Brewmeister

Yes, I plan to do that, although I'm a bit confused about who should start the process. The form seems to imply it should be completed by a council committee or some such thing so I'm unclear whether I should start the process or someone else. The main reason I offer this story up here is because it is an example of how, regardless of the changes that may have taken place over the years, the BSA still manages to find a way to fulfill it's nationally chartered purpose: "To promote ... the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others." The second reason I offer it is that Cub Scouts is much maligned as the arts and crafts stepchild of "real" scouting. Well, we didn't do anything special in our Den, we just followed the program, and "Readyman" is required for rank. We didn't do anything that countless other leaders have done in Packs nationwide. It is a credit to the BSA program in total. And of course it is the most credit to this 10 year old boy who kept his cool under the most stressful of circumstances to make a difference. When asked how he could treat his mom without panicking, he simply said, "I didn't have a choice." I wish that people out there who denigrate Scouting could meet this boy. Maybe they will someday, or the others like him.

It's hard to tell this story without getting into too many specific details, but I'll give it a shot. About a year ago my Webelos den earned their Readyman badge. A few days ago I got a call from a mother of one of the boys, who is now age 10. She told me the story of how she had a medical emergency a few nights before while she was home alone with her son and younger daughter. He used the knowledge he gained through scouts to treat her and directed his sister to call for help. At the ER, the medical staff credited the boy with saving his mother's life. They asked him where he learned lifesaving skills and he said "earning my first responder pin through Cub Scouts." (Ok, so he didn't get the badge name right ) There are a lot of folks outside Scouting who seem to be making it their mission to make the BSA go away. And there are those within our own ranks (and in these forums) who would like to say good riddance to Cub Scouting in particular. Well, were it not for the Cub Scout program, I know a family that would be mourning a tragedy today. Not sure if that's something the detractors ever think about....(This message has been edited by brewmeister)

...that the BSA ceases to exist. What happens to scouting in the US? Does it cease to exist? Remain in a federated collection of local units? Does a new or existing scouting movement rise to take its place nationally?

>>Perhaps PETA should be out there gently keeping the wildlife from crossing the road. They oughta just lobby to get the wildlife crossing signs moved so that animals cross at safer locations.

I think moose's view on the Republicans is pretty clear, and the party could give everyone in America ice cream and a pony and it would still suck in his view. Being a pack CC I have lots of popcorn. I'm going with Blast O' Butter and waiting to see what happens next.

Holy cow, we went from gays to global warming in 8 pages. No mention of Hitler yet though. Where's the popcorn?

I don't see the benefit. We already have an attitude of entitlement from troops...feeder troops just waiting for the boys to cross over and doing little if anything to recruit or encourage. If they are in the same unit there would be even less of an interest of the "real" scouters working with the lowly cubs, IMO.

I think every parent/leader/adult who says "there's no way those boys can do that themselves" should watch this series...

The point that I think is being made is that the Supreme Court has successfully elevated itself beyond a co-equal branch of government. Whereas the executive and legislative branches regularly squabble, the attitude when the judicial branch acts is, "well, that's that." I would imagine that a Supreme Court being ignored by another branch of government would generate a pretty loud hue and cry.

In the past 12 months our Pack has... -Cleaned up a local park -Worked shifts on 6 days at the local food pantry -Gathered thousands of cans of food for Scouting for Food -Raised over $600 for the local food pantry through our cake-bake auction -Donated over 700 pairs of new white socks to the local community closet from our Sock Wars fundraiser activity These are things our community has benefited from because of Scouting. We are only one small unit. These are the things that people trying to take down Scouting because of policies they don't agree with will take away as well if they are successful.

There is no need for a hard hitting letter. The parents already know the money is due and they are choosing not to pay or cannot pay. Simply send them a letter stating matter of fact that Johnnie's dues have not been paid, and if the are not paid by X date, his membership will not be renewed in the pack.

Sorry, it gets tough to separate the talking points from the cliches in here some times...I'll be quiet now.

>>the 5 out of 9 justices who shut down the Florida recount and ended the right to vote ???!!! Holy cow, we have just jumped off the ledge... What is that saying again? Oh yes, "Move On."(This message has been edited by brewmeister)

Well, yes, of course, even your typical well water at a campground can cause problems and hygiene is always an issue. This seems to be a good synopsis of the different types: You already know that pristine-looking backcountry lakes and streams can be contaminated with tiny, gut- twisting bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. But do you know which of the many water treatment methods on the market is the best for you? Here's how to decide. You want One quick method for use domestically and abroad Choose An ultraviolet light purifier like the SteriPEN ($80-$100, steripen.com) bombards water with UV rays, neutralizing bacteria, protozoa, and viruses (which are a particular problem in developing countries). It works in less than a minute and doesn't leave a chemical aftertaste. Caution: This handheld device works best in relatively clear water (strain with a bandana first if it's not) and requires batteries (pack spares). You want The lightest possible treatment Choose Chlorine dioxide tablets such as Aquamira ($8, aquamira .com) weigh almost nothing (less than an ounce for 30) and take care of all three major types of bugs with a highly active form of oxygen. They're also easy to usejust pop one tablet into your bottlebut they take 30 minutes to kill Giardia and up to four hours for cryptosporidium. (Iodine tablets are also lightweight and cheap, but they won't kill crypto and leave an unpleasant taste.) You want The best method for silty water Choose Good old-fashioned boiling works everywhere, but it's perfect for ultracloudy rivers and sediment-choked puddles. Collect water in a pot, then fire up the stove: Not only will the high temperature kill bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, but the boiling will help the sediment settle out, leaving clear water on top. Simply bringing water to a rolling boil is sufficient. Cons: Boiling is fuel-intensive and requires waiting for water to cool. You want An easy, speedy method Choose Pump filters use microscopic pores (.2 microns or less) to snag bacteria and protozoa while allowing water to flow through the filter at one to three liters per minute. They shine where viruses aren't an issue, but can be pricy and require field maintenance. Where viruses are a problem (developing countries, near human habitation or agricultural runoff), choose a filter with iodine resin, upgrade to a purifier (First Need's XL model neutralizes the big three pathogens), or back up with a chemical treatment. You want A hassle-free method for big groups Choose Gravity filters are quick and trap everything a pump model does, but handle larger volumes of water. (The Platypus CleanStream filters four liters in less than three minutes; $90, platy.com). The lightweight bags pack small and are a snap to use (just hang from a tree, let water drip, and drink). -- If I'm going myself or with my family I'm packing a filter just b/c I like it. For a scout group, particularly one getting off the ground, I'm leaning toward recommending the chemical treatment.

That's a very good document. I see you recommend chemical water treatment and others in this thread do too. However I have had the filters recommended by another troop as a more surefire way of assuring water safety. Thoughts?

I marvel at your lumbar flexibility.

>>And of course our most astute and accurate news site is on it. Is that the one who has the host who thanked God for hurricane Sandy?

The EC has pluses and minuses...eliminating it would also. However it is a reflection of our republic structure.

We are a republic....still.... On the plus side, my state is therefore not ignored in a presidential campaign in favor of focusing on the population dense coasts. On the downside, my state is therefore not ignored in a presidential campaign in favor of focusing on the population on the coasts...

Marshmallows?

This will be our third year of doing sock wars. It fits in well with December b/c we donate the socks to the community closet. But since you don't want to do the same activity-- How about a cake bake-off? Actually just a cake decorating contest. The boys decorate a cake that represents their favorite belt loop theme. They vote for their favorite cakes and you award prizes. Then the cakes are auctioned off and the proceeds go to the local food pantry. Afterward anyone who doesn't want to take the cake they won home donates the cake and you cut them up for a snack. Everyone wins. If you want documents/plans on that send me a PM and I'll send you our stuff.

Hey, remember folks, I'm from Wisconsin, where our guv was reelected with a larger percentage than the first time, and we have one-party control of the legislature and executive branch (and an elected judiciary, but I digress), but according to the losing side in our state it's still not a "mandate," so he's gotta reach across the aisle and lead a round of Kumbaya on the way to some "healing." So I'm just drawin' some parallels with all the folks who are bemoanin' the fact that the losin' side in the national elections have the audacity to not simply roll over and play dead... How 'bout showin' all of us knuckle dragging rednecks a little luv? Heck, even when it comes to our real enemies in the world (you know, the ones that want to kill us, not just have political disagreements with you), you spend a lot of time navel gazing asking, "What did we do to cause this?" So where's the outreach? I'm just not feelin' it. And on the topic of temper tantrums, moose, didja see any of the footage of the shenanigans in the People's Republik of Madistan last year? I just like to point out hypocrisy...turnabout's fair play, don'tcha think?...

I think the better question to ask is what those in the current ruling majority are going to do to reach out to those in the current minority. You know, the whole big tent thing. Because one thing we know for certain based on past comments, 51% is by no means a mandate, right? Time for the democrats to really reach out across the aisle...find out what aggrieves those who are behind these secession petitions so much...do some consensus building.

Beavah, I can see why you're a lawyer.

Beavah, why are you ascribing politics to my econ 101, and did you not read the second part? In the literal sense, workers ARE nothing more than input. Smart business owners understand they are more. And business owners are not unilaterally one party or the other. As to the rest, I'm not reading into the posts, I'm reading what's in the posts, and the verbiage is pretty clear.(This message has been edited by Brewmeister)