RobertNashville

I don't get what makes anyone think the the "rules" of the Neighborhood Watch program mean anything here???   Does anyone here even know if this group Zimmerman was part of was even connected to the formal Neighborhood Watch organization?   Even if they were; someone please tell me how the NW "rules" can override FL (or any other state's) law?   I'm a member of a NW group and if I'm awake, I'm armed...I don't give a flying you-know-what about NW rules and I'm sure as hell not going to leave my cave without my club EVER whether I'm trying to keep an eye on a suspicious person or walking to the local convenience store or out walking my dog.

I've been searching and so far have not found out when BSA instituted this "policy" of dismissing gay boys from scouting...I suppose that when BSA started it was assumed either that boys would never identify themselves or be "gay but I have to assume that at some point in its history someone made the decision to have a formal policy yet all I can find are phrases like "long-standing policy".  I was in scouts from Cub Scouts through Boy scouts...I was never asked if I "liked girls"...was there some point in time after I left Scouts that they started asking that question of eight year olds???   I've also find references to the BSA excluding gay boys because they thought being "gay" was immoral. Okay; I can accept that they thought being gay as immoral but for me, that begs the question of why they created a specific policy about "gays" but not similar policies about other alleged moral failures - was "being gay" the only immorality they cared about and if so, why?   I guess where I'm going with this is that I see no justification for ever having such a policy of excluding "gays" from scouting in the first place.  Such issues as a young boy's perceived or alleged sexual preferences have ZERO place, in my humble opinion, ever being made an issue.  As such, this whole controversy about their decision to change their policy was completely avoidable and should have been.

Perhaps because there are obviously people who seem to think that homosexuals need to be excluded from life activities (like the BSA) that "normal" people want to participate in.   Why did the BSA ever think they needed to exclude gay boys from scouts?  What possible difference could it really make if, OMG, a "gay" was part of a scout troop?

Absolutely nothing - it's just a little humor.   It also serves as a reminder that talking about the subject of this thread is just as useful as arguing about the "best" caliber for a defensive handgun, whether it should be a Glock or a 1911, whether one should carry open or concealed or any other of a hosts of subjects that have been both beaten to death and to which there really is no "one right answer".

Wow...that would be worse than the BSA allowing gay boys into scouting. ;)   http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/65894-boy-scouts-allow-gays/   The most important question is, should a person carry openly or concealed?   Or...   Should "real" Americans buy only an "American" car made in Mexico or a "foreign" car made in Smyrna Tennessee?   ROTFLMAO

When I was in we had "church services" as well on Sunday mornings (when it was a weekend outing). I suspect, however that such was "allowed" by the BSA, not required and certainly no requirement that any particular religion be mandated.  My troop met in a Methodist church and that's who provided the service...no doubt had a Jewish synagog sponsored the troop that we would have had some type of Jewish service. :)

One of the best things about Tactical Response is the annual alumni weekend...you'll meet people/instructors there teaching "mini-classes" all weekend that are nationally known and it's all FREE if you've ever taken a class from TR before (except they do ask that you buy a ticket to the NRA banquet for $30).   I've had a great time and learned a lot every time I've gone.   http://www.tacticalresponse.com/course.php?courseID=43

I've had several HD shotguns over the the years; my favorite and my current one is a Benelli Super Nova Tactical - simple and high quality.   Don't remember what I paid but I think it was under $450.   In reality; almost any pump shotgun is a pretty good choice for a HD weapon...any bad guy is not going to know or care if it has a pistol/folding stock or whether it's black with a synthetic stock or a pretty "hunting" shotgun.  In fact, what I'd really recommend is that you pay as little for the shotgun as possible and spend the rest on a good tactical shotgun course such as the one Rangemasters offers.

Amen...I for one am going to remember Memorial Day tomorrow first going to Stones River National Battle Field for a few moments then go to the Nashville Armory tomorrow afternoon to shoot up some of that expensive ammo that some folks don't think I should be buying.

40 S&W is for people who want 10MM but are afraid of it. ;)

I stopped buying Girl Scout cookies when the stopped carrying the ones I liked.

I see. :)   But maybe someone else will answer the questions; in my always humble opinion I think they are good questions. :)

You do not suddenly "stop" being a permit holder or a citizen just because you've volunteered to be part of a neighborhood watch...being part of one confers no special powers or remove any rights from a citizen.   If prosecutors are going to try and make something out of the "manual" (assuming as was pointed out earlier that this particular group was actually even a part of the NW program which we do not even know) then I would say they have a weaker case than I thought...it will be about the same as Marsha going on and on about the "bloody gloves" and then OJ being unable to get them to fit. ;)

What are the morals of the BSA that they are foregoing?   What "religious beliefs" does the BSA have that are being compromised here?   How is the "safety of innocent children" being affected?

Here is a better idea; how about people stop going apoplectic about a kid's alleged sexual proclivities or over a private, non-governmental, non-religious organization's decision about who can and can't join and let boys enjoy the great things that scouting can teach them?

Maybe I'm missing your point???   I agree that the BSA had anything to do with promoting any kind of sexual proclivity but they certainly placed a restriction on who could join based on a boys alleged sexual proclivity didn't they?   That is why I think the formal restriction on "gay scouts" was an inappropriate restriction in the first place; hence why I think dropping that restriction is not only not a big deal but a good thing.

Yuup...not even worth carrying; especially if it's in a plastic gun.

You are now or former LEO correct?  If so then I suspect you have some familiarity with the "Neighborhood Watch" program.   I'm certainly no expert but I know of no state or community where the Neighborhood Watch has any "special powers"...like the one we formed in my neighborhood, it was simply a bunch of neighbors who got fed up with break-ins and promised to keep an eye out for each other/each others' property.  We had two actual meetings with LEOs (Rutherford Co SO and Murfreesboro PD); since then we keep in touch through FB and phone/text, etc. and communicate with each other and the non-emergency (usually) number of MPD if we see anything we think is suspicious.   Bottom line is that I don't see any way that being a "watch captain" has anything to do with Zimmerman's guilt or innocence the only question that I believe is relevant at all was who REALLY started the physical altercation and whoever that was, was he justified under FL law to do so.

Oh; it's open for discussion...I was just not following what you were discussing! :)

But that's just the point, the BSA did specify one particular sexual proclivity in its membership and specifically excluded boys who were gay...all they've done is remove the restriction.   The BSA isn't suddenly trying to promote gay sex or any other sex although to read some of the complaints posted in this thread that's what I think some believe!  ;)

What about it...did you actually read the information before you posted a link to it? "The religious emblems programs should be presented to youth members and their families as an optional program for them to complete through their religious organization. Religious instruction should always come from the religious organization, not from the unit leader. Parents need to be informed of these programs and told where to get the information for their particular faith."   They allow, even encourage "religious faith"...they absolutely DO NOT DICTATE any particular religious faith...I don't understand why that is difficult for some to grasp.

Yeah...this case proves that we should all just sell our weapons or lock them up in our safes because protecting ourselves or our loved ones is just not worth it.

Well, "wrong" is a very subjective term at times.   It depends on whether or not Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton will lead marches to get a new DA appointed to overturn the decision of the DA that they didn't like.   And obviously; you should have just stayed in your house...maybe even pulled your drapes closed because even walking outside may be considered threatening to the burglars and given them the legal right to "defend themselves" against your obviously aggressive actions. ;)

That's easy...10MM is best although to be honest, I carry 45ACP more often than 10MM