The following is a transcript of an interview heard on Iowa Public Radio.
Bob Spiegel (BS): Welcome back to NPR's "Considering Everything"; I'm Bob Spiegel.
Maudie Welshish (MW): And I'm Maudie Welshish. This week, Boy Scouts of America kicks off their annual popcorn sales campaign, and we're looking at all sides of this exciting event. On the phone, we have Wolf Cub Scout Harry Camwell, of Indianola, Iowa. Welcome to the program, Harry.
Harry Camwell (HC): Thanks for having me, Maudie.
MW: Harry, tell us what it means to you to be part of this organization.
HC: I'm so glad you asked, Maudie. Cub Scouts has given me the opportunity to express myself in a way that I haven't had with other extracurricular activities. I love that there are different challenges to meet, and new goals to achieve, and I really like hanging out with my new friends at meetings, pack camp-outs, and other events.
MW: What do the popcorn sales do for Scouting?
HC: Most people think, "Gee, $22 for a box of microwave popcorn?" But more than the (delicious) popcorn itself, they are supporting Scouts with over 70% of the sales going towards our pack. Money raised helps pay for our pack camp-outs and other fun stuff.
MW: What is your sales goal this year, Harry?
HC: $4500.
MW: Wow! That's a lot of popcorn! And you said it so authoritatively! That's a big goal. Do you get some sort of prize?
HC: You mean besides raising a great deal of money for a worthy cause? (hahaha) Yes, I want a tablet!
MW: And what's your favorite flavor of popcorn?
HC: Definitely the 'Smores!! It will make you think of campfires in the summer!
BS: On the phone we have Presenditial hopeful Ronald Crump for his take on the sales. Mr. Crump, welcome.
Ronald Crump (RC): The pleasure is yours, Bernie.
BS: It's Bob.
RC: Look. I'm a busy, extremely wealthy, extremely powerful man. Can we talk about the popcorn now?
BS: What do you think of this young man's entrepreneurial attitude towards selling popcorn?
RC: Look. Does he remind me of me as a young man? Sure. Maybe not as rich. Will he sell the most popcorn out of all the young Americans this year? He is no Ronald Crump. He doesn't have the financial backing. I am not emboldened by Special Interest groups. I'm simply the best. Better than all the rest.
BS: Mr. Crump, we are talking about a 7-year old boy selling popcorn, not Special Interest groups. Do you plan on buying popcorn from young Harry?
RC: Do I like popcorn? Sure. Could I afford to buy them out of popcorn and provide one hell of a camp for several summers? Sure. But I won't bow to the Special Interest groups. I will, however, take a bag of Caramel with Cashews & Almonds. It reminds me of America.
MW: For a different perspective, we also have with us Former Secretary of State and Presidential hopeful, Mallory Flinton. Ms. Flinton, welcome.
Mallory Flinton (MF): Thank you, Maudie.
MW: What is your take on the popcorn sales?
MF: I personally don't like popcorn. But I do support our troups. So I appreciate that I can donate a gift of popcorn to the men and women of the Iowa National Guard for only $35. And for those of my many many many friends and former colleagues from when I was Secretary of State, I plan on giving popcorn for their holiday gifts this year.
MW: How will you know which flavors they'd prefer? That's quite a gamble.
MF: I have my sources. I have their email addresses.
MW: Are you saying young Harry can count on your support for this Fundraiser?
MF: People can and do trust me.
MW: Mallory Flinton, Ronald Crump, Harry Camwell, thank you all for talking with us this afternoon.
MF: Thank you.
HC: Thank you for having me.
RC: I'm Ronald Crump.
