Trevorum

So, from BSA's PoV, what's the point of LFL? Wasn't LFL created in order to bridge the gap with governmental agencies that can't legally contract with it?

I enjoy working most with DE's who view their jobs as supporting the volunteers, rather than the other way around.

Narraticong has suggested, "Perhaps rather than a Scout's Own, it might make sense for us as Scouters to encourage the boys to make packing their religious text as important as raingear." I'm all in favor of private expressions of faith. However, I'd like to point out that not all faiths have a "religious text". Abrahamic followers (Judeo, Christian, Islamic) are called "people of the book" for a good reason - they adopted the idea of codifying their faith into sacred texts. Other faiths don't necessarily do this.

As I understand it, the City is uncertain whether or not it's relationship with LFL is legal or not because LFL is a subsidiary of a parent organization that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. Is that correct?

The ideal solution is to use one's previous work as a starting point, citing as appropriate, but taking the work beyond where you went last time, or in a new direction. It's actually fun to cite oneself as an authority.

There are so few common elements between religions. Fewer than you would think. In fact, I can think of absolutely no aspects of theology that are shared among the families in my single unit. Zero points in common! The only common elements between religions are non-theological ones; these are ethics/morals and can easily reduced down to the Scout Law, which we already share. So I have always wondered about the point of trying to create a truly inclusive interfaith service. It's not going to be useful for some people and can be downright insulting to others. Why not let families handle religion and have Scouts stick to the Scout Law, Scout Oath, and Wilderness Code?

Excellent service from Supply Division! I shipped back my (laundered and de-patched) uniform shirt which had died in the line of duty (sob!) and they promptly shipped back a replacement. Now I have another eight years to wear out this one.

Und, velcome to ze forums, Herr Doktor!

Police Inspector Kemp: "Ve musst obey all of ze rules! Ozervise, we haff madness and chaos! Und zose in charge know best - zat's vhy zhey are in charge!"

Depending on your area, try tree farms. These places routinely thin their even-aged stands and have lots of surplus pine saplings.

Scott, the tongue in cheek sobers after reading these. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/02/04/BAGNSB576121.DTL http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16687211/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication

Kahuna! It's good to hear from you!

I think someone should give that deity a map and compass; he seems to always be getting lost.

I didn't say "no" fast enough. (This message has been edited by Trevorum)

Rooster, I think silent reflection is an excellent exercise and I heartily recommend it. A minute of introspective silence is a good way to start (or end) the day, whether at home, work, or in school. However, I think a requirement to do this would be a bad idea. It would probably be a waste of time for most students - a few would make good use of the time, but most would probably sleep. Moreover, those who genuinely want to pray or meditate or self reflect probably already have better opportunities each morning than while sitting in homeroom.

COPE facilitator training, hands down. COPE is the most fun a Scouter can have, short of High Adventure!

Every situation is different. Not only the Scout and his abilities, but his parent(s), the other Scouts, the other parents, and the SM. In our troop, we have two young fellows with Downs. They are both having a great Scouting experience, including outdoor adventures, plenty of personal growth, and functional day-to-day interactions with their peers and other adults. I woun't be at all surprised if they both earn Eagle.

Concur with Calico. I'll never forget the SM conference I had with a young candidate for Star. Knowing he was an APL, I started the conference by us together reviewing the requirements. His face dropped when he read the list of acceptable leadership jobs. Knowing that he would now have to start the clock towards Star all over again, he paused and looked up at me and said, "I guess I didn't read the fine print..." Not set back at all, he earned his Eagle a few years later. I've wondered how that lesson may play out later in his life ...

I think the one thing that galls most layfolk is that lawyers apparently have this odd sense of ethics that is counterintuitive to most normal folks' idea of justice. As I understand it, the first obligation of an attorney is to his client and not to truth or to justice. A defense lawyer will pull every trick in the book to get his client to walk free, even if he knows for a fact that the scum is guilty. And at the same time, in pursuit of a "win", a prosecutor will ignore evidence that shows a defendant to be innocent. That said, I am sure there are probably lots of fine people out there who have passed the bar.

welcome back!

welcome back!

"Religions are just cults with more members."

One word: explosives.

I think it's sorta like in the military. Those who serve at the front are entitled to grumble about those in the rear echelon, especially when they wear medals that seldom make it to the front.

I took WFA last month and it was great. The simulations were extremely valuable and thoroughly enjoyable (and this from a guy who gets queasy watching hospital shows on TV). I hope I never need to use those skills, but now I am much more confidant that I will be able to respond appropriately when help is delayed.