--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Sir Balthazar"
wrote:
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Maddog"
wrote:
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "rscarpen"
> > wrote:
> > > > In order to get it, you would need to show that you are a
> > > > blood donor, designated organ donor, CPR trained, or some
such.
> > >
> > Please beware of such a restiction as it reminds some of people
how
> > ill they are and that they cannot give blood or
> organs....depression
> > soon follows.
>
> This came out of nowhere. I am sure you are referencing something
> from your personal experience here but I honestly missed the
point.
> Care to illuminate me?
>
> Those of us in wheelchairs have little hope of getting most of
Ryan's
> boxes, right? Some boxes are too far away for me to get to since I
> cannot afford to go to Connecticut.
>
> Even if they cannot donate blood (I cannot right now for a year
after
> my latest tattoo) and cannot be organ donors, can't they take a
CPR
> class? Maybe Lance could have them donate something to the
fireman's
> fund or something else. Still, all boxes are not for everyone. You
> gotta get at least two of Redwall to get Urthstripe or Martin. You
> now have to have x amount of the Middle Earth ones to get The One
> Ring stamp. Whoops, let that slip.
>
> Anyway, I think you and your family are smurfy. Please, let us
know
> why a requirement on a stamp might be wrong.
>
> Respectfully puzzled,
> Sir B

It is not wrong, it just bummed me out.
I guess it is a free letterboxing world and you all can put all the
physical restictions on your boxes you want to. I am sorry I brought
it up. It will waste my time to even read the clues. I do feel
finding the boxes using the attempt clues are restrction enough and
that is the pure letterboxing, not having some outside (non
letterboxing) hoops that you need to jump through prior to the
attempt itself. You hide it, post clues, we get clues, go find it.
Simple.

IT is Unfortunate that people are disabled, are ill or have chronic
maladies with chemicals that render them as weak middle earthlings
in a way that no human wants our blood, or organs. Hopefully such
pre-qualitfying restrictions will not become too popular in
letterboxing. I do have 4 GPS units at my disposal, and I work them
better than my compass. I guess I can always go fetch stuffed
animals instead :(

SO go ahead restrict on --- the kids will dig adult only restictions
on boxes too!

Greetings Everyone,



Despite the fact that there are some posts on this thread from people that I
truly admire and respect among letterboxing enthusiasts. I am going to jump
to the podium here in Maddogs defense. First let me use my editorial skill
and explain that I do in fact understand the reasoning and the logic behind
such a letterbox, as well as I understand the incentive here to get others
that might not donate blood to do so. However, I think there are some
important things to keep in mind. So far letterboxing is a sport that in my
opinion has bridged a gapped that most others have not. Young and old alike
letterbox, those in great physical condition (such as Ryan) vs. those of us
that huff and puff our way up Mountains (like myself) or those of us that
skip a box totally because of a bum knee (such as Sir B). However in these
circumstances the letterboxer is choosing whether or not to attempt the box
based on the physical difficulty of a trail, and it is a rational and
understandable notion that some trails are harder than others and that
different letterboxers enjoy different levels of difficulty. Personally in
what I have seen so far in my time on the list and my time being an active
member of the letterboxing community I would say that so far we have done a
good job of keeping out the taboos that tend to ruin any organization or
group, religion, politics, etc. etc. When it comes to difficulty of terrain
and such you all might recall my campaign months ago to get a little more
responsible in our clues and in or difficulty level setting and prepare
everyone for what they would meet when heading out. That campaign sent
several people into a blurring anger. (For whatever reasons I am not going
to talk about today). I see that somewhat happening again as Maddog steps
up to say hey this might not be a good idea folks. We have seen it happen a
few times, some people got bent out of shape and offended at the notion of a
Purple Heart Award, others and The Medal of Honor award. I see Maddog's poi
nt of view on this. I personally am a blood donator myself, and to be
honest, there are enough rewards and benefits out there for blood donors.
That I personally do not see the need to create a letterbox made
specifically for them, restricting others who cannot donate. I totally
agree with Ryan, not all letterboxes are for all people, and most are not
wheel chair assessable and some of the kid safe boxes are boring. But I
also agree with Maddog that those restrictions on other people physical
abilities is quite enough without adding things like you have to be a blood
donor or and organ donor to get the box. I also understand Maddog's
viewpoint that such a thing could be depressing and discouraging to those
that cannot donate for medical reasons. It is hard to be reminded that you
are sick sometimes. I am not usually one to be politically correct, but I
do think that taking the time considers other peoples feelings is always
something good to do. Lastly my suggestion would be, why not make a box
that encourages donating blood, that inspires one to do it, but that doesn't
require that one do it beforehand or in order to get the letterbox?



Just my few cents

pandora{HIB} "Pandy" of "Googled