scoutldr

Words, words, words...

I'm not diabetic (yet!), but my wife is an RN and my mother was insulin dependent Type 2. She advises that we should always carry glucose tablets, or cake frosting in the squeeze tube...someone unconscious cannot swallow solids so the frosting is squeezed in between the cheek and gum and massaged in. Avoid the color blue, since it will look like cyanosis! It will absorb through the skin of the gums. All scouts and scouters who camp with diabetics should be trained in the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low sugar) and first aid.

Man o steele, spelling is, indeed important. It's Captain Jean-Luc Picard. And most missed FOG's metaphor, "He was hoist on his own pitard." Pitard being a spear, and being hoist (impaled) on one's own spear denotes the ultimate in blunders. It is indeed a dying art to be able to insult with the victim remaining clueless!

For $350 bucks, I would have rinsed them off. 7 second rule applies, right? Yes it's a rip off, but it is small potatoes for the insurance company to investigate. That's why my premiums are over $200 a month and going up 10-15% per year. And why I now have to pay ($600) for a separate non-group policy for my full-time student son who turns 22 in January, but is still living under my roof and out of my wallet. My "self and family" policy now covers 2 people instead of the original 4...but my premiums are the same. Fairness??? Forget it. BOHICA!

Not to start another off-thread debate, but the implication that overweight means that one has heart disease is just not true. It's just one of many risk factors. I'll bet smokers are not automatically disqualified, but they should be, using that logic.

Speaking for my ASM who used to be one.."The Green Berets"

Bravo!

The "Insignia Guide 2003-2005" is out, cat no 33066D, but I had to drive 4 hours to get it. Maybe if we all refuse to buy the old stuff, someone will get the message. As I said, I travel a lot and always try to visit the Council Shop in other councils. I spent over $100 at the National Capital Area Council updating my "training library" of new versions that I didn't know were out. For some reason, they had all new up to date stuff. I really would like to support my local council, but I don't appreciate being sold old goods. If I were a Cub leader, I would order all new stuff from National if I had to. Why have kids start the program using obsolete materials?

OGE, CPAP here also. If I don't use the machine, I wake up with a crushing headache because my O2 saturation drops below 80% during the night. At summer camp this year, this 100 foot orange extension cord snaked through the woods leading to my tent. All of our leaders snore, but I am the only one so far that has gotten diagnosed (severe OSA) and now I travel with my machine and earplugs everywhere. I don't feel comfortable wearing earplugs while camping, however, for safety reasons (can't hear the bears eating the scouts!) For those who don't know, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when the tissues of the soft palate relax during sleep and block the airway causing the patient to stop breathing for up to a minute at a time...20-30 times an hour. This causes constant arousal (not the good kind) and deprivation of REM sleep. The CPAP machine forces air into the nose to keep the airway inflated during the night (not as bad as it sounds).. The surgery has now fallen into disfavor because it is very painful and usually does not work. My brother in law had it and he snores worse than ever. (they take a laser and carve away the soft palate and uvula...OUCH!) The sleep technician who did my study said "whatever you do, don't have the surgery...it NEVER works! We went cabin camping last year, and my machine blew air that smelled like bacon grease for weeks after I got home (should have changed the filter!). And not only have I been to Bethlehem, I was born there! (actually Easton!)

This is not a new concept. The council camp in PA we visit every winter was built in the 30s-40s and every building, cabin, and the dining hall have corporate names to honor the contributors (obviously VERY generous). In my council, the camps on the reservation are named after the fraternal organizations which originally supported them.

Just bought a 2003-2005 edition: Page 4, "Excess Insignia": "With the exception of the Cub Scout badges of rank and arrow points, members wear only the insignia that show their present status in the movement. Members should make every effort to keep their uniforms neat and uncluttered. Previously earned badges and insignia--not representing present status--make a fine display on a BSA red patch vest, a trophy hide or blanket, exhibited in the home of the recipient, or at functions where such a display is invited. Members may wear only temporary patches (no badges of rank) on the back of the merit badge sash. Members may wear only one merit badge sash at a time. A merit badge sash is NEVER worn on the belt." Besides merit badges and temporary patches, the only other thing authorized on the MB sash is the Varsity Letter. Page 47, OA Sashes: ""Legend strips" or "sash backs" are not official and may not be worn on the sash or with the uniform. The OA sash is not worn with the merit badge sash."

Socrates

One statement does not make sense: "He had to get shots to prevent venereal disease." There is no medical reason for this unless the perpetrator tested positive for gonorrhea, syphilis or hepatitis B. Other diseases such as herpes and HIV are viral and are not preventable with a "shot". A technical point, I know, and it does not lessen the horror of the crime. And I do hope he was charged with the felony that he allegedly committed, but unless there were witnesses, it's "he said, he said."

"Kapers" ::: I married a Girl Scout, so I know this one. A "Kaper Chart" is what we call a "Duty Roster". A list of jobs, and who is assigned to do them. I get in trouble every weekend over my "kapers" because I spend too much time on my "situpon". Can't tell you the word's etymology, though.

I love Marines. Every Navy should have some. Semper Fi, Sarge!

I'm not Bob, either, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express a couple of weeks ago...is that good enough? The Archbishop of Canterbury is quoted on MSN.com that he fully expects the Anglican Church in the US to divide into two separate divisions (schisms) as a result of this...sounds like a fait accomplis. If the church allows gay religious leaders, I find it hard to believe that they would object to gay Scout leaders. I predict that they will divorce the BSA...not vice versa. For those waiting with baited breath, the vote happens at 1630 CDT. (For you ex-Marines, the little hand will be on the....)

There is a 1984 edition listed for $2.95 at www.alibris.com Many more available in the under $10 range.

National Capital Area Council is another that I have visited recently. They have a beautiful facility on Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda, MD, a block from the Naval Hospital and the National Institutes of Health. It's called the "Marriott Scout Center"...for obvious reasons. There is a huge portrait of THE Mr. Marriott in the lobby (also a leader in the LDS church, FWIW). Not sure if $300 grand is out of line or not, but my modest 3 BR ranch house of 1300 SF would cost me about $450,000 in that neighborhood. I have passed up promotions more than once to move to the DC area just because of the crazy cost of living there (not to mention the traffic).

I think you are comparing apples and oranges. The Hornaday Award is for outstanding service to Conservation. The award you are proposing is for developing one's own skill. The other "awards" you list are not for uniform wear, such as the 50 miler award and Historic Trails award. So, while your "award" may have merit I submit it is more appropriately a patch worn on a horse blanket, saddle, or on one's jodhpurs.

It's at the counsellor's discretion, but normally you can just demonstrate the skills and pass the written test to be recertified. Also, a current CPR certification is required. One excellent way of recertifying is to help teach a course.

Does anyone ever actually say yes to "Are you using illegal drugs?"

"Do not go gently into that good night. Rage, Rage against the dying of the light." - Dylan Thomas I've been to the San Diego Desert Pacific Council scout "complex" at Balboa Park. (Whenever I travel and have free time, I make it a point to find and visit the local scout shop...OK, so I need to get a life!). It consists of a camp, the scout shop, a meeting hall, and other buildings. It's a jewel worth saving. It's also the site of the San Diego Zoo, museums and the Naval Hospital. So, let the City raise the rent to a fair amount and let's get on with our lives. Where do I send my check?

Just attended a concert at the local amphitheater. The main concession stand was being manned by volunteers from the "Friends of Boy Scout Troop XXX" (I know that is true, because the sign said so). Every customer was being thanked for "supporting the Boy Scouts." Every customer walked away with a puzzled look. Only adults over 21 were allowed to work the stand, since beer and wine were being served. I did recognize some fellow registered Scouters, even though they were not in uniform. Was this a Unit Fundraiser, approved by Council. Probably not. Did the customer understand the difference? Assuredly not. By the way, the concert was nearly sold out and the beer lines were long all night. The "friends" of the unit probably made a fortune for about 4 hours work. Am I jealous? Yeah. And I didn't mind so much being ripped off 10 bucks for a Diet Pepsi and a soft pretzel (with salt).

Anytime I feel that I am low on the stress meter, I just remind my wife that I am an Eagle Scout and she only made it to "First Class". The sofa's not that bad to sleep on. I can't believe this protracted gold/silver debate. Don't we have real Scouting that needs doing?

A uniform like that, properly tailored and fitted, would probably run $300 today. (due to limited market) I suspect that's the main reason all of the better quality uniforms of the past have gone by the wayside.