Re: Maybe I am an Old Fart
Scratch currently has what they call "Broadcasts" which can be used similar to procedures. The next version will have proper procedures.
In any case, I can understand why someone would look at Scratch and see it as dumbed down, but I don't think that's entirely fair. Obviously it's not suitable for low level programing, but that's no the goal. What it does do is make it possible for someone with zero experience to start making programs that actually do something interesting in one day.
Though personally, if I were designing a beginner's programing course, unless it was specifically for young children, I wouldn't use Scratch. But I sure wouldn't use TurboPascal either. That's too far removed from the kind of software most people use in real life nowadays. The most important thing, IMHO is that people can see right away that they can really create something useful, and without being some kind of geek hacker god.