scoutldr

I agree with Pack, except for the inheritance tax. That money has already been taxed. Social Security and Medicare are bankrupting the country. It's simply not sustainable with the influx of Boomers arriving with their hands out. When I look at what the taxpayer is paying to keep my MIL alive...with advanced COPD, now diabetes and multiple other problems. One IVIG treatment alone is $8000 and she gets it every month. Not to mention oxygen 24 hrs a day, at least 6 doctor visits a month, and a trip to the ER by ambulance followed by a 2 week hospital stay for pneumonia about once a quarter. After the last hopitalization, she developed a drug-resistant bladder infection and the antibiotic was $940 for 12 tablets, which didn't cure it. She hasn't worked since she was 20 years old, so she's paid nothing into the system. With her husband's survivor pension, social security and company stock dividends, she has more disposable income than I do, but she lives with me as a dependent (whom I can't claim due to her income). The problem is the thinking that we have to keep people alive, no matter what, and the entitlement attitude. She's in this condition due to 60 years of smoking. Whither personal responsibility and accountability? WHen do we say, "Sorry, but you are responsible for your condition." And I say this knowing full well I am going the same route (due to weight). But I swear, I will NEVER expect my kids OR the taxpayer to take care of my sorry butt. When I run out of money, I'm done. One way or the other. Like the Indian elder who one day decides "it is time to die". Unfortunately, due to the financial shenanigans going on, that day will be a lot sooner than I had planned. Like one of the financial gurus said the other day..."you think this is a crisis?...You have no idea how bad it's going to get." The bottom is still a long way away, folks.

I sorta disagree, Ed. Looking at the application, it says, "Total number of Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and leaders eligible for the Historic Trails Award" The award is given to the Unit (troop, team, crew) to pass on to participating members. There is no mention of Cub Scouts being eligible. Now if the SM wants to add 1 to the total number and give the Cub a patch, I don't see the harm, other than it's not quite "honest".

I would say you are "official" as soon as your check clears. Seriously...we had a problem in this council with people holding apps (and checks) in their briefcases until next recharter or "when they got around to it". We had it drilled into our heads that new apps need to go the COuncil office ASAP (like the same week) so that people are actually registered and covered by insurance. This is even more critical now that background checks are being done. No leader should have "direct contact" with youth until Council clears the application. Any additional requirements about signing books and stuff are unit-imposed.

I don't have any grandkids, so in the spirit of "debt redistribution", your grandkids can pay more than their share.

There is only one proper uniform...it does not include camouflage, or any other non-BSA pants/shorts.

"My littlest guy in the troop is eleven and I watched him take his book to meeting after meeting trying to get rank sign-offs for a camping trip. Everyone was too busy to sign off at camp, and yes he tried to get them there. So when they came back, he carried that book to every meeting, only to be told over and over, "I don't remember you doing that."" I will say what all the others have said...This is ABSURD and should NOT be happening. Your SM husband should stand tall before the Comittee and COR and DEMAND that this nonsense stop IMMEDIATELY...and be prepared to submit his resignation that same night. What in the H--L are these people (I wont' call them "Scouters") thinking???

Ditto what Buffalo Skipper said.

FWIW, DHL has announced it is shutting down all US operations. I think that the USPS is the best bang for the buck going. I would love to be able to take AMTRAK. I once looked into going from Va to Florida. It would have taken me two full days (by way of DC) and cost more than plane fare (for a 2 hr flight).

Yah, narraticong, keep dreaming. Don't you mean the "Clinton Administration, v2.0"?

I'm all for wealth redistribution and bailouts...as long as it's voluntary for those who have to pay for it. Had a brilliant idea on the way to work this morning. How about we put a check-off box on this year's 1040 form. Those who are in favor of a bailout can check the box and send in an additional amount of money to give to the Big 3. So, folks, let's put OUR money where our mouth is. Who will be the first to stroke an additional check using REAL money and not add to the deficit that our grandkids will have to pay for? Let's do the same for universal health care and welfare! Those whose hearts are charitble, stroke a check. Those who are not, keep your money. It's between you and your God...NOT the government.

My grandfather retired from "the Steel" as a blue-collar steel worker. Back in the hey-day of the 60's.

I am a govt middle manager (one of the ones Obama wants to get rid of) with a good salary. But out of that salary, I have to pay almost $400 a month for health insurance, $200 a month for life insurance, and over $1600 a month into my 401(k) which is the bulk of my retirement fund (no more cushy govt defined pensions!). Not to mention taxes. My true disposable income is less than 40% of my gross. Needless to say, I haven't bought a "new" car in over 30 years, and don't have a boat OR a vacation home. Can't afford a $500 car payment, especially now that over half of my retirement savings has evaporated. I feel for the auto workers. Maybe we should just look at it as "pain redistribution".

I heard the other day that the average UAW worker salary is $74 an hour. The average Toyota/Honda non-union salary is $47 an hour. 'Nuff said. Our local Ford plant closed here last year...there was much gnashing and wailing over the loss of the $100K assembly line jobs...people had to actually SELL their vacation homes at the beach to make ends meet.

A DE's job is not to run the District Committee (contrary to how some see it). The District Chairman does that. Your primary job will be to get more 1) money, 2) units and 3)membership. It's basically an outside sales job, as I understand it. Long, irregular hours, working most nights and weekends. Little pay. It's not for everyone.

Makes me wonder how I ever made Eagle without a "Coach" or "Mentor"...back then, we just had to figure it out and DO it.

I am the "eagle advisor" and CC for my troop. I tell my scouts that the plan should have sufficient detail such that if they get hit by a truck tomorrow, someone who doesn't know them can pick up the plan and execute the project. 9 times out of 10, we get what we need on the first or second pass. It's not rocket science.

Making a pdf copy for yourself of someone else's copy would be a violation, is it not? (just asking). Or would it constitute "fair use"? Lawyers?

What Eamonn said.

I'm not an attorney (though there are several on this forum). I did refresh my memory of the copyright law...it seems any publication intended for distribution is automatically covered by copyright laws, whether the author registers it or not. I would consult an attorney before proceeding with distribution. If indeed, this is the "holy grail", the family may be interested in republishing it.

Catalogs are mailed to all registered scouts and Scouters...eventually. You can also usually find one at your Scout Shop. You may also want to look at the Insignia Guide, which lists all BSA advancements and awards. http://www.scouting.org/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx

If your local scout shop doesn't have them, you can order them from the patch companies ready-made, or customized for an additional charge. The BSA catalog has them too, as I recall. You may have to order a minimum quantity, but it might be a nice tradition for your unit to start.

Priceless! I told my own son much the same thing..."if I have to spoonfeed you in order to make Eagle, then you're not Eagle material". He's still pissed at me about that (he's a Life for Life, but it was HIS choice to make, not mine).

"Two months ago he came up with the initial idea and asked the Eagle adviser for the ok to go ahead, which was given. He now has about forty pages to his project book, still unapproved, and has put in 40 hours working on it at this point." I'm a little confused. In our council, the Scout prepares the "plan" which is signed off by the District Representative (DAC), the SM and the beneficiary of the project. No work can commence until the signatures are on "the plan". The DAC then does NOT see the project again until the EBOR (if he's on the Board, which in our council, he is not). So, either "the Plan" was "approved" by District, or not. If he was given the "go ahead" to begin work, he should have a signature in the workbook, and he's good to go. The beneficiary of the project, the SM and the EBOR are the only ones who get a vote on the execution of the plan. Am I missing something here?

elouise: I wasn't trying to make you look ignorant...just trying to figure out what your question was. Sorry you took it the wrong way.

YOur post is a little confusing due to terminology. Is this an adult's uniform? If so, adults do not wear rank insignia (or the Arrow of Light). The Arrow of Light (NOT the "OA" arrow of light) for adults is signified by a square knot worn above the left pocket. Order of the Arrow (OA) members in good standing will wear the Lodge flap on the right pocket flap. I havent' seen the new uniform yet, so I assume the conflict is with the "bellows" pocket. If there is no room on the pockets, I would put the AOL right below the pocket. As you found out, the "Trained" strip goes on the left sleeve pocket flap...there is a new Trained strip in green for the new uniform.