packsaddle

It does, have some dependence, on terrain. In this region, it is easy, to be hiking a trail, to hear distant thunder, but not be able, to see what direction it is, much less, its direction of movement. I have friends, who spent most, of their lives in ND. They HATE, the inability, to see long distances, here in the South.

I don't remember the thread so much as I remember some comment that someone writes and in that case I remember both the comment and who wrote it. Then it's a simple matter to do the search. The thread will usually reveal itself after that. Rooster7 was prolific so his searches take a little more effort. For quite a while I just stood back and read these things. Then....eventually I got sucked in just like all the rest of us...lol. P.S. I was half hoping this would bring Ed out of 'retirement' or whatever dark place he escaped to. We'll see....

I have one that looks like a pager made by StrikeAlert. I think I paid something like $75 for that one. It's cheap but it has basic functionality. Nicer ones run around $400. The one on the main boat was originally procured through DOD and is fairly old now. But it works really well. I have no idea what it cost originally but it's not one of those expensive models. I'm guessing in the range of around $800. The really expensive ones are usually for permanent installation or for interfacing with a computer and require a substantial antenna. I will tell you that being out on open water in a big aluminum boat with a radio mast on it can be hair-raising, literally, if storms are approaching. Once, while we were anchored like that, we kept hearing these buzzing noises that were a mystery until we noticed the little sparks jumping off the antenna up into the air. This is another one of those times when the concept of 'pucker factor' is appropriate. The team procured lightning detectors shortly thereafter. These detectors give you a warning when the storm is more than 30 miles away. That is usually ample time to study the strength of the signal and determine if it is moving toward you. If so it is time to think about 'Be Prepared' and get the heck into a safe location. Around these parts, that means inside or down in a ravine or deep into a river valley. Basically become the low spot and stop playing golf with those metal shafts or stop fishing with those graphite rods. Ben Franklin got lucky.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

If you're going to have a cell phone with you (seems unavoidable these days) you can also consider an APP for weather alerts. In the season, I also take a lightning detector. They've greatly improved in recent years and can give an estimate of whether a bad thing is headed toward you or away.

Been there, done that. I only had myself to blame. The young man is enjoying his time. He's happy-go-lucky, free as a spirit and ready to take on the world. Everything looks great and there's nothing but future and adventure and fun. Then he notices this really cute girl. ....everything is looking even better now...... This is both the good and the bad of testosterone poisoning.

On this 203rd anniversary of Darwin's birthday, I'd like to celebrate this old thread (it's a really fun read) and add the observation that after 10 years, evolution must operate on this forum...very slowly. AND I'll also note how much I miss some of the people in it who don't post any more. Littlebillie, evmori, tjhammer, rooster7, firstpusk (I was always a little nervous about that moniker)...I hope you guys are well. Happy Darwin Day!

The Eagle rank is no longer relevant, nor important, and likely never should have been in the first place. If you do love your son as you claim, read and re-read the parable of the prodigal son. Think about it deeply. Keep your hearts open and IF he ever decides to rekindle what he rejected, BE THERE for him at that time. I saw this same story unfold in other families when I was growing up. I see it happening today as I interact with friends and other families. The reasons are unique to each situation. I will note that with respect to young women who pursue the 'emancipation' approach, there is sometimes an element that is far worse than you describe...a life-destroying element that devastates entire families with permanent effects, no going back. Count your luck that your son at least seems to have turned his life around without making some REALLY big thinking errors. It might seem small consolation, but you can take comfort in the knowledge that he's finding some success out there - and he's still alive.

Wouldn't it be refreshing to have it expressed in this direct, understandable manner in BSA literature? It would be less than a page and yet possibly save SO...MUCH...TIME.

You know, don't you, that it's going to be fun, driving you crazy, with nothing more, than punctuation.

I kind of like Kucinich. He has a sense of humor. Heck, LOOK at the guy. He HAS to have a sense of humor. And I'll defend Biden. Yes he has a foot-in-mouth problem but at least there's something between his ears, unlike Perry. But all this turmoil, partisan bickering...and for what? As far as I am concerned Obama has done a pretty good job of perpetuating some really bad things that Bush originated. This is the part I have to wonder about...if you don't like Obama, where the heck were you while Bush was in? And if Romney is just another version of Obama, that kind of makes him just another version of Bush too! Or have the American people been visited with the really large pod things in the middle of the night?

As Rush Limbaugh (aka The Bald Ego) says, "It's all about money."

Calico's out...Lisa's in. Bidding is still open.....

John, not sure what you're asking but I don't remember the name of the contractor. I have two sets of standards: one made by Troemner and one by Ohaus. Both Class 1. As I remember I paid about $800 for the oldest set about 25 years ago. The most recent set was much more expensive - inflation I suppose. Time didn't change their mass though, lol...that dastardly uniformitarianism thing again. (This message has been edited by packsaddle)

I agree basementdweller, our derby would start at 0900 and go until 1500, in separate age classes plus an overall race. Dens would cook hotdogs and families would bring desserts. The Boy Scouts would attend as finish line judges and even if they weren't racing themselves, the cubs watched the others in a carnival atmosphere. It was ALWAYS one of the annual highlights that started around Halloween and culminated in the derby around this time. Interesting, they weren't all that enthusiastic about going to the district derby, at least not compared to the pack derby. I mean EVERYONE would have fun, siblings, parents included. I'd get reports back from parents about how the boys had talked for hours after about how they planned to improve their cars the next year... PWD was just fine. Edit: Gunny, we contract with one of your counterparts to do regular servicing and calibrations. The electronic ones are usually kind of boring but it is fascinating to see someone working on one of the old Mettlers with the glass knife edges, etc. I even have one of the really old museum pieces with the glass box, chains, and pans. Reliable even when the power is off...nice.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

Calico, ....I could reconsider I suppose....mmmmmmm..cobbler.....mmmmmmmm

I'll vote for you Lisa. Ahem, if elected you probably want to avoid looking in that rear view mirror.

I've never known, or known of, a single adult applicant who was denied membership for any reason around these parts. One guy I know got really sick right after he applied and he was too sick to speak for himself so the CO took his application off the table. That's about it. Background checks probably happen. I never hear anything about them except for the respondents to this forum.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

Well, I'm delighted to predict that Romney will not only get the nomination, he will also win the election. Should be fascinating.

drmbear, how would you respond if a parent or leader arrived with a standard and proved 'THIS scale' was inaccurate?

The OP was about gay marriage. The California ban was just struck down: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/us/marriage-ban-violates-constitution-court-rules.html?_r=1&hp

"Even the best precision instruments can get off, especially when they are moved or transported. Eventually you'll just have to pick a scale, make it official and declare the room a drama free environment." Not really, you don't just have to pick one. This is where the availability of a true standard can settle matters. If the scale is off, it is possible to determine that fact and by how much. Precision instruments can be transported but depending on the technology, there may be a special procedure. And they must be set up correctly. But once set up they should all perform the same. But again, the presence of a standard can show the truth of that. Or the problem if there is one. I was unaware that BSA sells such a standard. I applaud them for that...good job. My lab has 5 such instruments and all of them read exactly the standards accurately. They've been moved many times...one of them to all the pack and district derbies.

For years, I provided the district weigh-in scale. I had the advantage of having a research-quality instrument. This led to occasional claims by persons with 'postal-quality' scales that mine was inaccurate. In each case I produced a set of NBS-certified standards to show that my instrument was 'dead-on'. This didn't satisfy them. They accused the standards as being wrong because their scale "matched what they got at the Post Office". Go figure. So even if you DO get access to actual standards, you're still going to have to defend yourself. Good luck.

Moosetracker, You and I and Scoutfish and others may be looking at this the wrong way. The thinking that Beavah and JoeBob have joined on may be correct. To understand this, we need to refresh our memories on American history. If you refresh your memory, you'll remember that when the early colonists fled England and other places, when the Pilgrims landed, when all those various forms of Protestants and others founded the original colonies, risking everything, undergoing hardship, and many times paying with their lives, their motives were understood and embraced by our Founding Fathers. And the Founding Fathers were faithful to those goals of liberty and freedom of religion when they wrote The Constitution. What you and I and Scoutfish may be missing is that what our fore-fathers, Protestants, others fleeing religious persecution... REALLY sought was a NEW form of government which would protect the Catholic Church, or any church, subsidize it even, and protect its RIGHT to FREELY force ITS beliefs on non-believers. Is it possible that's what our fore-fathers really sought, the true meaning of 'Freedom of Religion'?(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

The Donald: Mr. Contractor, Im going to pay you to provide services to areas or groups that I would find harder to reach. You will be evaluated on and receive money solely on the basis of how effectively you deliver those services. Contractor: I will accept your money but I will NOT provide some of those services because it is MY opinion that some of those services should not be provided to areas or groups that you find harder to reach. The Donald: If you dont provide the services stated in the contractYoure fired. Contractor: You cant do that! By not allowing me to deny those services to areas or groups that you find harder to reach, you are imposing your beliefs on me. The Donald: "Huh???" "Are you telling me that if you are forced to fulfill the contract, not allowing you to impose YOUR beliefs on someone else, denying them those services, that constitutes ME imposing MY beliefs on YOU?" Contractor: "Yes" The Donald: "Wanna see me get creepy?"

The thread is about to go off track. The OP is about threats via text. Save them. You can't control what someone sends to you but you can control how you respond. Don't respond to a threatening text. Next time you see him explain why you didn't respond and ask if he'd like to have a conference. As far as the media go, even neo-Luddites like me have to face the facts of modern life. I think that as long as you can do it safely, it is good to communicate with other people, scouts included. Just archive the conversations and choose words carefully. The good thing about Facebook, email, and texting is that you DO have a record. Over the phone it's he said/he said.