Scoutfish

Might have to edit: I meant to add in somewhere that I actually like cooking. At least doing breckfast. I am good at it. Funny thing is though...I never told anybody I would cook all meals. It was more along the lines of: Nobody was doing anything. NOTHINg at all. Had I not stepped up, I guess the others wouldn't have eaten. I don't mind doing SOME of the cooking, but all? I guess I wouldn't have minde doing all the cooking if somebody else had cleaned up. Nobody even asked if the could assit me or help me out even a little bit. I get what you mean about making a schedule, but at the same time, nobody scheduled me to cook and clean it all. It was just lazyness.

Been to WalMart a few times and looked at their campfire powered coffeemakers. You know, the older style perculating coffe pots. I'd love to have one, but I do not want a 12, 18, or 28 cup coffee pot. Just a 6 or 8 cup would be just fine. So while vacationing this past weekend, I came across something in the grocery store: Folgers makes indivdualy sealed , tea bag style coffee bags. Just pour a cup of hot water, dip the bag to steep it, then drink away. Yeah, I know there is instant coffee, but I can't stand the taste of instant coffee. To ....acidic or harsh for me. Anyways, I bought the regular roast blend, which is what I drink anyways. The box was around $3.00 for 19 individual bags.

As I have mentioned before,our pack is a "summer break" pack. We just do a fun activity in June, July and August. Anyways, I just got back from vacation in Georgia with my wife's side of the family. We rented two cabins in Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, Ga. If you are not familiar, it's about an hour east of Atlanta on I-20 and about 1 1/2 hours west of Augusta, ga on I-20. Anyways, it's not the mountains,. but this particular area is like the foothills. So we had two cabins. Myself, my wife and son plus my Brother and sister in-law( wife's sis) and their two kids, the son of which is in our pack too. The other cabin had my mother and father in law, plus another sister inlaw, husband and 3 kids, and mom in laws sister. (aunt in law? ) Since the mother and father inlaw footed the bill for the cabins, and INSISTED that they buy the groceries against my many protests....I figured they had a free pass on any duties such as driving, cooking, cleaning or entertainemnt. So we arrived Friday night, and I seperated, pattied and cooked 45 hamburger/cheeseburgers, hot dogs, brats. My wife cooked the beans, chilli and set up/ arranged all the condiments and drinks. Everybody else just sat on their butts. Again, my wife's mom and dad had a free pass as far as I am concerned. The next morning, I got up, washed dishes, and started cooking breakfast: 30 eggs scrambled, 12 eggs fried, 40 sausage links fried as well as a big pack ( maybe 30 slices?) of bacon, and around 25 panckes cooked, and 16 slices of toast, and a pot of grits. The instructons said it was enough grits to serve 16 people...but( like pancake sizes) that's arguable to me! Everybody eats, and when done, get up and leave their plates , cups, utensils and whatnot EXACTLY where they were sitting. Except my wife and son, and the mother/father in law. I begrudgenly cleaned up the mess. Later, I cooked lunch for this crowd again.Then supper too. I made a Peach Cobbler Dump Cake in my dutch oven and it was gone in no time! Everybody jumped up, got all they could handle, and enjoyed it with vanilla ice cream. Said it was the best! Nobody lifted a finger to clean anything. At this point, I was soooo mad at everybody's lack of help, support or even a simple thank you, that I announced that I was not doing anything else for anybody! My wife was mad too that nobody else bothered to lift a finger. Also, every time you turned around, empty Mountain Dew and Coke cans everywhere. Right where they were drunk at. Made me mad that the teenagers who didn't pay for ANYTHING..drank everything, and left the cans right where they were drunk at. But then again, so did the parents of the teenagers! Go figure! My mother in law is a diabetic, and so is her sister who came to stay with her for a day or two. The next morning, around 6-ish am, I was drinking coffee and not doing anything, when the Aunt in law? ..came over to get eggs and grits. They have to eat in order to take their insulin shots. WEll, I got mad that - out of 8 other children- nobody was going to do anything for the parents who paid for almost everything. So I got up and cleaned dishes ( in a most un-quiet way ), cleaned the kitchen and started cooking again. It's funny: Everybody was sleeping in ( well, that's okay, it's vacation right!) and not doing anything....until the smells of bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes and grits started filling up the cabin. Seems like the gate opened and suddenly, the kitchen was full of hungry people who lined up and started grabbing food. The only reason I had any food for myself was because my wife made sure my share wasn't eaten and she took over pancake duty after she ate. I do not expect a thank you, but you'd of thought one would have been offered. Nobody else cooked, cleaned or made an effort to provide basics.Didn't even bother to help me do it. Except my wife. Come check out time, my sister in law asked why we had to strip the beds, police all towels and washclths to the bathtub, and sweep the floor: "Isn't that why we are on vacation? What are we paying for if we have to do that?" I was taken aback completely! Are you kidding me? Did she honestly and truely think that way? If we all adopted that attitude on vacation...how would we eat, because nobody would cook. We'd wade through trash because nobody cleaned up. Ants and other critters would infest or cabin because of the spoiled rotten food laying about. Okay, I rambled on, so I want to get to the point..of which I have a couple: 1) My son, would get his food by himself, eat and then clean up his plate and glass afterward. Might have mised a crumb or two or twelve, but made the effort. He even mentioned to some of the others about cleaning up their mess. When my Bear age nephew ( in our pack) asked why should anybody clean up...my son said: " You are supposed to do your best! That's what scouts do!" Well, I bet I was smiling like a jackass at that comment! 2) At pack family campouts, You don't reasonably expect a bunch of cub scouts to clean up, but they at least clean up after themselves. Dens will take turns helping fix and cleaning up. Most of the scouts say thank you when getting food and will tell you that it's good, bad, or just okay , at the very least. I mean, they acknowledge that they have food and recognize you made it. And at a campout, you go in with the expectation that as a leader or volunteer, you will be part of the 20 that serves the 80. 3) At a pack campout, or I guess any kind of scout camping trip....you kinda look at it as a vacation of sorts, but you don't feel that you are entitled to not have responcibility or help out.Well...most of us anyways. Yeah, I still had a good time. Went hiking with my son, went canoeing with my son,fishings, exploring, we cooked on charcoal, on a grill, cooked with a dutch oven and did stuff that didn't involve tv or electronics: charades, card games, skipping rocks on the lake and that kind of stuff. REminded me of camping with the pack.

I wouldn't call that a bigoted statement. Matter of fact, from my own experience with people from so many different religions, that seems to be a Motto for each person when it comes to religion in general. Kinda an opening statement for most preachers I have seen on tv too. I will even go so far to say that most religions steadfastly stand behind that statement..although some individuals may think otherwise (myself included).

I don't see BadenP as having a bigoted or prejudiced attitude. He's just staing what he has seen in such an obvious manor by many in the Catholic church. And the thing is, the churches own document may say that women are wonderfull beautiful things that are treated equally by the Cotholic church...but I can also say that money laundering operation posing as a pizza joint will have the smells, the ovens and the signs telling you they are indeed a pizza joint. It may not be church policy to do lots of things, but unfortuneatly, that policy is not the actual people who are acting in any manner towards women. I see it all the time here : No partricular religion, mind youy, but people will swear that the bible says a woman is supposed to cook, clean, and do her wifely duties every night at a man's whim..including making sandwhiches during the superbowl. Those same peole will also justify shooting people just for looking at them "the wrong way:" and point out where the bible condones it. Of course the bible doesn't, but that doesn't change what the people think. Come on Beavah.... BSA policy says that it's supposed to be a boy led program for the boys, and not adults reliving their childhood through the scouts. The Boys vote, take charge and decide everything. The elect PL's and other POR's right?They cook, clean and set up as well as take down tents. They police the grounds afterward. The adults stand in the corner to make sure somebody doesn't get the bright idea to heat up a DO with 2 gallons of gas. But then you read what goes on in thess forums..... So, in a similar fashion, I could say that troops are generally- completely run by adults and not boys. Not dissing BSA, Boy Scouts or adults. But it happens in many place regardless of what BSA policy is. Doesn't mean I am prejudiced towards or bigoted against BSA...just stating what is an open and obvious happining within many,many troops!

I think this was a great post. Why? Because, even though I am openly non discriminatory towards people of different cultures, races, and sexual habits. I can't always find the right words to convey my thougfhts..or as Beavah put it : I'm not a wordsmith. But both Beavah and perdidochas brought up two great points; Beavah: Regardless of what other think or feel, we still owe them respect as people. Perdidochas: While I may respect them, and not care what they do behind closed doors, I do not have to accept it as okay. So, shouldn't that be enough? Technically, I am an Episcopalian. Can't say I particularly practice it. Oh, I do believe in God, and I am strong in my faith, it's just that I think mankind has skewered most religions into political machines and have also weakened the true meaning with what society accepts during different eras of time. So, while most religions get along with each other on a single person basis ( Roman Catholic and Methodist neighbors for example), why can't we? Anyways, the point being: If you think being gay is not normal...FINE! If you think it's a bad moral choice...fine. That's your right. BUT.... As humans, scouters and as ( if you believe) God's children, we are still bound to give gays equal respect.

WOW! Thanks. I appreciate all the replies. I'll probably appreciate them more when I translate some of them! LOL! Well, haven't thought about the hunting side of it, just target shooting . Personally, I only hunt with a rod and reel. I used to target shoot an SKS-56 with full metal jacket rounds I bought at surplus for $3.00 a box. But when the gun shop couldn't get those rounds anymore, I started target shooting with a .22 rifle. The next thing I could buy in a 7.62 X 39 were $8.00 a box versus 500 rounds of .22 long shot for $11.00 Buying a recurve for the same price as a compound does make sense to me- quality wise. I'll go that route and work from there!

Ive been thinking about buying my son his first bow and arrow set. Looked around, and a regular bow starter set with 3 arrows is around $28.00. But at Wal-Mart, I saw a Jr Compound bow and 4 arrows for $30.00 Not talking about a compound bow that could kill a deer from 120,000 yards through a 1/4" steel plated wall, but just a basic beginner compound that had ...I think....30 pounds on it. That make sense? 30 pounds? I have shot a bow and arrow maybe 4 times in my life, so I am not an expert by any means. Your advice ?

The gay equivalent of a Duck-billed Platypus! Not saying I think it's natural or unnatural by the way. To me, it's just different. Doesn't matter to me one way or another!

NJ, I think the issue or misunderstanding is from: What your definition of cool. As a 39 year old, I define cool as something I really like, that I really enjoy and while possibly a physically active thing, brings relaxation! But when I was younger...say between 12 and 19 years old, cool was anything that was looked upon as okay by everybody else. Guys wanted to be cool so girls would like them, other boys would respect them, and such. So, cool wasn't actually any particular quality other than acceptance and appeal by others. So I do get the comparison: If BSA wants scouting to be cool for the sake of coolness, then scouting will change - and as a result lose/gain a tremendous amout of scouts every 6 or 7 years.

While not pertinant to the original post, you can still buy single shot "breakaway" .22 rifles. They are training rifles. Hard to find for sure, but still made. Myself, I have a .22 semi tube loader that holds 11 rounds. It's older than I am. My son has a "Chipmonk" rifle. .22 bolt action.

It's also natural for males to spread their oats to as many females as they can. Create child after child after child with as many woman as they can. It's completely natural for women to seek out the best partner for having sex and creating children with. Both cases do not involve love, loyalty or sanctity of marrage. Just straight up reproduction. So, If I was to sleep with a different woman each night ( the actuality and logistics alone are hilarious!) wouldn't that also be considered deviate in the eys of the church- depending on which church you belong to. Now, I have no desire to sleep with anybody but my wife. And I have no desire to sleep with any males. But I did live with my wife for 6 months before getting married. Granted, we dated for around 4 years and were planning the wedding before we moved in together. But I had an aunt who insisted I was insulting God because we werent married. I told her I disagreed. Marrage, true marrage is a joining of hearts and souls. It means you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody. Most people SIGNIFY that decision by holding a ceremony. The ring doies not make you love somebody. The reading of vows does not make you love somebody. Having a religios person read scripture to you does not have any effect on how you feel or felt about that person( how did you fall in love to start with?) Man has imposed all kinds of rules ( based on their own beliefs ) about what marrage is or means or what is required. Now days,you have to have a marrage license. Why? It has nothing to do with love, religion or anything else except a tax to collect money. But some folks think that without that $10.00 piece of paper, a marrage is nothing! I feel sorry for those folks. Personally, if every gay person got married tommorow, it would not change anything...ANYTHING about my marrage, my love for my wife, my personal beliefs about God, or the way I raise my son. Or ScoutNuts dog! If a gay person getting married causes you to have relationship problems...your marrage was long doomed before that! I am also of the belief that a gay person doies not CHOOSE to be so. I doubt the choose that any more than I choose to be heterosexual. I never ever stopped and put any thought into which sexuality I might have. I just had it. I no more make a conscious choice over my favorite color or food. Why do I like spaghetti? I don't know....I just do! I could analyze it and research it all day long. I could break it down to the hamburger searing in the heat and the suger carmelizing in the tomato sauce. But that still doesn't say why I like it, yet do not like scampi? Or ravioli.

Our pack recognizes a scout and awards him his rank patch at the next pack meeting. While we don't want the boys who haven't earned it to feel bad, We owe it to those who did EARN it - to show them recognition ands a big congratulations for your hard work. There are many reasons that all the scouts do not earn it at once: Missed meetings, missed activities, sickness, sports, parents who just slack off or parents who might have prior obligations. So, while it might be nice to hand them all out at once...it sure isn't fair to the Cub Scouts who "Do their best" and work hard on the rank patch!

Yeah, that works for me too! Back in 1989 or 1990, I was reading an article in "Peterson's four wheel and off road " magazine. It was an article on "The Most American 4X4". At that time, Toyota was..based on orgins of parts and where the parts were made. Toyota was ( at the time) 87 percent American based on the tranny, engine block, transfer case, axle assemblies,frame, and wheels and hubs. The interior stuff and almost( not all, but close) to all the electrical stuff came from Asia. TRhis was the cse for all the American trucks too: Mazda and Ford woring together, GM and Isuzu working together, Jeep and some German company that I cannot remember and Dodge worked with somebody too, but in a minimal way compared to others. It didn't change the buying market, but was an interesting eye opener if you read it. Again, I'm proud of America, but I am also inclined to treat myself to what I like since I used alot of sweat and time to earn it. Truth be told though, as was mentioned above: This being a global economy - the corporate office is in one coumtry, the design shop and test lab in another, and the manufacturing plant in a third. But the raw materials come from a fourth, the finished ( yet unassembled ) parts get assembled in a fith country, then sent to the main assembly plant in the third. Might just be that I am supporting America, but also 4 other countries at the same time. Might be that...That is the most American as I can get with my support.

Oh yeah, one more thing: It wasn't that I was the only one who did anything during the activities, but I guess- in an unwritten way- our pack lets whoever come up with a particular idea take charge of it. Not saying I had to handle the entire thing, or be the only one. In reality, it was just calling ahead with a reservation for a guide at the National park , and to get a discout at the battleship. Then just tell everybody to show up at "X" time. Had the events been more complicated or consuming, I could have easily deligated stuff out. But it was just a 5 minutre call here and there .

So the pack can still earn the award> I assumed from reading the form that I had to have at least 50% of the dens attending to do that . We did have a leaders meeting before the summer season. As leaders, we agrre on the activity and the date together. It just happens that of all the ideas we discussed, my 3 were chosen. Again, not saying I'm spectatcular, but just a fresh perspective in the mix....I guess. So anyways, getting back to the Award, everything I was basing my info on was from the form itself.Maybe it's vague or I just read it wrong. So the two boys who made all 3 events do, or do not qualify?

Define an "American Company". It's an arguement tnat has long been going on in the NASCAR forums ..ever since Toyota came to the truck series. Examples: General Motors: Basically founded in America, corporate offices herre, but ( look it up) majority of all production based outside America. Why? Cause they can pay less money to many workers who do not benefit from laws like workers comp, minimun wages, Employment laws concerning overtime or hours, holidays, etc.., But the money that is spent, is spent outside the country and the workers spend their paychecks on their local stores, communities and such. GM lays off thousands upon thousand of American workers..and the geniouses in charge cannot figure out why sales went down. Umm..who has a job to buy the cars that were made outside the country? Now all the unemployed are on unemployment which only covers 70% of what they used to make if they are lucky, and money is sooo tight, they pinch every penny. Then take Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. Formed/ founded outside America, yet they build factories in America, hire American workers who in turn spend money at their local stores, local economy, etc.. Simply put, Nissan, Honda, and especially Toyota are paying Americans to build cars which supports the American economy. GM is paying foriegners to build cars which supports foreign economies. Now , the arguement about where the final profits go doesn't stick either: The executives at GM do not share their bonuses and saleries any more than the executives at Toyota! Besides, most executives leep their monies in offshore accounts which also avoid US taxes. So, from a socioeconomical point of veiw, or just a "who pays Americans to work " point of view...which company is More American.... The one by namesake, or the one by employee support? In the end, I am like NJ who will buy the best vehicle for the best price and best value at the time I buy it. I owe it to myself to do that!

I could have swore there was a thread once about this very same thing...But I cannot find it! I am 6'2" and 247 pounds. The first Cub Scout Leader necker fit around my neck, but I looked like a clown wearing a miniture hat! The two parts through the slider were only maybe 3 " through the slider. I went out and bought the new larger size last Weds, but didn't wear it until yesterday. IT WAS GREAT! It was proportioned right for an adult and looked alot beter! So, to that previous post that asked about the larger neckers..YEP! They are here and they are great!

Wow Beavah, sometimes you just say it best!

" a fellow feels he is owed my business just because of where he lives, no matter how lousy his product or service is. " Yeah, I get that too. I figure it's my money they want, and nothing else. As a person who has the money ( general statement here) then actually, the auto manufacturers out to be loyal to us if the want our money again. Why am I loyal to them? They aren't doing me a favor, only asking that I spend my money there instead of somewhere else. Same for the local guy. I patronize a tackle shop that is about 3 miles up the road. His prices are not the best overall, but I'm also paying for a great service: The owner knows me. By name. I'm not just a random customer. He knows my wife and son by name too. He knows that I fish for small inshore fish like spots, flounder, spanish mackeral, bluefish, etc. He is not gonna waste my time or his trying to sell me anything for marlin, sailfish, red snapper or such. He will show me new stuff that comes in ..that will actually interest me. He will also take time to show my son how to cast a rod in a better way..even though a man with $500.00 worth of merchandice is right behind him. I don't mind paying for service. I guess it's one of those things that changes over time. (This message has been edited by scoutfish)

While I am typing this responce on a computer...I prefer paperwork to be made of...you know...paper! But you gotta wonder what's next? "Eagle candidate must have Eagle project App on I phone" in order submit application? Of course, todays kids can text twice as fast as they can verbally speak a whole sentance. Might be easier for them to do it that way!

Could it be because....He is the judge? Not you, not I. Just as I ytell my son not to hit somebody just because they hit him. The person who hits will be judged, but it is not my son's place to make that judgement. "There is a purpose to judging others in their sin as there is a purpose to judging your childrens' misbehavior. Judging shapes our behaviors for a more civil society. The problem is a lot of folks judge without understanding or for their own interest" 1) Yeah, we can look at others and decide that someting just isn't for us. 2) But then again, saying somebody else is committing a sin and that they are immoral BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE CONDONE is a case of judging for our own interest. OURS ONLY. That is something we are not supposed to do. By doing just that, you are condemning somebody just because they do not share your own personal views..which is a very, very narow view of people. Now, what I did mention as arrogant is saying (specifically) that since gays cannot reproduce, they are going against nature and God's way. YET, priests and Nun DO THE EXCAT SAME THING...go against nature and God's way... ON purpose! So tell me...how arrogant is it to say that if you do something for your reasons, it's wrong, but if I do the exact same thing...but for MY reasons, it's nobile? Do as I say, not as I do? Arrogance! In God's words ( although not exact qoutes) we are supposed to respect each other, get along with each other, accept each other and quit acting like each of us are high and might and better than everybody else!

I don't have an issue with the SS making a profit. But it's kinda ironic that the shop sell "officail BSA merchandise" that is made in China when BSA pushes, promotes and stands behind Loyalty to our country and the flag. They can make money selling American made merchandise too. Mater of fact< I'm willing to be most folks wouldn't mind paying a buck or two extra if it was at least made in country instead of complaining about being made in China.

You will find that I NEVER said it was arrogant to follow God's word anywhere. I did say it is arrogant FOR US TO CLAIM God wouldn't like something or that our God would condemn something based on OUR ideals when it was plainly stated that we are not to judge others.

Patriotism. Pretty much a cut and conscise word isn't it? But it doesn't have such a clear and concise meaning. Let me bring you up to speed on a few things that even bring this subject up to me: NASCAR GM Government bailouts Blindly patriotic people Okay, YES! I am a NASCAR fan. Love to watch races. I know 99 % of the cup drivers, 50% of the Nationwide drivers and 3 or 4 of the truck series drivers. Nope! Couldn't tell the stats of Dale Earnhardt Sr when he was active or now. Can't tellyou what day, year or the exact time Richard Petty got his last win or what the tire pressure in his left rear tire was when he crosses the line. I do not plan my wekend around races,. but sure do watch them if I have the time. Been to 4 races around the eastern part of the country to date so far. Anyways, I do not think there is a more brand/ driver/ sponsor loyal group of people in America. I have seen people love a driver to death and drop him in a heartbeat because that driver switched manufacturers of cars. I have seen people talk with hatred through their teeth about a driver, but love him in a second when he does to a certain team. And even though GM is sending jobs out of country left and right, and Toyota is bringing them in just as fast if not faster..I still see people stick by their American GM company while blasting the "Pearl Harbor starting Toyota corporation". I read just the other day that GM, after getting a BUNCH of taxpayer money to bail itself out ( gee sending all those jobs over seas - who could buy a car here?)is now starting to make a profit. And what are they going to do with it? Invest billions in a research facility and hire the best of the best of scientists and engineers...OVER FREAKING SEAS! Not here, not wher they got the money to keep them afloat. They are going to stay together due to American citizens money, and go build overseas. Yeah...You are welcome! Then I get involved with scouting and see that...after all the pushing of patriotism, althe respect to the flag, country, God and of course, veterans.....that BSA shops in China for as much as they can - all in the name of money. So lets talk the talk, but walk to China for a shirt cause it's cheaper and the scout shop can make extra $$$$ . You had George Bush who ( all other things aside) decided that if we didn't stand with him 100% absolutely...well. then we might as well deport our own selves because we were unpatriotic and might as well be terrorists ourselves. Man the arrogance of that statement still irks me. No, George isn't much different than any other former or current president, but people blindly followed that "patriotic" statement. So anyways, to get to the meat of the subject...I have been thinking of buying a new truck. I'm thinking of a 1/2 ton , 4 door crew cab. Not a dually, nor does it have to be a diesel or 4X4. I really don't need more than a V-6 for the amount of stuff I carry at any one time, but realize that a small V-8 might just last a bit longer. So, I could but a Dodge,Ford or Toyota and know I would be supporting the most Americans that way, or buy a GMC and actually have the greatest chance of supporting foreign workers. I install Garage doors for a living and have driven various trucks in tnat time: 1/2 ton Chevy, 1/2 ton Ford, 3/4 ton GMC , 1 ton Dodge w/ 200 Cummins diesel. The 3/4 ton GMC with the 6,0 litre engibe was my favorite. Had the power,,the speed and brute torgue. Personally, I have owned a 1981 (AMC) Jeep CJ-5 , 1989 GMC S-15, 1993 Chevy S-10, 1995 Ford F-150 w/ 300 straight 6 manual tranny, and currently, a 1995 Ford F-150 302 auto. I am looking at a Dodge 1/2 ton and a GMC 3/4 ton . Both are crew cabs with only a 6 foot bed, but other than camping or occasional piece of plywood, I pretty much only use my truck to haul off 4 or 5 bags of trash on the weekends. So < I guess this is the real point of my post: Having time to think about iyt, I decided that buying a truck..meaning..I have to fork over a BUNCH of my hard earned money. I have to spend the money that I earn every day in the heat, the cold,the rain, snow, etc.. Money that I have accumulated over the years , and the payments I will be stuck under for the next 5 years...... WEll, I decided that it is not about being patriotic or not being patriotic. It's not about who I am showing support for or what my decisuion stands for from others point of view. Nope! It's about me holding down a job, busting my butt day in and day out, supporting my family ( and who knows who or what with my taxes) and having earned the right to buy whatever brand I want. It's my money that I earned cleanly,legally amd morally. You did not give me the money, as I didn't give you yours, so why do we worry about what each other thinks when it comes time to spend that money on ourselves? Now, don't get me wrong. I am a patriotic person. I support our troops, our country and stand by and under our flag. I have immense pride in my country and especially those who protect it. I have the upmost respect and reverence for tosr who sacrificed all protecting it. But at the same time, I cannot spend my who life toiling away, only to take the earned rewards of all that toiling - and spend it based on other people opinions. That make sense to anybody? Okay, I know I brought up all kinds of things to argue about...so help yourself!