Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

The Boy Scouts of America recently changed its name. The reason? Scouts USA will admit girls. These days a decision like that can kick off a firestorm of criticism. There’s even a new Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts. For my best friends and I, BSA was all about camping. We’ll talk about it in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Best Friends Like None Other

I had two best friends growing up. Both of them invited me into the Boy Scouts. The other day one of them texted me, concerned that the Boy Scouts would not admit girls. “Are you gonna do a podcast about that?”, he wondered. I said I didn’t think so. The idea of a podcast about changes in our social institutions though, stuck with me.

Summer Memories

Especially relevant is how summer brings back memories. It’s warm already in Minnesota and that makes me think about my best friends, camp outs, summer camp and fun. For us, that’s what the Boy Scouts were. So I’ll share some stories about our campouts in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Nonconformist Scoutmaster

What’s more, as I researched and thought about this podcast I realized how important our scoutmaster was to all of us. It’s not what you’d expect. Our scoutmaster and the men who watched over us were anything but conformists.

No Patience For Rules and Regulations in 1970’s America

As world war two vets, our scoutmasters weren’t about to take crap from anyone. Moreover, they didn’t have much patience for bureaucracy, rules and regulations. What they did was make sure we were safe, had a good time, and took care of each other. They also stood up for us, celebrated us and had our back. In Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Changing Institutions

Most noteworthy to this podcast is the idea that institutions like the Boy Scouts are changing. Crumbling even. There’s no shortage of criticism for ‘Scouts USA’ from commentators who make sure to tell the reader they were Eagle Scouts and went on to Explorers. We didn’t. In fact we thought ‘Super Scouts’ were kind of weird.

Friends For Life

For us it was all about camping and the kind of friendship none of us will have again. I think it was that way with our scoutmasters and the fathers of the kids who came to the campouts too. For me, I don’t mind leaving it all behind and keeping those times as memories. As Stephen King once wrote, “I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus. Does anyone?”

My sentiments exactly.

Was it the Boy Scouts? Or was it us?

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating Of Saint Paul

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

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Thanksgiving Thought Starters-Fight Starters-Fight Enders-Podcast 679

Thanksgiving dinner is supposed to be a fun family get together. At times this fall celebration of the harvest can erupt into ugly political and social disputes. Time for some ideas to flip the script in Thanksgiving Thought Starters-Fight Starters-Fight Enders-Podcast 679.

Welcome To The Rollercoaster

Especially relevant is the fact that the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas, can be an emotional rollercoaster for almost all families. Whether you’re hosting the dinner or heading out to a relative’s house it’s a good idea to be prepared.

Freedom of Choice

In Thanksgiving Thought Starters-Fight Starters-Fight Enders-Podcast 679 I share some personal thanksgiving and family experiences to get you thinking. Most important is to remember we all have the freedom of choice about what we think about social or political issues. If you want to hear an example of my own personal thanksgiving experience a few years ago, click here.

What He Said!

When it comes to politics these days, you can bet there will be discussion at the Thanksgiving table about much of the reactive coverage about politics. Add alcohol to the mix, and you will have to decide whether to engage or not, depending on your situation. Of course, give yourself permission to keep your mouth shut, or leave right after dinner, if necessary.

SeaChangeTone

Should you make the decision to engage your crazy uncle on a political level Thanksgiving Thought Starters-Fight Starters-Fight Enders-Podcast 679 gives you ideas on how change the tone of the conversation.

In conclusion when it comes to politics and social issues we could all do with a change in tone. Do we want to be leaders or followers? Rather than fighting about what someone else says on a TV Show why not talk about what we are for? What kind of a world do we think is coming? Where does our energy and advocacy belong.

The Old World Is Passing

Moreover we are seeing fewer positive interactions with the age old institutions of our society like government and religion. What kind of world is coming and what is our role in it? Throw that out over the mashed potatoes and see what happens. Or not.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Ciro 3D Motorcycle Products and Accessories

Thanksgiving Thought Starters-Fight Starters-Fight Enders-Podcast 679

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Podcast 576-Bob Davis Podcasts Radio Show-54

Podcast 576-Bob Davis Podcasts Radio Show-54. Hillary’s recount demands and Fidel Castro’s death prove real news stories are out there. Podcast 576-Bob Davis Podcasts Radio Show-54 features a look at the opportunities and challenges confronting the people. I have no endorsement of any major candidate to defend. I have no wish to add to the media reactive political noise. What I can do is help people break out of the political box, by asking some important questions. If Donald J Trump is chosen by the Electoral College and inaugurated in January of 2017, the Republicans will be in the best position to control the Federal and State Governments in decades. However, celebrating republicans should keep in mind, most elected republicans leaders are still ‘establishment’ types. Despite his promises suddenly Trump is backpedaling on repealing the Affordable Care Act, and prosecuting Hillary Clinton. His top advisors are discussing a trillion dollar stimulus package for infrastructure. He’s pulling back on the ‘big beautiful wall’. ‘Moderate’ republicans are also pulling back on trade policy and managing expectations on foreign policy. It is doubtful republicans will address tough economic challenges with policy fostering dynamic economic growth. While we’re lost in debates about tweets from Trump Tower, The US economy is hampered by too much regulation, excessive debt and spending. Many of the so called social problems in this country can be attributed at least in part to low employment and slow or no economic growth since 2008. This is why it feels like we’re living in the Matrix. With a technology revolution as significant as the industrial revolution we need new ideas about society, politics and government. Instead, we have institutions designed for an agricultural or industrial age that don’t serve us anymore. On top of all that are demographic changes. The Baby Boom population is aging rapidly. Younger people have different ideas about politics, government and society. The future belongs to these younger demographics, and with different ideas about society, ‘Conservative’ and ‘Liberal’ mean different things. To address the challenges of the future will require more of us than reacting to tweets, the latest outrage, or someone’s personality. Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul, Hydrus Performance, and X Government Cars.[powepress]

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