OldGreyEagle

Seems like it was somebody's "fault" not to stand up to the mother.

OK, so it was the state legislature that changed the dates of the primaries? Boy, I missed that, that is different. What is the predominant make up of the legislators for each state? Democrats or Republicans? Well both sides conspired to disenfranchise their populace. Just as an aside, merlyn, you were quick to point out to me that a political party can use any means it wants to select a candidate, so the legislatures in changing their primary date were trying to control a private entity, could that be consrued as govenmental intrusion into the private sector?

Merlyn, I understand that Politcal Parties can use any method they want to nominate whomever they want to run for any office. I just was surprised that the Democratic Party, the Party of "every vote counts" the Party that fights for the rights of the "disenfranchised voter" has a system that could "disenfranchise" the entire primary process when it has been the winner of the primary process that has produced the candidate since when? The 1968 Convention? I mean, thats why there were protests, to protest that the parties nominee was selected in the "cigar smoke filled backroom" so the Primary system was adopted. They can of course change the process at any time, but to change it in the midst of a campaign doesnt seem to smart. If the primaries are to be "Beauty Contests" to allow the powers that be to see who does well in educated states, blue collar states, etc, then fine, but call it what it is and dont give out delegates and have a magic number of delegates to reach to "clinch" a nomination if another group, the superdelegates could reverse the entire process. The way its sits now, it slooks like the voice of the people is heard, but whether or not its followed depends on how the people "in the know" feel. BTW, in the 1960 election JFK owed his presidency to the Catholics of the City of Chicago, especially the residents of Resurrection Cemetery who arose from the dead and voted early, and often

What was it that Will Rogers said about his party affiliation? "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat." The more things change, the more they remain the same

Lets see if I have this correct: Florida and Michigam were told by the Democratic National Committee if they had their Primaries at a time other than when the National Committee said they should be, then the results would not count. Obama's name was not on the ballot in Michigan and he did not campaign in Michigan. So now Michigan and Florida want their votes counted? I would say fine, have a re-vote funded by the states Democratic party and BTW, anyone who had anything to do in having an early primary is suspended from party business for 10 years. How can you go against your National Organization? And then have the National Organization cave in? What if the BSA would have allowed the Philadelphia Council to allow Gays and Atheists to keep their building? What would the comments have been? Selling out principles? The mind explodes with posibilities. I am still a little unsteady on the concept of the superdelegates, its sorta of a ruse of "of course every vote counts, just some votes count more than others" so that the party can select a candidate that can "win" in November, I thought thats what the Primaries were for, to count votes and select a candidate. So, Michigan and Florida want in, how can they then ever say anything about respecting the rule of law when they themselves cant follow their own organizations rules? BTW, Has Pat Paulsen declared yet? He looks better every week

HMM, both sons off working at camp for the summer? Looks like a reward to be had for a pair of fine scouters, congrats to you and your husband for raising Camp Staff Quality boys, to your sons, and the time "off"

So, my son who made Eagle isn't as big an Eagle because I was/am involved in the troop? Even though I never counseled him a single merit badge and never signed off any requirements? Just joshing, I know he is an Eagle because I saw him take every step, and from a personally imposed distance, of course I cant say the same for others, thats their issue. I do have to ask, which kids do better in school? The ones whose parents are involved with their children's education or the ones that can't be bothered to show up to a parent/teacher's night? The ones who ask to see homework and have a standard that must be met or parents are just as happy if the kid stays out of their way? I ask the educators of the forum to weigh in Everything has its limits, but having involved parents is do much nicer that uninvolved parents, then again I might be wrong

You know, as Stacy London and Clinton Kelly would say, Fashion is not hard, it just takes planning. I see the wearing of the beret just as I see taking a '68 Vette out with the top down. Not going to do it on a day when rain is possible. If you plan on walking west all afternoon, you can tuck the beret under that epaulet and use your pocket sun visor

I think as many times as this comes up, there will be as many opinions. One thing for sure, I have to wonder what is going on in a troop where a scout is allowed to sit on his hands for 6 months without doing anything. I understand it can happen, time slips away, attention is elsewhere and boom, six month are gone and the scout has done nothing. I hope what scouters take away from these discussions is that the Troop should be set up (if at all possible) in such a manner that a youth never does nothing for 6 months, there are processes and mechanisms in place to give the youth a regular appraisal of his performance. How to handle the rare time when this happens? I know what I would do, and I expect you guys will do what you know is right as well, whatever that is

Fashion is not for the weak or faint of heart. I think Tim Gunn said that. Even steak can be ruined if not prepared correctly, consider the beret the same way. Properly trained there is nothing cooler than the beret, as Lisabob has so adroitly illustrated. BTW Lisabob, make sure you give the youth in the troop you serve two HUGE thumbs up for having the style and panache to pull off the beret. Few of us can do it, but we are the elite!

Aha. but you are wrong Mr Trevorum. In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Indy is looking to save his father from the clutches of the hated Nazi's. He drives up to the castle where his father is being held with Elsa (he doesnt know she is a Nazi as yet) and thinks of a plan to get in the castle. It is pouring rain The next scene is Indy, wearing a beret, pounding on the castle door posing as a scotsman who is there to "view the tapestries" So, Indy did too wear a beret and don't be saying anything bad about scotsmen.(This message has been edited by oldgreyeagle)

Perhaps you would get less garbage in the email about the site if there was a way to ask a question or make comments on the web site. You can look for a long time before you find a phone number (sic!)or any way to contact the National Office. Maybe some sort of feedback mechanism would work well on the program. Break it up into Cubs, Scouts, Venturing, etc and then a General group. Having the website is like being able to reach out to Irving, but there is no way to contact anyone. I have used the web site frequently to answer questions on Advancement and how to define active

Sorry no, A well fitted beret on someone walking and looking sharp is an iconic image

That Indiana Jones guy sure wore a lot of epaulets, he seemed pretty cool. Airline pilots wear epaulets, they dont seem to wimpy.

America, what a country http://musical-instruments-usa.com/kaufen/Jews_Harp Jews harps galore(This message has been edited by oldgreyeagle)

Not everyone can wear a beret and make it work. It takes a certain je ne sais quoi, panache, or style much like with the knee socks and shorts. One does have to take care an wear a properly sized beret least one end up looking like Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline but thats just the kind of fashion risk I am willing to take, and carry off quite well I will have you know.

I would prefer a scout wear a slide he fashioned himself to one he bought in a store, any store. From blocks of wood already marked on how to carve, to using a turkey vertebrae as a slide, there is a huge variety of techniques and all very proper

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_3angels.6416221may20,0,5765985.story Remember the beloved Red Berets? I do , I was a scout in the late 60's early 70's, or as I explain to the scouts in the troop I serve, after Brownsea island but before the demise of the red berets and this is the guy who killed them. Curtis Sliwa. Sliwa's vigilante group, known as the "Guardian Angels" were identified by a red beret, remarkably similar to the BSA boy scout red beret. Scouts quit wearing them so as not to be mistaken as a red beret wearing Guardian Angel, lets just say the BSA and the Guardian Angels have differing missions I cant get the link to work, copy and paste in your browser (This message has been edited by oldgreyeagle)

Just saw and ate some of the Venturing "only" Trails End Trail mix, it's not bad, a good mix of nuts, raisins and real M&M's. A 9 ounce bag will sell for $10.00

Hey now, lets be careful of what we say about our legislators. After all, we have the finest Congress money can buy

You know when you have too many adults when the adults get in the way of the boy run troop. SO , that means 2 adults could be too many and 15 fine, its all dependent on the behavior of the adults.

Ah yes, the older gent who played somewhere over the rainbow on his musical saw, I had scouts around me astounded one could melodic sounds out of a saw, poor children, they had never seen Ted Mack's original amateur hour replete with Saw Players and Accordian Players doing Lady of Spain I adore you. The saw playing was memorable

Its a Boy lead unit, so let them lead... Having said that, get the group together and review the following items: When are the events? Will any band or sports commitment from school enter in, are some of the boy of an age when going to college will empact scheduling? Have the boys develop a bduget, going to Philmont will require different gear than the National Jamboree. Do the boys already have the gear or will they have to equip? Get a copy of the reccomended equipment for each event and have guestimates of how much the equipment will cost for each. Then have the Trip Budget, how do they get from here to there. How many stops. hotels/meals/fuel? Then the cost of the event itself Have them lay out the trip, you may have to coax it along, but have them see how much money it will take and then how do they get the money? Sell Popcorn? Wash Cars? What will it take? Have them plan it out and let them decide what to do, then they will know why they are or are not going

Eamonn, the grou[p was the 3 of Hearts, half way through their performance they exited the stage and came back with the uniform shirts. I have heard, if you look close enough on the Jamboree video, you can make out the position patches and knots and they had to have been National Committee members shirts. Their performance was most well know,n to me at least, by an inappropriate remark one of them made which if I recounted, I would then have to remove

this is how the Scouting Handbook defines Scouting/Scout Spirit in the various ranks: Tenderfoot, Scout Spirit Defined p 47 Scout Spirit refers to the effort you make to live up to the ideals of Scouting. The Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan serve as everyday guidelines for a good life. Tenderfoot, Requirement #13 p60 discuss scout spirit with your scoutmaster and with older boy scouts in your troop. Ask them for examples of how you can demonstrate Scout Spirit . You will likely hear examples of the Scout Oath and Law as ways to show your Scout spirit Second Class Requirement #9 p108 Most requirements for Scout ranks can be measured by other people. When you set out to swim 50 feet for the Second Class swimming requirement, anyone can see that you have covered the distance. How well you live the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your life, though is something for you to judge. You know when you are being kind, when you are helpful and a good friend. You know when you are trustworthy. and reverent. You alone know how you act when no one is around to witness what you do. Do the best you can to live each day by the Scout Oath and Law. You might look back on some of the decisions you've made and wish you had acted differently, but you can learn from those moments and promise yourself you will do better in the future. And dont be surprised that when you use the scout oath and law for guidance, others will recognize those values in you and respect you for it. Set high standards for yourself and strive to reach them. No one can ask anymore of you First class Requirement #10 p164 At troop and patrol gatherings you've recited the Scout Oath and the Scout Law dozens of times. The words come easily to you, but do you know what those words mean? The Scout Oath and Scout Law are not just for reciting at meetings. They are not just to be obeyed while you are wearing a uniform. The spirit of Scouting that they represent is every bit as important when you are at home, at school and in your community. The Scout Oath begins with the words, "On my honor. . ." Your honor is your word. By giving your word, you are promising to be of good character and to keep your reputation untarnished. Be trustworthy in all you say and do. Extend friendship to others. Be thrifty with your time and resources. Be tolerant of others, regardless of their differences, and celebrate the great diversity that enriches our nation and the world. Express reverence in accordance with your beliefs. Offer a helping hand because you want to, not because you expect a reward. The standards set by the Scout Oath and Scout Law are very high Strive to reach them every day, and you will find that they become as natural for you to live by as they are for you to say. Star/Life/Eagle p170 BY NOW, DOING GOOD TURNS should be a regular part of your life You are always on the lookout for ways to help others. By now, Be Prepared should describe your efforts to make the most of educational opportunities, get along with others, and take part in outdoor adventures. By now, the Scout Oath and the twelve points of the Scout law should be the guidelines by which you direct your actions in your family, community, church, school, and nation. Living by these high standards is always a personal choice and something only you can fully measure. But by now, many other people should be seeing qualities in you that make it clear you are choosing "Your standing as a Scout does not depend so much on the skills of your hands or the badges an your merit badge sash, as an the spirit in your heart on what you are willing to do for others, on whether you are doing your very best to live the Scout Oath and Law:' Read that last paragraph. Ask the scout how he is following the above