RememberSchiff

And so ye faithful, there is no shadow to see An early Spring for you and me. If right, then in outdoor terms that means an early and long mud season around here in lower? New England. Icy and muddy trails likely now through May Winters are milder, the first hard overnight freeze happens later, oh we still get snow but not a winter snow cover, maybe a week of a nostalgic cold blast, the ground does not harden like concrete, no frozen ponds, ticks are year round so are STINK bugs....Klondike was today; patrols attached their wheels...just not the same. Let's see if I can upload an old photo? [ATTACH=CONFIG]n19[/ATTACH] My $0.01 for rambling,

I have been unable to list topics in the Open Discussion Program forum....clicking on a link to that forum or a more than day old topic in that forum just directs to the all forums listing. Round and round.

Yes NJCubScouter. I am getting the video feed from your PC now....Oh, my! Say where are the moderators? Time to put my tin-foil hat on.

In trying some posts this morning, my impression is this forum update is still in progress. Some edit features are only working in Preview and not after you post. The filter defaults and sorting could use some work too. Unable to upload photos. Looks like some cool functionality may be coming. My $0.02 (I tried uploading a jpg and gif of two cents but no luck)

Definitely psychic.

Adding a search point for discussion in progress before forum update. Hope this helps - RS

Adding a search point for the discussion in progress before the forum update occurred. Hope this helps - RS

Adding a search point for discussion in progress before forum update. Hope this helps - RS

Is it me or is everything different with this forum? Add that as a FAQ.

Agreed, the word for this week seems to be TRANSITION. It would be better to have a transition period. Say, starting Jan 1, 2013, Cooking will be accepted as an Eagle Required MB for Star and Life ranks. On Jan 1, 2014, Cooking will be required for Eagle Rank. My $0.02

...find out from the CO what their stance is going to be. Good point. Just be aware and patient that some CO's do not have autonomy on such issues. Some Catholic CO's around here are waiting direction from the diocese and the diocese is waiting the decision from the National Executive Board and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, etc. The hard part will be integration, i.e., inclusive and non-inclusive units participating at summer camp and other district activities. Will some units book separate, exclusive weeks like LDS or will councils say no to that. Back in the 60's, the most popular camp counselor at my camp was outed when his coal black sister arrived at the Friday night campfire. Who knew Mel was black? Saturday morning, he was not at the mess hall. He had been fired by those that could not stand that Mel was black. No deja vu please. My $0.02

I was referring to program restrictions to patrol activities and outdoor activities. But now that you mention updating Scout Law, I won't mind seeing Aware and Smart added

Another change, I think the upcoming Scout Sunday will be pretty interesting

For the dinosaurs and republicans maybe, for us no. Improvise, adapt, overcome.

One change from this that I predict, based on my own biased scientific observations, is the BSA will have a more manly, scout-like, correct, and functional neckerchief! Look at scout organizations around the world with inclusive policies and their neckers. Now look at the woman's scarf accessory, poor excuse for a necker that we have and tell me that Jon Stewart does not have a point.

IMO, a gas operated, semi-auto shotgun like a Remington 1100 is a great choice for young (smaller stature) beginner shooters as those shotguns generally have the least recoil. Start a new shooter with a big kick firearm and they develop bad habits like flinch and trigger jerk. My $0.02(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

sorry double post(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

I read the NY Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/us/boy-scouts-consider-lifting-ban-on-gay-leaders.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0 Mr. Smith, the Scouts spokesman, said that under the proposed policy, the B.S.A. would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organizations mission, principles, or religious beliefs. He said that members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best met the needs of their families. So will we need to re-charter a month after chartering to update the CO agreement? The Times article suggested that upcoming National Geographic Channel show called Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? may have been the last straw as a disclaimer was added to it denouncing the Boy Scouts for discriminating against gay candidates for membership. I asked earlier about Eagle candidates, still under eighteen, who admitted they were gay and subsequently got the boot from National/council. If this change goes through, I think a "kind" and "courteous" gesture would be for National to send them a letter welcoming those scouts back and encouraging scouts to resume the Eagle path. National would waive the joining fee. Another $0.02(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

So will Eagle candidates who admitted they were gay and are still under 18, get another shot at Eagle?

Join a unit chartered by city hall. "Won't happen if atheists can't join." Merlyn Yes this has to be addressed as we REALLY need public schools as CO's, so we can be where the kids are and readily run after school scout programs on school/govt property. My $0.02,

Definitely sounds like local option is coming The chartered organizations that oversee and deliver scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organizations mission, principles or religious beliefs, according to Deron Smith, a spokesman for the Boy Scouts national organization. Individual sponsors and parents would be able to choose a local unit which best meets the needs of their families, Smith said. The discussion of a potential change in policy is nearing its final stages, according to outside scouting supporters. If approved, the change could be announced as early as next week, after the BSA's national board holds a regularly scheduled meeting. ... In a statement last July affirming the ban, its national executive board called it the best policy for the organization. But since then, a scouting official said, local chapters have been urging a reconsideration. "We're a grassroots organization. This is a response to what's happening at the local level," the official said. Two corporate CEOs on BSAs national board, Randall Stephenson of AT&T and James Turley of Ernst & Young, have also said they would work to end the ban. Stephenson is next in line to be the BSAs national chairman. During the 2012 presidential campaign, both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney said the BSA should admit gay scouts and scout leaders. ...