Fat Old Guy

While it may be true that we are "doing this for the boys," if it wasn't fun for us, we wouldn't do it for anyone. Also, the adult may have had to schedule vacation time in advance and now has to change plans all sorts of plans. It is just downright inconsiderate of the Scout. As for the parents, don't get me going . . . too late. I get sooooo tired of listening to parents complaining about expenses Scouting, bicycle helmets, braces and how they can't afford anything when they smoke a pack a day.

" if you want a sharp crease in a pair of pants, turn them inside out and run a cake of Ivory soap down where you want the crease." I had forgotten that trick. The Last time that I used it was shortly after Orville Wright took to the air.

Rules, rules, and more rules. I'm going to continue to let the community businesses support Scouting by giving us stuff for door prizes, auctions, etc.. In the unlikely event that the IRS comes after me, I'll get the press involved. "IRS Prosecutes Local Scout Leader for Asking Camping Store for Lantern."

Sorry Bob White, I'll go with Mr. Walton's seemingly encylopedic memory and access to memos to Council Execs.

"While there may presently be a hold to the traditional paper versions, I do believe that they'll all give way to electronics in due time. Then what will we discuss? The font? " Nah, we'll still argue about content. I don't see books going away in the foreseeable future. No batteries. You can still use them if they get wet. Good emergency kindling. Easier to flip through looking for something that you barely remember.

"Permapress will not give you a SHARP crease" It will if you set the iron on Max. :-) "but hey, if you really want a sharp crease, why not stitch it down?" That's for bus drivers and mall security guards.

"and I don't make references to whatever the disagreement is on 10 different threads," So? That's you. You seem to be one of those who is open-minded and liberal, so stop telling me what to do.

"official start date"? "united way conflict"? My son got his popcorn order form in August. I asked the Council Popcorn Kernel when he could start selling, she said that he could start in August. My big complaint is with the Girl Scouts, they expect the girls in my area to sell cookies in the dead of winter. Door-to-door is deadly and storefront sales can leave you with frostbite.

" went to scoutstuff.org and could not find this... at least not on the same page with the other handbooks" It's not on the web site yet but they are in Scout Shops and you can order them from Supply. "I will probably end up regretting asking this, but: FatOldGuy, what is wrong with the current handbook?" Read KoreaScouter's comments. "Oh, and the thing with calling the older handbooks "evil" is getting really, really old." So? How often do you voice a complaint when Bob makes his snide comments to anyone who disagrees with him? BTW, I just checked with my library's on-line catalog and all of its copies are the 11th edition :-( (This message has been edited by Fat Old Guy)

Boy that sounds like a quality program, "You will belong to our troop, no matter what." That violates one of my basic principles of life, you can't force people to have fun (Unless you are German, "Zee fun vill now commence. Eins und zwei . . . Eins und zwei")

I figured that the 90 degree rotation was a simple turning of the tartan on someone's part but the differences that I noticed were in the pattern. It may be minor or it may not be minor. I'm an expert in many things but my knowledge of tartans is limited to what I've learned by hanging out in a Scottish for many hours while my wife visited a friend whom I didn't like. BTW, there is a Scottish Scout tartan that is based on the MacLaren tartan. Also, there is a special membership for Wood Badged Scouters in the Clan MacLaren Society of America. http://www.clanmaclarenna.org/ follow the link for "The Scouting Connection." (This message has been edited by Fat Old Guy)

I did a google search on "scottish tartan ties" and got a gazallion hits. Be careful about blindly ordering "MacLaren tartan" because the Scottish Tartan Registry http://www.scottish-tartans-society.co.uk/ lists five MacLaren tartans. Number 342 seems to be the closet match but it is rotated 90 degrees from the Wood Badge samples that I've found on the internet.

I haven't tried nylon thread (clear) in at least 30 years. Back then, it had a bad habit of melting when a hot iron hit it or breaking in the dryer.

I wouldn't expect you to argue about it in the middle of class. Maybe ask someone when it the session was over.

Bob White, you know what it is, you even argued with Ed Mori about it.

Bob White, you still haven't granted the request that I mean. In any case, that link only takes me to the FAQ and charter. I still don't see where Mike posted the Charter as his words.

I believe that the official BSA name for the flat hat is "Field Cap." In the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, if you are wearing a cap or hat with a bill or brim, your salute touches the bill or brim. If you are wearing a "flat hat", you salute by touching your eyebrow. If you are not wearing a hat, you don't salute. In the Army, you salute covered or uncovered touching the eyebrow if not wearing a cap or if the cap has no brim, the brim if it has one. In the Air Force, you keep your hands in your pockets and say, "Hey Dude!"

"Just got back from my first weekend of W.B. WE3-28-03 and this came up as a trivia question and yes when out of uniform the scout uses the scout sign to cross his heart." I hate to sound like Bob White but where is this substantiated in a BSA publication? I just checked the current handbook and it doesn't say to do that. I have handbooks going back to the 40's and this is never mentioned. I believe that this is a Scouting myth like "one year to complete a merit badge." It is a cute idea but it isn't by the book. (This message has been edited by Fat Old Guy)

I called Supply Division. The paperback version of the Handbook is not being discontinued so new Scouts won't be soaked for $20. As for content, it is simply a new printing of the current edition which means that there may be editorial changes such as the requirements for 1st Class.

Bob White, since you can't follow my simple request I have no obligation to obey yours.

"True enough. But since only about one in a thousand bother to put a crease in their pants, it does not affect too many scouters." Do you think that the number is that high?

Since an activity uniform can be a troop t-shirt, I don't see why that can't be extended to include a troop sweatshirt or jacket. I've said many times that I'd like a better jacket. And yes, the same rules apply to the jac-shirt and windbreaker.

Back in the day, sewing was an important skill. Today, with disposable clothing, it isn't. I was taught to sew patches on as a youngster. I've done enough of them that once I have one tacked in place (I use the stapler too), it only takes a few minutes of actually needle work. I am shocked by the lack of sewing skill shown by parents and professionals alike. One of our Scouters sent his shirt to the tailor with an inspection sheet for placement. The tailor used BLACK thread to sew every patch on.

I don't like the feeling of the stiff zipper encircling my thigh. Also, if you put a razor sharp crease in a pair of zip off legs, you'll ruin the zippers.

How about just taking the boys aside, possibly with their parents, and tell them what the teacher told you and how proud you are of them. That might mean more than a patch or a certificate and save them from the embarassment of being held up as an example to their friends.