"Liberals like you can't argue politely or rationally"? What a douchey thing to say. There is a category of conservative in this country who sees everything in terms of tribalism... who always sneers at the out-group while mindlessly defending their in-group... Reagan-worshippers who think "liberal" is a slur, who accused those who complained about Bush as suffering from "Bush Derangement Syndrome" but who never cease to act like tinfoil-hat-wearing, gun-toting conspiracy nits whenever a Democrat is in the Oval Office... you're a menace and a fool. Buzz off.

"Now it's more about religion than the great outdoors."

I don't think so, not in New York anyway. Perhaps in the midwest.

Hate all you want. Haven't been associated with them for years, but back in the late 60's, had a great time in the Scouts. Aside from the weekly meetings, overnights at Pouch and Alpine were great. Summer (2 Weeks) at Ten Mile River was a cheap and valuable retreat for a Brooklyn kid. No molestations, no unpleasantness (other than mosquitoes & raccoons). Camping, swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking and learning a lot of outdoor skills that have served me well over the years.

I hate to tell you this, but the Scouts of your youth aren't even remotely similar to the Scouts of today. It used to be about the things you mention -- camping, fishing, etc. Now it's more about religion than the great outdoors.

It really is sad, because you're right that it WAS a great organization.

It still is a good organization. Depending on where you're located, the religious piece is virtually non-existent & they don't try to push their views on anybody. They're suffering mostly because the organization itself is out of touch with America's Youth, not so much because of their views on Gays & Atheists.

Alpine & TMR still exist thankfully but who knows if they may sell them off as well.

I agree with you that they're also suffering because they're out of touch with youth, but the exclusionary policies are a problem for a lot of people as well. It changed the face of the Scouts, and turned off a lot of parents.

It's entirely possible that some individual troops are still great -- I'd certainly like to think so. And it's possible that New York troops are better than those elsewhere, as you say -- that wouldn't surprise me. But what I've heard of troops elsewhere (mainly through family) is that they're increasingly religious. And that's just not what Scouting is supposed to be about.

Hey, all he's saying is that he hates people based on their ethnic background & he thinks you hate America for disagreeing with him. Why you gotta go & call him a troll? Ides is just looking for a rational debate on how all people from the Middle East are out to take our jerbs. I mean, build their YMCA a few blocks away from a decade old tragedy. Why won't anyone elevate to his level of discourse?!?! Poor Ides.

MORE LIKE IDES OF FARTS, AMIRITE?

They should be careful. New York is full of Gays and Atheists -- I'm not so sure the children's military wing of the Mormon Church is safe here. They might be lured into homosexuality.

(Cause I'm pretty sure that's how it happens...)

Might want to educate yourself on Islam's views of homosexuality. Gay people are put to death as per shari'a law. But the Boy Scouts are the real hate mongers. And let me guess, you're cool with the Ground Zero mosque.

(To the tune of "Rawhide":)

"Trollin', trollin', trollin', keep that basement rollin', your mother's bringing down pizza rolls..."

Seriously, man, your irrelevant, off-topic schtick has never been amusing. You're not even a fun troll -- you've got nothing interesting or intelligent to say, and no sense of humor. A good troll can be hilarious, thought-provoking, infuriating -- but you're not one. You're just a loser who apparently lives on here, trying to bait people into arguing with you -- and consistently failing.

I guess it makes you feel like you're engaging with real people on some minor, pathetic level. But, still, it's sad.

Lots of name calling and insults, is that all you got?

Yeah, the standard troll response...troll, troll, troll, then express surprise that someone would dare call you a troll. It's sad, really -- you want so badly to have people engage with you, but you just don't have anything to offer. No ideas, no good arguments, no humor -- nothing. Just the same old trolling that's neither interesting nor entertaining.

It's sad, really.

Troll, ok.

It's absolutely beyond the realm of possibility that in a city of 8 or 9 million people that there is somebody whose political opinions don't coincide precisely with yours. Nope, impossible, can't happen, that person must be a "troll."

Talk about narrow minded and provincial.

It's not your opinions that are the problem -- the world is full of different opinions. It's that you're a troll -- you jump into discussions to say something you hope will be offensive, in the hopes of baiting people into engaging with you.

You could be a conservative troll, a liberal troll, a "Bloomberg sucks" troll, a vegan troll, Felix -- the position doesn't really matter. It's that you're desperately trying to bait people into engaging with you -- without ever presenting an intelligent position or argument -- that makes you a troll.

But, hey, man, I understand why you need to resort to that sort of thing. It's sad, but I get it. I just wish you'd do it somewhere else.

You presume to know a lot about me. Considering you don't know a damn thing about me, I find that obnoxious. Really, do I "jump" into discussions? How does that work? I usually just sign in like anyone else when I see a post that catches my attention. I state my sincere opinions as I see fit. Whether or not people are offended by them or want to clap and yell bravo, I quite frankly, don't care. If somebody decides to throw insults and accusations at me like a monkey tossing his own fecal matter, I may decide to respond. Does that clear things up just a little bit in your foggy, intolerant left-wing mind? I didn't think so.

I really touched a nerve, didn't I? I can tell because you're whining that I don't "really know you." Alright -- I don't know you, and wouldn't want to.

Well, actually I guess I have to take that back, because I DO know you -- your bullshit just isn't that hard to figure out, man. I see you on here all the time, and it's always the same nonsense -- take an extremist position, insult what you perceive to be the "other side," try to play the victim when you get called out. Classic, garden-variety trolling -- the mark of someone just hoping to get just some tiny measure of human engagement that they can't get in real life. It's mundane, and it's sad.

I'm "playing the victim" by pointing out that you've launched one personal insult after another? Anybody who is intellectually honest and reads your posts will see I was simply being factual. I can't wait till you start moaning about the lack of "civil debate."

And you're still playing the victim. Oh, did I insult you? I'm sorry, I was just being factual, based on your long record of pathetic attempts at trolling. I didn't realize you were so sensitive, and so interested in preserving our tradition of "civil debate."

Nah, I know an internet troll when I see one.

There are civil debates here all the time -- but, oddly, never involving you. Why? Because everyone else -- and I mean EVERYONE else -- is the problem, right? No, man, I think it's you. You're a troll -- just a guy trying to be a dick on the internet, in the hopes of provoking people into actually talking to you. It's kind of desperate, and it's really sad.

Guess you guys weren't Scouts: "Physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight". Still remember it after all these years. And I was (Atheist is such a negative term) a rationalist from my waking moments. Never got drummed out, still had fun.

Wow, you're 0 for 2 today. Amazing how you manage to miss the sarcasm and at the same time plug your own anti-Muslim agenda.