[Ansteorra] Provinces, a clarification

[Celeste Shelton]

Alden,
I may be speaking out of term here, but my complaint with your posts 
regarding this subject is that you seem to assume that this group was not 
"capable" of becoming a barony or that this group thought a "hat race" would 
tear this group apart.  I could be incorrect, but that is what I read into 
your words.  Instead what I see from this group is that they have more than 
enough "qualified" candidates (I can think of several at this very moment) 
to lead the group but they are so much a unified group, they feel that it is 
more important to their group to ALL be the leaders and inspirations that 
you speak of.  I do love my Barony.  I am proud of our Baron and I know that 
this group works very well under this system and can't imagine it being any 
other way.  I was also proud of my shire where I lived previously and 
although the Barony is different, I can't say that it is better or "so much 
more" as you suggest being a Barony to be.  I do also know that a Province 
is a unique implementation and it was intentionally made harder to achieve 
so that it would not become the norm.  I strongly support your right to have 
any opinions that you might have, and even your right to express them here.  
I am just disappointed that your words appeared to be very much a 
denigration of this group since you claim they have "settled for good 
enough".  May ALL groups aspire to their personal level of "good enough".

HL Saundra



>From: "Paul DeLisle" <ferret at hot.rr.com>
>Reply-To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
>To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: [Ansteorra] Provinces, a clarification
>Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:24:58 -0600
>
>Thank you, Gunthar. I appreciate someone understanding why I posted what I
>did.
>
>For the record, let me clarify a couple of things:
>
>I am *not* denigrating this or any group, or it's people, any more than I
>would denigrate an individual for recieving an award or elevation I did not
>think they deserved. Such a situation would not be their fault; it would be
>the faults of those who allowed it to (or made it) happen.
>
>My post was (as the kind Lady Franchesca so gently put it) a dismayed
>reaction to yet another part of the historical and cultural flavor or the
>SCA being (as I saw it) eroded away; in response to the rising of more and
>more problems with individuals, groups, and their responsible Leaders (or
>lack thereof.) It seemed like the "easy way out."
>
>In response to my original post, someone wrote me privately, and and
>suggested that a Province was a good idea, because this person knew so many
>Nobles who were *bad* leaders, played favorites, put politics into people's
>private lives, etc.
>Is this the case?...Every story has two sides, but I suspect that there is
>some truth to what was relayed to me. But that's not a reason to "throw the
>baby out with the bath water."
>
>What *I* see is a lack of respect on both sides. If people don't respect 
>our
>Nobles, then what's the point of trying to be a *good* one?
>The first three responses to my post didn't use the term Baron, Baroness, 
>or
>Noble; but the vulgar term "brass hat." How can Noblesse Oblige exist in
>such an environment?
>
>I will freely admit, I don't know the people of Mooneshadowe. But if they
>are  as vibrant, avtive and tight-knit an organization as many here have
>attested; then they should have a *dozen* viable candidates for the 
>position
>of Baron and/or Baroness. Candidates that would inspire others...who would
>make newcomers and Old Farts alike say: "Wow, *that* must be why they are
>Nobles. I want to be like them, someday."
>
>But, instead, we have a group of hard workers, who have a good group, and
>more event space on the Calendar. All good things. but there could be so
>much more.
>I'm so tired of "good enough."
>
>In any case, thank you for listening/reading/whatever.
>
>In Service (such as it is), I remain
>Alden Pharamond
>Tir Medoin, Ansteorra
>
>
>