New Writing Competition!   $23m Top Prize!

So, we're looking for a speech to be given here, at least 300 words, no more than five hundred words!

The subject can be one of two things

Honour (Honor): What does it mean?  Sal_Q can't enter this, as he's covered this in forensic details.  Salut, Sal.

Purging, huh: What is it Good For?  You must start and conclude your speech with those words.  Include specific incidents of (alleged) purging (not current/recent - we want a casualty free contest, thank you.  Not saying anyone has been purged recently - I wouldn't know, I'm generally not privvy to such things).

A note on non-entrants.  If you register your non-entry, maybe with a pithy phrase or two, then I'll give you a little something for not-entering.

I and a further two anonymous judges will judge all people*

*please note no fees are being paid to these judges.

LET'S GET THIS COMPETITION GOING!

Todd was walking in the streets when heard of a speech contest. The lineage of the one ran it was a bit sketchy and the topics in it were boring ones that had been dragged out since the beginning of time but alas, Todd decided to participate. 

"I have come here today to talk to you about honor. Honor isn't optional in this life, it's a necessity.

Regardless of how they think they lived, those without honor will never be truly respected, only feared or hated. And while admittedly, fear is a good thing in this life of ours, those who aren't honorable are also quick to be turned on by those around them and lose everything. They'll never be remembered as great pillars of the community who are loved like the honorable often are. 

But what even is honor? 

Honor isn't following the upper structure to a tee or buying off people with millions of dollars. Honor is showing respect for yourself and those around you. Honor is putting in the work and keeping your word as much as you can. 

Sometimes in order to hold your own honor, you'll need to vocally disagree with others and break the rules. Because keeping a quiet tongue in the face of injustices isn't honorable at all. It's a disgrace to yourself to not fight for what you believe in, even if there's a potential you can die from it. 

But, honor and pride shouldn't be confused. When you're wrong, you must admit it or it's also just a disgrace against yourself. And risking death over petty things is also pride, not honor. In short, pick your battles wisely as well. 

People who fight for their ideals with petty insults are not honorable either, they resort to foolishness because they can't think of real arguments and it puts a damper on their reputation. Even if someone disagrees with you on everything, they're still worthy of your respect.

To put it simply, honor is respecting your own ideals and the ones of those around you. Honor is being strong in the face of adversity and not folding. Honor is doing everything you do with a certain amount of class and respect for the ones around you. Honor is not being a good little boy or girl and doing whatever others tell you.

And I think that gets me just over my 300 word count so adieu ."

Upon receiving news that The Leader of The Streets was launching a new writing competition, Yax got excited:

"Its very nice to have this event after so much time, Kuku" she says "congratulations for taking initiative and i hope this one don't end up having any casualty. I am here also to submit my non-entry, as i'm distracted lately with important Goomba stuff, also my crew insists that i debauch myself every day, so i do not have much spare time. I wish good luck to everyone though."

She then handles Kuku some chips worth 10 million dollars to help with the prizes of such an ilustrious event.

Thanks for registering your non-entry, Yax.  A gift is on its way to you.

Syrax was walking out of his local pub when he noticed a flyer posted on a nearby street lamp. This flyer mentioned a writing contest hosted by a well known Author that he had heard much about and it piqued his interest. Now, Syrax was never really known for being eloquent with his words and didnt feel he stood a fair chance at winning this competition but the topics at hand were good topics to be discussed and he still wished to add his two cents anyways to perhaps get others involved in the discussion as well. Syrax had asked an associate of his to help him with writing his bit and was sure to make note that this was to be considered a non-entry to be posted simply for the sake of continuing the conversation on such a great topic. Syrax mailed his entry in in the hopes that others too would take part. 

Honor in "this life of ours" is a foundational principle that underpins the intricate workings of this clandestine organization. It encapsulates a complex web of values, traditions, and codes of conduct that dictate the behavior and relationships among its members.

At its core, honor revolves around loyalty. Members are bound by a deep-seated allegiance to their family, their associates, and the organization as a whole. Loyalty is not merely a suggestion but an absolute requirement, and any breach of trust is met with severe consequences. Betrayal within is considered the ultimate offense, often punishable by expulsion or even death.

Respect is another fundamental aspect of honor. Members are expected to show deference to their superiors, elders, and fellow associates, recognizing their authority and contributions to the organization. Respect is earned through years of dedication, service, and adherence to our code of conduct. Those who command respect wield considerable influence and power within the hierarchy.

Maintaining a sense of dignity and self-respect is also paramount. Members are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and decorum, refraining from engaging in behavior that may bring shame or dishonor to themselves or the organization. This includes avoiding unnecessary violence, conducting business with discretion, and upholding a certain level of moral integrity, albeit within the context of criminal activities.

Furthermore, honor in the is closely intertwined with the concept of omertà, or the code of silence. Members are expected to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the organization's activities, never divulging information that may compromise its operations or members. Violating omertà is considered one of the gravest offenses and is met with swift and severe punishment.

In essence, honor is a complex and deeply ingrained set of values and principles that govern the behavior and interactions of its members. While the organization may operate outside the bounds of conventional morality and legality, its members adhere to a strict code of conduct rooted in loyalty, respect, and discretion. Upholding these principles is not only a matter of personal integrity but also essential for maintaining the cohesion, reputation, and longevity of this life itself.

I am on the fence. Should I enter as an entrant or a non-entrant?

What are the pros and cons of each? What do I need to take into account when registering as a non-entrant? 

Can somebody explain this to me???