BrentAllen

I was a big synthetic bag user for years, but have switched to down. I can only remember once ever getting my sleeping bag wet, and that was on one of my very first trips (flooding rain) as an 11 or 12 year old Scout (I'm 45 now). With a good tent and proper technique, I just don't see a lot of opportunity for getting bags wet. When are you worried about it getting wet - in the tent, or in transport? I use Western Mountaineering bags, which use 850 power fill down. They offer great warmth while keeping the bags very light weight, as well as roomy (if you wish). But that comes at a price. Expect to pay $350 - $400 plus retail (I found one in Conneticut on Craigslist for half price) Sierra Trading Post has a Sierra Designs 25 degree 600 power fill down Antero bag on sale for $149.95 (reg. $205). The regular size weighs in at 2 lbs 9 oz. and is pretty roomy. That meets the criteria I use when recommending bags for our Scouts - around 20 degrees and under 3 lbs. We'll get to test them out tomorrow night, as it is predicted to be right at 20 degrees tomorrow night at our camp site. Remember, sythetic bags have a finite life. Every time you stuff and compress the bag, you are crushing the insulation. If you only need to bag for the 7 years of Scouting, they will be fine. But if you are looking for a longer life, look at down.

Scouter760, Perhaps you should open your copy of the Scoutmaster Handbook and reread page 6. Scouting - A Values-Based Program Scouting offers boys an environment in which everyone can feel secure both physically and emotionally. That sense of security comes from Scoutmasters and other adult leaders * Setting an example for themselves and for others by living the Scout Oath and Law to the best of their abilities. * Refusing to tolerate name-calling, put-downs, discrimination, or any form of physical aggression. Please identify which parts of the Oath and Law tell a Scout to "fight back" in order to earn a bully's respect. On the other hand, I can show you where the other Scouts have failed to live up to the Oath and Law. A Scout is kind. He knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. A Scout is friendly.

"I do not want to keep the troop a small troop but I think it will be easier working with a small number of boys for the first couple of years." Good idea. We started a new Troop last September (2007) with 6 Scouts, and we are now up to 12. There is one fundamental principle for organizing: START SMALL. The right way to start is not by getting all the eligible boys around to join, but by getting a few of the right ones. Start with a small number of the most respected boys. Get them enthusiastic about the Troop and Scouting, and have them round up a few more. You will find that the most successful Troop is the one which achieves success with a small group first, and then developes in size as success continues. To run a successful Troop, the Patrol Method should be used from the start. Study it and implement it, one step at a time if necessary, but think Patrol Method and patrol identity in everything you do. Good luck!

GA, After reading your posts, I'm reminded of Buddy the Elf, entering that greasy spoon to congratulate them on really having the World's Best Cup of Coffee! Better warn your kids that Disney World isn't really another world, it's just a place down in Florida. From the LNT web page: Leave No Trace is an national and international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impacts when they hike, camp, picnic, snowshoe, run, bike, hunt, paddle, ride horses, fish, ski or climb. The program strives to educate all those who enjoy the outdoors about the nature of their recreational impacts as well as techniques to prevent and minimize such impacts. Leave No Trace is best understood as an educational and ethical program, not as a set of rules and regulations. If you, your kids and your Scouts can't understand that concept and get past the marketing name, I think you have bigger problems. Remember, the Scout Oath says we will do our best.

Our Troop wears full uniform on all trips, with their Class B t-shirt on underneath. When we arrive at camp, the uniform shirt comes off and they are already in Class B. I highly recommend the BSA Activity shirt, as well. Scouts and parents have learned this plan makes packing for trips very easy. Nobody wears jeans on any of our trips. Sorry if I ruffle some feathers, but I tell the boys they can see who the novice campers are, they are wearing jeans. If they get wet, they get heavy and take forever to dry. They loose all insulating value when wet. They are a hypothermia accident just waiting to happen. If you are interested in the BSA's opinion instead of mine, turn to page 205 in the Scout book.

Take a personal interest in each member of the patrol. You and they will get much more out of the course if you do. Understand your role. You aren't/shouldn't be judged by how well your patrol is doing, and you shouldn't measure yourself by their performance. Some TGs worry that their patrol is struggling, and try to help them out too much. You don't do them any favors when you take the experience away from them. There are some things the patrol needs to work through on their own. Forming, storming, norming, performing. If you don't let them go through the process, they really miss out on a big part of the course. Be prepared. Help your fellow TGs be prepared. Hopefully you will find yourself on a high-performing team of TGs that peaks just as the participants arrive. If you do, you will find you learn more and get more out of the course than the participants. They are drinking from a fire hose - you have time (thru course development) to take it all in like a fine wine. Get organized and try to be one step ahead. Anticipate what is coming up next. Remember to have fun. :-)

Narraticong, Didn't you hear? Obama got elected, so everyone is going to love us after 1/20/09.

GW, Not that I'm all that interested in the squabble between you and Merlyn, but you could have used the 4 minute mile case. Finally, some good news today. Headline: Obama Advisers To Public: Temper Expectations http://cbs2chicago.com/local/Obama.advisers.expecations.2.869896.html "We all have to be very careful about the expectations that we are putting on this man, our president-elect," Reich said. "If we all assume it's going to be the first 100 days, we're going to be disappointed." I guess the reality of changing the country - and the world - is starting to sink in. I just hope they get the message out to that woman who thinks Obama is going to pay her mortgage and car payment.

BadenP, Good to hear from you. Have a nice day. Brent

GW writes, "Waste water? There are systems out there to capture water from shower drains and use it for toilet flushing. That would be great, might save me a few hundred gallons a month but the cost of installing one is insane." Not only that, but they hit you even when you are conserving! Here in Atlanta, we have been asked to conserve because of the draught. Just today, the city announced they are raising water rates due to a revenue decrease - because people aren't using as much water. Increase is expected to be about $10/month for the average household. So, the lesson is... the next time you are asked to conserve, you can do so and expect to pay more, or you can ignore it and maybe pay less?

Ry, Didn't you listen to Obama? He isn't just going to change America, he is going to change the world! This type of tax will probably be in the next Kyoto-type treaty, which Obama will be the first to sign. This will only be the first of many. While I have your attention, how can temperatures be dropping for the past 18 months when CO2 keeps going up? Hansen just cooked the books for October, claiming it was the warmest October on record, when he actually used September temperatures in Russia instead of actual temps. When called on it, he admits he has no control over the numbers he receives from that part of the world - he doesn't know if they are correct or not. But yet we are willing to bet the farm that the THEORY of Globull Warming is FACT! How absurd!!

More change a-coming. Wasn't it Sheryl Crow who said we only need one square of toilet paper? Experts call for end of flushing toilets on World Toilet Day November 19, 2008 AS the world celebrates World Toilet Day today, sanitation experts have called for the end of the flushing dunny to save water and provide fertilizer for crops. Leading health advocates have called for the use of "dry" toilets which separate urine from faeces and remove the need to flush. Speaking at the recent World Toilet Summit in Macau, World Toilet Organisation founder Jack Sims said the concept of the flushing toilet was unsustainable. Mr Sims said a culture where people flushed their loos but disregarded the thousands of litres of wasted drinking water each year was one of sanitation's greatest challenges. "This 'flush and forget' attitude creates a new problem which we have to revisit," he said. New toilet tax proposed There have already been calls by Australian experts to reduce the amount of water wasted through toilet flushing with a proposed new toilet tax. Adelaide University's Water Management Professor Mike Young said the tax would encourage people to take shorter showers, recycle washing machine water or connect rainwater tanks to internal plumbing. "Some people may go as far as not flushing their toilet as often, as the less sewage you produce the less the rate you pay," Professor Young said. ********************************* So, I guess we will all be adopting European bathing habits before long. I can see it now, "Kids, go flush all the toilets, our dinner guests have arrived."

scoutingagain, I am no McCain fan. I would have preferred a different candidate on the GOP side. I just chose the much lesser of the two evils, with the hopes that Palin would talk some sense into him. And I believe McCain would listen a little to his fellow Republicans who would at least question the science that is "beyond dispute". Obama is part of the chorus of the far-left environmental extremists. He isn't going to listen to anyone on the other side. Beavah, Be careful what you wish for. The Depression provided plenty of what you describe - less energy used, less polution, less dependence on foreign oil. It won't do much for the glaciers, seeing how that is beyond the scope of man. But there is some good news - the Alaska glaciers are growing. http://www.physorg.com/news145187972.html If you think man is causing the melting of the glaciers, then should we also give man credit for making them grow?

53% of America wanted him, so we are about to get him, along with his ideas and policies. This is what he said two days ago: "Few challenges facing America -- and the world are more urgent than combating climate change," he says in the video. "The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear. Sea levels are rising. Coastlines are shrinking. Weve seen record drought, spreading famine, and storms that are growing stronger with each passing hurricane season. Climate change and our dependence on foreign oil, if left unaddressed, will continue to weaken our economy and threaten our national security. Obama continues that "too often, Washington has failed to show the same kind of leadership. That will change when I take office. My presidency will mark a new chapter in Americas leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process. "That will start with a federal cap and trade system," he says. "We will establish strong annual targets that set us on a course to reduce emissions to their 1990 levels by 2020 and reduce them an additional 80 percent by 2050. Further, we will invest $15 billion each year to catalyze private sector efforts to build a clean energy future. We will invest in solar power, wind power, and next generation biofuels. We will tap nuclear power, while making sure its safe. And we will develop clean coal technologies. "This investment will not only help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil, making the United States more secure. And it will not only help us bring about a clean energy future, saving our planet. It will also help us transform our industries and steer our country out of this economic crisis by generating five million new green jobs that pay well and cant be outsourced." *********************************************** The science is beyond dispute?? Storms getting stronger every year?? Cap and trade?? Five million jobs?? And this guy is supposed to be so intelligent?? Say goodbye to life as you know it! Energy costs are going to go through the roof! Taxes will follow! Energy rationing!! Now, let's hear from the person Obama wanted as his energy czar: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09gore.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1 In the op-ed, Gore's goal is to commit producing 100% of our electricity from carbon free sources within 10 years. Ambitious indeed! Gore feels that his plan will move us toward solutions to the climate crisis and also the economic crisis by creating millions of new jobs that cannot be outsourced. Here is a breakdown of his five-part plan to repower America....... 1. Invest in incentives for the construction of solar thermal plants, wind farms and geothermal powered power plants. 2. Plan and construction of a national smart grid for the transport of renewable electricity from rural america to the cities, where most of the electricity is used. He says this will only cost $400 billion over 10 years, which probably even isn't a tenth of what it would actually cost, if we had the capability to do it. 3. Help America's auto industry to convert quickly to plug-in-hybrids to run on renewable electricity. He somehow thinks that electric cars will actually be able to produce electricity?! "In combination with the unified grid, a nationwide fleet of plug-in hybrids would also help to solve the problem of electricity storage. Think about it: with this sort of grid, cars could be charged during off-peak energy-use hours; during peak hours, when fewer cars are on the road, they could contribute their electricity back into the national grid." This guy is certifiable! 4. Have a nationwide effort to retrofit buildings with better insulation and energy efficient windows and lighting. I think we are doing this already. 5. The U.S. needs to put a price on carbon at home. Replace the Kyoto treaty and reduce deforestation. Put a price on carbon? Hello taxes and huge increase in energy costs! I'm getting my "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For McCain!" bumper stickers!

No way on the auto bailout. I said no on the AIG bailout as well. If the big 3 go bankrupt, they aren't going to disappear. There will still be demand for US-built autos, so they will figure out a way to create a going concern. There will still be a demand for parts, etc., but just at a different level of demand. I think we call this a "correction" or an adjustment. Both executive pay and labor contracts need to see a "correction" as well. My guess is congress doesn't have the votes to pass a bailout now, but Obama will push for one as soon as he gets into office. Then it will get interesting. In the meantime, investors are fleeing the market like rats from a sinking ship. I don't think Wall Street is as enamored with Obama as is the media.

Lisabob, You might want to check your sources. What the Democrats Are Saying About the 'Fairness Doctrine' SPEAKER PELOSI AND MAJORITY LEADER HOYER: Interview of Speaker Pelosi by John Gizzi published in Human Events on June 25, 2008: Gizzi Do you personally support revival of the Fairness Doctrine? Pelosi Yes. Gizzi [paraphrasing] If Pence failed to get the required signatures on a discharge petition to bring the Broadcaster Freedom Act to the floor, would she permit a vote on it? Pelosi Nothe interest in my caucus is the reverse, adding that New York Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter has been active behind this [revival of the Fairness Doctrine] for a while now. Leader Hoyer says he is interested in ensuring the availability of fair and balanced information to the American public. He also stated that There is real concern about the monopoly of information and the skewering of information that the American public gets. First, is to the monopoly. Obviously, if one group, or a large group, controls information and only allows one perspective to be presented, thats not good for democracy. That is not good for the American public. That is, of course, what the Fairness Doctrine is directed at, and it can have great merit. - July 31, 2008, CNS News SEN. SCHUMER: Interview of Sen. Schumer by Bill Hemmer of Fox News on November 4, 2008: Hemmer The Fairness Doctrine are you a supporter of telling radio stations in America what content they should have on the radio station? Schumer Well, I think we should all try to be fair and balanced don't you? Hemmer Look this is commercial enterprise not run by the government. It is not public money, and I do believe in fair and balanced. Schumer Yeah, good well you know there are the radio air, it's not that this is like printing a broadside. You would never say anyone who wanted to hire a printing press or go on a computer has to have any view. Do you think we should allow people to put pornography on the air? Absolutely not, particularly on television and radio. Hemmer But this is private industry but many fear the [legislation] from the Hill they strongly disagree with that. Schumer The very same people who don't want the Fairness Doctrine want the FCC to limit pornography on the air. I am for that. I think pornography should be limited. But you can't say government hands off in one area to a commercial enterprise, but you're allowed to intervene in another. That's not consistent. SEN. BINGAMAN: Interview of Sen. Bingaman by Jim Vallanucci on KKOB-AM on October 22, 2008: Vallanucci Do you think there will be a push to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine? Bingaman I dont know, I certainly hope so. My own view is Vallanucci Do you support it? Bingaman I do. I think Vallanucci I mean you would want this radio station to have to change? Bingaman I would. I would want this station and all stations to present a balanced perspective and different points of view. All Im saying is for many, many years, we operated under a Fairness Doctrine in this country. I think the country was well-served. I think the public discussion was at a higher level and more intelligent in those days than it has become since.

"Look I know lots of you live in Red States and maybe havent travelled much." Thanks. I needed a new "most ridiculous statement" to add to my collection. My 12 year-old son has a more extensive travel resume than yours. I hate to bring you down off your high horse, but that list isn't anything to brag about. Obama won because of the economy. And Prop 8 passed. Better enjoy this Democrat victory now, because in 2 years we will have another Republican Revolution, just like we did in 1994. From the very red state of Georgia, Brent

OGE, My uncle told me last night he saw an article stating an Obama win would ruin Jesse Jackson as a power broker. No one would be interested in him any more. When I saw Jesse crying last night, I had to wonder if those were tears of joy, or of sorrow. Who knows, maybe a little bit of both.

"Starting tonight, no child in America should doubt they can grow up to be anything they want to be." Starting tonight? Until last night, children had that doubt? I guess Condi Rice, Colin Powell and Clarence Thomas don't count, since they are conservatives. And if you honestly mean that statement, shouldn't you say that no boys should doubt... since we still haven't elected a woman to either POTUS or VP? Like the others, I will wait for my big check. I can use it to replace the window in my car that some thug smashed last night while it was parked in the church parking lot, during our Scout meeting. Maybe it will even be enough to cover the laptop computer the same thug stole. America! What a great country!

I'd say she has a greater grasp on the job than you, looking at history. See Rule XVI below. http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Vice_President.htm Vice-Presidential Duties The framers also devoted scant attention to the vice president's duties, providing only that he "shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be evenly divided" (Article I, section 3). In practice, the number of times vice presidents have exercised this right has varied greatly. John Adams holds the record at 29 votes, followed closely by John C. Calhoun with 28. Since the 1870s, however, no vice president has cast as many as 10 tie-breaking votes. While vice presidents have used their votes chiefly on legislative issues, they have also broken ties on the election of Senate officers, as well as on the appointment of committees in 1881 when the parties were evenly represented in the Senate. The vice president's other constitutionally mandated duty was to receive from the states the tally of electoral ballots cast for president and vice president and to open the certificates "in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives," so that the total votes could be counted (Article II, section 1). Only a few happy vice presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, and George Bush had the pleasure of announcing their own election as president. Many more were chagrined to announce the choice of some rival for the office. Several framers ultimately refused to sign the Constitution, in part because they viewed the vice president's legislative role as a violation of the separation of powers doctrine. Elbridge Gerry, who would later serve as vice president, declared that the framers "might as well put the President himself as head of the legislature." Others thought the office unnecessary but agreed with Connecticut delegate Roger Sherman that "if the vice-President were not to be President of the Senate, he would be without employment, and some member [of the Senate, acting as presiding officer] must be deprived of his vote." Under the original code of Senate rules, the presiding officer exercised great power over the conduct of the body's proceedings. Rule XVI provided that "every question of order shall be decided by the President [of the Senate], without debate; but if there be a doubt in his mind, he may call for a sense of the Senate." Thus, contrary to later practice, the presiding officer was the sole judge of proper procedure and his rulings could not be turned aside by the full Senate without his assent. The first two vice presidents, Adams and Jefferson, did much to shape the nature of the office, setting precedents that were followed by others. During most of the nineteenth century, the degree of influence and the role played within the Senate depended chiefly on the personality and inclinations of the individual involved. Some had great parliamentary skill and presided well, while others found the task boring, were incapable of maintaining order, or chose to spend most of their time away from Washington, leaving the duty to a president pro tempore. Some made an effort to preside fairly, while others used their position to promote the political agenda of the administration. During the twentieth century, the role of the vice president has evolved into more of an executive branch position. Now, the vice president is usually seen as an integral part of a president's administration and presides over the Senate only on ceremonial occasions or when a tie-breaking vote may be needed. Yet, even though the nature of the job has changed, it is still greatly affected by the personality and skills of the individual incumbent.

When you read "President of the Senate" what does that mean to you? What does the term President generally mean to you? Where are the duties of "President of the Senate", or a job description, detailed in the Constitution?

"The VP really has only one job (despite Palin's misunderstanding of civics) and one qualification... be ready to assume the Presidency at a moments notice." This question came up in the VP debate. Palin got the answer right, and Biden (with all those years of experience) totally missed it. I suggest you read the Constitution, Article 1, Section 3, part 4.

We have plenty of other term limits - POTUS, governors, even my county CEO. I am in favor of them because we need citizens in congress, not professional politicians. Politicians have power for 6 - 12 years. After that, they gain absolute power, which corrupts absolutely. Send them back to be citizens again, and bring in a new batch of citizens to govern.

Lisa, Congress rated at 29% (CBS/NYT)for 10/27 - 31/06. Congress rated at 15% (CBS/NYT) for 10/25 - 28/08. The Democrat controlled Congress approval rating is half of what the Republican controlled Congress was from 2006. Neither is anything to be proud of.

I voted early on Friday. It took 2 solid hours, standing in 35 degree weather (where is all that globull warming?) I probably would have had a shorter wait time today. Go figure.