GH Robert

The Hartford Convention in our textbooks on page 315, isn’t as covered as I would like it to be. the book doesn’t mention how there were meetings before the convention, and that these meetings were secret. Also, the book doesn’t cover how there were representatives from all over America attending this party. So the Hartford Convention was a series of conventions that did not only include Hartford. I would include these facts into the book, to further cover the event. But I would not add a visual, for it is not the most important event in the section.

A secret. I have one. One that not even the great Mr Bogush knows. Ok never mind its not that secret. Back in the 19th century, there was a one man who helped the progress of information for the people in Connecticut; Jeremiah Smithson. He worked taking censuses in the 19th century, working in the 1800, 1810 and 1820 censuses. Although he wasn’t a very important person in our nations history, he was a historical character from the late 18th to early 19th century.

The quote “Do great leaders make history, or does history make great leaders?” makes you choose a side. On one side, leaders are needed to make history. On the other, today we credit many people as a higher status then from what they were given when they were alive. I believe that great leaders make history, because without great leaders, the history wouldn’t exist.

I believe that Mr.Bogush is a great leader. He is smart enough to know when to push on with things or stop them. He can quickly think on his feet when classes are suddenly shortened to fit necessary material into class. He also has the ability to take control over a group and organize them, to achieve a goal (education). He leads daily by teaching an organized group of kids many facts about history in a new and exciting way.

(*NOTE  This is NOT a suck-up post*)

A leader has to be strong, brave, smart, dedicated, and fair. A leader must earn his title either by working his way up, or being chosen by his followers. Being a part of boy scouts, I am constantly leading. I am currently the assistant senior patrol leader, meaning I am second in command. I help the senior patrol leader and I I have to take over when he is not there, which happens on most camp outs. The only time I follow leaders is when I know they know what is best, and they can do better than me, but Istill give advice and help them however possible.  Only those mature enough to take charge are fit to be leaders. I am a leader. I am smart enough to think on my feet to resolve problems and I can take control of a group, and I do enjoy having the responsibility of being in charge, when its nice and relaxed. I can handle more intense situations, they just aren’t as fun.

Its true. My favorite object from the National Jamboree of 2010 was this candle. But, like all things, it has a story.

It was dark at the closing show of the Jamboree. I was surrounded by 50,000 people, about 45,000 of that was other boy scouts like me. We were at the final part of the show, and they were passing out candles for all of us  to use. I was about to get myself a new candle when I saw this, a broken, dirty candle left alone on the ground. I knew no one else was going t pick it up and use it, and it would never be lit. So I picked it up, and as people started to light their own candles, I lit this one. I looked around, saw 50,000 candles over a quarter mile being lit up. Then, on the count of three of the person directing the show, we all blew it out. After a second of complete darkness, the sky exploded with the most spectacular fireworks show I have ever seen, and probably ever will see. Now when I look at this candle, I don’t see a broken piece of wax covered in grass from fort A. P. Hill, I see that show, those fireworks, and the spirit of scouting represented by in invisible, un-dying flame.

In a class, there is a boy. This boy is reflecting his past school year. Ups, downs, triumphs, failures. He is anticipating the coming summer, unable to wait for summer camp at Sequassen, the High Adventure trip in August, and even next school year, freshman year inhigh school. He’s wondering about how he will swim next season, and how his times will improve in long course this summer. But most of all, he is thinking of him right now. He’s thinking about how all these things that have happened and will happen have and will changed him. He knows he needs to mentally prepare for high school (and swimming, which turns out to be 90% mental and 10% physical) and he knows he is also ready at the same time. His bus is called, he says goodbye o his teacher, shakes his hand, takes one last look, and goes out the door. A few more important goodbyes, and he is on his bus. This boy is me.

“What would happen if?” This question had been around since the begginging of time, since the flying spagetti monster said “let there be light!” to when u say “what would happen in i tried a barroll on my bike” < bad idea. THis question is one that allows humainity to invent, create, and move on. And so this question, as long as humanity keeps its natural wondering, will never be anwsered. Here’s a lil’ joke:

What would happen if we ran out of hypothetical questions?

So we all know about the little incident young George Washington had that included his little hatchet and the chopping of a cherry tree, but was this a true story. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely. You see, the story comes from a book conceived and written by a Mason Locke Weems, the book being Life of George Washington; with Curious Anecdotes, Equally Honorable to Himself, and Exemplary to His Young Countrymen. So this fabrication was just a way to make our “first” president seem more honest and trust worthy. Finally, a vonspiracy not about the Soviets. Info from:

http://www.suite101.com/content/washingtonscherrytree-a954

In 1794 our Congress said, “Let there be Navy!” and then there was navy. One of the six original ships for this navy was the U.S.S. Constitution. Very old ship, equipped with cannons for combat. It was made of wood and is about 204 feet long. It could travel at about 13 knots and hold about 450 people. A picture below courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/28650594@N03/5115718292

Now onto the fun part. Below is the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman, an aircraft carrier, one of the largest ships ever created. Made of iron, this ship is over 1,000 feet long, costed 4.5 billion dollars to make, and is propelled at 30+ knots by two nuclear reactors. It can crew around 5,500 people. I pick the carrier. Pic from http://www.flickr.com/photos/54000066@N08/4989152063