Papadaddy

The "cleanest" candidate I see is Ron Paul. No hidden agendas, no hypocrisy...what you see is what you get. I agree with most of his platform, but I'm afraid he is viewed as a "nut" (a la Ross Perot), and won't gain enough support without pandering to special interest groups. Those who speak truth and common sense instead of empty promises are generally unelectable. Shame.

"those who have been given much have a special duty to others". Couldn't agree more, Beav. But in my opinion, when that "special duty" is enforced by the Govt upon threat of fine or prison, it ceases to be "charity" in the Christian/Jewish/Muslim tradition, also sometimes translated as "love" (agape). What I meant was, expecting the "Govt" to fulfill your "special duty" is a cop-out. Charity (love) must come from the heart...not at the point of a spear. I am already giving my "fair share" of revenue (and i hope God agrees). I just don't filter it all through the United States Treasury an

Crew 21 writes: "How would your troop handle a rumor of a bisexual scout? It wouldnt be ignored." Ignore it is exactly what I would do...and have done. Turned out to be the right decision.

In our church, the current sermon series is on discipleship, and what Jesus expects of us as disciples. I've been thinking about that a lot lately. When Jesus commanded us to "love one another as I have loved you", did he mean to go out personally and minister to the needs of our fellow man? Or is simply voting to confiscate the treasures of others to force them to give to their fellow man good enough?

I believe I would have to report these adults to the Scout Executive as a matter of Youth Protection. If this actually happened, they were way out of line. And as a parent, they, and the CO would be hearing from my attorney. YOu need to alert the SE before he's blindsided with a lawsuit...or worse hears about it on the 6 o'clock news.

If your Scout Shop gives you a hard time (they shouldn't), you can find almost anything on eBay. The only thing that should be "restricted" are rank patches, Webelos activity pins and square knots (i.e. for heroism and Hornaday awards). Some scout shops are more "restrictive" than others.

I don't know if Scouting has been "dumbed down"...but it is considerably less challenging, as is high school, college, even employment. We have created a society of young people who demand all the latest conveniences and rewards for the least amount of effort allowable. They can get a recordable grade (not a "zero") by merely writing their name on a piece of paper and turning it in. Everyone gets a trophy for being on the team roster. Every scout gets an Eagle for little more than showing up and being spoonfed merit badges and having their hand held through every step of the Eagle project.

Your wife calls you four times a day while at camp? I find that odd...

For summer camp,or any other high adventure activity, a physical signed by a licensed medical provider must be presented...not just a prescription.

Technical detail..."Fume" is actually a fine particle resulting from the condensation of a metal vapor. A metal is heated, melts to a liquid, vaporizes to a gas, and almost immediately condenses in the cold air to a particle. Welding on galvanized commonly can cause "metal fume fever" resulting from inhaling the zinc. I agree, typical camp stoves and camp fires will not achieve these temperatures.

My eldest son grew up to be a respected restaurateur and manager of people. When potential employees would come in to fill out an application, he would interview them, then later, check their FB and MySpace pages. Quite a few never got a call back because they simply didn't reflect the values of the company. Sometimes their profile pic was enough. That's what kids need to understand...on the internet, nothing is "private", and it WILL be held against them, fair or not.

Familiar, indeed. Sounds like my Council. 4 districts became 7, now back to 4. DEs keep playing musical chairs, getting new titles, but duties stay the same, far as I can tell. Had a couple of new DEs come on board, but they don't stay long.

Agree, not for uniform wear. LNT is a national program, but not a BSA program, although they endorse the principles.

Your DE is using the standard textbook BSA adult recruiting technique. Approach them one on one, present a defined task to do, offer them moral support, then set the hook. Why does BSA teach this? Because it works, DUH. Much better than making an announcement at RT that "anyone interested in being the Membership Chair please see me after the meeting". BTW, none of the above is meant as criticism...if it's fun, do it! WHen it ceases to be fun, you can say no. Scout on!

Amen.

The bigger question is why did they persist in a 2.5 hour "battle" when the temperature approached 107 (presumably in heavy wool period uniforms)? In the military, those are considered "black flag" conditions and all PT, and other unnecessary physical activity ceases, ESPECIALLY for unacclimated individuals in less than optimal physical condition. ESPECIALLY when wearing clothing inappropriate for the climate. Gotta wonder what people are thinking sometimes.

This brings to mind a recent current event where a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy was arrested and convicted for some offense. The comments from his community were "he might be an E-7, but he's no Chief". Same here. He may have been awarded merit badges and an Eagle badge...but that doesn't mean he's an "Eagle Scout". In his heart, he knows what he is.

Maybe if a lot of the production "flash and dash" were eliminated, the BSA could afford to fill the gap without making the cost of registration more outrageous than it is. And I always thought the added costs that the Councils add was a bit over the top (custom T shirts, caps, totebags, water bottles, etc). Of course, would today's scout really like to attend a glorified summer camp meritbadge mill? The support the military provided was probably worth millions of dollars a year (in Pentagon $$). I think we need to start lowering expectations. Or maybe the Bechtel family will be filling th

My first question is why would a Sea Scouter be in a WB course? Don't they have "Sea Badge"? (just curious...I don't know the answer). If they do attend, I think common sense should prevail, as it does in the military (quit laughing!). The whites are a dress/ceremonial uniform. For everyday work wear (ie, office or classroom), the khakis are appropriate. For field training, the BDUs, or "Navy Working Uniform" is appropriate. If you are camping, the whites would get ruined.

Summer off? LOL!

Actually, the SM has to "approve" the scouts that appear on the ballot before the election is held. Perhaps he does not "approve" of the one scout who is interested, so there is no need for an election.

There are many things that could be said, without implying that Scouts can be put in a subservient relationship to their peers. Being a "leader" does not mean that you have "servants".

Those who know me from before, know that Papamama is an RN, an elementary school nurse. I have observed that ALL of the school nurses in the largest school system in the state are female. Her, reply-"A man will never be hired for these jobs...the parents would never stand for it." Apparently it's ok for a female to assisst little boys with their needs, but a male cannot assist little girls. Everyone knows we're all molesters at heart. That attitude is pervasive in the GSUSA also, from what I've read on this forum. I think the pool situation is simple to solve...groups renting the pool sh

In that era, cub scout unit numbers were blue/gold if memory serves.

I would not listen to "second hand" information, and just follow the official BSA Insignia Guide (available online). One "temporary patch" per uniform is allowed centered on the right pocket (wearer's right). P.S.: Adults over 18 may not wear rank badges in any location.(This message has been edited by papadaddy)