on the rim

Several years ago, the Girl Scouts of America sold out its values in exchange for United Way cash.  The Boy Scouts of America held firm, IN SPITE of losing money from the United Way. What were a couple of the things they wanted them to do? Remove God from the Oath. (By the way, it is the FIRST duty) To allow gay men to serve as adult leaders. What was the result of these? The Supreme Court has held that the BSA is a private organization and can set its rules of admission. In 2013, the BSA began the process to allow gay scouts into the BSA, leaving it to the local Council, or Chartering Organizations (CO) to decide.  This was finalized in 2015. (After all, the CO has to approve each application, accepting responsibility for them.) The walls are crumbling. Now, the BSA has announced that it will allow transgender boys to join, with the caveat that a CO can choose to do so, or not. For those that don't know.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (L...

A note;  Depression is an illness.  It is not something that can be treated by "cheering" someone up, or telling them to "snap out of it" .  All of us get discouraged from time to time, maybe even a little down or depressed, but this must not be confused with depression.  Depression needs to be treated by a professional.  If you haven't figured it out yet, this is not your usual on the rim post.  It is a personal glimpse into what is Phil.  So noted. A full month has elapsed since retirement.  I joke a lot about being retired, and not having to do anything, but truthfully, after Christmas in Rexburg, and two days on the road, that excitement is gone. I know that it sounds like whining, and truthfully, it probably is, but I am now in a "now what?" situation.  I miss having the structure and responsibility of my job back in Twin Falls.  There is a lot of complication associated with why I retired rather than stay in my job, but the ...

No, this is not a political post, but it is triggered by political events.  Not sure starting out if I will get into religious doctrine, but it is quite probable, thus all the normal disclaimers apply. First a question and no, this post is not about speed limits, it is just a good example. The speed limit is 65.  You are speeding at... a) 70 b) 68 c) 66 d) all of the above So, first a commentary since leaving paradise, which I heard just had the worst winter storm in 30 years last week.  In Idaho, when they finally upped the Interstate limit to 80, they also had periodic signs posted that the limit was 80, not 85.  Believe me, you can feel the difference between 80 and 75, and when you get to 65, it is like crawling. If you answered d) then move to the head of the class.  And this simple ideal, that one can drive 5 mph above the speed limit and not get a ticket, kind of sums up the problem we have.  Because, regardless of whether there are po...