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 they are born until they end up in the slaughterhouse. That's why I don't feel so bad about the sport of hunting/fishing. The animals had a darn good life up until they became somebody's supper or pair of moccasins!

Bug

"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 the animal and then walks away. The meat gets eaten - either by the hunter, or the undesirable meats are often turned into pet food. The hide is tanned and used for other things. Often the bones and other things are used to make bone meal, which is used in gardens to help grow that salad that you are munching on. And, of course, the animal's head makes a very garish decoration for the den or the study.

As a child, when I got a pellet gun from a neighbor, the rule was this: If it's a living thing and I shoot it, I'd better be willing to clean it, cook it, and eat it. I believe my parents were teaching me stewardship to nature. I'm happy to say, I've only truly eaten crow one time. It was definitely overcooked. I've never shot another animal again, though I hold no ill will to those who do.

Fishing is much the same as hunting. I don't know of anyone who would just pull a fish out of the water to let it flop around on the land and die. They eat the fish. There are also people who do "catch and release" fishing. I guess they like the sport of fishing, but not the taste.

Bug

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 merit badge. I like the practice that he gets meeting with another adult, and the reassurance that requirements were not overlooked, even though our troop has no rules or guidelines that say we have to do this.

For the non-Eagle merit badges that I counsel, my son creates a portfolio for verification (and to turn into his umbrella school), but we don't involve other merit badge counselors. I do, however, like to have the advancement person or committee chair take a three-minute look at the portfolio when we turn in the blue card.

Bug

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 Girls (they use a lot of BSA principles and Godliness) - this is a new movement, and may require organizing leadership and finding a charter organization, but it is a growing program.

Coed programs would be:

Campfire

4-H

Young Marines

Sea Cadets

Young Rangers

Civil Air Patrol

YMCA Adventure Guides

Just my $.02

BUG

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 board. If they don't mention Eagle, then I will forget about the matter entirely.

BUG

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 period of chaos in adult leadership in the troop at that time. It's possible that something got overlooked/lost in the shuffle. Knowing the guy, I would be surprised if he wasn't telling the truth.

And, of course, I maybe should take a cue from my experience in trying to find out from National - perhaps I should just MMOB. But gee, I do so much love a mystery!

BUG

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 Halloween, all of the Johnsons were over at our house, when I first met Dave. Dave is a nice young man, and he came over to the house a few times on his own. About three months ago, Dave was at the house, and my son was getting ready for a scout meeting. Seeing my sons troop number, Dave said, Wow! I was in that troop! I got my Eagle in that troop! My son got the warm fuzzies that he knew an adult that had gotten an Eagle from his troop. He mentioned the name of the scoutmaster, whom we had heard of.

Fast forward to last week. I was helping somebody add the nameplates for the new Eagles to our Eagle Plaque. Guess what? Daves name was not on the plaque. Now, I have little doubt that Dave was in the troop. He went on and on about the adventures that he had had, the people that he had known (who had also been in the troop at that time).

Now, I suppose it could have been an oversight that Daves name isnt on the board. There are no names for about an 18-month span, which is about the time Dave said he got his Eagle. And I do know that there was a period of leadership chaos at that point in time. Which brings me to my need for advice or at least somebody to play devils advocate, so to speak. If Dave really IS an Eagle from the troop, his name, rightly, should be on the board. But if he ISNT, then thats just plain wrong for him to lie about. I dont want to approach Dave and make it seem like I doubt him, but I would like to know the truth, and if he really did get his Eagle, make sure his name gets immortalized in our troop hall of fame. I dont really have access to troop records, or even know what we have that would go back that far (1994-1996). I really do want to believe that he really did get his Eagle. Hes such a nice kid.

We see Mark (dad) a lot at social events. Also, my oldest son occasionally works for Daves uncle. So it could be a sticky situation. The whole family will be at our house again this weekend.

Comments? Advice? Do you think I should MYOB?

BUG

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 leadership application or elsewhere that state that you have to have a son in the troop.

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 recruitment. They should present a program during WW that gives the Webelos a taste of some of the skills that are important in Boy Scouts. While at the WW activity, visit different troops, and ask about retention rates, if its truly a boy-led troop, etc. Ask if they have an active Troop Guide program for the new scouts. Do as many troop/den activities as you can with troops in your area, and you will see what the different troops are doing. Troops should be actively recruiting you. If they are not, in my mind, it raises a bit of a red flag. Also, go to Roundtables and get to know some of the other leaders (Webelos and Boy Scouts) and compare notes.

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 is experienced in "two other countries."

Thanks!

Bug

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 him some individual attention while we worked with the group as a whole.

Now, I'm sorry to hear that the other parents are frustrated in that they feel their kid's scouting experience has been reduced to a special ed program. I'm wondering if they are passing this feeling onto their sons. How sad if they are. This is a wonderful way for them to demonstrate compassion to their kids. Maybe some other parents can be a bit more involved with the program instead of standing back and being judgmental? Just a thought..

Bug

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 peanut-butter sauce made with soy sauce and a bit of garlic and onion powders, and you have Sate! Especially good to hide the taste of tofu!

Bug

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.