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Everything posted by packsaddle
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Troop trailer policies
packsaddle replied to sunflower404's topic in Equipment Reviews & Discussions
Outside G2SS and the various state laws I don't know of other policies or regulations. This troop uses a trailer but we have a stable of haulers that have experience (really important) and vehicles that can safely haul the loads. I regularly pull loads up to 5 tons and what Buffalo2 says is very true. Because the kinetic (moving) energy varies with the square of the velocity, the energy that brakes must absorb also increases with the square of the speed. I try to remember that with a trailer, the safe speed is significantly less than without. I try to go beyond the printed regulations to maximize safety, safety, safety. So far, after 35 years of this stuff I still have a safe record. Good Luck. YIS -
Is Your Unit Getting The Support It Needs?
packsaddle replied to Eamonn's topic in Open Discussion - Program
Hey, I'm with you on your estimates of worthlessness (my comparisons are to highly intelligent buckets of nails) but....well...there's a fine point I need to make. Plants (I assume they're what you refer to) don't make oxygen out of carbon dioxide. The oxygen comes from the water molecules that are split during photosynthesis. Sorry, I just can't help it - the boys roll their eyes too. YIS -
OK, since you guys are doing your best to kill this thread, I'll make a contribution as well. They are adaptations by microbiologist Helen Davies, a highly regarded teacher and scientist. She has created some neat songs adapted from popular tunes. My favorites in part: To the tune of 'Sounds of Silence'; Hello herpes our old friend. Will be with us 'til the end. 'Cause the virus softly creeping, Left its genes while we were sleeping. etc. But wait, there's more! My all time favorite to the tune of 'Yesterday'; Leprosy, Bits and pieces falling off of me. But it isn't the toxicity; It's just neglect of injury. Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be. Can't feel anything peripherally From swollen nerves, hypersensitivity. Why don't leprae grow in vitro? We cannot say. In vivo they grow very slow, once in 12 da ... ay ... ay ... ays. Hard to get, But the stigma hasn't faded yet. Don't keep an armadillo as a pet. Clofazamine and Dapsone--don't forget. Kind of grows on ya, doesn't it? Tee hee. H'mmm, maybe the boys would like these...
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What is your troops favorite "camp" song?
packsaddle replied to Shell in WA- USA's topic in Working with Kids
Seasonal favorite: Randolf the Texas Cowboy All round favorite: Henery the Eight (second verse, same as the first) Unexplainable: How much is that doggie in the window, arf, arf (this one scares me a little) and a final perversion for a safety song: My Bonnie looked into the gas tank, Its contents she wanted to see, She lit a small match to assist her, Oh bring back my Bonnie to me. -
Is Your Unit Getting The Support It Needs?
packsaddle replied to Eamonn's topic in Open Discussion - Program
This troop was nearing death. I and others pleaded for help from the DE, from the commissioners, from the council, anyone whom we could ask. I wrote letters all the way to the national level. The buck was passed and we were ignored. So we did it ourselves (just like the little red hen) and turned the troop around. But we received absolutely nothing in the form of help from BSA, just a handful of gimme and a mouthful of nevermind. -
Most of the boys in this troop are fairly good about food hygiene. A wash before handling. And then after if handling things like meat or eggs. This topic is really important. Has anyone washed their hands in a public bathroom and then used their hands to open the door to leave? They may have wasted their time washing. Think about this next time you shake someone's hand and then hold a hot dog or hamburger in the hand you just shook with. So it is with the food. Washing is good any time but it is REALLY good just prior to eating. The cooking process should take care of Salmonella or similar bacteria (theoretically, even if handling the eggs prior to the other items to be cooked - I enjoyed the butt-grasping comment too). But cooking does have to be complete for effectiveness. I like to think this is why a big thick steak is healthier than chopped meat. Mmmmmmm. Yep, I'm hungry and I'm headin' to the kitchen.... Edited part: You know, I'm thinking I had a relative named something like 'Salmonella'. Or was that 'Barbarella'? H'mmmm(This message has been edited by packsaddle)
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Re: projects. We had the luxury of a moderate (ca 300 acres) lake in need of shoreline stuff. Our den did a combined shoreline/trailside cleanup, bagging all the stuff, fishing a little, big picnic afterwards. Actually caught bluegills, a northern hogsucker...also some little sculpins in a nearby stream - tried to catch a beaver and a pair of geese. Skipped rocks. Got wet. climbed trees. Played games. Built a fire. Ate food. We got the patch but the above is the important stuff.
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Very similar to EagleWB. Over the years I have cultivated a love-hate relationship with trailers. Overall, the backpack is my favorite, most reliable transport. Goin' again this weekend. No tent. No pad. No extra weight. And lovin' every minute.
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Silicone grease, the kind used on O-rings, stopcocks, and ground glass fittings.
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old equipment in general. the good and bad
packsaddle replied to willysjeep's topic in Scouting History
Wow, this one actually caused me to drag out my old baker tent and set it up again. I even found the wooden poles. Then I carefully folded it and put it away, perhaps forever. Then I took wistful glances at such things as my old handmade pack frame made from steel conduit, a box full of assorted old backpack stoves, and a really heavy sleeping bag full of kapok. I'm with Bob White on this topic. The new stuff is almost always an improvement, probably cheaper too. Wait, no - I still like my wood and canvas canoes...trying to think of others...my Kabar knife? Now...I'm really going to have to clean out that store room. -
TwoCub, I don't know the answer to your question but I can atest that my den (bear at the time) did this as a den activity and we had a blast. Actually, come to think of it, everything we ever did was a blast. I sure miss the cubs.
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Hunt, As an aside to your post, the first minister in my life was kicked out by our church because he did not support racial segregation. That church was as dead-set on segregation as BSA seems to be on its gay policy. They had the right to take the action they did. They were wrong. Many members of that congregation still think the same way (but very quietly) 40 years later.
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NWScouter, I am not familiar with the requirements for the Bah award but I very much enjoy my Bah friends' discussions of religious ideas. Not many people know about Bah but I think many people would enjoy that faith.
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Too subtle again. My characterization was of the action taken by BSA regarding UU boy scouts. I find the overall program to be valuable to the boys. I criticize this policy or any new policy that may be formulated in the future if it needlessly gives unequal treatment to the boys. But call it what you want, boy scouts of any religion except UUA are allowed to wear the religious medal that they earned. UU boy scouts are disallowed because BSA disagrees with UUA ideas and literature. This may seem a small issue to some persons. In my view the fact that BSA decided to do something this 'small' to boy scouts belonging to a religious minority makes the action that much more deserving of criticism. I add that I find support for my view in scripture: Matthew 25. Although the whole chapter is relevant, the essential point can be found in the last few verses, number 46 being even harsher than anything I've said here. To answer your question, my son finished his eagle quite a while back. I continue to work with the troop because they need the leadership, the boys enjoy my leadership, and I enjoy working with them. Incidentally, I'm a little curious about the idea that BSA 'serves' me. I've really never thought of BSA as 'serving' me. I rather thought that I 'serve' the troop. Am I in error?
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I would react the same way to a bully picking on a child whether I was a member of the club or not. However, I am a member and I consider it my scouting duty to protect the child, and coincidentally through my criticism aid the program. You may think BSA merely needs a corps of toadies. I think that if BSA can't accept criticism, then that indicates the weakness of the ideas. Incidentally, it isn't YOUR house and YOU can't show me the curb. You don't own BSA and I serve in standing equal to yours. I'm staying. And I'll continue to be heard on this subject - assuming someone starts more threads on it.
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Eamonn, ditto. We have no formal meetings but many informal ones - any time any of us feels the need. Seems to work fine.
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OK, that was too subtle. Bob White, I could be wrong but I thought you disagreed with my characterization that BSA was cowardly in their action. Was I wrong? I was sarcastically using a favorite tactic that I see in these threads - the one where one person states a certain idea and the opponent responds with a statement along the lines, "...if you think _____, then you must think __[some opposite thing]___, you can't have it both ways..." You must remember reading a few such instances (hint, hint). But since FOG is improbably galloping to your rescue I mention to both of you that a UU boy scout CAN play by the rules and still be the object of special sanctions by BSA. If you're uncomfortable with the 'cowardly' characterization, I'll be glad to substitute 'contemptible'. How's that work for you? I do follow the rules. And when I see something I think is wrong, I state my objection. Or do you have a problem with that? Is there a 'turn a blind eye to injustice' clause somewhere?
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Bob White, the actual story has been explained in more than one previous thread. BSA and the UUA disagreed over the wording of the UUA booklet for the UUA religious award. BSA could not stop UUA from expressing their view. The conflict was between BSA and UUA and they had reached an impass. BSA then took an action that advanced no person's view, doing nothing to break the impass - but only dealt a special limitation against UU boy scouts. I characterize that as cowardly - BSA venting its wrath at UU boy scouts unable to defend themselves. If you disagree, then you must think it was a courageous action. You can't have it both ways. Your analogy to baseball is confusing. BSA did not have to do anything. The only net effect of their action has been to place a special sanction against UU boy scouts. Your opinion that this was a courageous action is puzzling. Please explain the courage it took for BSA to do that to those boys.
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FOG, I hadn't read that before. So is that Mike Walton's rule or did the executive board make another exception that applies only to a religious minority?
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"resistance is futile" NJ wrote, "Look at what the BSA did to the UUA. I know you think that was a good idea, Bob, I think it was disgraceful." Bob White responded, "Members of the UUA are to this day welcomed as members of the BSA as long as they meet the same membership requirements of every other BSA member." NJ, I agree with your assessment but I add that what BSA did to the UU boys was cowardly as well. Bob, contrary to your view, my view is that by denying a UU boy (but not boys of other religions) the right to wear his religious award on his uniform, BSA does NOT welcome him or other UU boys as members equal to others. They are singled out for 'special' denial. And in my judgement that is 1) untrustworthy, 2) probably not loyal to the boy, certainly not to the spirit of scouting 3) unhelpful, 4) unfriendly, 5) discourteous, 6) unkind, 7) OK they probably do this cheerfully, 8) not brave but COWARDLY. BSA violates these points of the law, ostensibly on behalf of their own principles. In this manner BSA is hypocritical. It takes a special brand of smallness for BSA to dish consequences out to children just because BSA disagrees with some adults.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)
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Eisely, As for everyone over there, I look forward to his safe return.
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SR540Beaver, Indeed I have read some on the subject. My rhetorical question is related to my search for a sense of direction among the various religious flavors in this country. Thanks to Hunt and NWScouter who correctly observed the unifying efforts of the Methodists. I add that the Unitarians and Universalists recognized their similarities and united quite a while back also. I marvel at how divisive some of us found "race" to be in the past (and continue to present, for some). Most religious flavors have made good efforts to recognize (if not practice) that racial prejudice is wrong. A number of faiths led the way on that topic and they seem to be the same faiths that lead the way in rejecting prejudice against gays. I wonder if this will continue to be true, or will the Methodists (or Episcopals for that matter) split their organization over yet another prejudice. BTW, are there any Quaker COs for scout troops?
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While I admit that I don't have the data on IR reflection and FOG's memory very well could be correct, I was merely making the point that visual observations of something that we can't see...may be unreliable, DUH! However in practice, another close relative is microwave radiation. Take at look at the variation of reflective surfaces on satellite dishes. I observe a wide range of successful applications: new shiny ones, new dull finishes, older finishes in many conditions...just to add to the list of unscientific observations. Cheffy, I think you're probably right, any real difference would probably be negligible, especially in a foil-lined cardboard box. As a followup, anyone out there believe that a tray of hot water will freeze more quickly than an equivalent tray of cold water if both are subjected to identical freezing conditions?
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There are a couple of factors involved with the success of the design. 1] containing a hot fluid (the air) and 2] the reflective foil lining. The first factor is why doors and even very small holes cause difficulty. It is useful to think of the oven as a bucket. If you filled it with water and it had leaks, then air will probably escape even easier. The foil helps with #1 but also 'reflects' the radiant energy of the coals allowing the air much greater opportunity to absorb that energy and increase in temperature. The reflective action also helps protect the paper from reaching combustible temperatures (great book also, BTW). FOG, you are correct about the energy being IR but remember, you 'see' the foil using VISIBLE wavelengths. Unless your eyes are different from everyone else's, you have no idea - using your eyes alone - of how well the foil reflects IR. Your uncontrolled experiments at home are possibly biased.
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I encourage them as individuals to earn the award through their own churches. The scoutmaster once had a plan to put the whole troop through the program in his church (Methodist, his son was the only one from his church). I mentioned the potential problems with the Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, Catholic, and Hindu boys. He rethought the idea. The boys are encouraged to seek the award individually.