BrentAllen

If this California woman is the same one I'm reading about in the news: The mother is married. She took fertility treatments, but did not plan on having 8 children. The woman's husband will soon be returning to Iraq to serve. With the sad state of the press, I'm not sure what to believe when I read the papers these days.

packsaddle, If your 1040 book is the same as mine, turn to page A-7, middle column. "Contributions can be in cash, property, or out-of-pocket expenses you paid to do volunteer work for the kinds of organizations described earlier." Boy Scouts happenes to be one of them. Instructions for amending returns is found on page 82; you need form 1040X. :-) See, if you took WB 21 Century, you would have known about the tax deductions. We cover that in the MBA section of the course. [the last comment was a joke, primarily for Kudu]

"The history of appointees for all major positions is full of this. It is not a Republic, Democrat, Liberal or Conservative problem." Melg, You may be correct, but wasn't this supposed to stop with this new administration? You know, change you can believe in? Now we have appointees with tax problems, and lobbyist being appointed to cabinet and other positions. "I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over," Obama said in November 2007 in Des Moines, Iowa. "I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president." Hello Daschle and Lynn!

There was bipartisanship on this bill - bipartisan opposition. Republicans didn't like the $335 million for STD prevention (how does that create jobs?) or that stimulus checks can go to illegals. I'm glad my representative voted against it.

pack, I believe they are now refered to as "Naval Aviators." Didn't you see Top Gun? :-)

I used to do the egg carton thing, but during last summer's WB course, one of the patrols made them out of newspaper. Cut the newspaper however wide you want it - around 2" seems to work well. I used a thickness of 6 sheets, and rolled it up very tight and tie with a string. They end up being between the size of a cigarette and a cigar. Dip them in parafin/wax (using a double boiler, of course). They are a lot easier to carry than the egg cartons, and more durable when packing. Cotton balls and vaseline is still hard to beat. They can be ignited with the flint & steel, and they can burn for a couple of minutes.

Gern, Thanks for making my point so clearly. Stephanopolous is a middle of the road guy, eh?. What a joke! Have you forgotten that Georgie Boy worked on the Michael Dukakis campaign and later became House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt's floor man? He was a leading member of Clinton's 1992 campaign, and later served as Clinton's Senior Advisor on Policy and Strategy. How ABC could hire him as an objective reporter is simply mind boggling!

OK, Inspector Beavah, debunk the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4FqVRWgrNw&eurl=http://blog.barofintegrity.us/2008/11/01/barack-nate-dhalani.aspx?ref=rss And just for kicks and grins, how about this interview? A radio interview with Kenyan Ambassador Peter N.R.O. Ogego: Clark: "We want to congratulate you on Barack Obama, our new president, and you must be very proud." Ogego: "We are. We are. We are also proud of the U.S. for having made history as well." Fellhauer: "One more quick question, President-elect Obama's birthplace over in Kenya, is that going to be a national spot to go visit, where he was born?" Ogego: "It's already an attraction. His paternal grandmother is still alive." Fellhauer: "His birthplace, they'll put up a marker there?" Ogego: "It would depend on the government. It's already well known." Things that make you go hmmmmmm... :-)

OGE, I believe that was Hillary who said that. Beavah, What are you smoking? Did you not see Pelosi and Reid writing the bailout bill, and twisting arms to get it done? Did you not see Obama vote for it?? Rush was firmly against it, as was Dave Ramsey. Maybe you should actually listen to Rush sometime. You could join the 20+ million listeners who I guess are in bad need of comedy.

SR540Beaver, Hannity is ever bit as objective as, say, Stephanopoulos over at ABC. Or do you feel he is an objective news reporter? Ali Wentworth (wife of ABC News' George Stephanopoulos) on "Oprah": We watched everything and George was still doing all the anchoring for ABC and as soon Beyonce said "At Last..." George called me at home and he went, "Honey?" and I said "I know!" and we both started crying.

I don't buy into this theory either, but a big part of what is driving it is one of Obama's relatives claims he was born in Kenya, and that she was at the hospital when it happened. Why she would claim that is anybody's guess, but that is what started it all - one of his own relatives, not some "conspiracy theory wingnut."

Well, Rush is succeeding in his mission - getting more people to listen to him - by being provocative. Pulling a Paul Harvey, and the rest of the story - Rush said he wants Obama to fail with his liberal policies, that we don't need more liberalism. If you think this is any different than Democrats hoping conservative policies fail, you should go into the Making Mountains Out Of Molehills business. But don't take my word for it, look at what he actually said. BEGIN TRANSCRIPT RUSH: I got a request here from a major American print publication. "Dear Rush: For the Obama [immaculate] Inauguration we are asking a handful of very prominent politicians, statesmen, scholars, businessmen, commentators, and economists to write 400 words on their hope for the Obama presidency. We would love to include you. If you could send us 400 words on your hope for the Obama presidency, we need it by Monday night, that would be ideal." Now, we're caught in this trap again. The premise is, what is your "hope." My hope, and please understand me when I say this. I disagree fervently with the people on our side of the aisle who have caved and who say, "Well, I hope he succeeds. We've got to give him a chance." Why? They didn't give Bush a chance in 2000. Before he was inaugurated the search-and-destroy mission had begun. I'm not talking about search-and-destroy, but I've been listening to Barack Obama for a year-and-a-half. I know what his politics are. I know what his plans are, as he has stated them. I don't want them to succeed. If I wanted Obama to succeed, I'd be happy the Republicans have laid down. And I would be encouraging Republicans to lay down and support him. Look, what he's talking about is the absorption of as much of the private sector by the US government as possible, from the banking business, to the mortgage industry, the automobile business, to health care. I do not want the government in charge of all of these things. I don't want this to work. So I'm thinking of replying to the guy, "Okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails." (interruption) What are you laughing at? See, here's the point. Everybody thinks it's outrageous to say. Look, even my staff, "Oh, you can't do that." Why not? Why is it any different, what's new, what is unfair about my saying I hope liberalism fails? Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what's gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here. Why do I want more of it? I don't care what the Drive-By story is. I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: "Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails." Somebody's gotta say it.

I think I got it - Teresa Heinz! She was born in Mozambique. Am I right?

Gern, From the AP: "The National Archives says George Washington added the words "so help me God" when he took the oath at his 1789 inaugural, and most presidents have used it since. However, some have argued that the first eyewitness account of a president using those words came at President Chester Arthur's inauguration in 1881. Obama already has told Roberts he wants to use the words "so help me God" when he takes the oath." My guess is Roberts saw no harm in following the long-standing precedent. What I find more interesting is the mistake Obama made about being the 44th person to take the oath. I thought this guy was a genius. 57 states? Maybe math and numbers just aren't his thing.

I guess it is wrong to point out any mistakes made by a certain person, but for what it's worth... More AP reporting: WASHINGTON (AP Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Barack Obama as president Tuesday in the first of what could be many important interactions for the two men of differing politics who rose quickly to power. The encounter was briefly awkward after Obama stepped on Roberts' opening lines from the 35-word constitutionally prescribed oath of office. The chief justice wandered into a verbal detour of his own. Of other interest... "Obama was one of 22 Senate Democrats to vote against Roberts' confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2005 the first time a Supreme Court justice has sworn in a president who voted against him."

I guess our southern television stations show different programming. I thought it was Obama who flubbed the oath, and Roberts helped him through it. From the AP: Separated by a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inaugural, Roberts asked Obama: "Are you prepared to take the oath senator?" Obama indicated he was, and Roberts started reciting -- and Obama repeating -- the 35-word oath that is prescribed by the Constitution. But at one point early on, Obama paused, as if grasping for the next words. Roberts helped him over the brief awkward moment, repeating a few words to get Obama back on track. He was then the first to congratulate Obama on his new job.

From Nielsen, Jan. 15, 2009 (the latest numbers available) 8PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64) **Pres Farewell Address (8PM-815PM) 4,855,000 viewers (1,205,000) (1,975,000) **The OReilly Factor (815PM-9PM)4,241,000 viewers (987,000) (1,748,000) Campbell Brown1,852,000 viewers (744,000) (948,000) **SP RPT/Live Coverage (8PM-815PM) 1,654,000 viewers (652,000) (859,000) **Countdown w/Keith Olbermann (815-9PM) 1,856,000 viewers (722,000) (997,000) Nancy Grace 1,295,000 viewers (525,000) (767,000) 9 PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64) Hannity2,608,000 viewers (647,000) (1,122,000) Larry King Live1,825,000 viewers (578,000) (793,000) Rachel Maddow Show 1,344,000 viewers (527,000) (756,000) Untold Wealth: Super Rich 321,000 viewers (129,000) (159,000) Lou Dobbs- 544,000 viewers (277,000) (348,000)

Hes the last of the Ducote Eagle Eight, a lineage that began two decades ago. Jeff Ducote, an 18-year-old senior at Marist School, was officially recognized Saturday as an Eagle Scout, following in the footsteps of brothers Rich, Brian, Gary, Justin, Greg, Mark and Brent. He looked up to his older brothers and knew he had to get it done, said Mark Ducote, now a student at Georgia Tech. The Ducotes all earned Scoutings highest rank while at Troop 434 at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody. Their father, Richard Ducote, helped start the troop in 1986, then quickly handed off to Jerry Travers, who remains Scoutmaster today. With so many boys, we just wanted to keep them focused and on the right path, the father said. They learn to be leaders at a very young age. Richard and Teresa Ducotes two oldest sons, Rich and Brian, were among the troops first five Scouts and reached the organizations highest rung after four years. Their siblings followed, earning their Eagles in 1994, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005 and this year. Thats where it ends. The Sandy Springs familys ninth child is a girl, Katelyn. Eight Eagle Scout brothers at one troop requires a confluence of rare circumstances. The family has to be large, and nearly all its offspring male, and they have to stay put for a long time. Each brother has to buy into Scoutings tenets, which havent changed in 100 years to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Theres always been a Ducote in front of our troop, said Assistant Scoutmaster Andrew Torgrimson during the ceremony, conducted in front of a fireplace blaze at the churchs lodge-like Scout hut. We cant tell the history of Troop 434 without talking about the Ducotes. During the ceremony, Travers recounted Jeff Ducotes trail to the Eagle a hike, a rafting trip, a knot-tying screw-up. Candles were lit for each value important to scouts. Richard Ducote put the blue Eagle Scout kerchief around his sons neck. His mother pinned him with a medal. A card from the White House was read. Jeff Ducote hopes to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., like three of his brothers. Scouting gave me an experience Ill never forget, he said as the ceremony drew to a close. It helped me grow from a boy to a young man. Jeff got a good laugh from the attendees during his acceptance speech, apologizing for taking up so much time in thanking his parents and each family member individually. At a reception was held in the Knights of Columbus Hall at All Saints, Grand Knight Lou Hlad presented the Ducotes with a Family of the Year certificate in recognition of their untiring support of Scouting, the military, and their community by virtue of the Christian family values instilled in their nine wonderful children. During the reception, Jeff and his brothers signed two Ducote Eagle Eight troop flags, presenting one to their mother, and the other to Travers. Several other Troop 434 Eagle recipients attended, including Sean Horigan, Patrick Bentley, Patrick Horigan, Craig Yarbrough, Chris Pruner, Michael Buckley and Jon Schweiger. Along with Travers, The Court of Honor was presented by former Troop 434 Assistant Scoutmasters Andrew Torgrimson, Greg McCabe and Mike Yarbrough. Current members of Troop 434, including Assistant Scoutmaster Ed Cerbone, along with Senior Patrol Leader Joshua Montgomery, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Christopher Travers led the Scout Oath and Scout Law. It was a poignant moment as the Ducote family stood, saluted smartly and recited the Oath and Law in unison. In addition to the Eagle Award and certificate Jeff received several letters of congratulations, including a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, an acknowledgement letter sent by U.S. Rep. Tom Price, and a resolution written by state Sen. Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody). Congratulations were also received from President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer also acknowledged the occasion. A letter from city of Dunwoody Councilman Danny Ross read in part: we only have to look to your own family to find fine leaders who earned the right to be an Eagle Scout. You have to be extremely proud to have met both the challenges of scouting and the high standard of excellence established by your seven older brothers. You have brought honor to yourself, your family and to All Saints Troop 434. You and your family is what makes our country great and will make our new city of Dunwoody great. The Ducote Eagle Eight have carried the principles they learned in scouting far beyond the humble confines of Troop 434s Scout Hut. Here is a brief snapshot of the Ducote family: Rich Ducote, 34, graduated from Marist in 1993 and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1997. He served for nine years in the United States Army and received several awards, including the Bronze Star with V for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4), Combat Infantrymans Badge, Ranger, Airborne, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Brian Ducote, 32, graduated from Marist in 1995, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1999. Brian is on active duty and serves as a major in the United States Army. Brian is the recipient of the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, MacArthur Leadership Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (2), Combat Infantrymans Badge, Expert Infantrymans Badge, Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon. Gary Ducote, 29, graduated from Marist in 1997, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2001. Gary served for six years in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Captain. He has received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal, Ranger, Airborne, Combat Action Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Medal. Gary Ducote led his unit as co-grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade. Justin Ducote, 26, graduated from Marist in 2001 and Auburn University in 2005. He is on active duty as 1st Lieutenant in the Alabama National Guard. Justin has received the Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Medal. Greg Ducote, 24, graduated from Marist in 2003 and the University of Georgia in 2007. He is the athletic director for the YMCA in Athens. During the summer, Greg assumes responsibilities as the program director for the Athens Y Camp in Tallulah Falls where he has worked for seven years. Mark Ducote, 22, graduated from Marist in 2005 and attends Georgia Tech. He is scheduled to graduate with the class of 2009. Brent Ducote, 21, graduated from Marist in 2006 and attends the University of Georgia. He is scheduled to graduate with the class of 2010. Jeff Ducote, 18, represents the final recipient of the brothers Eagle Award. Jeff is in the Marist class of 2009, and is the defensive captain of the Marist varsity football team. He is also a member of the Marist varsity wrestling team. The youngest member of the family, Katelyn, attends Marist, plays volleyball year round, and is looking forward to graduating in 2011. The Ducotes have lived in Dunwoody for 22 years. Richard is the co-founder and Managing Partner of SDF International, Inc., a management consulting company. Our children have been blessed with their mother, men like Jerry Travers and the other Troop 434 Scout leaders, grandparents, teachers, coaches, priests, and good role models from all walks of life, Richard Ducote said.

Do you have a copy of the Troop Program Features, Vol. I, II and III, and Troop Program Resources booklets? They are full of ideas for what you are talking about. Your Scout Shop should have them on the shelf.

And let us remember, even Lem couldn't tie a sheepshank. :-)

"If it is any consolation, the 5% literacy rate appears to have been true in 1972 as well. This is why nobody noticed that ALL OF THE FAKE Baden-Powell quotes in post-1972 official BSA publications were actually created (or collected) by Hillcourt and featured prominently in his BSA Scoutmaster handbooks. If ANY BSA millionaire or Wood Badge volunteer working at the Regional and National level had thumbed through the literature before writing the new materials for the "Leadership Development Method" invented in 1972, he or she would NOT have attributed to Baden-Powell all the stuff that "kind of sounded familiar." " There is one thing I can't figure out about all these "fake" quotes. Bill Hillcourt was around until 1992 - if these quotes were such a problem, why didn't he correct them? I think he would have the most reason to be upset, if what you say is true. I am pretty certain he would have been able to make any corrections, had he wanted to. The backpacking and overnighter instruction at WB is given by the PL, in the Patrol meeting - just like in real life. If the PL needs help, the TG will assist before the meeting.

Anyone else see the Scouts and the vehicle their council auctioned off last night on the Barrett-Jackson auction? It was a 1961 CarryAll (now called a Suburban) hot-rodded out, with custom paint and flames on the hood, with lots of Scout stickers in the windows. It came with a canoe and trailer, attached. The 1915 antique Old Town canoe was fully restored, and featured a matching paint job, with flames on the bow. Looked like a professional Scouter from a council in North Carolina gave the description, and explained the money was going to one of the council camps. When they pulled the truck up on center stage, several Webelos jumped out and started wiping down the truck and canoe. This is one of many charity auctions Barrett-Jackson supports, in which they wave their fees. The auction raised $55,000. You can see the truck and canoe at http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/search.aspx?st=1&aid=283&d=01/16/2009. It is Lot 701, auctioned on 1/15/09. Sorry, they don't have a direct link to that page, you have to work a little to get to it. The truck looked just like the photo, but the canoe was painted the same color as the truck, not the green in the photo. The description says the truck is painted "with Boy Scout colors" but that isn't what I think when I see it. Looks pretty cool to me, and I would love to have it (but not for that price).

Kudu, Let's be honest here. The current Wood Badge course includes the Patrol Hike and the Patrol Overnighter, as well as the skill instruction that goes along with those events. While I admire your passion for the 300' camping rule, please point out to me where it was ever included in a Scoutmaster Handbook, even those written by Bill Hilcourt. And Patrol and Team are synonymous. Scouting is a game. What do we call a group playing a game? Usually, we call them a team.

Yes, this movie is NOT about the 1936 Scout trip. It is about hiking the AT, in 2001 to be exact. Sorry for getting off subject.

"I think living in a Patrol atmosphere for a week might bring some new ideas." Uh... that was exactly my experience - in a weeklong 2004 course. The 6 of us in the Fox Patrol spent the entire week camping together as a patrol. If the course is run correctly, that is how you will spend your time in the course - camping in a patrol.