APO/BSA ad nauseum
Ernest R. Spradling, P.E. (freemason@AOL.COM)
Fri, 28 Jan 1994 19:29:25 EST
On Wed, 26 Jan 1994 09:00:10 -0600, Kathie Cerveny
<kathie@DELTA.EECS.NWU.EDU> wrote:
......stuff deleted....
>On the fleur-de-lis ---- that is (with the scout emblem) a copyrighted
insignia
>of BSA and thus can only be used on, by, for, approved by national display.
>Since the APO is not a part of BSA, it should no right to use our insignia.
I
>know what APO is, by the way, my Eagle son is a life member.
I read the one that followed, and you did note that the fleur-de-lis, as a
symbol, was a public-domain item. Considering, historically, that it
preceded both BSA AND APO by several centuries, and was used in several
different contexts (including the French flag), it would seem a little
ridiculous for BSA to sue APO for copyright infringement, esp. after tacit
approval of its use by the fraternity since 1925.
APO used the three fdls in its crest to remind all brothers of the historical
ties to the principles of the Scout Oath, and there is other symbolism which
alludes to the Scout Law. I am NOT divulging "secret" information, because
it is written in plain english in the Pledge Manual. Or it WAS, when I
pledged ;)
Now, as to other items, re: the association w/APO and BSA, and how APO was
founded on the principles of Scouting, I distinctly recall a brief but rather
profusely detailed history of the early connections between the two
organizations in my Pledge Manual. As a part of the fraternity's tradition,
it was basic information that all pledges were expected to know. I also
remember the blurb in my BSHB as a kid having a more detailed association of
the two than what is in the BSHB today.
If I recall correctly, until the late '60's previous or current membership in
BSA was a prerequisite to pledging. I believe that was eliminated in 1967 so
that the frat could be more inclusive.
Mind, there are revisionists in both organizations who would love to
disassociate one from another, but to do so would be a denial of each group's
histories.
OK, I'm off my soapbox now.
Good news! Woodbadge Course SR-5 is a GO! We will be holding our pre-course
meeting Sunday 30 Jan at Tana-Keetah. Can't wait!
Just my $0.02 worth after a long tenure of lurking...
YiS, WWW,
Randy Spradling, P.E.
Assistant District Commissioner Treasure Coast District, Gulfstream Council
(FL) Aal-Pa-Tah #237 Eagle Scout (1971)Vigil Honor (1974)(Thal-Coo-Zyo #457)
(Sukeu Woapalanne-Black Eagle)
Life Member Alpha Phi Omega Mu au Chapter (#589-139879/Life#5915) (WV
Tech)(Spring 1975)
Gonna be a critter soon (SR-5) (Yes, the course is a GO!)
Civil/Traffic Engineer
(To know oneself is the ultimate form of aggression)
(Calvin: Do you think that children are born sinful?
Hobbes: No, but they are quick studies.)
<FREEMASON@AOL.com>
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