Rick_in_CA
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Everything posted by Rick_in_CA
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One thing to keep in mind, is that it took years for the BSA's reputation to change from "patriotic youth organization" to "bigoted conservative religious organization" after the Dale decision. It will take years for the BSA's reputation to change back. Just a couple of months ago, I ran into an old friend. We talked about the BSA and he had no idea of the recent policy changes. He still dismissed it as a bigoted organization.
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How to freak out yours truly
Rick_in_CA replied to Cambridgeskip's topic in Open Discussion - Program
I hope they have a fantastic trip! -
President Trump to visit 2017 Jamboree
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
You have a very odd definition of "hot air" and "excrement" if you don't think those words apply to what spews out of Trump's mouth and fingers (i.e. Twitter posts). -
One issue on this topic is that the BSA guidance used to be "keep hats on indoors most of the time". Go look at all those illustrations and photographs from the BSA publications showing scouts with hats on indoors. I know most of the troops around here appear to be "keep the hats on" types. The BSA is not the military, and has deliberately cultivated different traditions in many ways (while adopting others of course - don't expect consistency from the BSA). I don't like the current guidance, as it fly's in the face of what I understand is the historical tradition in scouting. You are not i
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Outside Magazine: Boy Scouts Should Allow Girls
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
This is my biggest worry with going coed. I know several scouters that said they would quit if the BSA went coed - not because they are so against having girls in scouts, but because of fear. As one said: "There is no way I'm taking girls camping in the woods, no matter the YPT rules. I won't take the risk. I've seen the damage unfounded accusations can make! If the BSA goes coed, I'm out!" (or words to that effect). Mix adult men and young girls and the paranoia flows. After all, all men are predators right? Look at how the GS/USA treat male volunteers (if they allow them at all). There is a -
Outside Magazine: Boy Scouts Should Allow Girls
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
When I was a youth, I had a few platonic female friends, but most of my friends were male. And that appears to me to be still true of most the kids I see today. At least for those not yet in high school. I think that is true of most troops here in the states. I know it was in my troop when I was a kid. I think there are cultural issues that make coed scouting more difficult in the USA than in many other countries. Simply put, here in the USA we are much more uptight about many issues, and are much more fear driven. So what is easily dealt with in Europe, isn’t here. -
So do I (and not VOIP). I live in earthquake country.
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Wow. I cannot imagine what the families and troop are going through! Such a horrible act. My prayers are with them. Two honor roll students fatally shot in Maryland on eve of high school graduation from The Washington Post
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Actually the world did change. Two big changes: both parents having to work full time, and fear. When I was a kid (and in scouts), almost the whole neighborhood had stay at home moms. Those that did work, worked part-time so they would be there when their kids got home from school. The moms talked and did things together. Those block parties? The moms planned those. Send all those moms to work full time, and a lot of the community building goes away. Then there is the fear. As a kid, I played with the other kids in the neighborhood. We ran around outside and played at each other homes.
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Interesting, I took Baloo several years ago, and then helped teach a Baloo course a few years later, and my OWLs course were all about half women. When I took IOLS a couple of years ago, it was about a third women.
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Another True story from a Scoutmaster (Memorial Day)
Rick_in_CA replied to FrankBoss's topic in Scoutmaster Minutes
Thank you for sharing a great story! -
Discussing Monday's attack with scouts
Rick_in_CA replied to Cambridgeskip's topic in Scoutmaster Minutes
I agree with a lot that you wrote here, but not with the bit quoted above. The idea that we currently seeing savagery that is new or unique is wrong. If we look at history, we can see many examples of unbelievable cruelty and violence in the name of religion. Here are a just two examples out of European history: The Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in which some 200,000 to 1,000,000 men, women and children were killed. The 30 years war that lead to some 7.5 million dead (has been classes as the deadliest religious war in European history). Unfortunately there are a lot of others. An -
I can't image how hard that must be. My thoughts and prayers are with troop and family.
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Hiram Little - Tuskegee Airman, Boy Scout
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Scouting History
The story of the Tuskegee Airmen is truly an amazing one. I had the honor of meeting two of these gentlemen at different times (one gave me a personal tour of the Smithsonian's Silver Hill restoration facility in my youth. It was an amazing tour, I got to touch the Enola Gay and see a lot that the normal tours don't. And best of all I got to hear lots of stories by this man. He flew P-39s, P-40s and P-51s in Europe. It really saddens me that after over twenty years I cannot remember this man's name). We are loosing the WW2 veterans at an alarming rate. It saddens me that most of the scouts I -
Boys and Girls (Co-Ed) Cub and Boy Scouts Are Coming
Rick_in_CA replied to Midwest Scouter's topic in Issues & Politics
I'm not sure what you are saying here? That if girls could earn Eagle, it would somehow diminish it for the boys? -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
Now that is a policy I can get behind! As long as I get my cut as a citizen! -
Troop Meeting Place has a.... stocked bar
Rick_in_CA replied to Cubmaster Pete's topic in Issues & Politics
What was their complaint? -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
Another Canadian school board cancels future trips to the US. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/23/tdsb-wont-approve-new-student-trips-to-us.html -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
If you can't see the obvious than I cannot help you. -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
So we are back to the No Go Zone fantasy? When policy is based on alt-facts (i.e. delusions) instead of reality, we have a problem. -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
The problem is the new executive order has nothing to do with safety, it's about pandering to fear, ignorance and bigotry. And it's obvious to anyone that is paying attention. For example, the text of the original order specifically mentions the 9/11 hijackers as a reason for the ban. But the 9/11 hijackers came from which nations? Fifteen of the Nineteen were from Saudi Arabia, and the others were from Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. All of which are majority Muslim nations that are NOT included in the executive order. Why? Maybe because Trump has business ties to those nati -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
I'm sorry, but I've looked carefully through the posted report and I don't see any February numbers. What am I missing? -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
The numbers in the report all are from before the Trump executive order. Which is why it says "too early to tell". -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
The problem here is that the Obama administration did nothing of the sort (we all should have learned by now that just because Trump tweets or says something, doesn't mean it's even remotely true). What the Obama administration did in 2011 was too slow down the processing of refugees from Iraq while the screening procedures were expanded. http://www.businessinsider.com/big-differences-between-trumps-immigration-ban-obamas-2011-policy-2017-2/ -
Canada Girl Guides restricting scout unit travel to USA
Rick_in_CA replied to RememberSchiff's topic in Issues & Politics
Actually, the report that @@backpack posted says it is too early to tell, it is expected to do reduce travel. A pair quote from the article: and So I think it is fair to say that the statement "the report says it hasn't" is incorrect.