scoutmom

I agree that every effort should be made to get the facts. There may be circumstances that are not apparent on the surface which would result in this father not having a child support obligation.

HOWEVER, Fat Old Guy, the fact that your "friend's friend" has an ex-spouse who has remarried and both are financially well off does not excuse someone from paying child support. He helped bring those children into this world and he has an obligation to them, not his ex. I wish people would realize ( yes, I said people, not men, because there are "dead-beat moms" out there too) that child support is exactly that - for the support of their child.

Sorry, this is a sensitive subject for me. I haven't seen a support check in six of the seven years I have been divorced. And believe me it could be put to good use, not only for camping trips, summer camp and other Scouting stuff, but for clothes, shoes, food. You know, the luxuries.

Good question, FOG. I don't know the answer, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of responses you get.

NJ,

The Series of Unfortunate events can oly be described as "adventure" in my opinion. These kids have to overcome some incredible obstacles. They are all completely fictional, though, like climbing an elevator chaft with your teeth! They were so unrealistic, they were funny. Yes. I read them. I try to read the things my son is interested in.

I found the Artemis Fowl books to be very well written. Yes. Artemis is "sometimes good, sometimes very bad" but if you read the books you will see why. This character has a lot on his plate, so to speak. I enjoyed Artemis Fowl and recommedn reading them if you ever have some free time when you're not doing Scout stuff. You know, like 3 AM, maybe.

My son has read the entire collection of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket. The are a very tongue-in-cheek look at three siblings who become orphans and all the terrible things that happen to them. They always manage to overcome one obstacle to find another one waiting for them.

He also enjoyed the Artemis Fowl books. They are about a 12 to 13 year old "criminal mastermind" and his adventures trying to steal "the fairy gold". Very high tech, which appeals to my video game addicted son, with elf, and centaurs and trolls thrown in too.

Also on his book shelf are the Harry Potter books and a ton of Goosebumps books. He also enjoys reading magazines - especially Nintendo Power!

Thanks, Terry - this was a needed respite.

I love the little lock thingies.

You know, for a while there I was kind of proud of this thread. It was a good conversation reflecting everyone's opinion on this subject. Not everyone agreed, but everyone participated in the conversation (for the most part) in a Scout-like manner.

Now, it's just a waste of time. I am going to leave this discussion before I cause any more damage or emasculate any of the male Scouters here. God knows you don't want any of those "dangerous, evil" women around.

And one more thing. WHEELER, it is my personal opinion that you have serious issues regarding your relationship with your Mother. (it's always the mother, isn't it? another case in point that woment are evil) You really should seek help and if you need a referral for a mental health agency in your area, I'm sure your librarian will be willing to help you. Unless, of course, it's a woman, because she only wants to make you effiminent.

Well, would you look at that! I have 5 stars! How on earth did that happen? After all, I'm one of those "dangerous" women! LOL

I can not speak for anyone other than myself. I am involved in the Boy Scouts because I have one child, a son, who wants to be a Boy Scout. As a parent, I intend to support him and do everyting I can to support his activities. I do not have a daughter, and I was not a Girl Scout when I was younger, so I am not really motivated to join the Girl Scouts.

My brother has one child, a daughter, and although she is not a Girl Scout, he participates in all of her activities. I am sure if she had joined the Girl Scouts, he would have been a very good Leader, as he was a Boy Scout himself. He takes a lot of pleasure in helping my son with some of his advancements whenever he gets the chance. The problem is, he has his own family and demands on his time, so he can not be there all the time when my son has a Scouting activity or an advancement he needs help with. I'm not going to ignore my childs motivation or desire to work on advancement or attend Troop activities just because I am a single Mom. That makes me a good parent, not a threat to my son's manhood.

Went down the Ocoee quite a few years ago. I don't remember the name of the outfitter, sorry. It was quite an experience, and "floating" is a rather gentle word for the experience I had. We lost two people out of our raft and had to pick them up down river. It was GREAT! I hope you and your group have as much fun as we did.

Thanks acco. My brain just wasn't making that connection.

ACCO,

COPD? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? How does that tie in with drug/alcohol abuse?

My suggestion is to contact a drug treatment program in your area and see if one of their counselors would be willing to work with your group. Or get in touch with your county's porbation department. They usually run some type of education program for their offenders that thay might be willing to tailor for your needs.

Eisley,

Thanks for posting this important information. I'm glad you have such a caring Doctor and this was caught early.

Another thing men should know is that they need to keep track of their PSA numbers themselves. Don't just rely on the Dr. Ask what your number is and record it somewhere. It is important to know that a significant increase in your PSA, even if the numbers are still in the normal range, may be an indication of a problem. So get the actual numbers, not just a "it's in the normal range."

BYE!

Not to change the subject ... but

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was in reference to WHEELERS rambling posts, doing nothing but typing quotes and argueing with actual Scouters about how they should serve youth! LOL

Sorry for the interruption.

I attended out Council Training Committee meeting this week and it was not mentioned. I'll be curious to hear more details.

Huh? The BSA is promoting One World government? When did that happen? Did I miss the memo?

WHEELER, you are right about one thing, I don't know what it means to be a man. And you know what? I am proud to recite the Boy Scout Oath and Law every opportunity I get. I understand the Oath and the Law and I do my best to live my life by them. You don't have to be a man to do that.

Oh, and one more thing: as you insinuated in another thread, not all women have penis envy. Some of us are very content in the knowledge of our superiority over mere men. (No offense - as I'm sure you don't intend any offense with your posts.)

To the gentlemen who post on this forum: I apologize for my last comment. I truly mean no offense to you and I respect all of you for your knowledge and dedication to the Scouting movement. I just had to address this twit on this one. I will now withdraw from the fray.

OGE, you da man! Thank you.

I was going to post a very witty response her, but then I went and re-read some of Wheelers posts. He has hurled insults at women and the Catholic Church. I stopped reading. Whoever he is, he isn't worth my time. I pray he'll never get a decent job, so he'll never be able to afford to actually work with youth in the BSA.

Bravo, Laurie! This is Cub Scouting at it's finest.

"Alas, like Orwell's pigs, women think that they are more equal than others. "

I don't know what women you know, FOG, but that statement does not apply to all women.

Thanks, Bob. That does help.

I agree that the Committee, especially those sitting on a BOR should wear the uniform. However, in asking a few questions, it seems that BOR's have been scheduled with little or no warning to the Committee members. The first one I was included in was one night as I dropped my son off the the Troop meeting and I was asked if I could stay for a BOR. It doesn't look like a whole lot of notice is given.

SO back to my question, how do we start to make changes here?

EagleinKY,

Thank you. That's what I was thinking at the last BOR I was at. One of the questions to the Scout was "What don't you like, what would you like to see change?" I didn't feel the young man could really give totally candid answer with "the men in uniform" there. As a general rule, it seems that the members of the Board of Review show up in street clothes - by design or by accident, I don't know, that's just what I have observed.

So now that I know that it should be just the Scout and the Committee Members sitting on the board, as the new kid on the block (not completely trusted by the adult male leadership - because I'm new? maybe, because I'm female? maybe more so - but we won't start that thread back up here) what do I do about it? How would you go about trying to effect a change?

Thanks for the resources. I like to "be prepared" and know what I'm getting into. I do have a specific question about who can attend a BOR. I understand that the SM and ASMs are not "a part of" the BOR, but should they attend as an observer? DO other Troops run BOR's in this way?

I have slowly been becoming more involved with the Troop and recently have participated in a couple of Boards of Review. I am reading everything I can find on the internet on BOR, and want to make sure I know what I'm supposed to be doing. Next time I get to the Scout Shop, I will pick up what I can there. Any advice on what

publication(s) I should get?

Or BOR advice in general?