The 13th Apostol: No Organic Unitarian Webelo Left Behind

So were making our cake last night for the silent auction at the B&G banquet, and I'm trying to modify the recipe with applesauce to make it less deadly and Mer says "Mom, I have something to tell you"

I'm thinking shit, what happened because I dared to try and catch up on work and wasn't at school every day? "Mom, I had a cinnamon Bun for breakfast this morning at school. It looked so good, I just HAD to have it"

"Thank you for being honest with me, do you feel better?"
"Uh huh"
"Do your best to make healthy choices for yourself next time"
"OK, but Mom, if I didn't SEE the cinnamon Bun I wouldn't want it so bad."

There in lies the problem...

Alice Waters Op-ed in the NYT's "No Lunch Left Behind" has drawn so much attention over the last two weeks, and for a good reason.
The solution I fear, will become too political to implement change. That's the I've-lived-in-Oklahoma-too-long skeptic in me shining through.

I'm in regroup mode right now, taking in all the data, doing my own research, interested to find out who's serious, and who's simply using the cause to boost a career. Watching to see what happens over the next month. When groups, causes, associations, become exclusive once they attain a specific hierarchy of leadership and goals...if it becomes something other than what's best for all children.

...that's something to consider.

The right wing political influence in this state is so strong, one meeting with the Superintendent isn't going to change it. I had a hard time believing he was going to even read the material we left...but one can dream. He was a nice enough man, but still a politician with a ton on his plate.

The advantage the leaders of our group have is who they're married to, where they live and who they know. A group of mothers living in city housing, wouldn't have a snowballs chance in Hell of getting this far.

When I was living in the projects with no vehicle, no furniture, and a toddler I was feeding through food banks, I was terribly worried about my sons future, his education, what I would do to change the course my life had taken. I'd lay awake at night with this beautiful sleeping angel in my arms who smelled like roses, scared to death I'd never get him out of there. The last thing on my mind was whether or not the food I fed him was nutritious...I was just grateful he wasn't hungry.

So I'm waiting to see if they use their powers for good, or ill...waiting to see if they include all perspectives or not. Saying "They" instead of "Us" says much.

We shall see.

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Mer is having his Blue & Gold Banquet today, crossing over from a Webelo I, to a Webelo II...and I'm keeping my mouth shut.

The controversy surrounding the "Religion in Life" badge because we are Unitarian Universalists, (the wording of the oath Mer must take, which pledges duty to God...you know?) and the UUA have been at odds with the BSA for many a year over their stance on Homosexuality, God, Canadian Geese, et al...

UU's are "Intellectual activists", were pro-active on many social justice issues...We still negotiate the BSA issue after almost twenty years. We have the only green sanctuary in a city littered with churches. (insert eye rolling here) Eh hem...

I adore our troop, these people have become family to us...but the other troops I've visited are not as tolerant, loving, kind, patient...the word "Militant" comes to mind.

Wednesday I ran over to the *Scout Shop* to buy Mer's Khaki shirt for his cross over. The Scout/Salesman, did everything but call our group a bunch of uncivilized, dishonorable, anti-scouts, due to the precious informality of our Troop and Leaders.

"What do you mean he doesn't wear the OFFICIAL Scout belt?"
"You mean he doesn't have green pants...what does he WEAR?"
"He HAS to have this, and this, and this, and this..."

My hands were full. So I set all this militant crap down on the counter, dug my phone out of my lap top case, and called my troop leader.
...I left with a shirt and one badge...

Giant Boy Scout guy says, and I quote: "You all really ARE informal...but you're not doing it the RIGHT way!"...and turned on his OFFICIAL scout boots and stomped off.