skeptic

Yes, we should adapt and adopt, but only where it does not dilute or damage the basic premise of the program. Far too many people would rather we simply throw it all out. Thus, the old adage: "Don't throw out the baby with the bath water"

Okay; since the bill includes fees covering the actual cost of design, and minting to be passed on to the buyer, how is this an issue of government funds for BSA? The buyer should know that the surcharge is going to support the organization in some manner; if he does not want to pay it because of that support, then he does not buy it. Cost added on to cover expenses in the issue cover that complaint; and, if it is like most "expense coverages", it will be excessive, so may actually give the government a profit on the coin. So, then it is just one more case of let's not give any support t

Just received the most recent ROLLING STONE at our house; have a spouse that has to keep up on the classic rock community. On front is a photo of Eagles with one wearing what seems to be a 40's vintage uniform shirt (has partly metal buttons and brown community strip) with a Life patch. Just wonder how that is going to be looked at by National. Could not have been the wearer's uniform, as is too old. Is it good or bad publicity to see the BSA represented indirectly with this type of photo? Just wonder what others might think. http://www.rollingstone.com/(This message has been edited b

For me, even though I consider myself a Christian (certainly not at the acceptance level of the "conservatives"), every scientific break through simply reinforces the miraculous nature of the universe we share. God represents the ultimate power that encourages our ever evolving understanding, the spirit of universal life. Our greatest thinkers, be they scientists or philosiphers, somehow are able to draw more deeply from that power which is represented by human intelligence, and nurtured by the soul. On the other hand, there are the unexplainable miracles of autistic capabilities and other su

Merlyn; Actually, theologians do agree on something. They believe that there is something beyond this life and that there is an infinite something (call it God, Gods, spirit, greater life level. whatever)that is greater than our understanding and ourselves. Also, at the core of most religions is honest concern for others (compare the basic premise of the "Golden Rule" found in most belief structures). Scientists believe the currently proven theories, but fairly quickly move on when another apparently greater theory appears to be valid, abandoning the earlier ideas as outda

Wait, which of the awful G's are we discussing????

And so we come back to the circle of life, remembering that a circle has no ending or beginning in its pure form. Seems to me that some of our Native American brothers believed in this circular theory in a spiritual manner. Ultimately, most of us must simply have faith in something just being there; call it God, Mother Nature, Circle of Life, Universal Gasses, or whatever. Have never met or read of any mortal man who had an absolute answer. And, as John in K.C. notes; whatever reality exists beyond my currently finite mind (maybe later it will be infinite)I will discover "When I

Interesting that this has generated so many postings, yet when I posted about it on April 4th, there were absolutely no responses. Guess it must have something to do with whom it is that posts as to whether any attention is paid. There have also been no responses to another post of mine in the politics threads when I asked for comparisons to periods of silence in school for personal reflection to the "Day of Silence" offered in many schools in honor of the tragic death of an apparently Gay boy. Have had little or no response to a number of other posts as well over the past few mon

We are now in the 3rd or 4th year of "going back", and it is really trying. We went from 5 districts to two big ones with directors. We had one roundtable on our side of the hill for 7 communities and outlying areas. About half the "old timers" who were key to the efficency of the districts stepped down or were forced out. Eight years later, a new SE and reversion to the smaller districts with an ASE and DE's. Now, we have far fewer local volunteers, and the smaller districts are suffering from lack of enough man power. Meanwhile, due to the high cost of living in our area with no extern

Quantity and respect do not necessarily go hand in hand. Way back in 1960, as we prepared for Jamboree, we had three adult leaders (only 3 then). Two were old time Eagles with multiple palms; one had over 60, and the other close to 80. The 3rd adult had never gone beyond tenderfoot. Which one was the favorite of the youth in the troop? You probably surmise correctly, it was the one with no merit badges, but who spent his time involved with the boys, not arguing as to whom was the bigger scouting success. Lots of quotes in the anthologies that relate to pride and its possible consequ

So, how does the recent "Day of Silence" fit in with this discussion/argument? It was the declaration and tacit approval in many schools that no one should talk last Friday to honor the boy apparently killed, at least in part, due to his sexual preference. Is this "silence" an infringement on the rights of those who believe certain choices should not be publicly acceptable? Is it okay to have a "day of silence" to recognize the "rights" of a small segment of society, but not allow similar allowance for the rights of larger segments of society? Inquiring minds want to know!

While the misplacement of said patch still annoys me, I gave up being uniform police outside my unit. Years ago I jokingly challenged a Star Scout as to what number OA lodge was the tote-n-chip lodge. That evening at dinner and flags, his leader ripped me a new one, basically telling me I had no place to suggest the patch was worn erroneously. I tried to mollify him, but he was so indignent that he was turning red. After that, I just generally take a deep breath and wonder why so simple a thing as reading a guide for placement can me so hard, and why people think that, even if they hav

Okay guys, no one said they were offended, just curious as to how this related to this particular board. Obviously, though this is the kind of thing passed around that we often just delete, it has lightened people's days. So it serves a purpose in that regard. And, there definitely is no reason to apologize for that. I will now go and read all the other "stuff" I normally would simply get rid of; never know, it may brighten my day too.

moxieman; I am with you on that about similar awards in different program areas. It has always confused me that I have a commissioner device and scouter device for a training award, worn on one knot, but the identical award for cubbing, and I believe venturing, have their own knots. Why not simply wear a cub device, or venture device? That would apply at least to the "key" and "training" awards throughout the program. Not sure where else it might apply. Those of us that have been around a long time often struggle with what is too much I think. Years ago, I rode some of my seni

What does this have to do with this board? Why is it even here?

On the NESA site, the latest "Eagletter" announces a variant knot with a silver border for life members of NESA. It will be available on June 1st; they stress that only one is worn, so that one or the current one. Some other interesting material in the current issue.

The comment regarding something occurs to change some participants reminded me of one of our youth in 79. He was a capable teenager with more than adequate physical skills; but he was really withdrawn much of the time, and often had to be prodded to get involved. We traveled for 3 and a half days getting to base, and he was cooped up with the others constantly, as our trip was a 1,000 miles. By mid way through something happened. We had stopped somewhere in Arizona or so, and this boy bought a cowboy hat. That hat became his persona, somehow; he actually liked the teasing name of "Tex" it

Preparation is everything. I did treks in 1979, 85 miles, and 1990, 65 miles. If we had not done shakedowns and conditioning, we would have been in serious trouble, even though we backpacked regularly in So.Cal. I still remember a couple of crews in base camps complaining about how hard it was; they admitted they had done nothing other than a couple of short weekenders; plus they had not acclimated themselves. Still, one group came off trail the same time we did, and they still said it was one of the best experiences ever. The youth leader told me though that he would try to make sure oth

GW: yep, 3% multiplied by tens of thousands saves not just money, but huge amounts of "oil" and reduces pollution too. And the annual savings of $50 will allow me to buy more scout memorabilia paper that I really do not need (according to you know who). Of course, since my car gets 29 in town and 32 on the hwy, I save a bit more. And, since gas will be even higher soon, that too will effect my ability to add to my collection.

GW; Your car must be an exception. Numerous tests over many years have shown that speeds between 50 and 60 driven at a steady pace increase mileage by up to 3%. Of course the 80+ drivers also are weaving in and out and around on both sides, tailgating, and constantly riding brakes due to their excessive speed. That also contributes to poorer mileage.

As scouters, we are, or should be in the forefront of many of the environmental issues. Leave No Trace is certainly related to the environment, and many of the merit badges have direct connections, as does the Hornaday (though not just a scout award). Even if you may not agree totally with some of the more current suppositions regarding "global warming", many of the related issues are absolutely on target, no matter who looks at it. Many of these things have been around ever since man started building fires, or maybe longer, but the population increases are making them serious proble

A good place to re-submit my thoughts on this requirement. I have been a SM for a very long time, and always had the ability to take personal vacation for summer camp. For me, with no kids of my own, it was not an issue. As for OA, I had become Brotherhood as a youth, so that only required proof and updating. Back a few years now, I had a group of 4 adults all come in from cubs, along with their sons. They became trained immediately, went through first aid courses, did outdoor specific training through high adventure courses, and then proceeded to Trail Boss training and completion.

"DARES"???? It should be a question in some form, as duty to God and being Reverent are part of the Oath and Law. A basic component of an EBOR is an examination of understanding and living by the Oath and Law. Now, if the query trespasses on the scout's spiritual belief, that is belittles a different viewpoint than the norm, or questions his possibly searching time in his development of faith, then it is out of line. But, it is a proper part of the board.

The Scout, While some of your points certainly have merit, they are no more absolutely accurate than that of Indian influence is inaccurate. Even the detractors appear to give some credence to the idea that the intermix of the two cultures had some influence, especially the relatively cooperative federation of tribes in the Northeast. Just because Europeans could not read the Iroquois language until later, does not mean they did not understand some of the society's concepts. How much effect that might have had will never really be proven. Archeologists and anthropologists contin

The Scout, Sorry, but to me it seemed you were suggesting the Chinese and others were somehow lesser people because they came here for menial jobs. Perhaps I misunderstood the tone. Indians, or N.A.'s if you choose, were often very advanced. Actually, some of our own government design came from the example of the Iroguois Confederacy. If Tecumseh had moved a bit quicker, he and his confederacy might very well have driven the whites back into the sea. In the Southwest, the Hopi and some of the other cliff dwelling cultures were extremely well versed in advanced farming and archite