Tampa Turtle

I am so glad I voted in Florida--I hope they call the state by New Years...

Designed by an engineer. ;p

You have not seen over designed until you have seen the City of Tampa flag. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Tampa,_Florida

SSS ya know a good rule of thumb is if there is a long explanation on the base the statue has failed to make its' point. Really looks like a scout supported by his mom and dad who just jumped put of bed because he came home early from his scout trip. Maybe they are pushing out of the bedroom door so they can put some more clothes on.

"Equipment Patch" that is a new one on me. If a boy got a 50 miler I would never fuss if he put it on the back--it is more of an accomplishment than a Camporee patch--you get that for just attendance. But yeah Old Ranks go home. If you are 1st class we KNOW you were 2nd class, tenderfoot, scout by implication.

Sounds like our Troop lately! Boys want to (a) have fun, (b) have time with their friends, and © not have their time wasted. So a boy led program is great but if the boys are not capable of delivering a quality meeting than some adult leadership may need to assist in demonstrations or (the dreaded Troop Meeting)merit badge presentations. The last was practically demanded by the boys.

NJ I will be thinking of you. I was out for 10 days then 5 days in the storms of 2004. It can get really old really fast. I learned that Pizza places, who typically have gas ovens, can keep going for a while once the power is out. And the sound of generators is really, really annoying.

How exciting!

I really liked the chart for other MB's as well: dividing it into YOU will need to do this and WE WILL then do that. Well done.

I hope everyone in harm's way is OK. Co-worker of mine from New Jersey Coast was told their childhood home had "2 feet of bay" following through it last night. It was 100 years old and had never flooded. But looks like his family is OK.

Some of his other work, including the Rocket Thrower for the Worlds Fair (I had to look that up) are pretty cool in that monumental federalist kinda style but the Boy Scout Memorial is just kinda missing the mark. Not his best work. Maybe it was design by (BSA) committee. I think the Boy Scout statue in Philadelphia is better. If it was so well known it would be famous by being so bad. Maybe we should just raise money to build a obscuring rotunda around it. It is a good location. Location, location, location.

I think the cards are fine. My older son just lost his for a month! My son's seem to scramble to make sure it is on them on a campout. They got them laminated. Most boys get it around the first Scout Rank; I think it is a good early incentive then.

Ha ha! We saw when the boys were in D.C. and my wife turns to me "You gotta be kidding."

Trout Unlimited! That is the final straw...why favor them over other fish like the Bass.

Bummer about the Replica of the Bounty that just sank.

We used to have this happen. Now things run pretty smooth--the occasional hiccup--but not like that. Took about a year and a half to straighten out. Now the boys plan the food, check the equipment, load the trailer, set up and knock down with little help. Really we just stand around and watch. The boys do everything but drive the van and pay with the credit card. The boys need training and the consequence of a few bad campouts to get their act together. We no longer get Propane for patrols that forget. Patrols have to turn in a meal plan and the SPL has to OK it. Patrol Leader is responsible for following up with the Grubmaster and Patrol Quartermaster. Bad performance leads to the sack. Etc, etc. The Patrols may need some adult mentoring (mostly suggesting to the boy leadership some things to consider) As to loosing some Webelos--it is a real bummer but another sign they need to get their act together.

I would hope if you were a Hurricane you would be a gentleman and hang a right. It will a mess and D.C. is a real expensive place to clean up.

Ah, the reality of my actions vs the reality. Upon reflection: Immediate Confrontation: (1) A racially or ethnically bigoted remark. My hot button. (2) Bullying based on disabilities. (3) Foul language. (4) Scapegoating by the boys. (5) Bad mouthing women (a problem with some guys going through a bitter divorce) Weaseling regulation seeking backup: (1) Adult smoking on a campout. (2) Adult smuggling "scout-juice" on a campout. (3) Adult refusing to wear a uniform. While I am by nature a rule follower even if I do not agree (the loyal opposition) I have noticed my "hot button" is a perceived injustice --they have led me into some of my :Nathan Hale" moments and failing to do so my deepest regrets.

Eamonn I agree with you. I think it sets a bad example for Leaders. I have had this come up with parents but I think leaders need a little higher standard. We dont let folks smoke in front of the boys and that is a sacrifice also. We had inappropriate behavior in Cub Scout camping with a married couple. We all were wall to wall tents and they were noisily "going at it" much of the day and night. Eamonn I am coming up on 28 years and we were engaged 4 years before that. We didn't shack up either--just didn't seem right. I have known some marvelous couples who were living together for many (10+) years and one partner just up and left one weekend. I think in my case the times my wife and I have hit a rough patch and had a big blow up that little piece of paper and the embarrassment after making the public commitment was enough of a "speed bump" to give pause and struggle through a bit more. That is at least my experience.

From 2007: Pope Benedict XVI said the debate raging in some countries particularly the United States and his native Germany between creationism and evolution was an absurdity, saying that evolution can coexist with faith. The pontiff, speaking as he was concluding his holiday in northern Italy, also said that while there is much scientific proof to support evolution, the theory could not exclude a role by God. They are presented as alternatives that exclude each other, the pope said. This clash is an absurdity because on one hand there is much scientific proof in favor of evolution, which appears as a reality that we must see and which enriches our understanding of life and being as such.

Eamonn, I remember when my sister went through a Pippi Longstocking phase in the late '70's. Used to wear rainbow long socks with individual toes. Hated to be seen around her waiting for the bus--she was so un-cool. I of course was into my Clash phase and wore all leather--in the Miami heat. She thought I was her idea of hell and now I see her point. Since I live in Hillsborough County in Florida we are getting bombarded by calls. Obama was here yesterday--again. Actually drove 300' past my house on the way to the local fires station. I wish I had mowed the grass. I have seen his Presidential motorcade 3 times this year without even trying.

Outdoors is right. A couple of good 10 milers certainly shows the boys who are in the top 20% and bottom 20% pretty quick. I have seen some small, excellent 12 year old hikers --though they came from heavy hiking families and usually carried lighter loads. I have seen some pretty slow 16 year olds--I mean I was faster and I am the Turtle. Best prep...lots of hikes, stair climbs, etc. We find a 10 mile beach hike with pack on uneven sands a good AT prep since we do not have any hills. Rough on 50 year old hips.

I dont think it works for Scout Accounts. Might work well for a Patrol competition.

We have a 10 year old 15 seat church van that looks like heck but runs great. The church hates to use it because it looks so shabby so we have little incentive to repaint it. The church has a larger, newer bus that they use.

"Perversion Files"! Why my Council just referred to them as the "Prevention Files". No problem here, keep moving, keep moving.