scoutldr

Thanks, Lisabob. I will read it. As a "conservative libertarian", I believe that McCain is what the country needs right now. Throughout history, those who were most against wars, were those who had fought them. McCain knows what it is to fight a war, which we need to continue to do to a peaceful resolution. Obama does not. He thinks naively that we can "make nice" with the Islamofascists who want to kill our children and believe Allah is telling them to do it. You can't reason or negotiate with religious fanaticism, of any flavor. We need to win the war on terror, not engage in sweeping social reforms that we can't afford. I agree that the middle east is not worth one more drop of American blood. But regardless of how we got there, we need a systematic strategy for winning and getting out...in that order. Secondly, we need energy independence, so that we can thumb our noses at OPEC. Thirdly we need to fix the economy. Sending me another 600 bucks is just stupid and is not the answer. I still haven't spent the first check (good thing!). Everything Obama has promised has a price tag to it, and he's not telling how he's going to pay for it...except by getting out of Iraq which is being paid for with deficit spending anyway. Neither candidate can be truthful because it means pain to the voters any way you look at it. So they promise anything to get elected. Jim Gilmore (yes, a Republican) got elected Gov of Va on the single plank of "No More Car Tax" and the sheep voted him in by a landslide. Well guess what, he paid for it by eliminating state services (like laying off half the DMV clerks which means we now wait 4 hrs for a license renewal), and the tax never got fully phased out. People (like me) questioned it from the beginning..."how is he going to replace that revenue stream." Same question for Obama...if you're not going to raise my taxes, where will you get the money? Seems like a simple enough question.

I am not the least bit offended nor influenced by a fellow voter wearing a T-shirt or campaign button. What I do vehemently object to is having to fight my way to the polling place through the gantlet of campaign volunteers shoving leaflets in my face as soon as I park my car.

Sad to report this from my beloved Commonwealth of Virginia: A new state policy prohibits material such as T-shirts, buttons and stickers that expressly advocate for a candidate or issue. They arent allowed within 40 feet of a polling place entrance. Poll workers can ask voters to remove or conceal the material. Election officials will be advised to have material to cover up any political apparel.

And which part of Obama's "plan" is going to fix "the ruinous expansion of entitlement programs"?

No, I don't, but it's an excellent idea. Have you tried an optical scanner? This example is $400, but could be used for any printed material. http://colligo.us/Scan_N_Talk.php

We ask the unit to provide the A/v equipment.

Can individual schools "opt out"? The school which hosted (not chartered) our Cub Pack got a new principal a few years back and she refused to let the DE in the door to distribute flyers or do boy talks. The years she was there, the Pack went from 150 scouts to about 6. Her rationale was that we were discriminating against the girls by not including them. They were allowed to continue using the spaces for meetings, as that decision was made "downtown." At the school down the road, the Principal also served as CM and the Pack there flourished. New prinicpal now...we'll see how it goes. Maybe too little too late.

A troll...

Why can't we have a McCain/Biden ticket? My wife wants to vote for "T-bone" Pickens and Suze Orman. Too bad they're not running. My biggest fear is that Obama will win because he's "not Republican", or he's "black" (but he's not really), and has promised the moon to the less ambitious among us. Nice sentiment, but that's not what the country needs right now. There are millions of cult followers who will vote for him without even knowing the issues. The biggest questions I have are still unanswered: Why did he associate with known terrorists and racist hate-mongers? Why does he refuse to release his personal papers, tax returns and medical records? Why did he write things in his books, if that's not REALLY what he believes? Why are people being illegally harassed for mentioning his given name "Hussein"? Why does Farrakhan refer to him as "The Messiah" and Obama does nothing to rebut it. McCain's life is an open book. Sure, he's made mistakes. But he's man enough to admit it and move on. I don't agree with McC on a lot of issues, most recently the $700B bailout. But Obama just flat scares me. Now, before I get flamed, I know there are those who have carefully analyzed the issues and arrived at an informed, educated decision. My hat's off to you and I wish you the best. But you are in the extreme minority.

I am so disgusted I don't know what to do. I was planning to retire in 2 years and start a new career (i.e., take a risk), but I have seen 40% of my 401K evaporate since January. That's the bulk of my federal employee retirement plan (the days of the 80% defined pension are over). My financial guy says I'm hosed. Just need to tough it out...too late to take defensive action. Yes, it's a buying opportunity...for those who have excess cash lying around. What can we do? Send a clear message at the polls and vote for Bob Barr (Libertarian). Tell the elephants and donkeys we're tired of their pandering, lies and BS. But this will only work if we ALL do it. Sadly, most will not and we will be stuck with one or the other...and right now it looks like Obama. I just heard a theory from Boortz that the current stock market drop is due to people bailing out to move their nest eggs to something that Obama can't touch and redistribute to those whose "need" is greater. Not sure if I believe it...but emotions by definition are not always rational. All I know is my retirement plans are evaporating, and I'll probably die at my desk at age 92. (Making my kids support me is NOT an option...learned THAT lesson the hard way!)

GW's point is that slander is verbal...libel is written. If you've already consulted an attorney, there's nothing we can say that would add to that. If you have proof, your beef is with the writer, not with the troop.

If he has met all the requirements, including Scout Spirit, he can request a SM conference and BOR at ANY age. If he is denied without a satisfactory reason (I can't imagine what that would be), I would ask from it in writing from the Committee Chairman, politely, perhaps over a cuppa joe. From there, you can appeal to the District Advancement Chairman. The requirements are the requirements...a Troop cannot add to them, including age restrictions.

Well, it's not like it's totally spammy. It's only "somewhat spammy"... And before OGE does... SPAMMY, how I love ya, how I love ya, MY dear ole' spammy...

Morally, I don't think it's any worse than hawking $5 tins of popcorn for $30.

Old Codger????? Is THAT why I'm off to do an EBOR tonight??? Sheesh. Gotta run...

When I was a youth, my parents drove me, or I got a ride with a friend who had a license. When I became of age, I drove myself, and gave others a ride. Never was it considered a Troop (or Post)activity, and if my Leaders were OA members, we just met them there. Same with Ordeals, Fall Fellowship, Conclave, etc.

Shortridge, I should have prefaced my comment with "in my opinion" or "as far as I know"...in fact that caveat is implied for EVERY post here, since this is not an official BSA site and none of us speak for the BSA. AFAIK, the "no adding to the requirements" applies only to the Advancement program, which is mandated by National. I believe I've read elsewhere in this forum that the SE (aka SCOTF) can do pretty much whatever he wants, as long as the Executive Board agrees. Back to the question, I would go to the Lodge advisor and ask for a reference..."Sorry, where is that written so I can take it back to my troop committee." Bet he can't produce it.

It's not surprising that some still miss the point by a country mile. "2000 opinions?"...that's what a "Forum" is for. If I want official BSA party line rhetoric, I call my Unit Commissioner or DE. This is NOT an official BSA site...it's a site for Scouters to cuss and discuss issues, and it works quite nicely, thanks, as long as we play nice. If all we wanted was quotes from training manuals and rule books, all we would need is "www.askbobwhite.com", and the rest of us could spend our time elsewhere.

Think of it as a "Conclave" of chapters. If run right, it should be a "roll your own" weekend of fun, games, good food and fellowship. When I was a kid, we all attended as individuals, not units. (Didn't have "helicopter leaders" back then!) Just show up, check in and find a spot to roll out your tent, wherever you want. YOu can have as much fun as you decide to have. My favorite is the patch auction, much to my wife's chagrin. After a year of "service", this is the chance for Arrowmen to have fun and meet others in the Lodge.

You need to just look her in the eye and say, "If you think I'm not capable of figuring this out, perhaps you'd better do it yourself." The "helicopter" technique doesn't work well with grownups.

YOur Lodge cannot do it, but the Supreme Chief of the Fire can.

I have mixed emotions. Things did get kinda boring during the imposed suspension (which you kindly called "asking them to take a time-out"). I find it interesting that whenever there is a dispute, the same ones are in the middle of it. The same people always get criticised for their "tone and demeanor" and some NEVER get criticised. And the ones that do are quick to point out that "he did it first" or "he's not following the rules!!!". Sheesh...GROW UP, PEOPLE!!!! The sad thing is that new people show up and quickly decide they didn't come here to be denigrated and preached at and leave. As someone once said, this site is open to the public...how many potential scouts and parents have we "turned off" because of the behavior on this forum. As Beavah points out, this is a game for children, for cryin out loud. Those who get their shorts in a wad because someone has a patch a quarter inch out of place have no business calling themeselves a "leader" and I don't want to be around them. In fact, I think the organization as a whole has outlived its usefulness and I probably won't be renewing my 35 year tenure at the end of this year.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Well, my money's on the Phillies....if I have any left after the fat cats get "bailed out".

In our shop you can buy whatever knots you want off the shelf without proof, including Eagle. I do it all the time.

If water infiltrated into the space between the floor/ceiling, you may have to "open up" the drywall to get it dry...otherwise mold can grow and cause problems down the road. Most homeowners insurance now excludes mold damage, so it's important to prevent it now. Your insurance may cover water damage now...but not mold damage later.