scoutldr

Pack, just because he's a man of the cloth doesn't mean he's not a moron. I can see demons, too. They spend most of their time in Washington, DC.

The issue here is that the city laid off union workers, then allowed volunteer labor to replace them, or at least 200 hours worth of one of them. The SEIU's beef is with the city. Whether that's a grievable management practice is a matter for the arbitrator. Mr. Balzano and his ilk lost my support when he chose to go to the media and drag the BSA and an innocent Boy Scout through the mud. And yes, I am a former union member and shop steward and now am management, so I've been on both sides.

"What would you have replied?" Unfortunately, that's not something the SM controls. My reply would have been, "Well, that's up to your son, not me." Then provide your program. If it doesn't meet their timeline, wish them luck with another troop.

I belong to an ELCA Lutheran church. We do not have flags...anywhere. Not sure if that's based in theology, or that no one ever bothered to buy some.

From Wikipedia: West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943), was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that held that the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protected students from being forced to salute the American flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance in school. It was a significant court victory won by Jehovah's Witnesses, whose religion forbade them from saluting or pledging to symbols, including symbols of political institutions. However, the Court did not address the effect the compelled salutation and recital ruling had upon their particular religious beliefs, but instead ruled that the state did not have the power to compel speech in that manner for anyone. scoutldr comment: That being said, I think that if the dad were a Jehovah's Witness, he would not allow his son to stand and pledge, either. I agree with the advise above...live and let live...if the scouts ask about, just be truthful and say "I don't know, why don't you ask him."

Maybe they're gonna "make him an offer he can't refuse..."

artjrk, How about the Eagle's troop make it an annual service project to keep the courtyard from falling into deterioration? Shouldn't take too much to keep it "spruced up" and becoming another Eagle project. No reason the Eagle couldn't come back and help, too. "Cheerful service" doesn't end when you pin on the Eagle badge...it's just the beginning.

And we're glad you came, Eamonn! Funny accent and all!

Looks like they were designed to be "water shorts" first, which dry quickly when they are out of the water. Probably well suited to summer camp when you are canoeing one minute and in the dining hall the next. Not sure i would like them as my "every day" uniform shorts.

"For a man of character, those things are their own reward, and yeh do 'em for as long as you need to because that's what being responsible means." Yeah, I agree and that's the way I was raised. Ya just do the right thing because it's the right thing to do. But that's not the way today's kids (and their parents) are being raised. It's that "epidemic of narcissism" thing again. The other problem I see, is that in mega-troops, there aren't enough POR to go around, therefore the 6 month limit..."times up, now Jimmy gets to do it"...Maybe we should let the democratic model have it's way and those who are successful get re-elected, grow into the job,...and get advanced. Wanna make rank? Get yourself elected. Everyone could be a Den Chief, i guess...

Is the "American Labor" merit badge also manufactured in China? Just askin...

Owl stated, "The boy does not obey Scouts elected over him. He is immature. (As many 14 year olds are---but only one 14 year old is going up for a BOR/SCC). I would really like to see this young man try to lead people that are just like him." Typically, this type of behavior does not manifest itself for the first time in the 6 months prior to the EBOR. How was it addressed in prior BOR (FC, Star, Life)? I'm assuming it was not addressed, since he's Life already. It's not really fair to let things slide until the Eagle SMC and then slam dunk him. Not sayin you did that...just sayin.

Here on the Chesapeake Bay, we have an annual "Clean the Bay Day" manned by thousands of volunteers, including Scouts. Guess we won't be able to do that any more, since there are Union workers out there who could do it. Wonder if they will want the patch, since they are made in China? (Note: the most numerous item of trash cleaned up by far is cigarette butts) In my opinion, this union just lost a lot of sympathy from the public. This was a Boy Scout, for Pete's sake...not a competing contractor. He can "look into the Boy Scout" all he wants...there was no Union contract with the scout OR the Council, thus no duty was breached. Sheesh.

MY ancestors immigrated legally from Germany through the port of Philadelphia, according to the laws that were in force at the time.

I refuse to be made to feel petty and uncaring because I expect the laws of the land to be obeyed and enforced.

The Lone Scout program published a magazine for awhile and across the masthead it read, "The Real Boys' Magazine". After awhile, it was changed to "The White Boys' Magazine" (circa 1930's). You still see them from time to time on Ebay.

At our camp, some MB also carry extra fees...shotgun, archery and basketry come to mind...maybe Indian Lore too, but that's about it. Everything else is included in the camp fees. Except for shotgun shells, all MB supplies are sold at the trading post and each scout is expected to purchase his own arrow and bowstring, which he then assembles in class and takes home with him. If scouts came home without the articles they purchased, I would have some irate parents calling the SE. I was in a similar situation, serving as the District Camping Chair when my own troop voted to go OOC after 15 years of "supporting" our home camp. I had mixed emotions, as it was my childhood camp that I had been attending since 1966. But the program and facilities had become "stale" and after 3-4 years, the boys wanted different scenery, and it turned out to be a good thing. The vast majority of troops in my council rotate summer camps...there are at least 10 to choose from within a 4-6 hr drive, and they come back to ours every 4th year or so. I finally resigned the District position when the SE came in to a meeting and read us the riot act and threatened to close the camp. I'm a volunteer, and don't take that crap from someone whose salary I help to pay. Bottom line...I wouldn't lose any more sleep over it...it's clear your camp is out of control and those who can stop it don't care. Your boys are only with you 3-4 years each...they deserve the best program you can provide them.

The Council Camping Promotion committee has the cog on this, not Advancement. Not attending your own council camp is common...but do you have out-of-council troops coming to your camp? Bottom line is "butts in cots"...and most camps charge a premium for OOC troops. I agree with the others...your bill of complaints is huge...keep it to one page and it will more likely be read. As I have learned over the past 30 some years...unit volunteers have no vote at District/Council Board meetings. Your CORs need to attend and voice their unit's complaints, because they are the only ones who have a vote. Boys and leaders can only vote with their feet...and checkbooks. PS: I thought MBC had to be 21.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Your signature on the form certifies that all requirements have been met (including tenure and Scout Spirit) and is a recommendation to the Troop Committee that the EBOR be scheduled. IF that is not true, then you should not sign, but have a SM conference with the Scout and let him know where he is falling short and agree to a plan to correct deficiencies.

Perhaps some other country will invade us and free us of the tyranny of socialism because it's not what THEY believe in and we're too stupid to do it ourselves.

I'll not be buying it.

What I would like to do is turn back the clock. After we turned the Iraqis out of Kuwait, our job was done. I don't really give a rat's patoot if Iraqi and Afghan women wear burqas or not. Let the UN fight for human rights. We are fighting against a culture 5,000 years old and we are not going to win by occupying their land. As someone said, there is no "government" to take over when we leave. Just lawless tribes. We don't even know who to shoot, for God's sake. We've spilled enough of our sons and daughters' blood. If we want to do "nation building", there are areas in New Orleans and Appalachia that could use a few billion dollars. What would I do...I would get Hillary and Gates in a room and have a frank, one-way conversation. "YOu have one year to get us out of there...make it happen."

"My hope is that each branch of government does its own job well - the President settin' strategy and the military determining tactics - and they don't start gettin' confused about who should do what." Sadly, it's too late for that. We need a quarterback, and got a cheerleader.

I never served on active duty, but have spent the last 24 years as a DOD civilian. To my Scouter brothers and sisters who did serve, Thank You for your service and sacrifices. And Thanks for coming home safely so I could be born, Dad! (USN Submarine Service 1942-1964)

Boy Scouts (Den Chiefs) do not need a parent along. As a Den Chief, he is part of the Den leadership and it should be assumed he will camp with the group. He can tent by himself (and would probably prefer it).