packsaddle

Wow! Is that true? Does the ACLU pay people to allow them to defend their constitutional rights?

"A Scout is Loyal. A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation." Nothing explicit about the BSA organization there. It would be reasonable for a person to be loyal to the nation, its constitution, and its principles. That might create a conflict with an organization that does not support those principles.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

At first I thought this was a joke. Then: http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=1850278 The nice legislators-with-nothing-to-do are puckered enough over this to be able to bite holes in their chairs, putting an 'end' to America's growing 'crack' problem.

NJ,I found this: http://users.mo-net.com/mlindste/mcveigh1.html It might be the document to which he refers. This is only the first of 18 parts, though. Rather lengthy.

Welcome to the forum, Deloe. You're off to a fast start in a tough crowd. I hope you have as much stamina as Merlyn. Kind of spices things up around here. I agree with the question posed by NJ and his characterization of the statements you mention. I find it useful to think of these things in terms of deceptions (as defined by the Arbinger Institute). To me the concept is more useful because it does cut both ways. Note: the Scout Law says nothing about 'honest'. Edited Part: a personal note http://www.lw.com/attorney/attorneysearch_profile.asp?attno=00746(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

Duh!(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

The comment about 'catch 22' relates well to the topic. It is the same 'catch 22' as the one regarding loss of funding from various sources, notably United Way. BSA knew the consequences, made the choice, and is now paying the price for that choice. The 'catch 22' was that BSA can't have its cake (public support) and eat it (private exclusive membership) too. It was an informed policy decision by BSA with predicted results. BSA is in complete control and it can have its favored status again with a stroke of its pen and a change of policy. However, BSA chooses to maintain the status quo, evidently having decided the price is worth it. Time to stop whining and get on with scouting.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

I carry 100 feet and everyone always ends up borrowing it to hang all the stuff. So I continue to carry it.

The Soviet Union recently dissolved into individual states without such a war. Uncleguinea, I saw the movie and the play as well. While I don't know if that statement is historically accurate, I do understand that an argument of that nature did take place. His premonition came true in 1861. I offer a link to Lincoln's inaugural address on 4 March 1861: http://odur.let.rug.nl/%7Eusa/P/al16/speeches/lincoln1.htm It is a little lengthy but in it Lincoln outlined a legal argument regarding slavery, the law, the union, secession, and war. The last three paragraphs are rather clear. He reached out to the South in a conciliatory manner on 4 March, but on 12 April he was answered by an attack on Ft. Sumter. As to the importance of slavery as a root cause, consider the entire nature of the Connecticut compromise during the Constitutional Convention, including the ominous part to which some of us pay little attention. Consider the entire nature of the Missouri compromise, the Dred Scott decision, the political importance of westward expansion and future new states, bloody Kansas. Read the book. There is practically no issue leading to the conflict that did not relate to 'the peculiar institution of the South'. This was clear to those bold South Carolinians who led the South to ruin even if it isn't clear to many of us today. And it ruined so much. Some excerpts from Edgar's book, pages 374-376: Quote: The state's leaders, said William J. Grayson, had misled the people "to plunge into the volcanic fires of revolution and war," promising them that, "not a drop of blood would be spilled; that no man's flocks, or herds, or negroes, or houses, or lands would be plundered or destroyed." South Carolina lost a generation of young men in the war that its leaders swore would never take place. South Carolinians were willing to sacrifice cherished principles (independence, property rights, republicanism) in order to preserve their society. The revolution that Carolinians launched in 1860 assumed a life of its own, one they could not control. It ended, not in victory as had those in 1719 and 1775, but, as Joel R. Poinsett had feared it would, in defeat and humiliation. :Unquote Such tragic arrogance.

OK, I read it. Having done so, I seriously doubt that I or any other persons have been enlightened in any way. Especially after further poking around the site: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38378 NJ, Hold your nose and...Bon Apetite!

le Voyageur and anyone else who is interested in history. Dr. Robert Edgar of U. of South Carolina wrote a history of SC a few years ago called, 'South Carolina: A History'. The book is a lengthy but fascinating read. It answered a lot of my questions on how everything turned out the way it did. Many of the misconceptions of the root causes of the 'Civil War' can be laid to rest in its meticulous detail. But a quick test can be posed by the hypothetical question: If slavery had not existed would that war have been inevitable?

I think it was Lincoln who observed that, "you can't dip clear water from a muddy stream", or something to that effect - on nearly this very topic. The candidates just may be representative of....us.

SR540Beaver, That's the way our camp has done it for as long as I can remember. I assumed it was SOP. Our check-in is done by the person in command of the health lodge, no CITs or similar. I think they do a great job.

Giardia is only one of very many nasties you can encounter in the water. Dump the halizone. Go with a modern solution. I filter and then boil because I don't like the chemicals but the chemicals work if you use them properly. A further tip: if you travel overseas, drink the carbonated bottled water (with gas) because the low pH (carbonic acid) tends to further disinfect the water. It's your GI tract, take care of it.

Think...'Pirates of the Caribbean'. I suppose lip gloss is out of the question. Nothing about it in the rules, at least I don't think so.

We did just about everything from heavy terrain (short trips in the mtns) to coastline (beach camping at the end). It took quite a while to finish all the trips but they were great fun. The boys were impressed by how much wildlife you could detect on a bike as opposed to an auto. My advice, make sure you take a good first aid kit and plenty of repair stuff. I had to repair 2 broken chains the first trip alone and the boys had numerous flats before we were done. The first aid kit was for me.

VentureScoutNY, I really have to tell you...a touch of eye shadow adds so much to the look. Kind of a 'Johnny Depp does BSA' effect. Wow!

We always try to plan the first trip to occur with good weather, great trails, and an ice cream parlor at the take out. But a 30-40 degree bag is good. I have yet to figure out the difference in synthetics but I suppose they really are different. Size is important because a small boy can cut down on weight by using a smaller bag. But, as noted, the bag can be outgrown. I like the idea of sewing in a flannel liner but I prefer a 'Little Mermaid' pattern. The boys see that and it seems to keep them guessing. For some reason they are too shy to ask. Sleep is one of the important components of a great camping experience. But don't forget another big one: Food. That's another topic though.

I own and I have used externals (Camp Trails, several models) and internals. I like the Kelty internal but there is a bewildering variety of other nice internals too. I like the internal frames after logging hundreds of miles with externals. Trails around here tend to have low overhanging limbs and the external frame seems to catch on every one of them. But the externals are definitely cooler. The internals tend to be warmer to carry because of the finer fit and ride, which is why I like them. I like a few convenient pockets but also a couple of large compartments for a sleeping bag or similar size objects. At my weight I would not enjoy lugging 25% in a pack, more like 15% so that is "not so much a code as it is a guideline" or I think that's how the quote went. Bob's right about the clothes, I carry as little as necessary and I live with the consequences. My advice, try the packs on with some kind of load in them. Get some help adjusting them to your proportions, get the fit right. Some of them won't get there, others will feel great. Then your decision is made. Happy trails to you...(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

OK, I'll make a wild guess that it may be one of the many wolf spiders. The size is about right and so are the markings. I'd have to see it to know though. They are often found carrying an egg mass and later, after the eggs hatch, a ball of baby spiders. They are very quick even as babies, but they are harmless and really nice to have around. They don't normally bite unless you squeeze one in your hand or something. But if you mess with one, it will stop trying to escape and it will turn and assume a defensive position. I've always wondered if there was a pattern to how much harrassment they would tolerate before they would fight. We try to keep a few in our downstairs rooms to help beat back the roaches and scorpions that seem to like to move into the bathroom and under and behind furniture. I guess some people get the creeps but I think it's nice to have a good accumulation of web spinners under the sink or the toilet and active hunters around other places. There's nothing that says 'home' like the feel of 8-legged creatures skittering across your bare feet in the dark when you go for a drink of water in the night.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

Your description is not bad but still not quite enough for an ID. I suggest sending a specimen to this person: http://faculty.millikin.edu/~mrobertson.nsm.faculty.mu/index.html Or give her a call. She's great with students and a top expert on arachnids.

I also express my sympathy to his family and the troop. Bob White, that's a great memorial. Thanks for sharing it.

ok, I give up.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

SR540Beaver, Why thank you! I can really turn heads, especially in my old BSA garters. You'll have to come up and see me sometime.

ManyIrons, I am afraid my choice of terms was a poor one. I update daily. However after asking my folks, the version is older than yours, just updated (not upgraded). That probably explains the difference.