[SCA-AE] FW: [Mid] Sad news from Lutr and Tessa

[Mike C. Baker]

> >Our membership renewal was
> >lost in the mail and by the time we realized it, our membership had 
> >lapsed for 3 days. According to Corpora, that leads to an 
> automatic termination.
> 
> This is one of the more revolting examples of form over 
> substance that I have encountered.  Once again, the tail 
> attempts to wag the dog.
> 
> I sincerely hope that no one has the opportunistic chutzpah 
> to step forward to replace Their Majesties of the Middle, in 
> show of the kind of solidarity that makes us worthy to be 
> called a Society.  If, on the other hand, the Midrealm sits 
> still and lets a California corporation deprive it of its 
> monarchs, does it deserve better?
> 
> I would like to think that if this happened to AEthelmearc, 
> our Kingdom as a body would offer constructive suggestions 
> concerning which BoDily orifice might best hold such a decree.
> 
> Does anyone else start to wonder whether the BoD might just 
> be getting a bit big for its britches?
> 
> - Michael


Michael (et al.), I've been watching this off and on since the news
"broke" on the Middlebridge earlier.  The later developments seem to
indicate that there will have to be at least one "active" opponent
during the Ad Hoc Midrealm Crown to be fought at 10AM on Saturday next
(May 24) or, under Corpora, the results could be once again invalidated
(cf. the clause regarding the expectation for a "contested" Crown
Tourney).

What this is *really* beginning to remind me of is standing witness when
the original imposition of the NMS was declared back in '94 or so -- and
watching the artfully presented declarations by Duke Inman in court at
Steppes Warlord, here in Ansteorra, following (leading up to?) the
Estrella Compact.  

One solid part of that memory should still be stored carefully against
need, one place or another, in the nature of new words for old songs,
and this new development might even trigger a whole new round of verses.

(VERY rough first draft, two "new" verses to old music ["Rising of the
Moon" / "Rising of the Star"] ... 
 Still noodling for an appropriate variation to use as a chorus...)
	Ah, the Midrealm folk now tell us they've had an edict from afar
	Their Crown's mail was "misplaced" or "lost", Gus -- We have
heard that tale before.
	The BoD's decree is "Abdicate!", and the Regent's Palymar.
	Do I hear a pounded anvil ringing, underneath a Unique Star...

	We're the folk of all the SCA, from ten thousand different
bands,
	And we know there's rules to keep us safe from over-heavy hands
	But some rules too tight interpreted raise alarm bells here and
thar,
	I'll bet some bards will soon be singing, underneath that Unique
Star...

(Eh, what did you expect from a scratchy-eyed bard with too little sleep
at 3AM?  <VBEG>)

INTERJECTION:  In fairness to the BoD, every indication is that they
*are* working with the Midrealm to address the issues involved, and the
Ad-Hoc / Fill-In Crown Tourney for the Midrealm is one outgrowth of
that.  Reading between the lines, I also note that some other revisions
of policies, practices, and admonitions to Crown Tourney participants
(and potential Consorts) will all emerge from this.  I have never myself
had a membership renewal completely disappear, but apparently there are
some who have had it happen multiple times if sent via USPS mail.  For
any who are busily drafting letters of comment or indignation to be sent
to the Board of Directors of SCA, Inc., I would strongly encourage you
to take into account the whole story (go find the Middlebridge archives,
etc.), your own past experiences with the Office of the Registry, and
the modern alternatives now available.

Adieu, Amra / ttfn - Mike / Pax ... Kihe

Mike C. Baker
SCA: (al-Sayyid) Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra, F.O.B, OSCA
"Other": Reverend Kihe Blackeagle PULC (the DreamSinger Bard)
Opinions? I'm FULL of 'em
alt. e-mail: KiheBard at hotmail.com  OR MikeCBaker at verizon.net
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