Fencing in Meridies (fwd)

[Matthew R. Popalisky]

This came back to me from the source of the orginal post.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 1996 02:57:10 -0600 (CST)
From: "David L. Backlin" <dbackli at comp.uark.edu>
To: "Matthew R. Popalisky" <mpopali at comp.uark.edu>
Subject: Re: Fencing in Meridies (fwd)

Forward if you so choose... I've tried to respond to some of this to the
best of my ability...

On Sat, 16 Nov 1996, Matthew R. Popalisky wrote:

> 
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 14 Nov 1996 20:55:27 -0800
> From: "Todd W. Marsh (Sierra Dallas)" <TMarsh at sierrasys.com>
> Reply-To: ansteorra at eden.com
> To: "'ansteorra at eden.com'" <ansteorra at eden.com>
> Subject: Fencing in Meridies
> 
> >Kateryn asked:
> >What happened?!?!
> 
> and posted the letter from their Majesties Meridies that included:
> >
> >Due to a variety of factors, We must bring the fencing experiment in Meridies
> to a close, effective immediately. <snip>
> 
> which mentions several excuses for their decision, including lack of
> interest and safety concerns.  I do not believe that any of these
> excuses are valid.  They did not consult their own marshals, or even
> inform them. 

>>>>>Only the KINGDOM Marshall

> Lack of Interest?  In 9 months, Meridies authorized 50 fighters.  After
> 1 year of fencing, Ansteorra had about 5.  

>>>>>Allegedly too low a rationto heavy fighters

> Safety? In Meridies there have been no fencing injuries.  In Trimaris, a
> fencer took a blade that had been banned from use onto the practice
> field.  The marshal on the field didn't know this and didn't check the
> equipment.  The blade broke and penetrated the other fencer's jacket and
> pectoral muscle.  Both fencers and the marshal on the field got
> suspensions.  It took a triple failure (blade, jacket, marshal) to cause
> an injury about as bad as those seen monthly at armored practices.  (One
> armored fighter in this barony currently has a broken hand and another a
> torn rotator cuff in the shoulder.)  Yes, it could have been _much_
> worse.  Does this mean all fighting should stop?

>>>>>The blade in question was originally kinked (and therefore banned).
Its owner *straightened* the kink (which was wrong), but neglected to tell
anyone (ALSO wrong). Apparrently Their Majesties believe that it IS a
reason to ban fencing.

> In another situation in Atenvelt, a blade broke and the broken end hit a
> mask.  It slid off the mask and tore the vinyl padded edging.  No one
> was hurt.  In doing its job, the mask was damaged.  When was the last
> time _you_ saw armor damaged?  Is this a major safety incident?  I don't
> think so either.  

>>>>> Again, Their Majesties seem to believe otherwise.

> We don't know yet what this means for fencing at Gulf War.  I don't
> expect that Meridies will reinstate fencing by then.

>>>>>Don't know... no one has asked. They're too busy complaining over
through the e-mails.

> If the Crown of Meridies denies the field, I will bring suit to their court.  I will not

>>>>>Their Majesties have requested that anyone wishing to discuss this
should write them (not over the Net, however).

I don't know if I'm helping or adding fuel to the fire! :(