CaveEagle

Interesting perspective, but what does your point have to do with the thread subject? PS: do you really think our defense department refers to their demigraphic statistics before it makes tactical recommendations to out Commander in Chief? CE

As a scout in the Trans-Atlantic Council while my dad was serving in Germany, we had a German kid that joined out troop. I don't know about Adult leaders, but there are definitely non-US citizen boys that have been registered into BSA troops overseas. CE

buffalo Respectfully: ease up on slamming committee members. I serve as our troop's CC because we were pretty deep on SM and ASMs. Also, some of our committee members are just as hard working and more involved than some of our ASMs. To imply that a scouters opinion shouldn't be respected because of their position is pretty short-sighted. CE

jbro... Calling your participation a "hobby" seems to trivialize your hard work and dedication to scouting. I do however agree that scouters should cover their basic expenses. This question was recently brought before our troop committee. Our SM proposed that it was not fair that the SM and ASM should pay "out-of-pocket" for their camping and advanced training fees (ie wood badge). We concidered the Troop covering the cost only for the Adults that were required for each activity, then the question came up about additional leaders that might still want to come. And then what abo

jbro... Calling your participation a "hobby" seems to trivialize your hard work and dedication to scouting. I do however agree that scouters should cover their basic expenses. This question was recently brought before our troop committee. Our SM proposed that it was not fair that the SM and ASM should pay "out-of-pocket" for their camping and advanced training fees (ie wood badge). We concidered the Troop covering the cost only for the Adults that were required for each activity, then the question came up about additional leaders that might still want to come. And then what abo

I agree that the Committee should confer with the SM privatly before the BOR. I have had to kick back a boy recently and called the SM to the table to discuss why the boy was sent to the BOR with obvious holes in his case. Weather is a position of leadership, Orienteering or a service project, it is the resposability of the committee / BOR to objectively review each boy. I believe we are preparing each boy for his potential Eagle BOR. Eagle BORs are run by the Council in our area and I do not want any of our boys to take any BOR lightly. CE

This debate can (and will) go back and forth with very litle impact on any of your opinions. I sinceerly doubt that any of you taking the time to write in to this forum would be willing to change your minds no matter what anyone says. I certainly have my issues with our president, but I support him in most of his positions. Too many of us presume to know and understand all of the issues surrounding our national security. For me it comes down to trust. Despite some mistake that may have been made, I honestly believe that President Bush is trying his best to keep our country safe. Ra

FrankJ is exactly correct. It due to a sharp-eyed customs agent the terrorist threat in Washington State was stopped. It was the Clinton Administration that let out legal system hanlde the prosecution of the first WTC bombing back in the early 90's. The 9/11/01 attack was clearly a follow up attack to the first one. CE

Let's not forget that we attacked Iraq because they were in breach of UN resolutions that required THEM to prove that they had no WMD. For 12 years Iraq refused to comply with request to prove they had disarmed. I know of at least two high ranking wanted terrorists that have been captured in Iraq since the fall of Bagdad. A training camp was also found that had a Boeing 747 set up to train for highjacking scenarios. If Saddam was not directly involved in the 9/11 Attacks against America, it is only because he was not asked! Exactly which freedoms has Bush violated that has some

Forget about Air America, has anyone else tried to listen to NPR. This baby is funded by our tax dollars and has set the bar pretty far to the left for any radio network that is trying to attract liberal minded listeners. Remember to think critically of all political commentary. CE

This has come up a couple of times in our troop and a formal complaint has just been brought to our committee. Tenderfoot requirement 10b requires that a scout "show improvement" after paracticing the execises in 10a for 30 days. We have had boys that have not been able to complete a "Full" pull-up after the 30 days. We have had a few boys that took several months of work to get there and one scout that has been unable after a full year. The scout's dad has validated his son's effort and even consulted his doctor regarding the boy's lack of progress. As our Troop's CC I have exp

Dr Robert Gates is currently the NESA National President, the President of Texas A&M University, the Director of Central Intelligence under Reagen. CE

I have been to there twice in the last year. The Rockwell exhibit was awsome! The meuseum seemed to be in devolopment, and a bit dark. I did really enjoy all of the displays, but I thought there would be more. I liked the earlier posted idea of a progression of the uniform with examples from each era displayed. Don't miss it, if you are in the area. CE

This discussion has been very helpfull. As our troops CC, I will relax my opposition to sheath knives. It seems that tool specific safety is the more appropriate issue. I am still not completely sold that 12 year olds should be sporting k-bars on campouts, but I am willing to get over it. For now, my son seems to be satisfied with his swiss army knife. It is probably only a matter of time before he wants to be similarly "prepared". CA

My Scouting Background (as a boy) was in Bad Kreuznach Germany (BSA Troop 98). Although Military equipment from canteens to GP-Medium tents was often used, Military / Camoflage pants and jackets was strickly verboten. BSA Scouting in Germany has always required Scouts and Scouters to avoid any possible association with militarism. I will also add that virtually all BSA Troops in the Trans Atlatic Council are Nearby (or within) US Military bases. Since getting back into Scouting with my son, I have been very surprised to see the BDU / Camo uniforms used with no apparent concern for im

Looks like a pretty good plan. I did not notice any skits planned. Cubs tend to really get into skits and it is a great way to get them used to the idea of speaking to a group. Good job pushing the outdoor program for Cubs! Mark

We have a few boys that insist on bringing (and wearing) Hunting / Survival style sheath knives to out Troop activities. I have always understood this to be against BSA policy. I have expressed my concerns to the boys parents with no results. Before I Make a federal case about this I wanted to make sure I am correct. Is this a BSA Policy?(if so where can I find it?) or a Local / Council decision.