locally, the discriminatory policies coming out of National don't seem to be an issue. Don't know of any gay Scouts, but I understand it wouldn't be an issue for my troop if it did come up. I know that my religious skepticism went over without incident.
I mentioned Troops 31 and 19 in my sibling comment; I've also heard good things about 37, but don't know much either way about any of the others.
My troop (31, in Rochester NY) does have the budget and will for a lot of outdoor stuff. Definitely the best part. We do have a lot of well-off families, which does help the budget, but I understand we'd quietly help a poorer kid if need be.
It is an important balancing act for the adult leaders to keep their distance without letting the boys run wild. Our adults (mainly fathers) sometimes get a bit too involved; in another local troop (19), the adults (mainly troop graduates) sometimes don't get involved enough.
I got in Cub Scouts when I was 10 or so, so I only had to wait a couple years before I got to the cool Boy Scout stuff. Some camping started up in the later Cub years anyway. My troop has a killer fundraiser (large Christmas tree lot), so we can afford a lot of good trips (something big every April, a long session at summer camp, weekend camping most other months).
learning to shoot
Archery, BB gun, rifle and shotgun have all been available to me as a Scout activity. Rifle and shotgun are not available to those under 12 as a matter of state law. (NY) We've only done it as a matter of target shooting, not sure about hunting. No handguns.
The anti-homosexual policy is indeed causing the BSA a lot of trouble; I feel it's one of the few black marks on a wonderful organization. It obviously hurts the few percent of gay boys that can't get involved, but the controversy seems to be detracting from what the program could do for straights too.
Longterm Scout here, Eagle and everything.
Sometimes it's not a problem at the local level - I'm not sure if we had any gay kids around, but some have said it wouldn't be an issue if it did come up. And I know that my religious skepticism went over without incident.
Most Scout organizations are supported by houses of worship, especially with the controversy scaring off government entities and other secular organizations. The church behind my Scout troop is fairly liberal. However, conservative religious organizations (particularly Mormons) have a lot of influence at national headquarters.
Boy Scouts has been my major social activity, so I figure my own experiences are skewed positive on this. At the least, the guys seem to mature faster - I've seen that in myself and others; observing that is one of the best parts. Also, the fathers and other adults need to keep their distance without letting the boys run wild; that's an important balancing act. In short, leadership seems to be about example-setting. I do live in a liberal area of the US, and am fairly liberal myself, but I don't see the worst of the politically correct behavior around me.
only three major types of Spanish verbs IIRC: -ar, -er, -ir, just with pronouns and present/future tense modifications of the same word. Also, gendered nouns with the same root word, like hijo/hija instead of son/daughter
'Famous for no good reason' would be a good way to phrase the idiom without the apparent tautology. I like the sibling AC's example of a Kardashian. This is as opposed to being famous for being a really good musician or whatever.
Let's not forget sayings like "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a soldier". Even if the imperialist project wasn't successful, language imposition is taken as a symbol of it.
If humanity were to standardize on one language: It would make sense to consider what's already popular. English can be hard to learn because of the irregular verbs; Mandarin can be hard because of the tones. Not sure about other major languages such as Spanish, Hindi or Arabic. And language is more than a practical means of communication; the cultural issues create a shitstorm.
in most cars I've seen, windshield wiper is controlled by a stick to the right of the wheel, turn signal by a stick to the left of the wheel. Different things, although I still occasionally hit the wrong one. A lot of controls seem to be hybrid - can be turned like a dial (for adjusting), can be pushed like a button (for on/off). Either way, I don't like to fidget with them while driving.
I can see the positives and negatives of both sides here.
Some things wouldn't happen without guns involved. Even if other weapons are involved, would the result be less severe? However, in a practical sense, it can be hard to make this work for crime prevention.
Maybe the authorities worry about an armed citizenry, but why? What can the average person do against police/military with professional training and equipment anyway?
reminds me of when I was a dishwasher one of my few positive memories of that job was one shift where I listened to the first four Led Zeppelin albums in order. Music is a great alternative to just listening to the machinery. It's great when plowing through grunt work, but not so great when you have to coordinate with others. manager sometimes took issue with music playing. perhaps the cords/equipment would have gotten caught up in something
When doing creative work, what I'm listening to can definitely be an inspiration. For instance, what I write is often related to song lyrics.
any of the stuff I usually listen to helps me - vocal or instrumental-only, high-energy or mellow, whatever genre maybe it's because it's something I'm familiar with - I'd stop to concentrate on the song if it's something I hadn't heard before. that's one great thing about music, it can easily go in the background while doing other things.
"It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion." - Mentat mantra, something added by David Lynch to his Dune film
in theory, in information is a good idea. in reality, labeling as GMO seems to stir up the bio-Luddites.' Sure, Monsanto just wants the $, but this is how I feel even being nonconnected to them.
Rihanna [pop star in her first lead movie role here] can make anything sexy - including militarism (also note the _Hard_ music video). This can be dangerous.:P some of the assistance had to do with helping her and the other actors/actresses get in character. Also, actual US Navy sailors were extras.
The US Navy didn't help with Crimson Tide because of the mutiny plot point. So military technical help came from somewhere else. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Tide_(film)#Production
Slashdot Mirror
My troop does ban electronic devices on all campouts except the winter-cabin one in January/February. (using one on the way there or back is often OK)
locally, the discriminatory policies coming out of National don't seem to be an issue.
Don't know of any gay Scouts, but I understand it wouldn't be an issue for my troop if it did come up. I know that my religious skepticism went over without incident.
I mentioned Troops 31 and 19 in my sibling comment; I've also heard good things about 37, but don't know much either way about any of the others.
My troop (31, in Rochester NY) does have the budget and will for a lot of outdoor stuff. Definitely the best part.
We do have a lot of well-off families, which does help the budget, but I understand we'd quietly help a poorer kid if need be.
It is an important balancing act for the adult leaders to keep their distance without letting the boys run wild.
Our adults (mainly fathers) sometimes get a bit too involved; in another local troop (19), the adults (mainly troop graduates) sometimes don't get involved enough.
I got in Cub Scouts when I was 10 or so, so I only had to wait a couple years before I got to the cool Boy Scout stuff. Some camping started up in the later Cub years anyway.
My troop has a killer fundraiser (large Christmas tree lot), so we can afford a lot of good trips (something big every April, a long session at summer camp, weekend camping most other months).
learning to shoot
Archery, BB gun, rifle and shotgun have all been available to me as a Scout activity. Rifle and shotgun are not available to those under 12 as a matter of state law. (NY)
We've only done it as a matter of target shooting, not sure about hunting.
No handguns.
The anti-homosexual policy is indeed causing the BSA a lot of trouble; I feel it's one of the few black marks on a wonderful organization.
It obviously hurts the few percent of gay boys that can't get involved, but the controversy seems to be detracting from what the program could do for straights too.
Longterm Scout here, Eagle and everything.
Sometimes it's not a problem at the local level - I'm not sure if we had any gay kids around, but some have said it wouldn't be an issue if it did come up. And I know that my religious skepticism went over without incident.
Most Scout organizations are supported by houses of worship, especially with the controversy scaring off government entities and other secular organizations. The church behind my Scout troop is fairly liberal. However, conservative religious organizations (particularly Mormons) have a lot of influence at national headquarters.
Boy Scouts has been my major social activity, so I figure my own experiences are skewed positive on this.
At the least, the guys seem to mature faster - I've seen that in myself and others; observing that is one of the best parts.
Also, the fathers and other adults need to keep their distance without letting the boys run wild; that's an important balancing act.
In short, leadership seems to be about example-setting.
I do live in a liberal area of the US, and am fairly liberal myself, but I don't see the worst of the politically correct behavior around me.
only three major types of Spanish verbs IIRC: -ar, -er, -ir, just with pronouns and present/future tense modifications of the same word.
Also, gendered nouns with the same root word, like hijo/hija instead of son/daughter
'Famous for no good reason' would be a good way to phrase the idiom without the apparent tautology. I like the sibling AC's example of a Kardashian.
This is as opposed to being famous for being a really good musician or whatever.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Coatrack
Has to do with an article going off-topic in a biased manner
Let's not forget sayings like "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a soldier". Even if the imperialist project wasn't successful, language imposition is taken as a symbol of it.
If humanity were to standardize on one language:
It would make sense to consider what's already popular.
English can be hard to learn because of the irregular verbs; Mandarin can be hard because of the tones.
Not sure about other major languages such as Spanish, Hindi or Arabic.
And language is more than a practical means of communication; the cultural issues create a shitstorm.
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis about how language is related to the culture that uses it? That would make it more than a practical communication matter.
that's what I thought - 'government' is a common term for the current executive branch in parliamentary systems
If someone browses at -1, they will notice that you definitely can post 'nigger' on Slashdot.
in most cars I've seen, windshield wiper is controlled by a stick to the right of the wheel, turn signal by a stick to the left of the wheel. Different things, although I still occasionally hit the wrong one.
A lot of controls seem to be hybrid - can be turned like a dial (for adjusting), can be pushed like a button (for on/off). Either way, I don't like to fidget with them while driving.
I suppose fighting off foreigners would be a different dynamic than fighting other locals.
I can see the positives and negatives of both sides here.
Some things wouldn't happen without guns involved. Even if other weapons are involved, would the result be less severe? However, in a practical sense, it can be hard to make this work for crime prevention.
Maybe the authorities worry about an armed citizenry, but why? What can the average person do against police/military with professional training and equipment anyway?
true, maybe that has a point about the principle represented by the 2nd amendment.
reminds me of when I was a dishwasher
one of my few positive memories of that job was one shift where I listened to the first four Led Zeppelin albums in order.
Music is a great alternative to just listening to the machinery. It's great when plowing through grunt work, but not so great when you have to coordinate with others.
manager sometimes took issue with music playing.
perhaps the cords/equipment would have gotten caught up in something
When doing creative work, what I'm listening to can definitely be an inspiration. For instance, what I write is often related to song lyrics.
any of the stuff I usually listen to helps me - vocal or instrumental-only, high-energy or mellow, whatever genre
maybe it's because it's something I'm familiar with - I'd stop to concentrate on the song if it's something I hadn't heard before.
that's one great thing about music, it can easily go in the background while doing other things.
that's the right specialty wiki for Trek, though sometimes it's interesting to compare the regular wiki article and the specialty wiki article
"It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion." - Mentat mantra, something added by David Lynch to his Dune film
in theory, in information is a good idea. in reality, labeling as GMO seems to stir up the bio-Luddites.'
Sure, Monsanto just wants the $, but this is how I feel even being nonconnected to them.
Rihanna [pop star in her first lead movie role here] can make anything sexy - including militarism (also note the _Hard_ music video). This can be dangerous. :P
some of the assistance had to do with helping her and the other actors/actresses get in character.
Also, actual US Navy sailors were extras.
The US Navy didn't help with Crimson Tide because of the mutiny plot point. So military technical help came from somewhere else.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Tide_(film)#Production