torribug

Although I will eat meat, I don't eat a lot of it. I cannot be a member of the alternate "PETA" (people eating tasty animals) because I really don't care much for the taste or texture. I think the idea of NOT eating chimps, dogs, cats, whales, or dolphins is a cultural thing, Hunt. There are folks in other lands who won't eat cows or pigs. I usually go out of my way, when I do buy meat, to buy free-range. I guess it boils down to what I would call stewardship. While I do believe God gave us dominion over the animals, I don't think He intend for us to give them miserable lives from the time

"What's the ethical difference between fishing or hunting for sport and a cockfight?" I've talked to men who participate in cockfighting. Cockfighting is about making bets on which rooster will kill the other. It's about financial gain for the spectators. Not unlike boxing, but at least the humans have a choice as to whether or not they participate, and they don't (usually) fight to the death. The dead rooster gets tossed into the trash. The meat is too tough. I know several hunters. Part of what they do is for the sport, absolutely. BUT I don't know of any hunter who simply shoots t

I am a merit badge counselor for about 5 Eagle-required merit badges, plus 4 non-Eagle. We homeschool, and often work MB requirements into the curriculum (often adding to them; our perogative as his parents). My son creates a portfolio for the Eagle-required merit badges, including pictures when appropriate. He then asks another counselor (who has counseled merit badges in the same merit badge grouping) to review his work. The counselor asks questions about the work he has done, ensuring that he understands all the concepts and did all the work. In effect, the other adult "re-counsels" on the

Although it isn't a glamorous job, and maybe not a DREAM job, I have to say my job is pretty sweet. I work in the life sciences field as a writer. What's great about my job is that I am always learning new things. The job never gets old or boring. It also allows for a lot of flexibility. My dream job would definitely be something exciting with an element of danger. War photojournalist? CIA spy? Of course, that couldn't happen until after all of my kids are done with college and are no longer dependent on me!

A phone call (or even a letter) from my oldest son, who is at Marine Corps Boot Camp, letting me know that he is doing okay and has gotten all of the letters that I have sent him. BUG

There are SO many other youth programs out there that use scouting methods, I really have to wonder if there is some kind of hidden agenda behind the parents pushing to sign the young lady up for cubs. I personally can understand why a parent would not want to put their daughter in girl scouts - it is NOT an equal program, and most units are now secular (in my area, anyway, and also according to what I have heard from others on different scouting lists). However, right off the top of my head, I can name several appropriate programs that the family could check into. American Heritage Girl

I waited til after the morning rush, but I did it! Short wait, considering last week's line to early vote was over 2 hours long! Obviously, I didn't feel like standing in that line. I would, however, have stood in line that long today if I HAD to, knowing it's my last chance!

Some good links! Thanks!

I've decided to not say anything directly to Dave, nor do any more research. His folks and an uncle will likely be at my house for our annual Halloween party this weekend. My son was planning on doing his sales pitch for popcorn (last day to sell for us is that Sunday). As part of his pitch, I'll have him mention that they would be supporting the troop that Dave used to be a part of (and yes, it's definitely the same troop - we've had the same CO for 25+ years). If they mention that Dave was an Eagle, then I will go forth with solving my mystery and asking Dave if he wants his name on the boar

I called national and after getting transferred around four times and put on hold just as many, I never got anywhere near an answer (I finally hung up). Eammon, it isn't *just* about whether he's telling the truth, but if he truly is an Eagle through our troop, his name belongs on our board. There were some extenuating circumstances in his life at that time (his son was born around the same time he would have gotten Eagle - I DO wonder if that could have led to exclusion of his name or if they may have retracted his Eagle or something - but if he earned it, he earned it), along with a pe

I didn't know that I could just call National. I don't have his birthdate, and not positive of his address, or even the date that he received Eagle. But I do, of course, have troop number, his name (which isn't really Johnson and is not a common name), and approximate age and date that he would have gotten it. I'll let you know if they are able to fill me in.

I recently came upon an interesting situation, and would like some advice. First, some background. In the neighborhood where I have lived for the last 7 years, there is a well-known family, lets call them the Johnsons. The patriarch was one of the original developers of the neighborhood. He had four sons who grew up in the neighborhood, went to college, then moved back. Mr. Johnsons oldest son, Mark, raised his son, Dave (now approx. 25 years old) in the neighborhood. Dave, just like his father and uncles before him, went away for college and some sightseeing, then moved back. Last Hallowee

You mention that none of the ASMs are fully trained. Next time the guy says that somebody else should be SM, you might consider putting the ball back into his court and say something along the lines of, "when somebody else takes the time and committment to get fully trained, we can discuss this further." My feeling is that after they are trained, they might realize that their way is NOT better, or at least they will better understand the leadership methods that you use. The fact that your son is no longer actively involved in the troop is of no consequence. I haven't seen any rules on the

EagleinKY gave you excellent advice. I will second the importance of getting a den chief. We had one when I was still a Webelos leader. All of the boys crossed over into the troop that had supplied the den chief. The other den didnt have one. Only one of those boys crossed over probably because he had a brother who was already in the troop. Our den chief left such an impression that two of the boys that he led are now den chiefs, recruiting more Webelos into the troop. Another bit of advice I would give is to attend Webelos Woods (WW). Troops should be inviting you as a means for recru

Hi, all, I've been asked to be a MB counselor for Citizenship in the World. There is a requirement that has me somewhat confused. I hope someone can help me out a bit. Requirement 1 a says, "Answer the following: What is citizenship? How does one become a citizen in the United States? How does one become a citizen in other countries?" The MB pamphlet doesn't actually talk about obtaining citizenship in another country. Should I have the boys choose a couple of contries to research and learn what their citizenship requirements are? I did note that Requirement 1b askes how citizenship i

I would highly recommend getting a den chief (or two, but that would probably be pushing your luck) to help work with the den, or even predominantly with the special-needs boy (as long as he gets to do what he's supposed to do throughout the course of his tenure as Den Chief). We had a special-needs boy ("Dave") in our den, and our Den Chief was a great help. He helped plan meetings, and helped out with the cubs when we (my assistant and I) had to be a bit more intensive with Dave. Other times, when we were doing crafts or something, it was easier for him to sit next to Dave and help give hi

We have always used Badge Bond for merit badges (because you generally don't have to wash the sash), but have sewn rank advancement in place. I have been known to use hot glue if we forgot to sew new rank advancement in place and realized it only minutes before we were to walk out the door. Badge Magic sounds great, but now I'm down my last boy in scouts, and he only has one more rank advancement to go. Obviously, that last one isn't changing. Wish I'd known about it 10 years ago...

I'm not going to get it on video. I think it was best experienced on the big screen. I know that I would be too tempted to hit the Pause or Fast Forward button. Christ didn't get to do that, and I think that Gibson's intent for the movie was to have viewers experience and understand that what Christ did for us was not a merry little cake walk. Otherwise, what was the point of the movie?

Just this morning, I took my uniformed son to a court session (Citizenship in Community Req. 4d). On our walk to the courtroom, two different men, at separate times, both wearing suits, held up right hand with three fingers - one offered up Scout Law, other offered up Scout Promise. One of them, we found out in the courtroom, is the county attorney. Funny, my son wasn't asked why he wasn't in school, though I suspect that he would have been asked if he hadn't been in his uniform.

Do all the boys go to the same elementary school? If so, why not see if they can all come early one morning and help raise the flag at school? Maybe on a day when they would have a den meeting/pack meeting anyway, and they can wear their uniform to school? (recruiting and recognition)

"If his uniform was a wrinkled, soiled, dirty mess, without all the parts, I would have an all together different impression." Or if it's a Sunday afternoon between 1 and 5, figure that he/she had just gotten back from a campout and was stopping on the way home before having a chance to change clothes. But ONLY if he had razor stubble to complete the look (for the men, that is - won't go there with women).

Naw, save the pinky-raising for when you are drinking your chai tea.

You wrote on 111 tennis balls? I'm impressed with your determination! And what a wonderful idea! Bug

I've never done potatoes on my shishkebabs, so I don't know. Try onions, bell pepper slices, broccoli, cauliflower (yeah, like a Webelos is going to eat THAT, right?), cherry tomatoes, pineapple, even regular apple - you might be pleasantly surprised. You can use pork (especially with apple), chicken, beef, shrimp, polish sausage, lamb, tofu. Yep, tofu, especially if there are any boys from a culture that doesn't eat meat. Get the firm kind. Really, you are limited in what you put on them by two things: what's available in the store, and what the boys will eat! For the adults, try adding

If you're cooking over an open fire, why not try shishkebabs? You could always precut the meat (beef, sausage, pork, or chicken) and veggies and have them ready in ziploc bags. The boys can assemble their own based on their preferences, so they are participating in the meal preparation. If not cooking using an open fire, try a basic stew (once again, you can precut the ingredients if you are so inclined) or a hamburger dish, because these don't really require a lot of skill.