Trevorum

A local nursing home has told one of our Asst SMs. that they have some potential service projects for our Scouts. For example, the gentlemen would enjoy a putting green. I know the residents would really appreciate this, but if the home is operated as a business (as most of these facilities seem to be) would the projects qualify for Eagle projects?

I must have a different edition. I don't see any OA sashes at all. I do see a MB sash below belt level on the Scout behind the Scoutmaster who's handng the Webelos his book ... hmmm ... say, why is the Scoutmaster doing that? Shouldn't it be a Scout who is handing the Webelos his book?

We were at an Eagle project together this morning. I mentioned the cookbook and asked if he'd be interested in submitting a recipe. He grinned and said, sure! So I'll give him your email. The guy is amazing, and he makes it look so easy!

Ed, In this argument you are using situational ethics and PETA is not. They are saying (if I have this right) that it is ALWAYS wrong to inflict pain on a creature and you are saying it is OK under some circumstances but not others. Now I don't have a horse in this race (err, so to speak) but this reminds me a lot of a discussion we had some time back about ethics in which several people flat-out refused to accept the notion of situational ethics.

welcome back from vacation!

Excellent question. In a troop, for boys who are pursuing merit badges, it is up to the counselor. I often see a six-month or so window of grace as acceptable to most counselors before a boy gets his blue card signed by the SM. So for example, for the Scholarship MB, he can generally use his grades and class participation for the spring semester if he gets his blue card signed during the summer. From my experience, the greatest numer of questions are regarding the nights spent camping for the camping MB. Most of the rank advancements requirements are written clearly enough to eliminate confusion. There are some requirements where the SM or ASM must set some time limit (eg. 1st Class: visit with an elected official). This should be a general policy known in advance by all scouts and not merely an ad hoc decision made just for Johnny.

fishsq, a nice analysis. I tend to agree. It is common for people to want to anthropomorphize animals. I once wrote to the PETA website and asked if they thought that owning pets was OK, as long as the animal was well cared for. They wrote back and corrected me, calling them "companion animals" and saying I didn't really 'own" the animal, but it was OK if they were well cared for. So then I wrote back and asked if it was OK if I fed my "companion" Ball Pythons live mice or should the mice be dead first. They said, somewhat huffily, that I shouldn't have reptiles as companion animals in the first place...

Ed, kidding aside, there are many, many atheists who recognize the good that Scouting does and who support it. They would join wholeheartedly if allowed.

Christine, In college, I distained ramen, much preferring peanut butter & tortillas. Seriously, we have a troop rule: no ramen! It is so easy to cook tasty things in the outdoors with a minimum of cleanup that there is no excuse for ramen except poor planning. (But, they will try if you let them!) Our adult "patrol" is lucky enough to have an amazing chef (by day, he is an accountant, go figure) who treats us to incredibly delicious meals. The scouts always see how well we eat, and they come back next time with new stuff as well. They made crepes for breakfast! Once each year we have an iron-chef competition. That's always fun!

Seriously, if I were a better artist, I'd love to contibute some comics to Boy's Life about Native American myth-heroes. I honestly think that's all they need, good content and good art. Of course, they'd have to rename the feature from "Bible Stories" to something along the lines of "Faith-based Stories". I think that more fellows would read the feature if it periodically told exotic tales about Coyote Trickster or Monster-Slayer.

Excellent advice. Like I tell some of my conservative friends: "Roe v Wade has been the law of the land since 1973, so GET OVER IT ALREADY!" (oops, there I go, wandering off topic again... I promise to do better.)

SA, that's a good point. Boy's Life seen as a seditious publication! I've never thought of this before, but I wonder if Saudi disallows the Old Testament? If so, how do they tell the sacred story of Abraham? The Quran does not retell that bit, so does Islam have another text that parallels the Old Testament? (oops, sorry OGE; I'm off topic again ...)

Just when I was feeling my oats, you rein me in. OK, no more of that bit - we are dun.

Always a favorite recipe among new scouts: Ramen.

rfwlcdr, (that's a mouthful - mind if I call you Bob?) Excellent advice for anyone! Go out at the top of your game!

Hay, quit horsing around or you'll be sorrel. You are out standing in your field, and I'll roan you my jokes anytime.

I always liked Pedro. He's a Democrat, ya know ...

So, if I have this right: The lives of vertebrates are more valuable than those of bugs or worms; mammal lives are more valuable that those of fish or reptiles; human lives are more valuable than those of dogs or horses; and of course MY life is more valuable than yours.

Yes, you (and Kahuma) have a valid point about giving the perception of bias. I am certain that the Boy's Life editors do not mean to promote any religion over another (after all, that would be in clear violation of BSA policy). And, I am equally certain that they would eagerly accept similar content from other faith traditions, if such were offered. Maybe there are simply more Judeo-Christian cartoonists out there?

Gern, I don't think these comic-book bible stories are "exploring the teachings" of Jews or Christians. They are simpling telling ancient stories. You're right that less common faiths are viewed with wide misunderstanding, but Boy's Life is not the place to "teach" any faith. A panel on Coyote or on Brahma would be appropriate, as long as they don't preach.

I'm not a Christian but I think "bible stories" are an important part of our shared cultural heritage. I view these stories as literature. Everyone should know the story of Noah, of Daniel, of Job, just as they should know the stories of Odysseus, of Lear, of Tom Sawyer. But Kahuna brings up an excellent point, why not add some spice to the mix by using Boy's Life as a venue to broaden our horizons? Why not some similar stories from the Islamic, Hindu or Buddhist traditions? BSA is certainly not trying to attempt religious instruction here, so there should be no objection to this excellent suggestion.

Ed, I suspect we probably agree on 97% of stuff - but that 3% makes for interesting conversations!

FScouter, Funny, I would have said that one of the biggest strengths of any organization are the 'free thinkers' who think outside the box, who bring their personal experiences and philosophies to bear in shaping the organization and its responses to new challenges. Of course, that's just my own view and I've often been called a trouble maker ...

No. It's still a valid method, though IMHO does not carry the weight it did decades ago. Scouting began in the height of the Victorian era when uniforms were all wrapped up with nationalism and "Dulce et decorum est ...". In the last several decades of the 20th Century, American society has to some extent moved away from the cachet that uniforms once had. That said, Kudu has valid points about the need for practical outdoor clothing - so why not combine the two (why were they ever separated??)

OakTree, It turns out that Pennsylvania also has 19 councils (tied with New York and Texas)! They are: Chester County, Bucks County, Juniata Valley, Bucktail, Columbia Montour, York Adams, Westmoreland Fayette, Keystone, Chief Cornplanter, Minsi Trails, Hawk Mountain, Penn's Woods, French Creek, Moraine Trails, Susquehanna, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Dutch, and Cradle of Liberty. Dave, the data base was compiled by fellow Scouting memorabilia collector Dave Hultberg. He has freely distributed the Excel file and is on Patch-L if you want to ask about the sources he used. I'll send you a copy (if anyone else would like a copy, please PM me). The copy I have is 2002 and has 2,265 councils listed!