Left In Alabama - Recent Comments

Wow.

countrycat — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:29:39 GMT

What a testimony and personal story. Thanks so much for sharing it.

My hubby is an Eagle: the family rule was "no wings, no wheels" and he definitely wanted that car! But he too is disgusted with the behavior of some souting leaders and sponsors.

I'm disappointed in the Alabama scout leaders, and not for the first time

3sigma — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:30:03 GMT

The Alabama scouting executive writes:

"It does not say that a youth may not be denied membership if his behavior becomes a distraction to the program or the performance of the unit, or if his behavior casts a poor reflection on the reputation of the chartered organization".

This is wrong in so many ways.

First, it casts sexual orientation as behavior and not as identity. Seriously, who talks about people "behaving straight"??

Second, it presupposes that any behavior problems related to a scout being gay are the fault of the gay scout, and ignores those which may arise from intolerance.

Third, it implies that the reputation of the chartered organization is more important than the safety and character development of the gay scout.

Sadly, I'm not surprised by this.

I was an enthusiastic scout in Alabama in the 70's . I loved scouting, and the skills I was learning. I knew that if I could survive by myself in the woods, that I could survive in life. I loved scouting so much that I convinced my best friend to come to meetings with me. I was sure that he would feel the same empowerment that I did from the program.

I was overjoyed when he said he wanted to join the troop, but the scoutmaster said there was a problem. It seems we were "out of tents", and didn't have enough equipment to accept any more scouts.

The real problem was that my best friend was black.

My father was a committee member and I know now that there was a struggle within the committee that the scouts never knew about. He was on the losing side. I was completely disillusioned by the scouting program, and their violation of the scouting law and oath. I changed troops, and completely dropped out of scouting shortly after that.

When talking about scouting I'm often asked "Did you make Eagle?", and the answer is no. I don't usually explain that continuing in scouting or accepting their highest rank would have been an act of hypocrisy. There aren't any medals, patches, or signed letters from the president for standing with your convictions, but 40+ years later, I'm still comfortable with my choices.

Today's gay scouts and other scouts who support their rights are having experiences similar to the one I had as a scout. When scouting does not live up to their oath and law, the only way a boy can live up to them is to leave scouting. It's tough to be in an organization that teaches leadership, when their own leaders enable antagonistic and discriminatory practices.

To scouts today I say follow your convictions, whether that means staying in scouting and working for change, or leaving scouting. You should know that there are troops who will welcome you without shame as the person you are. You may have to shop around for a troop, but it's worth it. There are many scout leaders at the troop level who believe in the values of scouting without trying to extend those to cover your sexuality.

To the Alabama BSA leadership I say that you are on the wrong side of the scout law, and the wrong side of history.

Wow.

lsmsrbls — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:15:57 GMT

That is awful.

me too! n/t

countrycat — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:56:47 GMT

"Not a contract, but marketed as such"

jthomas666 — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:12:31 GMT

So Boozer admits that the state defrauded people (including me, btw)?

Nice.

Here's the key

BamaRainbow — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:28:34 GMT

"Now, other than the fact that we're using public money to subsidize private companies to improve customer service (really?), let's look at how well these schemes have worked in the past."

That's the GOP motto: Use the public's money to subsidize private companies (so they'll turn around and send some of that money back to US). After all, for what else would we use the public's money? Spending it on the public? We can't do that. That wouldn't be productive (much less profitable for us).

I"m with you on that.

countrycat — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:18:55 GMT

The idea of making PLANTS illegal is just stupid public policy and scientifically. We're constantly finding new uses for the various compounds found in plants: why would we want to reduce that opportunity?

And the stubborn refusal to even consider medical marijuana is one of the most mean-spirited things the legislature has done. And this this group... that's saying a LOT!

Thanks for the correction.

countrycat — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:15:30 GMT

allow me to say... DUH.... :-) But I'd be happy to claim him as an Alabama native. Must have been wishful thinking.

Correction

alan_in_auburn — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:27:06 GMT

Booker T. Washington was born in Virginia, not in Alabama. I grew up near the Booker T. Washington monument east of Roanoke.

the thing with government contracts

countrycat — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:44:23 GMT

is that travel expenses, etc. are calculated into overhead. Sure, the company wants to keep costs down because those savings drop to the bottom line. But they're going to get paid anyway.

A main reason that airline costs in HSV are high is because we have such a high percentage of business fliers who pay full fare. The airlines charge what the market will bear, so this is a sweet market for them.

If we're now going to use public money to subsidize the airlines to lower fares, then the main beneficiaries will be the same government contractors already making their living from public money.

Yes, leisure travelers will benefit some, but nowhere near what the business types will.

I never flew Independence Air, but I did fly AirTran a couple of times and found it to be as pleasant a travel experience as you can have today. :-) I wish they were still here because 1) we paid a lot to get them here and 2) the offered some really good fares. Loved the $59 sales to fly to BWI!

"lower-priced flights"

HighStreet — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:19:37 GMT

Independence Air

HighStreet — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:15:38 GMT

I loved flying Independence Air - both service and price. I flew their inaugural flight to Dulles shortly after having knee replacement surgery and they made the entire trip much easier than I had expected. My family was very sad to see them leave. I was told - but have no confirmation - their issue was not having enough operating cash to stay afloat until they could bid for the government contracts.

So I've always wondered - and I admit I know nothing about how the government contracts work -- with the large number of government flyers in and out of Huntsville, what's the impact of the government fare contracts on trying to bring lower flights? Seems to me that the airlines that have the contracts would have no interest in supporting Huntsville's attempts to bring in a low-cost carrier that would be direct competition in the next round of contract bids.

About Medicaid...

Lindy — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:23:54 GMT

Just saw this. The title:

Alabama pension fund chief to Obamacare critics: 'Get over it'

Yes, indeed.

There is a Democrat Running for District 11 Senate Seat

RonCrumpton2014 — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:25:12 GMT

http://www.crumpton2014.com/2013/06/11/for-a-brighter-future-in-alabama-we-need-your-help/#.UbiFM5zNlQB

Ding! Ding! First time comment here!

countrycat — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:56:08 GMT

Forgive my tardiness in welcoming you, Bryant Denny, but there's been a lot going on here in the family & on the farm.

We'd love to hear your perspective on issues! Disagreement isn't any big deal as long as everyone sticks to the facts & is respectful of each other. If you peruse some of the other diaries - particularly the ones that discuss gun violence & legislation - you'll find that even the "regulars" on the blog hold a variety of opinions.

Again, welcome to LIA!

Thank You

Bryant Denny — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:24:18 GMT

Thank you very much.

Welcome, Bryant Denny!

Doggone — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:57:38 GMT

The moderators will issue an "official" welcome, but let me also welcome you. It's good to have various viewpoints on this blog!

Boy Scouts

Bryant Denny — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:55:10 GMT

Hello all,

This is my first post on this blog. I'm a conservative evangelical Christian. Please take it easy on me. :)

Even if you don't subscribe to the beliefs of Baptists (and I'm not Baptist), what these pastors are saying is consistent with their beliefs and is true to what the Bible says.

Your interpretation of Scripture is a bit off as well. :)

Though your comment about shellfish is a bit off, I must admit you are close to the mark about Red Lobster!

Have a good evening,

Thanks for the agreement but......

BamaRainbow — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:38:27 GMT

Have you ever tried to build a sand castle with a SINGLE grain of sand? It simply does not work. It can't be done. For that "no matter how small" to even begin to help, there has to be a "there" there. And in this state, there simply is no "there" there.

For the nuns to TRULY accomplish anything, they have to have a public and politicians willing to work with them. With our GOP legislators and governor and our insanely right-wing electorate who vote in morons like Shadrack McGill and the Dems-turned-GOPers-only-to-be-voted-out-in-the-next-election, the Sisters won't have anyone who can really achieve anything.

Remember, the Sisters were targets of right-wing outrage last year for their daring to believe the Roman Catholic Church's primary obligation was to help people through social justice. The Catholic propaganda service provided by FoxNoise was right there belittling the Sisters' work.

We should have a serious discussion in Alabama about these

SaintSatinStain — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 15:11:11 GMT

Distribution of Drugs - 1,280

Possession of Drugs - 1,065

"been silent for long enough"

grammasusan — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:04:20 GMT

I first saw this on my Facebook yesterday or the day before. Didn't anyone ever explain Mrs. McGill that you start getting spam with undressed women when you start visiting porn sites. It is not women she needs to speak to.

Sorry - Couldn't Resist

I agree with Bama Rainbow but . .

Doggone — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:30:41 GMT

. . . every bit, no matter how small, helps.

Worthy attempt but completely in vain

BamaRainbow — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 04:02:48 GMT

"The strategy is to "stand with bold Republicans" and encourage other Republicans to find the courage to stand with them...."

In this state, that's NEVER going to happen. There's no such thing as a "bold Republican"--unless, of course, they're doing something to screw over the average Alabamian and "boldly" lie about their real agenda.

Couldn't follow the link CC

Old Prosecutor — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:29:02 GMT

But I was and am of the opinion that while there are circumstances that justify taking human life - shoplifting ain't one of them. Not to mention the reckless endangerment of everyone else in the parking lot and passsing by on the roadway.