Brewmeister

Vindictive Alert: Not only is Mt. Rushmore shut down, they are closing the shoulders along public highways with traffic cones to make sure no one can pull over and take pictures. One has to wonder how far such political hatred can go.

 

http://legalinsurrection.com/2013/10/now-govt-trying-to-block-people-from-looking-at-mt-rushmore-seriously/

 

Stosh

I don't think that ad hoc patrols is the real reason for the problem of attendance. As a matter of fact they are simply a work around for a bigger problem that is basically ignored because it's easier to make up the rules along the way than it is to solve the problem.

 

A) We have low attendance at our events.

B) So we combine patrols to keep from dealing with A above.

C) Boys that show up have fun, the rest miss out. But that's okay, those that showed up had fun.

 

What's wrong with attacking the problem at the A level? Why is there low attendance in the first place. If one can solve that problem, then the issue of ad hoc patrols becomes moot... AND ALL the boys have fun.

 

Stosh

Scouting is a year-round program that spans 7 years and offers monthly events. That's a lot of stuff. And the reality is that while a patrol can function at a campout without a few members or even its PL, the football team isn't going to do well if its QB and middle linebackers choose to go camping instead. It doesn't matter how compelling the event is.

So Scouting has a choice--require participation and try to recruit a hard-core group of Scouting-only boys who choose to be involved in no other extracurriculars that might conflict, or offer a more flexible program. I know there are folks here who say "Give me a single-patrol troop that is truly committed to scouting and I'll be happy," but that's just not realistic.

I'm sure there will be disagreements with that assessment....

When congress "passes" the most sweeping social welfare program in a generation by parliamentary maneuver and with NO bipartisan support, it should be no surprise that the peoples' house would lead a revolt.

The house is historically called "The people's house." Not by me, but as a matter of history and tradition.

So do you see how that works, then? I am using a historical fact to illustrate a point I am making. Whether you agree with what the House is called or not is not the issue here. Totally irrelevant. My point is that this "Big f-ing deal," in the words of our vice president, was rammed through with no bipartisan support.

Just to explain that for you even more, "no bipartisan support" means that NOBODY from the right side of the aisle supported the legislation. As a matter of fact, there was bipartisan OPPOSITION to the bill in the House, with 34 Democrat representatives voting against it. In other words, unlike the "New Deal," the "Big F-ing Deal" is the first sweeping social program to be enacted unilaterally.

Heck, even the Civil Rights Act, which was opposed by so many Democrats, at least got a little support from them in the end.

So the fact that people are still unhappy about and fighting this should be no surprise to anyone.

Tidbit:

 

Obama in 2006: "The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure."

At that time the National Debt was a mere $9 trillion. Have you heard any Dem say by how much they want to increase the debt ceiling? One trillion dollars to get them through the 2014 election cycle (I rounded up from $988 Billion...). Are we going to let Obama double the debt before he's out of office? ($9T in 2006, $14.4T in 2013, add $1T for 2014, $1T for 2015...)

 

Frustration:

This is like arguing with a teenager who refuses to believe that their bank account is overdrawn: "I can't be out of money! I have more checks!"

Liberal members of the media, congress, and this forum are all relying on emotion to make their argument. All emotion and personal vitriol, no ability to face facts.

"It's never been done before!" Wrong - 27 times since 1976.

"Federal workers are going without a paycheck!" Yes. I feel bad for them. But many of them really need to start looking at the private sector and adjusting their long range plans. Hopefully they're smart enough to realize that, mathematically, the Fed cannot keep spending money at the current pace. There are not enough rich people to punish to pay the bills.

 

To my fellow conservatives: I'm pretty sure that we're not going to change any minds in here. They're not thinking.

There's another recent thread where I mention what a tremendous responsibility Den Chief is. Obviously the requirement that is filled is the POR for various ranks. However, just like other positions in the troop, being a good Den Chief starts with training. Take advantage of your council/district training for Den Chief. If you don't have it, read the book. Be sure that any boy who wants to become den chief understands both the responsibility and TIME involved. Not only does he go to all troop functions like other Scouts, but he must go to Den and Pack meetings as well, so it is probably the most time-intensive POR of any.

Also, in our council's training, they stress that Scouts should commit to the position for a minimum of one year. This is not just to qualify for the Den Chief Award, it is also to help build a better working relationship with the chosen den, which operates on a yearly program.

Although it's a lot of work outside the Troop, it is a very rewarding position, particularly for a boy who has a bit of "showman" in him.

When congress "passes" the most sweeping social welfare program in a generation by parliamentary maneuver and with NO bipartisan support, it should be no surprise that the peoples' house would lead a revolt.

When congress "passes" the most sweeping social welfare program in a generation by parliamentary maneuver and with NO bipartisan support, it should be no surprise that the peoples' house would lead a revolt.

Hopefully your teaparty buddies in the house watch the same right-wing talk radio as you and drink the kool-aide.

Actually, I don't spend a lot of time "watching" radio of any kind. I just don't find "watching" the radio all that interesting. But, to each his or her own.

I'm baffled how our constitution allows a minority in Congress to shut down the entire government. These minority Tea Party Republicans are holding our entire country hostage and the mainstream Republicans are going along and allowing them.

 

If mainstream Republicans are going along with them, then by definition they are not a minority, at least in the House of Representatives.

 

They are extremist ideologues who, by definition, have promised not to compromise and have vowed to dismantle, not modify or fix, the ACA.

 

There are probably very few Democrats who are completely unwilling to compromise on ACA - are they, too, "extremist ideologues"?

 

The fact is that the ACA is the law of the land, passed by the House and Senate, signed by the president and upheld by the Supreme Court: all three branches of government working as our constitution intended. And now the very constitution-obsessed Tea Party Republican folks are trying to usurp the constitution by blackmailing the country into revoking the ACA. If the Republicans get their way, then they will be handed a very powerful tool to do get whatever they want outside the legal process of making laws.

 

But it's not outside the legal process. All spending bills originate in the House. That is not merely a Congressional rule -- it is a Constitutional one.

 

Again, that the ACA is the law of the land, for now, does not at all imply that it can't be debated, defunded, revoked, etc. It wasn't that long ago (1974-1995) that a 55 mph speed limit was "the law of the land."

I'm baffled how our constitution allows a minority in Congress to shut down the entire government. These minority Tea Party Republicans are holding our entire country hostage and the mainstream Republicans are going along and allowing them.

 

If mainstream Republicans are going along with them, then by definition they are not a minority, at least in the House of Representatives.

 

They are extremist ideologues who, by definition, have promised not to compromise and have vowed to dismantle, not modify or fix, the ACA.

 

There are probably very few Democrats who are completely unwilling to compromise on ACA - are they, too, "extremist ideologues"?

 

The fact is that the ACA is the law of the land, passed by the House and Senate, signed by the president and upheld by the Supreme Court: all three branches of government working as our constitution intended. And now the very constitution-obsessed Tea Party Republican folks are trying to usurp the constitution by blackmailing the country into revoking the ACA. If the Republicans get their way, then they will be handed a very powerful tool to do get whatever they want outside the legal process of making laws.

 

But it's not outside the legal process. All spending bills originate in the House. That is not merely a Congressional rule -- it is a Constitutional one.

 

Again, that the ACA is the law of the land, for now, does not at all imply that it can't be debated, defunded, revoked, etc. It wasn't that long ago (1974-1995) that a 55 mph speed limit was "the law of the land."

Let's just stop with this silly "shutdown" talk anyway. Nearly 85% of the government is up and running as always. Add to that the fact that we actually have MORE federal employees on the job since the "shutdown" in some areas that we hadn't before--such as erecting barricades and guarding open-air monuments and parks that had NEVER been "shut down" before--and this is nothing more than political theatre.

I'm baffled how our constitution allows a minority in Congress to shut down the entire government. These minority Tea Party Republicans are holding our entire country hostage and the mainstream Republicans are going along and allowing them. They are extremist ideologues who, by definition, have promised not to compromise and have vowed to dismantle, not modify or fix, the ACA.

 

The fact is that the ACA is the law of the land, passed by the House and Senate, signed by the president and upheld by the Supreme Court: all three branches of government working as our constitution intended. And now the very constitution-obsessed Tea Party Republican folks are trying to usurp the constitution by blackmailing the country into revoking the ACA. If the Republicans get their way, then they will be handed a very powerful tool to do get whatever they want outside the legal process of making laws.

I take it you disagreed with the Democrats then?

1- How or when is the US gonna stop borrowing money to spend on non-essential services? Maybe this shutdown will highlight just how much we can live without. Eventually our money is gonna be worthless, so the sooner we face that we're spending too much; the better chance we have that our republic will survive. Our grandchildren already have a big enough bill to pay.

 

2- The Dems had two years, 08-10, when they controlled the government. The electorate became so alarmed at their free spending ways that they elected Repubs to the house in 10 and again in 12. The house is the division that spends money. So, yes, elections have consequences. For the Dems to now refuse to negotiate with the body that is constitutionally in charge of the purse strings is a facetious tantrum, devoid of logic, enabled by a biased media.

Been in a hammock almost exclusively for quite a few years now. Cold is an issue just as it is in a tent, but is easily overcome with some skill. I hammock in subzero F all the time. Lowest was in the negative twenties F. I use ccf pads in these extreme temps. Inflatable pads are not the best to use. While hennesy hammocks have a big marketing presence, there are many other options available. One last comment about protection from bears; a thin layer of nylon provides no additional protection from such an animal. I have had bears sniff around my tent in the past and also sniff around me in my hammock.The idea the tent will somehow protect someone from a bear is laughable IMO.

The insurance company take over doesn't bother me as much as the healthcare industry that bothers me the most. They have their hands in my birth issues, my retirement, my medicare, and now they decide on whether or not I live or die. Heck, they give me cell phones, a "paycheck" and even sell me cars. Why would anyone not want to come to America, everything's free.

 

After 60+ years, it is now evident that conceal carry is the only freedom that they haven't taken totally away. Need to check it out quick before they do.

 

I wonder with all these statistics floating around, how many of the colonists were pro-King George and now many were pro-revolution? (Like it made any real difference)

 

 

Stosh

What I am seeing is the Adults are over thinking it....

 

What do the boys want???? Why is this a troop and not a Patrol activity?

 

Young scouts aren't going to plan a 30 mile weekend trip..... Fluffy body type scouts aren't going to go backpacking at all if they have a choice.

 

I attended a Backpacking district camporee in a neighboring council....The camporee was in April so you had lots of new crossovers along. It was 10 miles along a river to the camp ground.....We passed more than a few very young scouts broken down in tears along the trail. Then it was 10 more miles then next day back to the parking lot, It was more rugged. Lots more boys broken down in tears completely exhausted with way too much gear on their backs for their size.

 

I learned from the experience and what I witnessed. I would never take the average new crossover on a trek like that, most of them simply don't have the physical strength to do it. Shakedown everyones gear ever trip..... watch the weight.

 

​I wonder how many boys that camporee cost scouting.

Also, the boys may not plan a long weekend backpack trip because they simply haven't broadened their perspective enough to think of it but, if presented to them, they will choose it. Youth program planning sessions tend to default to the familiar and sometimes it is quite proper for adults to suggest broader and more complicated options.

Over-reach theatre:

 

http://www.infowars.com/barrycades-government-tries-to-shut-down-privately-owned-mount-vernon/

In some cases, efforts to shut down these sites actually require more manpower and resources than if they had been left open, highlighting the fact that this is an act of partisan theater by the Obama administration to pin the blame for the government shutdown on Republicans and opponents of Obamacare.

All the state parks in Wisconsin are open and no government in the way of having a great time. They are really gorgeous this time of year, too.

 

Stosh

Unfortunately I'm guessing that the vast expanse of the Nicolet and Chequamegon forests are closed to camping, although not all of the parks have gates...

We do the grand canyon veteran's day weekend in November. Hopefully it's figured out by then!!

Just FYI, Hennessey is having their annual demo model sale right now. They have their stuff listed on eBay. Averages about $100 off per hammock, with most having some sort of minor repair.

We found tune up hikes to be very useful for gear checking and getting your pack to fit right but, as mentioned, they really don't lead to conditioning. If a boy can't hike 5 miles with a loaded pack he needs to work on his own or wait on the trip--one or two hikes with the troop won't help.

We do the grand canyon veteran's day weekend in November. Hopefully it's figured out by then!!

Hey guys, got a question for ya. I tried out a Hennessy Expedition that a guy in my troop has this past weekend, it had a seam running down the middle of the back and the sides hung below that seam making a very uncomfortable ridge. Did he have it setup wrong or is that how "the structural ridge line of something like a Hennessey" feels? Oh, and he didn't stake out the sides, if that helps.

The Hennessy is designed to lay fairly flat, and some hammocks such as bridge hammocks are designed to be completely flat.

Hey guys, got a question for ya. I tried out a Hennessy Expedition that a guy in my troop has this past weekend, it had a seam running down the middle of the back and the sides hung below that seam making a very uncomfortable ridge. Did he have it setup wrong or is that how "the structural ridge line of something like a Hennessey" feels? Oh, and he didn't stake out the sides, if that helps.

Essentially, when you feel the line, shift your feet to the right and your head to the left until the line magically goes away and you are laying nearly flat.

The only thing i have to do with the hammock is put a small pillow under my knees because there is still a very small amount of "banana" to the hammock. You don't feel curved at all when you are laying in it right--you feel as if you are completely flat and cradled. But after a few hours I can feel pressure on the backs of my knees. If we are drop-camping I will bring a small pillow; if we are backpacking I will just stuff a jacket into a small dry bag or something.

I don't think that ad hoc patrols is the real reason for the problem of attendance. As a matter of fact they are simply a work around for a bigger problem that is basically ignored because it's easier to make up the rules along the way than it is to solve the problem.

 

A) We have low attendance at our events.

B) So we combine patrols to keep from dealing with A above.

C) Boys that show up have fun, the rest miss out. But that's okay, those that showed up had fun.

 

What's wrong with attacking the problem at the A level? Why is there low attendance in the first place. If one can solve that problem, then the issue of ad hoc patrols becomes moot... AND ALL the boys have fun.

 

Stosh