GetOFFmyDot

I don't want to kick something that is already beaten up, but... Every time you donate anything to The Cadets or YEA, you are helping subsidize the settlement they made with George Hopkins, who did awful things to too many people. There are many other corps around who have protected children and youth are who are more deserving of your money. I am truly sorry if that hurts anyone, but it is the truth.

Oh, ok. Bye! can this thread end?

Mandarins have released the 2020 tour...

I know most of the country feels this way, but Northern California gets completely hosed when it comes to the DCI tour. Think of this: BD, SCV, and Mandarins are all located within 2.5 hours of each other and represent one-forth of World Class finalists the past two years. We only get TWO world-class shows! (Spoiler alert, there are some changes coming this year - the former Stockton/SOME show which was moved to Sacramento last year is no longer. A "new" show is taking its place, which is more "earlier" than "new." I want finals in California again. Sigh. I know, it won't happen any time soon.

The challenge with that statement is that the overwhelming majority of caption head and design team staff openings aren't advertised - there is no merit-based system for recruitment, selection, and hiring. You can't be hired if you aren't asked. It's literally the old-boys network. And for those asking why pick on the Blue Stars? Fair question. It was the first corps I noticed who have listed all of their caption heads and design team - have others? If so, I would gladly compile a list. Wasn't there a committee of women in DCI working on this exact issue? I will gladly compile a equity report once more staffing decisions are announced.

Wow. People get super uncomfortable when inequality is pointed out. Reminds me of that quote... "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression." The state of California finally passed a law forcing organizations to address sexist and discriminatory behavior. The state now requires all publicly-held corporations whose principal executive offices are in California to have at least one female director on their boards by Dec 31, 2019. This law will soon apply to non-profit corporations. There is a big difference between a BOD and governance, but are y'all actually saying there aren't any capable females to be a caption head or serve on a design team? Or are you saying Blue Stars has a right not to have any females in leadership positions? Fact: one of the most important youth organizations can do to protect youth is have a diverse group of adult leaders so youth have an increased liklihood of having an adult to talk with/confide to. Y'all can get angry all you want. Speaking out against inequality is important to do. I hope you reflect on your discomfort and spend some time thinking about why someone pointing out gender inequality makes you so uncomfortable. Bless your hearts.

I find it rather disappointing (to put it mildly) that the Blue Stars do not any female caption heads or any women serving on the design team. Yikes. Is it 2019 or 1949?

Two separate, but related thoughts from “things” happening right now. 1. A lot of people moving around California, but not leaving the state. 2. There have been some interesting conversations taking place in Las Vegas this weekend. If you are friends with folks on social media, you can probably put the pieces together. Not trying to vaguebook, but respecting the process the corps have laid out. While I’m a wee disappointed in a few things, I think almost all changes are for the better. (I think).

Wow! Such a great discussion. Thanks everyone for voting and sharing your thoughts. I think DCA will have a very hard path to survival/viability if it remains a strictly NE activity.

It feels like DCA has been on a down-slide for the past few years. After the way the Renegades were treated (another topic, for another day), I stopped paying much attention to DCA. I was rather shocked to see how few corps are still competing in DCA. It looks like everyone who goes to championships will make finals? Wha?!?! Unless something major changes, I don't see much of a future for DCA. Am I wrong? Share your thoughts!

Hoping the rumors about a warm-up penalty are not true. NOT ON FINALS NIGHT. ugh. Please be a bad rumor, please be a bad rumor!

I don't want to speak poorly or out of turn or throw shade, but I don't see how this show is currently in 9th place. It just doesn't make sense. I am seriously confused how they are scoring ahead of Mandarins. Maybe the judges will see it how so many others do tonight!

Take the poll! I picked all "under-dog" things, things that would be considered surprises.

Instead of a hot dog corps, how about a hot dog poster? There are several folks on here who I would gladly skip!

The gap between The Cadets and Mandarins makes as much sense as fat free cream cheese.