packsaddle

Holy smokes! $73K??? What troop has THAT much in resources over 2 years, so much that when it goes missing, no one notices? I think the most we ever had at one time might have been a couple $thousand. H'mmmm....maybe we need to take a closer look....?

Those kits are not the exclusive domain of scouting. I've also seen them for sale online as well as in Michael's. They are manufactured and marketed to anyone who wants to use them, and used by other organizations besides cub scouts. Some of the cubs buy multiple kits to make 'extra' cars. My daughter built a pinewood derby car and the church used the same track that the cub scouts used for an 'open' event for all children. As CO, the tract belongs to the church and is used for one weekend each year by the cub scouts. Why not employ the same materials and use the facilities for the OTHER children who have fun doing these things?(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

When Rush Limbaugh says "It's all about the money", that's one pearl of wisdom that I can accept that he's right about. He should know. The way to shrug all this off and make it NOT about the money is to refuse to contribute, ignore the pleas, and then devote time and resources to the boys and the unit. You will still buy the uniforms and handbooks, etc. That's fair enough. And the six-figure guy may frown (that poor, poor man...) but they'll use the unit and (perhaps inflated) numbers to leverage the funds from someone else so you'll still be doing your part. Like my coffee cup says, "Don't let the turkeys get you down."

Heh, heh, I sort of like the sound of part of that. I'm a gadfly to the econ types around here...and EVERYONE knows they're vastly underpaid. But Beavah, you're bumping up against the economic genius of my old industry masters and the likes of Rick Santorum. And those guys aren't intellectual flyweights.....are they?

I guess the better question is..if the Viagra is covered why not the other pills? In 1998, within months of Viagra hitting the market, it was covered under health insurance plans. Do I need to quote Rush Limbaugh here? Edit: I'll also add that those were the days of such Republican policies as wage and price controls, bombing countries that hadn't attacked us, the National 55mph speed limit, etc. "gee, our old LaSalle ran great, those were the days!"(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

Richard Nixon. 1974. Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan. I almost miss that guy.

Eagle_23, you're working under a misconception that because you think your time is worth something then it IS worth something. I maintain that if you give it away for no pay, it is worth exactly what you were paid for it. That IS the American economic system and it is the way the volunteers are viewed by the professionals. Volunteers are easy to come by. They cost nothing. Moreover, if that other thread regarding extortion is correct, the volunteers can be a source of additional revenue. I remind you that my thoughts regarding pay and contributions to society are perfectly in line with those of Rick Santorum. He has said as much.

When I was working in industry, I was told that in this society, we are paid according to what we contribute. On that basis, since we are not paid as volunteers, society places no value on our contribution because for practical purposes, there is no contribution (because we aren't paid). So the answer is 'zero'.

Let's make an analogy to rhinoceros horns or tiger testicles. They're illegal to harvest and sell. The price on the black market (eBay) is really high as a result. Until Viagra came along, essentially displacing any need for rhinoceros horn, I advocated using protein synthesis technologies to produce synthetic rhinoceros horn from, say, dead fish. Then flood the market with a product that is just as good, indistinguishable from the real thing, and the price will tank. Then the risk of getting the real thing will outweigh the potential benefit. Solution: make enough fake badges so that the entire world is awash in them. OR...as already suggested, don't buy them. Thing is, this guy is not doing this because it isn't effective. He's doing it because someone, somewhere, is willing to pay. THAT is the problem. P.S. I started to use an illegal drug analogy but I thought scout patches would compare better to wildlife body parts than to something like heroin or crystalmeth.

"just a little add salt or a nice slice of ham." You'd fit in perfectly here in the South. salt and grease = Southern allspice.

I'm ok with this Republican alternative: Without adequate health care, no one can make full use of his or her talents and opportunities. It is thus just as important that economic, racial and social barriers not stand in the way of good health care as it is to eliminate those barriers to a good education and a good job. Even though more Americans carry health insurance than ever before, the 25 million Americans who remain uninsured often need it the most and are most unlikely to obtain it. They include many who work in seasonal or transient occupations, high-risk cases, and those who are ineligible for Medicaid despite low incomes. The comprehensive health insurance plan would offer to every American the same broad and balanced health protection. The benefits offered by the three plans would be identical for all Americans, regardless of age or income. There would be no exclusions of coverage based on the nature of the illness. In addition, the plan would cover treatment for mental illness, alcoholism and drug addiction, whether that treatment were provided in hospitals and physicians' offices or in community based settings. Certain nursing home services and other convalescent services would also be covered. For example, home health services would be covered so that long and costly stays in nursing homes could be averted where possible. The health needs of children would come in for special attention, since many conditions, if detected in childhood, can be prevented from causing lifelong disability and learning handicaps. Included in these services for children would be: --preventive care up to age six; --eye examinations; --hearing examinations; and, --regular dental care up to age 13. Under the plan, a doctor's decisions could be based on the health care needs of his patients, not on health insurance coverage. This difference is essential for quality care. Every American participating in the program would be insured for catastrophic illnesses that can eat away savings and plunge individuals and families into hopeless debt for years. No family would ever have annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered health services in excess of $1,500, and low-income families would face substantially smaller expenses. As part of this program, every American who participates in the program would receive a Health-card when the plan goes into effect in his State. This card, similar to a credit card, would be honored by hospitals, nursing homes, emergency rooms, doctors, and clinics across the country. Every employer would be required to offer all full-time employees the insurance plan. Additional benefits could then be added by mutual agreement. Comprehensive health insurance is an idea whose time has come in America. There has long been a need to assure every American financial access to high quality health care. As medical costs go up, that need grows more pressing. The plan proposed today is, I believe, the very best way. Seems reasonable to me....

Does anyone actually LIKE cucumber sandwiches?

Cambridgeskip, that almost perfectly described my lack of understanding of the game. I just love that dry sense of humor. Thankfully, Moggie may just have caused the light bulb to begin shining in my mind. All of a sudden some of the things I've been watching are beginning to make a sort of gaming sense. I wonder how this game came to be in the first place? Another thing I've noticed is that Cricket doesn't seem to have the associated spectator violence that soccer has. Even if they support different teams, my friends seem to be passionately jovial about all of it. Or has my clodhopper mind missed something else?

OK, this might be a hijack but I need a certain audience so I'm going to take a stab at this. I travel to places that were once part of the 'Empire' and they are passionate about the game of Cricket. I am so ignorant of this that I feel like a colonial clodhopper when I'm with my friends watching the game. Someone, Anyone, please explain this game of Cricket in a way that I can understand it. P.S. Yes, I know what you're thinking and I'm aware that no matter what I'm still going to be a colonial clodhopper. I just want to understand the game.

OK, I understand the outrage and I would 'pass' on this as well. But it really isn't 'extortion'. Really, this is a case where the vendor (BSA) thinks their product is worth a certain price and they are telling you up front what that price is. If the price is too high (and that's what I'm getting here) then simply decline (as seems to be the case) and devote your resources to another investment, such as your own unit and the boys in it. This is simply a business taking a risk and if it works out badly for them, they'll change their price. Kind of like the banks did a while back with their fees. We're all free to vote on this, by withdrawing our wallets. It will be interesting to see how many go ahead and pay the price. If it works out for BSA, that will separate the volunteers into those who are willing to pay the price and the others.

This morning I get no warnings. Everything looks good so far, even on this wretched Microsoft system.

1. Yes, mostly. The states determine the dates and voting methods, etc. They have their own laws about registration, etc. 2. Yes, mostly, again. But not all the states are the same. Some assign the delegates proportionally, some do it with caucuses, etc. 3. Yes. But back when I was more directly involved, the people who were chosen as delegates from my state (I can't speak for the others) were told that they were honor bound to vote the way the state voted unless there were circumstances (the candidate drops out or there's an extended floor conflict) that allowed them to place their support for the candidate of their personal choice. I've never actually seen it come to that for my state but it has happened in the past. 4. I'm not clear on this one. If there's no election, why choose candidates? 5. Democrats can be just as entertaining as the Republicans are this year. Yes, believe it or not, some politicians actually switch parties, they're so similar. (tongue in cheek) 6. Yes, someone could challenge him. This has happened before. It won't happen this time. The results of past attempts have shown that Democrats CAN learn from experience. 7. In case you're still feeling that horrified fascination, be sure to watch the Republican convention. The Democratic convention is going to be a snoozer.

Regarding snobbery. I think I've seen this but since I don't 'get' many of the social signals that some of us are really sensitive to, I might just have missed it. I HAVE seen certain groups of scouters who seem to be very closely-knitted in their interactions and for this, woodbadge does come to mind. I just don't actually 'feel' any slight by it though. OMG, does that make ME a snob?! So I just invite myself into the group whenever I want. I just sort of bumble into it smiling and if they seem uncomfortable, I just ask them straight up and apologetically, "Am I intruding?" "Am I not supposed to be here?" They almost never say 'yes'. So usually at that point I'm 'in'. Woohoo! Being a social clutz can actually be a lot of fun at times! It also helps to have layer of water-resistant feathers. Oh...a horse is a horse, of course, of course....

We have a 'memorial' display of ruined cell phones, mp3 players, etc. that were destroyed in various ways on outings. Plus little 'pretend' gravestone markers for ones that were simply dropped into the lake or down an unknown hole someplace and lost. It mostly gets the message across. Once in a while we have an 'addict'. Then it's time for intervention by the parents. We don't confiscate. We encourage them to make good decisions.

I'm just going to interrupt this thread for a quick note because it is the PERFECT place to announce this. Actually it's a celebration...of the 100th Birthday of the OREO!!! "Little girls have pretty curls but I like Oreos, Oreos, my choice because, They're the very best cookie, Ever Was!" "Girls are nice but boy, what icing comes on Oreos...Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm" The entire summer camp dining hall...singing in unison...some of the boys almost with a sense of reverence...what a great memory.

What law is he breaking? Seems to me this is an example of the American economic system working the way it should. And if he really IS making a profit, someone is agreeing with him.

When I was with the federal lab I was a team leader. I didn't much like it though. I had to deal with too many team members who were too much like me (obstinate, contrary, loose cannons). The worst of it was that most of them were contractors so while I had to make sure the work was done, I had no direct influence over them. They knew it and told me so...the federal employees often had to take up the slack. To me the 'privatization' of this function was a terribly destructive idea. I was glad to end that responsibility when I was offered this position. Now I'm in the perfect environment for a loose cannon. But I'm a lightweight compared to my colleagues. Wow. Now those guys really know how to roll around bashing things and doing random damage! I guess I'm willing to accept that a real leader might have an innate leadership skill. But I think that most times, it takes some perspective and experience, even if the latent skills are present, for a person to be a great leader. I've seen a few. They're the persons, like my current dept chair for whom the team will do anything they can to contribute to the team. And the reason why is that this leader makes it all about the team, and not all about the leader. This leader demonstrates that fact in every aspect of day-to-day duties and backs up the team, even at own expense, if necessary. Most of us would walk through fire if this person asked us to join, on behalf of the team...we'd know this leader is already standing there in the fire waiting for us.

Either Terry fixed the problem or else the computer makes all the difference. On this MacPro it is faster than ever with no 'attack' warnings whatsoever. Edit: AND there are only three open threads, the fewest I have ever seen...and with 923 active users too!(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

Yeah, and Jesus stopped Peter from hacking that soldier into a bunch of other pieces, not just lopping off an ear. Plus he healed the ear. If THAT isn't forcing a belief I don't know what is. And when he stopped all those people from stoning the woman who had been caught in adultery, now that went in the face of tradition, religion, and politics. What a radical!

BadenP, .....backwoods? BACKWOODS? Really?? Why, thank you very much. I'll accept that compliment. I apologize if that quote from my grandmother seemed not to treat your exchange with Rooster7 with appropriate, what, seriousness or profound reverence. At least Moosetracker gets it...except...SHEESH, Moosetracker, after all these years of my having to harp on this: It wasn't KoolAid that they drank at Jonestown, it was FlavorAid. I'll keep harping on this until everyone can get that right. Now THAT is truly important.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)