After several years at Shea, we discovered that if we left the house 15 minutes earlier, and brought food, we could sit outside the stadium and watch everyone else come in from our folding chairs in the parking lot. We cheered with everyone else in the lot when the temperature display on the billboard near the parking lot dropped another degree and headed inside to endure the wind off of Flushing bay so we could watch our team with friends we only knew from the games. The woman I married met my parents for the first time when I brought her to a game at Shea.

We followed the team to the Meadowlands, where they were a tenant of the Giants, and almost the entire section moved with us. Lenny, who sat behind us at Shea, still sits behind us now. We thought it would be nice if we could actually have our own stadium, but we didn’t think about it a lot.

We learned a few years ago that a new stadium was going to be built next door to Giant Stadium, which would be owned by both teams. The current stadium is still fine, but this one will have luxury boxes, which really don’t apply to us. This year we learned the details. To purchase seats in a similar location at the new stadium requires the purchase of a Personal Seat License for fifteen thousand dollars a seat, which then allows us to buy the same seats going forward for about the same price as we do now. The only allowance being made for 45 seasons of attendance is that seniority will be applied before lotteries are held to allow us to choose licenses for seats at the new stadium. And, since the team records only go back to 1974 or so, we’ll need to compete with with everyone else who has attended for 35 to 45 years, or so. We are also being allowed to compete for seats that are two sections further from the field and don’t require a license or a new mortgage. Either way, there’s no provision we’ve heard of that would sit us near Lenny or all the other Sunday friends we know by face if not name.

I spoke to Lenny last night (after so many years, we do have the number), and he said that this has definitely changed things. He used to live and breathe all things “Jet”. After the way the team has handled this, it isn’t the same. We found out the loyalty only extended one way.

So let me get this straight. Most of the mud being thrown over the fence has been from the McCain campaign. But if Obama had allowed McCain to control Obama’s strategy, then McCain would have played nice????

Last night, a friend forwarded me one of the viral emails floating around about Senator Barack Obama, attributing a rediculous quote to him to challenge his patriotism. The quote was a complete fabrication. This morning, we received one containing a list of books that Governor Palin wanted banned. It was also a fabrication. The fabrication of so-called information does a disservice to the privilege of Free Speech.

The email about Obama built upon another viral email sent out earlier which took a picture of Obama without his hand over his heart while two of his opponents did and claimed that he refused to honor the Pledge of Allegiance. This also was not true. At the event in question, he DID put his hand over his heart during the Pledge. The picture was taken during the playing of the National Anthem. If someone wants to use that standard, then the question can be asked, though by that standard anyone who’s ever attended a ball game could have their patriotism questioned! Deliberately twisting it into something which it is not is an obscenity.

The Governor Palin thing takes a different kind of fact and twists it. She did, in fact, ask the city librarian a question about banning books. Personally, I think that even consideration of the banning of books is frightening enough. The email states that she also later tried to fire the librarian. This was also true. A quick Google search indicates that she did not think the librarian was supportive. Her reasoning is open to interpretation, and contrary to the Republican attack machine is certainly worthy of investigation and/or consideration. However, adding the claim that she actually followed through with an attempt to ban books, enhanced by a list of books that was completely fabricated, turns a valid set of concerns into an obscenity.

Spreading maliscious rumors is not new to politics. Apparently, Thomas Jefferson himself controlled some of the efforts to discredit Alexander Hamilton and the Whigs tried to do it by tying a Jackass to Andrew Jackson (which backfired, when the Democrats adopted it as a symbol of the working man as well as their party). But, I think the cynical use of this kind of disinformation has become revolting.

In the current election cycle, the “validation” of these attacks rose a notch when Hillary Clinton felt compelled to say that she didn’t know whether Obama was a Muslim which took things to the level of an official campaign comment (by the candidate, herself, no less) and was not acceptable.

Yesterday, the McCain campaign went a step further, releasing an ad which put up the headline “Obama on Palin” followed by a video of Obama using the expression, “Lipstick on a Pig.” Looking at the entire segment from which the expression was extracted shows that he wasn’t discussing anything about Governor Palin at the time, and was using the expression to describe some of the policies of John McCain. The McCain campaign trotted out its surrogates expressing outrage about the sexism of the remarks because the reference to lipstick had to have been a reference to the gender of his VP candidate, and completely ignoring the fact that the expression has been frequently used by McCain himself, including during a Town Hall type of event in which he gave an opinion on Hillary Clinton’s health plan.

The whole thing is an obscenity and should be considered an insult to the intelligence of the voters.

There were several items on the agenda, the first of which were dispensed with rapidly. The last one drew a great deal of interest. In an objective world, the elected representatives would describe what they had proposed and why they proposed it. Then the people would have a chance to discuss it. At first it seemed to be going that way until the former First Selectman jumped up and raised a point of order that the current First Selectman was exceeding her three minutes! Then, his backers wanted to limit the Director of Development to the same three minutes for explaining the details of the deal being presented to the public. The whole thing seemed to be more geared towards obstruction than participative democracy. Hopefully, in the future we’ll see rules that specifically state that the rule shouldn’t be applied to the overall presentation of what it is we’re about to discuss.

Whatever position people held on the issue being discussed and eventually voted on shouldn’t matter. The people in front were elected to do a job, and should have been permitted to present that work to the public without this kind of nonsense. It’s not about party (or party faction, which is clearly an issue there). It’s about giving approval or disapproval of a town action. There seems to be a group of people here with the wrong goal.

Will’s Eagle Court of Honor was held on June 15, 2008, and it worked out very nicely with the entire family being involved. Will’s sister Becky is a member of the Venture Crew with the troop (Venturing is a co-ed part of the Boy Scouts that extends to age 21), Nancy and I were seated in the front, and Harry, as a Webelos Cub Scout, was the escort for the newest Eagle Scout. Clicking on the picture to the left links to an album of photos from the ceremony, taken by Lorenzo Recine and much appreciated.

Since it was Father’s Day, it was nice to see how many adults came to the ceremony. It speaks volumes about the commitment of these guys who shepherd the Scouts. To the side of the room, pictures were set out showing Will’s Eagle Scout Project, a guest book, and a binder containing his recommendation letters (from me, several teachers, the Oxford Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Judith Palmer, his Project Mentor, Al Thayer, and congratulations letters from a number of public officials (George and Laura Bush, Senator Christopher Dodd, Representative Christoper Shays, The New York Jets, Governor Jody Rell, and Senator Barack Obama) as well as the framed citation from Governor Rell declaring William Joseph Schmitt Day. There was also a plaque that Nancy and I presented to him during the week before the ceremony.

Deacon John Hoffman, who is also one of Will’s teachers at Notre Dame High School gave the invocation. Scouts recited the Scout Oath and Law, and Nancy and I were escorted to the front of the room by the Scoutmaster, Wes Nelson, and Assistant Scoutmaster, Al Woodin. Normally, in this troop, the Scout is then escorted through the Trail to Eagle, represented by stands topped with the symbol of each rank and a candle. The Eagle candidate lights as he stops at each one after a Scout representing that rank describes that particular achievement. More…Instead of starting with “Scout”, the first stand was for the Arrow of Light, the highest recognition in the Cub Scouts and the only one whose badge is permitted to be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. Will’s brother, Harry, as a Webelos Scout, escorted Will from the back of the room and presented him with the candle from which all the others would be lit. He also recited to the audience:

The Arrow Of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouting, and is the only badge of Cub Scouting rank that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

To earn the Arrow of Light badge, a Cub Scout must earn the Webelos badge plus five additional Activity Badges from selected groups. The Webelos Scout must additionally satisfy five other requirements designed to prepare the boy for Boy Scouting.

Then he escorted Will through Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life, with similar recitations at each station. The following is from the script prepared by Will, which was derived from various scripts of his and other troops found on the internet, and adapted to reflect the Order of the Arrow (Scouting’s Honor Society):

Eagle Voice:

Remember the friends you made and the experiences you encountered as you moved along the scouting trail. Your friends and these experiences should not be forgotten. They helped you become who you are. Your teachers and leaders know the value of experience and will remember you as well.

With your Arrow of Light fixed proudly to your uniform you and many of your friends crossed the bridge into the world of Boy Scouting and accepted the challenge of the mountain before you.

We remember when you took your first step upon the trail that leads upward.  With that first step you started to grow physically, mentally, and morally.  You began to live the Scout Oath and Law.

All the while you were on the trail, we watched you study and saw you learn by doing. Your brother Scouts soon called you a Tenderfoot, and they were right, you had indeed become a Tenderfoot Scout.

Tenderfoot:

I am the Tenderfoot. My three points stand for the three points of the Scout Oath. You find me on the mariner’s compass forever pointing the way to the North Star and a safe journey in life. On my face are two stars representing truth and knowledge, a shield which is the emblem of a nation molded together in justice, and an eagle to guard the freedom of our people.

(William lights candle at Tenderfoot Station.)

Eagle Voice:

But you were not a Tenderfoot for long. You soon reached the second ledge, and there you were greeted by a large group of Second Class Scouts.

(William moves to Second Class Station.)

Second Class:

I am the Second Class. The ends of my scroll are turned up in the willing smile of the Scout. On my face is our motto…”Be Prepared”, and suspended from me is the knot tied there to remind you of the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America…”Do a Good Turn Daily”.

(William lights candle at Second Class Station.)

Eagle Voice:

Some Second Class Scouts had been there for a long time, and were content with their achievement. Others, like you, were stopping to catch their breath before continuing along the trail. You began to study more, you worked harder, and almost before you knew it, you were to another ledge, the ledge where the First Class Scouts dwell.

(William moves to First Class Station.)

First Class:

I am the First Class. I was a Tenderfoot and I laid my course by the stars of truth and knowledge and girded myself with the righteousness of justice and freedom. Then I added a smile that I might be a friend to all and bound myself together with the knot of duty to others.

(William lights candle at First Class Station.)

Eagle Voice:

There you found a tempting green meadow split by a crystal clear stream and bathed by the sun. Here you were tempted to remain. Yes, you could have remained there in comfort, but the pull of the mountain was strong. You called for others to follow and struck for the higher ground even though the trail seemed rough and the air too thin. But the cold night air and the brilliant stars of the high mountains gave you courage. We noted your progress when you became a Star Scout.

(William moves to Star Station.)

Star:

I am the Star. I can stand alone, and have learned to find my own way in the forest. Others look to me for guidance. In front of me lies a horizon of endless opportunity.

(William lights candle at Star Station.)

Eagle Voice:

You found the trail from First Class had been an optical illusion, not as difficult as it first appeared. This spurred you on, and again you moved forward towards the ridges and distant fields of snow. The trail was steeper. Now it was less worn. Fewer Scouts seemed to be headed in your direction. You looked back and saw the crowds below you. You looked up and saw only a few above you. With the same determination with which you started your climb, you continued up the trail. Soon you came to the badge of Life Scout.

(William moves to Life Station.)

Life:

I am the Life. I have shown the world that Scouting is in my heart. I have mastered knowledge of subjects that will benefit my country and my people. I am ready to reach for my wings to fly.

(William lights candle at Life Station.)

Eagle Voice:

The heart shaped badge was placed on your uniform. You will never forget the feeling in your own heart. It was the same that has been experienced by most Scouts upon reaching the ledge of Life. Now you are close to the Eagle. You will carry on. The trail became tougher, but more interesting. You stuck with the original simple principles: The Scout Oath and Law, but now they had a fuller meaning. Your understanding of them was better. Yes, we have watched your character unfold and grow stronger. We have watched your mind develop, and your wisdom increase. We have watched your leadership ability expand into a valuable asset. We have watched all these things in you, and now that you are on the threshold of your goal, we welcome you, for you have done your climbing in a true Scout-like manner, showing others the way and accepting the challenge with courage.(William is now at front of room and places candle on fireplace. He sits.)

Eagle Voice:

I am the Eagle. It has been a long, hard, but wonderful road. I have mastered my goal. With deep humility I now stand as a representative of the best that Scouting can accomplish. May I now pass on to my younger brothers, a portion of my knowledge.

The Master of Ceremonies then…

A brother from the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society, is here to speak.

Allowat:

I am Allowat Sakima, the mighty Chieftain of the Paugassetts. I have led many braves to the summit of this mountain in a long journey from our camp to show them the rewards of their climb along the trail. When you began this trip as a young Cub Scout of the trail many years ago, you had this Mountaintop as your goal. You now have reached the summit, the realm of the Eagles. But before admitting you to this honored membership, we must first hear the story of your long climb along the trail. Would Brother Joseph Majoros please come forward to tell us of William’s long Journey?

In needs to be noted that Joe Majoros was also Will’s Cubmaster during his time in Pack 65. He told us early on that he looks at the Cub Scouts that join his Pack and can usually see the potential Eagle Scouts right away. Will was one of those. He described Will’s achievements in school and scouting, including his positions as Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, and other positions, his recent induction to the Vigil level of the Order of the Arrow (the first Scout in the Troop to achieve Vigil level and the second overall — Joe was the first as an adult), and recent election to the position of Chief of the Order within the Council.

The Master of Ceremonies then introduced a number of speakers, including Charles McKane, the father of Dave McKane, one of our selectmen, who was involved in Scouting in Town as far back as the 1940’s, Steve McEwan, our council Scout Executive, Captain Tom Wilson, Council Vice President of Program and Associate Advisor to Paugassett Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, Al Thayer, Wills Den Leader in the Cub Scouts who was largely responsible for keeping Will in Scouting and who Will chose as his mentor for his Eagle Project, and Dave McKane, who as Selectman for the Town of Oxford presented Will with a Citation from First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers on behalf of the town.

Scoutmaster Wes Nelson then presented the Eagle Award to Nancy and I to pin on Will. But before we did, the Voice of the Eagle interrupted and stated:

Before we present this award, in recognition of their support and of the importance of family to our organization, the candidate has requested that his grandparents do as they always have and stand behind him as he accepts the award.

That was important.

Nancy and I each attached one side of the pin to his uniform and he presented each of us with an Eagle Parent Pin, which we will wear proudly. Donald Demaine, who is an Adviser for the Order of the Arrow and a good friend of Will’s, then presented the Charge of the Eagle Scout to William Schmitt, warning him that he was now a “Marked Man” who was responsible for setting an example as an Eagle Scout. He was on the original Board of Review, was the first to congratulate him, told him how seriously he viewed the rank of Eagle, and had told us that he was honored to do so.

Will then spoke to the audience, presenting various items of recognition to all those who helped him achieve the rank, then led the Eagle’s Nest (all of the Eagles present, including a number of the current leaders) in the Eagle Scout Promise:

I reaffirm my allegiance to the three promises of the Scout Oath. I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself the obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle Scout.
On my honor, I will do my best to make my training an example of my rank and my influence count strongly and for better citizenship in my home, in my community, and in my contacts with other people.
To this I pledge my sacred Honor.

The last part of the Court of Honor in his Troop is a Gauntlet, in which all the members of the Venture Crew (including his sister Rebecca) along with the adult leaders of the Troop line up in two lines. Will passed through and each person individually saluted (which he was asked not to return) and congratulated him. At the end of the lines, Scoutmaster Wes Nelson formally introduced as the 47th Eagle Scout from Troop 65.

The plaque we presented Will with was of mahogany stained walnut, created with wood we were saving and a large brass eagle that we found on EBay. The Eagle was mounted on the upper half with the following inscribed below it:

On My Honor I Will Do My Best
William Joseph Schmitt
Eagle Scout
January 27, 2008

The date is the date of Will’s Board of Review.

The following week, after officiating at the annual Court of Honor for the other promotions within the troop, Will officially stepped down as Senior Patrol Leader, was named a Junior (Youth) Assistant Scoutmaster for the troop, and was presented with a plaque thanking him for his year and a half of service in the position.

If it’s a negotiation she’s after, I wish they would all just get it done. The longer this goes on, the more harm is done to the Democratic chances in November. Of course, that may be her goal, allowing her to go after 2012. But, that would mean 4 more years of the disasters brought on by the Bush administration, from Iraq to constitutional abuses to the economy and the environment. She would essentially be stating that her own goal of the presidency is more important than undoing the damage of the last eight years, not to mention the additional lives that will be lost or destroyed in Iraq before she gets to run again. If that’s the case, she’ll have no right to run again and ask for her party’s support.

I’ve said before that I cannot vote for Hillary, but if Obama decides to give her the Vice Presidential nod, I can live with it for the sake of unity. If it’s something else they’re after, just get it done so we can move on.

note on 4/15, his Political Notes entry, added later, expanded on those thoughts nicely.

It brought back a lot of memories of my own while I watched them begin to build memories of their own. I’ve really begun to enjoy watching my kids go through rites of passage that I remember well, myself. They’ve got a certain disbelief in their eyes when I tell them it wasn’t that long ago, but I suppose that’s just one more example of the things they’ll have to learn for themselves.