dsteele

I'd take Bob's word over mine. I rarely trouble to take the time to look these things up. Bob tweaked my response and can give you the source to back it up. Unc. This is what is actually posted on the web site www.scouting.org on the Venturing site, but I prefer what Bob White is saying, so I'll stand by it. "hand salute/hand sign There is no official hand salute or hand sign in the Venturing program. However, should a Venturing adult or youth in uniform find themselves in a position where a hand salute is appropriate, it is recommended that Venturers and adult leaders use a full-hand salute." Again, I like the V idea . . . as long as you don't poke your eye out with your thumb. Unc.

I believe in the ability of humans who are willing to apply hard work and their own abilities to make anything work, regardless of the hurdles they may have to overcome. Regardless of field, race, or socioeconomic status at birth, one doesn't have to look very hard to find a success story or a failure. Unc.

Full hand, Hopper. Unc.

I agree with Bob White on this one. It's a legitimate request on the principal's part. I also think any Cub Scout with a brain can handle a paint roller up to his own height. I wouldn't look for a great paint job, but I think the kid could handle it. It would also be a pack service project. The only potential problem I see would be for the principal, not the pack. If there is a union for the janitors or whoever would normally do the painting, the principal ought to look for a grievance from them. Unc.

I hate to be the negative guy, but you give me no choice. Read the back of the Unit Money Earning Permit carefully. The scratch off cards violate the agreement. For those unfamiliar with the scratch off cards, I'll give you the low-down. One of the units I work with tried it and I asked too many questions. As a result, the council shut down the fund-raiser. I did a little research afterwards, and had to agree with council. This is the way the scratch cards work. BTW -- good, but unscoutlike, fundraiser. The cards are like instant lottery cards. Scratch with a coin or whatever and reveal something. There are (that I have seen) the no candy bar cards -- in which the scratcher scratches to find out how many candy bars he didn't buy at $1.00 a pop -- up to $5.00 and then writes the Scout a check for the amount of the candy bars he didn't buy. The other is a simple donation -- scratch off to find out how much you should donate to the troop. The cost is minimal. The price could be astronomical. I'm not even sure if these are legal. I put a kabosh on the idea early on and wasn't forced to check the legality of it. I would suggest, that regardless of what your unit decides, that you check to see if this method of fundraising will get serious attention from the law. Unc.

Hopper -- I'm all for fun and would have eventually caught on. But I'm a guy that when I ask a question, I really expect an answer. Tout le Monde -- where can I buy the uniform? Unc.

Touche' old bird. I love the English backhand. It's kind of like the American joke -- never tell an englishman a joke on Saturday, he'll break up the service when he gets it on Sunday! God Bless you, my friend! Unc.

Jumpin' Jimminey! You guys want the BSA to publish another book? Aren't they already killing too many ink blots? Unc.

Gee, a fella misses one apostrophe and the world gives him grief! I love this Scouting stuff! Unc. PS -- still looking for the uniform. UG

Hey Ken, welcome to the campfire! We're glad to have you here. For the uninitiated, Ken's title of this thread, "Noise from Illinois" is catchy to the eye, but it doesn't actually rhyme when said aloud. Try to rhyme it in Dixon and they'll string ya up! Unc.

Interesting that both of my good friends (which I hope are not all of my good friends ) only take my measurements into consideration. Granted, a man who's chest is only 38" in diameter, and who's waist is only 30" in diameter is a small man. I'll give ya'll that one. However, how many of you men have an 8 inch drop between your chest size and waist size? Most men's suits come with a six inch drop 42" coat comes with a 38" waist, etc. What I wear is called an atheletic cut -- or standard uniform for soldiers. Do your own push ups Eamonn! (Wishing I could remember how to do the little smiley with the tongue stuck out, and having a bit of fun . . .) Unc. Still and all, I'd like that wool uniform. Any help would be appreciated. UG

Hopper -- It may not be that tall of an order! Remember, people were smaller and shorter back in the olden days! Your old uncle, Unc.

I'm looking to buy a wool uniform, adult, from the 1970's. I've always wanted one and usually wear the modern poly-wool uniforms. Does anyone know where I can get one in a Medium (38" chest) shirt and a 30' waist? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Unc.

Those that guessed that it is "two" meaning second step are correct, according to several sources. A google search on "Command Two Salute" revealed many sources that explained it that way. The first one was: http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/drill/blsalute.htm Makes sense to me. Unc.

Let me express my point in this manner: If your boss said to you, "You screwed up. Drop and give me 20," and you were not currently a member of the United States Armed Forces, would it be appropriate? I don't think so. What if the boss pulled you out of your cubicle and told you to recite the employee handbook and asked you which rule you violated. In front of your peers. Acceptable? Don't think so. I would think the Scouts expect to be held to the standards of the pack or troop, but would prefer to be reminded of the rules or disciplined in private. There's a fine line between using peer pressure in a positive manner by having the offender blow out the Good Conduct Candle at a den meeting, and physical punishment such as push-ups. I guess I'm in the no push-up punishment category. Unc.

Years ago, I advised the district commissioner to do the following and I stand by that advice still. However, I've never been a district commissioner, so take what I say with a grain of salt. It's easy for me to say, but hard for a D.C. to do: 1) Cut out the "old bread" by that I mean unit commissioners who can't or won't visit their units and/or tick them off when they do. You don't need them, even though their presence on your roster increases your commissioner ratio for Quality District. 2) Don't worry about the experience level of your new commissioners, yes, you must recruit some. Assign the newbies to good units and the experienced ones that actually do advise to the ones in trouble. 3) Train them and trust them. If they say they'll do something and they know how to do it, let them go, but pay attention to #4. 4) Inspect what you Expect. If the commissioner is responsible for on-time rechartering of a troubled unit, call thenm (actually, have an ADC call them) well before the recharter is due and ask for a progress report. Keep going until the recharter is on time, at strength, and quality unit. At least that's what our DC has taught me. Unc.

Jeez, guys, everyone knows it's panther . . . . just kidding Unc.

Mark: NJ hasn't been to Wood Badge Your old Uncle three-beader. Unc.

OGE -- Thanks for agreeing with me! I'm not sure that's what you intended to do, but I appreciate it. My problem was that I forgot the magic words in what I was trying to say -- leave no trace! At least in that respect, a trailer is better than a bus. Unc.

We all suffered trauma that day. Life changed. Just as it changed after Pearl Harbor. Remember your emotions and harness them. Let your fear turn into anger and your anger turn into a quest for truth. Not action, necessarily, but action if need be. What we can not do is forget. Unc.

When a man and a woman are married, in the eyes of God as well as in the eyes of the state, as far as I'm concerned we honor the marriage. If the facilities allow it i.e. a two person tent, a man and his wife sleep together regardless of age. Period. end of report. Unc.

thakn you for letting us know what a PITA is . I had no clue. I've met them before and will again, but didn't know the anacronym. Thanks! Unc.

Thank you for sharing. My story is quite simple and should be unattached to the tragic events of that day. However, I can't let go of the images. Perhaps I should seek help. Actually, that's what I'm doing with this thread. Very simply, I had a late night on September 10, 2001 and have the luxury of sleeping in the day after a late night. I had just woken to the AM radio news station when the first plane hit. As I lay on the bed, I didn't think it was an accident. I turned on the TV (which I never do in the morning) and saw the first tower in flames. Then, I saw the second plane hit the second tower. I knew we were in deep #$%#@$#@%^%. I shut off the TV. I couldn't watch, but listened to the radio while I smoked a cigarette. A fire was reported at the Pentagon, and I knew we were under attack. I did some math in my head and figured 10,000 people had died in the flames an collapse as I drove to work (in Chicago at the time.) I worried that Chicago would be hit next. I got to the office at about 11:00 AM Central time. Everyone was glued to a TV. I wanted to cry, but couldn't. My anger outweighed my grief. I went home at about 2:00 that afternoon. My wife was there as she's a teacher and school had been called off early. We held each other and cried together over the cataclismic events of the day. Then she allowed me to vent my anger. I have to tell you my office was 5 miles or less away from O'Hare airport. The next 10 days or so with no flights or airplane noise was very strange. Unc.

Today is the third anniversary of the tragedies of 9/11/01. Where were you and what did you do when the first plane hit? I'm curious. I'll add my memories down the line. Let us never forget that many people died unexpectedly and unnecessarily. My prayers are with their families, for the people themselves are with God now. Unc.

I love this Scouting stuff! As Barry says. Now I know why I'm going to a meeting tomorrow. Unc.