[scripter]

A real tragedy...

[537cant be wrong]

a big ol' eagle scout bump.
what a tragedy. prayers for all.
ronnie t.

[phoenix0468]

I don't mean to sound insensitive or uncaring. I think the deaths of those men is a tragedy. Nevertheless, there is one fatal flaw in the actions of those Scout Leaders. They did a very poor risk assessment in the setting up of this tent. Using tall metal poles in the vicinity of high power lines is not the brightest thing to do. Again, I do apologize if my opinion offends, but let's hope others learn from this mistake.

[vox humana]

There are about 400 electrocutions each year in the U.S., and about a quarter of them are related to power lines.

Several TV stations have lost their news trucks (burned up) when the operator raised the truck's microwave antenna into an overhead power line. Anyone that works under or near power lines should have safety training.

[kublia khan]

A terrible tragedy
With all of the base closings on the table why doesn't the Govt donate some of those unused facilities to the Scouts in areas where a better camp or a new camp is needed? Just a thought

[Congressman Billybob]

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, thrifty, obedient, cheerful, brave, clean and reverent. It applies to the adults as well as the boys. I know. Much of my successes in life, I owe to a dedicated Scoutmaster, Dr. Carl A. Zapfee.

I thought of him when I read this story originally. I thanked Dr. Zapfee's widow, Denise, for "sharing him with us" at his funeral. And I stood at attention with the Scout salute, as he passed by the last time, in his casket.

"A man never stands so tall, as when he stoops to help a boy."

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "South Pacific" Lesson about Muslims

[Fudd Fan]

This is just heartbreaking. Prayers for all affected.

[Egon]

Prayers for their families, and for all the boys.

[eagle11]

When I was in scouts, I recall the tent poles being either wooden or aluminum. Was this tent post steel?

[Anticommie]

"I trust the judgment of the leaders who are there with them," she said.

Sorry for this tragedy, but I would not entrust my kids to 4 adults who play with long metal pole around power lines, this is an ultimate stupidity, total ignorance, poor jugement, and childish carelesness.

Fortunately no kids were hurt.

[Ruth A.]

But the task went terribly awry when they lost control of a giant tent pole and it hit some nearby power lines,

Accidents do happen, even if we try to claim that they never should. I will accept that these men were "doing their best." Heartfelt sympathies to all. I would hate losing any of my fellow Cub Scout leaders and I would punch anyone of spoke ill of them.