OldGreyEagle

For the vocabularic confused, Someone who loves to beat dead horses... A lot of these ideas are pretty pricey, high adventure trips, going to the Virgin Islands, Philmont, etc. Is this the same group that looks for alternative uniform pants at Wal Mart because the official uniform is too expensive? I am reminded of the time on the school bus when Napoleon Dynamite was asked what he was doing that day, "Gawrsh, anything I want" the key is indeed, what do they want. The issue is no one may have actually ever asked them that nor have they actually ever really thought about it. And for each group with a myriad of posibilites, how to peel that onion is tough to explain on the internet. Well, OK, I dont know how

In the past I MAY have left out "pond scum sucking"

The two party system has led to the creation of the greatest country in the world. And that's not me saying we are the greatest, its the thousand of illegal immigrants streaming here that verify our greatness. Just because the current leadership of the two major political parties are liars, cheats, theives, pond scum sucking bottom feeding maggots is no reason to break-up the system. Perhaps an overhaul of the operators is in order, not an overhaul of the machinery.

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/all-freerangekids-08-90809,0,1133816.story Like the title of the first Star Wars Movies, Episode IV, A New Hope By Lenore Skenazy Tribune Newspapers SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 Permission-slip panic. Sunday night homework-athons. Backpacks reeking of ripened tuna. All these are looming large, along with the question: What will we ask our kids to start doing this year that we didn't ask them last September? After all, they're a year older now. Time to kick it up a notch. But will we? Society is not insisting we do. In fact, lately we have been force-fed the notion that really good parents are the ones who hover nearby, making everything smoother and safer. One article I read in a parenting magazine urged moms of young kids to carry a couple of shoelaces in their purse. That way (it said): If you're ever visiting someone's house you can tie shut their cabinets! In other words, parents are expected to childproof the whole world. Which is why, if you ever try to worldproof your children instead, and teach them to fend for themselves, you can expect a certain amount of blowback. I should know. I'm the mom who let her 9-year-old ride the subway alone. Yes, last year when my then-4th-grade son was asking my husband and me, "Can't I PLEASE get myself home one day on the subway?" we decided to let him. Then I wrote a little column about his adventure, and two days later I was on the Today Show, MSNBC, NPR and Fox News defending myself as not "America's worst mom." (Though if you Google that, there I am -- 11 million times.) After the whole media firestorm, I started my blog, freerangekids.com, and made it my business to find out what kids are really ready to do when, versus what we are ready to let them do. Here's what I found. Walking to school Most of the world's kids walk to school by themselves starting in 1st grade. But here? Are you kidding? While the majority of us parents walked to school, today only 10 percent to 15 percent of kids do. How come? The usual reason parents give is, "Times have changed," and that's true. Surprisingly, they have changed for the better. Nationally, according to U.S. Department of Justice figures, we are back to the crime rate of 1970. In the '70s and '80s, the crime rate rose. It peaked around 1993 and has been going down ever since, dramatically. So if you played outside any time in the '70s or '80s, your kids are actually safer than you were. How come it feels just the opposite? When our parents were raising us, they were watching "Dallas" and "Dynasty." The biggest crime was big hair. Today's parents are watching "Law & Order" and "CSI," shows overflowing with predators, rapists and maggots. TV has gotten so gross and so graphic, "I don't think there's a single episode of 'Law & Order' that could even have been shown before 1981," says TV historian Robert Thompson. Those scary shows -- coupled with cable stations running off to Aruba or Portugal every time a white girl disappears -- make us feel as if kids are being abducted 24/7. But the truth is: If, for some strange reason, you actually WANTED your child to be abducted by a stranger, do you know how long you would have to keep her outside, unattended, for this to be statistically likely to happen? Guess. Now guess again. Oh, forget it. The answer is 750,000 years, according to Warwick Cairns, author of "How To Live Dangerously." So what age can your kids start walking to school? Same age that you did. And that goes for waiting at the bus stop and taking public transit too. Making lunch Click on Playhouse Disney, and you will find a cartoon series called "Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol." Lou and Lou -- two preschoolers -- are bent on making their 7-ish-old sister follow the rules. So when the sister decides to make Dad some breakfast, the toadies follow her into the kitchen and cry, "Not so fast! Never touch a pot on the stove!" When she reaches for a sharp knife, they screech, "Let a grown-up help you if you need to slice something!" The notion is that only grown-ups can do anything -- a notion that we have embraced so fully that a lot of parents run around to open the car door for the kids they are chauffeuring to school. Meantime, a mom I just met adopted her children from an orphanage in Haiti about a year ago. They were 2 and 3 at the time. This year the older one's preschool teacher recommended her for the "gifted" track at school. Why? She already knew how to use scissors. "Of course she does!" her mom replied. "In Haiti, the 5-year-olds use machetes to peel their fruit!" At the orphanage, the 3-year-old had actually been helping to look after her brother. The lesson? Kids need supervision, yes. But we forget that, throughout history and even throughout a lot of the rest of the world today, parents have always depended on their kids to help out -- and kids want to do that. Why are we stunting them? If a 5-year-old can peel an apple with a machete, your school-age child can make a peanut-butter sandwich -- and even cut it with a dull knife. Crossing the street A lot of people assume "free-range" means "devil-may-care" parenting. It doesn't. The more responsibility you're inclined to give your kids, the more responsibility you must take in teaching them. So when I taught my kids, now 11 and 13, how to cross the street at about age 7 or 8, I did it almost hysterically. MAKE SURE THE DRIVER SEES YOU! MAKE EYE CONTACT! WAVE YOUR ARMS! Your job is to teach your kids how to be safe. Watch them cross. Critique and do it again. Feel free to wave your arms too. Playing outside This turns out to be the most valuable extracurricular activity of them all. When kids play, they develop confidence, creativity, communication -- even how to conquer boredom without an iPod. How early can this start? Try 6 a.m. Oh -- how early can this start in years? Once again, consult your own childhood. Whatever age you were playing outside, they can too. To feel less nervous, take that hour you were going to watch "CSI," and walk outside with your family instead. Connect with your block, your neighbors, your blossoming kids. And get ready for a school year filled with life lessons they will love. Skenazy is author of "Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts With Worry," (Wiley, $24.95), and founder of the blog freerange kids.com. She can be reached at lskenazy@yahoo.com.

perhaps this is being a somdomistic necrophiliac equestrian, but doesnt the BSA reccomend that a scout meeting have three parts with activities for the new Scout Patrol, The experienced scouts and then the Venture Patrol. Would not such a set up take care of the Older scout issue as the meetings are planned with activities in mind for them?

So, what I have gleaned is because of the praise for Sen Kennedy, something had to be used to say, see, he wasn't all that either. Sorta a like a thread we had where someone thought George Bush was in great physical shape and someone had to chime in about how chiesled Obama was on the Beach in Hawaii. So, if you compliment a politician, for any reason, the immediate response of the other side is to say something bad about him, or at least how someone else is better? We wonder why our youth have no manners, have no civility? I think we are acting so loud they can't hear our words

As I understood it, Banks were forced by legislation to make loans to people they normally woudl not and then sold those loans, bundled in with "good" ones on the financial market and then the load bundles started to tank as the mortages were defaulted. I dont know if any side can claim innocence in this, but to point fingers does not resolve the issue nor does it prevent its reoccurence Can we get to a place of solving problems or do we have to apply blame first? We have met the enemy, and he IS us

Sorry BadenP, I have no idea what you mean. I think its wrong for people to be talking about Sen Kennedy and the KGB now that he is dead. If this was in the book in 2006, and it was such an issue, why wasnt it talked about then? If that is Tabloid press, asking the question, then I guess I am

I am totally confused by something and perhaps you guys can help. For the last week or so, least wise after the Senator's funeral I have been hearing something about a KGB memo that purports some offer Ted Kennedy made to the then Russian President about softening American's view of Russia. This was done, purportedly, to help defeat Ronald Reagan in 1984. I think I have the gist of it, maybe not. My point is, why is this being discussed now that the Senator is dead? If this was known a year ago, 10 years ago 20 or more, why wasnt it talked about then? If this is just a blatant attmept to smear a dead man, I am just so disgusted. Ted Kennedy had many faults and his failings never seemd to be off limits while he was alive, why is this just now talk show fodder? When I claimed to be an independent neither Democrat or Republican and was told that is was easier to stand on the sidelines than join in. So, my choice is to be on the side that espouses Socialism or smears dead people. Thank you but this is the reason Town Hall meetings are near riots. This garbage has to stop

"Facebook is how i found out my sister went into labor last night. Still waiting...." Nolesrule, no Twitter updates by the father from the Labor Room? Boy, is your family old fashioned 11:15 She is screaming her head off 11:17 Still Sceaming 11:21 Screaming Still 11:28 More of Same 11:38 Doc in Room 11:45 Pushing 11:48 Crowning 12:02 Hey, That isnt MY wife? (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

"That was a bong, not a hash pipe. Big difference." Hmm, well ok, I guess I am not as knowledgeable as some on the finer points of the drug scene as some. Then again, I never inhaled, ate, injected, snorted or otherwise partook of any illegal substance. Do I have to change my name ot OldGreyStickInTheMud?

How do you deliver the promise when you don't know what the promise is?

No Ed, they don't understand, if they understood they wouldnt get that blanched deer in the headlights look when I ask them their My Space or Facebook name and you can see in their brain they aer going, how does he know about that? Then while lookign at my computer I ask them what would I find if I went to their site, some almost fainted, didnt know I was unconnected. They don't realize that some comments about sex add drugs while in college will mess their chances with a job in 2 years. What about Michael Phelps and the hash pipe? Did he think that photo would surface?

Actually, wouldnt girls in Boy Scout Troops kill Venturing?

You missed the Henry 100th Anniversary .22 rifle for $899.95 http://www.henry-guns.com/h004bsa_scouts100.cfm Or the Venturing 10th Annviersary Rifles from $429.99 to $999.95 http://www.henryrepeating.com/h00bv_venturing.cfm Note: They are beautiful guns made by expert American Craftsman, not sure how many will be in use in Scout Camps however

Have them read Ralph Waldo Emerson

I just got an Email from a usualy reliable soruce that BSA is indeed looking at a Girls in Boy Scouts. Looks like it may get interesting

Well, I am not too sure who told you need a letter of reccomendation from a religious representative but they are wrong. There is nothing on the Eagle Scout form that says anything about letters of reccomendation: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/58-728.pdf You will notice that requierment 2 says: Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf. First listed are Parents/Guardian and then Relgious, but remember this is not a letter and next, if your family or you are not active in a "traditional" church your parent or guardian may be listed with a note from them that your family does not participate in a "traditional" organized church. Next, you may wish to decide if you are Agnostic or Atheist, they are quite different. If you are undecided and that's ok. some people spend there whole lives there. The religious requirement states that you beleive in a higher power, doesnt have to be the God of Abraham that Muslims, Catholics or Jews accept. It can be many things, as varied as the religions on the earth You said "do not want to be undeserving of the award because of my personal beliefs" yet you say you understand if the readers of the forum don't think you deserve the title of "Eagle Scout". Well, you know the requirments if you don't want to disavow your beliefs, don't. Would you rather be an Eagle scout knowing you don't meet the requirments or would you rather declare your beliefs and not be an Eagle Scout. Such moments define a man's life. I am not sure what you mean about scouts not being to kid to gay of atheist members. AS far as I know, there is no organizational movement to harras or physically abuse gays or atheists, lately a few posters here have advocated such actions and were roundly told they should do no such thing. Individuals may do bad things, but if a member of the BSA does bad things to a gay or atheist, it is no different than if any member of a group does a bad thing, it doesnt meant the group is bad or the entire membership is so.

The last picture is not of yours truly, OldGreyEagle but of that of Pierre Alloyuois Dumonde. A French Voyageur who left the banks of the St Lawrence River to make his way in the great "nort'west". Pierre grew up listening to stories his Uncle Earl would tell of taking the big canoes across the great lakes into Canda's deep wilderness where they established the fur trade. The Voyageur is known by his signature hat, the Liberty Cap or "togue" and sash. When he first left home, his beloved Uncle gave Pierre such a hat. Later Pierre became a Fur trapper himself but wherever he goes he still wears his hat as a rememberance of where he came from. Pierre will always wear the togue of Earl! At summer camp (where the pictue was taken) Pierre helps at the Rifle range or so I have been told, I have never met the man but it seems wherever I am, Pierre is often seen. While we have never met we do communicate with each other. From what I understand Pierre is a pretty good guy and a strikingly handsome form of a man as well.

So I figured that perhaps I should do something with my physical fitness level other than point fingers at the Chief Scout executive. I plan on losing weight and being a good example to the youth I serve So, tell you what, I am listing links to pictures of your truly, one is from an Eagle Project, I have my back to the camera, the next one is from Summer camp, I am the second guy to the left and the last one is a close personal friend of mine, Pierre DuMonde. As time goes on, I will be posting links to pictures of me so you can judge my success or lack there of. BTW, I realize I am a fat hog, feel free to comment as well, I went after Mazzuca, I can only expect the same treatment http://www.troop362.com/pictures/2009_pictures/090620_bk_eagle_proj/jk_069.jpg http://www.troop362.com/pictures/2009_pictures/090718_summer_camp/54_gp_0235.jpg http://www.troop362.com/pictures/2009_pictures/090718_summer_camp/19_gp_0082.jpg

"The volunteers of many councils and districts who have attended wood badge almost make it a mandatory training to volunteer at those levels. I have run into this, I call it wood badge snoobery. Now with that said, The more involved I get in district and council levels I find scouters that quietly wear the beads and aren't arrogant about it. " So in other words, the Wood Badgers in your Council are pretty much a random sample of all adults, some do things for the show and glitz, others just do what is needed. I am pretty much sure that Wood Badge didn't turn some in snobs and others into quiet workers, that trait was set long ago.

Ok Pack, thats twice you have commented on how much of a svelte guy you are. I am impressed, now, are you happy? You can take your lanky, rangy, sinewy, slim, sylphlike, wiry and wizened form away from our corpulent corpses.

When BadenP, Beavah and OGE all agree on an idea, it probably should be considerd, if nothing else just for the novelty of the situation. If the NOLS classes are to much, what if NOLS would do a Train the Trainer kinda thing? Sponsored by the Council to allveviate cost concerns? Then those trainers train the scouters? Gern's thought reminds me very much of a Venturing Kodiak Trek. Off to the woods to learn Leadership Skills (I will pause for the Leadership Rants to journey through your brain here) one two three four five six seven eight nine ten Now, rather than teach Leadership skills, perhaps the Kodiak format could be changed a bit to teach outdoor skills in the outdoors over a Trek. Could be canoes, could be backpacking, could be whitewater, depends on what you got in your neck of the woods. Maybe call it Kamchatka, an adulterized Kodiak. Do it with adults so there no one is afraid to ask questions with youth nearby. One of the reasons Powderhorns are so well liked is because the adults get to try stuff without having to defer to youth and they can ask any question. SO, mimic the environment and get the adults, without youth, in the outdoors with trained leaders (possibly Nols trained, maybe not) Would seem to be a good idea, where do we start?(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Hey broken, BadenP was a professional, and he worked with Mazzuca as well FYI

In the interest of getitng this right, as in all Key 3, the commissioner is a volunteer and the BSA president (unit leader) is also a volunteer, Mazzuca is the only paid professional in the picture. At least thats what I thought it was. Doesnt matter much however, if the BSA is going to have weight standards then I expect everyone to meet them. I can see the Natinal key 3 not meeting them at the outset, heck, like I said I don't meet them. But I will in a year, I expect they will as well or at least be on their way to meeting them