So we’re now officially within a “national political campaigning year”.  Assuming that the Mayans were wiped out before they could finish their virtual calendar; and also assuming that this year isn’t the one in which hostile and hungry aliens arrive on our planet for a “mid-galatic snack”; we Americans have to contend with a […]

 
  Jon: I have an entire book which will finally hit shelves after the first of next year which talks about “injustices” and how at least in my own experiences, I overcame them. You wrote in part: “For quite some time now, I have been aware that, in its earlier days, the BSA permitted practices […]

 
  (We’re talking over on Scouts-L, the “international daily Roundtable meeting which NEVER ends!”(tm) about the value of Eagle in today’s Scouting environment.  Someone suggested that we somehow “tighten” the tasks required to become an Eagle Scout.  I disagreed and stated that instead of tightening the Eagle requirements, that perhaps we need to insure that […]

 
  (I wrote this from work; the work computer doesn’t allow me to “cut and paste” to Facebook (or anywhere else).  So sorry for the delay in posting this!!) Someone coined the term “Military Brat” some 30 or so years back, as the child of a service member, particularly one who lived on a military installation […]

 
  The following was posted to the USENET Scouting forum “rec.scouting.issues” in 1997 and contains references to older versions of BSA documents.  The information HAS NOT CHANGED, however, which is why I feel confident in posting this here.  There is a reference to a “Parents Guide to Scouting” which I’ve had on my whiteboard since […]

 
  Hi Allan!!  Thanks for asking me this great and very timely question.   You wrote and asked me: “Thanks again for you service to Scouting. Several years ago I recall reading one of your posts regarding the situation where a scout wore his class A shirt with proper patches, but did not have uniform pants […]

 
  Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple Computers, passed away during the evening of 5 October 2011.   He is credited with creating the Macintosh personal computer, the i-Phone and i-Pad as well as other consumer products which basically changed the script on Americana.   This never aired but I can tell you that this represents everyone — […]

 
 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Hi Karen!! You wrote and asked me: “I read your answer to a lady regarding the wearing of the Wood Badge regalia (found at http://www.scoutinsignia.com/wbneck.htm) ….here’s my dilemma….It seems to me that the Wood Badgers have co opted the woggle and don’t think it should be worn by anyone else in US Scouting.” […]

 
  (This was originally posted to Scouts-L a few years ago. Scouts-L is a “daily international online Roundtable meeting which NEVER ends” where I serve as one of the moderators. I also offer a bit of advice, as in this case.  Please note that my responses in this case was pre-Youth Protection program days and […]

 
  [This is part of an upcoming set of stories detailing my memories of this trip with a bunch of great Scouts and Scouters called “We’re Not Gonna Make It…”  Enjoy!] Day 6 It was raining cats and dogs…heavy, cold rain for an April morning, along with some lightning and lots of thunder thrown in for good […]