skeptic

"No change there; the city leased public land that gives some people inferior access based on religion, sexual orientation, and age+sex." But, if the plaintiff, peripherally is also religious, then what does that do to their complaint in the first place? Just seems to me that it considerably weakens their claims of discrimination by a religious group, as they too could be judged as discriminating against the group. I realize that this is a stretch, but the decision already made by Judge Jones is pretty much stretched to the max as well, or so it seems to me.

"Under US law, discriminating against atheists (because they're atheists) is religious discrimination. Read Torcaso, read Welsh v. United States, read Kaufman v. McCaughtry." So, if it is religious discrimination, as per the above, then it must have a religious aspect. Otherwise, it could not be discrimination; would you agree? If not, then the above determination would appear to be erroneous. If though, it is judged to be accurate by the court, then "atheism" does have a religious connotation, even if only peripherally; much like the BSA is peripherally religious (but not a religion).

So, have to ask Beavah; any connection to you in this story?

At least if you are using Google, you are given an option to opt out of targeted ads. Just go to this link, review, then decide to either opt out, or simply edit what they already have on your list. http://www.google.com/ads/preferences?hl=en Do not know if there is something similar for other browsers or connected services.

Shortridge; My point was I do not understand why there might be a problem, as here camps are regularly used by non BSA groups and they pay to do so, just as troops do, though a bit more I believe when private camps. There are camps that are leased, and they all are open to the public on the same terms as scouts. And the two largest in San Diego, Balboa and Fiesta Island are the focus of two combined lawsuits by the ACLU on behalf of people who never even actually tried to use the camps. Their suit is due to the BSA supposedly be a religious organization, so they should not have the lea

If in fact the jambo itself draws the projected amount, they still need room for visitors. Certainly better too big than too small. It is still a grass hillside, so how much more effort is involved in being sure it is large enough, just in case? And yes, hopefully they should find a way to utilize it for non scout activities. Do not understand the concerns. Here, all camps are open to outside groups with various restrictions. Off season, our main camp is booked almost year round on weekends, mostly non scout groups. It helps supplement the upkeep, that is for sure. Some camps

So, what exactly is a "monster trunk derby"? Large boxes on wheels with remote controls; or maybe very large elephants? Just wondering.

Now Moose'; do you really think he is a "great actor"? Maybe in the B level acting of the old black and white westerns on TV. Sometimes fun to watch, but seen one, pretty much seen them all.

Forgot there are still areas like that. Even in 29 Palms where I have my boyhood house that is now an occasional vacation place, they have easy access to dsl or cable, and I suppose satellite. If I carried a laptop, I could easily get on-line there if I wanted; and I occasionally go to the library to check email if I am there for a few days. Hopefully soon that will not be a real issue anymore, as the process works well for those of us that use it. Good luck.

The unit enters the data to Scoutnet, then takes printout to local council. The council releases the report once the actual record is received there and theoretically checked for accuracy. At least that is how it happens here. If a unit does not enter the data, then the council cannot release the report until it IS entered, which could cause a delay, perhaps a big one in a large council. Units are SUPPOSED TO be entering the data directly in order to allow the relatively quick release of the report. I have not tried to obtain any additional out of council info since a year ago, as I h

It is doubtful that any "real" journalists work for media that might be large enough to get picked up regularly. The basics of a story, as I learned, who, what, where, why, and how are seldom all found in any of these types of reports. Who and what are the main keys it appears, depending on what they are trying to do with the respective hack piece. Maybe they should start printing these things in yellow, just to reinforce the type of so called journalism it is.

There's the answer for everyone. National can reinstate the Bookbinding MB. Then you can purchase the pamphlet at the same time you buy the HB and as soon as the book starts to have issues, or immediately if you choose, "fix" the book and get the MB. The bonus would be that maybe a kid or two might even read the book while working on re-gluing.

Actually, if you have a membership number, the basic records are immediately available if they have been properly entered in Scoutnet. I have used it twice to find records, one for a scout, and one for his parent leader. All his advancement info was there, as was the training on record for his father. Was simply a matter of turning in the transfer app and we were done.

WasE62; Don't hold your breath about wearing the shirt if this policy changes as one of the comments by taunters in school is how XXXX the Scouts are, or other ignorant comments. They will not go away, as this is mostly an adult issue unless you bring it up to the actual scouts.

While the book was notated and circled and so on, we had actual rank advancement cards that folded up. We kept them with the book or in a pocket (or lost them sometimes), but that was what was used for the actual advancement info. Today, they still have a small booklet with just the sign off items. Think they could make it black and white and cut the cost in half, but it is useful for some, as it is small enough to keep in a pocket. Of course, the books were that small at one time too, so we carried them there a lot. They also still have the record sheets, similar to ones the scribe k

While not required, it is pretty much essential. Though how some would survive should we not keep separate records of some type. And it continually astounds me how often a scout, even older ones, seem unable to even know how to find something in the book. Not only does the advancement section note pertinent pages, but there is an index. As far as rank and meritbadges, any actually completed items, Scoutnet is the place it should be. If a scout transfers, that record should still be there under his registration data. Other stuff, such as campouts, service, and so on is not there. S

Guess it depends on how much you want in your available reports and such. I was talking to a leader from another unit Tuesday evening about TM, as I really am not good at developing my own data programs. I used Rank and File for years, but they went out of business due to not having enough influence to keep up with National. Some of the program is still useful, but my computer crashed and I lost my detailed data base and just have not found a real need to try and resuscitate it just for camping or service reports. Advancement is now available through Scoutnet, so that is the most important

We certainly had paper merit badge applications in the late 50's and early 60's in So Cal; SGVC and the old Arrowhead Area, now Inland Empire. And I have examples of various types of these forms dating clear back to the 30's. So, maybe much was local at one time. More recently, some of our large council camps have gone to computerized master sheets with individual print outs for each one from camp, including sheets for partials. These took the place of the blue cards in those camps. Our camp is still using them, but we only got electronic sign-up this year; so we may see a different r

Others I sort of miss; "Lost in Space", "Twelve-o-clock High", "Twentymule Team Days (Yes, it was Reagan)", and a crazy serial called "Topper" that had these crazy ghosts and their ghost St. Bernard. Of course there also were the staples such as "Dragnet", "Car 54", and "Highway Patrol", and "Disneyland, later The Wonderful World of Disney". Who remembers Sheriff John (think I read he eventually was convicted of perversion), and of course "Howdy Doody". So many seemingly simplistic programs that somehow are nostalgic, such as "Ozzie and Harriet", or "Beaver or "Life with Father". I was

Very difficult to comprehend some of the apparent actions, or non-actions. But we also do not know what else may be in the files that might have made the decision happen, such as a parent refusing to allow the filing due to concern for the child or some other reason. I also found the comment section to be very interesting. Seems to be a lot of people that are not particularly fond of the media, and the Times in particular.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-boyscouts-20120805-m,0,5822319.story So, here we have the first of surely many additional attacks on BSA due to the release of some of the so called "Perversion Files". Obviously, they did not always do what was intended; but they often did. And, we really do not know the details of the reentry in those that did slip through, though most were out of the original area, and predated computer records. I am disappointed that there were cases that should not have occurred after the initial record was entered, and especially disappointed some officials

Yep; and yep, loved Wild, Wild, West.

AZ is right; Robert Conrad was the voice of Matt Dillon. Picture him next to James Arness, and you understand my amusement. We listend on a five band floor console radio with buttons. Of course we also listened to other stuff with our parents, but we got 7 to 9 on Saturday nights most of the time. We did not have a dependable TV until Christmas of 1955 or so did not see much of the really early stuff unless at grandparents. Years ago, we were driving out to Edwards AFB for a Friday through Sunday outing and tour, and I had 5 or 6 kids in the van. We picked up a station from somewhe

You guys are "really" old, or just good at Googling. So how many had a short period, my brother and I had 2 hours, on Saturday evening to "listen" to THE GREEN HORNET, GUNSMOKE, THE SHADOW and others? We also played 78 records from the 30's and 40's that our parents had; did not have money to buy newer ones til a teen. Funny thing about Gunsmoke was Matt Dillon on the radio. I met James Arness at the jamboree in 1960; still have a signed photo. We all know what he looked like, and sounded like. The voice was very similar to the radio voice. But the radio voice was NOT Arness. Anyon

We old guys had the indignity of having to watch black and white TV on 12 inch or smaller sets, sometimes with round screens. Our favorite fare were the old B cowboy movies and of course Gene, Roy, Wild Bill, Hopalong, Cisco, Sky, and the Ranger. Later, only a bit, were Matt and the Cartwrights of course. So, finish the names above, and supply sidekicks, horses, dogs, or even vehicles. This should be interesting.