paid $1500 to participate in and making sure the kids do call the parents every couple of days, most of them will cooperate. I think.

I'm sure Mazzuca is drafting the policy changes as we speak. As Huzzar says, "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

Let's see if I can start a fracas. It has recently been posted on the Jamboree Yahoo group that some council contingents are banning cellphones for Scouts, both on the trip and at the Jamboree. Given that the Jamboree guidebooks and such other information as has been made available to participants and staff (and it's durn little, IMHO) has indicated that this will be the most "connected" jambo in history, including major cellphone coverage for 40,000 plus phones at a time, charging stations available, free tethered cellphones available, and indications that cellphones will be used for

I am the furthest thing from a Mormon, but have found them to be, as a group, the nicest bunch of people anywhere. The world could use a lot more of them IMHO, not because I think their religious philosophy is correct, but because they are law-abiding and good citizens. I really wish they could convert the radical Islamists.

As emb021 says, the reporting is a minor issue. Lots of good reasons for units to establish 501©(3) organizations. For example, you can change sponsors without losing your equipment. If you have boats or buses, it's a necessity.

Well, he won and the Rasmussen poll taken yesterday http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform indicates that 56% of us don't want this bill and only 38% support it. That ought to tell you something. Brent, obviously, there are going to be a lot of Dem seats changing hands in November. I hope two of them are Reid and Pelosi.