boomerscout

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference they deserve a place of honor with all that's good." George Washington First President of the United States --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

back in the olden days, there was less need to own a pistol. We kids all talked about making zip guns

what has changed: anonymous online sales of parts and ammo, realistic video games where you are actually trained to blast the opponent, lowering the age of adulthood to 18 (even the Romans - a very brutal society - knew better than that), ending the cheap, subsidized housing for the now homeless, lack of sufficient beginning job opportunities, a very permissive culture where if it feels good then you can do it, a lessening of patriotism in society at large unless "what's in it for me?", categorizing religion as an obsolete superstition, and (with mixed feelings) abortion

the firearm used at Newtown was legally registered, and owned by a probably sane person. The shooter stole it. I suspect most street crime guns are not registered to the person carying them As to Columbine, Aurora, VA Tech, if there had been proper militia citizens there, they would have been able to return fire. Those citizens closest to the shooter should have drawn immediately with pistol, mace or taser. The answer, then, is to start local militias as the 2nd Amendment requires. The National Guard is not the militia as they are under Federal control All mental illness? So, if I w

"what is the best time of year to start a new boy scout troop?" There's no time like the present. First, your initial core group needs to conduct a semi-formal interest survey as to the need for a troop. Contact current Cub parents, write letters to the editor soliciting responses, guest speak at the local Lions, Elks, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc. If enough interest is generated, then find a potential CO and start the paperwork for that. Get the initial SM and ASMs their initial training. Once that is done, spread the word you're accepting Scouts. Now is a real good time because yo

gov. agencies such as the Nat'l Science Foundation are independent of Congress. True that they get their funds out of the Congressional budget (as submitted by the Prez), but I'm unaware of any forbidden areas other than stem cell research. No matter how qualified, a researcher can't start researching just anything. His topic has to be approved by the funders such as NSF. If the proposal counters their beliefs, there is a good chance it won't be funded. Post research peer review may also quash results from seeing the light of day. I'm all for gun use research. For instance, how

not all carjackers have guns. Some just use knives or mean looks. Many get their guns by stealing them -- from stores, pawnshops, homes. There are even illegal gun rentals -- retirement businesses for disabled criminals. The recent uprising in Libya was started with hand weapons. Not saying that friends can't then come & help. If people can be smuggled in, shouldn't be too much harder to smuggle in weapons. I'm for banning online sales of gun parts, ammo, and accessories. Let the local dealer see your happy shining face as he asks you, just out of curiosity, why you

the Colt was long known as the Great Equalizer. It was about the only way a 140# man could defend himself against a 250# thug. Consider this scenario: two thugs are coming at you to rob you or worse. One carries a knife, the other an ax handle. You weigh 120#, and have had a year of karate. Do you really believe you will prevail? Many have mentioned keeping your guns secured at home. This means you won't have time to go get it during a home invasion, someone following you into your garage as you arrive home, or even during a carjacking with your kid in the back seat. In parall

"Yah, hmmm.... not sure why yeh would think background checks would be unconstitutional, boomerscout." because it is an infringement on the right to bear arms. If you don't like that, then change the Constitution. I like high capacity clips to be available -- the higher the better. They are harder to hide, weigh down the perp, and more frequently jam than the smaller clips

I think it is really simple - either society is better off with an armed citizenry or it isn't. If it is, why restrict - i.e. churches, schools, etc. If it isn't, why allow? "Yah, hmmm... So I'm confused here, acco40. Your position is that folks who have never taken handgun training nor concealed carry classes, who quite possibly have never passed a background check, should be allowed to carry guns into a crowded school? Because da virtue of an "armed citizenry" trumps everything else? " Didn't citizenry, back then, mean you were part of the local militia? Then you woul

If it has been determined several times that viewing pornography may cause men to treat women not so well, then we need an equal amount of research into video games that promote blasting away at the opponents. This research needs to be neutral instead of by someone with a stake in the video game industry We also need a lot more research into treating mental illness, into accepting the emotionally disabled instead of ostracizing them. What is needed soonest is studying the effects of the drugs currently used as to side effects, and what happens to the mind when those drugs are no longer ta

"Da notion that some armed teacher with $30 worth of training a few years ago is goin' to safely and responsibly take out their Glock and shoot the student perp in da midst of an unexpected crowded melee is just nuts. It's Hollywood fantasyland" We were told -- several times -- that if you didn't practice regularly (min twice a month), you were just wasting your time with the instruction. What was interesting was when we were on the range, the female shooting club from one of the larger factories in the area showed up for their weekly shoot. If a female student is coming at you with a

Firearms shooting is not the only hobby that causes an expense to the public at large. Rock climbers not reporting back in cause large numbers of S&R people to go out and look, thereby using up taxpayer dollars in wages and equip wear. Much the same can be said when crowded pleasure boats out on the water start to sink, sports cars crash into crowds of pedestrians at a street market, race cars flip over the fence into the stands, private planes crash into houses, people at rock concerts get crushed in the riots, food at picnics poisons many... This is going to be unpopular, but whi

Every Scout should know how to sew. When far from home, there may be a need to replace a missing button, stop a small tear from going on a rip, patching a hole in the fabric, re-attaching a pack strap.. We have merit badges for woodworking, metalworking, welding, etc, but none for sewing. Probably not macho enough for an identity questioning age group. There were several make-it books in the 1970s such as "Light Weight Camping Equipment and How to Make It" by Gerry Cunningham. http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html is an old site. The gear projects are listed on the left. I've

Instead of becoming dismayed by the total cost of the changeover, a more gradual approach may grease the skids. Have your senior patrol be the first to change over to backpacking mode, and use them as the beta testers -- determine what works and what doesn't. How does the troop feel about making their own backpacking gear? I am thinking of Henry Shires tarp tent as one example. If interested I will post a couple of construction sites

anyone seen one of these? tried it? http://www.treeztreetents.com

If a parent can backhand their child for back talk, why shouldn't I, a "reasonable person" be able to do the same to the same child? Sounds good to me. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child

Not sure where you got the age 14 requirement. Even for Philmont you can be minimum 13 So, how did the Second Class five mile hike go? That should be some indication Since the 50 miler is not all in one day (???), this should be doable by your son. Does it still get cold in Michigan? Starting in January, earn the swimming mb at the YMCA, and start work on the fitness mb. About late March start on the hiking mb. Meanwhile, he can repeat the fitness routine for tenderfoot. No more elevators; take the stairs. Trips to the store of less than two miles should always be by walking. Wal

If I'm on a weekend by myself or with one other, we don't cook. Cold foods all the way so we can spend more time hiking, canoeing, nature study On the way home - restaurants all the way

No one has much experience with the volcano/wood-fuel type stoves. Why? " probably because burning wood is many places prohibited even if wood is available. As to filtering water, we stick a paper coffee filter into the toe portion of a (cleaned) nylon stocking and pour the water thru that. Water still needs to be treated afterwards If this trip is to be the trip of a lifetime, you need to ease into it with plenty of ten to 15 mile weekend hike and camps. Do this every month, and the gear requirements will sort themselves out. How is your unit with fundraising? The troop could bu

No one has much experience with the volcano/wood-fuel type stoves. Why? " probably because burning wood is many places prohibited even if wood is available. As to filtering water, we stick a paper coffee filter into the toe portion of a (cleaned) nylon stocking and pour the water thru that. Water still needs to be treated afterwards If this trip is to be the trip of a lifetime, you need to ease into it with plenty of ten to 15 mile weekend hike and camps. Do this every month, and the gear requirements will sort themselves out. How is your unit with fundraising? The troop could bu

Meaningful happens in the pre-sale planning when you explain, in detail, what the raised funds will be used for -- to the dollar. It may help to have pictures, posters, a guest speaker or two, and the loan rock from the Tooth on display. I guess you could incorporate the popcorn into a troop merit badge program (gag!) for salesmanship, public speaking

Meaningful happens in the pre-sale planning when you explain, in detail, what the raised funds will be used for -- to the dollar. It may help to have pictures, posters, a guest speaker or two, and the loan rock from the Tooth on display. I guess you could incorporate the popcorn into a troop merit badge program (gag!) for salesmanship, public speaking

"who touts himself as a huge program guy" But, you didn't ask which program. Scouting is outing? White Stag leadership? Million dollar popcorn sales? Summer camp not really necessary? First class in six months? Some very casual coffee nights are needed to find out what program(s) he wants to implement/improve

We feel a lot less guilty with selling camp cards and two for one pizza cards