I don't have a problem with setting a standard. I'm military I'm all about standards. I'm actually OK with this edict, while I feel it's a bit strict I'm OK with it, how ever i think it should be for new valley's. Valleys that are otherwise viable being forced to fold or become just a LoP and loose 3/4 of their dues.
I'm not trying to be obtuse, but I honest can't understand your logic. Why would we set a standard for new valleys that we wouldn't for old ones. And if we say this standard is required for a Valley to be viable, why wouldn't it be universal.
With all due respect, I haven't heard a good argument from you other than "it's hard on the old guys," and I don't think that one really floats.
As for not allowing it in other parts of Masonry I've had it explained to me that parts are read in the AASR and other appendant bodies so as not to interfere with blue lodge. Also I know of a few jurisdictions over seas that read everything
I think parts are read in the places where standards have lapsed. But historically and ritualistically they parts were always intended to be memorized.
If we want to go down that road, then let's debate if the standard of memorization is fair, but again "they are doing it other places" doesn't hold up as an argument.
Again, I come back to the core which to me is the question on whether we are Masonry or not. If we take away the ritual, we might as well be a social group.