andrews

I am pretty open to trading as well. I have access to both Circle 10 and Longhourn CSPs, as well as some other Texas ones in the Scoutfitter. Email me at andrews@rbacomm.com if you would like to trade. I do like to get threes of things since I have two sons. Brad

Drop me a line at andrews@rbacomm.com and lets see if we can setup a trade. Brad

The badge signup form does say you have to register every year, but it doesn't say that it has to be that form. It just indicates Scout registration. I had our Scoutmaster and others tell me since I am still an active scouter, I am ok. I just want to make sure. If national policy is different, why doesn't the form say that? Could anyone quote the policy? Brad

If I am a registered leader every year, do I have to reregister to be a merit badge counselor each year, or is my initial application and ongoing BSA registration sufficient? Brad

I learn something new every day it seems. I have never heard of stuffing a tent before. It goes against the grain for sure! But it does seem reasonable, and much easier to get in the bag that way (perhaps). it would come out wrinkled, but I don't think you get style points for a tent. Brad

Have they split any councils recently? I know about several combinations, but I don't recall hearing of any splits. Brad

While the male has a choice of his emotional/time involvement after birth, his liability or control over things like child support are totally in the hands of the female. If she decides to raise the child, he is then liable to support the child, and that is being enforced more and more. Brad

We need to be cautious before "blaming God" for things like that mentioned above. Just because he works through things doesn't mean He causes them. Too many people think God is micro-managing evil in this world for some grand purpose. Things that would get a human thrown into jail are freely attributed to God, and that is not right. As to being glad that your son's birth mother had sex outside marriage - that is really not wise. Just because the outcome was "good" doesn't mean the method to get there was good. She will now have a child she doesn't have a "mother" connection to for the rest of her life, even if they see each other (even alot) down the road. I am a firm advocate of adoption (my family has been made completely that way), but it is not all "sweetness and light" by any means, as you surely know. Also, for every mother who chooses adoption, many more chose to "end the inconvenience" or try to parent and end up in a lifetime of poverty. Reminds me of the Elvis song, "In the Ghetto." A car crash might shock someone into doing something useful with their life, and I am sure we could find examples of such. But it would be quite dangerous to build a "policy" of "car crashes for straightening out lives." Back on my original soapbox point. We live in a world with sin, a devil, and our own stubborn wills - plenty of sources of troubles. It is amazing in many ways that we get anything good at all. Brad

He is also obviously a troll.... Brad

Sctmom, I thought I explicitely commented on "relatives" and thus got around the problem. I am sorry if it wasn't clear. I probably could/should have said, "it does not include a number of adults not already related." Would that be better? BTW, I was raised pretty much by a single mother, and while she did the best she could, I know first hand that it is not the best way. Another comment, while no families are "perfect" in the way the Cleavers were, it is sad that we are so cynical today that any family that seems good automatically receives contempt by some because they seem "too perfect." A sad commentary. I do agree that I see nothing about jewelry in "family values" but it would oppose tradtional values, though those can, and do, change to some extent. On marriages, it is possible the high number of divorces is at least partly due to the way we find our spouses now. While I wouldn't want a completely arranged marriage, a little more seriousness and formality might make for far more stability. Brad

The family is the core unit of society and should be supported (by minimal interference) every way possible. (Without, of course, major danger to the members, though that can be a can of worms.) In the ideal, a family consists of a father and mother, along with a number of children. It may consist of a single parent, but not some other combination of adults. Extended families may include other relatives. Sacrifice for your children is vitally important, your needs are not more important, though they do not need to be sacrificed to worship your children either. That's all that comes quickly to mind, but I can see I could easily write a book if I thought about it.... Brad

It amazes me how arrogant many "rule nazis" can be. I have dealt with a few, and I see signs of such here. We need to realize that it is completely possible to disagree about the exact meaning of some rules. The idea is a solid program for the boys, not following the tablets sent down from high. In many ways it reminds me of a religious dispute. Both areas have written "rules," but the interpretation and application of them involves much disputing, unfortunately. Instead of assuming those who disagree are the lowest level of slime, realize that while we may disagree strongly, we are all here to make a good program for the boys. Some may stretch that, but it is a far more optimistic approach to things. Brad

The only duplicate positions you can be officially registered for is Charter Organization Rep and Committee Chair. Being on different positions on different committees would only be a problem when you run out of "another hour a week." Brad

Reality and the documents often look at things from a far different vantage point. "The rules" can be used to manipulate just as much as any "controlling Scoutmaster." I know that from first hand experience. I would caution against an attitude of "I have superior knowledge" in any online forum, or in life for that matter. While it may be true, it is very prideful, and pride comes before a fall. I also have found that many times being "right" is not so important as working with people - a key element of Scouting. This doesn't mean we ignore the rules, but some things are truly more important than others, and almost always there will be a better troop out there for you if your current one does not fit for one reason or another. Brad

Yarrow, I doubt many 15-17 year old Eagles consciously tried for that. I would think most either just weren't motivated for the final step, or got a late start in Scouts. I recall getting mine when I was 15 (I would have to dig out the records for sure), but that was a limitation of time limits, as well as a bit of poking on my part I suppose. Though I did miss a good chunk of my first possible year as a Boy Scout for some personal reasons. My oldest will be 13 in April, and just got his life. If he makes his Eagle this year, which will be up to him, it won't be a "paper eagle," for he will have worked for it. I helped a bit in the earlier ranks, but he is "on his own" now, at least as far as the remaining Eagle badges and project. Given that he is already working on the merit badges for his second palm, a change in the award structure would benefit him. All that said, I don't think most boys are that motivated to achieve bunches of merit badges. Even my oldest, who is somewhat aiming toward that, doesn't really puruse it as hard as he could. Brad