Tal, and welcome!

     This is a particularly fun issue to put out this month. Not only do we have the transcripts of some of the events from the Winter Festival to show you, but also information regarding the celebrations in honor of the founding of Crimson Talender! A whole year we've been here, and we're larger and more active then ever. The future only looks brighter, busier, noisier, and livlier with each passing day. What makes that so? You do. Each and every one of you. Everyone should take pride in the community they've assembled.

     Sometimes the issue arises as to "What does it mean to be Gorean?"
     Gor is many things to many people. For some it's merely an exotic setting for BDSM, for others (and I think most) it's a look to explore a unique kind of dominance or slavery and submission.
     But there does seem to be even more. There is a certain call to honor. In a discussion I recently had with someone, I asked them what a Gorean would do in the following situation:
     A house is on fire, and one's slave is inside. She may have accidently started the fire, she may have merely been trapped when the blaze got out of hand, but the house is burning down and the slave's life is at risk. Does the Master attempt a rescue?
     Yes, of course.
     Why?
     There is a social responsibility for one thing. The Dominant protects the submissive; feeds and gives it shelter and a place in the community. The submissive, in turn, provides service and devotion to the Dominant. There is a social exchange that is implied there which also stabilizes the order of things.
     Also, there is a sense of honor. Sure. After the rescue is made, the Master or Mistress will severely discipline the slave for getting into such a situation in the first place. The discipline may even seem overly harsh to some folks, particularly those not of Gor, but that does not take away from the fact that no Gorean would stand by impotently when they could take action.
     Too often I see Masters who treat slaves like furniture without any rhyme or reason. All right, I concede.. slaves are chattel and possessions, either owned directly in a collar, or owned in common by the city, but what good is it to treat a slave like a piece of furniture if for nothing more then to belittle? What lesson is taught?
     None other than that the Freeperson in question doesn't understand how the Master/slave relationship works and is only experiencing half, less then half of what it could be.
A slave feels submission because the Dominant inspires submission. They feel it in their belly not simply because someone told them to, but because someone made them feel it. They know they can see a strong Dominant in control, but not one who is going to see them as merely a robot.
     Who wants robots? Not me.
     And in turn, slaves... you inspire those above you. Let them see your belly!

     What it comes down to good folks whom I am proud to share my homestone with, it is so much worth the time to communicate with each other on many levels. Understanding brings knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom bring a deeper understanding of Gor and what it can mean for you, Free or slave.

     Finally if you wish to write a regular feature, simply contact me and pitch your idea. We have a fairly open editorial policy. We are primarily here to inform, but also to entertain and amuse. For some ideas for submissions, scroll down lower in the page.

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And to close with, here are some ideas in how you can contribute to the Baren Touhk Gazette. Some items to send in or ask about contributing are...

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If you wish to send in a submission, suggestion, comment, letter to the editor, or criticism, then send mail to Kaard@yahoo.com.

Tal.

Kaard



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