SeattlePioneer

> When I built my novice CW radio transmitter, I bought a junk television chassis at a thrift shop and used it for tubes, transformer, capacitors, resistors and a variety of other parts for the new equipment. This was in 1970.(This message has been edited by seattlepioneer)

The left wing favors what economists call "price discrimination" in taxes. That's where you charge people different prices for the same service. Charging an adult and child different prices for an airline seat would be an example. Of course, left wingers want to gouge those who are successful in life, and subsidize the sick, lame and lazy. Let's have REAL egalitarian tax rates --- the same for everyone.

There's probably a Pack Commuittee Chair Specific training course. I'd use that.

Hello Beavaha, And if this were Rome or a feudal society, perhaps you argument would have merit. It isn't. As I noted, I EXPECT that the anarchists of the left will wind up rioting. They are a self indulgent lot these days, and I expect they will sacrifice their opportunity to exercise power to a desire to throw a riot. If they restrain themselves, they might have some actual influence, just as the Tea Party has. And the reason they would be sacrificing influence would be because they will alienate the working class and lower middle class that otherwise might have some sympathy for their issues --- however unformed they may be at present.

In Seattle the demonstrators set up and occupied dozens of tents in one of Seattle's busiest downtown parks. Even our left wing mayor couldn't abide that. The police made several arrests of people who refused to vacate tents, and they were removed. This kind of thing shows that these demonstrators are on the edge of the kind of violence that will alienate most voters --- but they haven't gone over that line --- not yet. Maybe tomorrow. I suspect it's just a matter of time. The anarchist element probably can't avoid actions which will lead to police confrontations. If they are smart they will cool it and play for the added support they can get if they avoid violence.

It will be interesting to see if left wingers can give up their law breaking "civil disobedience" mode in order to gain political power by not alienating a lot of people who might be tempted to support them. For nearly a half century the left alienated most labor union members and leaders by trashing American values. Ten years ago, union leaders in Seattle supported World Trade organization protests in Seattle until they turned willfully violent. Union leaders in Seattle are again giving cautious support to the current protests. I await with interest whether lefties can avoid violence and attacks on police. So far, they are doing so, and gaining support for their protest. Personally, I expect they wont be able to avoid turning it into a fight with police, which will destroy this as a possibly serious political movement.

> Oh, I don't know. Since my pack uses Scout accounts, I encourage Scouts to talk about the things they hope to get from their popcorn sales: "I'm selling Cub Scout popcorn to go to camp/buy a uniform" or whatever. The pack keeps donations. The Scouts get 25% of what they sell for their Scout account. Frankly, I don't think you can intuit the motivations of those buying popcorn. I think people are supposing their purchase will go to a good cause, but the specific cause may not be known or guaranteed.

Our Pack charges a $60 annual membership fee. A family that sells $200 in popcorn gets a paid membership for the next year. 25% of sales over $200 go into the boys Scout account. That seems to be pretty motivating, and the pack gets the additional 10% of sales plus donations to operate the pack.

I'm waiting for a "Boys Scouts For Dummies" book....

> Without the Tea Party concern about deficits in Congress would be about zero. Needless to say, Democrats ran against deficits in 2006 and 2008, and then expanded deficits when they got into power. Sorry, but your comments just sound like crocodile tears being shed to me.

> Before there were beeps there was the sound of teletypewriters printing out the news from wire services that was broadcast to herald televeision news:

Please notice that this thread is a year old. Frankly I think it was a mistake to revive it only to change the subject to an entirely different set of facts.(This message has been edited by seattlepioneer)

Hello Baden P, :> I recently attended District Membership Chair training conducted by our council VP-Membership. Most of that was fine, but she was selling the national "1st class in a year" program deemed to be the reliable way of retaining Boy Scouts. She also soft peddled the idea of "boy leadership," saying this wasn't realistic and that leadership should properly be a partnership between adults and youth. She is a veteran Cub Scouter, but I don't know that she has had much to do with Scout Troops. As a Scoutmaster, I aimed to provide training in trail to first class skills on outings, but my emphasis was on learning skills. Often it took Scouts a two years-- even more, to attain 1st Class. The 1st Class in a year model is for adult led troops, who will structure their programs to make that a goal and priority. I would suppose that continues with an Eagle in two or three year goal as well. It's easy enough for adult led programs to parse advancement requirements and find the fastest and simplest methods to carry boys into the Eagle's Nest.

Expect a Gay Sex Merit Badge before long....

First, I commend the Treasurer for providing warnings about money shortages. It may be that the treasurer can see a declining bank balance but doesn't have the records to report on where the money is being spent. If that's the case, anew2 treasurer is needed who can keep such records. In my opinion, the CC should make an appointment to review the records that are available, such as monthly checking account statements. The CC should make his own estimate of where money has been spent, how much is left and what level of expenditure the pack can support. It may be that one or more volunteers has been spending lavishly, or there may be some other problem. Also, if the treasurer can't maintain adequate records, a new treasurer is needed who can. If the treasurer wont meet with the CC and discuss these issues, a new tresurer should be appointed immediately.

You aren't going to have time for much pioneering if you are doing First Class in a year and Eagle in an additional year or two....

Even our Seattle left wing mayor is now proposing that you can peacfully occupy public property yourself, but you aren't permitted to occupy it with tents.

>Personally, I wear a full uniform but none of my Den Leaders so far have followed that example.

I think uniforms DO create a sense of equality. I seen and felt that myself. Rather than being influenced by the exterior packaging (one of the main purposes of today's clothing), you wind up looking at the person inside the uniform. Still, uniforms aren't required by Scouting. Personally, I wear a full uniform but none of my Den Leaders so far have followed that example. In order to establish the principle of uniforming, as soon as a Scout joins the pack I award them a neckerchief and slide, the same that I wear myself. I cut twenty neckerchiefs out of a $6 decorated bedsheets from a thrift shop this year, and for slides I cut section from tree branches and drill them with a 3/8" drill. I give the new boys the neckerchief and they choose from among the slides I have one that appeals to them. The parent then helps their son put on the neckerchief and slide. When adults accept leadership positions in the pack, they are also awarded a neckerchief and slide, with their son helping the parent put it on. Unfortunately, none of the adults continue to wear the neckerchief once they get it. Usually the boys do so at least until they get a uniform.

I attend pack committee meetings to see if any difficulties are presenting themselves. I keep an eye out for leadership transitions and that new leaders are being identified. The thing I've done most reliably over the past seven years is to take the responsibility for spring and fall recruiting. If the pack has good recruiting results, pretty much everything else falls into place is my experience. But I've also suggested pack hikes when that was needed and do FOS presentations at the Blue and Gold. I actually set up the pack annual plan when I helped revitalize the pack seven years ago, and much of that program is reprised each year. My aim is to encourage pack leaders to do everything they can and will do and to help out a bit if something is failing in some significant way.

I haven't seen anything that would have prevented the capture of Bin Laden released so far. And the drone strikes neatly side step the problems of dealing with prisoners. They are the preferred way of dealing with AlChaida these days. No loose ends for liberal lawyers to get their panties in a twist.

The obvious thing to do would be to set up in front of the Red Robin Restaurant and hand out coupons to those going inside.

Qwazse, I agree --- the idea of beating fuzz sticks sounds like an interesting idea to try. Presumably it breaks up the fibers of the wood and makes it still easier to light. Never heard of that one before!

Maybe you can pick up some ideas for your pack or troop.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO2HwVy8rac