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Scouting is such a tough call…my proud Eagle Scout husband has really struggled with this. Scouting was a HUGE part of his youth, especially when his dad was deployed. His scout leader was really a surrogate father during those times, and husband is the better for it.
He was really gobsmacked by the Scouts’ institutional homophobia. Totally does not get it. Angered by it.
In related news, I personally knew two Boy Scout leaders who were convicted and imprisoned for acts of pedophilia with scouts. One of them was my 6th grade teacher. The other was my brother’s den leader.
I think Scouting can be excellent.
Except when it isn’t.
I was never a scout, but was very active in 4-H, a co-educational organization with a very similar culture. It was a terrific experience and taught me so much about so many things, including socialization at camp.
Scouting will eventually open up to reflect the larger society, I think. And the opening of the military – upon which scouts is based – could be a big piece of that.
Mils, I think that input from people like you who know the organization from the inside and who have been an integral part of scouting will be the key to opening eyes.
But I would like to think that my refusal to buy popcorn (with a brief explanation why not) might have some impact from the outside. It is the only meaningful way that I have to make my voice heard by them.
I didn’t think I had a strong opinion about Adam being on the American Idol panel. I was all over the place when I would think about it so I couldn’t come to any kind of real decision.
But now that Jonas has been announced as a serious contender, I realize how very much I do want Adam to get the job. It was a surprise! I didn’t know I cared or felt as strongly as I do about it.
It’s a coincidence that I recently saw Jonas playing a role in the 25th anniversary PBS broadcast of “Les Miserables”. This kid … he’s a kid to me because he’s 20 years old … can sing! At the same time I thought he was the weakest voice and the least engaging performer among the company and several reviews mentioned the same thing. Jonas was in a company of powerhouse singers. I can’t put him/his voice in that category but, at the same time, he’s really very, very good! I don’t want to take anything away from his talent. I was really impressed.
I had to look up his credentials. He’s been singing since he was 6 years old when he was first discovered. Cut to the end though … while he might have the qualifications to be a judge on AI, he’s too young!
Aside … There were roles I wanted to audition for but, at the time, I was too young.
There was actually a time when I was “too young” for something??!! Now that I’m “too old” for everything (well, not really), it’s just a vague memory.
… end of aside.
Adam felt he was an outsider in high school. I was an outsider in high school. He’s never used the word “underdog” but it’s the same thing. We’re both gay too and I can very much identify with Adam on that level of being rejected by your peers in school.
One underdog wants to see another underdog rise above it all and be hugely happy and successful in whatever the future holds for that person. That’s how it goes. Knowing the emotions involved in being a one time underdog, it is especially important to see someone else, who knows and understands, rise above it all and be everything they never could have imagined that they would be in their lifetime. Looking through a window and seeing this happen for someone else is too wonderful. It means everything.
This is why I’m so invested in Adam’s future happiness and success.
I was going to continue but I’ve suddenly made myself feel a bit sad.
Most people root for the underdog. I just want this guy to be a winner for a change! Not come so close to something … a #1 album … and then see it or whatever else the future may hold for Adam fade away.
I see all the success he’s had and will have but … he deserves more.
He’d be a better judge on American Idol than Nick Jonas.
There. I said it … and it certainly took me a long way around to get there, didn’t it?!
First, I do not like to talk politics on this kind of blog. I think the media likes to stir things up. Just because one expresses an opinion or belief does not mean they HATE the other side. One can disagree without hate.
As for Scouting–I don’t think of the organization as being anti-gay as much as pro-children. Like it or not, people who find themselves sexually attracted to children get involved in activities/organizations that bring them in contact with them as much as possible. IMO, they are trying to protect the children with their policies, but there is no way they’re going to please everyone. Several groups will find something to be angry about.
My husband and I were involved in Scouts for many years (we had two sons and two daughters). Cub Scouts are the younger group. They usually have den mothers, while the Pack Cubmaster is usually a man (at least when we were involved). Our Cub Scouts did not go overnight camping. Most of their activities involved the whole Cub Pack with family involvement. My husband went from Webelos leader, Pack Committee Chairman, to Scoutmaster of the Boy Scout Troop. I was a Den Leader and worked on the committee.
As a Scoutmaster, the policy was that none of the leadership was to be alone with any of the boys. It was about that time that there were reports of boys being molested by certain Scout leaders and he did not want any accusations being made. They did a lot of camping and hiking and other outdoor activities and had a great time but there were always several leaders present. Leadership at this level should be men-because they are not only teaching the boys skills they should know, but they are also being a good role model for those who may not have a father in their life. Also, many of the leaders are young men who went from membership to leadership positions.
The thing to remember about Boy Scouts is that these are not small children, they are young men. One of the most common arguments is that just because one is gay, it does not make them a pedophile. I don’t consider an attraction to 16 or 17 year old boys as pedophilia anyway. Many of those boys are already sexually active. I just don’t want them to feel coerced to have sex by someone that has power over them-whether male or female. This is one of the reasons I don’t like to see women involved with Boy Scouts unless it is on the committee.
I was a Girl Scout Leader for ten years. One of my favorite meetings was when I brought in my husband’s mother who was in her 70s. Usually the girls would only see old sick people in nursing homes–and I wanted them to see an active and healthy older person. Plus she always worked a man’s job from when she helped build airplanes at the bomber plant during WWII, to when she worked in a woodshop using all of the machinery. I wanted to challenge the traditional jobs open to women. We did a lot of camping, hiking, and day trips. But again, we had other mothers involved. One person was never alone with the girls.
My husband and I never thought to ask what anyone’s sexual preference was. We just stayed vigilant to protect the kids. As someone who was molested as a child, I trust no one. Being married and having kids is no guarantee that someone won’t step over that line.
I’ve seen Scouting do wonderful things for many young men and women. I wouldn’t punish the boys or girls or their leaders (who are just volunteers) if you have a problem with the top end of the organization. If you don’t agree with their policies, don’t let your child join. The money the kids earn fundraising goes directly to the troop or district (who provides the facilities). The organization gets their money from the membership fees.
I didn’t have your issues, but I always felt like an outsider too. I didn’t have the courage to step up and do what I really wanted to because I couldn’t face the ridicule. I agree–I think it’s a big part of why I’m rooting for Adam to succeed. The more he’s criticized, the more I want him to be able to thumb his nose at the critics. Yeah–Number 1 album, yeah–sung with Queen, yeah–a crazy fan base that follows every thing he says or does. Even if he only did it for a year, I’d love him to be an American Idol judge and people to say afterwards that he was the best they had.
Unfortunately, it won’t make much of an impact unless the parents decide not to join the next year. It only impacts the boy and his local group. The only thing that gets to the organization is a drop in membership, which is where they get their money. I’d rather see people quit the group because they disagree with them instead of being pressured from outside. Like it or not, they should have that choice.
Well, I guess I opened a can of worms that I didn’t intend to with my post.
After all the brouhaha at ChikFilA, I just wanted to make the very positive point that in the related context of scouting, the scout who smiled at me after my remark “got” the issue, even if the leadership doesn’t, and (most importantly) he is the future of the organization.
Kradamour,
I didn’t mean to be so touchy about the subject. Like I said, I don’t like to talk politics. My views are quite different from most here, but I’m not a hater. In the media, one side is always wrong and the other is always right, one is evil, the other is good. Sometimes things just aren’t that simple. Like I said earlier, one can disagree without hating.
But this is not the place for that kind of discussion. I’d just rather flail over that multi-talented singer we’re all loving.
Dear Ellessay
If I haven’t told you, I want you to know that I love reading all of your posts!
Intelligent, articulate, and always a pleasure to read.
The next time you’re in Toronto …
Dear Kradamour
Instead of opening a can of worms, I wish you’d opened a can of refried beans instead. Mmm-mm good!
It’s no wonder no one will sit next to me on a bus.
I’ll try anything once but I’ve never eaten a can of worms.
Is that a Campbell’s, Lipton’s or Knorr thing?
I completely understood the intent of your post Kradamour and the meaning behind it. Let’s hope that that young man’s reaction is the wave of the future.
Yes, Ron, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I just want the world to love him like we do. He deserves it!!!!!!! Sorry – I’m yelling – lol.
In the market for a juicer (late to the party) – does anyone know what brand Adam bought?
I know, ulti. What’s wrong with the rest of the world?
Totally off topic …
50 years ago?! 50 years ago today that Marilyn Monroe died?!
I was only 10 years old but I clearly remember how I learned about it over the radio at Cove Island beach in Stamford, Connecticut.
I was at the beach at a picnic bench at Cove Island with my parents, my brother, my Aunt Betty and Uncle Dom, and their children Debbie and Joanne.
Then the news of Marilyn’s death came across on the portable radio. Remember those radios with the cowhide cover and the holes to let the sound through? I remember my parents and aunt and uncle were shocked.
At 10 years old, I couldn’t fully understand it. I only remember thinking that she was very pretty but also that this was something significant by the way my parents, aunt and uncle reacted to the news.
ulti, I believe that Adam has a Breville juicer .
Thanks, nkd – that’s the one that’s been recommended on a few sites – Amazon has it for about $300 – might as well join the crowd.
I remember her death, too, Ron – it came over the radio when we were stationed at Webb AFB. Funny how you remember the time and place when events like this occur. Standing in the sun in the carport of Base housing in the flatlands of West Texas.
Just bought the Breville – if anyone’s got a recipe that they really love, let me know. Feel healthier already.
Yikes!!!!! NVM
I remember Marilyn Monroe’s death as well. I was nine. JFK, Pope John XXIII and Marilyn all died within a short period of time. I don’t know if anyone watches Mad Men but an episode of that show featured her death as a background to the story. I love the subtle way MM comments on the 60’s.
Fox news reported about Nick Jonas being an Idol judge but only quoted his tweet from yesterday. One of the guy hosts said he wouldn’t be mean enough.
ultimathule I don’t have a juicer yet but reviewed them in the past. The slow centrifugal force ones do less oxidation damage, so one like this Omega 350 might be better. Here’s a review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5lmPOxa8WM
You inspired me to go to BedBathBeyond today to get one! Here’s to juicing and looking like Adam!
ulti, I bought the Breville (actually, I bought the smaller one since I am only one person) and I love it to death – it is very easy to clean, it has a relatively small footprint on the counter, and the quality of the design and build is excellent. I also have a Breville panini maker, and it is also sturdy and well-designed. I really like that brand.
As far as recipes, I think that the key is to add an apple and some fresh ginger (the ginger was suggested by mils, and it really makes a difference)to almost any vegetable juice combo. I also generally add a squeeze of lemon to the finished product.
My favorite blend is: an apple, two carrots, a little chunk of fresh ginger, a handful of spinach or other greens that are not kale, plus a couple of kale leaves, and a something else.
The “something else” might be a beet (but it will make the juice ugly), a turnip, a parsnip, whatever.
I’ve been off the juice train since my son got home from college, but will get back on when he leaves. Too hard to make him a lunch and just drink mine! but I find that it is really enough when he isn’t here. The juice is very filling and fresh.
I made muffins once with the material left in the juicer. They were surprisingly good but I haven’t done that again.
The newspaper did quite a large article yesterday on the continuing influence of Marilyn Monroe on contemporary fashion and style from her death to the present.
I, too, remember her death very clearly – I was nine and remember my parents being sad, and not really understanding why. Mine were parents who did not concern themselves with the private lives of performers, and this was very different.
I loved the movie this summer, “My Week With Marilyn”, thought it was very well-done. How many other performers could have a hit movie made about one week in their lives fifty years after their deaths?
One more post!
My views are quite different from most here,
Ellessay, I am always glad to see your avi and to read your posts; they are uniformly articulate, thoughtful, and interesting. It would be a very boring world if we all agreed on everything and no one ever had another fresh perspective to shine onto their own beliefs.
I have learned a lot from posts here during Adam down-time, on a variety of subjects. Unlike other sites, I can learn and question here without the fear of being trampled or flamed.
I totally agree that we don’t need to discuss general politics on this site (ugh), but I do think that LGBT rights are an appropriate topic and I am glad to learn here the things that my newspaper pretty much ignores. My post re the Scouts had nothing to do with the scouts per se, except as the context – it was about the difference in viewpoints of generations on the subject of LGBT rights and position in society. I should have made that clearer, and I am sorry if I caused any distress.
Just reading up on all the thoughtful posts. I greatly appreciate them all.
Krads, you can do and say and feel anything you want, and it’s all fine. I respect your interaction with that scout and do understand your intention.
Ellesay, loved your post as another person who has seen scouting from the inside. May I also say, that as the boys got older, my involvement did decrease at the leader level, and also became more on the Troop level and in other capacities. I agree, after a point, the leadership was men.
Ron,I’m so glad that you shared your feelings. Many of us have felt like outsiders for many reasons. Maybe that’s part of the whole love for Adam thing we all share. I tend to agree with what you said about Nick Jonas too. He’s talented, but under-cooked. Just too young.
And, just one more, there was a big article today in my paper about an Eagle Scout who sent his badge back to the National Scouts headquarters. He’s not gay, but was bullied horribly in the scouts because the guys all thought he was gay. He is a grown man now, married for 18 years, and rejects the new stance. Good for him. I respect people who stand their ground. Our crap-weavil of a governor is also an Eagle Scout, and made a strong statement in favor of the ruling.
I’m sorry for being political here. I see that this may not be the place for it. ETA: I just saw your post Kradamour, and, yes, it does feel okay to discuss LGBT issues here.
Did anyone else see the wonderful documentary last night on HBO about Vito Russo? He was one of , if not, the, founder of the gay rights movement in the 70’s. And evolved into GLAAD and AIDS rights/issues. It was incredible, moving and informative. I highly recommend it.
I bought the Jack LaLanne juicer, because the Breville was out of stock when I went to Best Buy. It is a little big, but it was only 99 dollars. It works very well. I do throw away the pulp. Sometimes I toss it in my garden for compost.
My favorites are any combo of carrots, apples, cucumbers, spinach, kale. I always use a chunk of ginger and half a lime. I have used jicama, beets, and sweet potato, and many other veggies. I tried to make V8. Ghastly is an understatement. I’d rather buy my V8.
I had a juice for breakfast this morning. Small sweet potato, 2 carrots, granny smith apple, ginger and lime.
A very light low cal, low carb juice is: Half a cucumber, 2 carrots, one apple, ginger and lime. This is the juice I’ll eat with something solid, like egg whites with spinach. If I’m just juicing, I’ll do a sweet potato juice.
Beets cause a sugar rush, and some people, like me, actually flush and get red-faced from them. They do taste really good though in juice. I use a small beet or 1/4 of a large one to avoid the sugar rush.
Kale or spinach, I find, really needs something to balance it out, like an apple or lime/ginger.
I’m really a fan of the ginger. Not only does it add zing and good flavor, but it’s an anti-inflammatory. It just makes me feel good.
I don’t juice every day anymore, I think it was just too many calories for me. But, I do try to get that ginger in me several times a week. I’ve lost 10% of my body weight, between juicing, WW, and exercise, since March.
My hairdresser is a vegan, and is a crazy juicer. She’ll throw anything in there. Mushrooms, strawberries, anything. I find it gets expensive. So, after my initial experimenting, I have certain go-to items that I always keep in stock in my fridge.
Good luck!
OMG yes, Ron! That one little image brought your whole post to life, as one perfect detail will do. Through the lens of that radio, I can picture the bathing suits, the hairstyles, the ambiance…too bad I can’t swim, or I could even picture myself frolicking in the water with you, Ron! You would be a year older (a big deal when we are talking about small numbers lol) and someone likely would have assigned you to look after me.
mils, that is amazing! congratulations! My husband has been told my his doctor that he has to lose weight, and is aiming to lose 20% of his body weight in a year. It is do-able, one pound per week consistently…but it will take a serious lifestyle change. I hadn’t thought about juicing for him, but he has liked the juices I made.
Thanks Kradamour. My husband likes my juices too. He could stand to lose 10-20 pounds, but would rather eat ice cream!
Wouldn’t we all…
Hey – really appreciate all the info about the juicers – and the recipes! Ginger seems to be pretty much a required ingredient with all of them. The juicer’s coming Tuesday or Wednesday (with a recipe book) – I’ll look 29 again in no time.
One thing I might recommend (since I’m on a health kick here) is an over-the-doorway pull-up bar. Bought one a few weeks ago and it’s really great. Can’t avoid it since it’s right between the kitchen and dining room. (Funny thoughts in my head – maybe I could do it with one hand and have a serving tray in the other and swing into the dining room.) Scare the kiddies – lol
Congratulations, mils. I am so impressed how you are sticking with the program. Fantastic.
Thanks guys, but, I still have a long way to go on this journey. One day at a time. One thing’s for sure, dancing at the concert last week helped a lot!
Happy juicing!
Just an observation. Seems MJ puts up a thread every time Kelly, Carrie, and some others sing a cover. Don’t remember her ever putting up a thread – or even highlighting – Adam’s Queen covers. Thought she replied to a poster once saying that she would probably do so when they got to London.
And his covers were certainly superior to anything she’s put up since.
Am I off here?
MJ did a Queen Kiev thread. I think she had a mention of each concert in her daily news thread. I think that she had to close down a couple of threads after they became full of Adam themes and dominated the other news of the day.
She should know by now that anything Adam gets her the most hits. Anything Adam will dominate a thread. I think she makes her own problems by not just admitting this to herself and giving Adam news the space it needs.
MJ hates or dislikes Adam and his fans a lot, JMO of course.
Thanks, mils – thought maybe because not in U.S.
Gotta be love/hate, given that he DEF brings mega-hits to her site!
And I always got the impression that what she most hates is that she loses control of the Adam threads or any thread that de facto becomes an Adam thread.
Actually, I can understand that; it if were my blog, I would feel pretty helpless every time a glamtsunami hit! And I get the feeling that control is important to her, unlike some peeps who have blogs and just let them fly.
haha kradamour, haven’t heard your “glamtsunami” word in quite a while!!
heh…that’s cos we haven’t been given an opportunity in a while to swarm to a website and break it!
We need a good old-fashioned ticket presale for a genuine tour!
Or a calendar!
…been thinking of words lately, I’m playing “Words with Friends” with a poster here. She is a killer opponent, btw. Amazing at strategy.
But:
Glamtsunami…not a valid word!
Adamphernalia…not a valid word!
What is wrong with these people?
Funny you should mention calendars. I was thinking of that just today. I just now turned my 2012 Adam calendar I bought on e-bay to August and was hoping for a 2013 official one!
Everyone I know is playing Words With Friends…except me!!
And me. No smart phone here. No apps. Oh well, whatever will I do with my time?
Never heard of that game before and like mils, no smart phones or apps or tablets here.
luval, what I do know though is that you have achieved a special milestone.
Here’s a toast to your 4000th post!
Whoopee, AL!!!!!….do I get anything other than a toast?
My phone is so old. I’m going to be forced to buy a new one, according to the business section of our paper. 2G is being phased out. Whatever that means!
All I do is text and talk. I use the computer at home. I was forced to use a laptop for the first time at a temp job last week. I absolutely hated it. They found me a mouse. Thank goodness.
Maybe some jam with that?
Or how about a little stronger toast?
Just a suggestion, mils. I have an iphone 3G. It was only $50.00 and it does me fine.Someday I’ll upgrade to a 4G or the new 5G coming out in October but for now, it works great. Especially at the Adam gigs when you need to keep in touch with peeps.
My brother & I did not sit together at Fantasy Springs but he was the first one to text me that he saw the yellow Trespassing rug put down. Very exciting (to me).
Jam is fine, AL! Love natural preserves…apricot or any berry.
I don’t have a smartphone either. But I do have a feature phone. You do not have to have a data plan with most feature phones. that is my whole reason for not getting a smartphone is I do not want to have to pay for a data plan. All I do is talk and text also.
Mils I was just reading about the terrible shooting there in the Milwaukee suburb. Sorry to hear of another tragedy like this. I know it makes it so much worse when it is close to home.
WOOT luval!
glambotgram, I found a feature phone for my mother and it suits her perfectly and she doesn’t have to pay the monthly smartphone added fee. She can do a LOT with it, including accessing the web. Good suggestion.
It also has the physical keyboard that she wanted rather than just a touch screen; the keyboard slides out. It is a very nice little phone and was only $29 after rebates at Sprint but I’m sure you could find something similar with another carrier.
mils, if my 87 year old mother can enjoy it, I would say you would have no problems.
It’s definitely intimidating to choose a new phone. So many choices! I love my palm pixi running the webOS operating system, gonna hold onto it until it totally dies.
Hi guys, I’m here between treadmill time and keeping up with the news here. It’s so awful. Oak Creek is about 10-15 miles from my house, 25-35 minutes on the freeway. I’m just sickened by this tragedy. I have worked with several doctors who are Sikh. I can’t help but wonder if any of the victims are them or their loved ones. I can’t believe this happened here. Jeffrey Dahmer was enough for us. Now this.
Rainbow, are you around? Aren’t you from Oak Creek originally??