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Nessmuk

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Everything posted by Nessmuk

  1. The subject of "division" within the BSA has been on my mind a lot(fortunately or unfortunately) since I became active in Scouting again several years ago.. As a Scout I used to look at the Royal Rangers dismissively and sometimes poked fun at them based on what I was told about them by leaders and older scouts. Now looking at what's been happening in BSA and Scouting worldwide, I can appreciate much better why they are a seperate organization and respect them for it. I see "BP-Scouts" worldwide (in the US too) (and apparently growing) And of course there are the general d
  2. To Ed, (and others )I love this Book ! affectionately abbreviated "R2S" Chapter 2 WINE Wine? Colonel Yervers never attempted to be without wine or some sort of alcohol inside him. On one occasion, when no liquor was to be got, he drank some furniture polish. When the doctor said to him, " But do you mean to say that you could get no water ? " The colonel replied, "My good sir, you can't have ever had a real thirst on you or you would know that that's not the time for thinking about having a wash." THAT THIRD GLASS. Wine ? I like a glass of good winefor its f
  3. I'm with le Voyageur.. I prefer (and endaevour) to my kill, butcher, clean, process, cook and serve my "pot roast" critter AND garden veggies.. I will teach my young to do the same. Those who themselves "don't or won't" do it this way - I don't chastise, but feel sorry for them and what they are missing. Those who say they are doing it (but are really getting their Pot Roast at the grocery store or Restaraunt) I will declare then to be a mistakin' or a misleadin'.. Those who say "I shouldn't" get a bit stronger reaction - or nor reaction at all. Truth is I don't do "Pot
  4. Frustrating moments in Scouting with Faith issues 1) When in one of my early Scouter training classes the trainer made a point that we were not to write God's name on anything due to offense that may be taken by some religion (maybe Judism?) so all of our songs in the song book were like this "Go_" 2) Same trainer (several years later at Wood Badge) made same case but much broader application.. Christian Scouters seemed to be pushed out of allowing to share our faith and yet accomodate an almost non-existent group of 'who knows what".. 3) At Cub Resident Day Camp, some 'psychade
  5. "CONCENTRATION in education can only be obtained when the work to be done is suited to the tastes and abilities of the learner. The natural instinct of the infant is to develop itself by exercise which we call " Play." It has an inherent desire to accomplish ; the young child wants to do things and to overcome difficulties to its own satisfaction. (Dr. Montessori has proved that by encouraging a child in its natural desires, instead of instructing it in what you think it ought to do, you can educate it on a much more solid and far-reaching basis. It is only tradition and custom that or
  6. I see your point(s) -- I was initially mad about the removal, mostly beacause I wanted to copy the good stuff (non personal) like the stories and ideas and save them in a document.. Some really good letters and stories and deep meaningful responses to the attacks on the part of Pappy there.. Your rationale is sound IMO...
  7. Re-build the movement and call it the "Sons of Liberty !!"
  8. I'm copying your writings to a Word doc from now on.. that good stuff that was deleted (letters etc) I planned to save for ideas and reference.. Matter of fact I'm copying my stuff to a doc too ! Nessmuk
  9. Good topic Beavah !! Looking back, I think my troop (as a Scout) was a bit "rogue", but was very "proper" if that makes any sense to you. Our SM, whom I reflect on as an iconic figure of my youth (another thread) I think did not like the District scene very much.. We had a strong boy led program with a regular committee and plenty of ASM's who "knew" Scouting.. But I always got the sense that we were a bit of an island.. Council Camp a couple years followed by "our own Summer Camp" (imagine that!) a couple years.. They were both fun in their own ways.. Our SM was of the
  10. Bobwhite, "Everything in perspective" must mean "Don't sweat the small stuff" - in which case every point of disagreement becomes classified as small stuff by those who want to avoid the actual matter at hand - which by the way has been brought out very well despite some of the hand-wringing by those afraid of a standard. Things I am hearing that are great ! -Technical side of how to wear uniform is important.. -but not as important of scout's pride and positive attitude about appearance.. -How looking good (e.g. presenting self and wearing uniform well etc) is in fact rela
  11. Phazelag, I'm with you.. and you are showing plain everyday courage to stand up to those who propagate nonsense and the "it's-all-relative" attitude about the scout uniforms.. It's sadly not just about the uniform as you will find (or may already see).. The uniform is not the only method or facet of Scouting that is being eaten out from inside the movement - dramatic? crazy? Read-on sir. Continue to see the number of "Scouters" that roast you for standing up against what's "plainly sloppy" and "not being afraid to fix something". About now some furry little brown feller is due to
  12. Your Right LisaBob - Clothing is not something to draw a line in the sand about.. And - The scout uniform is not "just clothing" either - just as the American Flag is not simply red white and blue cloth. Arrangement of those pieces of cloth makes the entire object take on a different meaning.. And "meaning" is what this is about. To many, the scout uniform is just clothing, but to some, the uniform has real meaning - it is a symbol. I would not be off-base by saying the Scout Uniform is not the only one we could discuss in this context - but that''s where I am. And it''s
  13. Oak Tree - Wow ! So I am supposed to only stand up for a principle when it is convenient and people will easily fall into line ?? Whoa .. See - Things are bad.. We have Scouters who are saying "only stand up and challenge wrongs when it''s convenient." One could do the same thing and take every point of the Scout Law and build a great set of situational ethics that rationalize why we should not take any of them seriously. Start with trustworthy - "You can''t trust anyone anymore !" They say.. "Can''t hardly trust yourself.. Lots of evidence to support that !" And on and on with the r
  14. Uniform bribes generally backfire or don''t work.. Boys today are so overstimulated, bribed and candy-coaxed in every other activity that a uniform "reward" just adds to "the list".. People (boy people too) respect clarity and boys crave structure.. Clearly state that "Scouts wear uniforms. It''s part of the program. Here''s why...and so on" As usual, the adults on this committee have taken things too far in that they have zero authority to decide what constitutes a scout uniform. These maybe well-intentioned folks need to be edumucated ! Where do these people get these ideas?
  15. MomtoEli, If I can, let me suggest that you are working against yourself by re-defining the uniform (the jeans substitute).. This absolutely sends the message (whether intended or not) that the uniform pants are not important and therefore teh rest of it is optional too..I know that the intent was probably to make it easier for them to affors the uniform or to be in uniform, but my experience in Scouts and other places is that as soon as you lower the bar, most will stop trying and will consistently underachieve by some amount.. I went through this when re-establishing a Pack a few years bac
  16. Seton - Let's start with "The Book of Woodcraft" the chapter on "Games for Camp' - "Arrow Fight" - "Hostile Spy" - "Scout Messenger" - "A challenge for Scout messenger" - "Apache Relay Race" And then there's the chapter on campfire stories and Indian character - which very much revolves around character traits exhibited by those in combat.. The section on Indian Dog Soldiers - thsoe responsibel for maintaining order and peace in the camp (and not by their diplomatic skills either).. Bottom line with Seton - He loved and based his philosophy on Indian life -- and
  17. I just returned from WEBELOS 6 Day Resident camp with my oldest son., The camp's TP had pairs of the Venturer Gray cargo pants... I liked their style and fit and practicality for typical scout outer wear. They were hemmable too.. Wow - Wouldn't it be great if the Boy Scout Handbook was a "fit in the pocket" book again - referencing excerpt from Scoutstuff website below .. Excerpt... Stone-washed gray uniform pants are 100% cotton canvas duck cloth with a Venturing label on the front right pocket. Features an adjustable waistband and cargo pocket large enough to hold the Venturer
  18. Kudu - So that's your website ! Thank you for that wonderful resource ! I get sucked into the materials for days and days ! I recall your Scout Trouser comparison page and have to believe that it was a large part of what inpsired the move to the "Kenya Convertibles" or "Switchbacks"as they are now called ! I only wish the were more rugged. Warmest regards, Nessmuk
  19. Ditto to John in KC on his praise about the boy-run troop voting on the neckerchief style.. I was a Scout from late 70's to mid 80's (uniform transition days) in a very much boy run troop -and strong with the Patrol Method. When I was SPL we voted to ditch the BSA neckerchief for a custom all black necker with a skull graphic from one of Megadeath's album cover's from the time...I actually voted for the Molly Hatchet graphic but was outnumbered by the Scouts in the "Metal Head" Patrol. My "Southern Rockers" patrol had already disbanded for troop leadership positions. On a
  20. Kraut , Take a look at this... MTM says "Am I the only one who has ever noticed a teenage boy standing a little straighter and looking more confidant when they put on a scout uniform, because he is identifying with being a scout? Am I the only one who has seen cubs be better behaved when they button and tuck in their uniform shirts? And you end with.. "....just be sure not to be lamely justifying or militarising scout uniforms..." So.. somebody draws an age-old conclusion that someone (a boy someone) who takes care in their appearance (uniform or not) is INTERNAL
  21. I hope that we get green Scout/Scouter switchbacks like the Cub Switchbacks -- (hemmable) and different material.
  22. ....That so many Scouters are anti-military? Wow.. I never knew that there were so many Scouters terrified of "militarizing" the Scout Uniform - That's what I keep seeing over and over here.. You all know that BP stated he was "anti-war" BUT NOT anti-military" - nor should we be. The anti-military theme here is fundamentally hypocritical.. "Scout" - origins as a military term - with unending non-military applications., The uniform - originally a practical field and street outfit for with origins in the experiences of those who spent the most time afield - the military..
  23. John in KC..Sorry if I appeared to offend or draw an offending comparison.. Your experience is just that - your real experience - and I won't try to rebutt it. To clarify, my comparison between military and scouting uniforms was not in how it is issued (or not), but in the fact that the military has had some real significant uniform and personal equipment practicality and suitability "issues" for the last couple decades.. They keep trying to improve (note recent ACU's and some new load bearing gear) but they keep missing the mark in several ways. More specifically, my comment was aime
  24. #1) Simple and uniform - One style shirt. #2) Practical field wear - Arm protection - from brush, wind, sun, dirt, cold - Check out every serious resourse on practical outdoor clothing in the desert or tropics -- It all reccommends LONG SLEEVES -- That's from experience and good ole fashion common sense! #3) When working and having a "mental fit" about heat - roll em up!! A practical BSA shirt would have Swiss tabs to support this function more neatly and uniformly.. BP says this is the sign of a "Scout getting to work" and looking at pictures (or even around the office at work
  25. Appreciate the challenging thoughts Beavah .. We gotta always be able to answer soundly when someone says "why?" Gotta say though -- Scout uniform DOES offer an important role in "identification" - to identify Scouts out of the rest of the crowd for pragmatic AND symbolic purposes. Also in terms of self identification with the Patrol and movement (a significant part of boy's self development) That is what we are all about. I recall reading an older item of Scout literature addressing Scout helping out in a crisis / emergency situation - and it emphasized that wearing the uniform is a
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