View Full Version : Anyone Go Through a Libtarded Phase in Their Youth?
I did. My mother is a socialist school teacher, and early on, I was a product of her upbringing. I spent high school and a couple years afterward being a lazy uneducated musician. She encouraged this behavior and if I hadn't made a change, I'd still be living with her with no prospects and no future. I didn't even work a full time job until my early 20s. I was taught to do what feels good, there is no such thing as individual responsibility, and society as a whole needs to help support the artists and wanderers and professionally unemployed.
I tried a few classes out at the local community college to see what I might be interested in and settled on Criminal Justice and History. Totally changed my outlook. There's a stunning lack of civics and history education in the public schools around here; didn't realize it until I started studying and found out how very little I knew about law, government processes, and world history.
I got two A.A.S. degrees (worthless) and decided to enlist with the Marines. The recruiter told me no ****ing way. I have asthma. Shit.
So I started working in security, took a liking to shooting, and pulled my head out of my ass.
I still have major issues with my families' tarded mindset, as many learned people do with their ignorant relatives. Funny little story: one night my mother invited my girlfriend and I, and my sister and her new boyfriend over for dinner. At some point Obamacare came up in conversation (I probably did it) and he said something along the lines of how horrible it is for government to socialize an entire industry because some people choose to be "have nots". My mother then went on a rant about how it's "governments job to take care of its people" and said she is a socialist. My sisters boyfriend stared at her, looked back at my sister, got up and thanks us for dinner and left. My sister is a younger and more obnoxious version of my mom, with a law degree. I said something like "Nice going comrade" and tried to explain the actual, constitutional, proper role of government. Both ended up leaving the table.
Once you've lived on the other side, you can see how truly ****ed up Libs are. They wear ignorance like a badge of honor, with a self-satisfied grin on their faces. Some of them are the most jaded, judgmental people I've come across thus far. They hate for reasons they don't understand, they're naive, and all of this put together makes them dangerous to a constitutional republican form if government with a free market capitalist economy.
I've never been able to shake my love for hippy music though. Still listen to the Beatles, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band, etc. other jam bands. Oops, guilty pleasure.
Anyone have similar experiences as a kid confused by socialist propaganda bombardment?
Moose-Knuckle
03-15-12, 03:23
Nope, raised in the South by staunch conservative blue collar family.
But glad to hear you came out okay. :D
Nope. Had a close call though (lived in central NJ for 4 years)
I was lazy as a teenager and had to pull my head out of my ass when I enlisted. However, this was not due to any change in political philosophy since I was rather unaware of politics until my 20's.
An Undocumented Worker
03-15-12, 07:34
I can't say that I did. Though it did really help to have a father that was very much grounded in reality and a beleiver of capitolism, yet wasn't oppressivly conservative. To add to that my father grew up as the son of a union organizer, so he saw the other side as a child, how he saw past that was most likely a product of being a naval officer and then later working in the financial industry.
My youthful liberal leanings were more issue specific, and not a whole lot of them at that. But I did not realize in my youth the sheer level of stupidity of that thought process.
Eurodriver
03-15-12, 09:17
I considered myself a democrat until I was about 12, then I started asking
"Mom, if democrats are the party that help out the poor...and you win elections by getting the most people to vote for you...wouldn't they want to keep everyone poor?"
Thats right. I'm a genius.
30 cal slut
03-15-12, 09:30
No.
I credit my dad for raising me right. :p
Nope, grew up with Reagan and I thank God that I did. :D
30 cal slut
03-15-12, 09:33
Nope, grew up with Reagan and I thank God that I did. :D
Where's the "like" button on this thing? :p
Was I a liberal? No. I did have some dictatorship-esque views early on, thinking I'd be a pretty sweet dictator, but then I learned about the Constitution, history and government and came to my senses. So I was at no point a liberal, just an autocratic wannabe.
I grew up in a hard working, poor, socially conservative, Democratic home (yep, they actually exist). My family wasn't particularly political. They were too busy eking out a meager existence. That doesn't mean they weren't opinionated though. When I registered to vote at 18, I registered as a Republican, because I thought they represented my values the best. How I wish they hadn't changed.
Over the years, I hope I've learned a few things. I'm very much a conservative when it comes to fiscal and governmental policy. It's the only sane way to conduct the people's business. However, after observing racism, bigotry and the outright hatred of those who are "different", I've become a social liberal. If it isn't hurting anyone, who the hell are our politicians to tell others how to live their lives? Doesn't that fully fly in the face of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"? If you want your community to live by certain social standards, that's the responsibility of the community at large, not the legislature.
The one thing our society has fully abandoned is the concept of personal responsibility. Each individual's actions have a direct impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. Displaced blame and the rejection of guilt as a positive tool in society are directly responsible for the moral decay of our society. Neither religion nor laws will fix that. We have to learn to hold ourselves responsible for our actions, and by extension, those around us for theirs. Until that day, our society will continue towards a slow and agonizing death. :(
ICANHITHIMMAN
03-15-12, 11:35
Hell no we were poor. Had a job since I was 12. I would say your one in a million.
Sure, I believed the hype for a while on some things.
montanadave
03-15-12, 12:18
I grew up in a hard working, poor, socially conservative, Democratic home (yep, they actually exist). My family wasn't particularly political. They were too busy eking out a meager existence. That doesn't mean they weren't opinionated though. When I registered to vote at 18, I registered as a Republican, because I thought they represented my values the best. How I wish they hadn't changed.
Over the years, I hope I've learned a few things. I'm very much a conservative when it comes to fiscal and governmental policy. It's the only sane way to conduct the people's business. However, after observing racism, bigotry and the outright hatred of those who are "different", I've become a social liberal. If it isn't hurting anyone, who the hell are our politicians to tell others how to live their lives? Doesn't that fully fly in the face of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"? If you want your community to live by certain social standards, that's the responsibility of the community at large, not the legislature.
The one thing our society has fully abandoned is the concept of personal responsibility. Each individual's actions have a direct impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. Displaced blame and the rejection of guilt as a positive tool in society are directly responsible for the moral decay of our society. Neither religion nor laws will fix that. We have to learn to hold ourselves responsible for our actions, and by extension, those around us for theirs. Until that day, our society will continue towards a slow and agonizing death. :(
With the exception of my upbringing (I was raised in a middle-class family with conservative Republican parents), your political evolution closes mirrors my own.
And I agree with your statement as a whole.
Over the years, I hope I've learned a few things. I'm very much a conservative when it comes to fiscal and governmental policy. It's the only sane way to conduct the people's business. However, after observing racism, bigotry and the outright hatred of those who are "different", I've become a social liberal. If it isn't hurting anyone, who the hell are our politicians to tell others how to live their lives? Doesn't that fully fly in the face of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"? If you want your community to live by certain social standards, that's the responsibility of the community at large, not the legislature.
(
+1
There should be a "Let's all leave each other the HELL alone" party.
Also, to clarify: I didn't have a FULL time job until 21. I worked at Circuit City selling garbage computers for nearly 3 years, about 24 hours a week (when I wasn't playing with various bands)
I don't think there's inherently anything wrong with paying your own way as an artist of any kind. Key phrase: paying your own way. I have little to no respect for someone who signs up for welfare or food stamps or votes for the twat that promises the most handouts just because they've chosen to act, perform, paint, compose, etc. Bus tables dude.
Anyway, yeah. I kinda figured most would have a different past. If I ever have kids, they're getting introduced to firearms, liberty, and hard work early.
I grew up in a conservative old world Italian family. My father is also retired Army. I started my first job, mowing yards, in the 4th grade. By the time I was in the 6th grade I was mowing yards on the weekends for a few local real estate companies. My first national election that I could vote in was the 2nd term of Ronald Reagan. I've always voted Republican. My family has never believed in the Hillary Clinton "It takes a Village" load of crap. Keep the Govt. out of our lives as much as possible. We can take care of our own selves than you very much!!
........Anyone have similar experiences as a kid confused by socialist propaganda bombardment?
My story's [almost] the same as yours, except one chapter behind in reverse.
Even did the musician thing for a while, though it didn't pan out. Still play for me though.
Didin't have a problem with socialist parents, it was more a case of to much religious brainwashing, and not enough common sense- everything was a fight, and I grew up super sheltered- I mean I did not know shit (except for WW2 history- couldn't very well take away my history books for school...), and I was a total douche.
Added on top of that they didn't believe in "violence" so while all you overprivileged bastards had your .22s, I had a stick, and a spanking every time I got caught with the thing.:laugh:
On the plus side, I got a great appreciation for personal freedom....:p
Although honestly, it wasn't all bad- was homeschooled. Killer for any social fun, but glad I was now. Got my GED at 16, and dabbled in flying for a bit. But we were pretty poor, and I was to stupid, so that didn't last long.
Another plus was I learned a good work ethic- as I metioned we were poor, I either bought what I wanted or I didn't get it. Was always able to find enough money either mowing my neighbors 90 acres or helping out with the family business, or workstudy program at college.
On that note: I hated college. Of course it was a shitty community college, so it sucked 10x as bad. I swear 90% of those people were f***ing morons- and I wasn't even the smartass of the group (despite what you may hear about homeschoolers....;)). I have never seen such large groups of people put so little effort into anything....
But I got into shooting there, "took a liking to shooting, and pulled my head out of my ass". Finally realized I had a say in whatever I wanted to do, there was a whole world out there, and nobody could stop me now.
Got one A.A.S. degree (worthless- agreed) and decided to enlist in the Marines-something I had always wanted to do. I wanted it bad.
Then as the sun shone and I merrily hummed along, everything imploded- I got really sick, collpased a lung multiple times, and pretty much wasted the last five years on this bullshit. Game over.
Ironic how everthing you hope never happens, always ends up happening in the worst way at the worst time.:mad:
Alright, I'm done with my glass of whine now.
I remember hating politics as a kid & teen. I didn't want anything to with either side. Once I began working I started paying attention to them. My views fell more into the conservative category than anything. Now that I have an understanding of how things work in politics, I almost wish I had stayed ignorant. Life was much simpler then & I wasn't pissed off as often.
Now that I have an understanding of how things work in politics, I almost wish I had stayed ignorant. Life was much simpler then & I wasn't pissed off as often.
That's hilarious. And very true.
Like the bumper sticker says:
"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention"
Patrick Aherne
03-16-12, 12:01
No. My parents are die-hard, union member, Democrat, JFK-loving, Irish-catholics. I can think for myself, so I would up being a Reagan-loving kid who argued with his parents at the dinner table over politics.
dookie1481
03-16-12, 12:56
I went through a Republican phase when I was younger.
theblackknight
03-16-12, 13:24
nope. I did however purchase Metallica's "reload" cd and thought it was good. Silly kids
I think there is an old saying that goes something like, "If you are not a liberal when you're young you have no heart, if you're not a conservative when you get older you have no brain"
I was raised up on the prairies by Depression-era parents, neither of whom completed high school but had hard-knocks smarts. My Dad gave me a habit of looking under the surface of things and loved history, so it was kind of a general inoculation against BS. Still, the general feeling in the 1950s was that the millennium had arrived, America was deservedly on top, and that all we had to do was to kick back and enjoy the good times. That was about as dumb as I got.
For some reason, though, I never could quite convince myself that it was entirely true, and my BS detectors kept chirping. Almost by accident I started learning about the Holocaust and real evil, and I decided to educate myself. I'm still at it, but with a helluva lot more hard miles on me now.
My operative philosophy is "Life is tough; it's tougher if you're stupid". At this stage of my life I just flat hate stupidity and evil--which are identical in their results. :bad:
My mom's a devout Catholic who is also decidedly liberal (at least, by the standards of where I grew up). My dad's never said one thing about religion that I can recall, and spent every Sunday at the range instead of in a church. As soon as I was old enough to have an opinion, I joined him, much to Mom's chagrin.
I was raised on the old-school conservative mantras. And much like religion, I believed in them because that was all I had ever known. After I got out of my little town and into college, I saw that a lot of the social bogeymen were just people who had a different view of things. I went from a Conservative to a libertarian. I still have a disdain for big government, but I have expanded that to pretty much all forms of governmental interference in my life. I don't want the government telling me I can't own guns any more than I want them telling me that I can't buy porn, or that I have to kowtow to the religious beliefs of whatever politician can slick his way into office. I like the fact that I can walk into a convenience store on a Sunday morning with a pistol under my shirt, and buy a fifth of good Bourbon and a skin flick while all the good people of the community are kneeling in church. That's freedom: the ability to choose what you want to do with your life.
The federal gov't is there to protect our borders, regulate interstate commerce, and generally enable people to go about their business without interference. The sooner both sides of the aisle realize that, the better.
deadlyfire
03-16-12, 21:33
never even thought about swaying left.
Mother's side are liberal. My father's side are very conservative.
I suppose I'm heartless =p
Belmont31R
03-16-12, 21:39
I can remember being about 9 or 10 and asking my mom what the difference between a democrat and a republican was. Since then Ive been right leaning. My parents were NEVER overly political and even now my dad is kind of oblivious to it. I tell him certain things and its just kinda a dead end.
Reagans Rascals
03-16-12, 21:47
Never have I even considered being a liberal.. in fact... I was substantially more conservative in my youth than I am now....
I guess growing up in a military family from which all males have served in every US war dating back to the revolution (myself being the 1 exception in my entire lineage... med disqual)....... tends to do that...
Its difficult as a child to see liberals bitching and moaning on the side of the street about some bullshit while your father's been deployed the last 11 out of 12 months... doesn't make you want to run out and join their agenda....
blinded by rainbows.... that's what they all are... blinded by the good that they think they are doing, while completely overlooking the bad...
Yes. As a teen I listened to Rage Against the Machine. The music was cool until I understood wtf they were singing about. Che is dead and Zach De La Rocha needs to be throat punched. RATM is straight communist shit.
It sucks when a bands shitty politics ruin their good music.
But hey, heroin is responsible for some of my favorite music. You can't win when it comes to music.
Voodoo_Man
03-16-12, 23:31
Grew up in a communist country, family never drank the koolaid.
I started really considering individual rights and acting what I preached when I got on the job.
No.
I don't come from an overtly political family (except for my libtarded aunt and cousin). People just didn't "talk politics" at family gatherings. I suppose I was a liberal when I was a small child, as the leftist philosophy is appealing to the naive and unsophisticated (basically, those too ignorant to know any better, like children), but as I got older and realized that everything that I and my family valued either stood at odds with, or were outright endangered by liberals, I became more or less what I am today, anti-prog.
I know a lot of "libtards" who like to believe they are "conservative."
The_War_Wagon
03-17-12, 00:19
Never got the chance. This was my youth. :cool:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/The_War_Wagon/EAGLEMDL.jpg
Never got the chance. This was my youth. :cool:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/The_War_Wagon/EAGLEMDL.jpg
I was on track for one of those until I realized that I hated all of Scouting's stupid rules and just enjoyed camping. Seriously, no fixed blades? No hatchets? No folding knives over 3"? No guns? Screw that noise. Our council tore into our troop for organizing a trip to a paintball range, calling it a 'paramilitary activity' that was not consistent with Scouting's values. So I just started going camping with my friends outside the aegis of the scouts. And guess what? I had a lot more fun.
The Reagan years were my formative years, and I knew, knew with zero doubt, that the party of Jimmy Carter was not for me. When Reagan was in office I read a bunch about Goldwater, then ended up majoring in poli sci and getting a real eye-opening. I have always been conservative/libertarian.
I will say there ain't nothing wrong with listening to hippy music, though. :)
Cagemonkey
03-17-12, 11:21
Always had an interest in History, the Military and firearms. Grew up under Reagan and hated communism. In school I debated my teachers and confronted their overt liberal bias. Always been Conservative/Republican. Recently started to realize that both parties are bought and don't give a shit about the Constitution. Sick of Commies and Neocons. Over a decade of War and depreciating civil rights and economic decline have opened my eyes to true conservatism. Libertarianism.
Lucky nope !
My dad was a jet fighter pilot :) so I grew up with racing motorsports and fun adrenaline things and conservative values and when I wanted to buy a ruger red hawk the first year they came out but was not old enough he did it for me and like others I got guns and car wheels/tires for Xmas :)
And learned its up to me ! And carve my own path
The_War_Wagon
03-17-12, 11:44
I was on track for one of those until I realized that I hated all of Scouting's stupid rules and just enjoyed camping. Seriously, no fixed blades? No hatchets? No folding knives over 3"? No guns? Screw that noise. Our council tore into our troop for organizing a trip to a paintball range, calling it a 'paramilitary activity' that was not consistent with Scouting's values. So I just started going camping with my friends outside the aegis of the scouts. And guess what? I had a lot more fun.
Doubtful. ;) I grew up in rural NC in the '70's and early '80's. Our council was much less anal about such things, and I'd never HEARD of a Guide to Safe Scouting, until I went to work for them in the late '90's. :D
Doubtful. ;) I grew up in rural NC in the '70's and early '80's. Our council was much less anal about such things, and I'd never HEARD of a Guide to Safe Scouting, until I went to work for them in the late '90's. :D
It was likely a more reasonable organization back then. I was in during the 90s in rural West Virginia, and we still had to contend with a bunch of panty-waists who freaked out at anything that might be construed as martial. As the senior patrol leader of my troop, I helped out at a council camporee. Since I had experience with guns, I volunteered to help at the rifle range. For those of you who have never experienced a Scouting range, they have single-shot bolt-action .22s and a wooden block drilled with holes to keep the shells in place. You load, chamber, aim, and fire on command. I was giving the commands to the shooters, and said "Load a round in your weapons." The head RO yanked me off the line and read me a riot act for calling them 'weapons'. That kind of lilly-livered BS just soured me on the organization as a whole. It has fallen far from its original intentions.
It was likely a more reasonable organization back then. I was in during the 90s in rural West Virginia, and we still had to contend with a bunch of panty-waists who freaked out at anything that might be construed as martial. As the senior patrol leader of my troop, I helped out at a council camporee. Since I had experience with guns, I volunteered to help at the rifle range. For those of you who have never experienced a Scouting range, they have single-shot bolt-action .22s and a wooden block drilled with holes to keep the shells in place. You load, chamber, aim, and fire on command. I was giving the commands to the shooters, and said "Load a round in your weapons." The head RO yanked me off the line and read me a riot act for calling them 'weapons'. That kind of lilly-livered BS just soured me on the organization as a whole. It has fallen far from its original intentions.
Also, I heard it said that three liquids kept boys from getting their Eagle: Beer, Perfume and Gasoline. For me, it was Gatorade. Football (with camping on the weekends) was just far more fun than the neutered activities that Scouting permitted our troop to do.
Never got the chance. This was my youth. :cool:
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/The_War_Wagon/EAGLEMDL.jpg
I got to star, working on life, when I doscovered Civil Air Patrol. I left the BS like yesterday's news.
Wasn't it Churchill that said, "If you are 20 and not a liberal, you have no heart. If you are 40 and not a conservative you have no brain."
Never.
I've always been personally conservative and politically libertarian.
We just do the fun stuff on unofficial activities and the official stuff on official activities for the scouts I sometimes help out...
I neve got past 2nd Class myself since scout meetings were the same night as marching band practice when I was that age.
It was likely a more reasonable organization back then. I was in during the 90s in rural West Virginia, and we still had to contend with a bunch of panty-waists who freaked out at anything that might be construed as martial. As the senior patrol leader of my troop, I helped out at a council camporee. Since I had experience with guns, I volunteered to help at the rifle range. For those of you who have never experienced a Scouting range, they have single-shot bolt-action .22s and a wooden block drilled with holes to keep the shells in place. You load, chamber, aim, and fire on command. I was giving the commands to the shooters, and said "Load a round in your weapons." The head RO yanked me off the line and read me a riot act for calling them 'weapons'. That kind of lilly-livered BS just soured me on the organization as a whole. It has fallen far from its original intentions.
Never.
I've always been personally conservative and politically libertarian.
That is me too.
While I don't believe in things commonly labeled as vice, am not a drinker, never tried drugs, don't believe in so-called immoral behavior, I also am a firm believer in keeping the government out of people's personal liberty, as long as it does not infringe on another's rights.
In the 90s I got active in the local Libertarian Party here, gave money, went to meetings and was registered as such. I figured out however that that did not advance the libertarian cause at all and have not been active in 12 years or so in the LP.
I grew up in the Reagan Years (HS class 1984) and was a staunch conservative Reaganite (but believer in libertarianism even then, though I did not know what it was called). MY folks have always been pretty conservative as is most of my extended family. A few libtards here and there.
Was at a family reunion a few years ago. The one branch in my mom's family (her cousin or something like that and the family attached to that person) that is strong union liberal invited the Democrat candidate for Senate (who got trounced by Mike Lee) to come speak to us while we were eating. We all politely listened, smiled, and then went back to eating. Except for the few people from that family line, I doubt any of the others at the reunion cared at all what the guy said or voted for him...
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Some folks are still going through their "Libtarded phase" well beyond their youth. There are some examples on this very forum.
I was on track for one of those until I realized that I hated all of Scouting's stupid rules and just enjoyed camping. Seriously, no fixed blades? No hatchets? No folding knives over 3"? No guns? Screw that noise. Our council tore into our troop for organizing a trip to a paintball range, calling it a 'paramilitary activity' that was not consistent with Scouting's values. So I just started going camping with my friends outside the aegis of the scouts. And guess what? I had a lot more fun.
Yeah, I know a lot of good little liberals who came out of BSA.
Kids are easy to fool. Parents need to be ultra diligent about what they're being taught at school, what they're being taught in BSA and other clubs, and even what kind of TV they're watching. Bombardment. Propaganda bombardment.
Can't shelter them from everything, but at the same time, can't stand by idly while someone turns them into hitler youth either.
The_War_Wagon
03-19-12, 07:37
It was likely a more reasonable organization back then. I was in during the 90s in rural West Virginia, and we still had to contend with a bunch of panty-waists who freaked out at anything that might be construed as martial.
Dang... I was a DE in Tri-State Area Council - Huntington for 3 years. Hope it wasn't OUR council! :o
I was on track for one of those until I realized that I hated all of Scouting's stupid rules and just enjoyed camping.
I was there as well but I quit as soon as it seemed an awful lot like guys in vans hanging out with kids whose parents dropped them off for the weekend.
telecustom
03-19-12, 08:18
The face of Scouting changed a lot after WWII. See the Hitler Youth scared a lot of people. I have always looked at scouting as a Pre-Military organization not a Para-Military organization.
My troop ignored 80% of the Nation Scouting rules. We carried sheath knives and used almost exclusively military equipment. BDUs, LBE, ALICE packs, and boots. We came short of firearms unless we were going to a range.
A camping trip was more like a field exercise. We would ruck out to Land Nav and field construction tasks, then set up a patrol base.
Now in all honesty, we were a small Troop and all but one of us went into the military (and we are all still in 15 yrs later). That training and experience was invaluable. We also all made our Eagle Scout.
I agree that the Scouting has long been a production line for the weak minded. But as I said above, the Hitler Youth changed the way we socialize our young.
The_War_Wagon
03-19-12, 08:47
The face of Scouting changed a lot after WWII. See the Hitler Youth scared a lot of people. I have always looked at scouting as a Pre-Military organization not a Para-Military organization.
My troop ignored 80% of the Nation Scouting rules. We carried sheath knives and used almost exclusively military equipment. BDUs, LBE, ALICE packs, and boots. We came short of firearms unless we were going to a range.
A camping trip was more like a field exercise. We would ruck out to Land Nav and field construction tasks, then set up a patrol base.
Now in all honesty, we were a small Troop and all but one of us went into the military (and we are all still in 15 yrs later). That training and experience was invaluable. We also all made our Eagle Scout.
I agree that the Scouting has long been a production line for the weak minded. But as I said above, the Hitler Youth changed the way we socialize our young.
I think a LOT of it depended on WHEN and WHERE you grew up. In the rural south, it was almost an unwritten rule when I was coming along, that a Scoutmaster HAD to be a veteran of WWII or Korea. I remember when a (friendly!) rival troop of ours got a new Scoutmaster in the late '70's who was a Vietnam vet - the "rookie," they called him. ;) That fellow was over a dozen years younger THEN, than I am now. And he's STILL a Scoutmaster there today.
One of the reasons I liked serving in rural WV/KY as a professional Scouter was, it reminded me of MY Scouting days 20 years earlier in NC; rugged, and UN-wimpified. They do let women serve as Scoutmasters now :rolleyes: , but there's an easy enough solution to THAT nonsense. Move to ANOTHER troop, or better still, step UP and lead it yourself!
My son crosses over in 2 more months to the Troop. I've known the leaders there for the 5 years my son has been in the Pack, and they're solid guys. I'm going to work to make sure MY son's experiences, are as good & useful as mine were.
Never did the Libtard thing. I did go through a Conservitard phase. Luckily I realized before too long there wasn't a meaningful difference between Liberals and Conservatives. When will everyone else see. :sad:
Well there's definitely no difference between big government socialist liberals and big government imperialist neocons. There hasn't been a true conservative president or even a nominee since Reagan.
Dang... I was a DE in Tri-State Area Council - Huntington for 3 years. Hope it wasn't OUR council! :o
Nope, a little further north at the Ohio River Valley Council.
When I was 13 or 14, I decided I was a mainstream conservative.
At the time, all I knew was that "liberals" were the ones who wanted to take guns away, so I figured that the other side must not be that full of shit then.
Through the years, I slowly became aware of being libertarian and saw that in my heart and mind, that is what I believed to be correct. So I now consider myself a libertarian. I also stopped going to church because it did nothing for me.
On Scouting:
As far as scouting goes, I do remember one time being admonished for calling it a weapon. I think it's so ****ing dumb that they get butthurt about the terms. Why not call shit like it is?
I only made it to life because of some other circumstances. However, these days, kids only seem to do Eagle just so they can get into college. From all the kinds of kids I saw get this award, I honestly think it's meaningless these days. It seems that mostly, you get these kids and their self serving parents who only join the troops only to see that their son makes their way along; then they bail and you never hear from them again. It's not unlike a sports team for boys, and how you hear of coach so and so going easy on his son, etc. Same shit happens in scouts.
I was in scouting without a father, and I am grateful for those fathers that did help out with other boys in addition to their sons. I'm glad there were a few people who not only talked the talk, but they also walked the walk. I know one gentleman who still went to help out even long after both of his sons got their Eagle. He was a great help and I learned a lot from him.
The other thing I am grateful about scouting is the chance it gave me to shoot for the first time in both rifles and shotgun. Those two were the first merit badges I earned. Honestly those two are only ones I'm proud of and/or give a shit about. They, especially the rifle, are deeply important to me. Shooting is what I got the most out of scouting. I also met my single most important best friend there.
This kind of friendship is worth more than 1000 Eagle scout ranks, and this is why I don't feel my time in scouting was wasted in vain.
***IF I ever have a son, I'd by-pass the BSA and teach him everything he needed to know myself. And we'd not sugarcoat that rifles aren't weapons, to begin with.
One of the reasons I liked serving in rural WV/KY as a professional Scouter was, it reminded me of MY Scouting days 20 years earlier in NC; rugged, and UN-wimpified. They do let women serve as Scoutmasters now :rolleyes: , but there's an easy enough solution to THAT nonsense. Move to ANOTHER troop, or better still, step UP and lead it yourself!
Funny you should mention that. Our troop didn't start doing the real fun stuff, like multi-day backpacking trips, survivalist camping and paintballing, until my mom took over as scoutmaster. That's when we stopped doing kiddy shit and started doing some real Scouting. She carried mailbags for a living that nearly outweighed her. She could hike all of us into the ground :)
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