SemperParatus

"Whereas, the people of these United States, from their earliest history to the present time, have been led by the hand of a kind Providence and are indebted for the countless blessings of the past and present, and dependent for continued prosperity in the future upon Almighty God; and whereas the great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and divine truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it eminently becomes the representatives of a people so highly favored to acknowledge in the most public manner their reverence for God: therefore, Resolved, That the daily sessions of this body be opened with prayer and that the ministers of the Gospel in this city are hereby requested to attend and alternately perform this solemn duty." ~ Reports of Committees of the House of Representatives *** "No nation has ever existed or been governed without religion. Nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I, as Chief Magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my example." ~ Thomas Jefferson *** "I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and [who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give in your evidence in this way." ~ James Madison *** "We can only depend on the all powerful influence of the Spirit of God, whose Divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Christian people most devoutly to implore. Therefore I move that some minister of the Gospel be requested to attend this Congress every morning during the sessions in order to open the meeting with prayer." ~ Elias Boudinot, President of Congress, A Framer of the Bill of Rights in the First Congress *** "We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . . . I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more clergy of the city be requested to officiate in that service." ~ Benjamin Franklin *** "Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement. . . . the very existence of the republics . . . depend much upon the public institutions of religion." ~ John Hancock *** "It is the duty of all wise, free, and virtuous governments to countenance and encourage virtue and religion. I therefore recommend a general and public return of praise and thanksgiving to Him from whose goodness these blessings descend. The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence and gratitude the source from which they flow." ~ John Jay, Original Chief-Justice U. S. Supreme Court, An Author of the Federalist Papers, Governor of New York *** "I had the honor of being one among many who framed that Constitution. . . . In order effectually to accomplish these great ends, it is incumbent upon us to begin wisely and to proceed in the fear of God; . . . and it is especially the duty of those who bear rule to promote and encourage piety [respect for God]." ~ Henry Laurens, President of Congress, Selected as Delegate to the Constitutional Convention *** "A free government. . . . can only be happy when the public principle and opinions are properly directed. . . . by religion and education. It should therefore be among the first objects of those who wish well to the national prosperity to encourage and support the principles of religion and morality." ~ Abraham Baldwin, Signer of the Constitution, A Framer of the Bill of Rights in the First Congress *** "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness." ~ George Washington *** "Whatsoever State among us shall continue to make piety [respect for God] and virtue the standard of public honor will enjoy the greatest inward peace, the greatest national happiness, and in every outward conflict will discover the greatest constitutional strength." ~ John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Press Release For Release Monday, June 27 to New Hampshire media For Release Tuesday, June 28 to all other media Weare, New Hampshire (PRWEB) Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land. Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner. On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home. Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land. The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Caf" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged." Clements indicated that the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans. "This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development." Clements' plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise investment capital for the project. Clements hopes that regular customers of the hotel might include supporters of the Institute For Justice and participants in the Free State Project among others.

Give me Belgian waffle over a chicken any day.

Best of luck to you and your son in scouting. Welcome to the forum.

I think you are thinking of Skymont Scout Reservation (Cherokee Council) www.skymont.org should take you to http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=805 (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

So, perhaps our public schools should then follow the advice of your Thomas Paine... Thomas Paine on "The Study of God" Delivered in Paris on January 16, 1797, in a Discourse to the Society of Theophilanthropists "It has been the error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all the other sciences and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all the principles of science are of Divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles. He can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author. When we examine an extraordinary piece of machinery, an astonishing pile of architecture, a well executed statue or a highly finished painting where life and action are imitated, and habit only prevents our mistaking a surface of light and shade for cubical solidity, our ideas are naturally led to think of the extensive genius and talents of the artist. When we study the elements of geometry, we think of Euclid. When we speak of gravitation, we think of Newton. How then is it, that when we study the works of God in the creation, we stop short, and do not think of God? It is from the error of the schools in having taught those subjects as accomplishments only, and thereby separated the study of them form the Being who is the author of them. . . . The evil that has resulted from the error of the schools in teaching natural philosophy as an accomplishment only has been that of generating in the pupils a species of atheism. Instead of looking through the works of the creation to the Creator himself, they stop short, and employ the knowledge they acquire to create doubts of His existence. They labor with studied ingenuity to ascribe everything they behold to innate properties of matter; and jump over all the rest, by saying that matter is eternal."

Welcome new guy! Keep it low and slow.

Yes. Yes. There is a fourth 'kind' - those that stay in the program until aging out, with no aspirations to Eagle, because they enjoy the camping and fellowship.

It's 20 years old and he doesn't use it at all...he just wants to get rid of it. If its in decent shape, I'd give him $100 - $150.

Welcome to the party!

! Is it really necessary to ! bring up all of the prior threads relating to a new topic? Why is this all of the sudden so important for the Fscouter? As much as we repeat things around here, the listing of discussions could become truly unwieldy. If you want to help the thread creator by providing additional information, it would seem a PM with the other thread listings would be the most appropriate course of action.

While we're at it, let's allow the burning of the original U.S. Constitution by anyone that wants to make a statement...afterall, its just a piece of paper (and not a bald eagle)!

Juris, I've been involved in growing three troops as SM over the past 20 years - the first to 125 scouts, the second to 110 scouts, and the most recent to 60 scouts in a little over three years. Throw in a pack that I took from 20 scouts to 100 in two years as CM. (I hate talking numbers, since quantity is never the issue...but you started it). In each case, ours was not the only game in town, we have always been surrounded by scores of other units within a 15 mile radius. I and my fellow leaders always followed the 'BSA concepts' and processes as closely as we possibly could. What did I do wrong? I found that the BSA program, when followed, is very successful by your definition of unit growth. Have you ever tried it?

It's for the scouts to decide...not old men.

Delighted to meet you, sir. Overjoyed, enraptured, entranced. Are we ready? Yes, good. On we go. ~ww

Welcome and good luck with the new troop.

I have found that having one adult:one special needs child is the best ratio, particularly at the cub scout age. Preferably, the adult should be the parent. If the parent 'isn't into parenting' (I am still floored by that statement) and not available then find the most patient and understanding adult you can to be there for that scout when things start going sideways for them. You can then focus on your den, knowing that the boy is being looked after by someone that you can trust has his best interests at heart.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

The suspense is terrible...I hope it lasts.

I'm feelin' it... You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen

Great News! I think someone should sign off on his Wilderness Survival blue card now...no questions asked.

I agree with Hunt - can count both EP and Lifesaving for Star Rank...but must show one as Eagle-required and one as optional when going for Eagle.

A letter from Ford's legal council?

We hold true to our self-imposed two week cutoff on sign-up and payment. In spite of constantly communicating this policy (including having the sign-up deadline disclosed on the information flyer, announced at meetings, posted on the website, confirmed on troop-wide e-mail, written on the sign-up sheet and permission slips) I still have parents getting teed off at me when little Johnny can't go because he or they procrastinated. It didn't help when an ASM organizing a trip played fast and loose one time and let people sign-up right up until departing from the parking lot, in spite of our troop policy. He learned a very valuable lesson as he had several people commit, back out, recommit and still never show up. Be firm...eventually these families will fall into line and follow the policy...or they will go somewhere else (which would not necessarily be a bad thing in some cases).

Welcome to the forum. Is it safe to assume that there has been issues that have led to the "knowledge of the individual scout's special needs"? The SM and CC should discuss those issues with the parent(s) to eventualy ascertain the medical situation, if any, and then share that information with the other adult leaders as necessary. Granted, most adult leaders are not trained to handle situations arising from mental illness but having knowledge of what it is, what medications are being taken, what sets it off and how the parent suggests the leaders handle situations when they occur are all important pieces of information needed to help ensure the scout's safety and assist in paving the way for the boy's enjoyment of and success in the scouting program. Approaching the parent with a sincere desire to make scouting work for this boy is important and the parent needs to understand that this information is required to help keep him safe. Of course, the conversation should begin with a discussion of the behavioral issues, given the chance that this boy is not under any doctor care or medication. Let those issues lead the way to a possible discussion of the underlying problems. Years ago, we had a new scout that was truly a handful. The adult leaders had suspected that there were issues beyond the norm. When we met with the parent to discuss his behavior on the last campout, the parent had admitted that she had seen a noticeable change in his behavior over the past year but had not taken the step to seek medical/counseling care as yet (she had actually hoped that being in boy scouts would help him get through what she thought was just an adolescent phase). As it turned out, the boy was suffering from severe depression. My suspicion is that the parent wasn't willing to face it until others began to give her feedback that her son was indeed going through more than just a phase. Good luck.

The "Get Off My Honor" book advertised below looks interesting.