OldGreyEagle

Before WE get all indignant about OUR treatment, would Mr Wheeler please explain the meaning of the term "Palios Xristos"? and the emotion you were expressing when it was used?

A tactic I have seen with good results would be to find out the date the scout joined the troop and then do some research as to the top news stories of the day, which sports team was hot, which movie was number one, which singer had the number one song. It generally take 4-5 years or so to earn Eagle and kids have a way of thinking what was 3 years ago is sooooo old. It might be refreshing to bring back the environment the scout started off in scouting in. What were the top rated shows, who were rookies of the year in sports the scout follows. You can fill quite a bit of time, be very interesting and you dont have to say much about the scout except the dates he joined, made first class, etc and tie in the world events.

Pounder, I dont know if this will make you feel better, but I have not seen much malignment of Vietnam Veterans, could just be the circles I run in. A long time ago I heard the term "class of 45" or perhaps it was 46 versus "class of 69", always thought it was quite accurate. Perhaps someone with experience could expound on it

Every once in awhile things intended to be funny and lighthearted touch a nerve and before you know it, things get said and done that people didnt intend to occur. I know this quote thing was meant as a subtle dig at a poster, but to continue the current direction would seem to mean we as scouters are not as tolerant of other's beliefs as perhaps we should be. Perhaps we should take a deep breath and step away from the quote search engines and find other ways to bedevil each other

Venturing started August 1, 1998 so maybe its a reach but it could happen, then again, she could have been a member of a tradiitonal Explorer Post, they have had females since 1971. Anyway, I wish her and her staff well

She was a Venture Crew Member?

"We live in the best of all possible worlds" Voltaire, Candide

::puffing out chest as much as possible:: Why, back in my day you couldn't earn a merit badge until you were First Class. I know I earned 21 (cause I am an Eagle) and at this point, most of my merit badge memories are a blur. I do remember redoing the nature merit badge (Eagle required at the time)and being told that having to redo it only once was rare with THAT counselor. I remember doing the Corn Farming meritbadge (had to grow 3 kinds of corn, I did Sweet, Indian, and Feed, my mother varnished the Indian corn ears and had them for over 30 years, pulled them out every year at Thanksgiving) Due to limited family resources my merit badge selection was limited to the merit badge books at the local libary, which explains the Corn Farming one.

http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/what_is_scout.htm From the First Edition of Handbook For Boys. Copyright 1911, Boys Scouts of America A Glimpse of the Life of the Boy Who "Belongs" A SCOUT! He enjoys a hike through the woods more than he does a walk over the city's streets. He can tell North or South or East or West by the "signs." He can tie a knot that will hold, he can climb a tree which seems impossible to others, he can swim a river, he can pitch a tent, he can mend a tear in his trousers, he can tell you which fruits and seeds are poisonous and which are not, he can sight nut-bearing trees from a distance; he can reef a sail or take his trick at the wheel, and can pull an oar or use paddles and sculls; he knows the stars by name and can find his way by them; he can identify birds and animals and fish and knows the ways and habitat of each. A Scout walks through the woods with silent tread. No dry twigs snap under his feet and no loose stones turn over and throw him off his balance. His eyes are keen and he sees many things that others do not see. He sees tracks and signs which reveal to him the nature and habits of the creatures that made them. He knows how to stalk birds and animals and study them in their natural haunts. He sees much, but is little seen. A Scout, like an old frontiersman, does not shout his wisdom from the housetops. He possesses the quiet power that comes from knowledge. He speaks softly and answers questions modestly. He knows a braggart but he does not challenge him, allowing the boaster to expose his ignorance by his own loose-wagging tongue. A Scout holds his honor to be his most precious possession, and he would die rather than have it stained. He knows what is his duty and all obligations imposed by duty he fulfills of his own free will. His sense of honor is his only taskmaster, and his honor he guards as jealously as did the knights of old. In this manner a Scout wins the confidence and respect of all people. A Scout can kindle a fire in the forest on the wettest day and he seldom uses more than one match. When no matches can be had he can still have a fire, for he knows the secret of the rubbing sticks used by the Indians, and he knows how to start a blaze with only his knife blade and a piece of flint. He knows also the danger of forest fires, and he kindles a blaze that will not spread. The fire once started, what a meal there in the open! Just watch him and compare his appetite with that of a boy who lounges at a lunch counter in a crowded city. He knows the unwritten rules of the campfire and he contributes his share to the pleasures of the council. He also knows when to sit silent before the ruddy embers and give his mind free play. A Scout practices self-control, for he knows that men who master problems in the world must first master themselves. He keeps a close guard on his temper and never makes a silly spectacle of himself by losing his head. He keeps a close guard on his tongue, for he knows that loud speech is often a cloak to ignorance, that swearing is a sign of weakness, and that untruth shatters the confidence of others. He keeps a close guard on his appetite and eats moderately of food which will make him strong; he never uses alcoholic liquors because he does not wish to poison his body; he desires a clear, active brain, so he avoids tobacco. A Scout never flinches in the face of danger, for he knows that at such a time every faculty must be alert to preserve his safety and that of others. He knows what to do in case of fire, or panic, or shipwreck; he trains his mind to direct and his body to act. In all emergencies he sets an example of resourcefulness, coolness, and courage, and considers the safety of others before that of himself. He is especially considerate of the helpless and weak. A Scout can make himself known to a brother Scout wherever he may be by a method which only Scouts can know. He has brothers in every city in the land and in every country in the world. Wherever he goes he can give his signs and be assured of a friendly welcome. He can talk with a brother Scout without making a sound or he can make known his message by imitating the click of a telegraph key. A Scout is kind to everything that lives. He knows that horses, dogs, and cats have their rights and he respects them. A Scout prides himself upon doing "good turns, " and no day in his life is complete unless he has been of aid to some person. A Scout does not run away or call for help when an accident occurs. If a person is cut he knows how to stop the flow of blood and gently and carefully bind up the wound. If a person is burned his knowledge tells him how to alleviate the suffering. If anyone is dragged from the water unconscious, a Scout at once sets to work to restore respiration and circulation. He knows that not a minute can be lost. A Scout knows that people expect more of him than they do of other boys and he governs his conduct so that no word of reproach can truthfully be brought against the great brotherhood to which he has pledged his loyalty. He seeks always to make the word "Scout" worthy of the respect of people whose opinions have value. He wears his uniform worthily. A Scout knows his city as well as he knows the trails in the forest. He can guide a stranger wherever he desires to go, and this knowledge of short-cuts saves him many needless steps. He knows where the police stations are located, where the fire-alarm boxes are placed, where the nearest doctor lives, where the hospitals are, and which is the quickest way to reach them. He knows the names of the city officials and the nature of their duties. A Scout is proud of his city and freely offers his services when he can help. A Scout is a patriot and is always ready to serve his country at a minute's notice. He loves Old Glory and knows the proper forms of offering it respect. He never permits its folds to touch the ground. He knows how his country is governed and who are the men in high authority. He desires a strong body, an alert mind, and an unconquerable spirit, so that he may serve his country in any need. He patterns his life after those of great Americans who have had a high sense of duty and who have served the nation well. A Scout chooses as his motto "Be Prepared," and he seeks to prepare himself for anything--to rescue a companion, to ford a stream, to gather firewood, to help strangers, to distinguish right from wrong, to serve his fellow men, his country, and his God--always to "Be Prepared". If this looks familiar, it should, I posted two years ago. I realize Mission Statments and Vision Statements are recent buzz words, this is what a scout was supposed to be in 1911, Cant wait to see where this leads us, Note to self:: You have to get a life! BTW Ed, I didn't mean to ignore your question, being called a Yahoo is rarely meant as a complement, although I guess it could be used as a friendly insult, as in in "hey Ed, you ornery old cuss" would not be derogatory if spoken by the "right" person in the right manner. As for its intent here, I would consider the source and go from there. (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

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Personally I thought the term "Young People" in the Boy Scout Mission statement was choosen because females (Gasp) are in Venturing Crews, Explorer Posts, and the Learning for Life Program which are all part of the BSA(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

http://www.scouting.org/legal/mission.html the BSA website? and who is "We"?(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

To be precise, the term Yahoo, (not a computer term) was used in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. Most people are familiar with the part with the Liliputians, but there ia also a section where Gulliver is the little "person" and of course the section where he meets up with a master race called "Houyhnhnm", these are horse like creatures, also in this land are Yahoos, these are creatures that bear a remarkable resemblance to humans.(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Marty, Marty, Marty, Wheeler double dared me to post the original charter, I was waiting for the traditional double dog dare before I was going to accomodate him. Now the universal flow of the ether is upset because you jumped my double dare. As a side note, you had the same site I would have used. Gee, imagine a scouting site with the original charter right out there for anyone to read, not secreted away, not hidden, in the open. I did develop a new mantra over the weekend God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change The courage to change those that I can And the wisdom to know the difference

Well, perhaps use of terms like "terrorist" and "terrorist organization" will finally rid our political rhetoric of accusations that a group is using Gestapo tactics or that some one is a Nazi when all they are guilty of is having an opinion different from the accuser

"Thats what you say" Ascribed to Marty Doyle

Mission Statement The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Scout Oath On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Scout Law A Scout is: Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent Vision Statement The Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. In the future Scouting will continue to Offer young people responsible fun and adventure; Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law; Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership; Serve America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program. FOG, you have proved to be a fairly good proof reader in the past, where is the part that refers to the black helicopters? BTW, this excercise is open to anyone, of course...

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For those who question my virture or lack thereof, check out the following threads Now What Do we do Pregnant Leader Left-handed smoke shifter BTW as a side note, I do not lead boys, I serve a boy lead troop, there are no adult leaders (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

"He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak." -Michel de Montaigne "Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead." -Scottish Proverb "...happiness is the highest good, being a realization and perfect practice of virtue, which some can attain, while others have little or none of it..." -Aristotle "I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art." -Kahlil Gibran, The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." -Socrates "Philosophy is a study that lets us be unhappy more intelligently." -Anon. "The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water." -John W. Gardner Every man's life lies within the present; for the past is spent and done with, and the future is uncertain. Marcus Aurelius

I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world. Socrates As empty vessels make the loudest sound, so they that have least with are the greatest babblers. Plato I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other earthly combat. Plato

Liars when they speak the truth are not believed. Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC Pleasure is the beginning and the end of living happily. Epicurus There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers. William James What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows. Epictetus Leisure is the mother of philosophy. Thomas Hobbes This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. Dalai Lama The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith

There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish. Euripides (484 BC - 406 BC), The Bacchae, circa 407 B.C. How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct. Benjamin Disraeli Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do. Dale Carnegie Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship. Zeuxis (~400 BC), from Pliny the Elder

How about a Star Trek Theme, each Branch, Cub, Boy Scout, Venture, Varsity (if they exist) Explorer Post participant al get name tags in the Star Trek communicator shape color coded to the program area. Or at least color code them. Each secion has a space theme