Narraticong

When my wife and I got married, we both worked full time at good jobs. When it came time to purchase a home and raise a family, we decided to live within our means, not stretch them to the limit. We bought a comfortable, but not extravagant, house. We bought practical, not flashy, vehicles. We did not overextend credit. We saved what we could. Now, twenty years later, with times as tough as they are, either one of us may lose our jobs at any time. She is in the banking industry and I work for a newspaper. Two industries travelling down rough roads. But, having managed our finances frugally, we will weather this storm. We are watching our expenditures. My FOS contribution won't be as large as usual. It matters not whether the Constitution allows for foreign aid. It surely does not say the United States must support all other countries as our own sinks into oblivion. Is it too much to ask our elected officials to treat our tax money with respect? Is it too much to ask them to be as frugal with our tax money as my wife and I are with what is left to us? I don't care whether they are Republican, Democrat, Independent. Stop the madness. No more pork. No more unecessary spending until this mess is cleared up. Just stop!(This message has been edited by Narraticong)

Prohibited, or not, now is the time to put the UN, WHO and other countries on notice. Things are a little tight at our house right now. We love you, but we have to cut back until we get ourselves in order. So, until we can make that happen, some of the other neighbors are going to have to step up to the plate. It's time to focus on our own budget. Every dollar going across the border needs to be reconsidered. We'll just have to sit out the next couple of sunamis. China can surely take the lead for a while. We can not continue to carry the world while our own nation is sinking.

Merlyn- Only time will tell whether more money is spent in supporting organizations which promote abortion in other countries. And that will be fodder for discussion at that time. At this point, I am questioning why this was even something cosidered during the first week in office. I want to see my new president hit the ground running to get us out of our financial troubles. Unfortunately, early reports hint that the bills are dominated by pork and all kinds of spending which is related in no way to economic recovery. Mr. Obama can show his backbone and truly endorse "CHANGE", by saying no to any bill so loaded with pork. If he does not have the courage to send it back, then we must question the integrity of his campaign promises. It is not easy being President, but nobody made him run. (This message has been edited by narraticong)(This message has been edited by Narraticong)

I think we can all agree that the current financial situation is the number one priority in our country. Mr. Obama has pretty much declared his intent to get this mess straightened out. No politics, just solutions. His administration will focus on working with both sides of the aisle to get our country back on track. As a conservative, I am 100% behind this idea and look to him for leadership. But within his first week in office, Mr. Obama has made it a priority to change Mr. Bush's Exec Order prohibiting money being sent abroad to fund abortions. When we need to be focusing on our own economy and how to cut spending, Mr. Obama has opted to spend more money overseas. In my wildest dreams I can not see how this would be a first week priority? Unless... it is partisan politicking, or paying back those who helped him get in office. Both of those options are rich in the tradition of previous administrations. It leaves me still looking for "CHANGE".

I agree with you LisaBob. My son will be 13 when he goes to Jambo. I have no second thoughts at all about sending him with the Council contingent. He will know at least one of the adult leaders in his troop well, and after shakedowns, will know some of the boys. No problem there. I never got the chance to go to a Jamboree as a youth and would love to attend this one as a leader. But I want this experience to belong to my son. It's time for him to get out of Eagle Scout Dad's shadow and make his own mark. I want to eagerly wait for him to get home so I can hear all of the tales. Some of my friends think I'm crazy to pass up the opportunity to go. But in the bigger scheme of things, I think I know exactly what I'm dong!

It was nice to hear President Obama encourage us all to do our part for our community. I agree 100%. And I've been doing my best to follow through on my oath to "help other people at all times" since I first repeated that oath 39 years ago. I have always found that the best leaders lead by example. We did see Mr. Obama doing some painting last week. Wonderful. Could someone please post a list of his efforts prior to running for office? Or can someone please remind us what percentage of his income has gone to charity? Also how much Mr. Biden has contributed? I have an uncomfortable feeling that this is perhaps a case of "do as I say, not as I do". While I have little respect for President Carter as a Statesmen, I have deep respect for his personal efforts to help others as a reflection of his faith in God. Habitat for Humanity is perhaps one of the best charities ever. Mr. Carter is greatly responsible for its popularity. Someday everyone should read "Theology of the Hammer". But I'm afraid that Mr. Obama does not have the same track record. Perhaps after he has rolled up his sleeves a few more times (and who paints in a white dress shirt?), and after he has written a few more checks, then I'll feel he is worthy to tell us how we should all serve our community.(This message has been edited by Narraticong)

It seems our Council is strongly considering cutting the number of troops going to the Jamboree. Apparently there are not enough Scouts registered to justify the troops anticipated. Granted, things are very tough here economically, but it's sad to see this happen for such an important Jamboree. Maybe a last minute push will help things out!

Well, now that I'm on "THE LIST" for being a fat guy, I may as well try that "free love" thing!

Our troop attended the District Klondike Derby this weekend. Our oldest Scout is 14 and First Class. We are really beginning to develop Patrol identities in our two patrols. The theme of the Klondike was basically leadership, focusing on "Patrol Method" as taught in NYLT courses and in TLT. There were no typical Scout skills events, all focused on leadership and team building. It looked like a good opportunity for our young Scouts to explore leadership and working together and to strengthen our patrols. Our adult leadership was pretty excited about the program. But when our boys went to the opening, they were split up into makeshift patrols created from a mix of boys from all troops. Instant patrols. These makeshift patrols then went from station to station to participate in the events. Apparently the boys in one troop opted not to break up their patrols and dropped out of the Klondike. Our boys wanted to do the same, but we encouraged them to open their minds and give it a try. By lunchtime most of our boys opted out of the program. It appears many of the patrols just disintegrated. I'm not certain of my own feelings on this experiment. I understand the concept, but my gut feeling is that it was counter to everything we are trying to do in building a patrol. Something like this might be a good concept in NYLT with older, more experienced Scouts. But I don't think my young bunch was in any way ready for this. They were truly disappointed in not working with their own Patrols. I also will now have to deal with one upset Patrol and Dad who worked for weeks building a sled which was not used. I have never seen a Klondike where sleds were not used. This was a first. Much effort, time, and expense was put into a sled for our newest Patrol. The Klondike program material did not specifically call for a sled, but it also did not say one was not needed. Being a Klondike, I'd say a sled was a safe assumption. Anyway, before we do Roses and Thorns at our Troop meeting Wednesday night, I'd like to see what some of you have to think about this!

Exactly my point. I understand North Star and tree identification are not the purpose of either new or old course. But if the instructor isn't well versed in at least basic Scout skills, then all he is doing is teaching Business Relations 101. It's always been my understanding that WB is the pinnacle of Scout training. WB instructors should know Scouting inside and out- the best and brightest.

I'm off to Klondike tonight also, in Detroit Area Council's Michigami District. Staying in a cabin, but no indoor plumbing. Chilly outhouse trips for this weekend! Boys prepared well and should do fine. We have a couple of new adults along on the trip who will need to be watched. I think they will be OK. Wasn't it Teddy Roosevelt who said..."Don't forget your mittens!"? I love this stuff!

Klondike Derby this weekend for Michigami District here in SOutheast Michigan. We are statying in a heated cabin, but there is no indoor plumbing. Wish we had heated outhouse seats! Air temperature this morning was minus 12. Tomorrow looks to be a bit warmer. Our Scouts have spent much time on cold weather preparation. They have learned the "buddy system" to watch out for each other in the cold. They will eat lots of belly warmer food. All in all, the watchwords are the usual---Be Prepared. There is no temperature which defines "too cold". On the other hand, use common sense. The colder it gets, the faster danger comes. Use your training. The root of the question might be why the question was asked by a parent. If parents know the leaders are knowledgeable, experienced and well trained in the outdoors, they will be more likely to be comfortable with their Scout going on an outing in zero degree weather with you! If you have trained the boy leader swell, and they have passed that on to each Scout, you should be fine!

NOW I GET IT!!!!! Our soon to be President is always talking about "CHANGE". He didn't mean things would be different...He meant we'd solve the economic problem with collector coins. Yes, "Get the whole set". Sell coins with religious sayings on the back. Picture of President Obama on the front. Of course, the sayings would prohibit them from being legal tender in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois. What a great idea!

Didn't get a chance to eat at Burrito Banquet, but it is one of the most interesting pictures I took. What a quirky looking place! How was the food. We did eat at St. james Hotel. Food is just OK, but it's aninteresting place to visit. Take a digital camera with lots of memory. I took hundreds of pictures over the course of the week. We also flew into Albarquerque and drove up to Philmont. A beautiful ride. On return trip we visited a Natural History Museum in Albaquerue. It's a nice city. I wish we had more time to visit.

I'll send an email out to all the families in our troop asking them to keep your son and family in our prayers. And thanks for thinking of Scouts as a place to come to look for support.

Knight- Thanks for sharing. Your meeting description gave me several ideas for improving our meetings. We have a troop less than two years old and are striving for boy leadership. To read success stories like yours gives me incentive to keep working toward our goal. Troops like yours will prosper and show exactly why we do not need to reinvent Scouting! Thanks again and keep it up!

Frankly, I have no intention of taking the current Woodbadge Course. I have a shirtfull of knots, but Woodbadge just doesn't cut it. I've had a whole career's worth of management classes. But if they ever offered the old style class, I'd take it twice. I could use a refresher on some of those Patrol skills and I think living in a Patrol atmosphere for a week might bring some new ideas. I took the Scoutmaster Outdoor training last year. All of the trainers proudly wore their Woodbadge regalia. One could not show us correctly where the North Star was in the sky. Another took great pride in his dutch oven skills and how HE did all the cooking for his troop on campouts. Another had us set up our tents in nice straight lines with no regard to prevailing winds or weather. All Woodbadge graduates. No, there are many more things to be done before I consider that course valuable. I have no trouble making friends and working with other leaders. So I really have no need or desire to be a "Good 'ol anything..."

Hey Kudu! You'll have to look a long way to find a "bigger" supporter of traditional Scouting. I'm a Scoutmaster and I'm without a doubt a fat guy. And I want nothing to do with reinventing Scouts. I go on every hike and campout. When I talk to younger boys I often get down on my knees to be face to face, rather than tower over them. Growing up less than a mile from National Heaadquarters in the 60's and 70's, I had the honor of meeting Green Bar Bill and having him sit in on Patrol meetings. I don't believe obesity has a thing to do with it. We need to look toward the feel good, I'm OK, You're OK, liberal lifestyle of today for the answer. Folks today believe that challenging our children is a bad idea. Instead we falsely inflate their egos by lowering standards. Yes, I have to battle the bulge, but that has nothing to do with my Scouting beliefs.

When we started our troop 1 1/2 years ago there were two well established troops within one mile of our Charter Organization. Both are good troops with solid leadership. Our boys would have had a good experience in either one. But we (adult leaders) felt there were still other ways of doing things. One of the other two troops has very entrenched adult leadership who are not very open to new ideas. The other is not particularly boy-led. So we felt there was a niche for something a little different. We started with six boys and now are closing in on twenty. We have had several boys drop out of Scouting, but none transfer to other troops. We have had a few transfer in from other troops because we were a better fit for them. As long as a new troop is offering something a little different, it is a good idea! We get along well with the other troops, and I think the "competition" keeps us all on our toes to offer an outstanding program!

One of the problems with this type survey is that it limits your answers. How about a third choice? "Who Cares". For those who wish to keep it there, just whose "God" are we talking about? My religious belief tells me there is only one "God". And He may be very different from what you believe. I can't agree with the popular axiom that "God is all the same as long as you believe in something". I belief faith in God is a very personal thing. It is not a National identity. I also believe strongly that as Americans we have the freedom to believe in whatever deity we choose, or none at all. In other words, we have Free Will. As a Christian, I believe that Free Will has some dire consequences, but it is how we were made. In the end, I would probably be more comfortable with that motto being removed from currency. All that matters is that our freedom to worship as we choose, or not at all, is preserved. Since the Constitution (thankfully) prevents us as a Nation from defining "God", I would just as soon leave his name out of anything involving the Government.

Good advice from my friend John! He passed the same advice on to me at this time last year as my then 11 year old son and I prepared for our first trip to Philmont. It was a pleasure to actually meet John as we were in the same conference! Bring some of your local council patches to either share with fellow participants or for trading. Be prepared to come home with much more luggage than you went with. Between program materials and souvenirs, it could become an issue with luggage restrictions. I did not take advantage of it, but I believe there is a shipping facility at Philmont to send things home. There were many great opportunities for father / son bonding during our week. Be ready to loosen up a little and participate in evening sing alongs! They were great fun (as was the cobbler and ice cream). Take time for a tour of the Villa. Go into town and check out the bullet holes at the St. James Hotel. If you geocache, there are some opportunities in the area. I never had the opportunity as a youth to go to Philmont, so for me the trip to PTC fulfilled a dream. For Drew, it was a case of planting seeds. His age group did an overnight backcountry trip. He is now sold on Philmont and more than ever on Scouts. Our trip to PTC brought my son and I just a little bit closer. We share something that others don't. That alone is worth the cost of the trip. We can't wait to go back again!

Call me "old guard" if you will. I'll wear the tag with pride. But there ARE differences between men and women. One of the great benefits of Boy Scouts is that our boys have an opportunity to interact with adult leaders who are men of character. Of course, we are all grateful that in recent years women have stepped up and taken on roles that men should be performing. Shame on the Dads who refuse to find time to support their sons troop. And those lazy, self absorbed men will gladly stand on the sidelines while the women step up. Since we have accepted women as leaders in our Scout troops, it is only right that we accept them into our Order. But to consider extending membership to young women? I'm dead set against it. There are enough distractions for our young men outside of Scouting. Scouting is the one place they can focus on becoming men of character. Yes, I am a dinosaur. I fondly remember the day when a Scout asking "Where's my Axe?" was looking to cut some firewood, not to smell good for a fellow Scout!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! That was a rough night on the roads here in southeast Michigan. Thank God for all of those public servants who willingly face danger so the rest of us can be safe. It's good to hear we have men like that as role models for our Scouts.

Sorry to hear about the difficulties. I will admit to completing my Eagle under the same time circumstances back in 1976. But my BOR went very smoothly and all was done within several weeks. I do have a young man in my troop who is closing in on his Eagle. Just last night I had an informal Scoutmaster's Conference with him to encourage him to step it up a bit. He will be leaving Michigan for college in August. So I encouraged him to have all done and submitted no later than June 1. Can I ask where in Michigan you are from? I am in beautiful Warren.

If I can ever get my young troop of boys to that point, I'll believe I have been a success as a Scoutmaster. To have your boys be so self reliant is a wonderful thing. But you always have to consider the parents. I have quickly learned in nearly two years as SM that not every parent believes in self relaince as much as I do! Some parents hover over their boys (someone coined the term "helicopter parents"). They just don't believe their little boy is safe or capable of taking care of himself. At first, even their son will likely believe that and will be too afraid to strike out on his own. But once they start to believe...they have the world by the tail! All in good time with proper training, but turn them loose, I say!