I notice that MTV has put up Helen's web page now. In her datebook under "Morgendorffer Family Update" she notes that Daria, "...recently became a member of the Lawndale Daughters of the American Revolution." That seems a little unexpected. I wouldn't have thought someone as cynical as Daria would care about DAR. She was never happy, vibrant, or involved, why DAR? She probably might be interested in the history and such. Since Daria is under 18 I guess maybe she must be some kind of junior member.
Helen probably engineered the whole thing, trying to find SOMETHING that might interest her daughter.
I understand my aunt is a member of DAR and I guess that technically would make me eligible for SAR but I'm not happy, vibrant, or involved either. Or I guess more accurately, I'm happily uninvolved. Actually there are some other ancestors who could also provide eligibility if I cared to chase the genealogy down--too much like work and I guess I'm not really interested (that's why Daria is such a surprise). Anybody here DAR or SAR who could offer some insights?
Martin
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The impression of DAR that I've picked up from this side the pond is that it's for women who can trace their ancestry back to the time you lot threw off our colonial yoke (or revolted against your lawful government, as you wish), and that members are involved in Good Works. Perceived by some as a sort of a club for female do-gooding snobs. I dare say that this perception may be entirely unjust and ill-informed, and that I may have been influenced by cynical non-members of DAR possibly motivated by envy.
Can I take it from what you say, Bob, that "happy, vibrant and involved" are conditions for membership?
might
Or it was some kind of joke on Daria's part. DARia.
My reading is that Daria applied herself, since Helen says, "If anyone asks me about Colonel Phineas T Morgendorffer, I'm going to have to tell them the truth." I doubt Helen would have submitted an application with a made-up ancestor, but I can see Daria doing it if she flippantly filled in an application.
That's approximately correct. If there's anyone in your family tree who had just about anything to do with aiding the U.S. side of the conflict (apparently military service isn't required) then you're in--and of course everyone related to you. Snobbery couldn't be a factor since there are all kinds of people from all levels of society with the necessary pedigree. It should be noted that there were people of African ancestory who participated with honor in the conflict. I'm not sure what kind of do-gooding they do exactly but I do know they do sponsor some educational programs through the schools. I think they have a award or something for whoever writes a the most patriotic essay. I guess other stuff like preserving historic sites and the like. Not really bad, it needs to be done. If anyone is interested they have a web site at http://www.dar.org
SAR is Sons of the Revolution which recruits males with similar ancestory.
Of course I lifted that line from "Ill" but the operative word is "involved." In order to join a service-oriented organization like DAR (or Rotary or whatever) you'd have to be interested in SERVICE. For those who ARE interested, I say more power to 'em but I'm not really interested myself, at least not now, and I'm kind of surprised that Daria would be interested either.
Of course I was a little surprised to see Daria participating in the Walk-a- thon in the Beavis & Butt-head episode. In this respect the B&B Daria seems a little different from the one we know now. I don't know if this should be considered to be because of a change in creative vision or a change in the character's outlook due to her "experience" in Highland.
I doubt that Col. Morgendorffer has anything disqualifying for DAR in his background. The DAR is rather exacting in their requirements for genealogical and service evidence. I'd guess the "truth" might be unrelated to his military service. Just goes to show what when you start shaking the family tree anything can fall out. If Jake is any indication then the Col. might have had quite a colorful military career.
Or, more likely, Daria made him up for the hell of it, and nobody at the Lawndale DAR has bothered to check yet. (Which seems more likely, IMO.) "My ancestor, Col. Phineas T. Morgendorffer, led a small resistance cell that was responsible for the shoe riots of Highland Park-- a pivotal distraction that caused the Redcoats to have to set up camp early once, rather than use the entire day efficiently."
rich. (who ran out of records before he could make it all the way back to the Revolution, but whose ancestors were probably on the losing end of that conflict as well. *sigh*)
Helen: Bureaucracy is the price we pay for impartiality.
This would be my guess, too, especially if we assume that Daria is in fact eligible - but on the Barkdale side. She then proceeds to get back at Helen by spreading tall tales about 'Phineas T. Morgendorffer' to anyone gullible to beleive them.
"And then there was the time he rescued General Washington from an ambush..."