Pete T. Northmoss

GERALD LAWHORN (1946-2008) was the inspired founder of "ScoutParents," of course. I understand some sort of provision or intent was announced by the Lawhorn Family and reported in mid-2008 to transfer ScoutParents materials and www.scoutparents.org resources (content) to BSA National for "$1."

As of now, BSA National Council appears to be offering the ScoutParents material as simply another Scouting "resource." ScoutParents material and web content, minus the forum, appear to be pretty much as they were left when Scouter Lawhorn had last been able to work on them personally before he had "Gone Home."

(This message has been edited by Pete T. Northmoss)

Sorry Folks,

I came here looking for a little help from the community...and got a open-forum senior member whoppin' instead....

My Apologies,

Pete

Hi Again, Bob,

Sorry, but I respectfully disagree with your assumptions and conclusions.

Courtesy works two ways, always. You could assume what you said, but thanks to a seemingly limitless supply of 2005 jambo operational SNAFUs, some things couldnt be predicted, including a prolonged period of unattended laundry. (BTW - At 5PM on 03 Aug, unattended laundry still remained at Mahone.) These circumstances were well-known and equally shared among most attendees and staff there, but are those circumstances a justfiable excuse for being discourteous on their side of the equation? Other Scouters on forums elsewhere have recounted their own tales of bitter turf battles over some very limited yet atonsishingly un-managed (un-supervised) resources at jambo, including the permanent Mahone lav/shower/laundry "Taj" facilities. These Scouter jambo staffers also noted their intent to provide national formal feedback to help them solve those problems for the next-time.

I'm really surprised - You seem to be yet another Scouter forum pundit who provides rationale and training in the "finders-keepers-losers-weepers" school of ethics and on placing time limits on the exercise of Scoutings Timeless Values (Oath, Law, etc.). I have hand-written notes of apologies from two "caught-red-handed" individuals (the thief and his fence) who attend a local Scout summer camp a few years back who provided the same excuse, "There was no one there watching it ... so I figured it was OK to take it." Their Scout leaders even supported their rationale to a considerable extent! Whoa! Personally, I dont subscribe to those schools of thought....

Thats all I have to say....

Bye,

Pete

Hi Bob (White),

I know from my source closest to home that his incident was reported to Mahone security and lost-and-found, with formal paperwork filed at Heth (central) lost-and-found. Since this particular incident occurred on the next to last full day, if anyone did turn the lost load of laundry in, I suspect the lost-and-found process at that point was probably overtaxed, to say the least. And yes, an entire load of laundry vanished.

I dont know if your son was talking about the same incident but an arguably prolonged absence from the Mahone laundry was a factor indeed. On the other hand, I also would hope you're not implying that the practice of Scoutings Timeless Values has some sort of expiration date under such prolonged circumstances. I think a lot of hopes were placed on Scoutings values being in action at all times at jamboree, but that discussion is for another thread.... As far as what prolonged means to some who find an unattended load of wash in one of the Mahone washers or dryers, I suspect one second was prolonged enough. I fear a quick trip down the gravel path to the dumpster was more expedient....

Sadly,

Pete

Be on the lookout for and cautious about buying any stolen collectibles from the 2005 Jamboree being "traded" here and on ebay, etc. Sorry to say in the last few days of jamboree, scavengers took advantage of their impending getaways, and it seemed they took "whatever" wasn't tied down. Some adult "traders" MAY have been involved since several items were taken from the Mahone staff area facilities. Several unique jamboree band t-shirts, jamboree "Eagle" socks, and other jamboree-only items were lifted from washers and dryers in that laundry.

I just want to serve notice to those scoundrels with their own questionable set of "Timeless Values" that they are being watched... Plese, don't patronize them. Thanks.

I recall a quote that B-P once remarked that Scouting is also an "experiment," which gives a bit of credence to the "science" (scientific method, at least) involved -- and perhaps also a hint to encourge us to "analyze" our "hypotheses," "methodologies," and "results" once in a while ...(This message has been edited by Pete T. Northmoss)

OldGreyEagle,

Ans: Commitee Member [Traditional, rural Scouting background, "greybeard" - lit. and fig.; gave up on Latin 40 years ago.]

(That should appease the truncation gremlins ;-)

"Heck, with as much talk the forum has about to(o) much PC creeping into life, isnt this the ultimate? The one scout who is following a method being told not to as he makes the others look bad?" -- OldGreyEagle, I think you've zeroed in on the point. Quite a paradox ... but nothing new.

How does one tell this SPL that his intent is (arguably) admirable, but that it is misguided? I think the response should go beyond citing "the rules" (a.k.a. The Rules and Regulations of the BSA) yet again. Comments?(This message has been edited by Pete T. Northmoss)

In all fairness to the SPL, he may have been sincere in his remark to the troop guide, perhaps trying to exact some fairness or equality -- where the SPL thought being in-uniform was "non-uniform" as far as the other Scouts' feelings were concerned.

This might put a different spin on a response to the SPL's request ... Advice?

Recently the troop guide in our troop was approached by the SPL and asked NOT to come to meetings in a full field uniform because no one else did. Most Scouts in the troop come in their uniform shirt and other street-clothes. Apparently the SPL thought that the troop guide's wearing uniform socks and pants or shorts to meetings was putting pressure on the other Scouts to do the same, was condescending somehow, or was not being a "team-player."

Should the troop guide consent to the SPL's request? The troop has no unique "mandates" on uniform wear, written or otherwise. Any thoughts on how to address this one?