Krampus

Leadership is not just about making a change. Leadership is about working things out among diverse groups. Leadership is NOT summarily changing something because the leader wants to. That's cowardice or dictatorship, that's not leadership.

I thought that TV program (tougher than a Boy Scout) was good. To bad they took it off the air. In this day and age of YouTube and social media, the fact BSA is not focusing on using those channels is telling.

Remember this in Texas? the cop knew they were wearing body armor and aimed high. Two head shots and no one else got hurt. He is a hero in Garland.

I'd rock at the UN. ....and from our father's father's father's father. I'll give you the pint. The Imperial pint has not shrunk in 1000 years, whereas American beer bottles have gone from 12 ozs to 11.2 ozs. Who would have thought beer could shrink?

Quite acceptable. You *did* bring us the Beatles, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, Monty Python, the Young Ones, Yes Minister, Downton Abbey, the Who and (proper) football. All is forgiven, Now simply speak the language correctly, convert to our measurement system and all will be good.

You can be in an Eagle mill and not be part of that process. Make sure your Scout really learns (and retains) his core skill knowledge during the trail to FC. After that, avoid the MB colleges, really earn your MBs, let him do things at his pace and be prepared for the fact he may stall in advancement. It's all okay. Be prepared that he may be 17 and two requirements away from that last MB to make Eagle and NOT MAKE EAGLE!!!! If YOU can handle all that, then your son will learn life lessons that will stay with him forever!!! Often it's the parents that cannot butt out. The kids have no problems.

I blame the English. Had they not oppressed us for all those decades back in the 18th Century, we would not feel the need to carry weapons. Clearly it's their fault.

@@qwazse, thanks for that. But the overall point was that the changes to the advancement were done as a retention measure, no? The increase in Eagles was a result (intended or unintended) of these changes, right? @@Eagledad, we assign a coordinator to help the Life Scouts. However, that person mostly advises them on how to dot their "i"s on the (adult driven) overly complicated paperwork.

ROFLMAO at the "hills" in the background there. It is flat, hot and near a swap.

Didn't the drive for Eagle start with the change in the trail to first class? Making the attainment of FC a one-year thing and allow concurrent work on T-FC? Wasn't that all done in an effort to retain members because they (BSA) thought that boys languishing at the lower ranks was a reason for their leaving Scouts? Looking back it seems BSA "dummed down" the requirements to allow kids to fast-track to Eagle. The result was more Eagle BUT you STILL see a year on year reduction of 3%-4%....more since 2013.

I'd like to see an unarmed "Bobby" in parts of Brooklyn, Harlem or DC.

This is why we carry in the back country. (some what grusome) http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000riiDdkWCu0w/s/650/520/bear-attack.jpg

For back country: A 12 gauge pump with a 18 ½ to 20 inch barrel, smooth-bored with an Improved Cylinder choke. For ammunition a full-bore slug like a Foster-style or a Brenneke.

Having advised our Instructors who run our first year scout program every year since 2009, I see the perfect bound books fail (backing) a bit more than the spiral.

New parents. They don't get boy-led or PM.

The irony was the guy who had the biggest issue with the cold temps was the one from the Great White North. Go figure.

We tell new parents it may take 18-24 months....your mileage may vary. When they ask if we will push the Scouts to get it done in 12, we say "no". I then add, "Our troop may not be for you if you expect us to."

Went camping this past weekend. Temps in the 20s and teens. PLC gave the scouts more than enough info to be prepared (e.g., layers, handwarmers, right gear, change clothes, warming hut, camp fires, etc.). Had to shut off the 45,000 BTU heater the adults brought more than once. Had two adults want to leave because it was getting "too cold". It's January...in west Texas. Did we expect St. Maarten? I'm that "bad guy" that forces adults to live under the same conditions as the boys. Sue me.

For me it is a bit simpler when to apply my situation ethics around firearms and Scouts: - Any Scouting event that is not in the back country = no fire arms and follow BSA rules. - In the back country, especially in Alaska or elsewhere where bear attacks are very likely, bring a side arm. LEO's, as allowed by law and where required, can carry at other Scouting events. Going to pinewood derby or a service project is no reason to carry your Glock just because you have a conceal-carry permit or are an off-duty LEO without a requirement to carry off duty.

You cannot find a large backyard in my area. Most houses have pools too. So the reason for the play room is to avoid possible dangers of tots and pools. Of course, they could do what we did and buy a house with the biggest yard we could find that did not have a pool. Took a while but we found one we liked in the school district we liked.

Maybe to get their opinion?

Note the date and time.

In another thread it was mentioned. The national statute that allows carrying for off duty was also brought up. The question raised was whether or not that federal statute allowed officers to carry on other scout events or superseded state law.

This cannot surprise you. They've been cowards along this whole discussion. I am not surprised. Not at all.