packsaddle

I trained in Gojuryu for a few years and I have friends who are trained in Hapkido and Aikido. These last two are not alike and could not, at least in my mind, be lumped as similar. Hapkido is often advertised as a 'combat' form and although much emphasis is on defense and use of the attacker's movement to misdirect his force, the discipline of Kyok Pa, for example, sets Hapkido apart from Aikido. By the way, we all were pretty good at one time - but the best compliment I ever got was, "you sure heal quickly." And they were right, I did on many occasions.

I also noted the reference to rugby and I well-remember way back, helping my team to eat our dead. Tasty too! Regarding judo (jiu jitsu?), I note that one of the early (and most successful) champions of the ultimate fighting championship was Royce Gracie of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Brazil). Those were often brutal fights. Anyway, I'm afraid this is going to go the way of discussions of the prohibition of laser tag. We're going to agree to disagree on a lot of these things. And I doubt we'll ever fully fathom the depth of BSA thought in these decisions.

Think of it this way: she was celebrating the feeling of unity among people. Back in the 1960s I was hassled about the bumper stickers I had on my auto. You know, the usual...scratched messages in the paint, broken windows, slashed tires. So today, I just don't have stickers. Period. However, my scout shirt hangs in the window all the time (you never know when someone may need a last-minute conference and anyway, I can't easily misplace it that way). But a while back, I had a very similar experience with a Jehovah's Witness. And hey, I noticed the same thing again when I was driving through Portland this summer. You don't suppose....

Hey, I was wondering the same thing. Decades ago at N.C. State, I sometimes helped to eat our dead as well.

OK, waiting for the explosion...nothing happening yet..waiting.... I did notice, reading through the raving and ranting- he was contradictory and evidently didn't even notice it. So determined to make his case that he didn't notice that one example said the opposite. Oh well. But in case anyone else would like a good laugh, check out this explanation for the term 'bollocks'. I didn't know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollocks Edited part: I just have to mention the last two lines of the above link. Next to last, "People really do talk like this." And then, "Due to its versatility, bollocks has been called the Swiss Army Knife of andrological profanities." Some things really are priceless and I thank the English for this one.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

This is not an apocryphal story. This really happened...decades ago in a different time altogether. Two university undergraduate students late at night were sitting in the department break room smoking pot. Really stupid. I was a graduate student working in a lab a few doors down the hall. It was really late and they thought no one was around. They were alone and enjoying their buzz. Then suddenly, BAM! The door flew open and the department head stood there asking, "OK, where's the pot?" The two students were stunned...completely speechless. Fear seized their throats. Their lives were about to end. Their department head repeated, this time loudly, "I said, where's the pot?" The panic in the students was intense. They were frozen in terror. One of the students later confided to me that he was about to reply, "We smoked it all" when the department head once again spoke. He held up his cup and screamed as if they couldn't hear him, "The coffee pot, where's the damn coffee pot?" I was in a room a few doors down the hall but I heard the noise. I nearly collapsed in laughter when the department head told me the story and I still chuckle when I think about it. He died many years ago but this remains one of my fondest memories of him. And the students? They were scared xxxtless. I suspect they skulked to other places for their ilicit activities after that. As I said, it was another time... Oh, and the coffee pot? It was right there in front of everyone the whole time.

Lynda J, I think that is technically incorrect. Take a look at this site: http://wilstar.com/caffeine.htm Edited Part: Here's another site with more detail, http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/caffeine/caffeine_info1.shtml(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

What Kahuna said. You know, 'Kahuna' would be a great name for a hurricane.

I think technically, that would be 'equal opportunity' or 'equal access'. But I would hardly equate posting a religious document with posting a document declaring gods to be myth. Scoutingagain, I spent Christmas a few years ago in Lucenec, Slovakia. Delightful experience, great food, and even a decent ski slope in the nearby mountains (leftover thankfully from the days of the Communist upper crust, I think) with really butt-kicking pommel lifts. Nearly stranded in a bad blizzard and eventually made it to Budapest for the duration. Wow, now THAT is a great place to be stranded! Oh, is this off topic? Sorry.

Hey Acco40, Lost? I don't think so. Maybe Saturnalia isn't known by the majority but some of us take every opportunity we can to celebrate something. And Saturnalia is only ONE of the many reasons to celebrate around the time of the winter solstice. Heck, every time our DE bends over, I'm even ready to salute America's growing crack problem. Oops, wrong thread. scoutingagain, I'm not sure why he wrote it but it is little more than raving and ranting and you're right, not much in the way of sense. Anyway, I agree with Hunt. Ditto. Sorry NJ. Greying Beaver, Greying Beaver, Your count stands at 118 but unless I've missed something you've only written 59 times. Any ideas on how to fix those double posts? Edited part: By-the-way, the first point of the scout law is Trustworthy, NOT Duty to God. Sorry about those scorch marks. CA_scouter, you're probably right. (This message has been edited by packsaddle)

Where do you plan to do the trek? The answer to this question will help determine the details of preparation. I agree with the 'shakedown' idea. You have ample time to plan this well and to be well-prepared. Therefore I think you are headed toward success. August? Could be a perfect time for this in the right climate.

Well stated, BrentAllen. I would extend your advice to life as well. The people who change the world may or may not be 'cool' when young, but for what they achieve, who cares about 'coolness'?

I agree with mmhardy that this is REALLY serious. I would expect to see charges for something like this if it happened around here...assuming the description accurately depicts the events. Every time we physically contact one of the boys we must ask ourselves why we are doing this? Is it good for the boy? Is it necessary? Would I do this in front of his mother? If contact is necessary to teach a knot, to pull him back from stepping on the snake , or to help with swimming or first aid, that is one thing. Otherwise, I limit my physical contact to handshakes and pats on the back. No arm wrestling, no horseplay (most of them can beat me anyway ) Decades ago when I was still working on my ranks, I saw something like this at a camporee involving a leader from one troop and a boy from another. Really bad. Back then the adults settled it in the parking lot. Also bad. Today we usually settle in other ways. Totally avoidable.

I guess 'congratulations' and 'good luck' are appropriate simultaneously. I was in a related position a long time ago. The pack nearly died and just a few of us stuck with it long enough to see it through to a new crop of dedicated parents. It's thriving today. It might help if you mention to them that for the CM, at least, it's only one hour per month. Eamonn, I agree. Sincere interest in the unit by the CO is really needed. We still fight that battle but we have the good fortune of having many parents that want to help out.

The phrase, 'devoid of facts', comes to mind. There's a lot more to this than has been presented so far because not much has. I'll delay forming a strong opinion until there's a reasonable basis for it.

Hotdogs? You do it the same way they eat watermelon in Boston. Boil 'em.

Great idea! Dinner...wine...live accordion music at the table....

Here's the info: http://www.livingstonwestern.com/listings/flying_g_ranch/ I suggest that it is possible for a relatively small number of interested individuals to negotiate the purchase of this property and then continue to operate it as you suggest. I can't judge whether the asking price is inflated but it is within the ability of, say, 10 or less modest investors to make the purchase. At just under $7,000 per acre, is this over priced for that area? What is the infrastructure and what condition is it in?

Why does it seem like the issue has changed? The initial post made this seem like a problem with appearances. Now it seems like something else entirely, little or nothing to do with appearances. Anyone else wondering about this?

During our marathon camping trip this summer, many of the parks we visited had signs asking campers to take their spent Coleman cylinders with them. Reason: the solid waste problem was so large and those tiny tanks had to be disposed of properly, that the parks didn't couldn't afford to deal with those little propane cylinders. And in my work on the lakes, I could fill many boats with the darn things washed up along the shores. I use the stuff that doesn't boil at room temperature. I think the overfill devices that are mandated for refilling larger cylinders stop the filling process when the cylinder is approximately 80% full. I don't know of any such system for the small cylinders. The BLEVE problem is a valid concern. If the cylinder is filled to the point that there is little or no headspace, the thermal expansion of the liquid itself (sitting in a hot vehicle, for example) will burst the cylinder. All of the fuels discussed so far are, in fact, liquids. The advantage of propane is that it is contained and it vaporizes at low temperatures and pressures and this makes it convenient. But it requires materials and mechanisms of greater strength and smaller tolerances for safe use. And if it gets loose, it is more difficult to control. I am curious, however. John D, did you say that white gas is $10 per gallon in Qatar? Are we thinking about the same stuff? What is the material that you are calling 'white gas'? I always heard that term applied to Amoco Super Premium...back in the days of lead emissions and $0.25 regular. My preference: my old Svea 123 burning Naptha (Coleman fuel) and NO CARS, NO 20lb tanks. Just a remote trail and some water along the way.

I also agree and I like scoutldr's comments. Could be he just needs a little encouragement to get up in front of the group. However, if nothing else turns up and he still insists, I would honor his request and give him the awards privately.

I think Trevorum has a point. And I too, can't disagree with Rooster this time. Question for Diver66...Is this individual the mother of one of the boys? I think the assumption is being made that she is but you haven't said so. It will have some bearing on the eventual outcome.

Hunt, I agree. If THAT is the decision, I think there exists a serious self-deception and betrayal of the spirit. Edited part: I'm curious, who was attacking the French? FuzzyBear, when I look at at least part of that list I think Italian as well as French. Especially the food part, and you left out science.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

From what I'm hearing, the cubmaster who owns a liquor store (and the boys know it and joke about it) may be in trouble. His donations to the pack and to FOS are also in trouble. Am I correct?

I also ask, are they in uniform? My opinion is that if anyone had the courage to ask, our CO would nix this idea. But in my memory no one has ever suggested such a thing. On the other hand, if I dangled $8000 profit in front of them..... Edited part: Never mind the uniform question, typing at the same time...(This message has been edited by packsaddle)