GernBlansten

Isn't nature God? So a reverence toward nature be in tuned with a reverence for God? Why mock those who believe in that, no matter what they call it?

Ah, to have had such a vigorous debate when they stole our freedoms with the Patriot Act. I believe the line back then was vote for it, or vote with the terrorists.

Well Pack, You could always try a career in theology if that satisfies your need for undisputed truth.

Vol, what do you think "winning" in the middle east means? I'm looking for a measurable metric.

"The union should shut up regardless! " Why? Because its a union and they never have a legitimate reason to complain? Or Because this regards the BSA, and any Eagle scout project should be immune to criticism? Are we really above public scrutiny? Are unions beneath the rights to speak or air their grievances? Is this the America do you really want?(This message has been edited by gernblansten)

Here's it in a nutshell. Did the Eagle project replace work that was planned for and funded by the city, thus putting people out of work and unable to feed their families? Or, was the project in addition to what the city was willing and able to pay for such work, thus not putting people out of work and unable to feed their families? I think it was the latter. But if it was the former, the city has got some splaining to do. If it was the latter, the union should just shut up.

Well Pack, the question that keeps coming to me, is what was GWB's true motivation in the War on Terror. If it was to promote and execute a plan to reform and stabilize the middle east into a region easily managed to exploit their resources while simultaneously making those who supported GWB rich through war expenses, he succeeded. Kinda. He made his buddies rich, but the region is still destabilized and we are not exploiting their resources. But Halliburton and KBR certainly are doing well. If it was to eliminate the threat of terrorism on Americans, I think he failed. Terrorism is still a clear and present danger. We are no safer today than we were 9/10/2001.

If the boy has met all the (objective) requirements and you won't sign his application as SM, you should resign. If the boy has not met all the (objective) requirements, then you should stand your ground and not sign the application. Not fulfilling a required POR for the required time should hold the boy back. Not meeting your idea of the appropriate age to become eagle is not.

Traditional military warfare does not work for non-traditional warfare. Using simple statistics on troop force levels and expenditures is irrelevant. We don't need atomic bombs, aircraft carriers, stealth bombers, fighter planes, Abrams tanks, ballistic missiles, nuclear subs, anti-ballistic missile missiles. This enemy blends into the background. This enemy requires a much different approach. We need to infiltrate, identify and eliminate. Quietly. No shock and awe. Quiet elimination. But that doesn't make Americans feel safe. Doesn't make good FoxNews. We like the shock and awe. The big explosions. High body counts. Statues being pulled down. Triumphant carrier landings. That makes Americans happy. We got the former, not the latter. And we are not any safer. Our enemy lays in wait. No change in troop levels is going to change that.

Isaiah 1:24 Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies. Isaiah 34:8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Isaiah 35:4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you." Isaiah 59:17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak. Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee." Jules, Pulp Fiction

Long overdue. We should never have followed the failures of the USSR. Those who fail to learn from history are forced to repeat it.

Poppycock! Our representatives are law makers. Laws govern us. Law makers govern us. Remember the complaints in 2004 that John Kerry governed by popular polls? Would be swayed by the current political winds of public approval? And that GWB didn't do that? How does that stand up to your previous statements? Not well. No. Our representatives need to have a finger on the pulse of their constituents, but if they are forced to follow the noisiest and most vocal opinions, we might as well disband the congress and implement an American Idol phone voting for every piece of legislation. Quite frankly, I'm embarassed at some the comments coming from some of those who you would think would respect the traditions of our forefathers.

Poppycock. What do call the Governor of a state? A representative? He/she is governs the state. We are the state.

I'm not a big fan of this American Idol style of governement. We elect representatives to govern us. If you don't like their positions, vote for their competition.

Lots of reasons Brent. Off year election, so historically low voter turnout. The young adults who overwhelmingly support gay rights, historically are also the least likely to vote, especially in an off year. But most disturbing is this trend to put the rights of a minority to the ballot of the majority. Wouldn't you agree that that is troubling?

As a very well seasoned liberal scouter, I can tell you that it is much more fun being a liberal at these campfires than a sycophant, FoxNews quoting neanderthal. Remember, the average conservative scouter is really an easy foil. Sure, there are some well reasoned conservatives and its easy to filter them out. Those are worthy of debate. For the rest, I suggest just quietly allowing them to make fools of themselves. Let them demonstrate their ignorance. Lead them into saying whats really in their hearts. Let it sink in to the rest of the flock. They do more harm to their cause by just letting them be the fools they really are. If things get quiet, say something like "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one." relate that to the scout law and oath. That should be worth at least another hour of postulating. One of my favorite campfire topics.

The Y doesn't discriminate on membership. Its open to all, regardless of their faith or lack of it.

As an independent computer consultant, I keep a job tickler on Monster.com to get a pulse for the market of my skill set. For the past 2 - 3 years, nothing - zero - Nada. But this past month, I'm getting 2 to 3 leads a week. Something is happening. Something good.

That is the situation now, and it is legal. Before, public schools were the single biggest charterer of BSA units. They owned them. Illegally. BSA allowed the charters, the schools made the charters. Both were wrong. But that's water under the bridge now. BSA corrected it by pulling the charters from public schools.

Ed, when a public school discriminates based on religion, it is illegal. But you already knew that didn't you?

Well, it is easy to read and understand. Probably why so many conservatives favor it.

BTW Beavah, its not HR 3200 anymore, the latest bill AKA PelosiCare/ObamaCare/EndoftheWorldCare is H. R. 3962

I believe if you read the entire section, it says abortions will not be funded under this if existing law prohibits it. The Hyde amendment outlaws federal funding of abortions. If the Hyde amendment is overturned or not renewed, then yes, by not specifically outlawing in here it could be construed as allowing it, but that takes some pretty impressive prestidigitation and mental gymnastics to come to that conclusion. But that is where your battle lines should be drawn, at the Hyde Amendment, not in this bill. To put legislation in this bill that is already taken care of in an existing law is redundant and ridiculous. This section is not even necessary and was only included to placate the religious right. A lot of good that did eh?

Before you get all up in arms, I suggest you actually read these sections. Here's the link http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf Sec 222 E. (e) ABORTION COVERAGE PROHIBITED AS PART OF MINIMUM BENEFITS PACKAGE. How your esteemed congress critter spun this into thinking Section 222(e) requires the use of federal dollars to fund abortions through the government run health plan is a great step into bizarro world.

Brent, in a previous thread about uniforming, you stated its the youth who set the expectations and enforcement. Now you say that its you who sets the expectations. Which is it? BTW, some of my scouts do wear the full uniform. Most don't. I do. So does my son. Care to talk to me now?