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With the many opinions posted regarding orchid judges, I
discussed the subject with several American Orchid Society (AOS)
judges. Some of what has been posted, has been from people who
have few facts and sometimes outrageous opinions. The following facts
should be mentioned:
-The AOS requires every student judge applicant to submit a written
statement from an ophthalmologist or optometrist that the applicant has
normal color vision. As far as judges who remove their glasses while
judging, can all of us say nearsighted? Many persons wear glasses to
correct far vision and do not need them when looking at a plant. I
hope we will end this part of the discussion.
-The AOS has a policy that a judge may be removed if physical
and/or mental dysfunction impairs the ability to judge effectively. This
step can be initiated by other judges, with or without the consent of the
impaired judge. With regard to automatic termination of judging
credentials at age 70 (or any other arbitrary age), this would be age
discrimination at its worst. As others have mentioned, years of experience
can be invaluable. To arbitrarily remove an individual at any specific age
would be absurd. Unless some of us are hermits hiding in caves, each of us
has met 90-year olds whose mental function matches or exceeds our own (if
we have not been blinded by our own brilliance). I am well below the
magic age of 70 that was suggested and I question the mental state of anyone who
recommends mandatory termination of those 70 or older.
Please, can we go back to discussing the enjoyment of orchids and not
the ranting of someone who may hold a grudge because his or her plant
did not receive an award?
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