Boy Scouts

My two sons were in cub scouts when we lived in England. They both joined the american version once we arrived here and are now both Boy Scouts. I have to say that the Boy Scouts if America are a fantastic organisation.

Unusually (for Americans) they don't think they invented scouting, and indeed regularly and loudly proclaim good old BP.

The lessons my boys learn are useful and long lasting, and they have fun camping out all year round. A week long summer camp (near Crater Lake this year) in the heat to a weekend out in the mountains in February digging and then sleeping n snow caves.

The big difference to UK scouting? Religion. Faith is a fundamental part of scouting in the US. Our own troop is based in a church. If it were not for this (and a great summer day camp program elsewhere) we would not go to church. Despite our own lack of faith (and they don't care what faith, what denomination, what religion) what they are really looking for is goodness of character. We accept their good intentions and they accept us.

Scouting is not for everyone, and I'm aware that they don't accept everyone. That doesn't mean that they are not a worthwhile organisation, and it doesn't mean that they have to change. Long may they last.

Football (Soccer) in Idaho

My eldest son, nearly 14 now, has always loved playing the game. Unfortunately, here in North Idaho, it's a short season. Well, two short seasons. When the snow finally disappears in spring, we can start playing outdoors again and the season lasts April to May (this year April was a slow start as the snow just didn't want to go). School's out early June, so no point having games when eveyone's on vacation. The new season starts in August, and we are done already. No snow yet, but it's getting cold, below freezing at night already.

It's a different game to the one played in England, so maybe that's why it has a different name.

US elections

I've been following a blog on the BBC, lead by Justin Webb. I can't actually remember that last non-political thread. Now I am a conservative, but certainly wouldn't call myself right wing, and definitely not extreme. I try to make my points calmly, and try to avoid name-calling. What has stuck me though is the amazing hypocrisy of some of the democratic supporters posting on that blog.

There is outrage at Palin for supposedly trying to ban books, yet views contrary to their own are howled down, reported as being offensive, accusations of racism are hurled seemingly at random, and dissenting posters chased off. Someone even kept a straight face when chasing someone off with the remark 'leave us to carry on our discussions'. So a one-party Obama love-in is now called discussion?

Palin was laughed at for prefacing her remarks about Russia with the observation on how close Russia was, yet a well respected democratic-supporting poster remarked, without any irony or rebuke, that 'From where I am presently based in Asia, Iran is just down the road and Russia just up the road' when explaing his thoughts.

McCain was pilloried for saying 'my fellow prisoners', yet Biden's almost daily gaffes are brushed aside with 'that's just Biden' - as though that's a good thing!

It's been a fascinating lesson in paradigms. People react to what happens or what is said based entirely on their prejudices. The right is evil, so therefore everything anyone on the right says or does must be judged using this premise. The narrow-mindedness of some people is just astounding. Anyone quoting Fox News is ridiculed without what they actually say being even looked at, yet the same ridiculers quote Huffington Post without a second thought. A number of such posters have actually claimed to be 'intellectuals'.

The democrats claim that they are the party of fun, of humour. They just don't get it - they are merely accidental jokers.

I don't lump all democrats together - this is only aimed at some of the ones posting on that particular blog. In all fairness, there are also democrats that do listen and politely disagree. I have great respect for them. There are also fairly rabid right wingers (if their posts are real) who pop up once in a while, and they do their cause no good at all.

I just can't wait until this ridiculously over-drawn-out election is over.