BrentAllen

I used Badge Magic for the first time back in the fall. My son moved up to Webelos and needed a new shirt. I used the stuff on all the badges and patches on his shirt. I've had to touch up the Arrow Points (use an iron on medium), but the others have held pretty well. I just replaced the Quality Unit awards on 3 shirts, and it took just a few minutes. Peeled the old badge off, used the adhesive on the new badge, and presto! The product is great for things like that - badges that will be replaced in a year. WD-40 and Goof Off should remove the adhesive from any fabric. Apply it and then let it evaporate. I still sew some badges on, usually when I have time, for the more permanent type patches.

jd asks "Outside of Scouting, I can't see that it's the SM's business -- given the parameters you originally proposed." jd may just be talking about a political activity, but I would like to expand the question - is it the SM's business what a Scout does outside of Scouting? To me, if you are not affecting the boys outside of Scouting, you are missing the whole point of the program. If Scouting is just something you do on Monday nights and one weekend a month, you are missing the real power of Scouting. Frank Logue is my age. We were in the same Troop as Scouts, where he made Eagle. He and his wife have had some great experiences in their lives, and have written books about them. http://www.planetanimals.com/logue/ Frank is now a Pastor at King of Peace Church in Kingsland, GA (stop by and visit on your Cumberland Island trip). He gave a sermon where he talked about the power of Scouting, and how our SM kept him on the straight and narrow path. "Heres one way I have seen grace passed along in my own life. When I was growing up, I was always in scouting. I started out in Cub Scouts by attending my brothers meetings as my Mom was the den mother. When I was finally old enough to be a Cub Scout, I joined and did not unjoin all through elementary school, junior high, high school and my first year of college. Scouting was good to me. I got to see the world, backpacking our west, traveling to England and Sweden for the World Jamboree and more. But most importantly, I was in troop that considered itself to be a ministry. The leaders were passing along the grace they received. They had been given undeserved favor from God and they were passing it along to us. My Scoutmaster was Gene McCord. Well north of six feet tall, Mr. McCord was imposing for a young scout. Mr. McCord was at times a rigid taskmaster who demanded your best of you. But over time, I came to see how Mr. McCord loved us. When I was 16, I had a couple of incidents Mr. McCord found out about. One time, I was driving a car while Mark, another buddy of mine from scouts, was throwing bottles at signs and mailboxes, just to hear them smash. Another time, I got mad at Mark and dropped him off in the middle of no where. Now, no one but me and God and Mark knew about these incidents and I know for a fact that Mark didnt tell. In each case, Mark and I were seen and someone reported it back to Mr. McCord. He pulled me aside at a meeting and layed it all on the line. Mr. McCord reminded me that I was not that kind of boy and would not be that kind of man. Mr. McCord had given me lots of unmerited favor and love already and right when I was least deserving of love he showed me tough love. In no uncertain terms, Mr. McCord made it clear that I would not continue down the new path I had set for myself. There were no threats. There were no ultimatums. By force of will, he was blocking the way. I had no choice but to stay on the straight and narrow path. Many years later and just a few years ago, I was asked to speak at a dinner given for Mr. McCords retirement as a scoutmaster after something like 30 years. I looked around at Mark, and all my fellow scouts from years before. I recounted this story and then I said, How can we possibly thank Gene McCord for all he did for us. The answer was clear. Paying him back is not possible or even the right idea. Saying thank you is not enough. The way to thank Mr. McCord is to pass along the love he showed us to another generation. Mr. McCord always connected his leadership in Scouting to his faith in God. He knew that he could not earn or deserve Gods love. Instead of trying to pay back God, he passed Gods grace along to others." Can a SM have that type of affect on a young man if it is none of his business what happens in the young man's life outside of Scouting? I think not. http://www.kingofpeace.org/

packsaddle, Did you totally miss the ruckus over the flag painted in the cul-de-sac? It made the national news! http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/11/earlyshow/main1202031.shtml If people got that upset over painting a flag, I think they would get pretty steamed over a burning! Yes, free speech is a right. Facing the repercussions is the price that must be paid. I would ask my Scouts - is this something you would do if you were wearing your uniform? If they said yes about burning a flag in protest, I would suggest they find another unit. I would find it hard to believe they couldn't come up with some other way to make their statement. My free speech would be "find another unit."

Gern, Only a group (Democrats) so desperate for a scandal would think that. Anyone who knows anything about the hunting business knows the owner wouldn't let them hunt if they were intoxicated. The owner of the ranch would be extremely liable for letting that happen, and then have an accident. FYI: Post-Shooting Procedures The following rules generally apply after a shooting incident (accidental or self-defense), whether you are the Vice President of the United States or a police officer. Thanks to Dr. Bruce Eimer, Ph.D., a clinical and forensic psychologist, for listing these important basics, and providing facts. For some mysterious reason, little of this has come out in news reports. 1. All shooting incidents are traumatic for the good guys, especially when innocent people have been hurt. 2. Post-shooting trauma is REAL and every good person involved in a shooting incident gets it. Sleeplessness, flashbacks, disorientation, remorse, malaise and other post-trauma symptoms are routine, expected and must be dealt with. 3. You have no legal obligation to contact or talk to the press, and defense attorneys advise against doing so. 4. A person is least capable of making a coherent and consistent statement, with good word choices and chronological accuracy, immediately after a shooting incident, even though the urge to talk is typically great, and everyone around you will encourage it. 5. Knowing this, the police have adopted good standard procedures you can use as a guide. Remove yourself from all public contact, and go on "administrative leave" (with pay), until an official statement can be released in writing, in cooperation with a team of lawyers, within two weeks. 6. No statement of any kind should be made until conferring with attorneys. 7. You are advised against talking with police unless your lawyer is present. 8. The first concern must be for an injured party. Timely reporting to law enforcement authorities is also essential, and it would be improper for police to leak this to the press (both rules were observed in the Cheney incident). 9. Allow yourself time to appropriately psychologically process your post-shooting psychological trauma, and debrief this critical incident for 24 to 48 hours. Only then should you consider making a statement to the press, the authorities, or anyone. Expressing sadness, contrition and assuming FULL responsibility for the accident (as Cheney did in this case) is appropriate. 10. Do everything you can to avoid such situations.

Calico, Are you only a Scout when you wear your uniform, or are attending a Scouting event? Is that what you teach your Scouts?

Top Nine Reasons It is Still Safer to Go Hunting with Dick Cheney than to ride in a Car with Ted Kennedy 9 . The Vice President doesn't need to sober up before calling for help. 8 . The Vice President travels with a medical team rather than a scandal sanitation squad. 7 . Vice President Cheney does not have delusional Presidential aspirations to cloud his judgment in a crisis. 6 . Hunting with the VP doesn't involve navigating any dangerous bridges. 5 . As the victim of an accident involving a Republican, your name will actually be reported on CNN and CBS news. 4 . Cheney - Number 8 Bird Shot; Kennedy - 8 shots of Wild Turkey. 3 . You don't have to wait for Cheney to concoct an alibi before help arrives. 2 . If there is an accident, Cheney will attempt to save your life rather than his political career. 1 . You will be able to tell your children and grandchildren about hunting with the Vice Presdient years later. Anyway you slice it: It is Still Safer to Go Hunting with Dick Cheney than to Ride in a Car with Ted Kennedy!!!!

Calico, By your argument, then ANY speech or expression used by a Scout could be deemed acceptable, since it would be allowed by the First Amendment. Foul language, wearing t-shirts with all kinds of repulsive messages - all that would be allowable, no? Do I need to get graphic to make my point? Just because it is allowed by the Constitution does not mean it is conduct becoming of a Scout. In my area, if a Scout burned a flag, and was not removed from the unit, most of the leaders would leave. We would either find another unit or start one. The Scout might win on constitutional grounds, but would lose, one way or another, the unit he was part of. Luckily, this is all just talk and will never become a reality, at least where I live.

Rooster, I was going to add that I really enjoy dispelling leftist, liberal, Democrat myths, but I didn't want to que up jd for another lecture on using labels. Oooops, I think I just did. I'll go back in my corner, with my nose to the wall.

Gern, You are incorrect. Cheney is not connected to Halliburton through any blind trust. His only connections are a deferred salary, which is not connected to any profits of the company, and stock options. Cheney has taken out an insurance policy to pay his deferred salary in case the company goes bankrupt. As for the stock options, he and his wife have assigned any profits from them to charity, through a Gift Trust Agreement. The financial performance of the company does not have any bearing on Cheney's income or portfolio value.

From the G2SS, Unauthorized and Restricted Activities Hunting is not an authorized Cub Scout or Boy Scout activity, although hunting safety is part of the program curriculum.

Generally, a young poisonous snake is more dangerous than an older one. The older snake knows it takes up to 28 days to rebuild its venom supply, so it will often make dry strikes first to scare off the threat. Additional strikes are the more dangerous. The young snake hasn't learned this lesson yet. Here in Georgia, it is against the law to kill any non-venomous snake ($1,000 fine, year in jail max.). The best rule for any snake found in the wild - leave it alone. To tell a poisonous snake from non-poisonous, when looking at the snake from above and behind (back of its head), if you can see its eyes, it is non-poisonous. We have coral snakes - very rare. The cottonmouths are found below Macon. We also have the Eastern Diamondback, which I believe carries the most venom of any snake in north America. They are always found within 100 miles of the coast. We had the "Snakemaster" Steve Scruggs at our Pack meeting back in October. He puts on a great educational show for the kids (and adults). www.letsgetwild.net Trivia question - how do you tell if a snake shed skin is from a poisonous or non-poisonous snake?

We are definitely Mr. & Mrs. (Lastname). When any of our boys are speaking with me or to another adult within ear shot of me, they will use "yes sir" and "no sir" or "mam". If they don't, I correct them until they do. I was instructing the Webelos at our Cub Aquatics Day and had one boy from another unit who kept turning his back to me. After requesting him to face forward several times, I finally saw he was reading a book (and it wasn't his Webelos book). I let him know that was not respectful, and that if he wanted to continue with the group, he needed to put the book away and pay attention. He responded "o.k." I said "Yes sir?" He said "Yes" and I again replied "Yes sir?" He finally caught on and replied "Yes sir." Yes, respect must be earned - by the adult AND by the Scout. An adult earns the right of respect by his age - unless he loses it. (It's pretty hard for someone you just met to "earn" your respect) One way a Scout earns respect is by showing respect to his volunteer leaders and adults in general (respecting elders). We are supposed to be preparing these boys for the future. I don't think we do the Scouts any favors allowing them to call us by our first names. Imagine when they are older and start looking for a job - they have an interview in the business world with a Mr. Bob Smith. If they address him as Bob, instead of Mr. Smith, they have most likely just lost the job. The boys have plenty of buddies. They don't need more buddies, they need leaders. We are there to be their leaders.

queenj, That's a great idea! I dug around on some web pages, and found a no-sew pillow that follows the same idea. We are going to let our Webelos make their own pillows for camping, which will meet one of the requirements for Craftsman Activity pin #4. I could even see adapting this design for backpacking, using only the fleece pillow shell which could be stuffed with clothing for nice comfortable pillow. If the pillow goes well, we might even try to let them make their own blankets. Or we might wait until next year for the blankets, when they are a year older in Webelos II's. :-) http://www.exploringwomanhood.com/homelife/ideas/pom-may03.htm

From my observations, there are plenty in my area who agree with SWScouter's interpretation. I see the beads worn with all types of neckerchiefs. I would agree as well. To me, if the wording were to imply only with the Wood Badge neckerchief, the text would read "Wood Badge beads may be worn with THE neckerchief as indicated, or alone." Since it is "a neckerchief" it implies any. I think that fits with overall goal of showing the training completed, either when wearing any neckerchief, or wearing the beads alone.

JD, Huh???? I'm not sure I know where to begin... First, please show me where I ever labeled you a liberal. Lisabob labeled herself a liberal, so that is the term I used. She says she is proud of it, so why do you have a problem with me using it when refering to her? Second, why is it that some on the left hate being called liberals? You can call me a conservative until the cows come home, and I don't have any problem with it - it's my political philosophy - not just some "term". Third - the word liberal describes a political stance or philosophy. Redneck does not. But you have showed your cards, so I know where you stand. So much for "speaking well." I have better things to do with my time - adios.

I also remember some predictions about how the citizens wouldn't vote to support state constitutional bans against gay marriage. How wrong those were. Luckily, I don't think we have anything to worry about. The BSA would be committing virtual suicide to change the policy. The only real question would be would all those who left form another type of Scouting group, and would those councils take all the assets with them?

Y'all liberals do keep this Georgia boy laughing! Lisabob asks a simple question, I give a simple answer, that I feel to be true. My answer is labeled a "screed" by Lisabob and a "rant" by others (any negative connotations with those labels, JD?). My answer was pretty short, so it is hard to see how it could be considered a screed. You are reading this, not listening to me say these or those words, so I don't see how my answer could be considered a rant. I just want to make sure I have the rules down correctly: A conservative's answer to a liberal's question, which the liberal doesn't like, is a screed and a rant. O.K., I think I've got it.

Yes, this was definitely one of the DNC's prouder moments. Sorry, OGE - the Eagle Scouts never did receive an apology from anyone with the Democrats. When Democrat National Spokesman Rick Hess was asked about the incident, and given an opportunity to apologize, he stated: ""We want to see gays and lesbians treated with respect," he said. "Democrats across the board support equal rights for gays and lesbians, and we want to make sure they're not discriminated against." Was it just the CA. delegates? Hmmmm. Let's see. "This year's convention has almost twice as many homosexual delegates as the 1996 gathering, thanks to recruiting efforts by the national party. Mr. Christensen said there are 212 openly homosexual delegates at this year's convention, up from 125 four years ago. Delegates give credit to the DNC, which instructed state parties to work on making their delegations reflect their states' minority composition. For many states, that meant setting "targets," which are different from quotas, Democrats insisted." So were the gay CA delegates the only ones booing? I seriously doubt it. Mocking a highly decorated Purple Heart veteran? Who would that have been? Your information is incorrect - they were mocking Kerry.

Gern, Do you see the whole posts on your computer like I do? Are they showing up in their entirety on your screen? Perhaps you missed the first paragraph in funscout's message: "...I had asked about sleeping arrangements in organizations that allow females and gays."

Lisabob, We do have something we agree on. I also have family members of the left political stripe, and we get along great as long as we leave political discussions at the door. Same with some co-workers. This page is for Issues and Politics, so I let it fly here - I think that is what the page is for. I know for sure that all liberals don't hate Scouts. Those on the far, far left - I think they probably do.

Lisabob, You asked a question, I gave the answer I feel to be true. No one else has answered, only attacked my answer. I'd be interested in hearing others answer, if they have one. Who attends a National Convention for political parties? Is it not the leaders from the state parties? Is it not the national leaders? Democrats booed the Boy Scouts. If that doesn't get your blood boiling, then what does? I don't think this was scripted - I think it was an accurate reflection of how the party feels about the BSA. Any reason I shouldn't think that? Actions speak much louder than words. OGE - if you don't think the guy trying to change the pledge is a liberal... I don't know what else to say. I guess standing on the sidelines is easy for those who don't either have a strong opinion, or don't want to join the fray. As has been discussed before, if you want to see the difference between Republicans and Democrats, watch what happens with Abramoff and those involved. The Republicans found guilty will be run out of office. The Democrats will most likely stick around. Why am I justified in saying that? Look at what happened to Trent Lott when he made some simple comments at a birthday party for Strom Thurmond, and what has happened to Clinton for referring to the House GOP as a "plantation". Look at what happened to Delay, and what happened to Leahy or Barney Frank. I can guarantee you no Republican who went through an event like Kennedy with Mary Jo would be elected to office. Yes, a KKK member was elected to serve one term as a Republican. One of the Democrats longest serving Senators was a Grand Cyclops in the KKK. Yes, I see huge differences between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans. If you don't see that, then more power to you. I make no apologies for my political views.

Lisabob, Why are liberal Democrats assumed to be anti-Scouting? Well, maybe because when the National Democrat Party invites a Boy Scout Color Guard to their National Convention to carry in the flag, and then booh's them on nationwide tv, that would be a start. (hopefully, those Scouts didn't realize what was happening) Maybe because a liberal wants to change the Pledge of Allegiance. Maybe because liberals want to force the BSA to allow gays and atheists in. Maybe because conservatives take the phrase "Timeless Values" to be more than just a bumper sticker, and liberals appear to want to do away with timeless (traditional) values. Those would be a few major reasons.

Brian Westley, The wording is a little different and the order changed, but the 10 commandments are basically the same. If there isn't some kind of numbering, how did they all arrive at "10"? I'm curious - as an atheist, what do you care what the 10 commandments say? It's all just mythology, right?

hops, Yes, the Scouts spend time in the building - when they go to purchase their uniforms. The Scouters were thrifty with the building. One of the big construction firms in town, of which the owner is a Scouter, built it substantially below market costs. The Board of Directors - all volunteers, no professionals - had to approve the plan. Scouts and Scouters alike in the AAC were glad to see it built. At the council level, Scouting is a business, hopefully a successful one. Our Volunteer Service Center reflects that - a successful business with a sound, solid history and a strong future ahead. A Scout is Thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property. I do not see where it says a Scout is cheap. The council built a building that was within their budget and met their needs. Please show me how that violates the Scout law.

Fish, Some rhetorical questions for you: Is Scouting in your unit as good as you would like it to be? Are there any improvements you would like to see made? Are you interested in giving your Scouts the best Scouting experience that you can provide? Is Scouting the best and most important activity (other than church, possibly) that your son(s) participate in? Do you view Scouting as a program that can really make a difference in boys lives, or is it an activity similar to baseball, football, etc...? If you see some room for improvement, and are interested in learning how to effect that change, WB is for you. If you think Scouting is the greatest program your son will participate in, WB is for you. To be honest, the reason I went through WB was because people I trusted and respected said it would be a great experience for me - they were correct! Unfortunately, not everyone buys into the program. We had a patrol mate who had Cub Scout knots all over his uniform. He told us he was there in case emergency transportation was needed by another course attendee, who was from his unit. He never got into the program and usually wandered off to smoke cigarettes while the rest of us were trying to come together as a team. He didn't complete his ticket, and just wasted a great opportunity. He is the rare bird, thankfully. All the others were there to learn how to be better, more efficient Scouters. We wanted to learn how to take Scouting to the next level, and we weren't disappointed. I probably didn't answer your question - I hope I didn't muddy the waters further.