pfann

Police Officer for 14 years, last 5 1/2 as a detective. Six years as DARE/crime prevention. About 18 months ago I decided I wasn't busy enough raising 5 boys (2 in cubs, 1 can't wait and 2 more who aren't old enough to know yet) so I got a job as a paid-on-call firefighter/EMT. I also do occasional "hospitality" (translate:security) jobs for the Catholic Archdiocese where I live. How did I become Cubmaster. Easy. The former CM and current Committee Chair saw I had 5 boys coming up and he knew he had his replacement. I have posted some but not in a while. Been doing plenty o

My father was 65 when he passed away last September. In his younger days, he did a hitch in the Navy during the late 50's. I cried at the funeral when I received his flag from the VA. I cried again when I looked through his military papaes and books from his Navy days. I cried again when I got his cold war certificates from the government. Again I shed a tear when I realized he never applied for Social Security or Medicare because he didn't want to be dependent on anyone else. I get choked up when my wife's uncle talks of his service in the Army during WWII, although my wife do

ASM1, Im glad you laughed, the post was meant that way. Now, I don't speak for kwc, but I think I may understand where he is coming from. You did post a reference to a white supremacist web site. That alone does not necessarily mean you subscribe to all their views, but I am sure you understand that anything from white supremacist groups tends to be viewed with great skepticism, and by extension folks who associate with these groups (or post references from them) tend to be viewed with skepticism. This may not be fair but these groups have earned their reputation I think. My

Call it a hunch but I don't think ASM1 or fella will be sporting any Jewish religious award emblems on their uniforms anytime soon!

OGE, Check the official charter of the Palestine Liberation Organization. It calls for the elimination of Israel as a nation and as a people. How does one "make nice" with those who have sworn not only to defeat you but to wipe you from the face of the earth? I find it interesting how many people absolutely discount anything the President says but when a "communication" form Bin Laden calls Saddam an infidel these same people take it literally. When the US government alleges Iraqui ties to terrorism, we call it a conspiracy of the mil/industrial complex and the zionists. But when

The US did not lose the Vietnam war on the battlefield. The TET Offensive was a MAJOR defeat for the North Vietnamese. They had as many casualties in one offensive as the US had in the entire war. However, for the US it was a MAJOR political defeat on the homefront and was the beginning of the end of our involvement in Vietnam. I find it interesting that some are criticizing the President for his actions, claiming he is trying to protect American oil interests and at the same time these same folks are saying the French, Germans, and Russians are basically failing to take action

ASM1, I would not look so much for an organized religion in a school setting because that may imply an endorsement of a particular faith. I think of this in terms of not discouraging the individual display of faith. For example, I have seen many stories where children were assigned book reports, learning a song, etc. A student selects something relevant to their faith such as a book report about a book in the bible or a religious song. The student is then told that he/she can not submit their choice of project. Other examples I have seen were in schools where students were not all

BW, You bring up some good points. The example I was thinking of was funding. At the pack level we participate in the popcorn fundraiser. Some packs conduct other fundraisers throughout the year. there are policies and guidelines about this. It is up to the pack to decide how they will raise funds as long as it follows the fundraising follows policy. I have seen guidelines for internet sites for packs/troops. Not all sites are the same but they are supposed to follow the guidelines. Some units do not even have web sites. Some councils even decide to get funding sources that o

I will be in Vegas this weekend for a bachelor party (relax I plan on following the Scout Law/Oath and being a good role model for my kids)! I look forward to catching up with all of you thoughts on this forum. -pfann

"We are one nation, not simply a collection of states" Actually in my opinion, we are one nation AND a collection of states. The Founding Fathers had the wise idea that a strong nation needed a strong central government, but also needed decentralized power in the form of states rights in order to serve as a check and balance to insure the central (or federal) government did not become too powerful. During the time of the Constitutional debates the federalists (Federalist Papers?) believed there were sufficient checks on the power of the federal governemtn. The anti-federalists believe

Zahnada, I don't speak for others but in my post I did not intend to single out you, your troop, council, district, etc. I was merely speaking from my experience which has been great. You bring up some good points, it is just when I think about this topic I am reminded of something former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil once said, "all politics are local." My point is that many positive things can be accomlished at the local level no matter what happens at National. Keep on Scoutin, pfann

If not me, who? If not now, when? I agree with the last post(s) about boring programs. There is another point to consider that is somewhat related to this boring concept; It interesting to hear solutions about the BSA image problem...BSA needs PR...BSA needs to change policy...BSA needs to do this or that. If we need PR, that can be done at the local level...crews, troops and packs must be active in the community. Show people the good we do. Show them that scouting is not just about gays or atheist issues. Show them that scouting is fun, adventurous and exciting. Th

leV, I disagree with your reasoning and I disagree with your political views. I don't consider this a problem, just a point of discussion be tween all of us. I think it is entirely appropriate to disagree in a civil and respectful manner. Many of my friends are far more liberal than I (and a brother in law more liberal than you, I think!) We have very spirited debates about many issues. Sometimes opinions change sometimes they don't. good and bad points are made on all sides. At the end of the day we are still friends. I do not understand the need to show no respect for a pers

leV, "He is intitled only to the same and equal respect as other citizens, period....." Well then how about showing respect and courtesy to A.Scalia, fellow citizen. It seems as if you show less respect for those who don't agree with you. I still am looking for an answer to my question. Scalia, in the original post said that the government has been too hostile to organized religion, primarily christianity. Where has he advocated for a national religion? Where has he said christianity should be held in higher esteem than other faiths? Where has he stated that christian

A few points to consider, Police departments in some states are limited to what they can provide to the public in terms of criminal histories. In Michigan police officers must document a reason for running a criminal history and those reasons are limited (police job applicant, suspect in a crime, etc.) A person can submit a name and pay a fee to the Michigan State Police for a criminal conviction history but this is only for the state of Michigna, no out of state information. This process also takes several weeks. A person could individually get information about a criminal hist

I am a little confused by reading all of these posts. I re-read the original posts and I have some questions. We know Scalia is a Catholic. Where in the article does Scalia advocate catholicism for everyone? Where does he say that catholicism or any other faith should be held in higher regard than another? Where dose he advocate the establishment of a national religion? It seems to me that all he is saying is that the courts should not be so hostile to the exercise or expression of religious ideas in the public square. In all my years I have never heard of a government

Wow! I go to work and come back and see the posts flying fast and furious! I tend to agree with Rooster, especially point 3 and 4 in his longer post. The Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights,was established to define and limit the authority and behavior of the federal government so that the government's actions would not supress the liberty and freedom of individual citizens and private groups. I agree with civil disagreemnts (repeat that a couple of times, I promise it makes some sense). I also agree with healthy dissent and debate. But at the end of the day, an orga

We have gone from freedom of religion to freedom FROM religion.

packsaddle, I do believe some parents have left Girl Scouts but I don't know about whole units. A group of moms in the Cincinnati area started their own scout group called American Heritage. Their homepage link is below, http://www.ahgonline.org/ As best as I can tell from this and other stories I've read about them, they started this group to get back to or start from a Judeo-Christian philosophy that they feel Girls Scouts has abandoned, or perhaps never were at.

packsaddle, Not to sound like a former U.S. President but it depends on which definition you use. My American Heritage Dictionary has one definition of ecumenical relating to unity in the Christian Church. Another states it relates to worldwide unity among religions and does not specifically refer to Christianity.

There are some groups that do start their own organization instead of trying to force the BSA to change. One such group is the Wiccan church, found at the link below, http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/10/31/70432.shtml My response to these groups that start their own orgainization is more power to them! Let them cpmpete in the market place of ideas and ideals and let's see who comes out the winner.

the phrase "oh...never mind" was from Gilda Radner, however it came from her character- RoseAnn RoseAnna Dann, who appeared on SNL news. Packsaddle, If I am reading these threads correctly, you seem to be searching, which is not always a bad thing. For a modern treatise on Christianity have you ever read 'Mere Christianity' by C.S. Lewis A very thorough and modern presentation and defense of the faith. Certainly thought provoking.

packsaddle, I was referring to opposites as in sports betting. You pick one team and I'll pick the other. If genetics plays A part, then the implication is that environment plays A part also. I believe some previous posts touched on this. I may have a family history of heart disease, that plays A part. All of those big macs play A part also. Genetics help us define probabilities not certainties. In the end some way or antoher it comes down to choice whether we realize it or not.

I know that smoking is not banned outright but I still think it is a good idea, Dan.

packsaddle, if you pick losers, don't stop gambling just let me know who you pick so I can pick the opposite! I understand your point about the other vices to be excluded from leadership. I was recently at a patch collecting event (in another council) with my sons and was very irritated to see several scouters outside the exit smoking in full uniform. All this within 3 months after my father died,partially from smoking,and my kids see this example from scouters. I am not sure you could easily enforce exclusion of scouters who smoke or drink, but at least a ban on these ac