RememberSchiff

Update: Amendment to WV Constitution missed Nov, 2012 ballot "Earlier this month, Dr. Calvin Kent, a professor at the Marshall College of Business and director of the BB&T Center for the Advancement of American Capitalism, said lawmakers themselves can extend the tax-exempt status of the sprawling complex (Summit regarding renting to concert promoters and other non-charitable groups) without putting the issue on any ballot." Steve McGowan, an attorney with Steptoe & Johnson and a past chairman, president and vice president of the Buckskin Council of the Scouts, said he appre

The local scouting officials wrote to national headquarters seeking guidance on whether to encourage the parents of the abused boys to file a criminal complaint. Paul I. Ernst, the BSA executive then in charge of the organization's secret files, directed them not to. "Normally, we do not suggest that any legal action be instituted by parents," Ernst wrote. "If they desire to do this on their own they certainly should bring about any action they feel necessary. Certainly in this case, there is every indication that legal action is justified." From a story about former scoutmaster Thom

TT, Very informative. I was unaware that the Veterans History Project does not accept "active duty" veteran interview submissions. I don't understand it, particularly with "stop loss" and multiple tours over multiple wars???? Oh, don't know if I mentioned this before, I saw a rather neat Eagle scout project at Strategic Air & Space Museum outside of Omaha. Next to a FB-111 was a well made wood and glass display containing gear and memorabilia from a former flight crew. This museum brought inside all the planes (including a SR-71) that were outside at the old SAC Museum at Offutt AFB.

For his Eagle Scout project, Kyle Miller hopes to interview 1000 WW2 vets and record their stories on this website. The website also invites veterans and recruits additional interviewers. Nice work. http://voicesfromthefront.org/ NBC story link http://dailynightly.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/22/14625387-boy-scouts-goal-interview-1000-world-war-ii-vets#comments Scout salute

You may find this hard to believe, the diocese current YP has taken parts of the BSA YP and made it more adult level (the online course includes recorded victim interviews, crime photos) and victim focused - trauma care and recovery, suicide prevention, helping the victim stay if not in the church with God, etc. By comparison, the BSA online course is a cartoon. The diocese may soon require photo ID's with fingerprinting, at volunteer expense, as well. Either we do better or something better will take our place. Another $0.02,

Usually with a fiasco of this size, a management shake-up soon follows as a first step towards corporate recovery. The Catholic Church reassigned Cardinals who looked the other way and were facing imminent legal action. Cardinal Bernard Law went from Boston to the Vatican, out of reach for the Boston DA and Mass AG. Penn State fired not only Paterno and (eventually) assistant coach Mike McQueary, but university president Spanier as well. Our CO is feeling the negative, some of the church elders feel sponsoring their own church youth group would be better. Better as is serving mo

Iceland as a honeymoon destination, not just for Vikings anymore. I hope to travel there some day, maybe part of a North Pole (snow cap) good-bye tour My $0.02

As for the Gold-Silver inconsistency, I attribute it to ignorance of Professionals who often make me wonder if they were scouts or troop scouters. Look for some committee at National to change the Eagle medal from silver to gold (colored), because going for the gold is "easier to understand". Oh, Arrow points will now start first at silver and then subsequently be gold, oh-oh, better start at bronze, then silver, then gold just like the Olympics. Another example of inconsistency for no good reason is the proper size, shape, use, and wear of the neckerchief. Anyway, I share your disappointment

Pretty cool, nine scouts and four adults from Troop 195 (Westford, MA) attended Iceland's National Jamboree at Lake lfljtsvatn which is approx. 28 miles from the capital city of Iceland, Reykjavk http://www.skatar.is/jamboree2012/default.asp?ItemGroupID=327&NewsID=3802 http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_21719305/westford-scouts-travel-iceland-once-life-experience As I understand, the program cost was 350 euros ($455 dollars) which included "All food during the jamboree from afternoon refreshment on Sunday until dinner on Saturday: Food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Progra

As part of SOAR 2012 this weekend, Boston Minuteman Council Scouts and scouters constructed a 320 ft pinewood derby track to set the Guinness World Record. (320 ft is about 20 times longer than the longest unpock-marked section of Storrow Drive ) "The track was constructed as a replica of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge." http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/10/07/boston-boy-scouts-break-pinewood-derby-world-record/

Next up, GTSS bans the old flaming bag of poop Halloween prank.

This hassle is why we do Family events outside of scouting. Parental responsibility what a concept.

Pentagon Papers

"PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Boy Scouts of America plan to begin doing what critics argue they should have done decades ago -- bring suspected abusers named in the organization's so-called perversion files to the attention of police departments and sheriff's offices across the country. ...Scouts spokesman Deron Smith to say the organization will go back into the files and report any offenders who may have fallen through the cracks. Smith said Mike Johnson, the group's youth protection director and a former police detective, will lead the review..." http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-w

NJ, I believe General Powell stated his doctrine some 20 years in the context of conventional 20th century nation military conflicts. Today we have terrorism which may or may not be state sponsored. I thought it interesting that he did not directly mention treaty and alliance obligations and our self designated role as world policeman. By international support, maybe General Powell meant if not support at least no interference. When President Reagan ordered a bomber attack on Libya, it would have been helpful if France allowed our F-111'a to fly-over enroute from England to Libya. Ditto w

For the large scale, as a starting point for consideration, check out the (Colin) Powell Doctrine which states a questions/conditions checklist before military force is used. Is a vital national security interest threatened? Do we have a clear attainable objective? Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed? Have all other non-violent policy means been fully exhausted? Is there a plausible exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement? Have the consequences of our action been fully considered? Is the action supported by the American peo

We may be seeing a "We support our scouts" (not BSA policies) attitude developing similar to "We support our troops" (not foreign policies). Northern Star Council, even with a muted inclusive policy, appears to be doing very well with corporate donations at all levels. Ironic role reversal that Corporate America may be becoming the ethical role model for Scouting. I stuck an "Intel inside" sticker on my handbook. My $0.02

Agreed. Looking at the photo jpg properties,I was unable to determine owner and note there is no CNN copyright specified. I wonder if the photo came from Council/BSA??

A question, did this scout check Yes under Talent Release Agreement, Part B, of the "idiotic" (IMO) Annual BSA Health and Medical Record? If so, I wonder if he is SOL (though I hope otherwise)?

What aid to the victim(s) - our scouts, current and past - does the BSA now provide?

According to reports, the 12 year scout's father was there at scout summer camp but did not travel along with his son on this diving excursion. I think (and hope) that any parent watching a training session from shore, seeing two adults and two 12 yr old boys scuba dive down, and then only two adults surface would sound the alarm. Common sense. Safety is everyone's job. Another $0.02

Update from Salt Lake Tribune Boy Scouts denies responsibility in Utah drowning death, file cross claim against scuba company. "The Tuvells allege in their complaint that the defendants (BSA,Bear Lake Boy Scout Aquatic Camp,Blue Water Scuba,...) failed to ensure their son was properly equipped, dressed and weighted and that he was given defective equipment. When an emergency arose, the defendants failed to provide proper aid, they claim. In its response, the Boy Scouts denied any involvement or duty with respect to "preparing and implementing" a dive plan or to "oversee, monitor,

Good news and bad news Hornaday: A couple of scouts from El Dorado Hills Boy Scout Troop 465 organized a conservation effort to remove invasive plants from Yosemite. Both scouts are working on the challenging Hornaday award. http://www.villagelife.com/news/scouts-weed-yosemite-valley/ Hantavirus: Those Yosemite visitors who stayed in the park tent cabins are believed to most at risk. Two have died. "Park officials said the double-walled design of the cabins that were closed Tuesday made it easy for mice to nest between the walls. The disease is carried in the feces, urine and

Regardless how old their Inclusiveness Policy is, the question remains where did it go? It was still posted last week on their website. Now it appears missing.

Anyone know if something happened to Northern Star Council's Inclusive Policy? The OP link is gone! http://www.northernstarbsa.org/AboutUs/Leadership/Inclusiveness.aspx There is still an Inclusiveness link here on the Policies page, but the page itself is gone http://www.northernstarbsa.org/Resources/Policies/ ???