Trevorum

As a counselor, my favorite MB is naturally the one for which I have a professional passion - Archeology. I was very happy when it was finally approved by National. Like LisaBob, I'm also registered to counsel for American Cultures but I've never had the opportunity. Don't know that I have a least favorite. Maybe Scholarship - that one always seems to be a mere ex post facto signoff. I suppose I should be more demanding on that one. My lovely bride does Horsemanship. She's very good at that.

A common uniforming myth claims that JSPs must be removed from the uniform after the event. Remember that legitimately issued council shoulder patches do not expire, including those issued for participation in a jamboree contingent. So called "JSPs" are merely special activity CSPs - like Philmont CSPs - and may remain on the uniform for as long as the Scout or Scouter desires (unlike the jamboree troop numerals, which must be removed after the jamboree).

Craig has said that he is not homosexual. I wonder if that statement is just politics or if he really believes it. Seriously. Maybe he genuinely thinks that he is straight but, being a weak mortal, he is occasionally overwhelmed by satanic urges. Not that it makes any difference - either way, he's still a hypocrite.

What about a hypothetical case where advancement requirements are discovered - after award of the Eagle - to have been falsified? Say the Scout forged a blue card for the Swimming MB and then lied to his SM and the EBoR. Can the award be retroactively revoked? (This message has been edited by Trevorum)

I notice that Rooster's account is closed and his 2000 posts have been reset to zero. Guess he's not lurking. Too bad, he was so entertaining!

Brent, It may be hard for you to understand, but sexual "perversion" is always in the eye of the beholder (voyeur?). That is to say, it is always relative to a cultural context. What is a perversion in one culture may be the norm in another. There was a time and a place when all non-missionary positions were perversions, even between married couples. There are even cultures where sex between men and women of the same generation is considered perverted. In our culture there is a diversity of sexual behaviors which are widely accepted as healthy and fun by many people while being considered perversions by others. As long as it's consensual (and between adults), I say to each his own.

I wouldn't think to use this incident as a SM minute. Too tawdry. But, if I did, the point would be something along the lines of "Know thyself".

oooh, Merlyn, that sounds like a dare to me!

GaHillBilly, welcome to the forums! I've never been much of a water person, and this is the first time I've ever had my inability to float validated by an expert swimmer such as yourself. Thank you! I still remember the trauma of my swim test at summer camp when I was a youth. I'd take a FULL lungful of air, attempt to rest on my back, and sink straight to the bottom. I was convinced it was something I was doing wrong - turns out I just had no body fat. It took me three years to earn my swimmer badge at summer camp (how embarrassing was that!)

I usually have to force myself to go to our roundtables. Our RT guy is a good fellow but he's been doing it for too long I think. I'm not fond of being talked at. I'd rather have an activity (just like troop meetings!) to learn a new skill. Why couldn't we all do the Tenderfoot fitness requirements (except for the run), use various backpacking stoves to see which was fastest at boiling water, or have a lashing contest? I've notice the most popular RTs (and troop meetings, too) seem to involve food somehow. We made ice cream once -that was great! And, we should have a cobbler contest at least once a year! I also enjoy the spontaneous discussions that arise when someone has an issue in their troop and they bring it forward to the group. btw, welcome to the forums!

I'm not too familiar with AHG, so perhaps someone can explain this to me. How does "diversity" apply to an organization that restricts membership to Christians and explicitly excludes Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Wiccans, and Mormons? That membership requirement seems to promote uniformity, not diversity.

I guess I have a different take on this. I don't know what is legal or illegal in Minneapolis. However, that's not what LongHaul asked. He asked, "What did he do wrong,?" In my view what Craig did that is immoral ("wrong") was to habitually lie to himself, habitually lie to his family and to his constituency, and repeatedly abuse his position of power in an attempt to obscure and/or excuse his deep secret.(This message has been edited by Trevorum)

CA_Scouter, When I lived in CA, once a year we'd make the pilgrimage up to Castroville for the artichokes (almost a religious experience!) ahhhh!

Welcome to our forums, Slouchhat. We look forward to your international perspective! What part of Deutchland?

Here in Austin, this is the week of Green Chile Festival!

Reminds me of my dad teaching me about craftsmanship. One of the examples he used were the stonecutters who worked on the gargoyles on medieval cathedrals. Hundreds of feet in the air, these amazing sculptures are finely detailed including on their backs where no one would ever see them. Except, of course, for the craftsman and his God ...

Ed, Good catch. I meant Eagle Boards, not Courts.

Riki, OK, I see now, Yes. Regarding the religious issue, I'm very sorry to learn that there are Eagle Courts that are not following BSA policy. I invite you to spin a new thread on this topic if you wish. I know of no religion or faith system that would, on it's own, bar a candidate from Eagle. At least in my council.

Rikki (by the way, welcome to the forums!) I don't know what beef you have with professional Scouters. Perhaps you can tell us your story and give us some perspective on your experience. It's hard to respond to a contextlesss rant. Regarding your statement on religion: "BSA does not define what constitutes belief in God or the practice of religion" (BSA policy statement, 6/2000) 'Nuff said.

Why don't you suggest that he staff at Laguna Station? It's an aquatic camp from A to Z!

Rikki, BSA does NOT "demand a religious affiliation of all participants." You have been misinformed. Many Scouts and Scouters are not affiliated with any religion, but seek spirituality on their own path.

My advice is to consult with your district (or council) Eagle advancement chair. From what I can tell, interpretation of this matter varies widely between councils. I have never heard of requiring a boy to write a statement about his religious beliefs; that sounds like adding to the requirements to me, but this would not be the time to rock that boat if it has been your council's practice. In my council, the several types of personal references on the form(education, religious, employment) are interpreted to be suggestions, not rigid categories. If a candidate does not have a religious leader, he can list any other person who can vouch for his character and qualifications to become an Eagle. The important thing (in our council) is to have five references listed.

Gosh, I don't know Gunny. I've never counted; maybe 3 a month on average I guess. I do find reading a lot more enjoyable than many other popular activities, like watching TV, playing golf, or - heaven forbid - watching golf on TV. Never could figure that one out. I've just started The God Delusion by Dawkins. Just finished Red Lightning by Varley and before that Homeward Bound by Turtledove and a Joe Haldeman anthology before that. Also a MB counselor for Reading. Never a very popular MB, unfortunately.

S3, I hear your pain. I also work outdoors (more so when I was younger!) and I know PI and PO by sight. By instinct almost. But not - it turns out - below ground. Years ago, I was working on a site in California. The surface had been stripped of vegetation and I did not recognize the many PO roots we were working through. Go figure - roots are just as toxic as leaves and stems!! That was one itchy winter ...

make sure your wormhole transducer is set for "intra-galactic".