[NR] New List...I disagree

[Marc Carlson]

I've been giving this some thought, and I -think- I understand
what Sir Burke is trying to do, and what Angus is referring to.
In Angus's case, and I am confident that he will explain to me
where
I'm wrong if I am, I expect that he is referring to the (very
real)
pressure that can be placed on people when they do not hold the
majority opinion (come to think of it, I believe I was discussing
this here just before the late turmoil erupted).  I can easily
see
him bring up an opinion that goes against the grain of many in
the
group -- and feel pressured to keep silent (over the years, I've
known many who've felt that in different circumstances in the SCA
- even myself a time or two (no, really, it's true)).

I'm certain that Sir Burke has felt this a time or two himself,
and while it may not be that this is the case for him at this
time
-- it's easy to see that since the informal poll was taken, it
may
be felt that this is not the best time to try and encourage a
sense
of Northern identity.  During the late discussions on the whole
principality issue, there were clearly some emotions expressed
that
the North had no separate identity from the Kingdom, or if people
saw that it was due to some fallacious Texas/Oklahoma rivalry.

Personally, I do feel that, "red river rivalry" and questions of
Principality aside, there is a slightly different identity in the
North than there is in the far South.  As I stated some time ago,
I don't care one way or another about Principality, but I do
think
we should try to encourage that Northern identity.  Without a
distinct regional identity, certainly the Principality issue will
continue as it has in the past 20 years -- something to talk
about
but never to come to pass.

Ok, is this quest for a Northern Regional identity appropriate
for discussion on the Northern Regional list, as has been
suggested?
I'd say yes, of course it is.  But because of the disagreements
in
the recent past, I can see that it may be a topic that people
(other
than myself :) ) are not going to be inclined to bring up here.
That's not the fault of Pug, or Debbie, and it may not even be a
situation in which "fault" can or should be ascribed.  It just
is.

So, is it necessary to have a separate list?  I'd say no --
although
I have already signed up for it, since it's been established, and
I
 might be wrong.  I've already been asked by some if this won't
actually increase the divisiveness in the North, and all I can
say
is maybe yes, maybe no.  If so, I'll be sorry to see that.  I
hope
that we can be adult enough to avoid it.

There are apparently people here who don't feel that the Northern
identity needs encouragement.  They may be right.   Is it fair to
them to make them have to endure discussions that they aren't
likely to be interested in?  Is it right to force an Ansteorran
regional list to endure discussions that may or may not be
directly
germane to people whose principle focus is the Kingdom?  I don't
know.  I think so, but I may not be the best person to gauge
that.

I've run a number of lists now, and experience tells me that if
Sir Burke is mistaken, and such a list is not necessary, that
list
will die from lack of use.  If he is NOT mistaken, and people are
just put off discussing these things here, but there is still a
need to discuss it, then that list will thrive.

Marc/Diarmaid