rapier trends

[STDDLY at TINY_TIM.SHSU.EDU]

> cmwalden at bga.com

>Who determines who is qualified to authorize whom?  Is it based on 
a peer 
> group that support each other, or is it based on similar qualifications to 
> local Arts and Sciences Officer?

The Earl Marshall of Ansteorra and his deputies decide whom is 
authorized to authorize others. I believe that White X are able to 
authorize fighters in their respective fields along with certian 
marshalls. Marshalls can only be authorized to do so by certian 
gentles who are given that power by the Earl Marshal and Rapier 
marshall. The power to authorize a marshall is not given to the White 
X, they have to prove that they have the ability to judge the: 
capability and willingness to enforce the kingdom rules on 
marshalling by an individual. These are all based on the rules in the 
participants handbook.

>What would you say that that piece of paper means?  Is it simply a 
point of 
> record, or do you think it is a fair evaluation of someone's competance to 
> be on the field in either capacity?  (fighter/marshal)
>
It is a point of record. It is also a evaluation of competence. 

> I would be interested to hear more about how the White X circle 
interacts 
> with the Marshall on such issues.  Do you think it runs well in mutual 
> support, or is it like a modern beaurocracatic (stupid git!  Can't spell to 
> save your life, can you?) office that upholds what they think best in spite 
> of their peers.

Lots of the White X are in the marshallate. The belts circle did get 
involved when one of their cards was pulled but mainly as a matter 
of if they are one of us we should be able to correct the problem 
before it gets that bad. Usually if a belt is taken aside and 
questioned about their behavior on the field they tend to try to fix 
and/or evaluate. From what I have seen and heard that if a scarf is 
talked to questioning their behavior they usually throw a hissy fit 
and insist that they are A SCARF and therefore can judge for 
themselves when they might be a small bit out of line. 
Most scarves are not that bad. The cases I did here of got really 
silly really quick.
> My honor has remained intact on the field.  I have noticed that 
much of the 
> politeness has left the game-- in more official circumstances.  For example 
> I noticed that no one seems terribly concerned whether or not I was 
> satisfied with the way that the fight was conducted.  Although, I suppose if 
> we have implemented a system that has a set of strong standards that must be 
> adhered to, with little room for individual interpretation, then that would 
> be unecessary.  As long as the Authorities don't have a problem with what 
> has occured, there must be no problem.
The marshall probably assumes that you would speak up if you were not 
satisfied or that you would discuss that with your opponent. 
There are many interpretations of the rules that is one of the 
problems with the marshallate now and why they are re-instituting 
requiring taking a class in marshaling before anyone is reauthorized 
in marshaling.  
 
> >In any case, if one is checking to see if a Don/Knight knows the CURRENT 
> >stuff you should be concentrating on the new stuff. 
> Can you think of any of the "new stuff" that you feel are not widely known, 
> or understood?  Would knowledge be based on application or primarily on 
> syntax or ability to quote accurately?
Believe it or don't, a lot of people are not working under the 
current rules for participants. As people are wont to do, they tend 
to work under the system of rules they learned and when there are 
updates they just say: "I know the rules, I don't need to read them 
agian."