Eagle732

NJ, If you review my statement you will notice I was asking if you didn't think it was worthwhile. It was a question, not a statement of what you said. The owner of WB, at my suggestion, offered at his expense, to provide a place on his website for Scouts and Scouters to discuss Philmont. There are already thousands of posts on Philmont already on WB (Google "Philmont" specific to" whiteblaze.net" to see yourself). I was thinking it would be helpful to have all those posts in one forum dedicated to Philmont. I now see that there is no interest so I'll withdraw the idea.

Beach, I suggest you visit White Blaze again. The site, although primarily an AT site has individual forums for all the major long trails, some of which you've probably never hear of and some which are shorter than the typical Philmont trek. These trails have individual forums on WhiteBlaze.net : Colorado Trail Long Trail in VT Pacific Crest Trail Continental Divide Trail Arizona Trail Florida Trail Ice Age Trail John Muir Trail Benton McKaye Trail Mountain to Sea Trail New England Trail, and several others.

OK, so you don't think that having a forum on the largest, most visited backpacking site is worthwhile? I know there are other places to go but none have the traffic that WhiteBlaze has. They have over 62,000 members, have over 100,000 threads and have almost 2 million posts. Seems to me just to get a spot on that sight is a huge opportunity.

Is there a need for an online public forum to discuss Philmont related topics? I have an acquaintance who owns WHITEBLAZE.NET, the largest online forum for backpacking/hiking. WB has forums for all the major trails including the AT, PCT, CDT, LT etc. I suggested that WB create a forum for Philmont. Considering over 20,000 Scouts and Scouters go to Philmont each year I think this would be a great opportunity to create a community to share experiences and information. I know that when I was preparing for Philmont a few years ago I visited BackpackingLight.com. However that site is a pay to join site where as WB is free. Let me know your thoughts and I'll forward them to the site owner. If we get enough interest he will consider opening another forum on WB just for Philmont. You can visit WB at: http://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php Thanks,

Is it just me or has the site been changed? I find it unusable in its current format.

Smokers, drinkers and gun totin' Scoutmasters have rights too.

Well I guess we do things just a little bit different. Be in uniform Bring your handbook Bone up on the requirements, you will be asked questions. Rank awarded the same night as BOR.

"I have formed a local group with several churches and other scout leaders to put pressure on our Congress man and Senators for change. We have drafted a letter and asked for a meeting with them thru our church minister." Basement, when you have your meeting maybe you can ask that the laws be enforced that are already on the books. If you read my last post you'll know why I ask this.

Hey Basement, 5 years ago my sister in law was murdered by a criminal with a long record who stole a gun, broke into her home and shot her probably because he didn't want to leave a witness. When he was caught the first thing the prosecutor did was throw out the 5 year mandatory gun charge, then they dropped the charges to 2nd degree murder so they could get a plea. I expect that the wife and I will have to go to the parole hearings in a few years to try and keep this dirt bag behind bars more that 10 years. I'm sure he'll be happy about that and since he already threatened my FIL I'm sure he'll be gunning for me too. And until I have 3 reported, credible threats I can't even apply for a permit to carry in this state. How's that fit in to your proposals? (This message has been edited by Eagle732)

Are you concerned about the lead concentrations at hundreds of Scout camp shooting ranges?

Lead (Pb) occurs naturally in the environment.

"After spending 3 days and 30 miles hiking with some boys through areas where no firearms is allowed AND once again having some yahoo discharge a firearm nearby where we were hiking on a designated trail (and wearing orange)I really wish the "gun folks" would support restrict idiots with getting firearms. Some folks are just too stupid." Tampa, did you see the person shooting? How do you know he wasn't on private property? I'm sure you know the sound of a shot can carry a long distance. How do you know they were not acting safely? Just wondering.

"Yah, this has me in stitches. Have yeh been watchin' da news lately? Or readin' what folks have been writin' here in da forums at Scouter.com? " Yes Beaver I have been reading what people say here, especially what you've been saying. What I've seen is that time and time again when someone makes a point that you disagree with you belittle them with some snide little remark like the one above. Something that I've noticed here lately is that if it wasn't for this discussion on gun control or gays in Scouting there would be little activity on Scouter (Currently the "Today's Active Topics" shows about 400 posts on gun control issues and about 70 on all other topics combined). These topics are so emotionally charged that some people just can't be civil when discussing them. I'm wondering if others, like me have decided to step back somewhat from this forum because of the lack of Scout like behavior by some here. (This message has been edited by Eagle732)

I agree with background checks to prohibit criminal since they having given up their rights by their past actions, Mandatory education to prove you know what your doing since your actions have consequences, Passing a test to you prove you are responsible, And paying a tax before you exercise you rights. The above should be applied to guns and voting!

"Then you know something the Bush WMD inspection team didn't know or was unable to find." Just for you: http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/report/2004/isg-final-report/isg-final-report_vol3_cw-01.htm (This message has been edited by Eagle732)