ASM7

I like the Leatherman for truck camping, but if its a back packing trip, I take one of those tiny Swiss Army knives. The size you put on a key ring.

LauraT7 It seems we didn't have communion on the 2nd, but it was United Methodist Women's Sunday. I don't know if all UM churches celebrate that on the same week. They (UMW) did almost the whole service. We will probably never get that much leeway. Doug

Rooster I think we are probably more alike than any two posters on this forum in our ideology and beliefs. I enjoy reading your posts and hope that you will be able to continue. There are many weak in faith on this forum. Remember that Jesus spent most of his efforts on those who were weak and he still does. You are only justified in leaving if it takes time away from ministry at home and in your community. Somehow I know you know that. You sound like you truly walk the walk. If that's the reason for leaving then you are doing the right thing. You can always check in from time to time. God loves you and so do I Doug

The United Methodist Clergy Planning calendar has BSA Sunday as Feb 9. I believe that it's because most UMC's have Communion on the first Sunday of the month. By doing it on the second Sunday, it allows more time for the Scout stuff. We do ours on the second Sunday, but I know of other UM Churches that use the first Sunday. It's up to the individual Church. Hope this helps. Doug

Those misguided about what the Bible says about homosexuality, might want to read Leviticus 18 and then go on to the New Testament and read Romans 1. My question for any homosexual is, If you think that what you do is OK and natural, then why are you so hesitant to come out and stand up for yourself? Timidity seems to be a trait. I think my relations with my wife is OK and natural and I don't have any reservations about hugging, kissing, or dancing with her in public. Could it be that maybe you do think it is wrong? I do believe that homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle, a sinful one! At first, I said that TJ should bow out gracefully, but now I have changed my mind. I think he should be a man, or whatever, and stand up for what he believes and then receive whatever he gets for doing it. Maybe you can tell that I'm not one of those PC guys. Sorry if this offends some of you. NAAAA!

Sorry Merlyn, but this is what he said, I am only "avowed" as a gay man to a relative handful of Scouting officials who I trust with my "secret" and that I know oppose Scouting's policy, and those close to me with whom I have served. These are Scouting officials and obviously should not be allowed to continue as officials. If they don't agree with Scouting policy, why belong at all? I can't honestly recite my oath every week knowing that I live a lie to all those who look up to me as a mentor. Think of what a great disappointment TJ will be to those who did look up to him. TJ, I can only credit you with honesty to this forum, But how honest is that? So you anonimously admit to being homosexual. That's not honesty in my book. I don't respect you or your lifestyle for being honest only to us and few people who agree with you. So, what to do? My suggestion would be to bow out gracefully, and keep any bad press away from the program you have been a part of for so long and all those officials who hold your secret. All it will take is one person to find you out and your life as you know it now could be ruined. I do not wish that for you or the program. I will include you in my prayers. Doug

Years ago when I worked construction, we were installing large pipes that were used to pump water to the top of a 40 story building. Existing concrete floors had to be cut for the pipes to pass through. Concrete was chipped out until we reached the reinforcing still and the steel under flooring. These had to cut with a blow torch. We learned real fast that the concrete explodes when super heated and its very violent. From my engineering classes in the study of plain concrete (boring), I learned that this is from trapped air. No matter how well the concrete is vibrated, there is still trapped air and it will explode. The water content is cured out of the concrete, but it is porous. Scouts need to be made aware of the dangers of building fires on concrete and it should be included in the next edition of the Scout Handbook. Bob, do you know how to get this done? Doug

pfann Sounds like you read it right. Everyone is talking like Scalia is endorsing certain religions. He's not. He's talking about the freedom to worship God. Sounds to me like he is interpreting the law the way it was meant. The way it was written. By the way, as a Christian, I pray as a Christian. I don't do it to offend anyone and I don't care if it does. I'm not going to change that, because I have that freedom. I'm not offended by prayers of any other religion. So, what sense does it make to ask me to pray a prayer that pleases everyone. That's what is offensive to me. If your not a religious person, what does does it matter anyway? Doug

LeVoyageur Just wondering about the origin of the painter. We always called the rope we wore on our belts a painter but i didn't know where it came from. I thought you would be the one to ask. Doug Sorry I'm off subject

It seems like all of these people who talk about separating God from government has forgatten the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. It also seems to me that these peoples rights are granted by their Creator. So, do we want to separate the government of the people from the one who has granted these people with their rights? Read the words. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Doug

Without me having to surf around, what is Magic the Gathering anyway? Doug

I haven't seen patches like you describe, but there are spoof patches on http://www.streamwood.net/ Doug

imascouter To achieve these ranks, a scout has to have a position of responsibilty. 4 months for Star and 6 months for Life and Eagle. The position descriptions in the Junior Leader Handbook state that they have to wear the uniform correctly. The question we have to ask is, are the Scoutmasters making sure these scouts adhere to their responsibilities? Because the requirement states only to hold the position and not to be successful at it, they get by with it. Does the wording need changing? What do you think? Doug

Since it's not an official badge, it couldn't go on the uniform, unless your position of uniform police is temporary. Then it would go on the right pocket. You may have to go undercover. What's that about the merit badge sash in the belt? Sounds like an infraction to me.

It sure is a shame, but the hunter was very lucky. I would be changing my underwear. It sounds like the bear was surprized while feeding. From what I have read, its common for bear to be agressive when surprized. That's why noise should be made while in bear country. I can imagine what would have happened to a hiker without a weapon. Doug

You guys and gals will want to see this. Woodbadge Bears have one more reason to be proud. A true king of the forest. I used to be a Bear. http://www.snopes2.com/photos/deadbear.htm Doug Kodiak Bears SR-389

Amen to that. Doug

LauraT7 As JohnMBowen warned about the trouble with cotton, you may try that sheet liner with a silk sheet. Silk is one of the natural materials that wicks away moisture. Doug

We made commando ropes for Woodbadge. They were part of our uniform. It's a good project for the Scouts also but don't let them sling them around as a weapon. Good to see you back Bob White Doug

KS Just a couple of things I picked up on were that the S Koreans feel that they are strong enough now with their military that they don't need American military involvement anymore and can defend themselves without our aid. The other point is that they feel the two Koreas should be reunited. I watched a show the other night about a family from N Korea who had crossed over the border from N Korea to China and were living in secret there. They had to give up their four children to an orphanage so they could have food, clothing and education. Obviously the conditions in N Korea are very bad. Doug

Congratulations Ed Doug

Korea Scouter What's the word from near the 38th? We see on TV about the demonstrations from S Koreans against the US. Is this a little making a loud noise or is it the major view of the South Korean people? What's your take and are you guys in any danger? I was just concerned about you and all the US military and citizens there. Doug

sctmom I didn't see Frontier House but I bet it's pretty funny. Website is www.pbs.org/wnet/frontierhouse/ Doug

Chip I could see giving permission slips to a parent of a Cub Scout, but not the parent of a Boy Scout. After missing a trip, the scout will learn responsibility and get the little details handled. Our slips are two part. The first sheet is info for the parent, like emergency phone numbers and location to keep on the fridge. The second sheet is the actual permission slip that is turned in. It also has space for any new medical info that we might need. The scouts do lose them, so we make a lot of extra copies and hand them out weeks in advance. I wish we had a website (planning), but some of our scouts don't have that capability anyway. If the parent doesn't get the slip, have them ask their son where it is. Responsibility is part of the program we teach. Doug

Hi everyone, I just hoped to be the first new post of the year. I wish for everyone a happy, safe, exciting 2003. Doug