TAHAWK

Yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater? Under Schenck v. United States (1919), read in light of Brandenburg v. Ohio(1969), "advocacy of the use of [unlawful] force" is not protected by "Freedom of Speech" when it is "directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action" and is "likely to incite or produce such action." But superior people need not follow the law.

"Invidious" is an interesting word given that most discrimination is lawful but still capable of causing anger in those negatively impacted and others who feel the discrimination is wrong. A decision based on state law. Given that Boy Scouting is the official youth program for boys in the LDS Church and given that any adult member is subject to being called to serve as a Scouter or in some other capacity in Boy Scouting, may members of that church serve in judicial office in California? In fact, may those belonging to religions that discriminate against gays serve in judicial office? Or any public office? From the wording of the story, no, no, and no. But a more nuanced explanation may be forthcoming. Otherwise, we have a Test Act imposed by state law. ED: I looked further and find there is an exception for religious organizations. Why? Not sure how that plays out for the LDS folk. Freedom of association has never been absolute. Some groups are just too unpopular - in some places - at some times. Lawyers are said to be "officers of the court" in Ohio. In California?

"Crime" is the concept that my wrong against you is a wrong against the state, not merely a personal matter between the two of us -- or our kin. You give up the freedom to exact personal revenge in return for the state's commitment to exact "justice" at my expense. The concept was alien to England until William I arrived. He legislated morality and used sufficient force to, more or less, make it stick. Well, that's the theory. "Superior" people, knowing themselves to be "superior," tend to ignore rules and facts that are inconvenient, They see the "greater truth" that is beyond merely objective reality.

Beats me. 0___0

The warrantless internal surveillance of telecommunications has gone on since the 1960s. I worked for what was and now is AT&T, and I'm not guessing. I reviewed the renewal orders from the feds. A high percentage of all calls were and are computer-scanned for certain words and word patterns and kicked out for human review if they qualified. Say "fertilizer," "kerosine," and "Allah" in the same conversation. Not hard to find the information' although you have to look for it. The media pretty much ignore it. Try "Echelon" or "Operation Shamrock." Started in the punch card era and zips along much faster in the current computer age. "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Admirable, but it leaves open who decides what "essential" and "little" mean. Part of civilization is giving up liberty for security and order. Consider the entire concept of "crime."

Too bad. Being a Scout in a (large) troop that had at least one of everything (black, brown, yellow, white, every sort of Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shinto, Buddhist, and Baha'i) was a very good thing for me. It's hard to listen to prejudiced generalizations when your patrol mates and tent mate are "minority" in several respects. I was in a distinct minority in that troop as I was not a military dependent, but I was forgiven my strangeness.. When the local stake only had thirteen Scouts, they Scouted with us for a year until the next crop of Cubs crossed over. The thirteen Scouts registered with us and over fifty family members as well. Troop 43 camped with the new LDS troop once a year until I moved to Ohio and for some years thereafter. I do recall that at that time, our Catholic Scouts were told they should not be at our sponsor's Methodist services. We - the Scouts - thought that was very strange, Dumb adult stuff. Your "potential leader" may well poison his kids.

I typed up a three-line post, entered save, and got "Please enter a message with at least 1 characters." What do I win? ^___^

The fact that many "lines" are not black-and-white is part of the nature of Scouting work. We don't work to a rigid template when working with people and objectives like "good citizens." We can but try.

To observe that scientists can be wrong is no more than to say they are human. To observe that they may attempt to crush those with different answers - that turn out to be more accurate - is simply the same. Few like to be corrected and the objective "scientific mind" is largely a myth. I find that if the topic is Climate Change (formerly "Global Warming") most will agree that conservation is important. Only so much room in the aquarium. (Then there's Rush.) It gets tougher when the causes of climate change are debated. Climate Change Deniers are no more edgy than Ice-Age-Ended-And Seas Rose 100 meters-Before SUVs deniers. I wonder what Muslims believe? Radical Muslims? Medicrines?

Yup. Those Den Chiefs are a pretty good "trick." Welcome.

Both councils in which I work have such events and they are very well attended. Here's the list for the up=coming Baden-Powel Institute in Cleveland. [TABLE=width: 400, align: center] [TR] [TD=class: xl63]Session 1 - 8:40 AM - 9:30 AM[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Leader Liabilities - Room 668[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]STEM/ROCKETS - Room 669[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]The Power of Long Term Relationships w/Volunteers - Room 691[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Eagle Scout Advisor/Coaching - Room 692[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Decorative & Novelty Knots - Room 694[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]First Aid/CPR (Session 1 of 3) - Room 696[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Den Chief Training (Session 1 of 3) - Room 684[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Basic Commissioner Training (Session 1 of 3) - Room 511[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]The Order of the Arrow - Room 670[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl63]Session 2 - 9:40 AM - 10:30 AM[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Summer Camp 2015 @ Beaumont - Room 668[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Fun with Conduit - Room 669[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Conservation & You - The Metro Parks - Room 691[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Scoutmaster's Minute - Room 692[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]What Knot to Use? - Room 694[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]First Aid/CPR (Session 2 of 3) - Room 696[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Den Chief Training (Session 2 of 3) - Room 684[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Gourmet Camp Cooking - Room 551[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Basic Commissioner Training (Session 2 of 3) - Room 511[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Adventures in Advancement - Room 670[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl63]Session 3 - 10:40 AM - 11:30 AM[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]The Patrol Method - Room 668[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Fun with Conduit - Room 669[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Fisheries & The Metro Parks - Room 691[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Lashings - Room 692[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Charting the Course for Adventure - Room 694[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]First Aid/CPR (Session 3 of 3) - Room 696[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Den Chief Training (Session 3 of 3) - Room 684[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Basic Commissioner Training (Session 3 of 3) - Room 511[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Boy Scout Advancement - Room 670[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Board Meeting - Room 646 - Restaurant[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl66] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl65]APPRECIATION & AWARDS LUNCHEON 11:45 AM - 1:20 PM[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl66] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl63]Session 4 - 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]What is NYLT? - Room 668[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Boy Scout Retention - Active vs. Non-Active - Room 669[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]The Order of the Arrow - Room 691[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Backpacking Basics - The Right Stuff - Room 692[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Decorative & Novelty Knots - Room 694[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Venturing Leader Specific Training (Session 1 of 3) - Room 696[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Gourmet Camp Cooking - Room 551[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Leader Liabilities - Room 511[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Boy Scout Advancement - Room 670[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl63]Session 5 - 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Wilderness Survival & the Unit Program - Room 668[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]STEM/ROCKETS - Room 669[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Webelos to Scout Transition - Room 691[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Backpacking Basics - Room 692[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]What Knot to Use? - Room 694[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Venturing Leader Specific Training (Session 2 of 3) - Room 696[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]GCC Day Camp for Cub Scouts - Room 551[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Leader Liabilities - Room 511[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Making Light of your Unit's YPT Status - Room 670[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Fly Fishing for Dummies - Cafeteria[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl63]Session 6 - 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]The Patrol Method - Room 668[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Boy Scout Retention - Active vs. Non-Active - Room 669[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Webelos to Scout Transition - Room 691[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Lashings - Room 692[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Adventures in Advancement - Room 694[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Venturing Leader Specific Training (Session 3 of 3) - Room 696[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Fun & Games with your Cub Pack Plan - Room 670[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: xl64]Fly Fishing for Dummies - Cafeteria[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

Regardless of the theory, some years ago, a local stake had trouble finding a Scoutmaster. A non-LDS Scouter ended up being the SM until an LDS Scouter could take over. After five years of his service as SM, a replacement was finally called. The LDS Church gave him some sort of award. Nice medal. I was given to understand that he was the first Baptist to receive that award. We have had several basic training events at one of the LDS churches in our district, We did serve coffee, including "high test." None of the participants were LDS Church members. Possibly the health rules apply to members and not to the building. (Our area is rather significant to the LDS church. The first temple is here. One of the Twelve was our District Chairman for two years.)

I suppose it's a matter of quite legitimate differences in point-of-view. Many a Scout will, in his live, be called upon to propose something in writing. Success in that endeavor may be very important. "Be Prepared." "For what?" "For any old thing." I can help, so I do. Not that I write it for them. It has to be the Scout's "voice." But I explain the importance of a good impression and of clarity, and I coach them. I have done the same for the kids at a high school my employer "adopted." I receive luxurious compensation for my time. It's the journey, not the destination.

Scientists are only people. They are as capable of irrational worship of something as anyone else. Look what happened to the men who proposed: 1) that bacteria caused ulcers; or 2) that stress caused disease. They were literally laughed at because 99.99% of the experts knew they were wrong. Then, whoops!, their results were replicated by everyone who tried. The 99.99% were wrong, as they have sometimes been wrong over the millennia, "Everyone knew" nothing harmful leached out of Lexan. Study after study showed it was safe. Then it was noticed that the studies finding it safe were all paid for by plastic companies and all the lesser number of university studies kept finding BPA leeching out. Having university degrees is not conclusive proof of lack of prejudice. Personal example: when I was an undergrad "everybody knew" H. Sap. was the only species that used tools. When I pointed out seeing sea otters use rocks to crack open shellfish, I was told I was being anthropomorphic or misinterpreting what I saw. 99% were wrong. A number of species use tools. And CP, you need a better simile than eyewitnesses to a robbery or any other crime. They are legendary for their inaccuracy .Merlyn can cite chapter and verse on wrongful convictions based on eyewitnesses. There is science to support witness unreliability. .

If the MBC is not doing his or her job, only the "unit leader" can file the formal complaint. That, not a veto over the Scout doing MB work, is the tool to correct the problems that you imply. I have filed such complaints. After investigation, 4 of 5 MBCs were decertified for eliminating or adding requirements. (No 5 quit in a huff, and she was reportedly the biggest offender. See, MBCs also think they can ignore the rules in the name of doing "the right thing..") I agreed that the discussion was not held as required. So have the discussion. The issue for the SM in the OP seems to be controlling the Scout's MB work, not the counseling that he is supposed to be doing. The District Advancement Chair acts on delegated authority from Council. Absent a Counsel Advancement Committee, the Council President is responsible. (Tends to speed up filling vacancies when it lands on Mr. President's lap.) The SM, being human, tends to see what he or she expects and wants to see. It's the same self-blinding that rationalizes "the boys are not mature enough to elect their leaders or to lead." We are empowered not by ourselves or any superhuman abilities but by BSA with the express understanding that we follow BSA's rules. Unit commissioners have never had the authority to remove a SM. And I was a "Neighborhood Commissioner," so I doubt that the Way Back Machine goes further back for you than it does for me. Arthur Shuck was my first "Chief" and had six more years to run. How about you? The Committee was involved in attempting to run the MB program in the OP because, like the SM, they didn't understand the program or elected to ignore the rules. I agree that much is wrong with the program. Writing to National, are you? In the meanwhile, the troop with which I work has abandoned last year's "mill," and we are going to a camp known for requiring that MBs actually be earned. If I could get the SM to lose his firm belief that "Scouting is all about boys becoming Eagles," even more could be done. We might stop patronizing "Merit Badge Day." But he too believes that he knows better - even best. That's the basic danger with folks who know better than the rules. For every SM breaking the rules to good effect, I can show you several breaking them to bad effect - like the 80% in my councils who appoint all the PLs and SPLs and give all the orders. You think the MB program is broken? That's a mote in Scouting's eye compared to the death-by-inches of the Patrol Method

There's no rule against it. More noise, however. Geometric curve. If they are sticking out, probably too many. 0___0

As noted above, the requirement of a discussion between the Scout and the SM creates an opportunity for the SM to be what you described - a mentor. That is far from a trivial thing for a person who cares, as you clearly do. There are other possibilities for which one might wish besides SMs assuming powers they do not have OR SMs being totally out of the process. One other behavior that I would desire would be SMs doing what they are supposed to do within the process.. I was not aware that the process was set up for the SM to be the one(s) to take care of MBC problems. In my councils, the District Advancement Chair, by delegated authority from Council, handles complaints about MBC's. The same is true of complaints about Merit Badge events and Summer Camp MB problems. I believe that is in accord with the Guide to Advancement, but I am willing to be instructed otherwise. Formally, Council already has the responsibility of quality control over MBCs given that council is the sole authority to grant the status of Merit Badge Counselor or to terminate it. Having said that, should we not all be mindful of the integrity of the program, and not just SM's and "council"? "It's not my job" fits as poorly with "obey the Scout Law" as "I don't care what the rules are; I do it my way." We teach the Scouts at NYLT that part of having values is not to ignore serious wrongs. We teach all Scouts that rules are generally to be followed. Do we expect less of ourselves? MB problems are not and have never been a Troop Committee problem.

I made no such claim, did I?

And one spoke at a national political convention. (^___^)

National Council never gave the SM the right to render that "judgment," so it has no occasion to take it away. The SM's role in the process was ably described by CalicoPenn. That role would extend to a SMC with the Scout if he crashes and burns trying to pass a MB he was not ready to take. Lesson learned? The path to success often goes through failure. And if he actually passed, he was right about being "ready" and the SM was wrong. Self-defining. On the other hand, SMs who take it on themselves to elevate their individual preferences over clear BSA.policy and practice have occasion to reconsider why they agreed to be BSA-commissioned Scouters. Not sure how BSA acts other than "unilaterally." If you mean that MBC's and councils act unilaterally to change requirements, as in Merit badge Mills, that's wrong and BSA has a form for the SM to report such transgressions. Whether BSA will act is an open question. However, I'm old enough that I was told "Two wrongs don't make a right." Issues of Trustworthiness and Honor aside, if every SM makes his or her own rules, I doubt that there is any logical reason to think that such behavior would improve the process. That you have confidence in yourself may be justified but is no evidence of how it would work as a general practice. The average SM serves for less than one year.

Famous right-wing magazine, Time, critiques CDC's "inflated" rape statistics: http://time.com/3393442/cdc-rape-numbers/ DANGER. ACTUAL JOURNALISM WARNING Then there's USA Today, whatever it is: http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/09/22/rape-cdc-numbers-misleading-definition-date-forced-sexual-assault-column/16007089/ ******************** All superior people are liable to twist truth in service of "greater truth." After all, left or right, they just know better than the ordinary run of mortals. The ends justify the means. ******************** Who is taken more seriously, Sharpton or Linbaugh? Let's see, which was invited to speak at a national convention?

Would it seem so strange if we considered that BSA let some atheists in back around 1926? How many associations exclude Buddhists on the grounds of their atheism? Certainly not the largest, Indonesia.