skeptic

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401815[/ATTACH] May we follow the Scout Image pointer in the true direction of Scouting and focus on the youth as BP hoped.

Moose; Many, maybe most of these type of situations are pretty much things the unit will need to deal with through their committee and/or sponsor, as they are usually very ambiguous and subjective. Ultimately, it still is the our responsibility as a leader to try to recognize possible problems with interactions and find solutions. Never ignore a boy's complaint; but make sure you do not jump to a conclusion either. Of course, if you have a number of similar concerns from others, it needs to dealt with. And on occasion, that could mean a difficult decision. But we need to make them when needed; otherwise, we are not doing our best.

Like any training or educational effort, learning about and doing it are only the beginning. If you do not occasionally practice the skill(s), then you will eventually either forget or have a bit of a struggle with it. Physical skills are even more practical hands on doing it. I have tied knots all my life and still struggle with them all that time as well; but if I did not continue to tie them, I would barely be able to start. Mental things are similar; do not do basic math for long periods and you likely will find yourself taking longer to accomplish what once you did at a glance. Review is never bad. And helping those less skilled is not only the scout way, but also enhances your own abilities, as well as maybe earns you a friend.

So, just came home a bit ago from the official memorial service for Swabby. He must be smiling as he chats with BP, Uncle Dan, and Greenbar Bill. The church was filled with people standings anywhere they could, and a few even just outside. A large percentage of his troop members were in attendance dating to the sixties, as well as scouters from local and other councils. The saying about friends and funerals really fit. His sister, his only remaining family, was overwhelmed by the turnout. RIP Swabby.

That is not what she said at all. She makes the valid point that the decision is an overreach, small minded political posturing, and hurts the children the most.

Feast? Left overs from a couple nights ago with eggnog.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401552[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401553[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401554[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401555[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401556[/ATTACH] Merry Christmas and blessings for the season as you may celebrate; good wishes even to those for whom the holiday has little or no meaning. Last card is a BP card from 1927.

Merry Christmas to all; (or substitute whatever suits you). [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401549[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401507[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401508[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401509[/ATTACH] A final group tomorrow; enjoy.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401455[/ATTACH] or this one [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401456[/ATTACH]

Older images are more fun; enjoy. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401433[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401434[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401435[/ATTACH]

Two more for the file. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401393[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]n401394[/ATTACH]

More cubbing: [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401357[/ATTACH]

At last nights RT we invited people to attend and give respects to Swabby's memory. We had the largest RT attendance in years, easily in excess of 50, with one large group from a local community food share where he volunteered for years. I have to wonder if Swabby had any idea how appreciated he really was, and how much his quiet service to Scouting and the community at large meant to others. While his appearance initially frightened some, once they made the effort they came to see he was a teddy bear with a heart of softest gold. His patience with scouts was amazing, and his effect on those from his unit is obvious by how many have already posted on their troops FB page and how many have asked when the official memorial is. We had a small slide show while short comments were made and a few moist eyes were seen. Seemed right that we should be honoring him during this season of giving and good will.

Nuf said [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401275[/ATTACH]

Initial comments shown are not particularly supportive of Lockheed. Suspect they may get more backlash than they expect, especially being where they are. Good thing we have you here Merlyn to make sure that you rub these irrational decisions in the faces of those with whom you disagree. Too bad that building what they do, there is little room for any seriously effective public backlash.

Nope; this is the Politics and Religion Forum; it is where this belonged. The simple holiday greetings are under the more general forum above.

From the 20's [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401203[/ATTACH]

A little holiday punishment. This guy goes into a restaurant for a Christmas breakfast while in his hometown for the holidays. After looking over the menu he says, "I'll just have the eggs Benedict." His order comes a while later and it's served on a big, shiny hubcap. He asks the waiter, "What's with the hubcap?" The waiter sings, "Oh, there's no plate like chrome for the hollandaise!" A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why?," they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."

I say ......... Merry Christmas by Joseph S. Bonsall I wrote this little poem three years ago as part of a failed song writing attempt. We put up a little manger, in the middle of our town. We put a baby Jesus on some straw and laid him gently on the ground. There were Joseph and Mary, shepherds and kings and beautiful angels all around. Then, the powers that be said; “ No?†They made us take the whole thing down! (JSB) OK, there are better poems, however, the point is that since I wrote this little rhyme things have become even more out of hand. And I must admit, I really find it amazing. In fact, I am astounded! Not just offended; astounded! Today I was interviewed by a news reporter who was covering our approaching Christmas show in her town and the dialogue between us was amazing. This so politically correct woman would NOT say the word Christmas under any circumstance at all. As for me, I wouldn’t quit saying it. â€ÂSo how many holiday songs will you be singing?†â€ÂOur Christmas set runs about ninety minutes,†I answered. â€ÂIs this your first holiday tour?†â€ÂWe have been doing a Christmas tour for fifteen years.†â€ÂWhat is your message for the Holiday Season?†â€ÂUmmmmmmm?? HOW ABOUT MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! ? ?†On and on it went. I believe this woman believed that if she uttered the word Christmas she just might evaporate and pass on into some Hilary Clinton-esque plane of existence wherein all people are what? Black? Hispanic? Muslim? Homosexual? Oprah? Tim Robbins? Al Gore? Al Franken? Whatever! The cable news channels keep reporting that Americans are holiday shopping and buying holiday gifts. The talking heads are all talking about online holiday e-sales? This should be a great holiday season! This has been your holiday report; ... have a good one! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ? Sheeeshhh! I want to gag! At least the constant Happy Holidays greeting is far better than that age-old Merry Xmas thing. We had that goofy saying way before the PC Police. It made Christ look like an algebra equation. Look, I have no bones to pick over how anyone lives their life, or celebrates a season, but what I do not understand is why these liberal types keep trying to tear down our own precious traditions, while at the same time urging others to wear their heritage on their sleeves and tee shirts. Are you gay? Well, be proud! You go, guy! Stand up and march and get married! Are you a hyphenated American? Then be proud of your heritage. Don’t forget where you came from. Speak your native language. Observe your native customs. But, what about my customs? I grew up as a white male who was taught that God should be an important part of my life and that I should love my country. I was taught that things are black and white; right or wrong; up or down. Not all gray and blurry! I was told that if I worked hard, sacrificed, treated people right, honored GOD, and always told the truth that I would succeed. I was taught to honor our flag and our soldiers. I was raised up loving CHRISTMAS!!! THAT is part of MY tradition. I sing Christmas songs, put up a Christmas tree, and give Christmas presents paid for by my Christmas bonus! I believe that Santa Claus comes on Christmas morning, and I read The Christmas Story from my BIBLE on Christmas Eve!! Somehow, that makes me the bad guy to a liberal; very dangerous man to be avoided at all costs; I might even own a gun. Well... I do! I have a newsflash for the loud mouths in this nation who would change every bit of my upbringing to fit into their agenda! Most Americans feel the way I do about it. Every night on stage when I mention Christmas, people cheer! When The Oak Ridge Boys sing about our flag and our soldiers, people stand up and cheer! OK; I’ll admit that our little singing group does not draw a huge part of the Black or Islamic populous; however, I still raise a valid point. In a few more years, if Barbara Streisand and Sean Penn get their way the blue part of the political map may overwhelm the red; but not yet, Bucko! I am happy to report that I also did an interview recently with a Jewish woman who loved the Oaks and comes to our Christmas show every year. Christmas is not really her holiday, however, she still enjoyed the music. And I don’t believe she finds anything that we do the least bit offensive. She even uttered the secret word, CHRISTMAS! I also respect her beliefs. She seemed to be a very happy woman. There we were chatting away and talking about common ground. Wow, what a concept. You know, this IS America and everyone has the right to his or her own way of doing things; from the way they worship to the way they do anything else that is within the limits of the law. At its very core, that is what FREEDOM is all about! But, I’ll tell you, I just can’t figure out why some people get so doggone up in arms over Christmas being, well ... Christmas! How did all of this come to pass? For that matter, why do so many folks make such an issue out of separation of Church and State, which is NOT, by the way, written anywhere into our constitution. What are they afraid of? The Ten Commandments? The Nativity Scene? God? If a person is really an atheist, then God is not a factor in their life or beliefs anyway. So why should it matter to them? I am not a Hindu but millions of people in this world believe they might die and someday come back as a cow. Fine with me. I don’t fear Hindus. If they had a holiday and I had a Hindu buddy, I would happily buy him a Happy Hindu gift and wish him a very Happy Hindu! The same with Ramadan and Kwanza (a tradition which dates all the back to around 1966!). Many people today are so concerned that someone will be offended by something we say or do. It’s as if people of other origins are constantly ready to be offended. Are they? Are they really? If the answer is no; then WHO IS MAKING UP THESE RULES? Who is really self-centered enough to become a card carrying member of the PC police? If they are people in power, and many are, they pass their silly rules on to everyone who is associated with them. That is very unsettling! OK! Send this memo out today. No one is allowed to say CHRISTMAS on the air or in print or around the office. And always remember to use your hyphens. Now go on to work! Enjoy a HAPPY Holidays! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! WOW! Comedian and commentator Dennis Miller once said, “America is the great melting pot ... so MELT already!†I concur with Dennis; lighten up! I grew up in Philadelphia, PA. I was a child of the fifties, and I came of age in the sixties during a time of impending war and assassination. The very air was supercharged, and Civil Rights was a very volatile and important issue that caused a lot of violence and mayhem, in my own neighborhood and beyond. When the race riots hit downtown I was playing baseball with my friends, Shawn and Harvey, who were black. On that same field were Harry and Paul who were Jewish, as well as Freddie and Jimmy who were Italian, and Johnny who was Irish, and Eric who was German. Larry was Greek, I think. But, hey, we were buddies. I may have been the only Protestant among them. My Jewish buds wore little black hats, worshipped in a synagogue on Saturday; and my Catholic friends took catechism and went to mass and confession. I actually thought my religion was much easier. I just went to church and said my prayers. However, we were a team. We were FRIENDS! We talked to each other and consoled each other and learned from each other. Despite all of the outside forces that would try to tear us apart, in our hearts, we were all just Philly boys. A small army, who unloaded on each other, loved each other, and would stand up and fight for each other. We fought, we forgave, we laughed, and we cried: TOGETHER, as ONE! We melted! We were just kids and maybe that is where the answer lies. Somewhere along the way we grow up and lose sight of the magic of childhood. Author Stephen King once said “you could see it in the eyes.†People lose that ‘flicker’, that ‘spark’ of childhood. The child inside has died! Everything has become way too serious. We are adults 100% of the time, and that is very sad. You know, I believe the little baby was born in that manger, and I believe that the angels sang. My faith tells me that He also grew up to say, “Except that we become as little children we can NOT see the kingdom of God.†So there you go. That must be the answer: a child-like faith. Maybe we need a little more of that. We may not see an angel, or witness a miracle, or hear HIS voice (although we might). I know one thing. We could learn to become much more tolerant of one another. Then, perhaps, we would not see God as such a threat to our political well-being. We would learn there is more to life than that. Like a sunset or a fresh snow or a tulip or a bluebird; or even Santa Claus. Maybe we all need to sit down again and watch Miracle On 34th Street and It’s A Wonderful Life again and try to remember what it was that made us fill up with emotion when we saw that cane in the house by the fireplace, or when Zuzu’s pedals fell out of George Bailey’s pocket. Admit it, it got you once! Yes, the world is a crazy and dangerous place so why make it any worse? Wake up that little boy or girl who is lying dormant. Give God a chance in your life no matter how you visualize him. Climb a tree! Ride your bike! Holler at the moon! Believe in magic. Expect a miracle! “Yes, Virginia ... there is a Santa Claus.†And remember, the birth of Jesus Christ is the real reason we celebrate CHRISTMAS! That is all part of my tradition! That is why I say ......... Merry Christmas! Joseph S. Bonsall December 1, 2003

While it is definitely an improvement, including possibly strengthening the outdoor elements by actual trail/camping meals, I would like to see a bit more about proper cleanup in the process. I guess it is covered in the first part with discussion, but it is not very specific, or at least I do not see it. Good move though.

Thre wise young men. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401144[/ATTACH]

Actually Stosh, Salvation Army is under attach too because of their group's religious standards, even though there is little or no indication that their basic beliefs determine their response to the needy. It seems to hardly matter to some how much good a group does if they have beliefs in which someone does not believe or support. Selfishness and egocentrism is continuing to cause much harm to simple kindness and selflessness.

[h=1]Quality of an Eagle Scout[/h] August 1, 2012 by Clarke Green · inShare One of the more common emails I receive concerns the frustrations of Scoutmaster’s who are faced with a boy they just don’t consider has done enough, cares enough or is good enough to become an Eagle Scout. They want to know what to do. There’s a big difference between my idealized Eagle Scout and what’s required to earn the rank. I realized this after twenty or thirty of my Scouts earned Eagle and none of them perfectly matched my expectations. The next twenty or thirty haven’t either. So it goes. In the end my expectations (and yours too) are unimportant – when a Scout meets the requirements he is an Eagle Scout. Each does it in their own way, on their own terms. Some are terrifically frustrating and nonchalant about the way their selfishness affects other people but they somehow complete the requirements anyway. Scouters argue constantly over what constitutes an Eagle Scout, how we want them to act and what qualities we expect of them. Thankfully the official literature is realtively silent on these things, and for a good reason – each one is an individual and is evaluated on his own merits according to his abilities and interests – not against those of every other Eagle Scout nor anyone’s idealized concept of what they ought to be. Of course we want representatives of this honored fraternity to be of unimpeachable character, tremendous resourcefulness and exemplary citizenship. We cannot see into their hearts and minds, we can’t compare their will and courage against others; each has their own individual challenges to overcome. Old men get cranky and stodgy – we live with our own failures every day and it’s infuriating to see others repeat them. We forget how we were when we were young, how little we knew, how selfish we were. Even if we possess this knowledge of ourselves we still want a young man a third or half our age and experience to be better than we were – that’s a frustrating way to be. Most Scouts who have achieved Eagle in my tenure have gone on to be good solid citizens; college professors, lawyers, wonderful fathers and husbands, doctors, military officers and other similarly respectable achievements. A few have had trouble with the law, dropped out of school and are generally troublesome to their families and society as a whole. What they all have in common was they were given an opportunity to make something of themselves in a way that a relatively few boys will experience. They have many years ahead of them. many lessons to learn and much work to do – their stories are still being written. You and I have little control over who they will become – we can only present them with an opportunity to make good. What they do with this opportunity is up to them. There’s one set of requirements and, while you can take what some consider short cuts and half measures to fulfill them, the important thing is that they get there. They have the rest of their lives to consider how they did it; what they are proud of and what they they could have done better. What they need, what we all need, is at least one person who can believe in them, who is unfailingly encouraging and supportive: hopefully we can be that person.

Boy's Life has had some great Christmas covers. There are two covers; one does not appear without a click for some reason. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401083[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401087[/ATTACH]