DanKroh

Ed says: And Saturnalia is celebrate where now? The Roman Empire no longer exists. Whereas Christianity does. Saturnalia is celebrated right here in the good old U.S. of A. by Greek and Roman Reconstructionist Pagans. The Roman Empire may no longer exist, but the religions that were practiced in that time are still around. If you are interested in learning about some of the religions of others, I can point you to some very good interfaith forums.

The problem I see with the supposed "war on Christmas" is that Christmas is not the only holiday celebrated in December. In fact, this year, the first night of Hannukah falls on December 25th, as well. And there are various other non-Christians who celebrate December holidays such as Kwanza (sp?), Yule, and yes, even Saturnalia. It seems that the Christians who want to make a big deal about someone saying "Happy Holidays" are asking, nay, DEMANDING, that others respect their holiday and their observance of their holiday without offering ANY respect for the observances of others in return. For instance, Bill O'Reilly publically offering Jon Stewart a "Merry Christmas" when he KNOWS that Stewart is Jewish. And I won't even get into how using the greeting "Merry Christmas" like a blungeon is respectful to the spirit of Christmas (that would be, NOT). Yes, the majority of Americans celebrate Christmas. So I guess it is ok to ignore the celebrations (and the rights) of the minority simply because they are in the minority. Personally, I have no problem with Christmas. I celebrate it like I do any other day of recognition for the life of a great teacher and philosopher. It's right up there with MLK Jr. Day in my book, and President's Day. If there was a Gandhi Day, I'd celebrate that with enthusiasm, too. But if you are going to put your nativity scene in my town square, then let the Jews put up a Menorah next to it, and let me put up my image of the Holly King on the other side. And anyone else who wants to put up a symbol of their December celebrations. What it boils down to is, like in so many other things, if you want respect for your holiday, offer respect for the holidays of others in return. And a blessed Yule to you all.

Thanks, I'm pretty excited about the new position. I'll definitely look into BALOO and OWLS/OLS sooner, rather than later. I was planning on doing it when my Tiger boy got closer to Webelos, but since I'm usually tagging along with the older son's troop on campouts, I can see the advantage of doing them sooner. I'll check with the council about the CM specific training. Thanks again.

I just got word from our Committee Chair yesterday that come February, they would like me to step up as Cubmaster, when the current CM will be crossing over the BS with his son. Unfortunately, we just had our University of Scouting in October, and I was taking the Tiger Den Leader training that I missed the first time around (my older son started as a Wolf, now younger son is a Tiger). So my questions are: What training will I need as Cubmaster, that I don't already have (have NLE, YPT, den leader specific training)? Is there a way to get this training other than waiting until the next UoS in October, when I will have been in the CM position for 6 months already? Finally, are there "prerequisites" to the Wood Badge course? The next course is starting in Spring of '07, and I am planning on signing up, but I want to be adequately prepared. Thanks in advance for your help, everyone.

I would like to add that I do have a problem with people who hunt (or fish) ONLY for the purpose of getting a trophy to take home and hang on their wall. If you are going to kill the animal, at least make good use of what you are taking. If you don't like or don't want the meat yourself, give it to someone who will use it.

I don't personally hunt, although I have been known to kill a lot of cardboard with my bow. But I have a lot of family members who do. And while to them it might be part "sport", they are not just looking for a trophy, they take that carcass home and put it to good use. Now, they are not substistence hunters, but having a freezer full of deer or bear meat does help stretch the grocery budget, especially during the winter months when the heating budget can start biting into the grocery money. Personally, I like the taste of deer meat (and bear meat), and while I am probably too lazy to get up that early in the morning and spend all that time freezing body parts off, I never turn down a hunk of game meat when it is offered to me by friends or relatives. I have no illusions about where the meat comes from, and what is done to the animal to provide it. But I also have no illusions about where that beef and chicken in the styrofoam tray at the grocery store came from either. Just out of curiosity, Prairie_Scouter, is the meat in the grocery store more acceptable for some reason than the meat in my brother-in-laws freezer just because he didn't have anything to do with killing it?

If you'll please pardon my ignorance, but what are these "segments" that some folks are talking about? I guess my Pack has never done them, and I am very curious what they are. Thanks! Dan

Thanks for the welcomes. My two boys are 5 years apart. My older crossed over in February to a fantastic troop, then in June, the younger started as a Tiger. I've decided to stay more active in the Pack for now, since the Troop has great leadership. Still go on campouts and such with them when I can, though. I will probably become an ASM at some point, but it looks like Cubmaster may still be in my future in the Pack in a couple of years. Does anyone have any experience holding leadership positions in both a Pack and a Troop at the same time? If so, how did/is it working for you? Dan

Hi, I've been a den leader for 5 years now, although I'm now starting over with the Tigers with my younger son. Looking forward to the discussions here.