From: case1@husc.harvard.edu
Message-Id: <9304271601.AA10827@husc4.harvard.edu>
Subject: Re: "Jewel in the crown..."
To: leafusa!kopf.HQ.Ileaf.COM!eisen@eddie.mit.edu
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 93 12:01:52 EDT
Cc: carolingia@bloom-beacon.mit.edu
In-Reply-To: <9304261856.AA04526@kopf.HQ.Ileaf.COM>; from "eisen@eddie.mit.edu" at Apr 26, 93 2:56 pm

> 
> >Greetings to Carolingia, the Jewel in the crown of the kingdom of the EAst,
> 
> It's a pretty phrase but it is a phrase that should be left to use by 
> non-Carolingians if _they_ see fit to do so. For a Carolingian to proclaim 
> Carolingia THE Jewel in the Crown of the Kingdom of the East seems the height 
> of vainglory and can easily be taken as offensive by anyone else in the kingdom.
>  
> For decades Carolingia has had a reputation for being insular, snooty, and 
> self-important. Only recently has that reputation _begun_ to fade. The work 
> to develop a good reputation will never end, for once it is achieved, it will 
> need to be maintained.
> 
> When it comes to playing the game of the SCA Carolingia's way, no one does 
> it better than we do, but keep in mind that ours is only _one_ of the ways 
> to play.
> 
> I would ask that we curb our tongues when it comes to self-praise, always, 
> but especially in public venues such as this carolingian net.
> 
> Frydherik
> 
> Humility is especialy valued in the great.
> 
I cannot help but disagree here.  My maxim would be to praise what is laudable
and declaim what is not in one's home.  The only thing I might change in a
claim such as 'The Jewel in the Crown of the East' might be the first word.
"A Jewel" would, to me, be more true than "The Jewel," but a jewel I find
Carolingia, and so would I state, publicly and privately.

One other thing.  I cannot subscribe to the notion that this is a public
discussion.  The nature of this forum, indeed its very name, indicates more
a private gathering of like-minded individuals than a public forum, a private
room more than a city square.  The fact that others may overhear perchance more
easily means less that a Carolingian should curb his/her tongue (fingers?)
than that the eavesdropper should fear to find his/her ears burning with that
which was not necessarily meant for those ears.  And may anathema be heaped
on any who spread this discussion to a setting wider than intended, for it is
they, for whatever base reasons they may do so, who cause much, if not all, the
harm that is done.

No doubt some will be affended by this.  To those I say listen not, and you
not be offended.

Taran