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The Death of the ‘Boy’ Scouts
Canoe Kirk asked me if I was going to address the news this week that Boy Scouts was dropping the "boy" and going to "Scouting America" in the name of inclusion.
Back in 2020, I wrote about what the Boy Scouts were up against and I wrote a damn good headline: "Girl Scouts Haul Boy Scouts & Their Knots Into Federal Court As Gender-Neutral Recruiting War Escalates."
My writing in that post was rather incredible:
That right, two of America's most wholesome organizations are entrenched in a legal battle. This battle ramped up on Christmas Eve when the Girl Scouts of America dropped a flaming hot load of cookie batter on the Boy Scouts of America in the form of a trademark infringement lawsuit, as recruiting between the two organizations heats up.
Since most of you guys are into sports, let's try to put this into sports terms. The Girl Scouts are accusing the Boy Scouts of using misleading recruitment pitches. It's like Ole Miss claiming they have a bunch of national championships, SEC titles, players drafted into the NFL and the greatest coach in the history of the game. Alabama would say Ole Miss is making things confusing for recruits and leading them to believe they're Alabama when deep down they're Ole Miss.
Simply put, you had a fight over bodies. The Boy Scouts needed girls because they were a financial mess and more bodies meant more money. Meanwhile, the Girl Scouts need bodies, too. Its numbers have been dropping.
So, while this move by the Boy Scouts might seem like a woke move to appease the blue-haired lesbians, it's actually a numbers game they're playing here. Scouting America is like, ‘Well take anyone willing to give us money.’
Screencaps readers love Scheels Sporting Goods
- Christian writes:
Hey Joe, first time emailer - I saw Scheels today in the column and I had to write in - ahem:
For those not familiar with the greatest store in the world, Scheels (I'm thinking you're going to get a LOT of emails similar to mine):
North Dakota born Gen X here - AZ based for last 20+ years.
Scheels main store and corporate HQ is in Fargo, ND. They are the BEST at service and selection. Think Nordstorm's-level service (my opinion, I've always had great service at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Nordstorm's). We just got our first Scheels in Chandler (like Dunkin' Donuts, it's worth the trip).
You know how sometimes when you go out to eat and the service is "too good" (my aunt once said about a restaurant "the food here is really good but the servers are so damn happy and helpful and cheerful")? This is Scheels in a nutshell. No "that's not my department" ever. You ask an employee (heck, they ask you) for help, they will either radio someone, or WALK you to the department. North Dakota Nice is a real thing, and there are a TON of employees.
They carry all the best brands of everything. Just off the top of my head (forgive me if some of these brands are woke):
Yeti/Vuori/Hey Dude/Sitka/North Face/Arcteryx/Canada Goose/Oakley/Stance/Tommy John/Merrell/Patagonia/Travis Mathew/Bauer/CCM/Mizzen & Main/Lego/Dot's/Kuhl/Carhartt/Trek/Traeger/HUK
And they always have the "best version" of those brands.
This is the type of store America needs to make more of - a store that will get people off their computers and their butts and into a store.
Ferris wheel, candy shop, fish tanks, cafe, great services stuff too (skate sharpening, golf club fitting, bike calibration).
And they have a fantastic guns and ammo section - the Dakotas are hunting/fishing/camping FTW - I bet the Idaho store's gun shop is awesome too.
They carry a ton of officially licensed pro/college stuff. Fargo Scheels is full of NDSU Bison stuff (and replicas of their 10+ football championship trophies). I'd expect a ton of Boise State stuff in Idaho as well. Also lots of "local players" items - Carson Wentz and Adam Thielen well represented in Fargo.
The women's "non-sports" clothing section is massive. Believe me, Mrs. Screencaps (and Screencaps Jr.) would LOVE a trip to Scheels. They have a toy department too.
Outside and inside the store are benches with statues of former Presidents. Also a huge Roger Maris (Fargo native) 61/61 mural on the outside of the building. Pro-tip, when in Fargo, you can visit the Roger Maris museum in the (still doing well) West Acres mall - it is free and fun (pictures attached). Pro-tip 2: Fargo has a ton of great food and drink (JL Beers IYKYK) - just visit during the summer - if you are there during the winter, well, you can go to Scheels and get some UA Cold Gear!
Want to have a great time - visit any Scheels anywhere - it is the BEST STORE IN THE WORLD - you betcha!
- Hank writes:
Scheels is originally a Minnesota/North Dakota retail business that has expanded west and south from there. It's pretty cool. And in a world where most everything can be bought at the Everything Store (aka Amazon), they do a pretty good job making it worthwhile to go shop at one of their brick and mortar locations (I live about 10 minutes from the one in UT and it is ALWAYS packed).
- Charlie is a Scheels fan:
Scheels is a kick ass store, kind of like Cabellas was 25 years ago or so.....privately held out with American ownership out of ND. They're expanding and, IMO, they're the best overall sporting goods store by far.
It's double rainbow week
- Steven D. in Grand Rapids, MI spotted this one:
Long time reader, first time message…
Driving home, headed due east after a storm, I watched this double rainbow develop. Sadly, by the time I got to the driveway to take the picture, the upper bow already started to lose some of it’s color, but still amazing.
- John in Hawaii writes:
From my backyard looking out to Ni’ihau
Still mowing on Thursday, every Thursday.
Let's go to suburban Dayton to check in on softball parents
According to my research, the Miamisburg varsity softball team was on the road this past Friday night, so I'm left to believe this is over JV softball.
"This disturbance was over parents verbalizing to the umpires that they were making bad calls," said Miamisburg police Sgt. Jeff Muncy. "Words were exchanged and a bit of a physical altercation took place."
Due to conflicting statements, a lack of video and no independent witnesses, the incident was closed as a mutual fight, he added.
One of you has more details. Please tell me this was over JV softball, which would be even more amusing.
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com
The future is here
They've been testing robot delivery coolers at Bowling Green State University for years, but they don't look like what Chick-fil-A seems to be testing in Georgia. These things look like they're carrying some 16-year-old who's going to jump out and say "My pleasure" while delivering your perfectly chilled milkshake to your door on a Saturday.
How long until there are robot delivery wars between all the big brands? Who controls the streets? Are there future city political wars over which brands can operate on the sidewalks? Bribery scandals?
And will we need to leave the house in a decade? Will Lowe's deliver 8' 2X4s by robot trucks to the point where you don't have to leave the job site?
Where is this all heading?
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com
STAY HARD!
That brings me to this thread on David Goggins' insights, including the one where people live such a comfortable life that they leave potential on the table. Outside of people who have two broken legs and cannot drive, Chick-fil-A robot delivery bots should scare the living hell out of us.
Guys, I'm convinced that the robots, and their dork programmers, are trying to rob us of our "Stay Hard."
Goggins is right. We have to see through the robots and dork programmers. We have to see that it's all a game to see if we're willing to give up and waste away. We cannot let it happen.
I know you're going to be hungover this summer and craving fil-A waffle fries while curled up in a ball on the couch.
That's when I want you to channel your inner Goggins. Are you going to be a little bitch and get on the Chick-fil-A app to order robot fry delivery or are you going to throw on shorts, a shirt and your Flojos and STAY HARD?
Hold up, isn't this early to have these humidity levels?
I thought this was more like June-August humidity for SW Florida.
Dads that still have their Black Magic
- Sean C. in Indiana writes:
Somehow I missed your original mention of the Easton Black Magic bat, then I saw the email from Anthony today. I still have mine, with the brown leather grip. Believe it or not, I still take this bat to the cages from time to time, just to see if I can still get around on the fastball. I’ve got to start a little earlier, and my sides are sore after, but I still can drive a liner with this bad boy. The best bat ever!
And yes, in the background, you see a freshly mowed lawn….on a Wednesday afternoon. My travel schedule relaxes after next week, but I had to get a jump on the TNML duties this week.
And definitely let us know when the hats are in back in stock. My dad is getting one for Father’s Day this year, if possible.
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And with that, my work here is done this morning. That was a solid mix of content to get a Thursday rolling. The weather across the Midwest is garbage. We're getting sideways rain off Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Rain bands are rolling in throughout the day.
Yes, I already mowed. The lawn is now officially 4" and I'll be facing the possibility of mowing on Saturday if we get any heat.
We'll deal with it when it comes.
Now, let's go attack the day. STAY HARD. Don't let the robots take your wives or your jobs. Go do work.
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com