LongHaul

I hear on the news this morning that the federal government has won its court case to force Google to turn over data on search history. The courts did not give the government the scope it had wanted but decided that the government can demand Google turn over search histories for specific categories so they, the government, can see who searched these topics. According to the report I heard, terrorism and related topics were not the main concern pornography topped the list areas of interest to our federal government. Ah the days of terms like sufficient prior cause, when fishing expeditions a

At a recent District Committee meeting we had a heated discussion on this very point. Our district has a DE and a DD, their primary duty is to raise enough money to pay their salaries. Be it through FOS or Good Scout Dinners or Community Breakfasts or what have you they must find a way to solicit enough money to cover their salary. They utilize the efforts of many volunteers to this end. Council staff is hired specifically to work on fund raising. Scouting has become a place where you can get a job begging for your salary without disgrace, in fact you get to feel like your doing good beca

Back when I first transitioned from scout to scouter I was involved with the JLTC program. With only 48 youth spots we had to limit troops to one boy each and then we still had to turn troops away ! This was at the District Level ! Today in the Chicago Area Council as a whole we have a hard time meeting the 24 scout minimum. The Scoutmaster approval/recommendation is to serve those areas where intrest is still high. It's there to insure that those attending are going to serve and are not just looking for another feather in thier cap. It's there to insure that the Scoutmaster has an oppor

First as a MB Counselor I ask that the portion of the Blue Card which we are discussing be filled out by the scout listing each requirement by number in the proper column. If the boy receives a partial then I sign each appropriate line and date each appropriate line. If the boy completes the entire badge I sign COMPLETED and put the date under that with my initials in that spot. I sign my full name in the two other spots required. The questions I have here are; 1. Did the Scoutmaster make it clear that the Blue Card needed to be signed in this manner when he issued it? 2. Whos responsibility i

I just served as SPL for our local Okpik course. In stead of TRAINED patches we gave out a strip that says "Je suis prets" which is French for "I am ready". It is not regulation but it does say more than TRAINED in my opinion. LongHaul

BelieveinScouts, Webelos is a program which was designed to transition boys from Cub Scout, (family oriented, parents sign off, work at home) to Boy Scout, (specific people sign off, work and plan as a patrol, specialist taught) programs. My advice, along with taking Webelos Leader Specific and Outdoor Leaders Skills for Webelos Leaders training is to find a Boy Scout troop to work with. The Assistant Scoutmaster for the New Scout Patrol and the Troop Guide for the New Scout patrol or an Assistant Senior Patrol leader should be asked to assist you in having a talk with not only you

Please let me clarify! I'm not talking about the adult leader with a child in the unit I'm asking about parents who are attending as parents and therefore can not help but effect the patrol dynamic. If this adult simply observes and supports their child then they fall into the adult supervisor catagory. If the parent inter acts with the entire youth body but favors their child it's one thing but when the parent is along only to interact with their child should we see this as a problem? LongHaul(This message has been edited by LongHaul)

Any male Venturer who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a troop or Varsity Scout in a team may continue advancement toward the Star, Life and Eagle ranks up to his 18th birthday So yes they can EARN merit badges provided; 1. They are Male. 2. They have already earned the First Class rank. Wait! Your question was DO they work on merit badges. Depends on the Crew and the Crew President, but only those meeting requirement 1 & 2 can get official credit toward Eagle. LongHaul

What happens when instead of line vetoing pitch forking kids they person with the pen line vetos the tuition and we have a law allowing pitch forking kids which could never has gotten out of committee on it's own. Checks and Balance, a lot of thought went into the wording based on a lot of powerful people abusing thier power. The framers were still dealing with centuries of handed down experience with absolute rulers. They formed a plan to make sure "the people" were heard and could affect the laws governing them. Today we only remember what has happpened since that plan was put into actio

I would not get to excited over this issue until the NEW and IMPROVED GTSS hit the streets. Supposedly it's been all reworded so we will have a whole new set of "What exactly does this say?" to while away the hours. Due out this summer, actually April but I'm not holding my breath. LongHaul

Ive spun this from another thread because Id like some opinions on Mothers and Fathers on campouts. Im not talking about adult leaders who have a child in the unit Im referring to adults attending outings as a Mother or Father for a specific scout. In a unit Im very familiar with the situation has been a Mom and Me, Dad and Lad unit with those not having a parent present being on the outer fringe. These adults are addressed as Mom or Dad and run clean up and interference for their child. Even when they take training for a given position their child is always treated differently than the r

Does anyone really think Bush is going to cut pork, well maybe Democratic pork. As for clearing the USSC Bush has stacked it in his favor. I remember when he first got elected he said he wanted to revisit Roe V Wade and now with the S.D. law looks like he may get his chance. Line item reduces checks and balance, Congress passes what they think is a workable bill then one man "eliminates thinks out of context" and passes it as law, that's scarry. Just my opinion. LongHaul

One term and out gets us people who don't know the job first hand and think about the cost. One term and retire at full pay with cost of living adjustments & medical for life. We need a lot of changes in the way Congress is run, it was never supposed to be a profession it was a service to your country. Hey I know let's give congress the same pay scale and benefit, retirement package we give the military. Line item veto is just another way for the group in power to circumvent the checks and balances of the Constitution. Could it be that Kerry thinks the Republicans will lose ne

Im against wearing camo during scout activities only because it tends to be used to replace the actual uniform. I dont find the scout uniform objectionable. But I dont understand why we feel those who do want to wear camo are trying to imitate the military? If the military wears something then if I wear it Im trying to be military? I regularly wear a cartridge belt with two 1 quart canteens and 2 first aid kits when we hike. All of it U.S. Army issue. Im not trying to look cool just being practical, the cartridge belt serves the purpose I need filled. I used a military issue paratroope

On my first trip to Philmont we woke up to frost and were swimming in the river by mid day. Altitude plays games with temperature. What does O degree bag really mean? I wrote a manufacturer and found that there is no standardization for measuring efficiency of sleeping bags. The term "X" degree usually means that the bag will keep you comfortable enough to sleep 6 hours at the "X" temperature. This differs from person to person depending on body metabolism. Know the equipment you intend to use. "There is no such thing as bad weather only inaccurate equipment choices." LongHaul

KC9DDI, Just to clarify there is no stipulation that the merit badge sash can only be worn with the long sleeved shirt. The Insignia Guide 33066E showes the proper positioning of the sash and the scout in the drawing is wearing a short sleeved shirt. LongHaul

Emb021, Who exactly is this "we" to whom you referr? The basis for my statement was the information recieved by our delegation to a NOAC. Where are the rules made and/or changed? National Order of the Arrow Conferences. Another thing that comes back from NOACs is the reminder that there are only two levels of membership in the OA, Ordeal and Brotherhood. I assume you meant to say you were a Brotherhood member who has recieved Vigil Honors. Many of us were upset when our registration cards stopped saying Vigil Member and started saying Brotherhood Member so I can understand your refe

MB sashes and OA sashes are just that SASHES not belt dangles. Wear it properly or leave it home. The debate over whether OA sahes are only to be worn at OA functions has never been resolved in stone. When I got mine in the 60's it was clearly only for OA functions. In the 90's a group came back from NOAC and declared it was OK for general wear to promote active participation in OA. I guess it's become a local option. According to the Insignia guide it's NOT worn hung from the belt at any time. LongHaul

John-in-KC hit this one dead on. The Troop Committee does not hire or fire anyone, they dont run the troop ideally the SPL runs the troop. The function of a Troop Committee is to support the Scoutmaster in delivering the Scouting Program. Far too many Troop Committees think they have the power to direct, to plan troop calendars or have advice and consent powers over program, not so. The Troop Committee is not Congress they are the Cabinet, they advise and support. Troop policies are set by the TC with the consent of the COR as long as those policies do not conflict with National policies

If you tend to slip off your pad at night try getting a silk cover and put the pad inside your bag with you. I found a silk cover at REI and had it trimed down to the size of my pad. (the Thermo-Rest Prolite 4 is also my choice) Putting the pad inside kept me from ending up on the ground as my tired muscles flexed and relaxed all night. The silk cover alowed me to roll over without sticking to the pad. Storing the pad open also imporves self inflation rate and properties. LongHaul(This message has been edited by LongHaul)

First I need to ask, If you had prior suspicions concerning the attack on 911 and they were ignored would I told you so be of ANY solace now? When its too late, Its too late! The more I read about DWP and the Bush Administrations ties to the UAE the more freighted I get. Just some stuff Ive come across trying to increase my knowledge of this issue. http://www.senatedemocrats.net/node/475 http://www.senatedemocrats.net/node/471 In South Florida, U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, and Mark Foley, R-West Palm Beach, held separate news conferences urging greater study of the deal. F

Again, I say One size does not fit all and Test it out before you go. I wear Kmart work boots in the 8 height. They support my ankles have arch support and most important fit MY feet. My co Leader bought a pair of hiking boots at REI and loved them so much at Philmont that he wears a pair almost every place he goes now. As for liner socks OK guys Im ready for the laughs and ribbing I use a pair of knee high womens nylon stockings ($.99) first, then a pair of Kmart mens nylon dress socks (3@$3.99) followed by a pair of Kmart mens polyester dress socks(3@$3.99). The nylon allows my foot to move

Ive done four Philmont treks, two in my prime two when I wasnt. At 20 I carried close to 100 pounds because my Dad suffered what was later diagnosed as a mild heart attack our second day. I had been a competitive swimmer for six years and could have run up and down the trails in moccasins pack and all. At 52 I wouldnt have made it out of base camp with 45 pounds without ankle support. Anyone that has done the crest leading away from base camp from the Tooth may take issue with the well packed trails concept. The bottom line is that One size does not fit all. What works for me may not work for

Rooster7 thinks this is all Bush bashing, I wonder what he would be saying about this had Kerry won the election and was proposing allowing the UAE to operate ports of entry. We know that 2 of the 911 terrorists were from Dubia and that most of the funds connected with the 911 strike were funneled thru Dubia can anyone tell me they have heard of any follow up on that? Anyone brought to answer? Frankj tells us that Dubia Ports World operates 22 ports around the world and will increase that to 49 with this deal. If I was a paranoid person I might see this as an opportunity to move materials aro

I think this has been cleared up but I'd just like everyone to remember that Webelos are still Cub Scouts. They are in a state of transition between Adult run and Boy run, between Den Leader inspired and Boy inspired activities, but they are still part of the Cub Scout Program. It's called the Webelos Den Leader Award not the Assistant CubMaster in charge of the Webelos Patrol Award. LongHaul