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Consulate of The North Pacific
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October-November 2013
The Government of The North Pacific
Delegate: McMasterdonia
Vice Delegate: Sanctaria
Minister for Foreign Affairs: Sanctaria
Minister for Communications: Iro
Minister for Defence: Ash
Minister for Culture and Entertainment: Lennart
Minister for World Assembly Affairs: Reginald Carmichael
Acting Speaker of the Regional Assembly: Zyvetskistaahn
Security Council:
Chairman: Sanctaria
Members: Great Bights Mum, BlackShear, Grosseschnauzer, Romanoffia, Former English Colony, Blue Wolf II, McMasterdonia, Democratic Donkeys
The Court
Attorney General: PunkD
Chief Justice: r3naissanc3r Associate Justice: Romanoffia, Mall
Directory
Forum: http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/index/ (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/index/)
Map: http://map.thenorthpacific.org/ (http://map.thenorthpacific.org/)
TNP-Wire:http://tnp-wire.tumblr.com/
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/xMGxYi (http://on.fb.me/xMGxYi)
IRC: http://cbe001.chat.mibbit.com/?server=irc.esper.net&channel=%23tnp (http://cbe001.chat.mibbit.com/?server=irc.esper.net&channel=%23tnp)
Laws: http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/laws/ (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/laws/)
Judicial Cycle Elections
As November begins, so does yet another election cycle for TNP. One day we shall go an entire month without some sort of an election. But it is not this day. Anyway, this month it's the Judicial Election Cycle which sees TNP elect three Justices and an Attorney General (despite the AG no longer being in the judicial branch but SHUSH).
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The 7 Justice candidates
Among the candidates include current Justice, Romanoffia, Speaker of the Regional Assembly (before he resigned anyway (read below for that!) Crushing our Enemies, and longstanding Court critic and TNP patriot flemingovia. Over in the Attorney General election, former Vice Delegate Kiwi is up against Leekem. They held a debate with many commentators saying Leekam had put up a good fight against favourite Kiwi and that the latter's victory may not be assured.
Voting is currently ongoing in both elections but is scheduled to end soon. Who will occupy the bench? Will the new Attorney General actually do his job? When will I stop asking questions? Find out next month, same TNP time, same TNP channel.
Written by Sanctaria
Speaker Resignation & Special Election
It was during his campaign for Justice that Speaker of Regional Assembly, Crushing Our Enemies, dropped a bombshell on TNP - he was resigning. Having held the position for 11 months, COE felt that regardless of the outcome in the election for Justice he was currently battling, his time in the Speaker position had come to an end.
Before he resigned he directed that Zyvetskistaahn should becoming Acting Speaker in the event of any vacancy in the office. A vacancy which happened about five minutes later.
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The Speaker's Chair & Gavel - Unoccupied
So COE resigned and TNP had to have a special election for the position. Quelle surprise. With nominations still open, at time of writing there are three contenders: Acting Speaker Zyvetskistaahn, TNP newcomer bootahilley01, and resident TNP oldie Democratic Donkeys. It'll be an interesting race for sure - stay tuned!
Written by Sanctaria
Zombies!
Zombie day was a lot of fun for the North Pacific. It saw a massive increase in regional message board activity and brought hundreds of nations out of the woodwork to participate in the day. The RMB was the centre of the fight back against the Zombies with individual nations taking the lead and establishing a triage system as a way of dealing with the most infected nations.
Then Speaker Crushing Our Enemies and Military Generals in a sign of solidarity begin to advocate for the pro-life movement and to stop the killing. COE commented "Every life is sacred, we have a duty to protect even the smallest of lifeforms".
This strong move against killing the Zombies saw a significant increase in the number of survivors in comparison to those killed and infected. The North Pacific did far better in comparison to the past Zombie apocalypse and we are certain that we will do even better next year.
A timeline of events related to Zombie day can be viewed here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqfgC4jLihT4dGZkYWR4SWRtOVFHZGh0QXYxa2V5OHc&usp=sharing)
Written by McMasterdonia
NPA News
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Delegate McMasterdonia receives yet another star on his uniform.
"These promotions are well-deserved and long overdue," stated Minister of Defence Ash, after shining the four stars on his uniform. Speaking at The North Pacific's military headquarters, General Ash announced the most recent promotions in The North Pacific Army: current TNP Delegate and former Minister of Defence McMasterdonia was promoted to General of The North Pacific Army, former Minister of Defence and former TNP Vice Delegate Kiwi was promoted to Brigadier General, former Deputy Minister of Defence and current Chief of Staff Borndisaster was promoted to Colonel, long-serving NPA soldier Isimud was promoted to Lieutenant, former TNP Chief Justice Abbey Anumia was promoted to Colour Sergeant, and reliable updater Aikku was promoted to Sergeant.
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NPA soldiers deploy in a seaborne invasion of Warzone Australia.
In other news, The North Pacific Army seized Warzone Australia and held it with assistance from the Eastern Pacific Sovereign Army. "This was only a training exercise, but it was our first foray into a Warzone in quite awhile," said Minister of Defence Ash. Asked whether he considered the mission a success, General Ash responded, "Of course it was! Our new recruits received valuable experience in this exercise, and the NPA had a chance to work in concert with our allies from The East Pacific. We look forward to future exercises with the EPSA."
Written by Ash
TNP Roleplay, Culture and the Oscars
Under the leadership of Minister for Culture and Entertainment Lennart, the North Pacific has seen a revitalization of it's roleplay within recent weeks. Lennart has taken over the maintenance of the map and has added new nations that had been waiting for some time. Notably, International Media from various nations in the North Pacific has begun flooding in and a new treaty "The treaty of Pigletville" is already on the brink of collapse after the founding signatory Guslantis declared war on the highly respected and influential nation of Zemnaya Svoboda prompting an international backlash.
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The TNP-Europeia Culture Fest underway
TNP also held a cultural event with Europeia which was a moderate success, despite falling right in the middle of Europeian Presidential elections. The second half of the cultural festival will be hosted by Europeia at some point in the next few weeks.
The North Pacific Oscars have continued to be handed out over the past few weeks. McMasterdonia was awarded Most Popular TNPer, Durkadurkiranistan won the Oscar for most likely to coup, and the region is still in the process of determining who will be awarded "funniest poster" but it looks like the award will go to Flemingovia in a landslide victory.
Written by McMasterdonia
Lennart Continues Couping Spree
Culture Minister Lennart of Avalon continued to threaten the region Tuesday when he amassed more endorsements than the Vice Delegate himself. Security Council officials were stunned when a tipster secretly sent in a warning by posting publicly in the Security Council forums. The Wire has learned that the tipster was Lennart himself.
"Rubbing it in our faces that he's this close to couping the region? Now, that's just not nice," said a senile SC clerk. "It would be more courteous of that young man to quietly overtake all of our Security Council officials, never telling a soul until it was too late and he'd beaten the Delegate."
Officials were further worried when McMasterdonia made a public statement that he could not prevent the oncoming disaster, saying that he had "ejected and banned" the offender from the North Pacific. "AAAAAAAAAHHHH!" screamed paranoid onlookers. "McM CAN'T DO A THING! WE'RE DOOMED! LENNART IS COMING! PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES!"
More disturbing was the fact that psychologists agreed that Lennart had a bloodthirsty profile and was ready to do gruesome things to get the title. He had no sense of shame, not one ounce of dignity, and he even went so far to say that "I'm not comfortable with [the] red colour I got on the [SC] list." Look out, TNP!
Written by Iro for the TNP Wire (http://www.scribd.com/doc/180988742/The-TNP-Wire-November#)
Regional Assembly Weekly Digest
(2013-10-12 - 2013-11-10)
Acting Speaker of the Regional Assembly: Zyvetskistaahn
Deputy Speaker: SillyString
Old Business: Please find below a list of proposals that have passed and failed this week.
1.Motion to uphold the rejection of Trieze_Dreizehn: Passed
2.Motion to grant Eluvatar exception to the RA Membership requirement of the Security Council: Failed
3.Officials Amendment Bill: Passed
4.Oaths Amendment Bill: Passed
New Business: Below can be found a list of proposals currently before the assembly.
1. Admission of Lennart to the Security Council: At Vote
2. Security Council Amendment Bill: Under Discussion
3. Europeia Treaty Implementation Bill: Under Discussion
Other Business: See below for other matters that may concern you as a member of the RA.
1. We extend a warm welcome to our newest Assembly members: Aphitc, schweizweld, Maxdresser, murdock213, Johz, Kistonelle, Eluvatar, T.HE.S.MA, Nino Syahputra, Jack Holland and newmist.
2. We bid a fond farewell to those who have left us: Venico, Daniel S, RepublicofTrebinje, Mysteron, Wilkshire, chmguy88, Zolonya, Solm, America2025, Scandovia, Quadrimmina, Voronia and Shadowminister. We’re sorry to see them go.
3. Following the resignation of Crushing Our Enemies, a special election for the office of Speaker has begun. Fear not, however! The Speaker’s Office shall be maintained by his deputies until a new Speaker is in place.
4. The nominations for the Judicial election, which includes the Attorney General and three Justice positions, have closed. Voting will begin shortly before the scheduled debate between Leekem and Kiwi, the candidates for Attorney General, which will be held this evening. Remember: vote early, vote often, and vote for a tie.
Zyvetskistaahn Presents: Long Names
My name is fourteen letters long, but it's not the longest name ever. Allthegoodnamesareused is longer.
SillyString's Silly Advice
The best way to welcome a new Speaker is to play lots of pranks - glittertacks on their chair, whipped cream in their shoes, and especially buckets of blue paint poised precariously over the door to their office. Without such expressions of love, a Speaker is likely to feel underappreciated.
General COE's Final Cautionary Words
Treat the next Speaker nicely - not everyone is as patient with your shenanigans as I am.
Written by Zyvetskistaahn
[big]Thanks for reading our update![/big]
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Thanks for the update! It made me smile. ;D
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Thanks for the update! Sounds like a lot is going in in TNP, as usual :P
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Out of curiosity, which region are those dancers from?
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Out of curiosity, which region are those dancers from?
Belgium *nods*
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Out of curiosity, which region are those dancers from?
Belgium *nods*
/me slaps Horse with a waffle.
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January 2014
[/b]
[big]The Government of The North Pacific[/big]
[/color]Delegate: McMasterdonia
Vice Delegate: Democratic Donkeys
Minister for Foreign Affairs: r3naissanc3r
Minister for Communications: Iro
Minister for Defence: Blue Wolf II
Minister for Culture and Entertainment: Lord Ravenclaw
Minister for World Assembly Affairs: Abacathea
Speaker of the Regional Assembly: Zyvetskistaahn
Deputy Speakers: Bootsie, Lord Nwahs
Security Council:
Chairman: Democratic Donkeys
Members: Great Bights Mum, BlackShear, Grosseschnauzer, Romanoffia, Former English Colony, McMasterdonia, Democratic Donkeys, Lennart
The Court
Attorney General: Kiwi
Chief Justice: Crushing Our Enemies Associate Justice: Romanoffia, Flemingovia
[big]Directory[/big]
Forum: http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/index/ (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/index/)
Map: http://map.thenorthpacific.org/ (http://map.thenorthpacific.org/)
TNP-Wire: https://twitter.com/NewsTNP (https://twitter.com/NewsTNP)
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/xMGxYi (http://on.fb.me/xMGxYi)
IRC: http://cbe001.chat.mibbit.com/?server=irc.esper.net&channel=%23tnp (http://cbe001.chat.mibbit.com/?server=irc.esper.net&channel=%23tnp)
Laws: http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/laws/ (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/laws/)
[big]Changes to the Cabinet[/big]
Minister of Defence
Today, I announce that Blue Wolf II will serve as the new Minister of Defence for the North Pacific starting immediately in the role. This is following a discussion by NPA High Command and between myself and Blue Wolf II.
Blue Wolf II was the Delegate responsible for the reformation of the North Pacific Army and appointed me to serve as the first Minister of Defence of the new army in 2012. As Blue Wolf II has left the Security Council and now has a mobile WA nation, this combined with his well known military experience has placed him in the perfect position to lead the North Pacific Army in the months ahead.
Together we will be working on establishing clear goals for the North Pacific Army and BWII will be responsible for involving members of High Command and lower ranking officers in working to achieve these goals. The NPA is a regional military and must be well versed in all aspects of military gameplay, with our primary responsibility being to serving the regions interests and protecting and supporting our allies.
I wish him the best of luck and I hope to see the military return to high levels of activity.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Firstly, I would like to thank Democratic Donkey's for his service in the position over the last month and a half or so.
For the new term ahead I have decided to appoint r3naissanc3r as Minister of Foreign Affairs. R3n has been an active participant in this region for quite a long time now and has previously served as Chief Justice. He is also one of the biggest contributors to law reform in the Regional Assembly.
The focus of the Ministry will be regular foreign updates (obviously), a review of inactive embassies and pursuing closer relations with our fellow GCR's.
The rest of the cabinet will be:
Minister of Communications: Iro
Minister of WA Affairs: Abacathea
Minister of Culture and Entertainment: Lord Ravenclaw
For various reasons, but mostly due to the lack of a goal for the Ministry, I have decided to disband the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I would like to thank Reginald Carmichael for his service in the cabinet.
Written by McMasterdonia
[big]Judical Election Results[/big]
The North Pacific has concluded elections for our new Justices and our new Attorney General. Congratulations to Chief Justice Crushing Our Enemies, perennial candidate and returning Justice Romanoffia, and finally, somewhat of a shock to us all, our new Justice, but ever enduring Deity, Flemingovia! A hearty congratulation to our new Attorney General Kiwi, who has certainly brought life and discipline to an erstwhile derelict position.
This election saw some new faces in the mix. We want to congratulate them as well on their dedication, and encourage them to continue to put themselves forward for our region in the many elections to come.
Written by Democratic Donkeys
[big]General Elections
[/big]
Elections for the offices of Delegate, Vice Delegate and Speaker were held at the beginning of the month. The election for the position of Delegate was fairly quiet with the only hiccup occurring when Tim lost citizenship half way through the nomination period. McMasterdonia won the election easily with 86% of the vote.
The position of Speaker of the Regional Assembly was hotly contested by incumbent Speaker Zyvetskistaahn, Deputy Speaker Bootsie and perennial candidate Leekem. Zyvetskistaahn focused on efficiency in the office of Speaker, Bootsie's campaign focused on his personal mission "To represent the Regional Assembly as a whole, and the Legislative Branch of our government." Leekem's platform focused on interaction with new citizens: "I believe that as Speaker you must interact with your citizens. You must help if they need it, you must clarify if clarification is needed and you must have the personality and mentality to help your region. You will learn about my platform on newcomers, I have a huge platform on them as I am still considered one." Zyvetskistaahn won reelection with 58% of the vote.
The office of Vice Delegate was contested by Democratic Donkeys, Abacathea, Blue Wolf II and Geniva. Democratic Donkeys raised significant momentum early on with a exploratory committee with several high profile TNPer's coming out in support of the TNP stalwart. This coupled with the endorsement of the Former Vice Delegate, Sanctaria shot Democratic Donkey's to a solid victory.
Written by McMasterdonia
[/i]
[big]The North Pacific Falls to the Skeleton Queen[/big]
On a quiet day in the North Pacific, the Skeleton hoards marched on Magicality City. There was no time for the Security Council to spring into action as they were violently awoken from their beds and arrested by the Skeleton Queen. The Delegate quickly surrendered and handed the region over to the Skeleton Army.
Residents quickly rallied to the RMB to express their disgust and feelings of betrayal that the Delegate would give up so easily.
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The Skeleton Queen enjoyed terrorizing residents of the North Pacific
"We're no territory of you "skeleton army" your majesty and it would be best to refrain from calling us such. For we North Pacific Citizens value our freedom and we are the largest and most powerful region in the world; it wouldn't be a good idea to provoke us..." ~ Valkany
"CAN I NOT LEAVE FOR THREE HOURS WITHOUT BEING CONFUSED?" ~ New North Aqmuland
The North Pacific has returned to peace and tranquility as the Skeleton Army has returned home. We dare not consider rebellion out of fear that they will return for us.
Written by Terrified Citizens
[big]SECURITY CRISIS IN THE NORTH PACIFIC[/big]
Rioting in the streets of nations throughout the North Pacific has been reported this evening following the resignation of the much loved nation Blue Wolf II. Reports suggest that protesters are threatening to move their protest to the regional IRC channel in the hopes that they can be further ignored there. The region itself has gone into a state of mourning following the announcement earlier today but experts are convinced that like all drama in the North Pacific, it will be forgotten by the end of the week unless someone is taken to Court over it, in which case it will be kept on our televisions for the foreseeable future.
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Some of the latest reports and images from protests suggest that the protest's message is not a united one. One protester alleged that he was there to protest a lack of silliness in the speaker's office alleging that the resignation of the loyal nation of SillyString from the office has resulted in forecast silly levels not being met whilst another protester (pictured above) was concerned by the 'horrible use' of pie charts in the recent election results even though there were no pie charts available for the results in question.
An organiser of one of the protests who wished to remain anonymous stated: "I believe this is all a big conspiracy," utilising the latest legal protection and loophole from the Regional Court. "We are protesting a great many things here today as is our right under the constibillocode. Security Council members are dropping like flies. Most recently we had our beloved former delegate Eluvatar removed because of some rubbish rules and now the wolf himself has mysteriously 'resigned'? I don't believe it for a second!"
Our esteemed Delegate, McMasterdonia stated "Waffles, Rum and bananas... These will solve our problems."
In completely unrelated news, our estimates have shown that invasions of founderless regions have risen by no less than 100% in the past 24 hours following Blue Wolf II's resignation with numbers set to quadruple in the weeks to come.
Written by Kiwi
From Culture and Entertainment
The Department of Culture and Entertainment is currently seeking suggestions regarding themed forum events and roleplays in Port Thel, and would like to invite the various denizens of NationStates to contribute names and suggestions that are realistic for us to work on.
We are also going to be working on a series of University lectures. If you are interested in giving a lecture, please contact Lord Ravenclaw via Telegram stating your desired topic.
Keep an eye on this spot and we'll tell you more next month!
Written by Lord Ravenclaw
WA Affairs Steps Up
On the back of the passage of two resolutions back to back through the WA by TNP Authors McMasterdonia and Abacathea, the WA Ministry is going to push for it's younger and newer members to become active in the WA, be it through simply encouraging more voting activity, engaging further in the debating and drafting processes or actively pursuing projects of their own.
In an attempt to further this, the WA Ministry is actively seeking new and fresh ideas to encourage and promote itself within the community. Seen as a very limited scope of gameplay the key, according to Minister for WA Affairs, Abacathea, is to find something that entices members in to begin with, and then hooking them from there.
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Minister Abacathea takes Ministry to all new levels of activity and success
"It's something that's ultimately going to be a massive challenge" said WA Minister Abacathea, "Really in most regions the WA section seems to be the hardest to promote the activity in, so it's more about finding the magic formula and then utilizing it to it's maximum potential that really will be they task and key here. Watch this space".
As it stands the Ministry is refusing to release any further details of what it is working on, only being quoted as "Big things ahead!".
Written by Abacathea
[/i]
[big]You'll never leave TNP alive[/big]
[/b]This one is based on an old Country and Western song: "You'll never leave Harlan alive", rewritten for TNP.
Join in and sing along:
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9p534Q5hhw[/video]
In the deep dark hills of the North Pacific
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
And it's there I read on a thread long archived
You will never leave TNP alive
Oh, ten years ago I first registered on Old Blue
And I call myself a TNPer with pride.
I fought in our wars and resisted the tyrants
And I’ll never leave TNP alive
When you log on the forum about ten in the morning
And you check in several times a day
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away
No one ever knew that our region could be stifled
'Til the cosmos from IRC arrived
Waving amendments and new laws they said we’ll crush your spirit
But we’ll never leave TNP alive
Now some sold out cheap and they moved to another region
to a region that did more colours than bland,
I bet the cosmos danced them a jig, laughed and sang a new song
Who said we'd never leave TNP alive
But the times got hard with each and every new law
And ole timers knew what we'd do to survive
He kept our heads down low and let the cosmos run the region
But we never left TNP alive
So we log on the forum about ten in the morning
And we check in several times a day
And we fill our cup with whatever bitter brew we're drinking
And we spend our life just thinkin' of how to get away
So we log on the forum about ten in the morning
And we check in several times a day
And we fill our cup with whatever bitter brew we're drinking
And we spend our life just thinkin' of how to get away
In the deep dark hills of the North Pacific
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
And it's there I read on a thread long archived
You will never leave TNP alive
Written by Flemingovia
[big]Thanks for reading our update![/big]
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Thank you Ambassador for your great update, looking forward reading more :)
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January 2014
The Government of The North Pacific
Delegate: McMasterdonia
Vice Delegate: Democratic Donkeys
Minister for Foreign Affairs: r3naissanc3r
Minister for Communications: Iro
Minister for Defence: Blue Wolf II
Minister for Culture and Entertainment: Lord Ravenclaw
Minister for World Assembly Affairs: Abacathea
Speaker of the Regional Assembly: Zyvetskistaahn
Deputy Speakers: Bootsie, Lord Nwahs
Security Council:
Chairman: Democratic Donkeys
Members: Great Bights Mum, BlackShear, Grosseschnauzer, Romanoffia, Former English Colony, McMasterdonia, Democratic Donkeys, Lennart
The Court
Attorney General: Kiwi
Chief Justice: Crushing Our Enemies Associate Justice: Romanoffia, Flemingovia
Directory
Forum: http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/index/ (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/index/)
Map: http://map.thenorthpacific.org/ (http://map.thenorthpacific.org/)
TNP-Wire: https://twitter.com/NewsTNP (https://twitter.com/NewsTNP)
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/xMGxYi (http://on.fb.me/xMGxYi)
IRC: http://cbe001.chat.mibbit.com/?server=irc.esper.net&channel=%23tnp (http://cbe001.chat.mibbit.com/?server=irc.esper.net&channel=%23tnp)
Laws: http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/laws/ (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/laws/)
Changes to the Cabinet
Minister of Defence
Today, I announce that Blue Wolf II will serve as the new Minister of Defence for the North Pacific starting immediately in the role. This is following a discussion by NPA High Command and between myself and Blue Wolf II.
Blue Wolf II was the Delegate responsible for the reformation of the North Pacific Army and appointed me to serve as the first Minister of Defence of the new army in 2012. As Blue Wolf II has left the Security Council and now has a mobile WA nation, this combined with his well known military experience has placed him in the perfect position to lead the North Pacific Army in the months ahead.
Together we will be working on establishing clear goals for the North Pacific Army and BWII will be responsible for involving members of High Command and lower ranking officers in working to achieve these goals. The NPA is a regional military and must be well versed in all aspects of military gameplay, with our primary responsibility being to serving the regions interests and protecting and supporting our allies.
I wish him the best of luck and I hope to see the military return to high levels of activity.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Firstly, I would like to thank Democratic Donkey's for his service in the position over the last month and a half or so.
For the new term ahead I have decided to appoint r3naissanc3r as Minister of Foreign Affairs. R3n has been an active participant in this region for quite a long time now and has previously served as Chief Justice. He is also one of the biggest contributors to law reform in the Regional Assembly.
The focus of the Ministry will be regular foreign updates (obviously), a review of inactive embassies and pursuing closer relations with our fellow GCR's.
The rest of the cabinet will be:
Minister of Communications: Iro
Minister of WA Affairs: Abacathea
Minister of Culture and Entertainment: Lord Ravenclaw
For various reasons, but mostly due to the lack of a goal for the Ministry, I have decided to disband the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I would like to thank Reginald Carmichael for his service in the cabinet.
Written by McMasterdonia
Judical Election Results
The North Pacific has concluded elections for our new Justices and our new Attorney General. Congratulations to Chief Justice Crushing Our Enemies, perennial candidate and returning Justice Romanoffia, and finally, somewhat of a shock to us all, our new Justice, but ever enduring Deity, Flemingovia! A hearty congratulation to our new Attorney General Kiwi, who has certainly brought life and discipline to an erstwhile derelict position.
This election saw some new faces in the mix. We want to congratulate them as well on their dedication, and encourage them to continue to put themselves forward for our region in the many elections to come.
Written by Democratic Donkeys
General Elections
Elections for the offices of Delegate, Vice Delegate and Speaker were held at the beginning of the month. The election for the position of Delegate was fairly quiet with the only hiccup occurring when Tim lost citizenship half way through the nomination period. McMasterdonia won the election easily with 86% of the vote.
The position of Speaker of the Regional Assembly was hotly contested by incumbent Speaker Zyvetskistaahn, Deputy Speaker Bootsie and perennial candidate Leekem. Zyvetskistaahn focused on efficiency in the office of Speaker, Bootsie's campaign focused on his personal mission "To represent the Regional Assembly as a whole, and the Legislative Branch of our government." Leekem's platform focused on interaction with new citizens: "I believe that as Speaker you must interact with your citizens. You must help if they need it, you must clarify if clarification is needed and you must have the personality and mentality to help your region. You will learn about my platform on newcomers, I have a huge platform on them as I am still considered one." Zyvetskistaahn won reelection with 58% of the vote.
The office of Vice Delegate was contested by Democratic Donkeys, Abacathea, Blue Wolf II and Geniva. Democratic Donkeys raised significant momentum early on with a exploratory committee with several high profile TNPer's coming out in support of the TNP stalwart. This coupled with the endorsement of the Former Vice Delegate, Sanctaria shot Democratic Donkey's to a solid victory.
Written by McMasterdonia
The North Pacific Falls to the Skeleton Queen
On a quiet day in the North Pacific, the Skeleton hoards marched on Magicality City. There was no time for the Security Council to spring into action as they were violently awoken from their beds and arrested by the Skeleton Queen. The Delegate quickly surrendered and handed the region over to the Skeleton Army.
Residents quickly rallied to the RMB to express their disgust and feelings of betrayal that the Delegate would give up so easily.
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The Skeleton Queen enjoyed terrorizing residents of the North Pacific
"We're no territory of you "skeleton army" your majesty and it would be best to refrain from calling us such. For we North Pacific Citizens value our freedom and we are the largest and most powerful region in the world; it wouldn't be a good idea to provoke us..." ~ Valkany
"CAN I NOT LEAVE FOR THREE HOURS WITHOUT BEING CONFUSED?" ~ New North Aqmuland
The North Pacific has returned to peace and tranquility as the Skeleton Army has returned home. We dare not consider rebellion out of fear that they will return for us.
Written by Terrified Citizens
SECURITY CRISIS IN THE NORTH PACIFIC
Rioting in the streets of nations throughout the North Pacific has been reported this evening following the resignation of the much loved nation Blue Wolf II. Reports suggest that protesters are threatening to move their protest to the regional IRC channel in the hopes that they can be further ignored there. The region itself has gone into a state of mourning following the announcement earlier today but experts are convinced that like all drama in the North Pacific, it will be forgotten by the end of the week unless someone is taken to Court over it, in which case it will be kept on our televisions for the foreseeable future.
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Some of the latest reports and images from protests suggest that the protest's message is not a united one. One protester alleged that he was there to protest a lack of silliness in the speaker's office alleging that the resignation of the loyal nation of SillyString from the office has resulted in forecast silly levels not being met whilst another protester (pictured above) was concerned by the 'horrible use' of pie charts in the recent election results even though there were no pie charts available for the results in question.
An organiser of one of the protests who wished to remain anonymous stated: "I believe this is all a big conspiracy," utilising the latest legal protection and loophole from the Regional Court. "We are protesting a great many things here today as is our right under the constibillocode. Security Council members are dropping like flies. Most recently we had our beloved former delegate Eluvatar removed because of some rubbish rules and now the wolf himself has mysteriously 'resigned'? I don't believe it for a second!"
Our esteemed Delegate, McMasterdonia stated "Waffles, Rum and bananas... These will solve our problems."
In completely unrelated news, our estimates have shown that invasions of founderless regions have risen by no less than 100% in the past 24 hours following Blue Wolf II's resignation with numbers set to quadruple in the weeks to come.
Written by Kiwi
From Culture and Entertainment
The Department of Culture and Entertainment is currently seeking suggestions regarding themed forum events and roleplays in Port Thel, and would like to invite the various denizens of NationStates to contribute names and suggestions that are realistic for us to work on.
We are also going to be working on a series of University lectures. If you are interested in giving a lecture, please contact Lord Ravenclaw via Telegram stating your desired topic.
Keep an eye on this spot and we'll tell you more next month!
Written by Lord Ravenclaw
WA Affairs Steps Up
On the back of the passage of two resolutions back to back through the WA by TNP Authors McMasterdonia and Abacathea, the WA Ministry is going to push for it's younger and newer members to become active in the WA, be it through simply encouraging more voting activity, engaging further in the debating and drafting processes or actively pursuing projects of their own.
In an attempt to further this, the WA Ministry is actively seeking new and fresh ideas to encourage and promote itself within the community. Seen as a very limited scope of gameplay the key, according to Minister for WA Affairs, Abacathea, is to find something that entices members in to begin with, and then hooking them from there.
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Minister Abacathea takes Ministry to all new levels of activity and success
"It's something that's ultimately going to be a massive challenge" said WA Minister Abacathea, "Really in most regions the WA section seems to be the hardest to promote the activity in, so it's more about finding the magic formula and then utilizing it to it's maximum potential that really will be they task and key here. Watch this space".
As it stands the Ministry is refusing to release any further details of what it is working on, only being quoted as "Big things ahead!".
Written by Abacathea
You'll never leave TNP alive
This one is based on an old Country and Western song: "You'll never leave Harlan alive", rewritten for TNP.
Join in and sing along:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9p534Q5hhw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9p534Q5hhw)
In the deep dark hills of the North Pacific
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
And it's there I read on a thread long archived
You will never leave TNP alive
Oh, ten years ago I first registered on Old Blue
And I call myself a TNPer with pride.
I fought in our wars and resisted the tyrants
And I’ll never leave TNP alive
When you log on the forum about ten in the morning
And you check in several times a day
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away
No one ever knew that our region could be stifled
'Til the cosmos from IRC arrived
Waving amendments and new laws they said we’ll crush your spirit
But we’ll never leave TNP alive
Now some sold out cheap and they moved to another region
to a region that did more colours than bland,
I bet the cosmos danced them a jig, laughed and sang a new song
Who said we'd never leave TNP alive
But the times got hard with each and every new law
And ole timers knew what we'd do to survive
He kept our heads down low and let the cosmos run the region
But we never left TNP alive
So we log on the forum about ten in the morning
And we check in several times a day
And we fill our cup with whatever bitter brew we're drinking
And we spend our life just thinkin' of how to get away
So we log on the forum about ten in the morning
And we check in several times a day
And we fill our cup with whatever bitter brew we're drinking
And we spend our life just thinkin' of how to get away
In the deep dark hills of the North Pacific
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
And it's there I read on a thread long archived
You will never leave TNP alive
Written by Flemingovia
Thanks for reading our update!
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Thanks for the update! And congrats on your re-election as Delegate. :)
Also, thanks for the formatting fixes, Niadh. :D
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March 2014
Region (http://www.nationstates.net/region=the_north_pacific) | Forum (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/) | IRC channel (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/irc/) | Membership applications (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/)
Table of contents
- The North Pacific recognizes the Osiris Fraternal Order.
- Delegate announces new World Assembly voting policy.
- The North Pacific-Lazarus cultural exchange.
- The view from the Speaker's Office.
- The North Pacific in the World Assembly.
- The North Pacific Government directory.
The North Pacific recognizes the Osiris Fraternal Order
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The Delegate deliberates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff on the the recognition statement.
On January 29th, 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement announcing that the Government of The North Pacific formally recognizes the Osiris Fraternal Order ("OFO") as the legitimate government of the region of Osiris. In addition, the Government accepted and reciprocated an earlier request by the OFO for an embassy exchange, thereby establishing formal diplomatic relations between the two governments for the first time.
In the statement, the Government expressed its satisfaction with the progress the OFO had made in fulfilling their commitments towards establishing a democratic and constitutional government, and transitioning control of the regional delegacy to a democratically elected delegate. Furthermore, the Government recognized the positive effects the efforts of the OFO in the two months since its creation had on the region and its community, and in particular the fostering of a prosperous community in Osiris.
The Government of The North Pacific enjoyed a cordial and productive relationship with the Kemetic Republic of Osiris, the region’s government until September 2013, culminating in the ratification of a bilateral alliance in summer 2012. The alliance was rendered void by the dissolution of the Kemetic Republic, since which and until the release of the above statement the two regions had no diplomatic relations. It is the hope of the Government of The North Pacific that, with the robust leadership of Osiris provided by the OFO, the two regions will rekindle the amicable relations of the past.
The full text of the statement of recognition can be found here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7152904/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
Delegate announces new World Assembly voting policy
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The Delegate smirks at vote stackers while announcing the new policy.
Delegate mcmasterdonia announced on February 17th, 2014 a change in the way he determines how to vote on World Assembly resolutions. Under the new policy, the Delegate’s vote is determined by the outcome of a poll on the regional forum, where only Regional Assembly members with WA nations in the region or deployed with the North Pacific Army are eligible to cast votes. In contrast, the previous voting policy permitted all Regional Assembly members to vote on the offsite poll.
Explaining the reasons for the change, the Delegate stated his intention to reward those members that choose to enlist their WA nation in the services of The North Pacific, either by stationing it in the region to contribute to its security, or by joining the North Pacific Army. Furthermore, the Delegate mentioned that he believes that the change will encourage more members to make the same choice, as well as boost participation in the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs.
The Delegate of The North Pacific is by law given complete discretion in determining the regional vote and voting policy. Traditionally, this involves the use of an offsite poll, though the voting eligibility criteria have varied over the years. The previous policy had been in place since mcmasterdonia’s first term as Delegate, in November 2012. The current policy had also been employed by Delegate Eluvatar in September 2012, as well as for several years up until summer 2012.
The full text of the announcement by the Delegate can be found here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7160427/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
The North Pacific-Lazarus cultural exchange
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Contestants from the PRL (left) and TNP (right) racing to the end of a spam competition. Crude editing by The North Pacific Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Graphic Design Division.
February 2014 featured a cultural exchange event between The North Pacific and the People’s Republic of Lazarus. The event was hosted in the latter’s forums and included OOC discussion and spam games between members of the two regions.
Of particular interest were the so-called "Trophy Events", a set of contests between the two regions ranging from poetry and trivia to spam games. The stakes were high as the winner region would get to determine the opposing region’s delegate’s pre-title and flag. In the end Lazarus came ahead, but Chairman Milograd graciously awarded the trophy to The North Pacific. So, be on the lookout for changes to his nation besides the loss of the WA Delegate badge.
The Government of The North Pacific thanks the People’s Republic of Lazarus for their hospitality, and for the effort and time they put into organizing this event.
Written by r3naissanc3r.
The view from the Speaker's Office
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"I will not sit quietly and let Crushing Our Enemies shred the Constitution." ~Grosseschnauzer, filibustering commenting during a Regional Assembly session.
The Regional Assembly has had a busy month, with discussions on electoral procedure, court legislation, and membership matters.
On the first front, flemingovia proposed a bill that adds the option to reopen nominations to all electoral ballots. The bill was received positively and quickly ratified by the Assembly. A further amendment, introduced by Crushing Our Enemies, is currently under discussion, to address implementation issues overlooked in the original bill. Moreover, an omnibus bill closing several loopholes in electoral law has been proposed by r3naissanc3r, and is currently at vote.
On court legislation, Justice Romanoffia has proposed the addition of a civil code to the regional statute, in response to extensive discussion in the prior months regarding the civil jurisdiction of the regional court. The bill is currently at vote. r3naissanc3r introduced a bill addressing prosecutorial matters, and in particular allowing private citizens to prosecute complaints the Attorney General has declined to proceed on. The bill is currently under debate.
Finally, the Assembly has been discussing the Vice Delegate’s power to block applicants from admission to the Assembly. Cormac submitted a bill to expand its scope, permitting rejection of applicants for reasons besides the regional security grounds that current legislation prescribes. A number of Assembly members have supported requiring an Assembly vote before the Vice Delegate can lift an already existing block on an application. This discussion arose in response to earlier decisions by Vice Delegate Democratic Donkeys to block a membership application by Empires of Narnia, and lift a previous block to Treize_Dreizehn’s application.
The Regional Assembly is The North Pacific’s legislative body, and membership is open to everyone with a nation in the region. You can apply to join here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
The North Pacific in the World Assembly
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Minister of World Assembly Affairs Abacathea (shown to the right) discusses with an aide during a Security Council session.
The North Pacific continues to have an active and prominent involvement in the NationStates World Assembly. Delegate mcmasterdonia currently commands the strongest vote in World Assembly resolutions, and in coordination with Minister for World Assembly Affairs, Abacathea work closely with the members of the region to ensure this voting power is utilized to its full extent and in the best interests of the region. We sat down with Abacathea, who had just stumbled out of the infamous World Assembly strangers’ bar, and asked him about his thoughts on the month the just finished.
"In truth it's been a whirlwind of a month. We've had two resolutions discarded SC side, one of which was a *hic* genuine mistake and could have happened to any of us. And then there's Auralia's fall from grace, which in truth is quite saddening. Say what you want about the guy, he was an active contributor, not only WA side but regionally as well. He'd frequent TNP and further debates, and this was always welcomed as it encouraged activity."
Abacathea was recently commended by the World Assembly. Here is what he had to say on the subject.
"Ah, you're talking about the Commend? Say why is there two of you? Where'd the other one go? Ah yes, well in truth I feel that it is something that really strengthens TNP more than myself. Regions such as International Western Union, which fostered me and raised me, TNP which encouraged me, and Osiris which outright refined me all deserve the kudos for this more than I, but it does lend itself to improving the work I can do as a Minister. TNP is such a massive battlefield to try and work around but it's been a pleasure, and we're seeing consistent and steady increases in the active WA member base as of late. So we're evidently getting there progressively."
And what about the change in the voting policy?
"I swear I thought she was 18... ahem... I mean, yeah, well that definitely helped things. Requiring members who want to have their vote heard to be TNP WA active, along with McM's massive voting power, has really helped spur the activity levels for the Ministry. We envision by the summer to be really hammering at full strength here. So watch this space!"
And there you have it folks! The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs is a regular contributor to resolution discussions in the World Assembly forums. The Ministry strives to keep all WA nations in the region informed on every resolution at vote, and fosters authoring endeavors among regional members. If you are interested in becoming a member and getting involved, apply here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/).
Written by Abacathea and r3naissanc3r.
The North Pacific Government directory
Executive
Delegate: mcmasterdonia
Vice Delegate: Democratic Donkeys
Minister for Foreign Affairs: r3naissanc3r
Minister for Communications: Kiwi
Minister for Defence: Blue Wolf II
Minister for Culture and Entertainment: Lord Ravenclaw
Minister for World Assembly Affairs: Abacathea
Legislature
Speaker of the Regional Assembly: Zyvetskistaahn
Deputy Speakers: Lord Nwahs
Judiciary
Chief Justice: Leekem
Associate Justices: flemingovia, Romanoffia
Attorney General: Kiwi
Security Council
Chairman: Democratic Donkeys
Members: Great Bights Mum, Former English Colony, BlackShear, Grosseschnauzer, Romanoffia, mcmasterdonia, Democratic Donkeys, Lennart, Lord Byron
The North Pacific March Update is produced and distributed by The North Pacific Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you for reading!
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Thanks for the update! :D
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April 2014
Region (http://www.nationstates.net/region=the_north_pacific) | Forum (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/) | IRC channel (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/irc/) | Membership applications (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/)
Table of contents
- The North Pacific ratifies alliance with Albion.
- The North Pacific Army flexes its muscles.
- March Judicial elections.
- The view from the Speaker's Office.
- The North Pacific in the World Assembly.
- The North Pacific Government directory.
The North Pacific ratifies alliance with Albion
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King Charles Cerebella (left), Delegate mcmasterdonia (middle), and Minister of Foreign Affairs r3naissanc3r take a break from negotiating the terms of the treaty. A paparazzi from The Rejected Times can be seen in the background.
On April 14th, 2014, the Regional Assembly of The North Pacific ratified The North Pacific and Albion Security Treaty. The treaty establishes a close alliance between the two regions, including provisions for non-aggression and mutual defense, as well as military, diplomatic, and intelligence cooperation.
The treaty is the product of negotiations between Delegate mcmasterdonia and Minister of Foreign Affairs r3naissanc3r for The North Pacific, and King Charles Cerebella for Albion. Presenting the treaty to the Regional Assembly, the Minister described Albion as a strategic partner, emphasized its military prowess and the associated security benefits for The North Pacific, and demonstrated the two regions’ diplomatic compatibility by enumerating their many shared principles and objectives.
The new treaty capitalizes on the pre-existing strong links between The North Pacific and Albion. Prior to becoming allies, the two regions had collaborated militarily on a number of occasions, most prominently during the campaigns against Milograd’s coup in The South Pacific in April 2013, and The Dourian Embassy’s coup in Osiris in July 2013. The governments of the two regions enjoyed excellent relations and frequently interacted diplomatically. It is the expectation of the Government of The North Pacific that the formal alliance will reinforce this productive collaboration.
The full text of the treaty is available here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7182815/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
The North Pacific Army flexes its muscles
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Brigadier-General Gladio (shown) briefs General Blue Wolf II (not shown) on the precious bodily fluids progress of the training exercises.
The North Pacific Army ("NPA") has been a focus area for the Government of The North Pacific during this ongoing term. In an effort spearheaded by Minister of Defence Blue Wolf II and Acting Minister of Defence Gladio, the NPA has seen frequent deployments and intensive training, at the same time always closely adhering to the directives set out by The North Pacific Army Doctrine.
In late January, the NPA assisted the Osiris Delegacy transition to Lord Ravenclaw, in a sign of goodwill from the Government of The North Pacific that was shortly followed by a statement of recognition of the Osiris Fraternal Order. In late February, the NPA participated in the occupation of St Abbaddon lead by The Brotherhood of Malice, reciprocating the Brotherhood’s help in eliminating an internal threat to The North Pacific’s delegacy. In early March, the NPA received a request for support from General Hammond, Delegate of Stargate, a region allied to The North Pacific. The NPA immediately deployed, effectively securing Stargate against any external threats, and demonstrating yet again The North Pacific’s commitment to the defense of their allies.
Acting Minister Gladio has also implemented a rigorous program of military exercises, intended to enhance operational capability and maintain combat readiness during periods when the NPA is not engaged in formal military operations. During this term, the NPA has conducted on its own successful training exercises in East Pacific, Transilvania, and Atlantic, and more are planned for the remaining of the term. The NPA also executed in coordination with the United Imperialist Armed Forces ("UIAF") a large-scale joint military exercise in Scotland. The exercise preceded by a few days the ratification of The North Pacific and Albion Security Treaty, Albion being one of the constituent militaries of the UIAF. Together these two actions signal a future of closer cooperation between the two militaries.
The Government’s focus on the NPA has been a particularly gainful endeavor. The NPA now maintains capability of rapid response, consistent deployment of a minimum of ten units, and effectiveness in varying operating environments. The increased power and versatility of the NPA reinforce its role in serving the region and the objectives laid down by The North Pacific Army Doctrine.
Membership to the North Pacific Army is open to everyone with a nation in the region and a mobile World Assembly nation. You can apply to join here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7028526/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
March Judicial Elections
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Newly-elected Associate Justice SillyString, after reading a multi-page brief submitted by newly-appointed Assistant Attorney General Gracius Maximus.
March saw the first regular election cycle of the year in The North Pacific. Elections were held for the Justices of the regional Court and the Attorney General.
The Justice election was highly contested, with six candidates competing for three positions. The results saw incumbent Romanoffia retain his seat, and Ator People and SillyString join the bench for the first time. Subsequent deliberations among the Justices resulted in Romanoffia being declared Chief Justice.
In the Attorney General election, Chasmanthe won by a comfortable margin. After he took office, he proceeded to appoint Gracius Maximus and Treize_Dreizehn as his Assistants. The new Court and prosecutorial team have already had a busy first month in office, addressing several review and criminal cases that had been in the docket from prior to the election.
The North Pacific boasts one of the most developed Judiciaries in NationStates, with a jurisprudential tradition going back almost a decade. If you are interested in getting involved, apply to become a member here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
The view from the Speaker's Office
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"Motions to vote do not work that way!" ~Speaker Zyvetskistaahn informs the members on proper Regional Assembly procedure.
The Regional Assembly continues to perfect The North Pacific’s statute book, addressing during the last month issues relating to electoral regulations, court jurisdiction, and regional culture.
Regarding elections, Vice Delegate Democratic Donkeys proposed a constitutional amendment to remove term limits for the office of Delegate, where currently no person may serve for more than two consecutive terms. This would enable current Delegate mcmasterdonia to run again in the next general election. The proposal divided the Assembly during debate, and is currently at vote.
In terms of court legislation, Minister of Foreign Affairs r3naissanc3r introduced a bill removing the civil jurisdiction of The North Pacific’s Court. The bill followed a previous proposal by Justice Romanoffia for the addition of a civil code to the regional statute, which the Assembly rejected. The new bill successfully passed the Assembly and became law.
Finally, Minister of Culture Lord Ravenclaw, representing the Cabinet, submitted a bill establishing April 26th as an official regional holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Flag of The North Pacific. This comes just as the region is about to celebrate the tenth anniversary of this important event, which is considered synonymous with the establishment of constitutional government in The North Pacific. The bill was received positively and quickly ratified by the Assembly.
The Regional Assembly is The North Pacific’s legislative body, and one of the most active in NationStates. Everyone with a nation in the region can join it by applying here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
The North Pacific in the World Assembly
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An artist’s impression of Delegate mcmasterdonia voting on a WA resolution.
Delegate mcmasterdonia remains the most endorsed delegate in NationStates by a wide margin, with an endorsement count close to and at times exceeding the five hundreds. This places The North Pacific in a position of unsurpassed power in the World Assembly. Minister of World Assembly Affairs Abacathea works diligently to ensure this voting power is utilized to its full extent and in the best interests of the region.
In the Security Council, March saw a proposal by Ramaeus to Commend Blackbird, prominent member of the Alliance Defense Network, the Red Liberty Alliance, and the Meritocracy. More relevant in determining The North Pacific’s vote was the nominee’s involvement in three forum destruction operations conducted by the Red Liberty Alliance Intelligence operatives in 2005. The North Pacific, a signatory of the Convention on Off-site Property Security, unreservedly condemns all acts of forum terrorism, and accordingly helped defeat the commendation proposal by voting against it.
In the General Assembly, during the last two months there have been two prominent attempts to repeal "Rights and Duties of WA States". Minister Abacathea on both occasions published a comprehensive argument against the repeal, imploring the region to vote to defeat it. In the first case this proved unnecessary, as the proposal was eventually ruled illegal. In the second case, Minister Abacathea, along with Delegate of Monkey Island and Deputy to the Delegate of Europeia Mousebumples, also organised a wide campaign against the proposal. With an early vote against by Delegate mcmasterdonia, the proposal was soundly defeated.
The North Pacific vote is determined by an offsite poll, open to all Regional Assembly members with a World Assembly nation in the region. To be able to influence the strongest vote in the World Assembly, apply to join here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/).
Written by r3naissanc3r.
The North Pacific Government directory
Executive
Delegate: mcmasterdonia
Vice Delegate: Democratic Donkeys
Minister for Foreign Affairs: r3naissanc3r
Minister for Communications: Kiwi
Minister for Defence: Blue Wolf II (acting, Gladio)
Minister for Culture and Entertainment: Lord Ravenclaw (acting, Lennart)
Minister for World Assembly Affairs: Abacathea
Legislature
Speaker of the Regional Assembly: Zyvetskistaahn
Deputy Speakers: Lord Nwahs, PaulWallLibertarian42
Judiciary
Chief Justice: Romanoffia
Associate Justices: Ator People, SillyString
Attorney General: Chasmanthe
Prosecutors: Gracius Maximus, Treize_Dreizehn
Security Council
Chairman: Democratic Donkeys
Members: Great Bights Mum, Former English Colony, Grosseschnauzer, Romanoffia, mcmasterdonia, Democratic Donkeys, Lennart, Lord Byron
The North Pacific April Update is produced and distributed by The North Pacific Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you for reading!
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Thanks for hte update, and compliments to r3naissanc3r, who apparently wrote all the articles. :P
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(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-for3.png) North and East Pacifics Ratify Treaty
by r3naissanc3r, Foreign Correspondent
This May saw the ratification of The North-East Pacific Security Treaty by the Regional Assembly of The North Pacific and the Magisterium of The East Pacific. The treaty, originally signed by Delegates mcmasterdonia and Bachtendekuppen for TNP and TEP respectively, creates a close bilateral alliance, including provisions for non-aggression, mutual defense, intelligence sharing, and military and diplomatic cooperation.
The alliance stems from strong communications between the governments of the two regions, especially during the terms of Delegate Bachtendekuppen. It builds on the basis of their shared commitment to the defense of sovereignty of feeder regions and promotion of peaceful relations between them. These two principles, which have jointly been dubbed "feeder unity" in the past, are key tenets of both regions' foreign policy.
For TEP, the new treaty is the first in a series with other Game-Created Regions: in addition to TNP, TEP's Magisterium is currently discussing bilateral alliances with the New Pacific Order and the Osiris Fraternal Order. The new treaties are the result of a foreign policy of active outward expansion that has been pursued by Delegate Bachtendekuppen and his government. This policy has received increased emphasis after the controversy relating to the Defender Act in February. Since then, the region has been seeking to reaffirm its diplomatic non-alignment and its position in favor of an army that can act outside military doctrines and in connection with broader diplomatic objectives.
For TNP, the new treaty brings a valuable military ally. The East Pacific Sovereign Army (EPSA) is unique among allied militaries for its regular engagement and expertise in defending operations. This diversification in the North Pacific Army's (NPA) military partners will be critical for the achievement of the NPA's goal for operational capability under both offensive and defensive conditions.
Towards this goal, new Delegate of TNP r3naissanc3r announced that the NPA will be focusing on frequent and diverse training exercises organized jointly with allied militaries. The NPA and EPSA have already initiated military cooperation, with a successful occupation of Warzone Asia and attempted liberation operations. Joint exercises with the EPSA are expected to continue to feature prominently in the operational schedule.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-game2.png) r3naissanc3r Elected TNP Delegateby PaulWallLibertarian42, Game-side Reporter
If you have been paying any attention at all lately to the World Factbook Entry of The North Pacific you may have noticed something different.
mcmasterdonia, with a record-breaking reign of 237 days, was ineligible to seek a third term in office due to constitutional term limits. r3naissanc3r (HMS Unicorn) was elected delegate, with a majority of 54.3% of the vote in the May 2014 General Election. The new delegate brings a breadth of experience to the office: r3naissanc3r has played NationStates since 2005 and has held multiple offices in TNP over the last two years.
All newly-elected delegates are faced with the immediate task of securing the in-game delegacy. TNP's new delegate was no exception, having to accumulate more than 400 endorsements and more than any other nation in the game.
To assist him with this imposing task, the new delegate had the Security Council (SC), a body charged with protecting the delegacy of TNP, keeping it in safe and legal hands. "Without going into too much detail the SC has been monitoring the transition quite carefully," said new Vice Delegate Abacathea while r3naissanc3r was still gathering endorsements. "The swap in a GCR is always a lengthy process because of the vast number of endorsements involved, but there has been great work and co-operation between the new delegate, the outgoing delegate, and the council members."
In the end, four days after his election, r3naissanc3r assumed the in-game delegate seat. No administration will be entirely smooth sailing, but the ease and efficiency of this transition reflects well on the new government. The longest transition on record is 60 days, and took place in 2012 after the election of Blue Wolf II.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-legb.png) Army-Navy Rivalry Reaches TNP
by SillyString, Legislative Reporter
For as long as The North Pacific has had a military force, that force has been the North Pacific Army (NPA). Founded while the region was officially defender-aligned, the NPA is a widely respected institution both within TNP and abroad.
In late April, Alunya, a relatively new member of the Regional Assembly (RA), proposed a bill that would change the name of the military to the North Pacific Navy (NPN). She explained her desire to correct a thematic mismatch, citing the region's maritime name and land-based military. Alunya also pointed out that her bill "does not change the policies and procedures of our military forces," but would be solely cosmetic.
The reaction to this proposal has been a mixture of support and opposition, most of it relatively laid-back. Former Vice Delegate Democatic Donkeys called the proposal "sensible and in line with what our region is," while Kiwi, a former Minister of Defense, said that he didn't support the change in nomenclature but thanked Alunya for making the suggestion.
For some of TNP's ten-year veteran members, however, the issue is much weightier. Recalling the glory days of the NPA and TNP's prominence as a military power, their reactions to this proposal have been just as varied in sentiment, but far more passionate. Grosseschnauzer, the longest standing RA member, came out in fierce opposition to the measure, calling it a "disrespectful insult to TNP history" and demanding that the region's traditions be respected. Flemingovia disagreed, saying that such a change would free the new NPN to "build its own tradition and make a clean break from what the NPA stood for in the past." He went on to say, "I think the North Pacific Army has evolved (or devolved) to the point where a new nomenclature would actually be useful and warranted. This is not to insult what has gone before. It is to respect our history." Romanoffia, currently serving as Chief Justice, sided with Grosseschnauzer on the issue. He called the suggested name change a "feel-good measure" that would produce "no meaningful increase in efficiency or function."
The level of vitriol expressed over a name might surprise those who are unfamiliar with TNP, but the exchange between these members provoked almost no response from others in the RA - and no broader discussion whatsoever about the merits of their opinions. The bill proceeded to vote in a timely fashion, and was ultimately defeated 16-21.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-sssa2.png) SillyString's Silly Adviceby SillyString, Advice Columnist
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Hello, and welcome to SillyString's Silly Advice. Readers write in with questions, problems, or dilemmas, and I provide completely serious, definitely not at all silly advice. The question to kick all of this off comes from a long-time fan of the column who has only now worked up the nerve to bare their soul.
"How do I become involved in TNP's cabinet?"
-Anonymous FriarTuck
That's a great question, AFT! The political system of TNP is a morass of corruption, bribery, nepotism, and plain old confusion, so if you want to get seriously involved it's important to understand the dynamics at play. There are two powerful cliques within TNP, which are sometimes (but not always) at war with one another - the Oligarchy (sometimes affectionately called the Elugarchy) and the IRCabal.
The Oligarchy consists of those members who consistently serve in some area of the government term after term, and it frequently controls the Delegate's Cabinet Ministers. If you want to know if somebody is a member of the Oligarchy, just ask! Evasive or confused answers always mean "yes".
The IRCabal, meanwhile, consists of several (but not all) TNPers who dare to venture into that mysterious land known as IRC, and it exercises control over all voting results. Members of the IRCabal are very secretive, but some intrepid investigation by a few brave non-Cabalists who have infiltrated their ranks has revealed a growing number of names. If somebody has been publicly accused of being in the IRCabal, they probably are.
As you can see, these two cliques can be nigh unstoppable when their priorities lie in the same direction, a situation which is more common the more crossover and intermarriage there is between their memberships. At times, however, they are bitterly opposed, and will attempt to tear down the system itself just to come out on top.
To bring this back around to your question, the only people who get ahead in TNP are those who join one of these cliques and exhibit unquestioning loyalty to its goals. Both of them freely reward hard work and dedication with increasing levels of power and decreasing levels of responsibility; you just need to pick which one you think is right for you. Switching membership later on is highly frowned upon, so it's important to make the best decision that you can early on!
Seriously silly,
SillyString
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: r3naissanc3r :: Executive Editor: Crushing Our Enemies :: Managing Editor: mcmasterdonia :: Graphic Artist: SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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Thanks for the update! I'm curious...is this a private publication or a reboot of TNP's regional dispatch? Compared with past dispatches this one looks very pretty with the title and graphics, and the articles feel less cumbersome to read, providing all the needed information without going on for too long. :)
I've always been curious about the idea of feeder, sinker, or GCR unity though...it comes off as a bit silly to me. It's almost the same as saying in spite of the many differences between UCRs, they should be united and do things together just because they're UCRs. It seems like most sinkers and feeders put relations with fellow feeders/sinkers as a priority over relations with other regions that they may share more synergies with and at times to their own detriment. Also, if one GCR has to move endorsements to another GCR in order to counter a threat there, isn't it merely making its own region more vulnerable during that time?
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Greetings! In line with our Embassy Overhaul (http://wintreath.com/forums/index.php?topic=1163.0), your embassy has been successfully converted into a consulate, preserving all previous posts that were in the embassy. Again, thanks for your understanding of our reasons behind the changes to our embassy structure. :)
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(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-pol.png) The Romanoffian Recall
by mcmasterdonia, Political Reporter
The North Pacific was fortunate to take part in two of its favourite pastimes recently - court drama and a recall motion. This came after a tumultuous week in court, where Chief Justice Romanoffia was presiding over a criminal trial against Durkadurkiranistan. During the trial, Romanoffia failed to maintain order in the courtroom, accusing the defence counsel of badgering and trolling, and varyingly commenting against criminal legislation, the judicial system in general, and forum administration for not invervening. This culminated in Romanoffia dismissing all charges with prejudice, in a manner that was widely regarded as a fit of rage and inappropriate conduct for a judge.
Prior to the case dismissal, Romanoffia's behaviour during the trial had not gone unnoticed. Abbey Anumia, herself a former attorney general and chief justice, had introduced a proposal to recall Romanoffia from office, citing previous instances of inappropriate behavior and actions demonstrating insufficient knowledge of the regional law. This proposal had laid dormant for a couple of days and it appeared that the Regional Assembly (RA) members would not be taking further action to remove Romanoffia from office. In the meantime, and while the trial was ongoing, senior members of the region had reached out to Romanoffia in private, in an attempt to restore calm and advise caution and sensibility. This advice, however, appeared to have had no effect.
The situation changed as soon as Romanoffia dismissed the case: the recall of Romanoffia became the most actively debated topic in the RA. Delegate r3naissanc3r advised Romanoffia to resign, in order to allow the court to return to its duties and to give the chief justice a graceful exit from his position in the Court. Romanoffia refused to do so, leading the delegate to express his support for the motion for recall. Commentary among other members was also strongly in support of the recall, with Flemingovia calling it "a no-brainer".
When the motion was moved to vote, preliminary voting indicated that the motion would be successful. While the votes were still coming in, however, Romanoffia decided to resign from his position. Before resigning, he amended his earlier decision and changed the dismissal of charges to be without prejudice, providing the opportunity for another future indictment against defendant Durkadurkiranistan. SillyString has replaced Romanoffia as chief justice, and Kiwi was elected in a special election to fill the vacant spot on the bench.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-mil.png) North Pacific Army Intensifies Workoutby Kiwi, Military Correspondent
Following the general election of May, Delegate r3naissanc3r stated that the North Pacific Army (NPA) will continue to be a military operating outside the raider/defender dichotomy, maintaining capability to conduct both defensive and offensive operations, and acting in whatever capacity is required to best serve the regional interests. Towards this end, the delegate announced an agenda of frequent training operations, with an emphasis on joint exercises with allied militaries, increased military recruitment, and more effective military command. To implement this agenda, r3naissanc3r appointed Gladio as Minister of Defense. This appointment came as no surprise, following Gladio's service as Deputy Minister of Defense in the previous government and in what was widely viewed as a successful term.
During Gladio's first month in office, the NPA has already executed a plurality of training missions. Jointly with the East Pacific Sovereign Army (EPSA), the NPA captured and held Warzone Asia, in an operation that was shortly followed by the ratification of the North-East Pacific Security Treaty. Warzones are particularly attractive for training exercises, as the NPA's governing doctrine permits the ejection and banning of nations in warzones. The NPA and EPSA also unsuccessfully attempted to liberate the region Free Reynolds, which was being occupied by the group Sicarius.
The NPA additionally joined forces with the Europeian Republican Navy, to conduct training exercises in Former United States and Warzone Africa. While both operations were foiled by the Rejected Realms Army, they provided valuable training experience for NPA members. Finally, the NPA on its own successfully completed training missions in Warzone Airspace and The Cold War Relics. In all of these operations, the NPA has consistently provided more than five updater and more than ten reinforcement units, demonstrating its military prowess and strong operational capability. The positive results of the training program have also been seen in the recent NPA-led operation against Nazi Europe, the first deployment of the NPA this term that was not a training exercise.
Gladio has further undertaken an extensive revamp of the ranking and command structure of the NPA, with the primary objectives being simplification and flexibility. On the recruitment side, Gladio has initiated a large-scale telegramming campaign, in order to tap the vast pool of World Assembly nations in The North Pacific for recruits. Along with other recruitment initiatives run by the government, this has already resulted in 15 new privates joining the NPA.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-game2.png) First Impressionsby PaulWallLibertarian42, Game-side Reporter
First impressions are very important and they may set the tone for future interaction. The Regional Message Board (RMB) and the engagement of the delegate are both important factors in creating a positive first impression for new nations.
During the recent election for delegate, a few Regional Assembly members, most notably Alunya, expressed concerns about the candidates' activity on the RMB. All candidates promised that their activity would improve significantly following their election.
A week after the election, when asked about Delegate r3naissanc3r's activity on the RMB, Alunya stated the following: "It's still early in HMS Unicorn's administration, so it may be a bit unfair to comment on the game-side approach. The good thing is that there is an outreach effort on the regional message board and that the game-side is not being ignored."
Alunya went on to comment on the need for changes to the regional forum, to help retain new nations that register there. "We don't recruit, so retention ought to be our goal," Alunya said. "Make friends and then suggest the off-site forum when it is a little easier for a newcomer to navigate. And when it is ready, then a marketing blitz for the "New and Improved" forum would be appropriate."
The North Pacific has traditionally placed a strong emphasis on the welcoming and integration of newcomers to the region. This is in part reflected on the significantly larger World Assembly (WA) population TNP has compared to other game-created regions, and the comparatively large base of forum citizens that also have WA nations in the region.
Delegate r3naissanc3r has rolled out ambitions plans for his Ministry of Home Affairs, to build and expand upon the already existing infrastructure. Multi-layered telegram campaigns, both automated and manual, have been implemented, and the RMB frequently features posts highlighting government activities. On the forum-side, the introductory section has been revamped to be easier to navigate, and with the creation of Executive Staff new members are presented with a wealth of job opportunities as soon as they join. Several other initiatives are in the works, but in the meantime these changes have already resulted in a surge in the number of newcomers: since the beginning of the term, the regional forum has been receiving an average of four new members per day, while more than 40 Regional Assembly applications have been submitted.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-legb.png) Hypercorrection
by SillyString, Legislative Reporter
Alunya recently introduced a modest proposal to the Regional Assembly (RA). After noticing that the Legal Code referred, varyingly, to a Minister for Defence, a Minister of Defence, and a Minister of Defense, Alunya proposed replacing all references with "Minister for Defence".
The bill resulted in an RA argument between proponents of the American and British spellings, which led a frustrated Alunya to withdraw it. It was then reintroduced nearly verbatim by Democratic Donkeys, while two further alternatives were suggested. The first, from Crushing Our Enemies, proposed holding simultaneous votes on all possible title variants. The second, from r3naissanc3r, proposed replacing all titles with generic references to an executive officer. The RA eventually rejected Democratic Donkeys' bill and passed r3naissanc3r's.
This is not the first legislative treble to occur - the previous one took place barely a month ago, and also dealt with a minor corrective issue. After it was discovered that a previous amendment had left two successive legal clauses numbered the same, a debate erupted on how to best handle similar issues in the future. The main point of contention was ensuring legality: The regional court had previously struck down a legislative shortcut for correcting "minor errors", as a violation of the constitutional mandate that laws be passed by majority vote of the RA. The RA sought to ensure any new proposal would not face a similar fate.
First came PaulWallLibertarian42's proposal, requiring that all bills be proofread by the author and speaker before going to vote. Second was a bill by Grosseschnauzer. It circumvented legality issues by adding constitutional provisions for a procedure to correct "non-substantive errors", then established one in the Legal Code. A third proposal, from Crushing Our Enemies, amended the Legal Code so that clause numbers would not be considered part of the law. The RA passed this final bill and rejected the other two.
Both situations arose out of relatively minor errors, which functionally have no effect on the interpretation of the law. On one level, such small concerns do not merit this level of response. But underlying each fork of an existing proposal is a fundamental disagreement about legislative approach and an unwillingness to reach a compromise. And counterintuitively, these small issues are ones where stubbornness is tolerable: At the end of the day, a failure to pass any bill results only in the retention of a typo.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-wa2.png) The Importance of WA Forums
by Treize_Dreizehn, WA Correspondent
In a recent article, Gruenberg, World Assembly (WA) regular, asserted that the WA forum community have little actual effect on the voting habits of WA members. This article takes an investigative look at this assertion, by examining the voting trends of some of the regions with the largest of voting power in the game, the nine game-created regions (GCRs). Collectively, the delegates of these regions represent more than 1,800 votes. To put this into perspective, most votes are decided by fewer than 10,000 total votes, meaning that GCR delegacies account for more than 20% of the voting tally.
In most of these regions, the delegate's vote is determined by an offsite poll. While it is true that the many of the delegates and a large portion of the poll participants are not involved in the GA or SC forums, very frequently the response of the poll aligns with the views of WA regulars that participate in the respective regions.
To provide some examples, the author is the WA Minister for two GCRs, The West Pacific and Osiris, where he places resolutions up for discussion and vote, and he is given wide latitude to express opinions on them. His opinions are based largely on the drafting threads in the WA forums, and are valued largely because of his own long history in those forums. The same is true, e.g., in The South Pacific with Glen-Rhodes, in The East Pacific with Ramaeus, and in the region with the biggest delegacy in the game, The North Pacific with Abacathea.
When asked about the subject, Delegate r3naissanc3r stated that "Abacathea is very knowledgeable on WA matters, and a prominent author himself. His reviews are always helpful in making an informed decision." Abacathea estimated that the region aligns with his recommendations roughly 90% of the time, while stating that the WA forums are the primary formulating factor for his reviews. "Everything I know came out of those forums," he said characteristically, while claiming he would likely not be WA Minister were it not for his own experience in the WA forums.
The discussion so far has focused on voting, but it is worth also considering drafting. It is almost universally accepted that posting drafts in the WA forums is beneficial for the quality of the final proposals. Not submitting proposals to the WA forum drafting process is widely frowned upon, and such pieces are very likely inferior pieces that will be voted down by the assembly itself.
If posting a thread in the WA forums so dramatically improves chances of passing a piece of legislation, the idea that those forums are meaningless in the grand scheme of things makes little or no sense. And likewise, if 20% of the voting tally is strongly influenced by the opinions of WA forum regulars, it is hard to argue that those forums have little impact on WA voting. The WA forums matter. And the people discussing things there are not just shouting into the void. They matter.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-sssa2.png) SillyString's Silly Adviceby SillyString, Advice Columnist
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Hullo again, gentle readers, and welcome to SillyString Little Advice on the Prairie. These are prairie lands we're standing in, right? No matter. I think you'll really love this week's column!
"How do I pass a law in the RA? Why do we have a Constibillocode? Is the Court any important in TNP?"
-Ebul Imperialist
Those are wonderful questions, EI, and a great way to follow up on the last column's advice.
It is a little-known bylaw in TNP that only members of the Oligarchy or the IRCabal have the legal authority to propose and pass laws. While there are no formal penalties imposed on people who violate this, severe ostracization and catastrophic bill failure is generally applied to anybody who steps out of line.
So you really have two options if you don't want this to happen to you![1] Either you can join one of the aforementioned groups and use your status as a member to validate the bills you want to right, or you can seek out an existing, high-ranking member to act as a prominent supporter. After all, the RA will often turn a blind eye to such lawbreaking if there is a risk that pointing it out will anger one of the two cliques.
After that, the content of your bill doesn't really matter. You would, however, do well to seek a divination from the region's Chief Augur. Woe betide anyone who pushes to vote a bill doomed by Flem to fail!
As for your second question, we have a Constibillocode (for new readers, that's Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Legal Code) because it's a great way to keep the population under the iron boot of authority. Naturally it has no real power, but nevertheless nobody is ever happy with any sentence of any part of it. They expend all of their energy attempting to fix it, over and over and over again, and fail to notice the Oligarchy and the IRCabal climbing on their shoulders to hit at each other with frozen baguettes.[2]
And finally, the Court is many important in TNP. The three people on the Court are the most trusted members in government, burdened with the great responsibility for making sure that the common folk never find out that the Constibillocode is all a sham. They keep people's attention focused on the law and how terrible it is so that the powerful cliques can get down to the actual running of the place in peace.[3]
Seriously Silly,
SillyString
[1]You don't.
[2]Swords, of course, are customary, but after it was determined that there was "too much risk of actual injury, and not enough chance to whack each other", the two unanimously amended the rules of engagement to forbid sharp weapons. Frozen baguettes are now preferred for the nice, thuddy sound they make when you connect with your foe.
[3]This is, of course, comparable to the flight attendant who eagerly points out the exciting landmark being passed on the left, so that passengers do not notice the passing ICBM on the right.
[small]The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: r3naissanc3r :: Executive Editor: Crushing Our Enemies :: Managing Editor: mcmasterdonia :: Graphic Artist: SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
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Thanks for the update.
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Great!
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Quick update on the Government of TNP.
The North Pacific Government directory
Executive
Delegate: r3naissanc3r
Vice Delegate: Abacathea
Minister for Foreign Affairs: McMasterdonia
Minister for Communications: Crushing Our Enemies
Minister for Defence: Gladio
Minister for Culture and Entertainment: Lord Nwahs
Minister for World Assembly Affairs: Abacathea
Legislature
Speaker of the Regional Assembly: Zyvetskistaahn
Deputy Speakers: PaulWallLibertarian42
Judiciary
Chief Justice: SillyString
Associate Justices: Blue Wolf II, Kiwi
Attorney General: Treize_Dreizehn
Prosecutors: Gracius Maximus
Security Council
Chairman: Abacathea
Members: Great Bights Mum, Former English Colony, Grosseschnauzer, Romanoffia, mcmasterdonia, Democratic Donkeys, Lord Byron, Romanoffia, Ator People,r3naissanc3r, Kiwi, Lord Nwahs
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Thanks for the update! I for one keep forgetting that McM isn't delegate anymore. :P
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(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-for3.png) Contemplations on Nazi Europe
by r3naissanc3r, Foreign Correspondent
On July 14th, the North Pacific Army and the United Imperial Armed Forces refounded the region of Nazi Europe (NE), successfully concluding an occupation that had been ongoing for six weeks. The operation involved a coalition of militaries from Osiris, Balder, Equilism, Europeia, The East Pacific, Lone Wolves United, The Black Hawks, The Red Fleet, Unknown, The Kingdom of Great Britain, Sicarius, Mazeria, The MT Army, Kantrias and North Korea; and was one of the largest in recent gameplay history, with an endorsement count exceeding 80 at its peak. As the seemingly last in a series of high-profile interregional incidents involving NE, the refounding provides an opportunity to look back at the events that lead to this conclusion.
In February 2013, representatives from game-created regions participated in a summit organized by the New Pacific Order, with the purpose of coordinating their efforts against Nazism in NationStates. The summit produced and successfully passed a Security Council liberation proposal targeting the notorious, but also founderless and password-protected, region of NE, with the explicit intent of opening it up for invasion. Several attacks against NE took place afterwards, though none of them were successful. The SC eventually repealed the NE liberation in February 2014, and the region was passworded once more. However, the reuse of an older password by the NE delegate meant that invasion was feasible once more, leading to the eventual refounding.
Both the NE liberation and offensive military action against NE, as well as Nazi regions in general, have been the subject of considerable controversy. Those opposing anti-Nazi aggression have argued that it has the opposite of the intended effect, in a twofold manner: First, rather than demoralize those espousing Nazi beliefs, counterintuitively it increases their resolve and their dedication towards spreading their ideology. Second, it unnecessarily draws attention to Nazi regions, offering them a convenient means for recruitment - essentially an "any PR is good PR" argument.[1]
To support these arguments, commentators have offered data showing an increase in the total population of a number of Nazi regions starting in February 2013 and persisting until 2014. The coincidence of the beginning of this rise with the passage of the NE liberation is evidence, they argue, that the liberation and subsequent attacks made Nazi players more determined to grow their regions and benefitted their recruitment efforts. This, however, is a very weak causal link. The rise of these regions’ populations can be easily attributed to another development: the release, in February 2013, of the Telegram API and legalisation of telegramming scripts for recruitment. Indeed, this author has received automated recruitment telegrams from many of these Nazi regions as soon as March 2013 - and notably none of those telegrams made reference or even alluded to either the NE liberation or any of the other SC resolutions condemning Nazi regions. The positive effects such scripts had on the population of small- and mid-size regions, especially before the introduction of stamps in August 2013, is well-documented. The fact that the population data can be trivially explained by the introduction of recruitment scripts means that this data has very little, if any, persuasive force for the commentators’ arguments.
A data point more relevant for evaluating the effects of anti-Nazi aggression would be the following: For the 12 months the liberation of NE was in effect, the region was protected by a strong garrison of more than 20 WA units. With perhaps the majority of their troops stuck inside NE for a whole year, the offensive operational capability of Nazi regions was crippled. In turn, this resulted in a reduction of destructive Nazi attacks against regions, with most of their operations limited to tag raids of few units. Unsurprisingly, the repeal of the liberation also saw the return of large-scale Nazi deployments, for instance in Liberal Haven in March 2014. A similar effect was observed in June 2014, when a coalition of Nazi regions abandoned their occupation of Hell to protect NE. What these two cases highlight is that the creation of credible threats through anti-Nazi aggression is tremendously effective in halting the forceful expansion of the Nazi ideology in other regions.
The publicity Nazi regions get from aggression against them should likewise be evaluated with respect to the objective of halting the spread of the Nazi ideology in NationStates. It has been documented, in the past and also in this article, that Nazi regions systematically attempt to recruit new nations, and through that process expose new players to their hateful message. Consider, then, a naive new player who is a considering a recruitment offer from a Nazi region; the presence of WA documents condemning it and the conspicuous mobilization of some of the most important regions in the game against it both serve as educational resources informing the player not to accept the offer. They also serve as strong warnings for regions considering associating themselves with Nazi regions. In their absence, and in an era where everyone can easily reach every new nation, or even every nation, in the game, Nazi regions would be completely unimpeded to expand their recruitment efforts, with the rest of the world watching in apathy. It is important to caution against turning these actions of anti-Nazi aggression into celebrations of notoriety, which indeed can be exploited for recruitment purposes. However, systematic and carefully crafted messages opposing Nazism, broadcasted to the NS world by its major regions, can only help to defeat the spread of this ideology in NationStates.
The coordinated action by gameplay regions against Nazi regions has been dubbed by commentators the "War on Nazis". In many ways this is an inaccurate designation: It is not a war in the usual diplomatic sense used in NS Gameplay. It is certainly not analogous to the real War against Nazism, and to liken our inconsequential gameplay to that War is an offensive trivialization. What it actually is is a cause: against the celebration of a horrendous ideology, against the proliferation of this ideology within the NS community, and against the exploitation of this community to proselytize people to this ideology. What the efforts against Nazi Europe have shown is that anti-Nazi aggression from gameplay regions can be of immense utility to this cause. For this reason, The North Pacific is elated to have led and successfully concluded these efforts, and remains committed to the cause against Nazism in NationStates.
[1]Another source of opposition is from players, primarily defender-leaning, who oppose all kinds of invading activity - but this line of reasoning is unrelated to this article and will not be discussed here.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-wa2.png) A Chat with Moderators Mall and Mousebumples
by Treize_Dreizehn, WA Correspondent
Recently, we sat down with recently appointed NationStates moderators Mall and Mousebumples, to talk about their experience as moderators and their thoughts on the various happenings in the World Assembly.
Treize_Dreizehn (TD): Hey everybody, this is Treize Dreizehn for the Northern Lights. I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, NationStates moderator Mousebumples. Mall, also a NationStates moderator, will be joining us shortly.
I think we're all busy folks so we'll dive right into the questions. What was the process that lead to your becoming a moderator?
Mousebumples (Mouse): In the spring, there was some talk on the NS forums that more GA mods might be helpful - in part because of absences that some GA mods had coming up for the summer, in part because of the inactivity of a previous mod who tended to cover the GA (Flib), and in part because of the need for new voices after the GA#2 repeal controversy.
The mods/admins put out a call - specifically looking for players to suggest GA mods - and both Mall and I were nominated. I'm sure others were nominated too, but when the final decision was made, Mall and I were both invited to join the mod team.
TD: So. After becoming moderators, you encountered some... resentment towards your selection, can you go into a little detail about that?
Mouse: Moderating the site/GA isn't necessarily an easy position as you can't be everyone's friend all the time. There will always inevitably be players that disagree with rulings and decisions that are made, so I don't know that any of the discord that we've experienced has been overly unexpected, I don't think.
TD: Though, it appears intense, from an outside observer's perspective. Is it different from yours?
Mouse: It's all relative. As I've been playing NS for almost 11 years, I saw plenty of disagreements and challenges to moderator rulings of all sorts prior to being modded. It's unreasonable to expect players to always calmly accept all rulings that don't go their way, I think.
TD: Which ruling or rulings of yours have brought the most controversy?
Mouse: I'd probably defer to the general public that's more impacted by such rulings. GA rulings are made collaboratively, so we don't really have any mod controversy about the rulings that we've made since being modded and that's more my frame of reference now.
** At this point Mall joined our chat, claiming to still be hungover after celebrating a raucous minor update.
Mall: Wooooo.
TD: Haha! Just in time man, we're going to shift gears a bit to GA proposals.
What has been your favorite proposal to make it to vote so far? Not counting ones you authored.
Mall: Hmmmm that's tough. I'd have to say that the Clean Prostitute Act will always hold a special place in my heart because of how bafflingly simple it was and how easily it was passed.
Mouse: I'll vote for one of yours - Repeal "Dignified End of Life Choices" because that was one I wanted to see repealed for awhile. I don't love the replacement, but ... that's a project for a later date.
TD: And what's your favorites proposals to make it to vote since you became mods?
Mall: Eh since modship I don't have any favorites. Nothing has really jumped out at me as being particularly outrageous or inspiring competition.
Mouse: Since modship, I'll vote for Sanctaria's "Child Welfare in Adoption" - Adoption is a topic that I've wanted to see added to the annals of WA law for awhile, but I never felt strong enough in that area to want to cover it myself. So, I'm glad to Sanctaria do so - and to avoid doing so in a micromanagey way, too!
TD: Haha. That actually brings me to a common topic for all of us. In a recent TRT article, Gruenberg opined that that "Natsov is dead". Do you agree with that sentiment?
Mall: As long as there are nations there will be a NatSov movement. From an IC perspective obviously I disagree, from an OOC perspective I'd say that it's an incredibly bold claim that I don't think is backed by any hard evidence.
Mouse: I agree that that's Gruenberg's opinion. I don't agree with the statement since I have plenty of players that oppose intensive WA intervention into member states.
So long as the GA exists, NatSov will always be chipped away at with new legislation; however, I think that there are still plenty of players that are opposed to excessive GA intervention and are not afraid to vote down legislation that they feel is overly invasive on those grounds.
TD: Does it seem that there is more of a trend of repeals recently?
Mouse: it goes in cycles
Mall: I'd agree. We're not at where we were a few weeks or months ago when we were passing six repeals in a row.
Mouse: I don't know that there are currently any repeals at quorum, but, there obviously have been a bunch recently. I think some voters (and authors) get tired of drafting and submitting repeals endlessly - some being the keyword, as I know you like to repeal lots of things ... Although even you have submitted New Legislation now.
TD: Shocking I know.
Last question then I'll let you guys get back to work. If you had a chance right now to repeal a resolution and be sure it'd pass, which one would you choose, and why?
Mouse: I'd love to repeal all the WA legislation and start over - in part because it's getting difficult to legislate on a lot of things because of all the legislation that's already been passed. But ... one thing to repeal, hrm.
Mall: Personally I'd like to take out NAPA just so that Flib would be woken from his slumber and whack us with his longstanding threat to pass a replacement.
TD: Haha. Mouse, I'm holding you to a specific answer here.
Mouse: Convention on Execution. Because if the GA is going to have a resolution on the death penalty it should be more NatSov'y than that resolution is.
TD: Fair enough!
It was great talking to you two, and good luck with the unwashed masses of diplomats and bureaucrats.
Mall: It has been our pleasure I'm sure ;)
Mouse: What Mall said. Thanks for the interview. :)
** Post interview, we decided to do a small chat with Mall on his recent "Liberate Haven" proposal.
TD: Thanks for sticking around. Can you walk us through the events of the Liberate Haven proposal?
Mall: Sure! I knew that I was going to attempt to utilize the SC in that manner for awhile, the question was which region to target. I was torn between The Proletariat Coalition and Haven. Both regions had ties to past events which might make them open to criticism, and I basically flipped a coin and it came up Haven.
TD: And which manner is that?
Mall: An outright attempt to open up a region for invasion. Traditionally of course the SC has been used to open up regions so that defenders can save it. After that I threw the draft together, posted it, and managed the thread as best I could for the dozens of pages it went on.
TD: It didn't go quite as you expected though?
Mall: Nothing in gameplay really ever goes according to plan, especially not when you get the SC involved. Obviously there was significant opposition which negated any chance of getting the proposal to pass so that was abandoned after the proposal failed to reach quorum.
TD: Do you believe that the RPers of NS deserve a right to Opt Out of R/D?
Mall: I think the more important question is whether or not an "opt out" from "r/d" is ever really possible... as long as there is a player with power in a region or system then there is the potential for them to use it nefariously. I really haven't seen a proposal so far that can't be worked around. But they are more than welcome to keep coming up with suggestions.
TD: And what do you say to some of your allies(former or otherwise) who believe this proposal has resulted in a political environment that is more hostile to raiding and imperialists?
Mall: I don't think there has been any political shift. Raiders keep raiding, the Imperialists keep pursuing their interests, we generally get along well, and the world keeps on spinning.
TD: Alright. Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. I'm sure there's plenty of folks that'll be interested in your responses on this issue.
Mall: Oh there always are.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-jud4.png) Exciting times in TNP's Courtby punk d, Judicial Reporter
The court of The North Pacific finds itself in a curious situation. Following the resignation of former Chief Justice Romanoffia, his successor Chief Justice SillyString has, along with Justices Kiwi and Ator People, conducted the business of the court in a more reserved manner than under Chief Justice Romanoffia. Romanoffia was wont to react to the crowd with proclamations that would not come to fruition and it appears that SillyString and her fellow justices are taking an opposite approach to the bench.
With this backdrop, I asked SillyString what is the major concern facing the court in the wake of Romanoffia's resignation. She replied, "There are two concerns facing the court. One, any open issues to be resolved (of which there is currently one), and two, I think it's well past time that the Court went through its archives and released old discussions into the public eye. There is no obligation for this kind of transparency, but in my opinion it would be highly beneficial. I hope the Court will pursue this second one in the upcoming term, no matter who sits on it."
Readers will certainly find SillyString's second pressing issue of interest as it begs the question - what court secrets will be revealed? Will SillyString reveal the deliberations of the region's most controversial rulings? In the event that SillyString wins reelection and is selected as chief justice, we'll have to see what she really means by "transparency".
Following the resignation of Romanoffia, the three justices agreed upon and published a revised version of the court rules, the set of procedures the court uses for all cases before it. I asked SillyString how the new court rules improve upon the old rules. She said, "I think the rule changes have two primary benefits. First, they clarify and simplify procedures, particularly the rules of evidence (which were absurdly complicated before). This will allow trials and hearings to run more smoothly, and I believe will make things easier on people with less experience in NS or TNP courts. Second, they add guidelines where none existed with respect to the conduct of justices and other participants and the level of discretion an individual justice has as compared to the full bench. I think this additional structure is also a good thing, and will hopefully help avoid any future situations from devolving into nonsense as the trial of JAL did."
Simplifying and adding guidelines sound good to this writer. Under the old rules there were complaints that one needed to be a real-life lawyer to maneuver through court proceedings. It appears that the new rules address this issue.
The recently concluded judicial elections have seen SillyString and Kiwi remain as chief justice and justice respectively, and Blue Wolf II replace Ator People on the bench. How will the new court navigate the numerous questions before it and will the justices be able to keep the often volatile RA satisfied with their rulings? These questions are yet to be answered, but we'll soon find out if the new court will permanently depart from the circumstances of Romanoffia's chaotic term. It's certainly an exciting time within TNP's judicial landscape.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-sssa2.png) SillyString's Silly Adviceby SillyString, Advice Columnist
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
"Dear SillyString, how do I get to be as good as you at saying things like 'accusative interrogative personal pronoun' and actually know what that means? How did you get so good at words?"
- Mysterious Monkfish
Well, MM, first you need to find the biggest, heaviest, most uncomfortable dictionary that you can find and use it as a pillow for at least three months. This will allow most of the words it contains to osmose into your brain while you sleep. It's even better if you can take frequent naps during this time it'll work even better!
Then what you want to do is take your friendly dictionary pillow and start to tear the pages out one by one, fry them up in some butter, and eat them. You should only tear out what you need for any given meal, though, because the flavor degrades rapidly, and always use butter to preserve the educational value. Continue to use your dictionary as a pillow until you have eaten the entire thing, minus the covers. These can be composted and used in your garden.
Once you have followed these steps, you should be just as good at words as I am!
"Dear SillyString, Please tell me why I shouldn't have a peanut butter and banana sandwich for lunch."
- Hungry Hungry Hippo
Oh, there are all kinds of reasons not to have a peanut butter and banana sandwich for lunch. If you're allergic to peanuts, for example, you probably shouldn't eat one[1], and if you don't have any milk to wash it down, you might not feel very refreshed afterwards. Alternatively, if you happen to have some delicious Fluff, you would be better off making a fluffernutter and banana sandwich as that is much tastier. And if you really want to get fancy, a fluffernutella sandwich is really to die for, with or without banana slices.
But if you don't have fluff, or nutella, and you've got plenty of milk, and you're not allergic to peanuts, well, I can't think of a single reason why not.
"Dear Silly String, I like this girl. I think she likes me. Wat do?"
-Confused
Aww, Confused, didn't you learn this one in middle school? Stick gum in her hair and push her when you pass each other in the hallway. This will show her how you feel! If she hits you back, you're officially going out!
Seriously Silly,
SillyString
[1]Though you could, of course, if you're only a little allergic.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: r3naissanc3r :: Executive Editor: Crushing Our Enemies :: Managing Editor: mcmasterdonia :: Graphic Artist: SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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I personally just find the whole Nazi thing to be sad...certain regions talk a big talk about fighting Nazis and what they stand for, but it seems to me they're just fodder for the self-glorification of certain regions. Just look at the WFE of Nazi Europe...is it being used as a memorial for the victims of Nazism, or the struggles people faced in the past or currently because of them and the ideas they stand for? No...it's just another trophy region for some regions. And then they decided that wasn't enough and gave themselves another pat on the back over it through a liberation repeal.
I don't see anything deep, insightful, or contemplative about the affair with Nazi Europe. I just see a convenient excuse to raid something and have a grand celebration over it. *shrugs*
In any case, it was a very polished release. I just don't tend to hold back, that's all. :P
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Hi there,
Our ambassador brought these comments to my attention, so I thought I may as well come over and address them:
I created this WFE as a placeholder during a recent LoA of mine - I had barely managed to come online for the refound, so I just added a line to the pre-existing WFE we were using during the occupation. I have not had the time to change it in the few days I have been back, though I expect it to be updated soon into something more elaborate.
As for the rest of your comments, I believe I addressed them adequately in my article, where I explained why I believe that anti-Nazi aggression is important and helpful in countering the spread of Nazism in NS.
Also, to very belatedly respond to these previous comments:
Thanks for the update! I'm curious...is this a private publication or a reboot of TNP's regional dispatch? Compared with past dispatches this one looks very pretty with the title and graphics, and the articles feel less cumbersome to read, providing all the needed information without going on for too long. :)
TNL is an official publication of TNP, and the government takes responsibility for all of the content. The disclaimer at the bottom of each issue is rather explicit about this.
I am glad to hear you enjoy the format.
I've always been curious about the idea of feeder, sinker, or GCR unity though...it comes off as a bit silly to me. It's almost the same as saying in spite of the many differences between UCRs, they should be united and do things together just because they're UCRs. It seems like most sinkers and feeders put relations with fellow feeders/sinkers as a priority over relations with other regions that they may share more synergies with and at times to their own detriment. Also, if one GCR has to move endorsements to another GCR in order to counter a threat there, isn't it merely making its own region more vulnerable during that time?
I was asked about "feeder unity" etc. in an interview I did when my term began. Let me quote from there (SRM is the interviewer):
SRM: Many in NationStates believe that unity between game created regions is important enough that it should transcend these ideological differences. What do you think of this idea?
r3n: It is a principle that we also subscribe to in TNP when deciding our foreign policy, and we have been commited to it for a few years now. We recently ratified a treaty with The East Pacific, the preamble of which strongly emphasized this principle.
Game-created regions are in a position of unique influence and power in the game. With this in mind, I view GCR unity as a policy of consolidation, monopoly even, of power. Such a policy is beneficial for the stakeholders, the GCRs themselves.
Of course, it is not a principle we unconditionally subscribe to. There are other policy aspects that need to be taken into account, and in the event of a conflict can potentially override GCR unity. To use an extreme, if not very realistic example, should a GCR be taken over by a Nazi regime, the principle of GCR unity would cease to apply to them. In more realistic settings, conflicts between GCR unity and other diplomatic principles require a much finer balancing act.
Finally, some caution needs to be taken so that GCR unity does not degenerate into GCR introversion. GCRs are centers of power, but they are not the only centers of power in NationStates. Focusing exclusively on relations with GCRs at the cost of relations with everyone else is short-sighted and suboptimal.
SRM: Is is at all sensible for regions to bind themselves to each other, despite having potentially irreconcilable foreign policies, simply because of the manner in which they were created? It is not merely another form of defining policy based on another external requirement irrelevant to the regions interests, like military alignments?
r3n: As I explained above, GCR unity can be justified rationally, rather than ideologically, in the sense of serving a specific regional interest: maximization of regional influence and power. It is not an end in itself. Furthermore, under realistic assumptions, compared to military alignments a policy promoting GCR unity is a lot more likely to be rational in the previous sense, than a policy of never defending or never raiding.
I should note that, in my previous answer, I did mention that GCR unity is not a policy to be followed unconditionally. I cautioned that it should not be a dogma, above and beyond every other principle or policy. And there are plausible circumstances when GCR unity will be on the losing side of a policy conflict. As I said previously though, it is a principle that TNP values and is committed to.
Thank you for your comments :) .
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Greetings, r3nassanc3r, and welcome to Wintreath. When Egalotir said my comments would be answered more promptly going forward, I hardly knew that it would be the delegate of The North Pacific doing it. I appreciate that you took the time to answer my concerns and questions.
I'm glad to hear that the Nazi Europe WFE isn't the permanent one. I believe that Nazism in NS should be above the typical R/D shenanigans, so I look forward to seeing how you memorialize and honor the victims of Nazis and what they stand for. I would say the pressure should be very high considering how the war on Nazis has been hyped up...regardless of however I feel about its effectiveness, which I don't feel strongly about either way.
Thanks for your other answers as well. :)
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Our AG, Treize_Dreizehn, has resigned his post. His reasoning is seen here:
So. Recently, I've taken on a huge amount of responsibilities in both TNP and Osiris. And my work here in TNP has suffered, while my work in Osiris has not. I don't think that's fair to the Delegate(who appointed me to the WA department as a deputy) nor the voters who appointed me as Attorney General.
Zyvet's recent mistake (since corrected) regarding my RA membership has given me pause to think about if I really should maintain my membership in this esteemed body, given my current lack of time to commit to it.
So I'd like to officially resign my RA membership now, and the offices that I hold.
Thank you guys for the faith you've had in me. I appreciate all of you. Sorry if I let y'all down. "
A special vote is underway to elect a new AG, and I will update your region promptly when the elections finish.
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Thanks for the update. :)
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[big]Results: Special Election for Attorney General[/big]
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The Election Commission has counted the votes in this Special Election for Attorney General and now publishes these results, attesting they are true and correct.
PaulWallLibertarian42 won the vote with 13, attaining the position of Attorney General.
A detailed breakdown of votes and results can be found in this spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsyHPhL33zwvdHc4QVRJTkc2MWNMbWNRV192aURKYWc#gid=0).
Election Commissioners: r3naissanc3r.
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I have no clue who that person is, but contrats to him! :)
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General Elections for Delegate, Speaker & Vice Delegate are now underway.
Delegate r3naissanc3r has announced his intention to seek a second & final consecutive term in the office.
The Vice Delegate election has seen many candidates come forward to nominate for the position including, Flemingovia, Romanoffia, Falapatorius, Democratic Donkeys & the incumbent Vice Delegate Abacathea.
The Speaker election has only seen one candidate (Malvad) at this time.
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Thank you for the update! :)
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(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-mil.png) The North Pacific Army: Independent and Mighty
by r3naissanc3r, Military Correspondent
During the last few months, the North Pacific Army (NPA) has been experiencing a period of unprecedented activity and development. In a period of five months, the NPA has undertaken more than 40 operations, remaining in deployment near constantly. It has tied twice, then broken three times its historical deployment record from 2012, with the current record standing at 21 deployed troops. The NPA has been consistently providing five or more units at update, 10 or more units for reinforcements after a single update, and 14 or more units for reinforcements after multiple updates. These performance metrics rank the NPA as the most sizeable military in game-created regions, and one of the most formidable and active in the game overall.
These successes are the result of a continued focus on increasing the capability of the NPA by successive governments of The North Pacific. For three terms now, and under the leadership of Minister of Defense and NPA General Gladio, the NPA has been following a two-pronged agenda of systematic training and extensive recruitment. On the first front, the NPA has been conducting diverse training missions on a weekly basis. The emphasis has been on joint operations with allied militaries, with the NPA having deployed multiple times with each of its many allied militaries. These have been complemented with smaller missions for more specialized training of new soldiers.
In terms of recruitment, there have been extensive and varied recruitment campaigns, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, aiming to bring both new and established members into the NPA. The campaigns have taken the form of regular scripted, mass, and personalized telegrams in the game, personal messages on the forum, as well as advertisements for the NPA. These campaigns have resulted in more than 50 new Privates in the NPA, several of whom have subsequently been promoted to higher ranks. The fact that the vast majority of currently active soldiers have enlisted during the past five months is indicative of the effectiveness of these campaigns.
The NPA is an independent military with a tradition of more than a decade in protecting TNP, its allies, and its interests abroad, at the same time always closely adhering to the directives set out by The North Pacific Army Doctrine. The exceptional performance of the NPA in these roles justifies the choice for an independent orientation that has been made by all TNP governments since the delegacy of Blue Wolf II. It is also a demonstration of the strong potential for other independent militaries that focus on sustained activity, training, and recruitment.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-for3.png) An Interview with Funkadellia
by mcmasterdonia, Foreign Correspondent
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Following the announcement by Funkadelia to step down as of the People’s Republic of Lazarus earlier this month, I was able to sit down with him for an interview. I have simply presented the questions and allowed Funkadelia to answer, with no argument or interruptions from me as the interviewer. Funkadelia has made it clear that his comments are his as an individual and not reflective on the views of the People’s Republic of Lazarus.
mcmasterdonia: I am joined today by Funkadelia, former Chairman of the People’s Republic of Lazarus. Thanks for joining me today, Funkadelia.
Funkadellia: It's not a problem. I'm glad to be here and answer your questions :)
mcmasterdonia: So, you decided to step down as Chairman. What made you reach this decision?
Funkadellia: It was a combination of a lot of factors. Not the least of which was my dwindling amount of time that I have been able to commit to the position. However, there are other pressing factors that led to my decision. I will admit, I was considering stepping down for the past month or so now, but I think now is the most appropriate time to.
The war ended with Osiris, and I was left guiding Lazarus through the next period of peace. However, in my opinion I just felt some crucial change within Lazarus. Everything simply feels different than when I was first elected. Perhaps it is my newfound experience or it is something different. Either way, I feel that it is time for me to pass on the torch and allow someone else to take the reigns to continue to keep the keep the region full of robust activity and culture.
I feel that for some amount of time I have been lacking in that respect, so I feel that the region can be helped more if someone else with new ideas and new ways of doing things takes charge and brings Lazarus to new waters. I am not retiring from Nationstates, and I fully intend to continue to be active in Lazarus, and will be happy to help the next Chairman during their administration.
mcmasterdonia: Have you enjoyed serving as Chairman as Lazarus? Perhaps you could share some of the highlights from your term in office?
Funkadellia: Serving as the Chairman has been the high point of my time in Nationstates by a *very* wide margin. I feel that I have served the region well during my tenure and I am pleased with how it turned out on the whole.
I think the top highlight from my service was the Regional Sovereignty conference. Despite the disagreements between some of the regions, I believe that we got some serious work done in that realm, and I hope Lazarenes take that position and run with it, as Regional Sovereignty is something that is fundamentally very important to the People's Republic at its root. A runner up is easily the peace with Osiris, and the situation surrounding it. That was a lot of fun and it produced a very critical peace deal.
mcmasterdonia: What was the greatest challenge of being Chairman?
Funkadellia: Just as the ending of the war with Osiris was a high point, the beginning was a low point. At the time, I was constantly being trashed by the big name imperialists, and Lazarus was about to be tossed into a war over something entirely nonsensical. It may have not been that difficult from an objective point of view, but it was personally hard to keep my own sanity during that time.
War was being declared over my cabinet for obviously personal reasons, not region v. region reasons, because all of the members of my cabinet were also in Milograd's cabinet, and things were normal during that time. There were no sabre rattlers. Suddenly, when I became Delegate, the story was different.
At the same time, we were shifting forums, and that was drawing a lot of ire from our own citizens, so that wasn't helping the situation either. I sincerely worried about the continuation of the PRL at that point, in all honesty.
mcmasterdonia: Did the war declaration take you by surprise?
Funkadellia: Yes, it did. Mostly because of the reasons I stated. My State Council was very similar to Milograd's, but suddenly Osiris had decided to declare war over my selection, which was mostly holdovers from Milograd's time. I did not take the bit about Karpathos' "threat" seriously, and still don't. Karpathos says things like this to everyone on a regular basis, that's his nature.
So yes, it's safe to say I was a bit blind sighted about the prospect of war.
mcmasterdonia: Had there been any efforts by the Osiran Government to discuss their concerns with you, prior to the declaration of war?
Funkadellia: No. I received no contact whatsoever. I prefer dialogue and pacific settlements of disputes to war and military action, especially as Lazarus is a region that is committed to not aggressing on regions. But there was not even an avenue for that, nobody brought any concerns to me, it was just sudden.
mcmasterdonia: Did you attempt to discuss the declaration of war with the leadership of Osiris, prior to it's ratification before the Deshret?
Funkadellia: I did not. They didn't seem willing as it was. I was mostly trying to get my own house in order in preparation for it. I will admit that was probably a fault, however we never sought to escalate matters in the first place. I figure that because they had the dispute with us, they should have contacted us, or more specifically *me* with it privately before they decided to make a decision like that.
mcmasterdonia: Were you surprised or disappointed by the responses of other regions to the declaration?
Funkadellia: I was probably the most disappointed with TEP's handling of it. In my opinion they totally mismanaged the entire thing, and their causing of tension with Lazarus was absolutely unwarranted. Most of the other regions seemed to fall where I expected them to. I anticipated a lot more out of the other side though, I must say. Not to say I was necessarily disappointed, but myself and my State Council and the Lazarene Security Directorate had expected a far more expansive campaign for the delegate's seat, but instead we had a coup attempt that was easily spotted.
mcmasterdonia: Do you think the regional sovereignty conference strengthened the position of Lazarus in the war? And, more generally speaking, how do you think Lazarus was perceived during the war by other regions?
Funkadellia: I think the unity of so many regions definitely supported the Lazarene position in this. Also, the absolute debacle at the hands of the Osiran government due to the attendance of some regions to the conference really helped us out on that front.
mcmasterdonia: Okay, thanks for the honest and detailed answers Funkadelia. I will move on now to some reflections on your past term and plans for the future. Do you have any regrets from your term in the Chairmanship?
Funkadellia: I do have a few. I think that one of the major ones was my mishandling of the group that left Lazarus close to the beginning of the term. With the exception of Ikania, I feel like that group of folks could have contributed more to Lazarus if I had given them the opportunity. They were a total thorn in my side, but I really mishandled what happened. I do not regret removing Llamas as Vice-Chairman, but I do feel I should have used less grave words when I learned of what they were doing. I'd say that that is my biggest lingering regret over my whole term.
mcmasterdonia: What will you miss most about being Chairman and Delegate?
Funkadellia: Being able to have such a direct impact on Lazarus as a whole. I liked to think of myself as the Chairman was supposed to be: Primus inter pares, first among equals. I never really felt like I was very far above the citizens, soldiers, congressmen, and governors of Lazarus, and I felt like I really got along with everyone. I really enjoyed being able to take peoples' inputs and put those into policy for the region.
mcmasterdonia: What do you believe is the greatest challenge for the People’s Republic? Do you believe that the People’s Republic is a sustainable form of government that will continue to survive the test of time?
Funkadellia: I feel if we're able to keep the place vibrant, then the PRL will be around for quite a long time. It requires a combination of dictatorship and democracy to keep things interesting and stable. I think that the biggest challenge ahead will be just that: to keep things vibrant. We have a lot of potential, but right now Lazarus is hitting a bit of a lull, and I hope that my successor can overcome it and turn it around for the for the better.
mcmasterdonia: Final question, What advice do you have for the next Chairman?
Funkadellia: I hope to expand on this on the 21st, the day they take office, but I will be brief here: The next Chairman must be strong willed and creative. They should keep the spirit of the PRL in mind, and try to emulate that spirit during their term in office. They should also try as hard as they can to keep Lazarus inclusive and fun for all people.
I didn't really have the creativity (or time) for it, but I believe it would be incredibly beneficial for the next Chairman to have an eye for culture and continue to try to develop our culture and make people *want* to be part of Lazarus.
mcmasterdonia: Thanks for joining me today Funkadelia. Congratulations on your term as Chairman of the People’s Republic and I wish you luck with your future. I hope that you will stick around.
Funkadellia: Thank you McMasterdonia. It was good to be able to truly speak my mind. I plan on being around. NS will be stuck with me for some time to come ;) And thank you for the well wishes.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-culture.png) Cultural R3naissanc3 in The North Pacificby mcmasterdonia, Culture Reporter
The North Pacific has been undergoing a cultural renaissance in the past couple of months. The Ministry of Culture has been rolling out a collective of diverse cultural programs across the region to tremendous success.
Theme weeks have been introduced as immersive cultural events, involving both the forum and the in-game region. First came House of Cards week, with Delegate r3naissan3r remodelling himself as President Garret Walker, and his cabinet Ministers following suit by modelling themselves after their respective counterparts. A custom-made House of Cards skin was created and adopted for the week-long event, and several events related to the TV series took place on the forum. Not long after the House of Cards week, the forum had another custom skin, this time themed after Game of Thrones. The Game of Thrones week featured the age-old quarells between "readers" and "viewers", an in-game battle among several Westerosi commanders for the Iron Throne, and of course the SPOILER thread. The event culminated in the dramatic execution of Delegate r3naissanc3r at the command of Minister of Culture Malvad, who was subsequently proclaimed a traitor by nations on the RMB.
A range of other events have focused on interplay between the forum and the region. Jointly with the Ministry, the Security Council has been sponsoring an RMB trivia game, which requires nations to search the forums for answers to questions ranging from term durations to punctuation peculiarities. Winners get to choose the delegate's flag, pre-title and motto. Lord Nwahs won the first season of the game, selecting a meerkat theme for Delegate r3naissanc3r to use on his nation. The second season is currently underway. Another program, the Regional Identity Crisis, has seen the regional community come together to deliberate on what makes TNP the brilliant and culturally rich region it is today. The forum nominations and in-game polls have determined everything from the region's official dish to its official motto, recently concluding with the selection of The Northern Light as the official nation of TNP.
The Ministry has also been working to encourage increased roleplay activity. The Ministry recently compiled an encyclopedia of all factbooks and dispatches written by North Pacifican nations, and Stories of The North Pacific regularly selects factbooks among them to prominently feature in the region. A new map for national roleplay has been commissioned and is actively maintained. Finally, a large-scale roleplay, the Democratic Union, has been launched, in the form of a formal confederation of all nations within TNP.
TNP has also had the opportunity to participate in events by other regions, such as the regular changes to the theme of the World Factbook Entry during The East Pacific's OCTEPERFEST. Several more multi-regional events with TNP's allies and friends are scheduled for the near future. Overall, this increased cultural activity has contributed towards a significant growth in forum posts and in the number of nations deciding to join the regional forum.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-pol.png) General Election Returns Incumbents, Mostlyby The Democratic Republic of Tomb, Political Reporter
September was election month for The North Pacific. In the third general election of the year, citizens were called to select who will serve as delegate, vice delegate, and speaker of the Regional Assembly for the following four months.
The delegate election saw incumbent r3naissanc3r winning easily against Mall. r3naissac3r ran on a campaign of continuing his policies for intensive recruitment and integration, an independent direction for the North Pacific Army, a strong emphasis on World Assembly affairs, and a diverse and busy cultural agenda. In the election for speaker, Zyvetskistaahn decided not to run for a third term. Lord Nwahs, who had served as Minister of Culture in the preceding term, won the election virtually uncontested, with the only other candidate, Malvad, withdrawing from the race and throwing his support behind Lord Nwahs.
Unlike these two offices, the vice delegate election saw a large number of strong contestants. Incumbent Abacathea, as well as Democratic Donkeys, falapatorius, flemingovia, and Romanoffia, all declared their candidacies. The election sparked long and lively debate between the candidates and the electorate. Eventually, Abacathea achieved a lead in the vote, though not strong enough to win the election in the first round. As delegate and vice delegate in TNP are elected by majority vote, a runoff round was required, where Abacathea defeated flemingovia and secured a second term. The election saw very high participation: 48 citizens voted, the second most in TNP's history.
Following the conclusion of the election, Delegate r3naissanc3r announced his Cabinet for the new term. Gladio, mcmasterdonia and The Democratic Republic of Tomb continued as Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Home Affairs, respectively. Malvad was appointed as Minister of Culture and punk d as Minister of Communications, replacing newly-elected Speaker Lord Nwahs and Crushing Our Enemies. r3naissanc3r assumed himself the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, while Abacathea was appointed Minister of Regional Security, a portfolio reflecting the vice delegate's role as chair of the Security Council.
In the weeks following the election, the delegate, vice delegate, and members of the Security Council have run extensive campaigns to maximize their in-game endorsement counts. Delegate r3naissanc3r issued a challenge to the region to surpass the previous record of 536 delegate endorsements. The challenge has not been beat yet, with the delegate standing at 530 endorsements at the time of writing, though another record has already been achieved: the delegate's endorsement rate for the first time in TNP's history exceeded 80%. Furthermore, in the latest World Census Report for most WA endorsements, the delegate, vice delegate, and seven members of the Security Council won nine out of the ten top spots in the world. The record endorsement counts and the large and active WA population of TNP are a testament to the efforts by successive TNP governments to engage and properly naturalize the thousands of nations in the region.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: r3naissanc3r :: Executive Editor: punk d :: Managing Editor: The Democratic Republic of Tomb :: Graphic Artist: SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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Apologies for the delay in posting this in Wintreath, our ambassador here is currently busy.
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I know what it's like...we recently revoked the assignments of two ambassadors because they had gone inactive. The sad thing is, I don't think they've read the post and realized it yet. ;-;
In any case, thanks for the update! It sounds like there's a lot of good things going on in TNP, and I may just have to take a closer look at some of those military and cultural initiatives to bring over to Wintreath. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all. ;)
And given how I was the first person to be killed off in Werewolf, I think plenty of people would love to see the execution of the Monarch. :P
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[size=14]The North Pacific
Ministry of Foreign Affairs[/size]
Magicality City, 11/18/2014/right]
Dear Wintermoot,
On behalf of our regional government and our community of nations, I send our well wishes to our friends across NationStates. This is just a polite notice to inform you that the North Pacific has not received any updates or messages from your regional government in the more than six months in your embassy on our regional forum.
We believe that it is desirable for both parties that our diplomatic channels remain open and active. We hope that all is going well in the region and we hope that we will here from you soon. If we do not hear from you in the next month, your Embassy may be archived for inactivity. You would be welcome to reapply at any time.
Kind Regards,
Egalotir
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Huh...we've certainly had dispatches since then. I'll look and see what's going on soon...
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The North Pacific Press Releases is a program by the Ministry of Home Affairs that aims to promote all important events taking place in The North Pacific, with the dual objective of keeping our nations better informed about regional happenings, and getting more nations involved in the forum and government.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will be distributing these short press releases to our Embassies abroad.
Judicial Elections
The Election Commissioners have announced this morning (November 12th) the final results (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7269608/1/) of the November 2014 Judicial Election.
In the Court, Democatic Donkeys stays on the bench, where he is joined by region veteran Grosseschnauzer and newcomer Kialga-Lourti. Gracius Maximus, having served in the past as Deputy Attorney General, now takes the reins in the Attorney General's Office.
The announcement of the results concluded what has been one of the most exciting elections in The North Pacific. The election saw strong competition between both new and old members, extensive campaigning, and intense debate. A total of 55 ballots were cast, of which 53 were valid. This is an all-time record for The North Pacific, and another sign that regional community and democracy continue to grow strong.
North Pacific Army sets new record
On November 15th, the North Pacific Army (NPA) received a request from The East Pacific (TEP), to assist with the delegacy transition to newly-elected Xoriet. The NPA promptly responded and, following Xoriet's successful ascension to the delegacy, remained garrisoned in TEP until November 25th.
During this operation, the NPA set a new historical record for largest number of troops deployed, with 22 NPA soldiers moving to TEP in the span of three updates.
The NPA is one of the largest and most active militaries in the world. It has a tradition of more than a decade of protecting The North Pacific, its allies, and its interests abroad.
Crushing Our Enemies elected Vice Delegate
The Election Commissioners have announced today (November 30th) the results (http://s13.zetaboards.com/TNP/topic/7285260/1/) of the Special Election for Vice Delegate.
Crushing Our Enemies (General COE) was elected, after receiving a little more than half of all votes cast, and almost two thirds of non-abstentions. COE, as he is known, has in the past served as Speaker of the Regional Assembly, Chief Justice, and Minister of Communications. In his new role as Vice Delegate, COE will be chairing the Security Council, The North Pacific's guardian body, and will also be first in line to succeed Delegate r3naissanc3r (HMS Unicorn), should the latter resign or be removed. COE will remain in this office until the next general election, in January 2015.
Following the conclusion of the election, Delegate r3naissanc3r additionally appointed COE as Minister of Regional Security, a position intended to provide Vice Delegates with access to the Cabinet and to facilitate coordination between the Cabinet and the Security Council.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnpupdate.PNG)
Click to join: Regional Forum (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/) | Regional Assembly (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/1/) | Executive Staff (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7198621/1/) | North Pacific Army (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7279690/1/) | World Assembly Ministry (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/39609/) | Democratic Union (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7218873/1/)
The North Pacific Press Releases are produced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you for reading!
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Thanks for the update! Also, I've applied to TNP forums and am waiting for an admin to validate me. Hopefully we can get this inactivity in our embassy straightened out real soon. :)
And I hope things are going well with you, too. It's been quite awhile since you were first sent to us.
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Thanks for the update! Also, I've applied to TNP forums and am waiting for an admin to validate me. Hopefully we can get this inactivity in our embassy straightened out real soon. :)
And I hope things are going well with you, too. It's been quite awhile since you were first sent to us.
I will help push your request through! Things with me have been very well, although very busy is why i have been a bit inactive. But that will all change soon with the coming of Winter Break here and I look forward to further contact between us!
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Thank you! I'm glad to hear things have been well with you! I think most people have been a bit inactive lately...just the time of the year. :P
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Just wanted to follow up,
Have you been able to join the forums in TNP? I hope the communication between us continues and you have been able to reach out to R3n about the inactivity i suppose.
Thanks,
Egalotir
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Thanks for reminding me...I've posted our last Orendi over, at least. :)
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That time of the month again!
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The North Pacific Deploys with Allies
The North Pacific Army (NPA) has had a busy week working with allies of The North Pacific.
For the period December 1-4, the NPA was deployed in Equilism, to assist with the delegacy transition to newly-elected Patrimonium Petri. A total of 21 NPA soldiers took part in the successful operation.
Between December 6-9, the NPA conducted a training operation in Fandom alliance, jointly with the South Pacific Special Forces (SPSF) and the Europeian Republican Navy (ERN). More than 30 troops from the three allied militaries deployed, with the NPA providing 18 soldiers.
Following the successful conclusion of the two operations, NPA General Gladio presented all soldiers involved with participation ribbons, and announced several promotions. You can read the full announcement here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7293240/1/).
The NPA Training with Feeder allies
The NPA is one of the largest and most active militaries in the world. It has a tradition of more than a decade of protecting The North Pacific, its allies, and its interests abroad. You can become part of this tradition here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7279690/1/).
The North Pacific Army (NPA) has conducted a successful training mission jointly with the allied militaries of the East Pacific Sovereign Army (EPSA) and the South Pacific Special Forces (SPSF). Between December 12-15, the three feeder militaries deployed in Guardians of Destiny. More than 25 troops from the three allied militaries participated, with the NPA providing 18 soldiers.
This is another in a series of successful joint operations the NPA has been conducting with its feeder allies. Following the successful conclusion of the operation, Minister of Defense and NPA General Gladio presented all soldiers involved with participation ribbons, and announced several promotions. You can read the full announcement here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7298323/1/).
The NPA is one of the largest and most active militaries in the world. It has a tradition of more than a decade of protecting The North Pacific, its allies, and its interests abroad. You can become part of this tradition
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnpupdate.PNG)
Click to join: Regional Forum (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/) | Regional Assembly (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/1/) | Executive Staff (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7198621/1/) | North Pacific Army (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7279690/1/) | World Assembly Ministry (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/39609/) | Democratic Union (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7218873/1/)
The North Pacific Press Releases are produced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you for reading!
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I'm curious...you said over 25 troops where involved in the operations, and that 18 of them came from the NPA. That would imply that it contributed nearly 2.5x times many troops as the NSA and EPSA combined...if so, that is quite a feat.
Thanks for the update. :)
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I'm curious...you said over 25 troops where involved in the operations, and that 18 of them came from the NPA. That would imply that it contributed nearly 2.5x times many troops as the NSA and EPSA combined...if so, that is quite a feat.
Thanks for the update. :)
Yeap, I was part of all those operations. I have recently joined the NPA to help our abroad. It is quite something, what a force we have.
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Come to Wintreath! Join our military! Defending is fun! Or something... :))
You can't blame me for trying. :P
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Come to Wintreath! Join our military! Defending is fun! Or something... :))
You can't blame me for trying. :P
Hahahaha tempting...tempting... :P
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Oh I'm sure :P
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From everyone in TNP,
Happy New Years! ^-^
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Thanks! Happy New Years to you and The North Pacific as well! :D
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Update from TNP:
This January, The North Pacific will be electing a Delegate, Vice Delegate, and Speaker, to serve until the next election in May. Anyone who has been a citizen for the last 15 days (since December 17th, 2014) is eligible to run for these offices, excepting that r3naissanc3r is unable to run for Delegate due to term limitations, and eligible citizens may run for more than one of these offices if they so wish. Loss of citizenship before the conclusion of this election will also result in loss of eligibility to run for any office during this election.
We have our elections starting in 4 days. I shall keep you all updated on the results.
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Thanks for letting us know! Is there a slate of candidates yet?
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Delegate
Candidates:
mcmasterdonia
Romanoffia
Nominees:
Eluvatar
flemingovia
Gracius Maximus
Declined Nomination:
Invalid Nominees:
Crushing Our Enemies
Vice Delegate
Candidates:
The Democratic Republic of Tomb
SillyString
Nominees:
Falapatorius
Declined Nomination:
Invalid Nominees:
Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Candidates:
Bootsie
Lord Nwahs
Jhonsjoe
Nominees:
punk d
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Thanks! :)
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(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-wa2.png) The WADP or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Endotarters
by r3naissanc3r, Publisher
December 3rd saw the launch of The North Pacific WA Development Program (WADP): a large-scale campaign to encourage all nations in TNP to actively give and solicit endorsements ("endotart", in gameplay parlance). A few of you may be thinking that you have misread, but you have not. TNP is indeed asking every single nation in the region to try and gather as many endorsements as possible. The encouragement is not just theoretical: the WADP gives nations access to software tools to make massive endotarting easier, promotes endotarting through telegram campaigns, and hands out awards to nations excelling at this activity. So far, more than 8000 telegrams have been sent, and two volumes of region-wide awards rewarding more than 400 nations have been published.
Even before the launch of this program, TNP was already uniquely welcoming to endotarters among feeder regions. If you take a look at the other four pacifics, you will notice "endorsement caps" prominently featuring in their World Factbook Entries. The caps range between 5% and 50% of the respective delegate's endorsements, and apply to virtually all nations in the region. Anyone violating them is threatened with ejection. By contrast, in TNP there is a flexible endorsement cap equal to the endorsement count of the vice delegate, typically about 85% of the delegate's endorsements, and the cap is well-hidden within the forum-hosted regional laws instead of being advertised on the WFE. The WADP takes this policy of lax regulation even further, by almost completely liberalizing endotarting activity in the region.
The strict endorsement cap practice found in other feeders has become popular for, primarily, security reasons. The reasoning goes, endorsement caps are useful for preventing a scenario where a nation not approved by the regional government will endotart their way to the top and usurp the delegacy. However, given the current WA populations and delegate endorsement counts of feeders, as well as the widespread availability of tracking tools, it is very unrealistic that a nation could get dangerously close to the delegate's endorsement count without getting noticed and promptly dealt with. The more realistic scenario, especially in democratic feeders, is a nation becoming delegate through the means prescribed by the regional government, then once installed in the delegacy going "rogue" and acting against that government. Empirical evidence supports this: all modern successful or attempted feeder coups, as well as most sinker coups, have been the result of originally government-endorsed delegates going rogue.
Strict endorsement caps not only do nothing to prevent occurrences of this scenario, but also make it very difficult to counter them. Indeed, a strict endorsement cap means that the vast majority of WA nations in a region have negligible influence, making it very easy for a well-positioned rogue delegate to decimate the region's WA population, suppress opposition, and cause severe long-term damage to the region. Simply put, under realistic circumstances, strict endorsement caps do more harm than good and make a region less secure. To facilitate countering rogue delegacies, a more appropriate policy is to go in the opposite direction and encourage active endotarting. Doing so results in the creation of an expansive layer of nations with high endorsement counts, and consecutively high influence and high ejection cost. The larger this layer, the harder it is for a rogue delegate to perform mass ejections and cause damage; and conversely, the easier it is for the regional government to regain control of the delegacy.
The WADP has already resulted in a tremendous increase in endotarting activity within TNP. One way to quantify such activity is by using "endorsement saturation": a term coined by Eluvatar, this is equal to the total number of endorsements that have been exchanged in a region, expressed as a percentage of the total number of endorsements if every WA nation had endorsed every other WA nation. Since the introduction of program, TNP's endorsement saturation has increased from 6.5% to higher than 9%. This corresponds to more than 12000 new endorsements being exchanged. TNP now ranks first among the feeders in endorsement saturation, from third when the program began. As an additional benefit, the WADP has resulted in a strong boost in WA membership within the region: The ratio of WA to total nations has increased from 14% to 16%, with TNP's WA nation count marginally increasing despite the seasonal sharp decrease in regional population.
The WADP is particularly well-suited to TNP because of its uniquely large WA population and high delegate endorsement rates. Similar programs would also work well in other feeders, given their current sizes, and it will be interesting to see whether those regions will follow TNP's example. As for sinker regions, the situation is more complicated. As the Osiris coup of July 2013 demonstrated, a large layer of nations with significant influence is critical for countering rogue delegacies in these regions as well. However, the relatively small sizes of the sinkers make a complete liberalization of endotarting activity risky. Balancing a policy of increasing endotarting with maintaining endorsement count security is an intriguing challenge for all sinker governments.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-game2.png) Making Sure Everyone Finds Their Slice of Pieby The Democratic Republic of Tomb, Game-side Correspondent
Among the ministries comprising the executive government of The North Pacific, one finds the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is currently the newest addition to the government, though ministries with related portfolios have existed in the past under other names. What is it responsible for? Recruitment. "But feeders don't recruit!", I hear you contend. The term "recruitment" in NationStates context usually refers to inviting nations to join a region, which is not critical for feeders and indeed conventionally not practiced by them. But there's a lot more to it.
The Ministry of Home Affairs works to increase nation retention and encourage nation participation in the government and regional activities, especially participation on the regional forum. You could describe it as the regional advertising agency: The ministry designs and runs campaigns to promote the many different things nations can do in TNP, such as become citizens, legislate in the Regional Assembly, protect regional interests in the North Pacific Army, run the government in the Executive Staff, roleplay in the Democratic Union, endorse and vote in the World Assembly, and so on. By the nature of its portfolio, Home Affairs is a very interdisciplinary department. The ministry staff work closely with officials from other ministries or areas of government, to understand their needs and organize for them the best advertising campaigns possible.
Home Affairs uses many different means to advertise the region. Telegramming is, naturally, a large component of the ministry's campaigns. Various target groups of nations are contacted for activities that they are likely to be interested in, through automated, mass, and manual telegrams. More than 100,000 telegrams, including more than 5,000 manual telegrams, have been sent as part of campaigns by the ministry since its creation eight months ago - and that excludes region-wide and welcoming telegrams sent by the delegate using the regional administration tools. At any given time, there are at least seven standard automated telegrams and one specialized telegramming campaign going on.
The ministry also makes effective use of dispatches. This includes the Press Release program, which produces short announcements keeping nations abreast of important developments, as well as longer reference and promotional material such as regional handbooks and activity guidelines. The ministry staff coordinates to make sure its publications are strongly upvoted - there are always at least two TNP dispatches near or at the top of both the New and Best dispatches page. Other gameside activities coordinated by the ministry include frequent promotional posts on the Regional Message Board, regional polls, as well as extensive region-wide surveys gauging nations' views on various issues. And the ministry's work continues after nations join the forum, with more reference and promotional material and initiatives such as the mentoring program.
The effectiveness of these efforts is reflected clearly on the bustling activity seen nowadays in TNP's regional forum. The forum community contains many new faces, fresh ideas, conversations and debates. The number of citizens, North Pacific Army soldiers, Executive Staff members, RolePlay and World Assembly participants has increased greatly since the creation of the Ministry, and posting activity has remained consistently among the highest within gameplay regional forums. Constant effort is required to sustain these rewarding statistics. For this reason, the Ministry of Home Affairs continues to work to make sure that TNPers have the best resources available to them, and to ensure that everyone finds their slice of pie in the region.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-culture.png) The RP Government of TNPby mcmasterdonia, Culture Reporter
During the last few months, The North Pacific has seen a revival in its roleplay section, with many players, old and new, contributing dozens of posts per day. A major drive for this activity has been the founding and development of the Democratic Union (DU).
The DU was founded in July 2014, and is an international institution whose members are nations within TNP, as roleplayed by their owners. It is a roleplay government within a government, of sorts, providing a formal framework for collaboration among the members on various issues of importance to them. The DU has its own charter, officials (in the form of IC representatives from selected nations), elections, legislative procedure, admissions - all the basic elements one would expect to find in a standard gameplay government. It additionally has many purely roleplay characteristics, such as a place for its own headquarters on the map of TNP.
The DU charter provides that membership is reserved for democratic nations, with the democratic tendencies of each nation being quantified using NationStates metrics such as the Diebold Election Inking Scale. A Chairman and a Deputy, elected from among national members, comprise its leadership. The government of Malvad held the inaugural Chairman, replaced in November by Scandigrad after a hotly contested election.
Since its creation, the DU has debated and enacted multiple resolutions, ranging from amendments to its charter to international agreements. These include a free trade agreement, a collective defence agreement, and measures for the regulation of weapons of mass destruction. The increased legislative activity has motivated the formation of committees, to improve the efficiency of the DU's response to specialized areas.
In addition to international legislation, the DU has been actively involved in addressing international incidents involving its members. In one instance, the DU met to discuss a political crisis in McMasterdonia, where the Monarchy decided to suspend elections and has been accused of suppressing the freedom of the press. The discussion saw the McMasterdonian ambassador accuse the then Chairman from Malvad of attempting to deflect attention from internal problems that had been plaguing Malvad in recent years. The government of Malvad eventually recalled their DU ambassador, though they denied the accusations and insisted that an investigation should be carried out in McMasterdonia. Another contentious issue has been the Cronaal Civil War. The war saw Syrixia invade the nation with a 5000 strong force, characterized as a "peacekeeper force", without proper consultation of either the DU or the government of Cronaal. The decision drew criticism from many national ambassadors to the DU, and the subsequent discussion led to the withdrawal of Syrixian forces.
With recruitment and promotional support from the Ministry of Culture of the gameplay government of TNP, the DU has quickly become a vital regional institution. Its success has lead to discussions about establishing another such body, open to nations not admissible to the DU, with an intention of creating a rival to the DU's monopoly on international power in the region. How such proposals will pan out remains to be seen. What is certain is that it is an exciting time to roleplay your nation in TNP.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-for3.png) An Interview with Cormac
by mcmasterdonia, Foreign Correspondent
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
This interview was conducted in early December, as the follow-up to an interview with Funkadellia published in the previous issue. Since that time, some of the circumstances referenced in this interview have changed or further developed, whereas recently Cormac has announced his retirement from the game. We decided to still publish this interview, as it offers interesting insights on diplomatic affairs of the summer and fall of 2014.
mcmasterdonia: Today, I am joined by Cormac Stark, two-time former Pharaoh of Osiris and one of the co-founders of the Osiris Fraternal Order.
What are you up to in NationStates right now?
Cormac: Well, I am currently a Regional Assembly representative (an elected legislator) in Spiritus and a sergeant in the Spiritus Defense Force. I have re-applied for the Regional Assembly of The North Pacific, where I've had membership before. I have also founded a new region, Camelot, though it has been slow going, due in large part to computer problems for me over the past month. I'm not entirely sure about the future of that project.
mcmasterdonia: In your few years in NationStates, you have been quite a controversial figure. Do you enjoy controversy?
Cormac: It depends on the nature of the controversy. Do I enjoy good-natured, in-character controversy that enhances game activity? Yes, and I strive to generate it whenever I see an opportunity that meshes with my interests. Controversy that turns personal and ugly? Not so much. And unfortunately the former can often lead to the latter, though it shouldn't.
mcmasterdonia: I'd like to ask you some questions about your time as Pharaoh of Osiris and specifically about the war with Lazarus. First off, did you enjoy serving as Pharaoh of Osiris?
Cormac: Well, I've served twice. There were parts of it I enjoyed and parts I didn't. Osiris has a great, friendly community, but its politics can be extremely contentious at times. Being heavily involved in the leadership of that political community for as long as I was, with no break, didn't mesh well with my temperament. It became a lot of pressure but I would like to believe, overall, that I've done a lot of good for Osiris, and I certainly enjoyed the positive contributions I've made to the region.
mcmasterdonia: What did you find to be the greatest challenge of Osiris?
Cormac: Balancing the needs and interests of various factions within the community. Interest groups may be a better word, as factions implies that they were only looking out for their own group's interests and that largely wasn't the case. Specifically, I had difficulty balancing the needs and interests of independents, imperialists, and raiders in Osiris, all of whom had different goals for the region. Sometimes those goals intersected but there were some disagreements and I didn't handle those well.
mcmasterdonia: Do you believe that the OFO revolution has been a successful one for the community of Osiris?
Cormac: I think it's been successful, on the whole, with some caveats. The Osiris Fraternal Order has brought an unprecedented level of liberal democracy to Osiris, and certainly the community is now far less fractious than prior to the OFO. I don't think the focus on militarization, on imperialism, has been beneficial to Osiris. That was a mistake, and it was a mistake the entire community made together. No external entity forced imperialism upon Osiris.
mcmasterdonia: What are your thoughts on the Empire, given that more than a year has passed since they were removed from Osiris?
Cormac: When the Empire group was expelled from Osiris last year, I was very angry at how they had conducted themselves during the Delegacy of Detective Figs (Astarial) and not yet ready to acknowledge that the way some others, myself at times included, conducted ourselves also contributed to the deterioration of her government. That anger is long since gone and the self-reflection has long since happened. There are winners and losers in every battle for control of a Feeder or Sinker, or any region for that matter; the Empire group lost in this case. I was one of the winners and perhaps the highest profile of the winners. It was, literally, my job to make our case against them, and I did it very well.
For the record, I don't think they're actually terrible, as my rhetoric would lead one to believe. I think they're great players, I think they're good people out-of-character, they can be strong allies in-character under the right circumstances, and politically -- in the best sense, as this is a political game -- I think they're dangerous.
mcmasterdonia: I will now move on to some questions about the war with Lazarus, which dominated your last term as Pharaoh of Osiris.
Did you make any effort, to discuss the issues you (and the OFO Government) had with the Government of Lazarus prior to the declaration of war?
Cormac: No significant effort. I did send a very hostile telegram to Funkadelia, Chairman of Lazarus at the time, expressing my discontent with the threatening remarks made by LLA General Aperi (Karpathos). I never received a response, though I didn't actually expect one given my own hostile tone. No efforts were made beyond that.
mcmasterdonia: Were you surprised or disappointed by the responses of other regions to the declaration?
Cormac: Largely I was neither surprised nor disappointed. Most regions I expected to side with Lazarus did, most regions I expected to remain neutral also did so. I was somewhat surprised and disappointed by the lack of explicit support from Osiris' independent, imperialist, and raider allies. But I suppose they had their reasons, and given the way the war turned out that may have been the better decision for their regions.
mcmasterdonia: Do you stand by your complaints about the attendants of the Regional Sovereignty Conference as being a forum for discussing the war effort?
Cormac: No. The complaints were ridiculous, but were manufactured to give us a convenient excuse to sever even the most basic relations with several regions that were in alliance with Lazarus and opposed to Osiris' interests -- and thus to remove any accountability to or pressure from them in regard to the war or other matters. Unfortunately, some other regions, such as The West Pacific, were collateral damage, and in hindsight I should have differentiated between more friendly regions and those that were actually hostile to our interests.
mcmasterdonia: Do you stand by the decision to close embassies with regions who attended the Conference?
Cormac: Some of them. The regions that were, and are, hostile to the interests of the Osiris Fraternal Order know who they are, and I don't for a minute regret closing their embassies and severing diplomatic relations with them. The charade of diplomatic relations was nothing more than that, a charade. In regard to other regions -- again, most notably The West Pacific -- I regret my actions, and I sincerely apologize for damage done between more friendly regions and the Osiris Fraternal Order.
mcmasterdonia: Do you have any regrets regarding the handling of the Osiris-Lazarus War?
Cormac: I regret the war itself. It served no positive purpose for Osiris, for Lazarus, or for the broader NationStates world. I maintain that it could have served positive purposes, but both the handling of the Regional Sovereignty Conference and the squeamishness of some Feeder and Sinker communities prevented any of those purposes from coming to fruition.
mcmasterdonia: Not long after the end of your term as Pharaoh, the ISRA was officially abolished, do you believe this was a good thing for Osiris?
Cormac: Yes. ISRA was an institutional failure from the beginning. Neither Osiris nor Balder had the personnel to staff that kind of joint military. ISRA also revealed some significant differences in the political and military aims of Osiris and Balder, differences that would have been no problem for bilateral treaty allies but did pose a problem for a joint military institution. Those differences actually created tension rather than strengthening unity. Had ISRA not been abolished, it may have completely destroyed the alliance between Osiris and Balder over time. For the sake of that alliance, I'm glad ISRA was abolished.
mcmasterdonia: Do you have any regrets from your term as Pharaoh?
Cormac: Focusing on my second term, I do have a few regrets. I regret that I focused so heavily on external policy; I don't think it was at all what Osiris needed, even had I handled it better. As noted, I regret the war and I regret some of the embassy closures. Finally, I regret the rash decisions I made without consulting my cabinet -- notably including the embassy closures -- and my difficulty with compromising, particularly in the early days of the term in regard to some domestic issues.
mcmasterdonia: What do you believe is the greatest challenge for the OFO in the months ahead?
Cormac: Domestic recovery. Activity has completely died since I resigned from office. Rebuilding foreign affairs can't be the immediate focus, as it won't even be possible until other regions can see that Osiris has restored internal activity and stability. Part of that is going to be elevating some fresh faces with fresh perspectives, ideas, and above all, energy, into higher office, with a stable and orderly transition from the OFO "old guard" -- if you can call it that -- to newer and more energized citizens. A newer citizen shouldn't just be thrust into the office of Pharaoh, but it's time to start elevating these people so that they will be ready to serve as Pharaoh in the near future.
mcmasterdonia: Do you see yourself returning to Osiris and serving in the regional government again in the near future?
Cormac: I feel that I do know what Osiris needs to do in order to restore activity and stability, and I feel that I have the experience necessary to effectively take those steps. Ultimately, whether I'm the right person for that job at this time would be up to the people of Osiris, if I return. I would be lying if I said I weren't seriously considering a return to the region and the possibility of a run for Pharaoh, given the state of the region since I resigned from office. If I were to do that, I would be pursuing just one term with an emphasis on making a transition to newer citizens with fresh ideas and energy.
mcmasterdonia: What advice do you have for future Delegates of Game Created Regions?
Cormac: Well, the circumstances of each Delegate are diverse. The Delegate of The Pacific is not going to have the same experience as the Delegate of The South Pacific, for example. In general, I would advise future Delegates not to try to be a one person government. Delegate to your cabinet. Consult your cabinet. Listen to your cabinet. Don't go it alone, on any matter, unless absolutely necessary. Consult as broad a sample of your region as possible under varying circumstances; from autocracy to democracy and everything in between, it's still their region. You're just leading it.
mcmasterdonia: Future plans?
Cormac: I'm happy with my role in Spiritus and I'm looking forward to getting involved in The North Pacific again. As I noted, I'm considering a return to Osiris. Beyond that, I don't really have any solid plans for the future. Wherever the road takes me, I suppose!
mcmasterdonia: Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions Cormac, all the best! Thank you, and my best to you and to all the people of The North Pacific as well!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-legb.png) Citizenship Reform in TNPby r3naissanc3r, Legislative Reporter
For the first time in its decade-long constitutional history, The North Pacific has a citizenry. This is the result of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), which TNP's legislature, the Regional Assembly (RA), passed on December 26th, 2014.
The act effects two changes. The first is a rebranding of the membership status granting the right to vote and stand for office, from "Regional Assembly member" to "citizen". The second is a change in the activity requirements for maintaining this status: In the past, one needed to vote frequently in the RA to remain a member. Now, a citizen needs instead to post frequently on the regional forum, even outside the RA.
Though seemingly simple, these changes are expected to have far-reaching effects on both the size and the make-up of TNP's electorate. To see why, one needs to consider regional members that actively participate in the forum community and government, but are not necessarily interested in the legislative activities of the RA. Frequently these members would either choose not to join the RA, or fail to meet the voting activity requirements and be removed shortly after joining. As a result, these members would be disenfranchised during elections, despite making valuable contributions to the region.
This issue had become very pronounced over the last year, due to a shift in demographics in TNP's regional community: Unlike an emphasis on RA that characterized TNP in the past, nowadays the RA makes up a small percentage of regional activity, and most of it can be found in the regional forum's vibrant roleplay, World Assembly, executive and military sections. In response to this shift, the VRA removes this bias towards RA activity, and expands franchise to include all the non-RA inclined active members.
Following the enactment of the VRA, the government has embarked upon an extensive campaign to raise awareness about the new citizenship policy among regional members, both on the forum and the game side. This has resulted in more than 50 new citizenship applications, from both old and new members, and so far there does not appear to be a slow down in the rate in which applications are received. An interesting test for the new citizenship system will be the January 2015 General Election. Expectations are high that, thanks to the new policy, there will be a new record for number of votes cast in an election - the current record is 53 votes, recorded in th November 2014. The new policy has also encouraged a change in the way candidates have been running their campaigns, with a lot emphasis being placed on gameside campaigning through telegrams, dispatches, and regional message board posts.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: r3naissanc3r :: Managing Editor: The Democratic Republic of Tomb :: Graphic Artist: SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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Thanks for the update! I read each article and found them all very interesting...
The WADP or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Endotarters
That's a very fascinating idea for regional security of feeders and perhaps sinkers...of course, I don't think The North Pacific is in danger of being couped anyways. With the normal system of endo caps, I could see how it could exclude other nations until they got in with the ruling clique and gained the trust to get a higher endo cap. However, this system is very inclusive, and probably allows nations to think they're doing something very good for the security of the region too. Very impressive.
Of course, this system assumes that most regular nations won't side with a rogue delegate...:P
Making Sure Everyone Finds Their Slice of Pie
It's interesting to hear how other regions do their ministries and assign work to them. In Wintreath, the duties that are described for TNP's Ministry of Home Affairs are shared by the Ministries of Integration and Information, in that Integration promotes what we're doing in the region and makes sure Citizens can reach their full potential, and Information is responsible for publishing news and guides. I'm curious, does TNP have any difficult keeping that ministry active, given that it's responsible for so much?
The RP Government of TNP
A very interesting program, indeed...as I gather it's a cross between a model government and a model localized World Assembly. That's something I would be very interested in bringing to Wintreath, so I may look into that. One of the biggest complaints we get in the region is that we don't do anything connected to NS or their nations, and this might be one way to do that and drive activity.
An Interview with Cormac
No. The complaints were ridiculous, but were manufactured to give us a convenient excuse to sever even the most basic relations with several regions that were in alliance with Lazarus and opposed to Osiris' interests -- and thus to remove any accountability to or pressure from them in regard to the war or other matters. Unfortunately, some other regions, such as The West Pacific, were collateral damage, and in hindsight I should have differentiated between more friendly regions and those that were actually hostile to our interests.
I've noticed over the past year that this is a constant in Osiris since the founding of the OFO, particularly when it comes to foreign affairs: manufactured outrage as pretext for actions to bolster its Pharaoh's personall ambitions. Manufactured outrage against The Empire and "defender subversives" from the beginning, the Lazarus and Sovereignty Conference attendees during the war, and most recently against Ainur, a strong sovereign region that has had relations severed with the OFO twice...first to add dramatic flair to Cormac's war, and then so its current Pharaoh could grind an axe against someone he has a grudge against.
Unfortunately, it seems that foreign relations are but mere playthings in the game for the OFO's Pharaohs to settle their political scores and bolster their personal agendas, at times at the cost of the region as a whole. Of course, when a region decides it needs to declare war on another region to raise activity...The North Pacific is active, it never needed to do that did it? :P
Citizenship Reform in TNP
In my experience, it seems nearly every election we have someone that's new or has otherwise never participated in government running for election to the legislature...in fact I was one of them in Spiritus, running in the Regional Assembly having only been in NationStates for two months and mostly being involved in the community before. I campaigned on a platform that it was good for new people to be part of a region's legislature...it's the perfect place for someone to learn and practice regional law, and it gives fresh blood and insight to the region. I still believe that today, and those ideas are obviously reflected in TNP's Voting Rights Act.
I suspect this will give a huge boost in regional government that won't be fully appreciated for months if not years to come. :)
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The Home Affairs has been doing a wonderful job on all fronts! I can't tell i they're having any trouble with it, but everything has been on schedule, we've had votes ingame and out of game, theme weeks. They have really done an excellent job.
As for the RP government, I helped found the DU! It has been an amazing experience so far with how many people have joined. We have also just re-written the constitution to allow for more people to join, a better system of doing things, an entire legislative and judicial branch. It's going to have a lot more legitamte power and say in international and internal matters.
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It's so hard to find good ministerial help these days...I think I've hired and fired half the region before getting a great Cabinet. I'm glad TNP has enough people with the time and dedication to do all that work. :)
I will definitely be checking out the DU this weekend! I'm curious, how did it come into being? Like who came up with the idea and how did it go from being an idea to a thing?
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There was a roleplay group before the DU with similiar ideas but it completely died when i get there. So I asked everyone if they would be interested in a revival, and a lot of people were in. We drafted up a charter and within a week or two got a subforum formed up. We went through there to set up goals, roleplays, legislation. It's actually incredible to me in such little time how much we got done and how alive it is now.
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That's very impressive, indeed...you must be proud of how far it's gone since. :)
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That's very impressive, indeed...you must be proud of how far it's gone since. :)
Very proud! We're about to approve the new Constitution as well. On that note, here are the results of the January General Elections 2015
Candidates Votes Elected
Eluvatar 14 no
mcmasterdonia 52 yes
Romanoffia 2 no
abstain 4 -
reopen nominations 1 nominations not reopened
Mcmasterdonia has won the elections as the new Delegate of The North Pacific. He is currently gathering his cabinet.
Candidates Votes Elected
SillyString 41 yes
The Democratic Republic of Tomb 28 no
abstain 3 -
reopen nominations 3 nominations not reopened
SillyString has won the elections for Vice Delegate of The North Pacific!
Candidates Votes Elected
Bootsie 19 no
JhonsJoe 3 no
Lord Nwahs 38 yes
abstain 12 -
reopen nominations 2 nominations not reopened
Lord Nwahs has won re-election as Speaker of the Regional Assembly of The North Pacific!
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Hehe...somehow I figured mcm would win. I think he'd be made permanent delegate if they were allowed to. :P
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New Cabinet Announced
Greetings all!
It gives me great pleasure to announce my executive council team for the coming term:
Minister of Culture & Entertainment: Scandigrad
The Ministry of Culture and Entertainment received the most applications by far, which is a testament to the hugely successful previous term(s) of this Ministry since it was reinstituted in 2012. The Ministry of Culture is a very important Ministry, and many see it as an opportunity to make a name for yourself, and to make a real difference in the region.
Scandigrad has been a leading member of the Culture Staff and a chief role player in the region since his recent return to the game. This appointment made complete sense, but it was not without close competition. Scandigrad will oversee an overhaul of role play in the North Pacific, and will be responsible for continuing the award ceremonies, as well as coordinating various joint-cultural events we have planned for the term. I have no doubt that Scandigrad will do an excellent job in this position. I have passed my recommendation on to Scandigrad for who he should choose as a deputy, but that decision is ultimately up to him.
Minister of Education: Malvad
I have decided to bring back the old Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education will be responsible for the management and operation of the North Pacific University. The University was previously part of the Ministry of Culture and Entertainment. Given the growing needs of the role play community, the awards, and the various other responsibilities of the Culture Ministry, I have decided to split the University into it’s own Ministry - which will also accommodate other educational needs of the North Pacific Community.
The University was a major part of my campaign, and I will be delighted to see TNPU achieve huge heights of success under this Ministry. The Ministry of Education will be responsible for the planning of the 2015 Lecture Series I mentioned in my campaign, and for the coordination of the Education Executive Staff to prepare classes and other materials to keep TNPers interested and participating in the North Pacific University. Furthermore, the Ministry will be responsible for the updating of TNP FAQ’s, including the in-game dispatches, which will be reorganised to make it easier for TNPers to learn and find the information they are looking for.
Malvad, previously the Minister of Culture and entertainment, will be taking on this role. I am glad to have Malvad taking on this key part of my agenda for the coming term.
Minister of Communications: Crushing Our Enemies General COE
I am delighted to announce that Crushing Our Enemies will serve as the Minister of Communications in the coming term. COE was one of the founders of the Northern Lights, and he brought renewed vigor and efficient management to the Communications during his time in the position. I am grateful to have COE serve as the Communications Minister. COE will be working towards creating a reliable team of writers to support his efforts in makingTNL the greatest NS news source.
Minister of Defence: Eluvatar (aka Zemnaya Svoboda)
This may come as a surprise to some members of the region. Shortly after the election, Minister Gladio met with me and informed me of his intentions to stand down. Gladio has served the North Pacific excellently as our Minister of Defence, and I am truly grateful for all of his efforts in the position. Gladio has informed me that he intends to continue to stay on in the NPA, and that he will be around to support the new Minister in his efforts.
Eluvatar is a highly experienced and respected military operator. Eluvatar, in coordination with myself, and the NPA high command, will be responsible for the management of the North Pacific Army. Eluvatar will oversee the defensive and offensive training for the North Pacific Army that I outlined in my campaign.
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Egalotir
Egalotir has served as my deputy for the past 8 months of office. Egalotir will be leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the next term. Egalotir will be supported in his efforts by myself as WA Delegate, and by the experienced staff of the Diplomatic Corps. Egalotir’s focus for the term will be on strengthening our existing alliances, constant collaboration with foreign diplomats, the efficient management of the Diplomatic Corps, and the development of TNP relations with smaller regions. Egalotir will also coordinate on matters of foreign policy with the WA Minister, and the Minister of Defence.
Minister of Home Affairs: The Democratic Republic of Tomb
This appointment made perfect sense. Tomb has done a fantastic job as Home Affairs Minister and I fully wanted him to continue in this position. Tomb will continue to work extremely hard to integrate the onsite community onto our offsite forum. Tomb will help to coordinate recruiting efforts between Ministry’s, and will serve as the chief point of call for Minister’s who are looking to recruit for their assigned areas. More attention will be paid to the mentor program this term, this may well be coordinated between Home Affairs and Education.
Minister of World Assembly Affairs - r3naissanc3r (aka HMS Unicorn)
I am very grateful to former Delegate r3naissanc3r who has agreed to take on the position of Minister for World Assembly Affairs. The Ministry achieved unprecedented levels of influence and success under the stewardship of r3n, and it was clear that r3n would be the best individual to serve in this position. Minister r3n will assist me in reopening dialogue on the progress of the World Assembly Legislative League and in continuing the strong influence of the North Pacific in the World Assembly.
I encourage all new Minister’s to take their oaths as soon as possible. I would like to thank everyone who applied to serve in the cabinet. We definitely had some tough choices this time around. I have passed on my recommendations to the various appointed Minister's about who should serve as their Deputy for the coming term.
Please join me in congratulating my new team, and in wishing them, the very best of luck.
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Delegate of the North Pacific
The North Pacific Army assists in Anti Nazi Alliance
The North Pacific Army (NPA) has recently participated in a successful operation led by The MT Army and joined by, among others, NPA's allies in the South Pacific Special Forces (SPSF), to secure the region Anti Nazi Alliance. The military coalition password-protected the historic region, which in the past had been targetted by fascist and Nazi regions.
The NPA contributed 18 soldiers, who remained garrisoned in the region for a period of two weeks. Additionally, the NPA provided information and planning critical for successfully passwording the region. The operation is another in a long series of successful missions the NPA has led or participated in, in pursuit of its long-standing objective against fascist and Nazi forces in NationStates.
Following the successful conclusion of the operation, outgoing Minister of Defense and NPA General Gladio awarded participation ribbons to all soldiers involved. You can read the full announcement here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7321900/1/).
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It would appear that congratulations are in order! No longer are you merely the ambassador to off-the-trial regions such as ours, but the Minister of FA for one of the largest regions in the game...congrats. :)
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Thank you so much! It's been a crazy ride in just a couple months going from an ambassador to minister. I believe I am well equipped to face any challenge that comes my way. I also look forward to continuing being an ambassador to your region if possible.
Thanks again!
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I certainly hope it's possible! I've enjoyed having you as an ambassador to us. :)
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I am happy to announce I will remain the ambassador for now to your region! As a result, and being the new FA minister, I want to work with you, possibly this weekend, to bring our two regions closer together. Let me know how that sounds!
Thank you,
Egalotir
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That sounds great, and I'm glad you're going to remain as the ambassador to us! I would be happy to discuss relations between our regions. :)
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(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-for3.png) New Aurora Alliance Expands Ties With TSP
by Myroria
A treaty between The North Pacific and The South Pacific creating the 'Aurora Alliance' passed the Regional Assembly of TNP handily on January 24. The updated treaty already passed the Assembly of The South Pacific earlier in the month, meaning that with The North Pacific's ratification the new treaty came into force.
The new treaty had a long negotiation process, starting in April 2014. The delegates of TNP and TSP, along with their foreign affairs ministries, opened discussions of a treaty expanding on previous ones, most notably the one establishing the Azure Alliance, to which TNP and TSP were signatories. Other issues, though, prevented serious talks from occurring until November of last year; a drafting process throughout November led to the signing of the new treaty on New Year's Day, 2015, in The South Pacific's regional forum. The date was a symbolic one - illustrating a new beginning to an old friendship.
The new document includes several mandates upon the signatories not included in previous treaties, including clauses requiring in-game embassies, intelligence sharing, and cultural cooperation. In introducing the resolution, mcmasterdonia called the new treaty a "vast improvement" and encouraged the Assembly to think of the long alliance between TNP and TSP and of the warm friendship between them.
Speaking on the aid that the two signatories have lended to each other in the past, mcmasterdonia said The North Pacific was "the strongest and most unwavering supporter of the Coalition [of The South Pacific]" during Milograd's coup, and called it a "great day" when the united forces of TNP and TSP restored the democratically-elected Coalition to power. The delegate went on to thank the forces of The South Pacific for offering help when their nation was accidentally ejected from the World Assembly. For many, though, the friendship between TNP and TSP goes without saying. The two regions have been allies for years, and mcmasterdonia's statements merely illuminated some major milestones in that friendship.
The new treaty's most substantial addition was the intelligence sharing section. Here the signatories formalized procedures for the disclosure of relevant intelligence gathered by either region; with such information going to the Security Council of The North Pacific or the Committee for State Security of The South Pacific, depending on to whom the intelligence was relevant. Looking back on a time where the delegate of The South Pacific had to discuss vital intelligence in "private, non-governmental areas", mcmasterdonia called these changes a "great improvement."
In addition, the new document allows the two regions to be on opposite sides of a gameplay operation without such a situation being considered an attack by one government on the other. This new clause, designed to guarantee each region's sovereignty to choose themselves which operations to take part in, was likewise called by mcmasterdonia an improvement upon the old treaty, which had no such clause.
The renewed treaty serves as an affirmation by both governments that this fruitful alliance will continue. Though the new document was debated robustly by the Regional Assembly, the final tally of the vote - 35 ayes to 7 nays and 8 abstentions - shows that the citizens of The North Pacific support the new changes as well.
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by The Democratic Republic of Tomb
In reaction to growing interest in the roleplay sector of The North Pacific, Delegate mcmasterdonia decided early in their term to hold a convention on roleplay hosted by the Ministry of Culture. The stated goals of the convention included using community discussion to solve issues related to the regional map, roleplayed technology level, and roleplayed international organizations. The 2015 Roleplay Convention was officially started on January 23 and ended on February 6. At the convention, TNP witnessed a vast amount of discussion. There was much discussion of how to upgrade the map of TNP, with some individuals even suggesting adding city names to the maps to enhance role play. Bootsie, a prominent roleplayer and current candidate for speaker made apparent their plans to form an organization that will be a rival to the Democratic Union. "The North Pacific Treaty Organization hopes to provide a central ground for dictatorships and democracies alike, and we hope to work towards world peace," said Bootsie. "We also hope to earn a prestige status within The North Pacific and have a good organization of nations that share a common yet unique ideology."
There are several reasons for the new interest in the roleplay section, but part of the attraction stems from The North Pacific's regularly updated map. Here, nations can claim territories, divide territories up among themselves, and enhance the experience of a particular roleplay, story, or situation. Other activities available to roleplayers include threads relating to their nations, affairs, wars, revolutions, and the like. Embassy threads are also popular, and involve nations exchanging embassies with each other. The Democratic Union, an organization dedicated to maintaining democracy and peace, is another aspect of roleplay that has greatly prospered for the past two terms of government.
However, with more and more nations partaking in one or more of these opportunities, there becomes more responsibility - and more demand - to maintain and upgrade these features for the members. The cartography team, for example, has taken on new members to keep pace with the rising number of territory requests. In addition, as more people participate in roleplays, standardization and moderation must expand to make sure that role players remain cordial and friendly to each other.
"While [the convention] was a little bumpy, I think it went over pretty well," said Lord Lore, currently minister of culture. "It should help the culture department to better make policies based on what the TNP citizens actually want." Though the convention has ended only recently, huge changes are already being made in The North Pacific's roleplay community, and more are sure to come.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-game2.png) Malvad to Revitalize TNP University
by Crushing Our Enemies
This year has seen the creation of a new executive ministry: the Ministry of Education. In their most recent campaign for delegate, mcmasterdonia highlighted The North Pacific University, and announced on January 19th that they had appointed Malvad the new minister of education. "The university was a major part of my campaign, and I will be delighted to see TNPU achieve huge heights of success under this ministry," they announced, reminding the region of their goal to create a lecture series hosted by the university.
Their subsequent bouts of inactivity and ultimate resignation have made for slow progress in Malvad's ministry, but the lecture program is projected to begin in the first half of March. There are unconfirmed reports that the first lecture will cover aspects of NationStates gameplay ideologies, but the lecturer has not yet been announced. In addition to the lecture series, which will cover NS-related topics, Malvad also plans to offer university classes to any interested student. When asked about the upcoming classes, Malvad said "Classes will be for more real life topics ... [they] will be divided into lessons and provide another source of long term learning."
Of late, the university forums have been mostly used for casual discussion of academic topics, and previous efforts to organize university programs have suffered from lack of public interest and participation. Funkadelia, an instructor appointed by Malvad, hopes that this new initiative will retain the interest of students and create lasting activity. "I hope that the substance and my own personality will be enough to keep people engaged," said Funkadelia. "I can't really shove the class into peoples' faces and force them to enjoy it, so I just hope people will be interested in learning more about the history of the United States from an objective point of view." Funkadelia's class will begin in March.
"I think there is an element of disinterest, but that is why we are doing what we are doing," said Malvad. "We are setting up these programs to draw interest from different groups and to keep the university active." The Voting Rights Act, passed last December, made it easier for nations who are not interested in government to participate actively as citizens. That may make it easier for the new ministry to recruit interested students. Only time will tell if Malvad and the new delegate will be able to build the university into an active center for intellectual growth, or whether the historical issues with public interest will prove too deeply rooted to overcome.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-sssa2.png) SillyString's Silly Advice
by SillyString
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Dear SillyString, I have a friend whom I am attempting to help, but that friend has a great deal of pride and thus can't take my advice at face value. Should I keep trying regardless of this complication, or am I imposing and need to back off?
- CrazyConflicted
Conflicted, this is definitely a common problem. Those suffering from an excess of pride lose the capacity for critical self-analysis and honest reflection, and even the most gentle suggestions can be twisted into cruel barbs. The only cure for this condition is to drain off the excess pride, eliminating your friend's suffering.
Surely you are familiar with the practice of using leeches for bloodletting, a treatment found to be effective for everything from demon possession to the common cold. While you might try using leeches against pride, as well, the more efficacious solution can be derived from that common adage, "Pride goeth before a fall."
Yes, to cure your friend's unhealthy pridefulness, what you must do is literally trip them, from a tripping height (T) that correlates to just how overburdened with pride they have become. You can calculate the necessary height using the following formula, where P = Pride, H = Height of the person, F = how friendly the two of you are, and J = how many times you've been a jerk to them in the past year.
T = ( P - H ) / ( F + J )
One thing you absolutely must not forget, of course, is obtaining a proper receptacle to collect the pride you are liberating from your friend. Loose pride is very dangerous, after all - it gets into nearly anything, much like cats, and it's strongly attracted to concentrations of dramons, subatomic particles generated by interpersonal conflict. The best sort of receptacle is airtight and opaque. Once you have found a suitable container, remember to place it away from the direction of the fall, as the very act of tripping will generate dramons that will attract the free pride.
Once you have collected all of the pride and sealed the container tightly, contact your local waste management service for disposal instructions. Should you be unable to reach them, simply drop them off at the dump with your next stash of highly toxic used batteries.
I hope this advice helps you! Please write back and let us know how it goes, preferably with pictures that demonstrate the height of your friend's fall.
Seriously Silly,
SillyString
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: SillyString :: Executive Editor:Crushing Our Enemies :: Managing Editor: Myroria :: Graphic Artist: SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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It's great that we had the festival, now I know who some of these people are. :P
It was very interesting to read about the treaty with The South Pacific...personally I would consider such a treaty a risky investment given TSP's chronic instability, political drama, and meandering gameplay stances, but I understand there's a lot of people into that GCR unity thing. :P
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New Delegate of The North Pacific
It is with great pleasure that I announce The Democratic Republic of Tomb as the new Delegate for The North Pacific. Tomb, having been a part of TNP for a year tomorrow, has risen through the government of TNP. He has won the election by a large margin, and is ready to take office. Tomb has served TNP gracefully throughout his time here. He has served in the North Pacific Army, ambassador to various regions, Minister of Home Affairs, various Deputy Minister positions and Journalist of The Northern Lights. He has personally welcomed every new member to the region and does his best to help his fellow countrymen. He is one of the of the most dedicated members of this region and I look forward to working with him in the coming term. Congratulations Tomb!
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It's great to hear that TNP has completed its transition...congratulations and best of luck to Delegate Tomb and the region! :)
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Thanks for your post :)
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Tomb has been one of the most active and dedicated users I've ever seen. He is always on, always helping. He will no doubt do an excellent job as a Delegate.
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He was here at the festival briefly...I'm sure he'll do fine. :)
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An Invitation to attend the NationStates World Fair 2015
The NationStates World Fair is back - with an expanded committee and great plans for 2015! The NationStates World Fair Committee would like to cordially invite all regions to participate in the festivities of the World Fair.
The NSWF provides a great opportunity for a wide variety of regions from across NationStates to come together in celebration of the year, to participate in various discussions, and to hear lectures from highly respected players on a wide variety of topics.
The NSWF is opening application for bids to host the World Fair for 2015. Applications are open right away and will close on the 11th of November 2015. Unlike previous world fairs, hosts of the fair will have a greater say in the organisation and management of the events. This will include input into the design and layout of the forum for the event, input into the lectures, including selecting some of their own lecturers for the lecture series, greater input into general entertainment aspects of the forum, and the opening and closing statements of the World Fair. It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate what your region has to offer, and we hope to see as many applications as possible.
To find out more information, including how to apply to be the host of the NS World Fair, please see this thread -> http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?ns=1&f=12&t=359610&p=26542832#p26542726 (http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?ns=1&f=12&t=359610&p=26542832#p26542726)
Applications for a regional booth should be made within that thread.
Additionally, if you are interested in lecturing as part of the World Fair Lecture Series please contact McMasterdonia (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=mcmasterdonia).
For any further inquiries, please contact Todd McCloud (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=Todd_McCloud), or one of the other committee members:Eluvatar (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=Eluvatar), McMasterdonia (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=McMasterdonia), Astarial (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=Astarial), Sopo (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=Ambrella), or Almonaster (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=Almonaster_Nuevo).
Thank you!
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(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-pol.png)[size=14] New Super Pac helps elect Delegate SillyString[/size]
by mcmasterdonia, Political Correspondent
For the first time in the history of the North Pacific a Super Political Action Committee took on a major role within the North Pacific General election for Delegate. The September General Elections were a highly anticipated event, with Delegate Zemnaya Svoboda announcing months in advance that he did not intend to seek reelection for a second consecutive term. Political leaders around the North Pacific rallied and began to prepare for the inevitable fierce campaigning that was to come.
This led to a new political action committee emerging onto the political landscape. The P.A.C called "Sillisary for the North Pacific" was formed by former Delegates Eluvatar and McMasterdonia, and former Vice Delegate and TNP Stalwart Democratic Donkeys. The P.A.C was committed to drafting Silliary Slinton to run for the Delegacy of the North Pacific. The bio for the P.A.C stated the case for electing Silliary as Delegate off the North Pacific:
"SillyString has served as Acting-Delegate, Vice Delegate, Court Justice, Deputy Speaker of the Regional Assembly, Regional Assembly member, and Security Councillor during her time in the North Pacific region. A practicing lawyer, law reformer, and mentor, SillyString has dedicated herself to a significant number of roles since joining the North Pacific in April 2013 and has proven her strong ability and dedication to every challenge set before her."
The P.A.C pointed to Silliary's "strong leadership" and her pro-reform agenda as key talking points in favour of her election. Many members of the North Pacific quickly rallied to the cause of the political action committee - with more than 16 members joining the committee. Members included Minister of Culture Lennart, Security Council Member and one-time Delegate Romanoffia, Speaker Crushing Our Enemies, and Malvad, Former Minister of Culture and Education.
Members of the P.A.C changed their avatars in a campaign pledge to support Silliary Slinton for the Delegacy. This decision was a key factor in Silliary's decision to campaign for Delegate. She acknowledged that she was "out-numbered" by the mass showing of support and said:
"Thank you all for your support! It has been instrumental in my decision. I hope I do not let you down." - Sillisary Slinton
Ms. Slinton was joined in the election campaign by Bootsie Sanders - then Minister of Communication. Mr Sanders campaigned encouraging TNPers that together "Let's do more" to improve the forum community, recruit new members, and increase activity in the Ministry's. While the campaigning was intense, Silliary Slinton was sworn in as the new Delegate of the North Pacific. Her Worshipfulness Pauline Bonaparte was elected Vice Delegate, following Flemingovia's decision to withdraw from the runoff election. Following Madam Delegate Slinton's election she promptly appointed her new cabinet - McMasterdonia O'Malley as Minister of Defence and Education, Kialga as Minister of Communications, Pauline Bonaparte as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tomb as Minister of Home Affairs, and Lennart as Minister of Culture & Entertainment.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-mil.png)[size=14]The Return of The North Pacific Army[/size]
by mcmasterdonia, Military Correspondent
The North Pacific Army has once again returned to a strong period of activity and operational success. The new Government led by Delegate SillyString was quick to make the North Pacific Army a priority for the administration. Recruitment efforts are a focus of the new Minister of Defence, McMasterdonia, and the Minister of Home Affairs & NPA Chief of Staff, the Democratic Republic of Tomb. In the last month, the North Pacific Army has been involved in multiple operations, including the defence of the West Pacific, the invasion of the Greater German Reich, and the liberation of Warzone Australia.
The West Pacific operation saw a large coalition of GCR forces & friends coming to the aide of the West Pacific, who were in open rebellion against the regime of then-Delegate United RussoAsia and forces from DEN. United RussoAsia had handed control of their nation to DEN's Knot, also known as Ivo, who later briefly gave control to Cormac Stark. The operation saw the North Pacific send in approximately 11 soldiers, who were constantly moving in and out, in a game of ping-pong with the sitting Delegate. This is the largest operation the North Pacific Army has been involved in since May. It would appear that the aggressive recruitment style of the Minister and his team is paying off, with many new recruits being the most eager participants in the operation. The RMB saw a huge amount of activity during this time, but most importantly, the operation fostered new found friendships between TNPers and West Pacificans, showing a possible greater future for cooperation and partnership between the two regions.
The training operations conducted by the NPA leadership team have extended into spotting for foreign invasions. Last month, the North Pacific Army joined with allies in the Taijitu Citizens' Militia and pre-emptively defended several regions. NPA officers could see a DEN-affiliated force of approximately 16 updaters staging in Nugut, and deployed to Middle Earth, Asia, and Belgium, in order to preemptively defend those nations from DEN. DEN then surprisingly "liberated" the region of The Eternal Realm from the forces of Auralia. (They have not, of course, actually restored the region to its pre-invasion state.)
The North Pacific Army continues to go from strength to strength, and it is fully expected to be an active and prosperous term for the North Pacific Army and the region. NPA High Command is currently working on a number of proposals that will cover both NPA membership reform, and a broader NPA communications policy. Stay tuned for future updates.
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by Myroria, Role Play Correspondent
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Floregasque election: Ruling party wins reelection, shakeup in Ward 6
EDITORS' NOTE: The following article has been omitted from the Floregasque Edition of the International Gazette in order to meet the guidelines of the Undesirable Propagation Unit.
FLORESQUE, FLOREGASQUE REPUBLIC - Official results from Friday's general elections have been published, with the ruling National Unity Party (NUP), controlled largely by the Gonfaloniere Alessandro d'Avelocci and his close family, winning 14 of the 15 seats in the Signoria. The party has won every election since its formation in 1948, and the Aveloccis, the richest family in Floresque, have controlled the city-state's government in one form or another for almost 200 years.
The opposition, led by the Workers' Party (WP), held onto the one seat in the legislature that many analysts view as a concession given to them by the NUP-dominated government.
The big surprise of the night was the stunning victory of opposition candidate Catarina Tiraboschi, who won the election for ward-mayor in Ward 6. Ward 6, traditionally considered an NUP stronghold, is located near the prosperous Business District in Ward 5. Tiraboschi's victory may startle some hardline conservatives in the Signoria, who are already rumored to be skeptical of the Gonfaloniere's moves to liberalize lower-level elections in Floresque.
Tiraboschi has been dogged consistently by rumors that she supports the Tenants' Representation Front (TRF), an opposition organization suppressed by the Floregasque government for "anti-civil activities". Tiraboschi has consistently declined to comment on these rumors, an ambivalence that may be concerning to the security-minded NUP.
The Gonfaloniere, if he was shaken by the opposition's success in Ward 6, did not show it. He said he was "ecstatic to see how well our party has done", and thanked the people for "the continued mandate they have given us".
Turnout in the election was reported to be 81%; like all electoral figures from the Republic though, this should be considered suspect. International observers view elections in Floresque to be largely fraudulent, charges that the Gonfaloniere and Signoria deny.
The results of this latest election make clear that, in spite of the Gonfaloniere's apparent attempts to hold fair elections for lower-level positions, opposition parties have a long road ahead of them to reach equal footing with the Avelocci-dominated National Unity Party.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-for3.png)[size=14]Series: Interview with Cormac Stark (Part 1)[/size]
by Lord Ravenclaw, Gameplay Correspondent
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
The North Pacific's own Lord Ravenclaw sat down with fellow citizen of The North Pacific and fellow Pharaoh-Emeritus of Osiris Cormac Stark to discuss some events in the recent past as part of a series of interviews to be exclusively posted by The Northern Light.
This is the first part of the Interview. Part two shall be about The West Pacific and Part three shall be about a controversial but important issue facing NationStates players in our world.
This interview was originally conducted at the start of October 2015 and details events before that time.
Lord Ravenclaw: Thank you for joining me Cormac Stark, Pharaoh-Emeritus of Osiris.
Cormac Stark: Thanks for having me!
Lord Ravenclaw: You've done a lot over the past three years, would you be able to remind our readers of your origins in NationStates? I understand that the feeders weren't your first home.
Cormac Stark: Well, my origin, aside from a very brief stay in 10000 Islands, was in a now mostly forgotten region called Exshaw, which was founded by Durkadurkiranistan II (aka John Ashcroft Land among older Feederites) as an imperialist region. From there I got involved with other imperialist regions like The New Inquisition and The Land of Kings and Emperors, as well as independent Europeia.
Cormac Stark: I also founded my own region, Asgard, in 2012, it was fairly short lived but much publicized. Of course all of that changed in September 2012 when I switched to defending, but we don't need my whole life story.
Lord Ravenclaw: I seem to recall something about Asgardia during that period as well, what was the story with that?
Cormac Stark: Well, after I joined the UDL in September 2012, Isidor abdicated the throne of Asgard in frustration, and Jagermeister assumed the throne. He ultimately ended up destroying the forum after being made root administrator and abandoning the founder account. I tried to relocate the community of Asgard to Asgardia after that, but unfortunately the damage had been done and it was over for that particular region and community. We're getting into some seriously obscure history here now!
Lord Ravenclaw: Not to get too far off topic, but who was Jagermeister? Forum destruction is a horrible act and people who do it shouldn't go unpunished.
Cormac Stark: He had been a newbie to Exshaw and had come with us to Asgard. He was very prominent and active in Asgard, and all the turmoil when I joined the UDL hit him pretty hard. I've also been told since then that he had some very serious stuff going on in real life, and I've forgiven him for the forum destruction. As far as I know he stopped playing after the forum destruction and hasn't been back.
Lord Ravenclaw: How unfortunate; it's troublesome when real life interferes with our virtual communities - something we know only too well. I hope he's in a better place now.
Cormac Stark: Me too. He was a nice guy, except obviously for that incident, and I wish him all the best.
Lord Ravenclaw: As I understand it, you were first brought to the Game Created Regions because of the World Assembly of all things, would you mind enlightening our readers as to why?
Cormac Stark: Well, in July 2012, Asgard invaded Christmas and after a lengthy occupation imposed an invisible password. Mahaj, then a Lieutenant in the UDL, proposed a liberation resolution and Asgard did its best to fight it. It ultimately passed, but by a narrower margin than most liberation resolutions, so I became convinced that Asgard could actually defeat defenders in the Security Council if we became more involved in more influential regions, i.e., the Feeders and Sinkers. So that was initially why I got involved in The North Pacific and Osiris, in 2012.
Lord Ravenclaw: So, the World Assembly was your passage into two very different regions. But as we both know, you have a long history in Osiris. What happened there?
Cormac Stark: Well, I got involved in Feeders and Sinkers to co-opt their influence for my own ends, but it was actually they who ended up co-opting me. I made friends in both TNP and Osiris, but particularly Osiris, and particularly the Pharaoh at the time, Earth (Lyanna Stark). So over time I became less interested in using these communities and more interested in actually participating in them, and that was especially true in Osiris.
Lord Ravenclaw: Speaking of Stark, what's the history there? You just mentioned Lyanna, so is it mere coincidence or are you two related in some way?
Cormac Stark: It actually was coincidence at first. Stark is popular from Game of Thrones, and my family in Exshaw and Asgard started using it well before I knew anything about Earth. We did later become related when Unibot adopted me as his son, and Earth became my step-mother. There have been some disownings since then. NS families are silly.
Lord Ravenclaw: Onto a different topic and back to Osiris for a little while.
Cormac Stark: Sounds good.
Lord Ravenclaw: How did you go from coming to the desert star of NationStates in order to influence the WA Voting Pool and end up where you are now?
Cormac Stark: Good question. I'm not sure I know the answer, honestly. I was in the right places at the right times or the wrong places at the wrong times, depending on your perspective. I had some legislative and minor executive jobs before I was first elected Pharaoh. I ran for Pharaoh sensing something was off, at a time when people were very discontent with the incumbent, and beat the incumbent for the first time in Osiran history. He couped, of course, and the rest is history. Since then I was until February of this year integrally involved in every major event in Osiris, especially co-founding of the Osiris Fraternal Order.
Lord Ravenclaw: What changed?
Cormac Stark: What changed is I deliberately committed treason to get a lengthy ban from Osiris, because it had become not good for me, and vice versa. I had always said I didn't want to become like a certain other Osiran power player that the OFO permanently exiled - and when I saw myself becoming him, I exiled myself.
Lord Ravenclaw: It's interesting you say that; arguably, there have been eight players over Osiris' history who have had huge impacts on the region - not always for the better either. However, all of them with the exception of two are no longer involved in Osiris. Where does the region go from here?
Cormac Stark: The region goes up, I hope. When I pleaded guilty to treason, I urged the dissolution of the OFO because I believed its institutions were flawed, but I think I was wrong about that. It is the attitudes, not the institutions, which are flawed in Osiris. To make a very long story short, what needs to change in Osiris is that Osirans need to stop seeing themselves as being in perpetual crisis and start seeing themselves as a normal Sinker community again. If they can do that, I believe they will become more cooperative as a community and less reliant on the Pharaoh -- we're always more reliant on leaders when we feel we're in crisis -- and I think it will only be up from there.
Lord Ravenclaw: What do you think Osiris needs to do in order to become less reliant? We've seen at least one Pharaoh of the OFO, including myself; get panned for "not doing enough".
Cormac Stark: What needs to change is the perception that there are problems that one person needs to solve or a crisis that one person needs to address. Regional activity is not a problem, nor a crisis, but rather an opportunity, and it's an opportunity for the entire community. Again, what needs to happen is a change in attitude. The community of Osiris needs to stop seeing so many problems and start seeing all of the opportunities that are right in front of it. At the end of the day, all "activity" means is doing stuff together. When they start wanting to do that again, activity will follow.
Lord Ravenclaw: Can you see yourself returning to Osiris when your sentences expire?
Cormac Stark: I honestly don't know. I don't think so, but I won't rule it out.
Lord Ravenclaw: There have been talks of an unofficial government shutdown, to focus the attention of the community entirely on recruitment and integration efforts. Do you think an unofficial approach like that would help or hinder the community?
Cormac Stark: I think it would hinder the community. What Osiris needs from its government is optimism and a sense of creating opportunity, instead of hearing from the government that the lack of activity is a "crisis." Activity doesn't come from obligation or a sense of duty in a game, it comes from opportunities to have fun. That's what Osiris needs from its government, and it is the government's job to govern. It has a responsibility. We have essentially seen the government of Osiris shut down during the terms of several Pharaohs, and it has not empowered the community.
Lord Ravenclaw: On another note, in an editorial published by The Raven Post, you stated "Gone are the explosive arguments between prominent regional figures, dividing the community into "us vs. them" factions. Personalities will clash in any regional community, but Osiris seems to have turned the page on the chapter of its history that was characterized by divisive and ultimately destructive personality politics"; is this not a result brought upon by the fact that these powerful figures are no longer involved in the community?
Cormac Stark: I don't think so, no. Because after the people who used to have the explosive arguments and power struggles retired, other people would just step up to take their place. It was an institutional and cultural problem in Osiris. I didn't used to be one of the power players involved in the arguments and power struggles, but before the establishment of the OFO I became one of them, and even after Empire was exiled from Osiris, power struggles continued. But those have largely stopped and I do believe it's because of the strength of the OFO's institution, which makes actually winning factional power struggles impossible.
Lord Ravenclaw: Perhaps, although I think that it's more down to the fact that overall, there has been a more unified opinion and approach to Osiris recently, there is no longer quite so much disagreement with direction. So where do -you- go from here? I noticed that you've been endotarting in The North Pacific and were recently readmitted to their Regional Assembly.
Cormac Stark: That's what I'm doing. I don't intend to join (or re-join, as the case may be) any other regions right now, if ever, I'd like to try just focusing my time and energy in one place. TNP has always been welcoming to me, even with all of my past questionable behavior, and so it seems like a community I can contribute to without constant questioning of my motives and loyalties.
Lord Ravenclaw: Is it true that you are planning to reform the Regression Party? Also, is there any truth to the rumour that you are also courting the Queen of Balder? I've also been told that you are trying to undercut the North Pacific's economy and make a profit on the exports of North Pacific Spiced Rum?
Cormac Stark: No truth to any of those rumours, though I do hear Balder is lovely this time of year and the Queen is even lovelier.
Lord Ravenclaw: I have been asked some questions for you, if you wouldn't mind.
Cormac Stark: Sure.
Lord Ravenclaw: What prompted you to return and what do you think is the allure of NationStates? Also, who are you and why do you want "my" lunch money?
Cormac Stark: I was prompted to come back because I do miss people, friendships I've made over the years, and this remains the best way to communicate with them since we don't know each other in real life. I also feel like my time away did me a lot of good and I can participate in the game without the bad feelings I had before.
Cormac Stark: The allure of the game? I think it's different for everyone. For me, it's the friendships I've made that have lasted three years now. For others it may be something else.
Cormac Stark: And I'm Cormac and I want your lunch money for something sketchy and top secret. *smirks*
Lord Ravenclaw: Thank you for joining me Cormac Stark; it's been a unique experience in the two and a half years we've worked together.
Cormac Stark: It has indeed!
Lord Ravenclaw: Okay, is there anything that you'd like to let our readers know before this interview ends?
Cormac Stark: It's nice to be back in NationStates. I feel that my month long break did me a lot of good, that I've changed and grown in my attitudes toward the game, and I look forward to others seeing that as well. And of course thank you for the interview, it's been a pleasure.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnl-sssa2.png)[size=14]SillyString's Silly Advice[/size]
by SillyString
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Dear SillyString: I'm redecorating my room, and I want my room color to really express my personality. How would I go about choosing the perfect shade of color so that I won't have to repaint it again for a while?
- Painterrific
This is a dilemma that afflicts so many of our viewers, so I'm glad you asked it!
The first step you must take is to bring yourself to a good psychologist. After all, before you can begin choosing a color that fits your personality, you must first determine whether you have DID (dissociative identity disorder) and if so, how many personalities you need to match for.
With a diagnosis in your hand, your next step should be to take one of the many online "What color is your personality" quizzes. Though they appear simple, or even trite, these quizzes are designed with exceeding scientificity and can definitively match you to the right color for you. If you do indeed have DID, be sure that each one of your identities takes the quiz independently.
Armed with your scientifically verifiable personalized colors, you now need to turn those colors into paint. If you have only one identity, or if the colors of your multiple identities are all relatively similar, this isn't too hard. Take their average, get yourself to a paint store, and let the smart paintmongers do their job. They'll decide where you fall on the glossy-matte stage, and they can also estimate exactly how much paint you'll need. Once they whip you up a batch, simply apply paint to walls. You're done! Enjoy your lovely new walls.
If, on the other hand, the colors your identities are diagnosed with are significantly different, the averaging method will not work. When this happens, it becomes necessary to come up with an alternate solution that allows each one to be happy. My best suggestion is to rig up some sort of filtered lighting that will alter your perception of wall color, and then test various different shades of paint under these different lights. That way, whoever you wake up as in the morning will be greeted with their own preference when they turn on the right light. Easy peasy!
Alternatively, if you enjoy certain hard substances, you may choose to doodle on your walls with markers while under their influence. This will surely show off your inner... personality... in a way that paint never can. Good luck!
Seriously silly,
SillyString
[small]The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: SillyString :: Executive Editor: Kialga :: Graphic Artist: SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
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Thanks for the update :)
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THE NORTH PACIFIC
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1st August 2016
Magicality City, The North Pacific
A brief update:
To our embassies,
The North Pacific Diplomatic Corps would like to send out a brief update on what the region has been up to in the past while.
In May, Lord Ravenclaw was reelected as Delegate. The election was extended as voters voted reopen nominations rather than electing the candidates unopposed. Bootsie was re-elected as Vice Delegate as was Zyvetskistaahn as Speaker. quak1234 and Mister Masses continue to serve him as Deputy Speakers. Lord Ravenclaw appointed flemingovia as Minister of Communications, Gladio as Minister of Defence, Plembobria as Minister of Home Affairs and Mousebumples as Minister of World Assembly Affairs. Lord Ravenclaw accepted applications to the remaining ministries and Kasch was appointed Minister of the newly created Gameside Affairs, IndieGirl is in charge of Culture & Entertainment and Praetor was chosen for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Judicial Election has just finished; SillyString is the new Attorney General. Gracius Maximus, Kialga and Eluvatar were elected as justices with the last serving as Chief Justice.
The North Pacific is part of an endeavour (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/pages/laws/##waacs) to reduce the number of mass-telegram campaigns aimed at all WA nations for WA resolutions. The signatories agreed to collaborate to take measures to counter such campaigns, including having the Delegates of the signatories vote early against the resolutions, issuing telegram campaigns in response in their own regions or more widely, and compiling a list of those that use such campaigns regularly (presumably with the intention of tending to vote against their proposals as a deterrent measure).
Since the recent Imgur flood courtesy of Firehelm, The North Pacific has gained 42 citizens. Several of these citizens have joined us on Discord and in the Executive Staff.
Due to the influx of nations our Delegate has surpassed 1000 endorsements. His vote has been crucial in affecting the outcome of several resolutions, most recently, defeating Ivo's attempt to besmirch the TITO in Liberate California. The North Pacific has also contributed to passing Repeal Condemn the Pacific after the resolution failing twice in the recent months.
The North Pacific Army is very much active, they've completed twelve operations recently and are able to field approximately 13 troops.
The North Pacific is looking forward to continuing to bring new individuals into the community in the next while.
Sincerely,
The Diplomatic Corps of The North Pacific
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Thank you for the brief update...all the best to the nations of The North Pacific. :)
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(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711) Plembobria forms dynamic cabinet of fresh faces and seasoned officials
by Praetor
With Plembobria's election to the position of delegate for the remainder of 2016, he summarily set about appointing ministers.
Initial appointments returned Gladio to the position of defense minister and Praetor as the minister of foreign affairs. Syrixia was appointed minister of cultural affairs. Kasch retained his post as minister of gameside affairs. Applications for the remaining ministries – communications, home affairs and World Assembly affairs – were opened and filled quickly. Bootsie, Tomb and Pallaith were appointed respectively to their positions. When asked what expectations he had for the upcoming term, the delegate replied, "Ministers will get stuff done or be flagellated!" The ministers have a wide variety of experience between them which will serve the delegate well in the upcoming term.
Gladio has been the minister of defense for the last term and is a general in the North Pacific Army. He is one of the most highly regarded individuals in the north, and his commitment to the NPA is unparalleled. He initially joined The North Pacific in 2012 and has been a member of the North Pacific Army since then. During the spring in 2014 he was made the deputy minister.
r3naissanc3r promoted him to defense minister in May 2014 and he remained as such until January 2015. He lead an impressive renewal of the department, and within two terms managed to elevate the NPA from a rarely seen force to being able to field 20 endorsements in a single update. Gladio is highly decorated with 44 ribbons and over 100 operations – the most in TNP. For this term, his "ultimate goal is to break the record deployment number" of 25.
Praetor first joined TNP in February 2016 and was appointed minister of foreign affairs by Lord Ravenclaw after his unsuccessful run for the delegacy. He led an effort to replace inactive ambassadors and recruit more department staff. More than 30 individuals joined the ministry during his term. After another unsuccessful run for elected office, this time for vice delegate, Plembobria reappointed him to the cabinet.
Syrixia is a longtime member of the community, joining in October 2014. Highly active in the roleplaying community and a long time member of the cultural affairs ministry, this is his first term in the cabinet. He says he wants to “lay the groundwork for my plans for the ministry of cultural affairs” through a program dubbed A.S.S. – “Activity, Simplicity, Spirit.”
Kasch is another new member of TNP, joining in April of this year. He applied and was accepted to the position of the minister of gameside affairs for the previous term. The ministry of gameside affairs has a large role in getting new nations onto the forum. Kasch's focus was on the creation of a brand new ministry, including the appointments of regional mentors, recruitment officers and RMB moderators.
This term, he is "going to encourage a more active presence on the RMB” and “make sure that every single one of our staff members knows what they need to do to get our new players from the game and onto the forums.” He says these duties include “releasing helpful dispatches and threads, showing people the ropes of recruitment and welcoming new members."
Bootsie was impartially appointed to head the communications ministry after running for the delegacy against Plembobria. His prior two terms as vice delegate had him heavily involved in the government, with last term's appointment to chief of staff. He has also previously served as the minister of communications, as well as the deputy minister of home affairs. He has been a deputy speaker and the elected speaker of the Regional Assembly.
With the last issue of The Northern Lights being published in late April, there is a lot of pressure on him to ensure one is published. A challenge he will have to face in addressing this is "a lack of dedicated members that want to write 400 word essays. People love to contribute all day to recruiting or coming up with ideas for a festival, but there aren't many who'll sit down and write a column for a newspaper." The Northern Lights is one of the major policy tools of the communications ministry. The lack of a publication has harmed TNP's foreign affairs, so the new edition is much anticipated.
Tomb has an extensive history in The North Pacific, previously serving as minister of home affairs, foreign affairs and communications, as well a deputy minster of several departments. He most notably served as delegate from February to May 2015. Tomb is quickly seeking greater involvement in the off-site community. His team sent almost 4000 telegrams manually in the span of a few days.
Tomb claims home affairs is a vital department because "the minute that the H.A. Ministry goes inactive, the bloodline of new members into the region is directly affected. And so it is important and necessary to keep the executive staff active and interested. In the past, we've offered no incentives. This time, I plan to put in place a rewards system to serve as an incentive for people to join the H.A. executive staff, as well as a way of rewarding existing members."
With Tomb's credentials it is quite likely that he will be able to create a system to improve recruitment and retention of citizens.
Pallaith is the newest cabinet member, with no prior ministerial experience. He joined in September, just prior to the election. He applied for the position and was accepted by Plembobria. He rolled into a job with only a few hours until the contentious resolution "Commend Benevolent Thomas" went to vote and performed admirably in handling this challenge. He aims "to make TNP a haven for resolution authors and bring W.A.L.L. back to forefront, so that the ministry of WA affairs can do its part to enhance diplomacy with our neighbors and put our region's immense influence to even greater use and effect." The World Assembly Legislative League, or W.A.L.L., is an under-utilized treaty designed to enhance the signatories' power in the World Assembly. The North Pacific has the largest voting bloc in the world by a wide margin. Hopefully, Pallaith can further bolster TNP's influence.
The ministers of The North Pacific have a considerable amount of power, with that power comes a lot of responsibility. Ministers are responsible in ensuring the government runs smoothly, to advise the delegate, and most importantly, to improve the community. Each ministry is unique and should one not accomplish its tasks, it has a significant impact on the region.
The ministers are not alone in this, however. Each department has a dedicated staff usually featuring between 20 to 40 members to assist them in their role. With such a large staff, communication occurs on the forums, as well as the Discord servers for executive staff and the NPA.
The community of The North Pacific looks forward to seeing what its new cabinet can accomplish in the closing months of 2016.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090374%2Ftnl_cult2.png&hash=622cdba23cea4c619bffc248befd4812) The second edition of the Northern Cup swings into action
by Kasch
What started out as an idea, floating around quietly on one of our Discord channels, has slowly and steadily grown over the past few months. The Northern Cup has expanded into a tournament with 32 teams and its own qualification process.
Almost nothing like this had ever been managed before the very first edition of what I called the Northern Cup. It was a big surprise to see how quickly we acted upon what started as a simple conversation in Discord. I already knew that quite a lot of people would be interested, and so I decided to go ahead with it and get it up and running.
I have learned from this experience that doing something while you have the time is better than finding a reason not to do it. I am hoping to introduce a whole new team of people into the management of the The Northern Cup, from Adjudicators to Reporters, as there will always be people who want to help.
All of the time taken to care for each little detail and to ensure that people are seeing my best work, all of that has paid off and I can proudly say that I am looking forward to running this cup every year or so from now on. I guess you could say that it was the people around me that gave me the motivation and the inspiration to begin the tournament.
When sports role play is introduced to a forum, there are always people who do not like sports, people who love sports, and everyone in between. But no matter who they are, there should always be opportunities for them to take part in events and tournaments.
One of the aspects I have enjoyed greatly whilst running this tournament is the opportunity to design the tournament's graphics. It has been a real eye opener to see how much of a difference a graphical effort can make. Although it is not necessary, it has certainly brought life to the skeletons of text.
All role playing regions should have the same goal: if there is an idea, put it into action. If somebody suggests something, take the time to listen and understand. Without the encouragement of many people on NS, the forums and Discord, I doubt I would have even continued with TNC.
I don't know how tournaments in the future will turn out or what features may be added, but I do know one thing: starting TNC and working to build it all up has really given me a reason to keep role playing sports and to keep regularly setting up events. I hope to expand on it even more in the future, but nobody can be sure of what may truly become of the Northern Cup.
Let's just hope things get even more interesting than they already are now.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711) A race to remember: Region's finest on display in September elections
by Tomb
Every January, May, and September, The North Pacific holds its general elections, in which it elects the delegate, vice delegate, and speaker of the Regional Assembly. Needless to say, general elections are a time of high buzz and activity in TNP. With experienced citizens, rising stars, and new members all competing for the three highest seats of government, TNPers are often faced with hard decisions at the polls. However, no recent election has matched that of the September 2016 race in terms of the quality of the candidates, level of competition, and the overall amount of campaigning.
The race started out with outgoing Vice Delegate Bootsie and then Minister of Home Affairs Plembobria declaring their candidacies for delegate. Both candidates ran on a joint ticket system with Bootsie choosing Praetor, the minister of foreign affairs as his running mate, and Plembobria choosing former Deputy Attorney General Yeraennus. Both candidates for delegate ran on platforms promising to continue the progress made in the past eight months under outgoing Delegate Lord Ravenclaw while also incorporating their own ideas for the region for the next four months. As far as credentials go, Plembobria emphasized his strong record as a former chief justice and his executive branch experience as the minister of home affairs. Bootsie highlighted his consistency as the region’s vice delegate for the past eight months and his familiarity with the executive branch through his role as chief of staff. As no further nominees would accept a nomination for the delegacy, the race for delegate looked to be an extremely close match between Plembobria and Bootsie.
In the race for vice delegate, Praetor and Yeraennus started out as the major candidates; however, the state of the race would dramatically alter after Lord Ravenclaw, the outgoing delegate, decided to join the race. Raven’s candidacy came as a surprise to those who expected him to take a break after his eight month tenure as delegate of the region. Raven explained that his candidacy for vice delegate allowed TNPers to have another option for the position, since many voters were wary of the ticket system that was adopted and implemented by both of the candidates for delegate. Raven also expressed his desire to continue serving TNP in an official capacity. He went on to cite his experience as a veteran of the region’s executive branch, which could be put to use in either a Bootsie or Plembobria administration. Also joining the race for vice delegate were current security councilor and long time TNP citizen, Romanoffia, and former Minister of Culture Lord Lore. This put the number of candidates for vice delegate at five, with each one of them having the necessary skills and experience to fulfill the job.
The race for the speakership of the Regional Assembly was dominated by Zyvetskistaahn (Zyvet), the incumbent speaker and sole candidate for the office. Zyvet emphasized the fact that he was the region’s longest serving speaker and promised to continue performing at the same level of excellence that he had shown TNPers in his previous terms.
The elections were highly contested, and for many voters it was a really hard decision. As a result, a debate was conducted for both the delegate and vice delegate races. The debates were moderated by former delegate and long time TNP citizen, Eluvatar, and they really helped showcase the candidates’ knowledge on issues as well as clarify many of their positions and policies. Lord Lore and Romanoffia were unavailable for the vice delegate debate, and so it was to be held between Praetor, Yeranennus, and Lord Ravenclaw. It was agreed that Lord Ravenclaw won the Vice Delegate debate; however, both of the other candidates performed well and were knowledgeable on almost every topic asked. The results for the delegate debates, which were attended by both candidates, were inconclusive as both of them put forth a strong performance. And so all candidates continued to campaign until the last day of voting. The results were announced on Sept. 13 with Plembobria winning the race for delegate with 43 votes compared to Bootsie’s 34 votes. Lord Ravenclaw won the vice delegate race with 44 votes. Praetor came in second place with 18 votes, and Romanoffia, Lord Lore, and Yeraennus finished up in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively. Last but certainly not least, Zyvet handily won the election for speaker, mustering 66 votes. The votes were all certified and the voter turnout was placed at 83 votes, an extremely high number even for a GCR.
It is elections like these that really help showcase how strong democracy is in TNP. Not only was the voter turn out high, but the citizens themselves had many viable, experienced candidates for each seat. And so it is this active electorate coupled with a dedicated list of candidates and crazy competition that make TNP the best region in all of NationStates.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090376%2Ftnl_game2.png&hash=14246175e7a8b5b47888c483a924d644) The region you choose matters: First impressions from a new arrival
by Pallaith
Every single player in NationStates begins their journey in the most populous and influential regions in existence. When we arrive we are new, wide-eyed and awestruck by their size and the number of players interacting. The regional officers look imposing with all their endorsements, the RMB is bustling and we probably don’t know any other people there, and to top it all off, within minutes the recruitment telegrams have stuffed our inboxes. It can be very intimidating. While a lot of nations decide to stay in the region, most take a good look at those telegrams and make the first important choice in this game.
My first nation in this game was Ghostopolis, and I spawned in The North Pacific. A few friends in another online group got into NationStates and showed me the site. I had no clue how any of it worked, outside of a few tips those friends gave me. One of the things they mentioned was that all players start out in a GCR, and to hear them tell it, if I decided to stay put I would be swimming in an ocean where I would be one of many schools of fish, destined to be eaten or outswam by the sharks and whales that resided there. I came to believe that if I wanted to take the game to a level higher than answering issues and voting in the WA, I would have to aim for a small pond or a large lake where I could swim freely and be counted as a valued part of the region. So I left, choosing one of the regions who reached out to me.
These regions make a lot of promises: activities, a shot at political success, a friendly and welcoming community. I figured the odds of that would be better in one of the other regions, but I figured wrong. My first region was small but was an elite club of people who knew each other longer than they knew me and didn’t seem much interested in letting in anyone new unless they were carbon copies of the people in charge. We had RP but alternative viewpoints were not welcome. We had elections but the outcomes were predetermined. Following their rigid ways and playing along with all their ideas meant that innovation could not take root, and there was very little reason for anyone to do much. I left for another region within the year, completely burned out from the experience. I answered issues and voted in the WA, but that was it. My second region was a good one, and I could have had a lot of fun there, but I was so disappointed by the experience and still intimidated by the idea of incorporating myself into another group of strangers who were all friends that it took me almost two years to get invested in the game again.
The region you choose matters. You can travel around looking for a better fit, but even if you find it, you may not be ready or able to appreciate it. The people who enjoy this game the most are the people who make an effort and get involved. There can be a lot of trial and error in NationStates, and that word trial is important. You have to try, but so does the region. The North Pacific put all the tools at my feet, and I just had to decide to pick them up. I have been a citizen of TNP for less than a month and I am blown away by the experience. I have found here what I thought I could not when I was a newcomer. Where else could a new arrival have a platform like The Northern Lights, let alone be appointed a minister so quickly? Everyone I met has welcomed me with open arms, they put up with my dumb jokes and my endless questions. All I had to do on that first day was stop by the forum and start posting. I could have enjoyed this game so much more from the start.
I absolutely vouch for TNP and admit that my friends led me astray, and all my worst assumptions about them when I joined were wrong. TNP is not just another GCR, it is a fantastic, open, encouraging region. I could write another paragraph of positive words, but that isn’t enough. You have to experience it for yourself. Sign up, take a look around, visit Discord. There are no limits to what you can do or what this region can do if we all take a leap of faith together. I don’t think I will ever run out of things to do here, and I definitely don’t have any incentive to stop. I’m not presumptuous enough to claim to speak for all new nations in the region, but I wanted citizens old and new to hear from one of the new guys for a change. I for one appreciate the work the veterans and architects put into the region as it exists today. I appreciate the outreach, your friendliness, your helpfulness, your patience. It goes somewhere; it makes a difference. If you’re new like me, take advantage of your new region’s effort, and give back to them. This will make everyone’s game so much better, and you’re here to play, aren’t you? So let’s play some NS.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: plembobria :: Executive Editor: Bootsie :: Managing Editor: Kondratev :: Graphic Artists: SillyString & Imki
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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I apologize, I could have sworn that I replied...but thank you for the update! :)
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Judicial Elections have Concluded (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9021004/)! The RA has elected three qualified and experienced Justices who will be serving until elections in March. All of the winners have extensive legal careers, and have prior experience on the court.
Eluvatar (known in TNP as Zemnaya Svoboda) has been reelected to the bench. He has also agreed to serve as Chief Justice for another term. Among other positions, he has served multiple terms as Delegate, he also currently sits on the Security Council.
SillyString, our previous Attorney General, is re-entering the court, like Eluvatar, she is also a member of the Security Council and has served as Delegate. She has also served as Vice Delegate.
Crushing Our Enemies (General COE) has also been elected. He has served as Speaker and as Vice Delegate, as well as multiple Ministerial posts.
Along with the Court, the Regional Assembly has elected a new Attorney-General, Ash (aka Virginian Inquisitors), who has recently returned to the game. Ash helped write our regional constitution back in the day. And has already gotten down to business in revitalizing his office.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16293499/tnpupdate.PNG)
Click to join: Regional Forum (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/) | Regional Assembly (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6923980/1/) | Executive Staff (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7198621/1/) | North Pacific Army (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7279690/1/) | World Assembly Ministry (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/39609/) | Democratic Union (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7218873/1/)
The North Pacific Press Releases are produced by the Ministry of Gameside Affairs and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you for reading!
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(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711)[size=14] January 2017 General Election Results[/size]
by Tomb, Vice Delegate
2017 found The North Pacific (TNP) in a time of excitement. With the General Elections season starting on January 1st, campaigning was going strong, the feeling of rivalry was felt by all, and there was an air of excitement all around the region. TNP elects its Delegate, Vice Delegate, and Speaker of the Regional Assembly (RA) every four months in what is known as the General Elections. With the three highest offices in the region up for grabs, General Elections are usually a time period of excitement and increased activity.
This General Election was no different. As the Elections started out, the Delegate's race appeared to be the most contested one. Incumbent Delegate Plembobria, former Vice Delegate Bootsie, and Deputy Attorney General Darcania all initially declared candidacy for the position. Each candidate had considerable support and a strong resume, and the race looked really packed for a minute. Soon enough, Bootsie and Darcania both withdrew from the race leaving Plembobria as the only candidate standing. The field was not vacant for long though as Deputy Minister and Assistant Attorney General Sasten declared his candidacy for the office along with citizens Yalkan, Hesskin Empire, and Lord Emmanuel. Ultimately, the race came down to Plembobria and Sasten in the end with both candidates battling it out till the last vote.
Plembobria, the incumbent Delegate, cited his strong first term in office in which he saw success in increasing activity levels across the board. He promised to continue this while also embracing and allowing his cabinet ministers to create and achieve individual policies and goals for their ministries. Sasten ran on a campaign promising to maintain the progress of the past term while also working towards new achievements as a region. Plembobria would go on to win the Delegate’s race, securing 57% of the vote.
The Vice Delegate's race was equally interesting. As far as the candidates go, former Delegate Tomb and current Attorney General Ash both declared their candidacies for the office. However, Ash, would later go on to resign his citizenship in the region, thus effectively removing himself from the race and prompting a Special Election for the position of Attorney General. As a result, Tomb ran unopposed, but still faced the possibility of having the nominations for the position re-opened should that option receive a majority of the vote.
Tomb ran on a campaign based on four key goals. Chiefly among them is strengthening the Security Council by raising the endorsement levels of its individual members. Tomb also outlined his plans to continue the World Assembly Development Program (WADP), which has been a success since its release, to frequently (and quickly) perform security checks on citizenship applicants, and to use the office of Vice Delegate to try and connect more to the in-game population. Tomb went on to win the Vice Delegate's election unopposed with 100% of the vote.
The Speaker's race was by far the most exciting, and it remained a nail biter until the last vote was cast. Standing for the position were Kondratev, Deputy Speaker of the RA, Pallaith, Minister of WA Affairs, and Argnantim, a newer citizen who has much potential. What was exciting and unique about this particular race is that each of the candidates were considered to be from a newer generation of players - a new class of rising stars.
Aragnatim ran on a campaign promising to essentially simplify the bill making process while also providing mentoring to those who need it. As a new member in the region, proposing a bill can seem like it is an intimidating process, and Argnantim promised to tackle that problem if he is elected. Pallaith's campaign was focused on continuing the progress made under Speaker Zyveskistaahn while also working to complete citizenship checks in a timely manner and turnout the weekly RA digest more frequently. Kondratev's platform was centered on reforming the citizenship application process procedurally while also introducing other reforms, such as weekly RA discord meetings, to increase the efficiency of the office and the RA in general. Pallaith went on to win the Speaker's race, winning with 60% of the vote.
Aside from the General Election races, TNP also held two Special Elections, one for Attorney General, following Ash’s resignation, and one for Court Justice, following Eluvatar's removal due to inactivity. As both races started out, only one person declared candidacy for each election (Lord Emmanuel - Attorney General and Altmoras - Justice), and so nominations were re-opened after the majority of the voters sought that option in both races. After nominations were reopened, Lord Emmanuel withdrew from the race, and Deputy Attorney General Darcania declared candidacy. Darcania ran on a campaign promising an active Attorney General's office, one that is based on experience and a strong work ethic. Darcania ran unopposed winning 100% of the vote. In the Justice race, former Justice Abbey, former Deputy Attorney General Guy, and former Temporary Hearing Officer Barborristan all declared candidacy for the position along with Altmoras, the initial candidate. With many highly experienced legal minds in the field, voters had many options, and the competition was great, but in the end, Abbey managed to pull a win securing 73% of the vote.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6)[size=14] Regional Assembly Highlights: New Speaker[/size]
by Pallaith, Speaker
For the first time in a long time, The North Pacific has a new Speaker of the Regional Assembly, yours truly. Our beloved Zyvetskistaahn has at long last achieved his dream of unshackling himself from the Speaker's desk, though he has traded those shackles for those of the Deputy Speaker's office. Elections are times of change and opportunity. This is the most of both the Speaker's office has had in a while, and it couldn't come at a better time. The Regional Assembly has seen some of its busiest days as of late, and the Speaker's office is working to catch up. Top on everyone's mind these days are reforms to both the citizenship process as well as judicial procedure. In addition to the regular bills altering a small handful of words in the legal code or bill of rights, the Regional Assembly has seen an increase in proposals proposing changes to approving citizens, evidentiary procedure, even judicial sentencing.
It is remarkable, then, that even with this clear desire for broad and varied change in the region, the effort is still deliberate and incremental. There is a process in place and even the most excitable or inspired member of the Regional Assembly adapts to the speed of our legislative process, even if they have to learn as they go. In the previous term the Regional Assembly grappled with the proper handling of evidence and how restrictive to be regarding incoming citizens, but they also played a part in changing the course of NationStates history by reversing course on the World Assembly Accord on campaign Spam and supporting the Coalition Against the Ideology of Nazism. Both of these were supported by delegates past and present, but it was the RA who determined their fate.
Indeed, this past term saw a rare delegate veto, which triggered an override vote (albeit an unsuccessful one). In all cases the citizens respected the outcome and were careful to conduct the votes and debates as carefully and deferentially as possible. Some of these disagreements touched on sensitive subject matter, and at times seemed to hinge on very minute or nitpicky details. And yet, the RA is still standing and the work continues, no matter how many times the same proposal finds new life in another debate thread.
In TNP, the citizens decide their own fate and the rules that bind them. The debates over citizenship and judicial procedure are not abstract principles or something that only affects the nations who come after them, they impact their own fate in future potential court cases, their place in the greater NS world. The RA is an important, if too often unsung, aspect of life in TNP, one that more nations should learn about and use to their benefit. This term may be the one where that aspiration starts to find life. Suffice to say, the Speaker’s office has a lot on its plate in the upcoming term. Facilitating the everyday process of self-governance is tough work at times but it is the lifeblood of democratic regions like TNP.
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by Kasch, Minister of Communications
32 competitors, one winner and another successful year for the Northern Cup. The tournament officially began on August the 7th, 2016. It ran for 164 days, this included the Signups, the Group Stages, Knockouts and the Finals. Last year, only 16 competitors took part, so having double the competitors this year was a massive leap forward. Now, for the results. If anyone hasn't already read my Awards Ceremony dispatch, True Sebland ended up beating my national team in the final, after months of hard work and training. The Kaschovian failure in finals continue, as last tournament, Kaschovia lost out to Northern Scovia. This year was no different, with True Sebland winning 1 - 0.
It is fair to note that this year's tournament was much more successful in terms of coverage, graphical ability, organization, and scheduling. Not only was there much more content for people to enjoy, but there was much more work to do behind-the-scenes. If anyone has ever managed a cup similar to this before, they will know that under the nice dispatches and graphics, is pages and pages of BBCode. Not just normal BBCode, more than the standard boldening, italicizing and underlining. It got to the point where I could no longer bunch together dispatches of leaderboards and tables because I had exceeded the limit for a dispatch in terms of BBCode. I can confidently say that in formatting things like this, I have learned so much more about the more complicated mechanics of NationStates and it's dispatch creation process.
General roleplay takes a massive role in the fictional aspects of The North Pacific, and in its huge reach across our community, comes the opportunity for more and more sports themed roleplay. I am a heavily sports themed roleplayer myself, so it was only natural that I would be able to work on such a large project. Admittedly, there is not much sports roleplay present in the community, as opposed to political or national roleplay. I have tried to bring the sports themed to the forefront of the roleplaying scene, and I will continue with that effort until sports roleplay
Talking of the Northern Cup I must also mention some of the things I have planned for 2017/2018. I do plan to look for more helpers with it, as I find it very draining to work on the entire thing on my own. I hope to have more spaces open for competitors, and possibly open the tournament up to 48 teams. I will be stripping back on graphical variation, as I find it is far too demanding to conjure new and interesting graphics. Most likely, I'll use more conventional and efficient methods for displaying scores and results. The standard BBcode might be used to make tables for scores and leaderboards.
Along with the Northern Cup, I also have plans to develop even more sports themed roleplaying tournaments and cups. I have ideas for a tennis series and a Formula 1 style Grand Prix North Pacific version. I will be looking to improve previous attempts/iterations of a Northern Football League, and I hope to work on improving many aspects of The Northern Cup as it is. Although most of this will be forum-side, I will try and bring some of it onto NationStates so a wider variety of nations can participate in, enjoy and help with more of my roleplay projects. I cannot promise any success with the projects mentioned, but I will definitely try to make them happen.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)[size=14] The Spotlight #1: An Interview with Vice Delegate Tomb[/size]
by Kasch & Tomb, Minister of Communications & Vice Delegate
Kasch: As part of our new segment for the Northern Lights, I'd like to introduce: The Spotlight! A monthly interview with a special guest from the North Pacific! This week, we have a former Delegate and current Vice Delegate: Tomb! Welcome to the Spotlight, it's great to have you here with me for this interview.
Tomb: Hi Kasch, Thank you for having me!
Kasch: No problem! To begin, with some of the elections behind us, and the term only just starting, what was your favourite moment of last term, and why?
Tomb: Great question. As you know, I was Minister of Home Affairs for most of last term. When I received the Ministry of Home Affairs, it was in a less than desirable condition. Recruitment was being done by 1-2 people, there was no functioning executive staff, and inactivity was prevalent. Under my leadership and with Delegate Plembobria's vision for the Ministry, we were able to turn it around to become one of the most active government ministries. Today, the Ministry of Home Affairs stands strongly with a large, active Executive Staff, an active recruitment branch, a new and improved mentoring program, and all in all, I am proud and happy that we were able to turn it around.
Tomb: It is not a "moment" by any means as it took months of work, but the final product -- what the Ministry of Home Affairs has come to be -- would easily be my favorite.
Kasch: Home Affairs truly needed someone like you on board, you lifted the Ministry back onto its feet! Onto the next question: In the General Elections, you ran for VD and won. How does it feel to be VD, and are you looking forward to working with Plembobria over the next four months?
Tomb: It feels good, as you know, it is an honor to be elected as Vice Delegate of TNP. With it of course comes a heavy sense of responsibility, not only in achieving my goals for the office, but also in the fact that as Vice Delegate, you're one heat beat away from the Delegacy, and so you're always on your feet. With regards to Delegate Plembobria, I am looking forward to working with him 100%. I think he did a great job last term, and I think he'll do just as fine this term.
Kasch: And with the elections, come the cabinet appointments! So, how do you feel about the most recently selected cabinet, and what effect do you think it will have on TNP this term?
Tomb: I personally could not have assembled a more well put together cabinet than what we have right now. If you look at every cabinet position and its holder - from Scorch (Minister of Home Affairs) to Bootsie (Minister of Foreign Affairs), you will find that these Ministers not only have the experience necessary to assume their positions, but they also have a never-ending drive to serve the region. These are the sort of people who go up and beyond expectations. So I really think that with this cabinet, we're set for an excellent term.
Kasch: It must be reassuring knowing that you have such a cabinet! Now, concerning the Security Council, what are your aims and objectives for the council over this term, and how do you plan to achieve them? Feel free to refer to your campaign, I'm sure the readers would like to see a full answer.
Tomb: My primary and most important goal for the Security Council (SC) is to raise the endorsement levels of its members to match the recent increase in the Delegate's endorsement count. As you know, in our region's current context, it makes no sense for a Security Councilor to have 600 endorsements while the Delegate has 1,300. To get to the desired range of 900-1,000 endorsements, the SC will obviously have to endotart and maintain a greater presence on the RMB. I personally have multiple events planned, including theme weeks and an AMA, that are all aimed at increasing the SC's endorsement levels. This will not be a light project, and it will require an effort from everyone – not just SC members and WA nations. So there is a lot of work to do. Fortunately, we have plenty of time to do it, and TNP's security is more than worth it.
Kasch: The future of the SC looks promising! How much of an impact do you think the World Assembly Develoent Program has had on The North Pacific and its WAD/VD positions?
Tomb: The World Assembly Develoent Program (WADP) is an excellent program, and it is actually part of the reason that TNP has the high amount of endorsements that we do. While other regions restrict the amount of endorsements you may have, TNP encourages and awards endorsing other nations in the region. This keeps our community safe, making it almost impossible for one to coup, due to the distribution of endorsements and influence. It also allows for the game to be more enjoyable for nations who like to stick to the game-side aspects of NationStates as they get to endotart.
Kasch: Now, looking to the future of the North Pacific, what do you think 2017 holds for the region and why?
Tomb: I am definitely optimistic. We're starting this year with an active, large citizenry. All of our government institutions (from our Courts to the North Pacific Army) are up and running. Our RMB and forum are both bustling with activity. Our challenge is to keep this up in the months to come. And I think this is a challenge that we're up for.
Kasch: Okay, so now that we have the future out of the way, I must ask since I haven't been around for as long as you have, if you could return to any one point in your history on NationStates, what would that point be and why?
Tomb: Oooh, that's a hard question. You know, I've made some really good friends throughout my time in TNP, at the same time, I've unfortunately lost some of them to inactivity over the years. Similarly, I've had some good memories holding public office and some not so good ones. That's the beauty of life, it's a roller coaster. If I had to pick one point, it would be right here and right now. There is no time better than the present. Our actions and contributions right now impact the future of our region tomorrow.
Kasch: Nice answer! As VD now, how important do you see the next four months in terms of building TNP and maintaining our level of efficiency and success?
Tomb: It is of utmost importance that we continue building up TNP and its various institutions over the next 4 months. While the summer slumber (the time period around summertime in which activity all around NS generally plummets) is still some time away, we need to prepare for it. We can do that by actively recruiting right now, by retaining the new members we recruit through the activities, events, and opportunities we offer, and by working with a purpose in mind. As I said before, I am optimistic about the region's future in the months to come, but the region can only move forward and improve if everyone's contributing. As long as we can keep that up, I think we're in a good position moving forward.
Kasch: All sounds good! Now, for more of a different question, if you could change one thing about TNP, what would it be and why?
Tomb: There is not anything major that I really want changed right now. Perhaps, I would recommend that Ministers be more involved on the RMB. We also need to keep focusing on continuing our integration and retention programs in the weeks and months to come. A pause or hiatus in recruitment or mentoring will have a direct effect on our region's activity levels. But aside from that, as they say, if it is not broken, there is no reason to fix it.
Kasch: Okay, time for a fun question, who do you think will win the Spamwar this year?
Tomb: me :P I have my bets on either you or FTH.
Kasch: Me! I don't spam at all! Jokes aside, out of all the things to have happened so far this term, what has been your favourite?
Tomb: Well, aside from my election :P , I am very happy that the Ministry of Communications started a live broadcasting program called the Northern Broadcasting Service (NBS). I think this is an excellent program, it has a lot of potential, and I am really looking forward to it expanding in the weeks to come.
Kasch: Are you only saying that because I started the program? :P
Tomb: You know, I am biased towards you, but in all honestly, I really think it's a great program. It gives the Ministry of Communications a new purpose, and it opens up a whole new way of communication for our region.
Kasch: Now for the final question of the interview, if you could interview one member from our community, past or present, who would that be and why?
Tomb: It would have to be IndieGirl. IndieGirl most recently rejoined TNP during the two months I was on break from NS, and so I never got to meet her. I'm a huge fan of her, especially her spamming, and so she would be my choice.
Kasch: I've had the honor of interviewing IndieGirl when I was a few months into my time here, it was one of the best moments in my NS Career, and I still have the whole thing saved on my computer. I think that wraps everything up, it was great having you on The Spotlight for this interview, and I wish you the best of luck over next term!
Tomb: Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me today, Kasch. Being the first interviewee of The Spotlight is an honor. Thank you again for having me.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b)[size=14] North Pacific Army Bulletin for January[/size]
by Owenstacey (edited and co-authored by Kasch), Citizen
The North Pacific Army is a collection of nations primarily responsible for maintaining the peace of The North Pacific and defending its allies. The NPA is led by Gladio, the current Minister of Defense.
Over January, the NPA has had a hugely successful period of deployments. At the start of the month, the NPA was deployed to The East Pacific, one of our closest allies. We peacefully assisted their government in resolving an internal issue that faced them at the time. This was a hugely successful operation, it not only helped them resolve the issue, but was able to break the record for the highest number of troops on an operation, with 30 nations taking part. This broke the previous record of 28 troops in the Pacifican Union operation.
Then, after a fairly quiet Christmas period, the NPA was deployed to our ally Taijitu after their Founder ceased to exist. Action was necessary to secure the region until they could solve the problem. Once again, a successful operation, with us holding the region until the founder returned. The NPA was able to deploy 22 troops for this operation.
Shortly after the deployment in Taijitu, the NPA took part in a training operation in Warzone Australia. This operation was a success, with 7 troops taking part. This was a very good number of people for a training exercise during one of the updates.
The success of the operations during the last month show how the current Minister of Defense, Gladio, has been able to develop an effective and active army that, in a matter of hours, can be deployed in good number.
A few days ago, the NPA completed another operation in a region named 'Nations without a Region'. This operation was successful, with 23 troops deployed.
[small]The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: Plembobria :: Executive Editor: Kasch :: Managing Editor: Tomb :: Assistant Managing Editor: FrozenTopHat :: Graphic Artist: Imki
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
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Thank you for the update. :)
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(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) Foreign Ministry Introduces Diplomatic Teams
by Cerian Quilor, Citizen
The expectations and workloads of diplomats and ambassadors is always variable. If a region has many embassies, but few ambassadors, those few will be stretched thin to do too many regions each, and the expectations will, assuming a fair Foreign Minister, be comparatively low (post the update, check in once a week for inquiries, usually small things like that). When you have a lot of ambassadors, and few embassies, you can run the risk of what is essentially 'unemployment' (that is, more demand for jobs than jobs available). And while opening more embassies can solve than, opening embassies is somewhat more important than just 'job creation'. Still, an option.
And sometimes you end up with something of an embarrassment of riches - lots of ambassadors, and lots of embassies. And then too many ambassadors still. Ideally, an ambassador should be establishing a rapport with their assigned region, socializing, flying the flag of your region, and keeping up on all publicly available current events. Sometimes, a region is too active to keep up on everything and stay social and handle whatever else an ambassador has to do.
TNP, proving how robust our regional community is, has reached that 'embarrassment of riches' stage. We have more ambassadors than embassies to assign them. And thus, to that end, Foreign Minister Bootsie has launched the creation of diplomatic teams, wherein multiple ambassadors are assigned to one region, for the full purpose of bearing the flag, representing the region and all other duties. The trial regions were The West Pacific and The East Pacific.
So far, the results seem to lean positive in the long run, with one saying they felt that, over time, the program would "steadily produce competent diplomats and would further TNP's good reputation in NationStates," while another commented that they appreciated the fact that the program made it so that they didn't have to be "the only one faced with the responsibilities of a region, especially one as large as The East Pacific."
While so far, it's too early to tell just what the impact of this program will be, or if it will be extended to other regions, but the only way to find out is to keep our eyes on newly appointed Minister Guy and the rest of the Foreign Ministry.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) The Spotlight #2: An Interview with the MoWAA Sil Dorsett
by Kasch & Sil, Min. Communications & Min. World Assembly Affairs
Kasch: Hello and welcome to the second interview as part of the Spotlight segment for The Northern Lights, Issue XI. Today, I am joined by our current Minister of World Assembly Affairs, Sil Dorsett.
Sil Dorsett: Thanks for having me, Kasch! It's a pleasure to be here.
Kasch: It's great to have you on the Spotlight! So, first question - how has your term as Minister of World Assembly Affairs been going so far?
Sil Dorsett: It's been a busy first month! The Security Council has been really active with resolutions of all kinds; liberations, condemnations, and even a commendation for our own r3naissanc3r! It's been keeping us active, and I'm glad to see it. We're in a bit of a slow period with nothing at vote right now, and I don't mind the break, but I'm looking forward to things picking up again.
Kasch: At the beginning of the term, what vision did you see for the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs and how did you, or do you still plan to achieve it?
Sil Dorsett: One of the visions I had for the ministry was for us to be able to generate deeper discussions on resolutions. A lot of times, when I opened a voting and discussion thread, the responses mostly just had the vote, without any explanation as to why. Providing reasoning for a vote was what I always tried to do even before joining the staff, as it generates discussion, so I've been encouraging that in the opening post of the threads. I've also been closely monitoring the proposals and seeing which proposals are likely to reach quorum and starting the discussion threads early, which gives us time to have a solid discussion, rather than rushing through, tallying votes, and just coming up with something to send out to the rest of the WA nations in the region.
Kasch: It certainly seems like you have a defined vision for the ministry! Next question, is there anything in particular you like most about being the MoWAA?
Sil Dorsett: I think the thing I like most about being the Minister is the closer interaction that I have with the rest of the Executive Council. It provides me with the ability to gain insight into the inner workings of TNP's government. When I was Deputy Minister, Pallaith trained me well on the inner workings of the WA Ministry, but now there's so much more open to me, and much more to learn, and I really enjoy that.
Kasch: Going away from the WA for a minute, what were your first impressions of TNP and how its government works?
Sil Dorsett: Hmm, there's an interesting question. To be honest, when I first joined the game I was founded in TNP and never really thought to look outside the region. TNP was the largest region and it was very active, so I was satisfied with staying. It wasn't until after being introduced to the World Assembly Develoent Program and endotarting that I joined the forums and was welcomed. I think there was one comment that said "Finally, the elusive Sil reveals himself." It was a good introductory experience. As far as the how the government works, my first impression was that it just worked, and that nothing seemed radical and out there.
Kasch: From all the people you've met so far in this community, who has had the largest effect on your NS Career and why?
Sil Dorsett: Absolutely would be Pallaith. No question there. Pallaith took notice of my efforts in a WALL thread where there was a proposal on its way to being submitted that I thought was amending other resolutions, which isn't allowed. Although I was completely wrong, it wasn't really amending, he appreciated the effort and research that went into my analysis and offered me the Deputy Minister spot. He strapped the rocket on my back.
Kasch: Pallaith was a very good WA Minister during his term, so I can fully understand that. Okay, from the time you've spent here and on NationStates, what has been the most important thing you've learned?
Sil Dorsett: The most important thing I've learned is that there's more to the game than answering issues and voting on resolutions. There's communities out there, on-site and off, that make the whole experience much more fulfilling. You just have to be willing to dive in and take a chance on it.
Kasch: I couldn't agree more. And since you are a relatively new nation, who do you look up to most in either TNP or the whole of NationStates?
Sil Dorsett: That's a tough one, because there are plenty of people who are such a positive influence. Honestly, I can't mention just one. Just can't do that. From a gameside perspective, I appreciate the commitment and dedication of both Lord Ravenclaw and r3naissanc3r, and everything they've done inspires me to work harder for the region. From a cultural and roleplay perspective, I have to give it to Goyanes for his creativity and artistic skill. Every time he posts more details about his nation or a new map it makes me think of how I can flesh out my national identity more.
Kasch: Some very well-respected names there, now, for other regions - which region, apart from TNP, is your favourite in NS?
Sil Dorsett: Oooh, an even harder question! But it actually goes the opposite way than the last question. As I said earlier, I haven't really looked at other regions. Perhaps I'm due for a stint in Foreign Affairs to make up for it! I will say that we have a solid ally in Europeia, through collaboration on the World Assembly Legislative League and CAIN, so I think I'll give them the nod.
Kasch: Okay, enough time away from the WA, back to it! What are your views on the WADP and its effects on not just our endorsement levels, but the region as a whole?
Sil Dorsett: I think the WADP is one of the strongest retention and activity generation mechanisms we have. We don't place arbitrary low limits on endorsements and threaten to ban for crossing it. Well, let me correct that, there are still limits and we can kick for getting too close to the Vice Delegate, but the number to hit is ridiculously high that it shouldn't be a problem for anyone. It also makes us the safest region to be in, because all those endorsements means more influence, which protects you. The combination of those things I think makes others want to stay here.
The awards system that the WADP has encouraged me to get started with endotarting. When I first saw the awards system, I wanted to be Click-to-Endorse champion, and within the first month of my nation's existence I did that. I spent one night doing over 1500 endorsements to get there. And then once I had the championship, I figured it was time to introduce myself to the forums. So, I also think WADP drives overall regional activity, probably in part through retention of nations. But that's based on my personal experience.
Kasch: It really sounds like you dedicated your time to the WA! But now, if you could give one piece of advice to any nation considering getting involved with endotarting and the WA, what would you say?
Sil Dorsett: "Join. Endorse. Vote." Join the World Assembly to expand your gameplay experience. Endorse everyone, especially the Delegate and Vice Delegate. We have tools available that can help, including a page on our forum that'll tell you everyone you haven't endorsed. Finally, vote on resolutions, because every vote counts. I sent a telegram to the entire region about this not too long ago.
Kasch: Going forward, what does a potential MoWAA need to know if they want your position?
Sil Dorsett: Potential ministers should know that they're responsible for the content and distribution of our recommendations, and there are tools available to the minister and deputy ministers that make it simple. They'll also need to be prepared to answer a lot of questions from the community. Also, keep a close eye on proposals, and also read what's being posted on the on-site forum, though really I encourage everyone in the staff to do that. Awareness of everything that's happening around the World Assembly subforum is crucial.
Kasch: Great advice, and leading onto the next question - if you could change one thing about this community, what would it be and why?
Sil Dorsett: I'll be honest, I can't really think of anything I would change. TNP is such an open and welcoming community with its own unique culture, and I'm not one to think about changing it while I'm still learning and adapting. So, I apologize for the non-answer there, but I think it should still speak to how great the community is.
Kasch: Totally valid answer there, it was a hard question! So, we've spoken about the WA and TNP in general, now for another topic. Other than the MoWAA, what other ministries could you see yourself managing, and why?
Sil Dorsett: Well, the first thing I need to do is be more active with Home Affairs. I've already been encouraging others to join the forums when I'm answering WA related questions, but it's about time I start ramping up activity in HA and encourage even more to come aboard. Once I have some experience there, perhaps I'll apply for a Deputy Minister spot there to gain the managerial experience.
Kasch: If everyone else was to CTE, and you could only save five nations from dying, who would you save?
Sil Dorsett: Haha, only five? Wow! I don't even think I could save myself under those conditions. Let's see. Guslantis, because who doesn't love guinea pigs? HMS Unicorn (r3naissanc3r) deserves it. I'll save BouncyAbbeyKitty too. You (Kasch) because you've had a hand in everything and can do everything if it comes down to it. And I have to let Pallaith live too. There that's five, and that's with me CTEing too.
Kasch: I feel very honoured to be on that list, but I am sure there are a lot more nations we could have mentioned. Now, if you could go back in time and tell the first few hundred nations anything, what would you say to them?
Sil Dorsett: Absolutely, that's why five was incredibly hard. Now, to the first hundred nations, I'd go back and tell them ahead of time of how much NationStates will grow, to give them some inspiration. There's been over five million nations created. That's an impressive feat, and it all started with them.
Kasch: After all, not even this interview would be happening without some of those first nations. While we're on the topic of history, what has been your favourite moment since joining NS?
Sil Dorsett: When the General Assembly stopped talking about nukes. Haha, just kidding, That'll never happen. My favorite moment in NS, in the 6 months I've been around, was when the WA nations came together and were able to flip the result of a liberation repeal when Eternal Scholars was invaded a second time in the middle of the vote. We got the job done, the region stayed liberated until the new invaders were out, and now just recently we were able to hand that region back over to its rightful owners.
Kasch: That must have been pretty memorable, and in terms of the MoWAA and its work in writing recommendations, how do you think the ministry could be improved and changed so that writing these becomes easier and more efficient?
Sil Dorsett: That will come with more input in the discussion threads and with the staff reading through the on-site forums to gather up feedback from others across all of NationStates. With more input, we'll be able to write an informative recommendation faster. We should also continue to collaborate with our World Assembly Legislative League allies, letting them know when we start a discussion thread, letting them know what our vote is, and working together on the recommendations, and try to have everything ready to send within a day of a resolution coming to vote.
Kasch: Okay, and in terms of communication with our allies over GA and SC Proposals, are there any regions which stand out in terms of legislative capability, other than TNP?
Sil Dorsett: I'd say Europeia and Balder have very solid WA programs and are heavy hitters with high endorsement counts. Together we make up a large chunk of the available vote. They are two of our WALL allies, and we have our own Discord server with them and International Democratic Union, so communication and collaboration with them is easy. IDU also has an advantage as their delegate is a member of the GA secretariat.
Kasch: Since we're nearing the end of the interview, just a few more questions. Firstly, what were your thoughts on NS before you joined? How did you see the community beforehand and what did you expect from it?
Sil Dorsett: To be honest, I went in with no thoughts or expectations at all. I started out as one of those players that was just curious about answering issues and how a nation would change as a result. It was a legitimate leap of faith that I took in joining the TNP community, and I'm glad I did.
Kasch: Penultimately, if you could move to any other region in the game, and leave TNP behind, what region would that be?
Sil Dorsett: Haha, if it really came to that, I'd at least go to one of our allies, and definitely to a large, safe region. Which one in particular? I couldn't really say. I'd want to do more research and see which regions share our values, something I haven't worked on yet. If I feel up for it, maybe I'll move a puppet around and see what's out there, but I'm personally in no rush to do so.
Kasch: Personally, I would very easily choose Europeia, that's just me, though. Now, final question - you have one day left to do anything on NS before it shuts down forever, what do you do and why?
Sil Dorsett: Last day, I'd go through all of my nation's information pages and print them. All the charts, print those too. Regional information pages, do them too. That way, I have a final report card of my nation to look back upon. I don't trust the internet's Wayback Machine site to do it right!
Kasch: Well, it's been absolutely great having you on the Spotlight with me today, and I wish you the best of the luck with the rest of the term! Folks, that does it for this month's Spotlight!
Sil Dorsett: Thanks for having me, Kasch. It's been a pleasure.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090374%2Ftnl_cult2.png&hash=622cdba23cea4c619bffc248befd4812) NBS Radio becomes TNPs first radio show
by Kasch (co-edited by King Leonidas), Minister of Communications & Citizen
The Northern Broadcasting service was developed under the supervision of myself, and FrozenTopHat. We both noticed the activity and the use of the Discord voice chat channels. We soon realized that not only could there be a potential advantage to the voice chats, but there could even be an entire project that can contribute to it. Inspired by a similar program run by Europeia, we knew that it was not quite an original idea. We suspected that many regions might have tried and failed at it before. Yet we were strong-willed, as leaders of the Communications Ministry, to assure the voices of the North were heard at all costs.
If you have never heard of the Northern Broadcasting Service before, it is the group of members responsible for the development, hosting, and participation of weekly broadcasts and events for the pleasure and entertainment of the community and others who wish to follow up on current events. A program contained within the Northern Broadcasting Service, NBS Radio, was founded by FrozenTopHat and myself about five weeks ago. It has continued to work well alongside the Northern Lights and other ministries within the region.
Our motivation to progress this project was the lack of goals and objectives. I had rebuff the belief that The Northern Lights would be my only working point as Minister of Communications. We understood that focusing on numerous projects at once can reduce the quality of our work, but I truly saw something within the NBS. How it could be managed by the ministry, the potential in the people and the ministry itself, and FrozenTopHat vehemently agreed. It is one thing to perusal text on a screen, but it is on an utterly new level when the voices behind that text are presented to the community.
How did the first broadcast go? Well, when planning the very first broadcast, I must say, I was incredibly anxious about it. We did not quite know what topics that should be discussed in our broadcast, neither how it should be presented, but with some poking and querying, I managed to obtain a list of several topics for the show. Everything went splendiferous that day, we have almost consistently maintained our reliable starting times, and efficiency in producing great content for all of our listeners. The number of people taking interest and listening to our broadcast is steadily on the increase, so hopefully to come at the end of the term, we attain a regular, dedicated group of listeners.
We have a variety of ideas for the Northern Broadcasting Service and hope to establish some of them in the coming months of the term. One of those conceptions being an interview show, which is already in action through The Spotlight, a monthly segment in the Northern Lights. The first session went successfully, with Tomb as our very first guest. I am thrilled to announce the next person on the show will be Sil Dorsett, current Minister of WA Affairs! As you can presume, there are almost endless possibilities when it comes to the Spotlight, with new topics, questions, and people to interview every month! Not just through text, voice interviews are very much on the table.
Another idea some of the broadcasters and I were going over, was an opportunity for broadcasters of NBS and the EBC to collaborate on some projects. To produce excellent content for both shows would be an incredible chance for us to work with them on a broadcast. If you are part of the EBC, and do regular broadcasts through Mixlr, contact me so something can be arranged! I think it would do both communities a massive favor in terms of increasing popularity, listeners, and regular air time. It would also give our broadcasters a chance to meet others from Europeia.
All of the broadcasts from then on have followed the same patterns, and have all been produced and executed excellently by all of those involved. It is a great pleasure to work with everyone on this project and watch it grow from its infancy. I would to thank numerous people for their help on this project, and I believe some credit may be overdue for all of its expansion and growth. Essentially, to FrozenTopHat, for lighting the sparks of inspiration within me. Thanks to everyone who had contributed to the broadcast so far. NBS Radio could not have been what it is today without you and I know that this is only just the beginning.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090376%2Ftnl_game2.png&hash=14246175e7a8b5b47888c483a924d644) CAIN conference keyword density analysis
by Nasania, Citizen
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Nationstates is a political game and ideologies do have a place in Nationstates politics-though it may not always be acknowledged as such. My hypothesis is that political ideologies can be measured by taking a tally of the buzzwords the political actor chooses to throw around. The words you choose to use matter, and that certain biases can show themselves in the particular kind of language you use. First off we need to set goal posts that do not move based on personal feelings or such. It is logical to identify the core ideal that an ideology espouses..The ones I shall use are taken from Daniel Berk's Ideology quiz, which I have found to adequately measure 99.6% of respondents who have taken the quiz (around 500 people have taken the quiz) and are Liberty, Equality, Stability.
Buzzwords for Liberty are: Discretion, liberty, liberate, free, freedom, one, choice, enterprise, Conscience, Deregulate, reason, each, option, own, optional, Individual, opportunity, open, any, voluntary, unlimited, unrestrained, person, private, consent, self, independent, freely, Volunteer, Domination (when spoken in negative), dependence (Negative).
Equality= Redistribution, fair, equitable, social, society, expand, equalize, equality, people, fairness, universal, every, community, together, justice, common, sense, sensitive, masses, group, balance activism, all, same, access, distribute, share, shared, Discrimination (negative), differences (negative).
Stability= Experience, the region, leader, leaders, peace, order, law, stability, member, citizen, tradition, heritage, authority, decision, decisive, certain, some, protect, safe, safety, secure, security, insure, establish, fundamental, trust, permit, reliable, Chaos (negative), Activity (negative).
Using these keywords all we have to do is read the document and start tallying for all synonyms or derived words of the above. References such as 'I hate equality' will logically be tallied as negative Equality stance. We then subtract negatives from the positives to get overall score. The Ideology of Liberty is Libertarianism or Anarcho-Capitalism when radical; Equality is Democratism and Communism when radical; Stability is Conservativism and Fascism if radical. 2/3 % score is radical threshold-if one prizes a principle over the others to this extent they qualify as an extremist.
The document we shall analyze today is the CAIN treaty and see what kind of bias is hinted at in the document: First the preamble:
"We, the undersigned governments; mindful of the impact Nazism has on the community we all share, devoted to combating scientific racism, appalled by the glorification of Nazi Germany, determined to overcome gameplay differences, and committed to making the NationStates community more accessible; do hereby establish and join the Coalition Against the Ideology of Nazism, herein referred to as "CAIN", and agree to recognize and adhere to this Treaty and the commitments set forth within."
So, by the buzzwords, I have counted there are 6 Equality Keywords and 1 conservative keyword. Let's sum them up and find proportions 6+1=7 6/7=85.7% Equality bias and 14.3% Stability. So the Preamble is showing a conservative communist signature - this is likely a response to the Nazi ideology in which hierarchy is seen as the Fundamental order of nature and Society is best organized as a hierarchy of fuhrers. It's also likely appealing to the Nazi's natural enemies - the communists. Now this doesn't mean this a communist document (in fact we will soon see that the author is NOT a communist). So let's continue to the next section which seems to be pro-stability as it's setting standards of law and order.
These are the numbers I counted:
+L=1 +E=2 +S=9
-L=0 -E0= -S=1.
.L=1 E=2 S=8 1+2+8=11 so 72.7% Stability
So it scores Fascist... If this score is valid-then we have to assume there was some pandering to a fascist group-Nazis are NOT fascists-the two groups in RL actually nearly went to war with each other over Austria-the main thing about Nazism is it's virulent anti-communism while Fascists were actually an offshoot of the socialists. In Nationstates the closest equivalent to Fascism is Francoism.
For the rest of the document I am going to do some cursory tallies.
The Membership admin section scores as follows: L=8 E=3 S=22 8+3+22=33, 22/33=66.7% Fascist
Functions section
L=5 E=1 S=13 68% Fascist
General Provisions
L=4 E=1 S=8 61.5% stability Hardline Conservative
Now I add up the totals of the above and I get:
Total= L=18, E=13, S=52, sum the results 18+13+52=83, find percentage 52/83=62.6%, Hardline Conservative.
And at that a Liberal Conservative. the score of this document is similar to Imperialist and Independent Manifestoes when I scored them several years ago (to be exact Liberty =33% Equality=18% Stability=48% Moderate Liberal Conservative: Emperor Onder of LKE had a score of L=22% E=15% S=63% ), so I would have to conclude that the conservatives had a lot of power over the procedural aspects of this document. This alliance of Imperialists/Independents with Communists will probably have a lot of problems as they don't see eye to eye with each other (Radicals of one ideology will perceive even moderate members of another ideology as their radical counterparts e.g. a communist will perceive a conservative as a fascist and a Fascist will see a moderate Laborist as a communist). The KDA predicts the Communists would most like the preamble but dislike the definitions section -they would probably prefer to replace "region" with "communities" so it’s less overtly statist-and likely include a condemnation of Fascism. Communitarians might also be a little wary about this treaty as Equality is the lowest score in the document (communitarians like to balance Equality and Stability)... Brunhilde was the author so we have to ask: What was Brunhilde's score using a quiz I designed to measure ideology based on a similar system? Liberal Conservative or Right Libertarian Independent/Imperialist (54% Liberty, 46% Equality, 77% Stability).
From doing a survey of regions with 500 respondents- Lazarus, TCB, and TRR, and TSP tended to be communist or heavily left-leaning... TNP, TEP, TWP all were Communitarian or conservative. The Communist Bloc used to have communitarians but many of them have since left their region and formed regions such as Wintercrest, so TCB is largely dominated by communists at this time. Osiris and the Pacific have a lot of Francoists so Osiris was likely the CAIN member most opposed to adding Fascism to the list of target ideologies. Conservatives also likely were opposed to adding it as they themselves might get labeled as "Fascists" (even though they're not) by hardline leftists. LKE is likely satisfied with this treaty considering their scores are an almost exact match, Looking at the list of signatories only 3-4 regions are outright communist or had a communist past. Imperialist-Independent-National Sovereigntist-monarchist regions seem to make up the majority (62.5%) of signatories with at least 15 of the 24 signatories (Note I am separating Communist regions from Independent ones). "Democratic" regions made up at least 7.
If I were to predict what will happen and considering the bias of the dominant members of this coalition .some of the more left-leaning regions may de facto leave this coalition at some point in the future-especially as the Nazi's continue to lose power... many left-leaning and especially Libertarian Socialists will lobby in their home regions to leave this coalition, possibly viewing this as something that increases Imperialists' power in Nationstates or not "fair" to their own regions-however those regions will likely stay in the coalition as their own establishments will want to keep them in the coalition.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b) North Pacific Army Bulletin
by Owenstacey (edited and co-authored by Kasch), Citizen
February was a quiet month for the NPA, as most of the operations have been for training purposes. The NPA has deployed at least 6 troops on each operation, and considering the regular inactivity spurts that occur around this time of the year, this is an impressive level of consistency.
At the start of February, the NPA conducted three successful detagging operations, with nine participants. This was a good operation for setting up the level of activity and commitment for the rest of the month.
After this, the NPA were deployed to Taijitu for the second time, as the founder had ceased to exist again. The operation secured the region until the natives could resolve the situation. The operation was successful, with the founder being restored. In total, 18 troops were deployed.
The third operation of the month came around the 10th of February, when a joint force of 8 troops performed some more training exercises in both Warzone Australia and Warzone Asia. This operation was successful, and rounded up the end of the month nicely. We can expect to see more of the same over March, and as usual, Gladio has executed his duties with great maturity, efficiency and strong leadership.
To summarize, the NPA conducted three detagging operations, helped Taijitu recover their founder for the second time and conducted two additional training exercises nearer the end of the month. That rounds it up for February, more to come next time.
[small]The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: Plembobria :: Executive Editor: Kasch :: Managing Editor: Tomb :: Assistant Managing Editor: FrozenTopHat :: Graphic Artist: Imki + SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
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The North Pacific
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Magicality City, 07/21/2017
Dear Wintermoot,
The government of The North Pacific entreats you to accept Egalotir as an ambassador between our two regions. He has been a citizen in good standing of The North Pacific for over three years and a legislator in our Regional Assembly for the same period and we believe he will meet the duties of this posting admirably. He responsibilities will include above all keeping your region informed of important affairs in The North Pacific, supporting our interregional ties by interpersonal ties through social involvement, keeping our government abreast of affairs in your region, and providing services to dual citizens should they be needed and welcome.
By accepting Egalotir as an ambassador, we hope you will continue to honour the long lasting relationship between The North Pacific and Wintreath.
Sincerely,
Sankami
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Oh man it's been three years since I've been in Wintreath and NS! I hope you all remember me and I look forward to catching you all up to date! Apologies the embassy has fallen into inactivity, I will be fixing that.
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Egalotir! I certainly do remember you! :D
It's good to hear again from TNP, but fuck, welcome back. It's good to hear from you specifically. :)
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by Iraelia, Citizen
One of the most important aspects of NationStates is role play. After all, the premise of the game is acting as your nation's leader and answering issues to determine the status of your nation. Of course, that's just about, answering issues. However, for those whose minds are entranced by fiction, there exists more than just issue answering, there is role play. There are many ways to role play in NationStates: on the NationStates forum, in your own RP world, but the most prominent form of role play in The North Pacific exists in the world of Eras.
Based on The North Pacific forums and operating their own discord server, Eras RP has been used as a setting for about three years now and is open for anyone in TNP to join. Order is maintained by a team of role play moderators who ensure that people are obeying the rules of North Pacific RP. While things have slowed down recently in Eras, a lot of important events have occurred in the past few months that will shape the future of role play in Eras.
The biggest such event currently ongoing, though somewhat stalled due to the two key people being busy with real life, is the Council for the Reaffirmation of the Alliance of Northern Unions (ANU). In Eras, many nations have banded together to form alliances and unions in order to strengthen their nation’s position in the world. The two largest alliances are the Pan-Gotic Union (PGU) and the Phoenix Union (PU). The PGU is a union of nations that are ethnically Gotic, the Eras equivalent of German. The PU is a union of nations that are positioned on the Phoenix Strait, an area of strategic and economic importance in Eras. The predecessor to the PGU, the Northwestern Union (NWU), had been working on an agreement with the PU which would form the Alliance of Northern Unions (ANU). However, before either party could ratify the agreement, the NWU was disbanded and replaced by the PGU. Now that the PGU is firmly situated, members of both the PU and the PGU have gathered at a conference to discuss the actual ratification of the ANU. However, the proposed alliance is seeing significant opposition from powerful nations like the Ilian Coalition and Xentherida, members from within the proposed alliance, and it's future is most definitely in question.
Another important event that has been transpiring is the formation of the Trillium Compact (TC) which is the successor to the Trillium Accord (TA), and is an organization of democratic nations designed to further the goals of national sovereignty and voluntary cooperation between nations. The TC, having just been ratified, has now gone searching for new members to join their ranks. These proposed nations are Iraelia as an Associate Member and Goyanes and Syrixia as Observer Members. Many of these proposed members have received criticism from some sitting members of the TC. Syrixia is a self described autocracy and fails to meet the important democratic requirements in the eyes of the Ilian Coalition, Xentherida, and the Hastfradic League. Goyanes, while democratic, has strong allegiances to the PGU and PU which has off set several members of the alliance. Iraelia is also a democracy, but a history of racial tension in the nation has put the TC on edge. Needless to say, these nations will have to fight tooth and nail for entrance into the TC.
On a more local level, there have been several ongoing national role plays. One such story is Modergen, a character RP within the nation of Goyanes which centers around a terrorist attack on a newly built subway station in Goyanes by an organization seeking to re-institute dictatorial rule to the nation of Xentherida. They bomb the station under the guise of fascists from the nation of Ninhundland, a neighbour and sworn enemy of Goyanes, in the hopes that it may lead to war and further their end goal. Another active story is Yavneh Roya which is a traditional Iraelian holiday celebrating independence from the nation of Syrixia. This Yavneh Roya, the Prime Minister of Iraelia invited nations of the world to celebrate with the Iraelian government. The final major event that is ongoing is the Post Crown Conflict wherein Eras had recently gone through a major conflict where the nations of Samaria and Scallendovia declared war on the nation of Cogoria. The conflict has devastated the region and resulted in the destruction of Scallendovia. As a result, both Cogoria and Samaria have sent representatives to the Merillian League, acting as a neutral third party, to sign a peace treaty. Both nations signed the treaty, and the conflict has finally come to an end.
This has been Roleplay Reel #1.
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by Atlae, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
There have always been things that separate regions, from the truly dedicated to the inactive ones, and is practically mandatory for activity: a means for communication. Many regions simply utilize their RMB to communicate, while others talk offsite on platforms such as IRC, Skype, or Discord. Today, we’ll be discussing Discord, specifically for the feeders, or the Pacifics.
First stop, the North Pacific. As a control, let’s analyze TNP. It has a general channel, #the-agora; a debating channel #poolside (formerly #the-ring-of-fire); a gaming channel, #tnp-gamers-union; a music channel, #music-hall; and a spamming channel, #the-sewers. It’s RP, however, is located on another server dedicated to TNP RP. As for its governmental and regional functions, #magicality-grand-plaza and #regional-assembly-private are reserved for citizen-only activity, and #world-assembly, discussing WA activities. TNP has 8 voice channels, all of them accessible except for the ones reserved to the Security Council and the Administration.
Next is the East Pacific. Its Discord is much less active as its citizens prefer Skype, using it to talk about RP, politics, and as a general chat. However, they do have channels akin to TNP’s, with a general channel (#hotel-california), a gaming channel (#gaming), a music channel (#hall-of-music), and of course, a spamming channel (#spam-games). Unlike TNP, they have an RP channel similar to TNP’s but held within TEP’s main server, called #tep-evolved. However, it is not active much due to most RP talk on a Skype chat, also called TEP Evolved. Its only citizen-exclusive channel is #the-plaza, and their April Fool’s nuclear command center was held at #strategicaircommand. TEP has only two voice channels, General and Music Hall.
The Pacific, commonly referred to as NPO (New Pacific Order), has a quite active Discord server, with a general channel (#pacifica_harbour), a music channel (#radio_pacifica), and a spamming channel (#spam_fields). It has its roleplay in its server, (#roleplaying_discussion), and has a channel called #bot_development, which is hopefully self-explanatory. The Pacific also has a citizen-only chat called #the_square. It has three voice channels, dedicating a general, gaming, and a music channel.
The South Pacific, whereas, is very active when it comes to Discord. Like the previous regions, it has a general channel (#lampshade-bar), a gaming channel (#games), and a spamming channel (#coconut-grove). However, it has two channels dedicated to RP: #bantam-harbour and #roleplay-discussion. The latter is an advisor chat where one gets questions answered, while the former is a much more recent development, RPing within the Discord server (much like the recent trend of RMB role-playing in TNP’s RMB). TSP, however, has 8 citizen-only channels about regional government (TSP refers to residents as citizens, so Legislator is the equivalent). It has 8 voice channels, two of which are restricted to the regional government.
The West Pacific is our last stop for now. It has a very active Discord and a considerably less active Skype. As usual, it has a general channel (#the-lounge), a music channel (#karaoke_lounge_and_tiki_bar) not just for Karaoke Friday, and a spamming channel (#the-clubhouse). It also has a politics channel (#politics_and_stuff), a military recruitment channel (#twpaf_recruitment), and another channel called #celebrate-twp (the purpose is hopefully obvious). It has 5 roleplay servers, dedicated to Discord RPs of differing genres. It also has a channel dedicated to D&D (Dungeons & Dragons). It has #hall_of_nations as its citizen-only channel and has 4 voice channels (one general, one Karaoke Friday, and two D&D).
To conclude, we have seen many different utilizations of Discord. What each of the servers has in common is some general and spamming channels and a regional politics chat which makes it a characteristic of their region. While activity among them varies, it certainly sets them different from regions that do not have Discord servers.
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by Iraelia, Citizen
This month, only four operations have been performed. This has been the first month under which Darcania has been the Minister of Defense.
The first operation was a training op in Novis Vandium. Six soldiers made it in and the operation was a success.
The second operation was a training op in the regions of Warzone Australia and Warzone Sandbox. Four soldiers took part and both operations were a success.
The third operation was a training op in the regions of Puppet and abandon nations dump and The New Old South. Only the operation into the Puppet and abandon nations dump was successful. Five soldiers took part in this operation.
The fourth and final operation was a training op into the regions of both The New Pacific nations and Warzone Africa. Both operations were a success. Six soldiers took part in the operations.
This has been your monthly NPA Bulletin.
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by Kasch, Vice Delegate
Monthly Memoirs is back again for July! This month, I put a spin on the questions and how they were submitted. This July, you got to ask the questions! Overall, 5 questions were asked and 22 answers were received! We had questions submitted from members in all corners of the community.
Here are those questions:
- From Brend0g to all TNPers: What has been your best experience in the North Pacific?
- From Wicheye to all TNPers: How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
- From Owenstacey to all citizens: If you could run a new region with any one other TNP citizen past or present, who would it be and why?
- From Atlae to the staff of the Ministry of Communications: Why did you decide to be a part of Communications?
- From Atlae to all TNPers: If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
And here are the answers!What has been your best experience in the North Pacific?
In all honesty, I have had a lot of very good experiences in The North Pacific. If I had to pick though, my best experience would have to be when I became an ambassador in the diplomatic team to TEP. It was the first time I really got to interact with members of TNP and other regions. Before that, I had mostly just answered my nation's issues and occasionally talked on the RMB but because of that I got a lot more involved in the region.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
Too much. :P But in all actuality, I give NS about 2-3 hours per day on average scrolling through the forums, talking on Discord, and carrying out my duties as a DM. I also occasionally go on OOC binges spending up to 2 hours at a time trying to count to 10 without being interrupted by Siwale.
Why did you decide to be a part of Communications?
Communications lets me express myself openly to the residents of TNP and beyond. Also, I really enjoy writing and certainly get to do a lot of that in the ministry. The biggest reason I joined the ministry is because I wanted to interview members of TNP to get to know more about them and it's interesting to see how their stories both are similar and different from your own. So far I haven't had a chance to give an interview, but look forward to doing one in the near future.
If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
Ugh. This is hard. The region I've had the best experience in (only as a diplomat) has been 10,000 Islands. They've always been very friendly to me and are fun to talk with. I wouldn't mind being a citizen in their region and think it would suit me well.
What has been your best experience in the North Pacific?
I'd say that my best experience in The North Pacific has been in the role play world of Eras. I joined NationStates mainly because I have a passion for creating fictional worlds and universes and I thought it was incredibly cool that their was a game that could let me do that. Eras let me expand that, as I was able to create my own nation in an entire imagined world. It enabled me to create interesting characters, backstories, and to tie those stories in with my fellow RPers' stories. It has been fun.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
That all depends. During the school year, maybe an hour or two a day as I really don't have time for anything other than sports and studies. During the summer, however, I give it anywhere between 3 and 5 hours a day because, at least for this summer, I really haven't had anything better to do.
Why did you decide to be a part of Communications?
I had an open class on my schedule and I didn't really know what to do with it so I decided to take Journalism. It was a pretty fun class, but it got a little boring and repetitive towards the end of the year. My friend and I would finish our articles within the first thirty minutes of class and it would take the editor forever to edit our papers so we would just mess around on the computers. One day, I was browsing through the forums and I noticed that we had a regional newspaper. I read through a copy of it and thought it would be fun to be a writer and I applied to join the ministry.
If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
Hmmm, that's kinda tough. I suppose I might stay in either another GCR or in The Kingdom of Great Britain. What I really like about TNP is the amount of activity that you don't really see in other regions, so the second best thing would be to join another GCR. However, TKoGB has some very interesting role play, so I really can't decide.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
Usually an hour each day with the weekends being two to three hours normally.
Why did you decide to be a part of Communications?
I decided to be part of Communications as I had spare time and writing for a reason helped me to relax as well as being productive and writing for a goal.
If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
I would stay in one of the feeders, most likely The East Pacific as I have slowly established a connection over there. They have an interesting system of government and a great RP scene in which I want to explore more.
If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
The forum will still be here, but gameside? I'd let Lord Ravenclaw die at long last.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
About 1 or 2 hours on average, it very much depends how active everything is, if a big RP is going on like 2 days ago it can rank up to 5 or 6 hours i guess.
If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
I would probably try to gather all the people i usually play with and would likely start a new region.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
I would say anywhere from two to four hours a day depending on how busy I am in real life. Usually during the day I have a couple ten to twenty minute periods where I get on and then I try and get on for at least an hour in the evening.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
I normally give a few hours to NationStates, and I'm most likely underestimating it because I'm obsessed. :P
What has been your best experience in the North Pacific?
Coming downstairs in 2004, logging on to my computer, and finding that TNP had been liberated overnight in the Puppetmaster liberation. Quite unexpected, and very welcome.
If you could run a new region with any one other TNP citizen past or present, who would it be and why?
thess, or Blackshear.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
1-2 hours. Less just recently due to work pressures.
If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
Nowhere.
How much time do you give NationStates per day on average?
I usually spend a few hours, maybe 2-3
If TNP was somehow suddenly disbanded overnight, where would you stay and why?
I might retreat to any of my puppet regions.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)[size=14] The Spotlight #4: An Interview with Security Councilor Lord Ravenclaw[/size]
by Scorch & Lord Ravenclaw, Min. Communications & Security Councilor
Scorch: Hello and welcome to the Spotlight segment for The Northern Lights, Issue XIV. I am joined today by former Delegate, Lord Ravenclaw. Thanks for joining me on the Spotlight. It is great to have you on.
Lord Ravenclaw: No problem, it makes a change from sleeping on my recliner these days.
Scorch: Let's get started. First question. What was your first impression of TNP?
Lord Ravenclaw: Intimidation, quite honestly. I was a reasonably new player at the time I first encountered TNP, I was still new to regional politics and I was the Foreign Minister for an ally of TNP, Osiris at the time. The community, specifically the Regional Assembly and the Court intimidated me a lot as it was so much more rigid than Osiris or anything I had experience with prior.
Scorch: I had a similar reaction however TNP was my first experience in NationStates. My next question is what drew you to Foreign Affairs in NationStates?
Lord Ravenclaw: Well in a past game browser-game called Travian, I developed a knack for diplomacy and building alliances and factions so when I started looking for things to do in NationStates I figured that things wouldn't be too different from there… boy was I wrong.
Scorch: Interesting. What was your first official government position in any region in NationStates?
Lord Ravenclaw: Interior for Earth Reborn sometime in early 2009.
Scorch: What has been your favorite position to hold in TNP?
Lord Ravenclaw: Delegate was fun, it was a unique experience unlike anything else I've ever encountered within NationStates.
Scorch: It seems it is a position like no other. Has the development of Discord been something that you expected when you started having TNP use Discord?
Lord Ravenclaw: Well we have to remember that I started promoting Discord in November of 2015, starting with Alexandria. Gradually other regions tried it out for themselves, regions which shared some relationship with Alexandria, so Albion and Europeia were early adopters, the South Pacific at the end of the year, and TNP followed when I had the means to promote it here (when I was Delegate). I didn't expect it to catch on at all, truthfully. I had hoped, but never expected it so I'm rather pleased to have been surprised by this. We recently passed 800 members of the main TNP server.
Scorch: That is incredible. It is crazy to think about how much Discord is used now. What has been the biggest change in NationStates since you started playing?
Lord Ravenclaw: Well I can't pick one so I'll pick two: the influence changes to the GCRs which introduced decay back in 2013 and the Regional Officers implemented in 2016; both of these significantly change the dynamic and really do require regions to think more cautiously about their security.
Scorch: Both of those events happened before I arrived but it is hard for me to imagine NationStates without either of those aspects. What has been the most surprising event for you in your time in TNP?
Lord Ravenclaw: Surprising? The most surprising thing to me is that I stopped being afraid of the Constitution, Legal Code and Courts. I have always preferred roles which do not require me getting tangled in legalese, treaty-writing notwithstanding on that. That said, the days of me authoring legislation are gone, and they never visited TNP as I'm still terrified of even attempting to do that here.
Scorch: Is there a position you wish you had served in TNP?
Lord Ravenclaw: Hm, well I've held the positions of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vice Delegate, Delegate, Minister of Culture, Senior Diplomat, Temporary Hearing Officer, Deputy Minister of Culture, Advisor to the Delegate and Security Councillor. Honestly, I think that I've held any position which interests me or that I have skills in.
Scorch: Final question. What has been your favorite part about playing NationStates?
Lord Ravenclaw: I've met some very interesting people, and I've formed some amazing friendships - McMasterdonia, Hileville, Xoriet and several others. I'm always surprised by the diversity of the people I encounter in the game, as there truly is a huge range of players of varying backgrounds within NationStates and if you make an effort to get to know some of these players they can offer you a unique insight into what their life is like, and it's a unique dynamic that is one of the most fulfilling things about forming a friendship with someone from a different part of the world.
Scorch: You really can meet interesting people through NationStates and form amazing relationships with them. Well, thank you for joining me today on the Spotlight. It has been a pleasure.
[small]
The Northern Lights: Beauty in TruthPublisher: Pallaith :: Executive Editor: Scorch :: Managing Editor: Brend0g :: Graphic Artist: Imki + SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
[/b][/small]
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Apologies some of the code is out of sync/wack from our forums to yours, just ignore those errors lol.
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Thanks for the update!
Personally I'm not a fan of Discord. I like having as few chats as possible to keep track of, and I don't understand why regions need upwards of a dozen chatrooms each. At one time I was on several different Discord servers which spanned over 40 channels, and it was just a mess...I tend to end up not really participating on the servers I end up on. v_v
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Thanks for the update!
Personally I'm not a fan of Discord. I like having as few chats as possible to keep track of, and I don't understand why regions need upwards of a dozen chatrooms each. At one time I was on several different Discord servers which spanned over 40 channels, and it was just a mess...I tend to end up not really participating on the servers I end up on. v_v
Ours only has like 12 or 15. I thought it excessive too till I saw they are all actually used and contained to their subjects, and it's very nice for organization and reduces spam. I use discord for everything now, I'm in like 8 servers.
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Thanks for the update!
Personally I'm not a fan of Discord. I like having as few chats as possible to keep track of, and I don't understand why regions need upwards of a dozen chatrooms each. At one time I was on several different Discord servers which spanned over 40 channels, and it was just a mess...I tend to end up not really participating on the servers I end up on. v_v
Ours only has like 12 or 15. I thought it excessive too till I saw they are all actually used and contained to their subjects, and it's very nice for organization and reduces spam. I use discord for everything now, I'm in like 8 servers.
Hmm... you could argue that it's analogous to subforums, or even forum topics. Sure, one single thread (eg: the RMB) works, but it's not always ideal for everything.
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I just don't like having to track conversations through multiple chats...it's easy enough to see what you missed on one chat, but having to do so on a number of them, especially if discussions are still going on...at least on forums there are tools to easily get a measure of everything quickly. On here we have the recent topics page and the news feed.
Even at its height, we only used five IRC channels for Wintreath, and most of them were rarely active: #wintreath, #wintreath-games, Wintreath military channel, Wintreath military officer channel, and Wintreath ops channel.
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The North Pacific
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Magicality City, November 14, 2017
Dear Wintermoot,
The government of The North Pacific entreats you to accept BMWSurfer as an ambassador between our two regions. He has been a citizen in good standing of The North Pacific for 6 months and a legislator in our Regional Assembly for the same period and we believe he will meet the duties of this posting admirably. His responsibilities will include above all keeping your region informed of important affairs in The North Pacific, supporting our interregional ties by interpersonal ties through social involvement, keeping our government abreast of affairs in your region, and providing services to dual citizens should they be needed and welcome.
By accepting BMWSurfer as an ambassador, we hope you will continue to honour the long lasting relationship between The North Pacific and Wintreath.
Sincerely,
Kaschovia
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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Note: Please forgive formatting issues, the content is just as good as it always is :D
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by Brend0g, Min. of Communications
The final General Elections of the year again proved very interesting with the vice delegate race proving to be tightly contested. For those new to the election cycle in TNP, every four months we have the General elections in which the Delegate, Vice Delegate, Speaker of the Regional Assembly (RA) and Attorney General are elected.
With Pallaith being the incumbent, having the advantage, it was not surprising that Pallaith won the elections. Fellow candidates vying for one of the most influential positions in TNP and NS were Skittleyflakes and Kyoki Chudoku. Pallaith had the overwhelming support of the citizens.
Pallaith's incumbent advantage helped him massively and ran on the platform of continuing the synergy and collaboration between ministries in his last term. Furthermore, he campaigned on the increased opportunities that TNP has his wiliness to go for it, yet keeping our independence and the identity of the region. Kyoki Chudoku campaigned on improving collaboration and averting conflict. Also, to make TNP a welcoming place, to better teach newer players how everything operates, to create a greater sense of regional unity and to give people entertainment along the way. Without any experience and knowledge of existing players and the foreign policy of The North Pacific, it was hard for Kyoki Chudoku to win. Her candidacy highlighted issues not perceived before such as the constant barrage of recruitment telegrams to be acknowledged and mitigated by her opponents. Finally, Flakey was the last candidate, and his platform was 'TNP is corrupt. I want to make TNP great!' With no experience and evidence, it was unsuccessful. With both opponents vastly inexperienced, Pallaith would win by a landslide of 64 votes, 89% of those voted.
The Vice Delegate race was the most exciting of the four officials being elected, with two major contenders, the incumbent Kasch and former Home Affairs minister Siwale. Kasch ran on experience, dedication, and activeness presenting a platform of continuing the public disclosure of the Security Council (SC) and continuing with events and the interaction between SCers and gameside. His opponent Siwale had a new approach to the Vice delegacy and thus had new ideas; requiring SCers to be citizens, trying to raise endorsements of the Delegate, Vice Delegate, and the whole SC through telegrams and endorsement goals. Finally, the last candidate was Hong Kong who inexperienced and a limited platform. Both candidates had competing ideas, but ultimately Siwale won with a close margin of 54%, 28 votes
Owenstacey stood for re-election as Speaker of the Regional Assembly (RA), on the simple platform of keeping the Office active and consistent through numerous deputies and weekly RA digests. Unsurprisingly with no other candidates, he won with 64 votes.
Finally, the office of the Attorney General (AG) Darcania stood for re-election on the platform of being active, some experience and knowledge of the TNP law. The contender was Midir and ran just because he wanted to change, and the end of Darcania’s numerous terms in the AG office. Unsurprisingly again, Darcania won with a landslide of 93% or 64 votes again.
Ultimately TNP saw a return of most officials to their respective offices, Palliath to the Delegacy, Owenstacy to the Speakership and Darcania to AG office while the Vice Delegacy had a new face, Siwale. We look forward the January elections next year where there will be an exciting race for Delegate at least, with Palliath’s two terms coming up to an end.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090374%2Ftnl_cult2.png&hash=622cdba23cea4c619bffc248befd4812)[size=14] Roleplay Reel #3[/size]
by Iraelia, Citizen
While roleplay always experiences important monthly changes, this month has been especially important in TNPRP as we held a Roleplay Convention. This event allowed for members of The North Pacific to discuss aspects of world building, pose questions to the moderators, and suggest reforms to the way roleplay occurs in Eras. Many different people participated in the event, role players and otherwise, but let us not forget the events that transpired in the actual canon of Eras.
In National RolePlay, the most impactful event was the Solidarity role play. Solidarity tracks the current ongoings of Cogoria, a communist nation on the Phoenix Strait, and it's relation to the Phoenix Union (PU) and Strait. It discusses the attitudes of the citizens Post-Crown Conflict, and also deals with a new trend that is the rising militarism in Cogoria. Ever since Oktobergrad was destroyed by Scallendovia, the people of Cogoria have been cautious of the PU in particular and foreign powers in general. As a result, they have begun a program to build several Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) with which to deliver nuclear warheads. In addition to this, they have finally debuted their power armor, which allows one man to fight with the strength of ten in combat. This comes at the drawback of physical harm to the wearer, but the Cogorian government has successfully hidden this fact while working on the means to improve it. To top off their militaristic rise, they have ordered round the clock patrols of the Strait and have demanded concessions from the PU for what their members (Scallendovia) did during the Crown Conflict. As of now, the PU has opted to draft a formal statement on the matter and begin a path to reconciliation. This has come as a disappointment to the nation of Maloria (a PU member), whose people have become incredibly cautious about their increasingly more aggressive neighbor.
In Negotiations, several things have occurred recently. The most important being the current activities of the PU. While the PU has yet to officially respond to the testing of several MIRVs and Power Armour by Cogoria, they have voted to address Cogoria on the events that transpired during the Crown Conflict. However, it is most likely that the PU will deal with Cogorian aggression once they have formally apologized and compensated Cogoria for the events of the Crown Conflict. One organization that saw an unusual spark in activity was the Trillium Compact, an alliance of democratic nations across Eras. A recent message was sent by the representative from Ceretis affirming his support of the prospective members. This means that a formal meeting may finally be called regarding the invitees, wherein a vote will occur. Finally, The Iterian League continued it's activity, with the Directorate passing a General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs. A vote is currently being held on a resolution regarding travel between League member states.
Finally, we can cover the results of the Roleplay Convention thus far. Many different topic areas came up during the debate, but these following were the most prominent; Continent Names, Time Zones, Geography, the Solar System, and Fantasy-Realism disconnect. On the issue of continent names, the convention all but ratified the names for Iteria and Meterra, the continents upon which Plembobria and Sasten reside respectively, as they are commonly used as canon. However, the northwestern continent, the dueling northeastern continents, and the southeastern/western continent had several proposals. The continent upon which Arrandal resides has been proposed as either Avignia (meaning phoenix), Craviter (roughly translates to crowned land), and Cavitria (a bastardization of Craviter). Three names have been proposed for the northwestern continent, all corresponding to the Gotic people which inhabit most of it; they are Gothas, Gothis, or Gathas. The continent on which Xentherida and Ceretis occupy has been proposed to be called Collandris, and has yet to receive a competitor. The Southwestern Continent has been suggested as Icenia, a name upon which all active role players on the landmass have agreed, and Kian/Kianza has been proposed as the name for the continent upon which McMasterdonia and Thenaca reside. As of now, no name is official. On the topic of time zones, it seems there is no consensus on a complete map of world time zones, but many role players have supported the idea of having an Eras version of Greenwich Mean Time based around the nation of McMasterdonia. This has faced opposition from some people, and an alternative has been proposed to run a line down the center of the map to determine the meantime. Meanwhile, the debate on geography has been decisive, with most role players agreeing that geography should be established between role players. Another fun idea that has been proposed was a solar system. Syrixia recently suggested that we establish a solar system for all those who wish to do space exploration with their nation. While it has seen some initial pushback, the debate is currently inconclusive. Finally, we have the Fantasy-Realism Disconnect. Many nations on Eras like to engage in some form of fantasy role play, be it dragons or faeries or what have you. This has been tolerated for the most part, but a recent uptick in the fantastical has led to a debate on the extent of which fantasy should be allowed in Eras. So far, many people wish to maintain the status quo in regards to the policy towards High Fantasy, but sentiment has swung against the favour of science fiction. But the fact is, no regulations will come into place unless the people wish to regulate other players themselves. In the words of Lead RolePlay Moderator Madjack, "Ultimately, I think it depends on how willing people are to let things go by." In summary, the role play convention has been incredibly productive thus far and looks as though it will remain to be until the end of the week-long extension.
This has been Roleplay Reel #3.
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by Brend0g, Min. of Communications
Considering the general elections taking half the month, we have seen decent activity in the Regional Assembly
Similarly, with last month, two more motions to admit Pallaith and Bootsie to the Security Council occurred, strengthening it to eight members. Bootsie's admission to the Security Council passed overwhelming with 29 voting aye, 2 nays and 8 abstaining. Furthermore, Palliath's acceptance to the Security Council also passed overwhelmingly with 34 voting aye, 3 nays and 4 abstaining.
Many bills are going to vote, more Security council motions, with Plemboria's and Kasch's, the Citizenship Security Evaluations Amendment. Other bills are under discussion, Reforming the Penal Code, Leave of Absence Removal Bill and Amendments to the Line of Succession.
Overall we have seen many Security Councillors being admitted and continues the trend from last month.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090376%2Ftnl_game2.png&hash=14246175e7a8b5b47888c483a924d644)[size=14]Discord Analysis #3[/size]
by Scorch, Deputy A.G
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
In the previous issue, we focused on what came before Discord and how Discord became the prominent form of communication in NationStates. This issue we will be looking at how Discord has affected NationStates gameplay.
Many regions now use Discord for more than just basic communication. Regions have multiple servers, usually including a general server, military server, and government server. Many in-game decisions are discussed on Discord before they are ever executed on the NationStates site. Executive decisions are talked about on Discord, and the executive staff in regions also communicates through Discord.
Another aspect of NationStates that Discord is a part of is military actions. Many raiders and defenders now use Discord to communicate about their missions. This includes the discussions between military leaders, initial planning of the operation, the gathering of military members, the explanation of the operation, and the execution of the operation. Without a communication platform like Discord, many military operations would be made much more difficult.
The final aspect of NationStates that we will be discussing today are coups. Discord logs have now become a viable source of evidence that has been used as a defence in coups. In a recent incident in Lazarus, both sides were using Discord logs to show why their actions were justified. Some recent coups have been planned and orchestrated through Discord. As Discord continues to grow, this trend will likely increase.
Discord has become a part of nearly every part of NationStates. Not only is it the easiest way to communicate, but it also has many features that other communication platforms do not, allowing it to become even more useful and accessible. We will continue to see the use of Discord in planning military actions, government action, and citizen communication.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)[size=14] Monthly Memoirs[/size]
by Atlae, Deputy Min. Home Affairs
Monthly Memoirs is back for September! This month’s theme was the September 2017 General Election (see General Election Results, written by Brend0g). The responses showed the variety and diversity in opinion we have as a region.
Here are those questions:
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
Here were our responses:
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
Yes, I always make sure to vote in all elections that come up as when the voter turnout high, democracy is working at its best.
2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
Indeed I was. All of the candidates have the experience and qualifications needed to serve in their positions and have a strong commitment toward the people of TNP.
3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
This question proves to be exceedingly hard to answer. Honestly, there have been no elections so far where I have thought a different outcome would be beneficial.
4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
The one policy change that I think would be very beneficial for the new government to undertake would be allowing both consulates and embassies so that small region wishing to have informal relations with us could. We would not need to send ambassadors to their regions but could still receive benefits such as news from their regions and invitations to their events.
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
I always vote in every election, the more, the merrier and represents all views of The North Pacific.
2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
Indeed, all the officials that were elected had experience through previous positions and are well equipped to serve the TNP.
3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
It's very hard but the January General lections of 2017 with the Vice delegate. Although Tomb won I would have like to seen a reopen of nominations to see for any other candidates. That was my first election and I felt that there was no choice.
4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
I think we need to be more open to smaller and more diverse regions to let smaller regions become more familiar as well as allowing a chance for smaller regions to be more involved with GCR's which have a larger influence
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
Yes, I did.
2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
Happy? Wrong word. I didn't see the result I wanted, but I am very supportive of those elected.
Q3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
I don't really know, to be honest, that's a tough question.
Q4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
Once again, I can't think of any specific policies that I would want them to change at the moment.
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
Yes.
2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
Since I was still new to the region, I was indifferent but happy for those who were re-elected and for Siwale winning after a hard-fought campaign to Kasch who I'll bet will be Delegate someday.
3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
Though in the future I might be upset over a result, why would I want to overrule the will of the people?
4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
I will answer this question after future elections as I'm still new and learning about the foreign/domestic policies of the region.
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
Yes, I did.
2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
Yes, I am.
3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
It's a toss-up. Pixiedance for obvious reasons. Lewis & Clark for a more complicated reason. With Pixiedance, we had no idea how badly things would turn out, but with L&C we should have seen. In retrospect, I feel there was much more I could have done to prevent the Crimson problem. The timing of the election, which resulted in ridiculously low voter turnout was something that should never have happened. The politics at the time left the region severely divided. Not squished like with Pixiedance, but broken in some ways that were harder to mend. That's probably where I would wish for a do-over.
4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
Not so much of change, but greater emphasis on NPA recruiting. Our military is very active, and it's a lot of fun to be involved in the NPA. We have a big region, and I think there are opportunities to grow our armed forces.
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
Yes
Q2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
No, not really
Q3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
I'd change the September 2017 Election to where I would win.
Q4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
I don't know
1. Did you vote in the September 2017 General Election?
Yes
Q2. Were you happy with the results of the election?
Yes, I was very happy with the result for obvious reasons.
3. If you had to (or was forced to) change the outcome of one election and once only, which would it be and why?
This one is hard for me, but I would change the May Speaker election where I lost to Bootsie. Many will already understand why I would choose this because I went on to have to run the Office alone for nearly a month so I would have to change that.
4. What specific policy change do you wish to see from the new government?
One I would like to see is a further emphasis on activity and engagement in the FA ministry. At the moment it seems to have fallen away from what it once was with very few ambassadors consistently posting reports. So my policy change would be to do more work with the FA ministry as this is what the rest of the world see about us.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)[size=14] The Spotlight #6: An Interview with Owenstacey[/size]
by Owenstacey & Kasch, Speaker & Min. Foreign Affairs.
Kasch: Welcome, Owenstacey! You're the 6th person to appear on the exclusive interview segment *the Spotlight*. How does it feel?
Owenstacey: Well, thank you for having me, Kasch. It feels great to have the chance to put myself across to the region so people can get to know me a little better. The Spotlight has interviewed some of the top North Pacific citizens, so I feel honoured to be a part of that list.
Kasch: Now, the first question. How do you feel about the most recent election?
Owenstacey: I believe it went as well as it could have for me. Okay, I was the only one that stood for Speaker, but I can only beat whatever is in front of me. I'm thrilled to have won the majority that I did because it shows that so many people have faith in me and for what I have been doing. However, I would have liked more to have taken an interest in the race and other people to be enthusiastic and give it a go as there is no harm in running.
Kasch: The election was relatively recent, but now let's go all the way back. Owen, for those who don't know you, tell us your backstory in the North Pacific. Where did you come from?
Owenstacey: Well, I started back in August 2016 when I founded in The North Pacific. I then spent about the first-week answering issues before I decided to join the offsite forum. Then I joined the Diplomatic Corp as soon as I got my citizenship because I wanted to get involved with other regions. Praetor really helped me settle in and find my feet as an ambassador and shaped my first days in The North Pacific and create my path for the future.
Kasch: Could you give us a little more information about your time as Speaker?
Owenstacey: Sure. It all started after I lost the election in May to Bootsie. He went inactive soon and left me to run the office on my own because I had no power to appoint Deputies as I was one myself. I feel that this time cemented my love for the Office. Then after Bootsie eventually resigned I won the Special election and was officially appointed Speaker. This was really special for me because it showed that all of the hard work in the month previously had shown. Then for the rest of that term, I worked alongside my Deputies, Crushing Our Enemies, Abbey and abc to try to get the Office more active and more efficient.
Kasch: You have had a sparkling career so far! We all want you to keep doing this well. Next question, who is a role model in this community for you? Who do you look up to?
Owenstacey: For me it has to be Pallaith or Crushing our Enemies (COE). Since I joined the Speaker's Office as a Deputy under Pallaith, he has helped me and guided me along my way and got me to where I am now. During the time under Bootsie when I was working on my own, he was always there if I needed him and he was the one that kept me going when I wanted to give up. Even now, when I am Speaker, and he is Delegate, we still talk often, and I know he is there if I have any queries.
COE has also helped me so much since I got involved with the Speaker's Office and has always been there if I needed any help. He also chose to come back to the Office and help me rebuild, which I think shows how dedicated he is and how much the Speaker's Office means to him and me just wish I could have the dedication and determination he has.
Kasch:What is the most important thing that you have learnt as Speaker?
Owenstacey: I don't know what the most important thing I've learnt is because I've learnt so much. But if I had to choose one thing it would have to be having patience when things are hard.
Kasch: Going forward, what tips do you have for potential Speakers?
Owenstacey: I definitely have a couple of tips. One of them is to start early. If you have an interest in the Legislature, don't wait, get involved in any way you can so you can start learning as soon as possible. My second tip is don't give up. There will always be times when you want to give up and quit. Don't. If you want it, you have to chase it. I'm not going to lie, there have been many times when I wanted to quit, but it was the determination that led me to continue that has got me to where I am now.
Kasch: Regarding NS and the North Pacific, where do you see yourself in a year?
Owenstacey: To be honest, I don't know where I see myself in a year, so much can change. If I asked myself when I started, I would never have said I would be Speaker of the Regional Assembly but here I am. The only thing I'm sure of is I will still be in The North Pacific, just in what capacity I don't know.
Kasch: Interesting, do you see yourself ever moving into another government position? And if so, which position can you see yourself in next?
Owenstacey: I can see myself moving into another government position at some point; I just don't know when. And which position, I can see myself running for Vice Delegate, then maybe Delegate at some point, but I don’t know when that will be.
Kasch: Oh, really? I think you should go for it! If you had to pick a dream cabinet, who would be in it?
Owenstacey: That is a really hard question as there are so many amazing citizens to choose from, but if I had to choose I would have Sil Dorsett as my Minister of World Assembly Affairs. Sil has done amazing work with the ministry since stepping up to the role, and I'm sure with grow in coming times. My Minister of Foreign Affairs would have to be Lord Ravenclaw; he has been huge in his work for the region and during his time as Delegate. Even now he is still quite active in the ministry so that I couldn't look past him. Gladio would have to be my Defence Minister. The work he has done this term and previous terms to rebuild the NPA and make it as active as it is now is a testament to how hard he loves the ministry and how important he would be to my Cabinet.
My Culture Minister would be Mcmasterdonia. The work he has done in the past, and the plans that are in place for this term shows how much it can grow on last term so, Mcmasterdonia would have to be my Culture Minister. My Minister for Communications would have to be you, Kasch. The work you did in your term as Minister in getting it to the level of activity it is at now is hugely impressive, and I feel that you would be perfect for the role again. Finally, my Home Affairs Minister would have to be Siwale. The work Siwale did last term in getting the ministry active and working on recruitment as well as the Forum mentors and keeping both sides very active is something I would want and Siwale would be able to do it very well.
Kasch: Great choices! What would you say your greatest strengths and weaknesses are?
Owenstacey: My greatest strength has to be my determination and dedication shown after running the Speaker office on my own for a month and not giving up. My weakness, experience. Okay I have tons of experience with TNP law and the legislative branch but if I was to move over to the executive branch at some time, I have only held one role in the executive branch, Deputy WA Minister for a short time, so I would be at a disadvantage compared to their people who may have held roles in that side of government.
Kasch: And so what made you start playing NationStates?
Owenstacey: Before I started playing Nationstates I had spent quite a while trying to find a political simulation game to play and really get my teeth into. Then one day I found Nationstates, created what is my main nation Sheppey and the rest is history.
Kasch: Sounds like a similar story to many other players, of all the things you have done in NationStates, what are you most proud of?
Owenstacey: It's got to be getting elected Speaker at the Special election. It summed up how far I have come and proved that I had the backing of the citizenry to go forward.
Kasch: Who has been your most influential mentor in NationStates so far?
Owenstacey: It has to be Praetor. From when I first started playing and got involved with the FA ministry I received so much advice and inspiration from him. He gave me the passion for Foreign Affairs I have now. Even after he came back from his break, I continued to talk with him, and he continued to help me move forward.
Kasch: If everyone else was to CTE, which six nations would you save?
Owenstacey: This is such a hard question. The first Nation I would have to would be Lord Ravenclaw. The amount of work he has done for the region is so inspirational, and I could not imagine a region without him.
The second would be R3naissanc3r. He has done so much work for the region and has developed us so far forward as well as creating so many tools to make our lives easier, so R3n would have another one.My next nation I would save is Mcmasterdonia. Again for very similar reasons as Lord Ravenclaw, Mcmasterdonia has done so much for the region, I could not think of anyone else that I would want to save.
Pallaith would be my next nation to save. One of the people I have looked up to for so long. He has done so much for the region since he joined I would have to save him. Another nation would have to be Crushing Our Enemies. I can't think of many people that have done as much for one branch of government as COE. I would need someone that could help get the Legislature back on track after the CTE's, and I cannot look past him.
My final choice would be Zvyetskistaahn. Zvyet did so much for the Speaker's Office in his huge tenure as Speaker and I know he would help in so many ways.
Kasch: Finally, what other region do you find most interesting?
Owenstacey: It would have to be The Pacific. This is probably because they have for so long not been one of our allies but we are now starting to get close to them, so they way they run their region interests me and is one of the reasons I also chose to be the TNP ambassador to The Pacific.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b)[size=14] North Pacific Army Bulletin[/size]
by Yuno, Citizen
On September 2nd,
1. Gladio
2. Zazumo
3. Agadir
4. Iraelia
5. Otto IV
6. BluieGamer
purged and exorcised populations of depraved rogues from across NationStates.
One day later,
1. Agadir
2. BluieGamer
3. Gladio
4. QD
5. Zazumo
6. Sinabix
went on an ultimate Pass/Death mission, following BluieGamer and Agadir into battle, the two soldiers were to lead their battalions. They set timer bombs and released their warcry as they wrecked the burning invaders and freed the regions from their puppet state controls.
BluieGamer and Agadir are hereby promoted to Lieutenant
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As for private Sinabi, General Gladio was proud to elevate Sinabi to Private First Class. He was a fast learner and the top quality among privates, and with time he will undoubtedly advance.
Days later, on the 9th of September, the cleansing of the pillaged and polluted villages of Dankville, Nepots, and Belaus were performed by 10 of the most eminent military leaders.
North Pacific Soldiers:
1. Gladio
2. QuietDad
3. AgadirI
4. Zazumo
5. Malphe
6. Cimmerien
7. Zeek
8. Sinabix
9. BluieGamer
10. Minesearch
Only two days later, and another 3 were cleansed: The Mountains to The East, Tristique, and Excellus.
And once again, 10 sizable nations combined militaristic forces.
1. Gladio
2. QuietDad
3. Lozinak
4. Malphe
5. Zazumo
6. Otto IV
7. Zeek
8. Agadir
9. Bluie
10. Sinabix
Unable to suppress their sheer raw power, they invaded the Warzone Australia, eliminated all dissenters, destroyed infrastructure, and confiscated all gold and resources.
Lozinak earns his place to be with Agadir and BluieGamer in the Lieutenant Corps: (https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fb2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp3009813%2Flieutenant.png&hash=3cae6f8e3a0a22daedba6c6cdcb77568)
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Exhilarated by victory, only 24 hours later, the NPA set off to emancipate six more countries!:
1. The Ezraltonian Region of World Affairs
2. Kiklandian Blackhole
3. Republic of Isolation
4. Star Trek United Federation of Planets
5. The Enchanted Forest of Summertom
6. Somewhere over the Rainbow
These were the NPA military nations that performed such an action:
1. Gladio
2. Zazumo
3. QuietDad
4. Malphe
5. Darcania
6. Otto IV
7. BluieGamer
8. Agadir
(Hint: If you want to be one of us, join the NPA.)
Gladio and NPA's bloodlust still not sated, 24 hours later they straight up released TEN REGIONS, breaking their speed record despite their large numbers and the difficulties that are associated with transporting sheer large armies. These are the regions the North Pacific Army exterminated malicious leeches from:
1.Regional Gaggle
2.The Southwark Keys
3.RDG Lancashire
4.Ecommunists
5.Z Fighters
6.The Globalist World
7.Puppet and Abandon Nation Dumps
8.PC World
9.Boston
10.Menterra II
The heroes of this one are as listed:
1.Gladio
2.QuietDad
3.Zazumo
4.Lozinak
5.Agadir
6.Malphe
7.Sinabix
This heartbreaking victory fascinated thousands of nations across the North Pacific, inciting hundreds more to enlist in the premier Army. Unfortunately, the General accepts only the shrewdest, most tactical and impregnable of nations. He sent hundreds of nations to fight wars, saving countries Umbra and EAEA. 8 victors emerged:
1. Gladio
2. QuietDad
3. Zazumo
4. Malphe
5. Sinabix
6. Cotook
7. BluieGamer
8. Goyanes
Gladio proudly awarded these soldiers with NPA rations, and Goyanes with a Lieutenant promotion, and an Officer medal. He is to join the four other newly minted Lieutenants of this month, as future generational leaders.
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Obviously still bloodthirsty immediately after vetting through thousands of recruits by death, Gladio decided to transfer total control of his ARMY to his fresh-meat Lieutenant (who was promoted mere 24 hours ago) Goyane, to have another go at it 24 hours later, ("it" being nuclear warfare.) Leading the forces himself, he and the 7 NPA Soldiers:
1. Gladio
2. Darcania
3. QD
4. Cotook
5. Malphe
6. Zazumo
7. Goyanes
decimated the criminals of Confederacy of Pan Austronesian States, and Cascendra, freeing the innocent residents from enemy slave labor. It was an exhausting battle. Very exhausting, all the soldiers came out bloodied, some were amputated and harmed. All of them were hospitalized.
It took them 5 days to recover, but no more than that, because they were needed and demanded back on the field. And they stacked up their weapons, gunpowder, tanks, armory, rations, and joined the next emergency fray of sensitive, critical territories.The North Pacific Army combined forces with TEP, TWP, Osiris and UK, and INVADED JAPAN.
1.Gladio
2.Zazumo
3.Sinabix
4.Goyanes
5.Malphe
6.Otto IV
7.BluieGamer
8.Agadir
9.BMWSurfer
10.Cimmerien
11.Radicaster
12.Lozinak
13.Yalkan
14.Darcania
15.QuietDad
16.Sasten
It was a powerful raid, they got what they wanted out of Japan, and allowed Japan to remain unharmed after their fresh surrender. Stocking up their supplies, the 7 of the NPA left to save more regions that needed a dictatorial revolution.
1. Warren2020
2. La Mesa Redonda
3. The Northern Pacific Ocean
4. Kosovo
5. Europia
6. Suequlla
These are the 7 perspicacious soldiers:
1.Gladio
2.QuietDad
3.Otto IV
4.Malphe
5.Agadir
6.Zazumo
7.Darcania
Almost one country per soldier.
Having done one INVASION, the NPA was more power hungry than they were before, and conquered Warzone Africa, re-established dominance over Warzone Australia, and destroyed Fascist State, a violently extremist ideological region. They also saved the UDN while they were at it. 9 NPAers took part:
1. Gladio
2. QuietDad
3. Darcania
4. Malphe
5. Sasten
6. Agadir
7. Goyanes
8. BluieGamer
9. Zazumo
They wanted one more raid, so precisely 2 days later, on the 23rd of September, the North Pacific Army and the West Pacific Armed Forces teamed up to invade annex The Union of The Axis Powers, and successfully.
Simultaneously, The North Pacific performed two side missions to rescue Belaus and The Federation of Mira. Lieutenant Lozinak, the newest Lieutenant, was the soldier who ordered, oversaw, organized and lead the army into the the liberations. These are the soldiers who contributed:
1. Lozinak
2. Goyanes
3. Malphe
4. Agadir
5. QuietDad
6. BluieGamer
7. Cimmerien
8. Gladio
9. Zazumo
Goyanes, not to be outshined by his fellow lieutenant, also led 9 North Pacific Nations into the jingoistic crusade:
The occupation of TNWO, the executions of the reprobates of Futhead, The Fascist Territories, and TNWO. These are the NPA soldiers who exerted their combat poweress:
1. Cimmerien
2. QuietDad
3. Zeek
4. Agadir
5. Bluie
6. Otto IV
7. Malphe
8.BMWSurfer
9. Goyanes
And with that concludes today:
1. Gladio
2. Agadir
3. Zazumo
4. Malphe
5. QuietDad
The last five, who rebuilt the demolished ruins that the Roman Empire had incinerated.
XParliament
Fritteria
The Greater Empire
The Christian States
Social Democratic Coalition
Union of The World Socialist Republics
United Entities of Equality
The Islamic Imperial Colonies
Gotta Love Appreciation
Try It and See It
THE LAST OP OF SEPTEMBER, on the 28th at Minor Update time, the top brass leadership of the North Pacific Army spearheaded the seizure of Warzone Sandbox. Minister of Defense Gladio, General QuietDad, Lieutenant BluieGamer, Lieutenant Zazumo, Lieutenant Malphe, and Lieutenant Agadir conquered this marshal field, and emerged from the war - victorious.
Proof Samples: Spoiler
Battle report:
(https://i.imgur.com/yn5xc7q.png)
Reinnovated appearance:
(https://i.imgur.com/zxgFmaw.png)
Proof Samples:
Battle report:
Spoiler
(https://i.imgur.com/EPzcEED.png)
Battle report:
(https://i.imgur.com/awFMFEw.png)
Battle report:
(https://i.imgur.com/brKfeWr.png)
HAIL TNP, BURN & CONQUER ON!!!!
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[small]
The Northern Lights: Beauty in TruthPublisher: Pallaith :: Executive Editor: Brend0g:: Managing Editors: Kasch and Iraelia:: Graphic Artist: Imki + SillyString
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
[/b][/small]
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The North Pacific
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Magicality City, 2/12/2018
Dear Wintermoot
The government of The North Pacific entreats you to accept Lozinak & Ark as ambassadors between our two regions. They have been citizens in good standing of The North Pacific for one year, and seven months respectively. Both have been legislators in our Regional Assembly for the same period and we believe they will meet the duties of this posting admirably. Their responsibilities will include above all keeping your region informed of important affairs in The North Pacific, supporting our interregional ties by interpersonal ties through social involvement, keeping our government abreast of affairs in your region, and providing services to dual citizens should they be needed and welcome.
By accepting Lozinak & Ark as ambassadors, we hope you will continue to honour the long lasting relationship between The North Pacific and Wintreath.
Sincerely,
Pallaith
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711) The January General Election
by Kaschovia, Minister of Communications
This January election cycle, we witnessed historic and never-before-seen voter participation as four people won their respective elections. Lord Ravenclaw, Gladio, Mall, and Falapatorius declared their candidacies for Delegate; Bootsie, Siwale, and McMasterdonia declared their candidacies for Vice Delegate; Darcania and Clean Land declared their candidacies for Speaker; and HuAt and Goyanes declared their candidacies for Attorney General.
The Race for the Delegacy
Lord Ravenclaw's campaign arrived under the 'Still Soaring' slogan, and campaigned on his prior record of service in the North Pacific and other regions to deliver on a comprehensive platform which emphasised a strong World Assembly performance, a strong diplomatic presence, a robust and flexible North Pacific Army alongside a vibrant internal culture and roleplay world.
Gladio's campaign reverted to a more simple, but bold slogan, with 'Progress and Results'. He campaigned on his strong record of service as a long-serving Minister of Defence, his impressive history of more than 200 NPA missions, his work as a contributing author to The Northern Lights, to the Diplomatic Corps, and his significant contribution to recruitment and retention efforts through his participation in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Mall, a perennial candidate for the Delegacy formulated his campaign around six core promises. These included boosting his influence with the support of major raider organisations, using legal methods to reduce the endo counts of other TNP nations, appointing former TNP rogue Delegate JAL as Minister of Defence, purging the region of dissidents, and finally that should it be apparent that he would lose the Delegacy, he would eject himself and a collection of WA nations to conquer ‘the Fratt infested hellhole'.
Falapatorius campaigned on his more than four years of citizenship in the North Pacific, his service in the Attorney General's office and his military experience with various external organisations. He expressed a hesitance to make any major changes and his unwillingness to overthrow the legitimate government.
Gladio won the election for Delegate with 58 votes (56.86%) to Lord Ravenclaw's 40 votes, (39.22), Mall's 4 votes (3.92%), and 5 abstentions.
The Race for the Vice Delegacy
One interesting thing about the Vice Delegate election was that every candidate had already served in the position at least once before. McMasterdonia was the first of the group to serve as Vice Delegate, Bootsie was the second, and Siwale was the last.
McMasterdonia's campaign focused on his prior service and contributions to the community as Delegate, Vice Delegate, Security Councillor, and in various Cabinet roles including as Minister of Culture during Pallaith's second term. He expressed his goals if elected Vice Delegate, the first being to expand and improve upon the efforts of the TNP for #1 endorsement competition, expanding SC engagement with the RMB through in-game activities, including SC hosted theme weeks, games and activities.
Siwale, campaigned on a highly successful term for the Security Council and for himself as the Vice Delegate. His goals included growing the high level of activity within the Security Council and the endorsement count of all WA nations, the prompt processing of citizenship applications, the pragmatic disclosure of SC discussions, and pursuing necessary legal reform as appropriate.
Bootsie campaigned on his belief in the importance of the security of the North Pacific, and his involvement in the Security Council in eliminating all threats to The North Pacific. He campaigned on his prior service to the region in various roles, and that his commitment and activity level would ensure that security checks were performed promptly, and that endorsement counts would improve across the region.
Siwale won the election for Vice Delegate with 49 votes (50.52%) to McMasterdonia's 41 votes (42.27%), Bootsie's 7 votes (7.22%), and 10 abstentions.
The Race for Speaker
Darcania presented his platform in splendid fashion, tracing his goals and aims through creative and beautifully crafted haiku verses. He outlined his plans to develop: a chrome extension to make Admin and Speaker checks more efficient and accurate; a cog for the Discord bot to allow members to claim nations and be automatically masked; a counting sheet for the citizens registry; and a small utility script in the Citizens registry to generate an admin request based on the sheet to move and delete rows automatically.
Clean Land, the other candidate in this race did not post a campaign and voted for Darcania in the election.
Darcania won the election for Speaker with 98 votes (98%) to Clean Land's 2 votes (2%), and 7 abstentions.
The Race for Attorney General
Goyanes, the incumbent Attorney General campaigned on his prior service and goals to work on the ongoing R4Rs before the Court, on making TNP Law more understandable and accessible to the community, maintaining a quick and effective response to legal complaints, and continuing to provide excellent legal advice to members of the Government.
HuAt campaigned based on his prior experience in the Court as Assistant Attorney General under PaulWallLibertarian42, and his role as lead investigator in Falapatorius v. Flemingovia. HuAt promised to be fair and impartial in all legal decisions and to focus on the facts of all cases and complaints an investigation and trial ensues.
Goyannes won the election for Attorney General with 80 votes (95.24%), to HuAt's 4 votes (4.76%), and 23 abstentions.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090382%2Ftnl_wa2.png&hash=5029f8a3b75d5edb99fa84e865ee5927) World Assembly Affairs Digest January 2018
by Deropia, Minister of World Assembly Affairs
Minister: Deropia
Deputy Minister: Kranostav
Deputy Minister: Veniyerris
From the Minister's desk:
Hello everyone! I'm Deropia, your newly appointed Minister of World Assembly Affairs. Here you'll find details of everything that has happened in the World Assembly and the Ministry in the past month. I'd like to take a moment now to congratulate Kranostav on being reappointed, and Veniyerris on being appointed Deputy Ministers.
Do you want to have a greater impact on the outcome of votes in the World Assembly? If you do, that's great because you can! In The North Pacific our Delegate casts their vote in the World Assembly based on the results of a poll we hold on our regional forum (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/)! All you need is to have your WA nation in The North Pacific and have an account on the forum, that's it!
Would you like to help others decide how to vote on World Assembly resolutions? Then the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs wants you! The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs releases a voting recommendation for every proposal that reaches the voting floor and distributes it to every WA nation in The North Pacific. By joining the Executive Staff (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7198621/1/) you can help us write our recommendations and make your opinion known to more than 1,500 nations!
I look forward to serving you all in the coming months.
Anyways, without further ado here's what we voted on, how we voted and what the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world, one resolution at a time.
Proposal: Voting Equality for Freed Inmates (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=419/council=1)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 10 Against: 1 Abstain: 2
Final Vote (TNP): For: 534 Against: 84 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.18%
Final Vote (World): For: 14,314 Against: 3,117
Recommendation: The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs reviewed the resolution and found its intentions are straightforward. Voting Equality for Freed Inmates does exactly as its title says, and ensures that voting privileges are extended to convicted criminals, provided that they have completed their term of incarceration and are not subject to parole or a probation order. Exceptions are reasonably provided for instances where the voter has been convicted of crimes related to voter fraud or has aided a foreign or domestic power in subverting the lawful government. Democracy is one of the core values of The North Pacific and the Ministry believes that the right to vote is one that should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their past. Voting Equality for Freed Inmates accomplishes this without placing undue hardship on national and local governments.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended voting for the resolution.
Proposal: Protection of Biomedical Research (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=420/council=1)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 11 Against: 6 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 565 Against: 44 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.59%
Final Vote (World): For: 13,762 Against: 3,856
Recommendation: Protection of Biomedical Research is a relatively mild proposal that seeks to ensure a standard of ethics and scientific rigor in biomedical experiments within the World Assembly. It ensures that member states engage only in research where the well-being and ethical treatment of the subjects are prioritized, but in a manner which makes additional testing on both human and lab animal tests possible. Further, it promotes additional research by tasking the World Assembly Science Programme to coordinate and advise international research efforts, as well as share data volunteered by researchers.
More importantly, the proposal preempts future attempts to block biomedical research in the name of religious or moral objections, ensuring that WA members can engage in research in the best interests of their populations.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended voting for the resolution.
Proposal: Ozone Layer Protection (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=421/council=1)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 12 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 544 Against: 83 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.68%
Final Vote (World): For: 15,211 Against: 2,998
Recommendation: On oxygen rich planets, the Ozone layer acts as essential protection against harmful UV rays. However, some industrial chemicals currently used deplete this fragile layer. This resolution seeks to reduce the damage done to the ozone layer by some of the chemicals used by industry. It accomplishes this by mandating that member nations and a newly created subcommittee, the Atmospheric Chemistry Establishment, identify Ozone depleting chemicals and research alternatives. This resolution also tasks the ACE with setting deadlines for phasing out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals from use, and requires that member nations cease production and use of these chemicals by these deadlines. Ozone Layer Protection provides an exemption to this by allowing the ACE to provide waivers to member nations, provided that the chemicals are used in a closed system and can not harm atmospheric chemistry in other nations.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended voting for the resolution.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Proposal: Repeal: Liberate Dank Memes (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=238/council=2)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 10 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 514 Against: 36 Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.59%
Final Vote (World): For: 14,623 Against: 1,156
Recommendation: The point of a liberation is to allow native and defender forces the opportunity to reclaim a region from invading forces. As Dank Memes has been refounded by invading forces, this is no longer possible and makes any attempt to return the region to native residents doomed to failure. This makes the Security Council's liberation of Dank Memes unnecessary.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a voting for the resolution.
Proposal: Commend Tsunamy (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=239/council=2)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 10 Against: 1 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 503 Against: 34 Percentage of WA nations voting: 34.53%
Final Vote (World): For: 11,196 Against: 3,483
Recommendation: The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs believes that commendations should be reserved for nations that have had a lasting effect on their region or the international community at large. When it comes to the commendation of Tsunamy, there is a wealth of information to consider. Beginning with their reestablishing The South Pacific's regional forum and salvaging the Coalition of the South Pacific's Charter after it was lost in the aftermath of the coup by The Xyz Affair. We must also take into consideration the numerous coup attempts that Tsunamy has defended The South Pacific against and their efforts to restore the region after such attempts have been successful. We should consider the loyalty and dedication they have shown to their region in the numerous elected and appointed positions they have held over the years, such as serving as World Assembly Delegate for over two years spread over three terms. During their tenure in The South Pacific, they have provided advice to newly formed national governments and played an integral role in shaping the culture of The South Pacific.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended voting for the resolution.
Proposal: Commend The MT Army (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=240/council=2)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 6 Against: 7 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 508 Against: 96 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.06%
Final Vote (World): For: 8,762 Against: 7,148
Recommendation: The MT Army is a dedicated and widely-respected anti-fascist and anti-Nazi military force who has served NationStates for the last 14 years. The MT Army worked alongside the Pacific Defenders which began the Anti Nazi Alliance who functioned as a bane against hatred and bigotry in NationStates through the early to mid-2000's. The MT Army's numerous laudable achievements in fighting hatred include the destruction of The URAP, Greater German Reich, and assisting the North Pacific Army, among others, in the destruction of NAZI EUROPE. The MT Army has also administered Antifa and inspired as well as guided many anti-hate regions that are currently active defending NationStates from hatred and bigotry. The Ministry believes that the significant contributions of The MT Army to the fight against intolerance, as well as their numerous military accomplishments and a long history of service to the community, is worthy of commendation.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended voting for the resolution.
Proposal: Liberate Iran (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=241/council=2)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 10 Against: 4 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 599 Against: 38 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.93%
Final Vote (World): For: 16,268 Against: 1,406
Recommendation: The region of Iran was invaded 5 years ago and was left to die behind a password. Although a significant amount of time has passed since the region was passworded, this should have no effect on whether or not a region is worthy of liberation. The nations currently occupying the region are under the control of a puppetmaster, so the liberation will most likely be successful. Additionally, the author of the proposal reached out to former natives of the region, and there was at least one native that was interested in returning. The Ministry believes that so long as there is at least one native willing to return to their home, that a liberation is worthwhile.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended voting for the resolution.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6) Regional Assembly Highlights
by Brendog, Minister of Home Affairs
Over the past two months, we have seen plenty of proposals, but many are still in discussion:
Passed
- The first to pass in December (11.12.17) was a motion to Plembobria to the Security Council (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9071616/1/) motioned by McMasterdonia and seconded by other received 41 ayes, 3 nays, and 6 abstentions;
- Palliaith appointed Crushing Our Enemies, SillyString, Darcania , Eluvatar, Siwale, Syrixia, and Scorch as Election Commissioners (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9095372/1/) in accordance with the Election Reform Bill. The vote being motioned by Mallorea and Rivaand seconded by Drasnia. All were confirmed on the 19th of December;
(https://i.imgur.com/yfF90T0.png?2)
- Siwale's Security Council Suspensions Amendment (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9103525/3/) bill also passed on the 11th of January, with 42 ayes, 1 nay, and 6 abstentions.
In discussion from previous months
- Reforming the Penal Code (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9076818/1), proposed by Eluvatar, which entered a discussion on the 10th of September 2017;
- The Ombudsman Bill (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9080830/1), proposed by Sergio86, which entered a discussion on the 5th of October 2017;
- Closing Legal Loopholes *Properly* Amendment (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9099924/1/) proposed by Sill Dorsett on the 24th of December Failed
- In December (28.12.17) the Regional Assembly failed to pass the Closing Legal Loopholes Amendment (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9091459/1/) with 0 ayes, 18 nays and 7 abstentions
On hold
- Due to multiple request for reviews on a now outdated proposal of a Motion to Declare an Emergency Situation (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9092099/1/) the counting of the bill will not happen till all request for reviews are completed.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)The Spotlight #9: An Interview with Delegate Gladio
by Kaschovia and Gladio, Minister of Communications and Delegate
Kaschovia: Gladio! It's great to have you on the 9th Edition of the Spotlight!
Gladio: Thank you for having me Kaschovia, it's a pleasure to be here.
Kaschovia: So, it's been an eventful few weeks, with the lead up to the general elections and the campaigning... and eventually, the winning! But what did you find was the toughest thing for you to do over the election process?
Gladio: This was my first time running in the General Elections and the elections proved to be really interesting and challenging! I had to run against a really strong candidate, as my main opponent for the position Lord Ravenclaw is a former two-time Delegate of our region and thus convincing people to vote for me over him wasn't easy. I am glad it all worked out in the end and that I came out as the winner.
Kaschovia:I can imagine the kind of competition there must have been! How does it feel to be the new Delegate of the North Pacific?
Gladio: I've been in TNP for over six years now and it's truly an honor for me to be given the chance to be Delegate to our wonderful region. It's very exciting but at the same time, it's also very hectic, getting so many queries all the time and having so many things that require your immediate attention is definitely something that I'm not used to.
Kaschovia: It must be. What is your main goal as Delegate?
Gladio: Before running for Delegate I was Minister of Defense for six full terms, however, there is a difference between being a Minister and a Delegate, when you are a Minister you only have one ministry and therefore you only have one problem to think about. When you are a Delegate you have six different problems that you have to worry about! I ran on a simple campaign platform that's based on realistic goals for each ministry that I believe I will be able to accomplish. My main goal for this term will be to ensure that all the ministries remain active and continue to work efficiently throughout my entire term as Delegate and to recruit as many new people from the game side as possible, integrate them into our community and encourage them to become part of our executive staff.
Kaschovia: That sounds great, Gladio. If you had to dissolve one of the currently existing ministries, which would it be and why?
Gladio: Currently I'm satisfied with the performance of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Communications, Culture and World Assembly Affairs and the amount of workload that each ministry has, that being said I don't plan to Create/Remove any ministries.
Kaschovia: You certainly are confident in your government, very reassuring. How do you want your Delegacy to be remembered by future TNPers?
Gladio: I hope that after the end of my term, future TNPers will remember me as a successful Delegate who always worked hard for the good of the region and that the work I leave behind me will inspire and motivate others to do the same.
Kaschovia: What are you most worried about happening during your Delegacy?
Gladio: Tough question, I think right now at the beginning of my Delegacy I don't have any particular concerns as I believe I have more than enough time and energy to resolve any issues should they occur.
Kaschovia: If you had to say, which ministry is the most important to your government, and why?
And you can't say all of them.
Gladio: Each ministry is important in its own way but if I had to pick... I would say Home Affairs. I think arguably this ministry could be considered as the most important and vital one because of the vast amount of work they do by bringing in new members and helping to integrate them into our community. Without their efforts our region would have less new blood and many other ministries would stagnate as a result of this.
Kaschovia: That is very true! Who, in NationStates, do you or have you looked up to? Who, in NationStates terms, is your idol?
Gladio: McMasterdonia and r3naissanc3r. McM Is the one who recruited me into the NPA and was my mentor In my early days when I first got actively involved In gameplay. Under r3n's delegacy, I served my first two terms as Minister of Defence. I've had the pleasure of working with him many times now and I have very good working relations with him and we easily get along very well.
Kaschovia: What is your favorite thing about being Delegate?
Gladio: My favorite thing about being a Delegate would have to be the given opportunity to work with people from different branches not just from TNP but from other regions as well.
Kaschovia: What is your biggest concern regarding the North Pacific, right now?
Gladio: Right now the North Pacific is a safe and stable region so at this moment I don't have any particular concerns regarding our region.
Kaschovia: Alright, thanks for your responses Gladio, good luck with the upcoming term!
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090374%2Ftnl_cult2.png&hash=622cdba23cea4c619bffc248befd4812) RMB Roleplay Reel #2
by Yukkira, Deputy Minister
This month, the RMB RP Reel would like to take a special look at the TNP Winter Olympics, created and hosted by resident TNP RMB RPer, Toshavo; more commonly known as Global Socialist Republic (GSR). GSR used to run one of the biggest alliances within the Strangereal community. But due to real life concerns, in addition to in-character politics, had to step down, and ultimately disband the alliance. Now, he's just another neutral country on the map, attempting to do something potentially monumental...
The 2018 North Pacific Winter Olympics is a major sporting event for all nations in the North Pacific to come together and rejoice in sports. It was an idea that Toshavo had for a long time; he thought it would be fun to do it out of character and include not just nations of the TNP RMB but nations of the entire region. Thus, he purposely planned and organized the games in the same time frame when the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics would begin.
The entire premise of the games was for nations of TNP to send their best athletes to compete in an international tournament. He envisioned it as a peaceful way to bring Strangereal together versus creating a world-spanning conflict. As of Jan. 21st, there are 28 nations competing in the Olympics. Participants include those of whom are RMB regulars, TNP government officials, and even nations from foreign regions.
This year, the Olympics will feature all of the real winter Olympic sports. From skiing to snowboarding, nations will compete in 15 sporting events, over a span of two weeks.
Toshavo's own nation will be the stage of the Olympics. From the Opening to the Closing Ceremonies, from the snow-covered mountains to the city, the capital city of Toshavo, Franshov will host the games.
The Opening Ceremony will be held on Feb. 9th. And the Closing Ceremony will be held on Feb. 25th. We hope to have 35 nations (or more) competing. An ambitious goal was to have this become one of the biggest sporting events in TNP's history.
He even made a website for it here (https://jehobit6.wixsite.com/franshov2018).
He hopes to make this a biannual event; eventually becoming part of TNP tradition.
I am Yukkira, and this is the TNP RMB RP Reel.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)Monthly Memoirs for January
by Kaschovia, Minister of Communications
This month I decided to ask questions in relation to the new year.
Questions
- What was your favourite NS moment of 2017?
- What are your new years NS resolutions?
- What are you most looking forward to this year?
- How do you feel about the January General Election?
- Where do you want to see yourself in NationStates and our community one year from now?
Answers
Deropia, Minister
Q1. For me it was moving to TNP and joining WA Affairs.
Q2. I only have one, and that is to become more active on the WA forums and be more involved in helping draft resolutions over the coming year.
Q3. Honestly I'm looking forward to seeing what comes through the World Assembly in the coming months, from what I've seen on the gameside forum, it's going to be an interesting year!
Q4. Absolutely fantastic! Gladio was my candidate of choice, his long history of service and dedication to TNP made it easy to back him. As for the other government officials, I think that the voters made the right choices. Siwale, Goy and Darc have done an excellent job in their respective offices since they were elected and definitely earned another term in office.
Q5. One year from now? I'm not really too sure aha, wherever it is, as long as I'm doing what I can to be of service to the community, I'll be satisfied.
Malphe, Minister
Q1. Passing my NPA Officer test a few months ago, certainly. I'd already failed one test and I was stupidly nervous about it all, so successfully leading my first operation and becoming an officer on the spot was pretty euphoric; I'd been a Sergeant for so long because I was too nervous to lead an operation and breaking through that glass ceiling felt fantastic, and doubtless facilitated my eventual appointment as MoD by Gladio.
Q2. They're twofold; doing the best job I can in TNP in whatever role I have and properly balancing out RL and NS. Don't underestimate the importance of the latter.
Q3. My term as MoD; it's a whole new world to me and I'm excited to see what I can do in this term. It's proven far easier than I had imagined, though that's probably a bit of an overstatement considering that the NPA is grounded right now so we're not organizing any operations yet, doubtless I'll have more on my hands before very long.
Q4. Seeing Gladio running was both wonderful and unusual, and every office had one or more exemplary candidates running for it. That, as well as the high turnout rate, made this my favourite election to date. I've missed one or two already, being involved in this one has convinced me to not miss any more.
Q5. Hopefully doing my best in TNP and not banned.
Lozinak, Deputy Minister
Q1. Joining the NPA was probably my favorite moment of the year. That served as the launching point for me becoming more involved in TNP as a whole.
Q2. My resolution is to continue is to aid the MoD however I can, and ensure the NPA is just as active in 2018.
Q3. I'm most looking forward to hopefully getting in to RP as I should have more time to write this semester.
Q4. I was happy to see Gladio run, as he has been something a mentor for me since I first joined the TNP. Despite all the drama we also had record turn out and some close, exciting races. I think that really speaks to how dedicated the TNP community is.
Q5. Hopefully still working in the NPA and Executive staff.
Konar, Citizen
Q1. It would have to be N-Day, and Josephtan acheiving martyrdom.
Q2. To be more active in the departments of TNP that I am part of, and perhaps to join more.
Q3. N-Day, Z-Day, and more joint operations with other militaries.
Q4. It was exciting to see the candidates be neck in neck; however, Lord Ravenclaw's pull-out of NS put a damper on it, as well as the contention of a defaced ballot which, I felt, was not settled amicably.
Q5. Hopefully, I'll be able to have become a General at that point. Being able to contribute meaningfully to the departments I am in and may join is also a hope of mine.
Novare Res, Security Council
Q1. I can't say. I was hiding. In hibernation. Lurking, that is. Which is what I should have done for the most part since game started.
Q2. be nice to people - even the ones who are not so nice to me. Eat more cheese. The good stuff.
Q3. Getting back into being more involved.
Q4. Well, I didn't get to vote because the server that hosts the forum kept kicking my connection (a glitch involving FireFox browser which wasn't easy to fix at my end). I would have voted for McMasterdonia who lost by one vote. Never say one's vote doesn't count.
Q5. Sitting back and watching how the latest generation handles things.
Hesskin Empire, Citizen
Q1. Illuminati Raid
Q2. Finally get RP done!
Q3. RP!
Q4. It was fun, a good race as well!
Q5. Hopefully an active RP member and possibly in the politics somewhere somehow!
Zazumo, Citizen
Q1. Finally completing 100 NPA operations. I put in a lot of hours to get that ribbon.
Q2. To lead more NPA ops. Stepping in for Loz a couple times helped my confidence to lead.
Q3. Gladio's term as delegate and Malphe's term as MoD. Best of luck to both of them and the entire executive staff!
Q4. Could not be more excited. After working with Gladio during countless missions it's great to see him in the delegate seat!
Q5. Continuing my work with the NPA. Hopefully a Major if I play my cards right.
Nordpazifik, Citizen
Q1. Oof. That's a hard one. There's been a lot of fun things - Government work, RP, R/D - but in the end, I'll have to go with the two issues I wrote being published.
Q2. Get more involved, but at the same time balancing RL and NS better.
Q3. Who knows?
Q4. I didn't vote in it, but I'm excited to see what the new administration will bring.
Q5. It would be really nice if I was like instantly recognizable in the GCR community (if not the wider NS community), but in a year? Only time will tell.
Kaschovia, Minister
Q1. Being the best MoFA this region has ever seen (sarcasm)...
Q2. Have more fun doing things on NationStates.
Q3. Running for Delegate in September (sarcasm again.)
Q4. Content as one can be about an election.
Q5. As Delegate (even more bad sarcasm!)
Siwale, Vice Delegate
Q1. Joining TNP's regional forum, of course! Little did I know at the time just how involved I would soon get in the regional government.
Q2. I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions, mainly because they hardly ever stick. I prefer to make changes as the need for them arises throughout the year.
Q3. Seeing what Gladio will accomplish this term as our newly elected Delegate!
Q4. No complaints. I am certain that all of the elected officials will perform flawlessly this term.
Q5. Still as involved in TNP as I am now!
Xagill, Minister
Q1. Being a minister of communications!
Q2. Being Vice Delegate.
Q3. The changes that will come.
Q4. Content, it was a fun and close race.
Q5. Just trying to continue to be active.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b) NPA Bulletin for January 2018
by Lozinak (with contributions from McMasterdonia and Malphe), Deputy Minister of Defence
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Ministerial Rodent Noises
Minister: Malphe
Deputy Minister: Lozinak
General(s): Quietdad
The New Year saw several records and changes for TNP and the North Pacific Army (NPA). Perhaps the greatest achievement of the NPA in the last term was the detagging of over 200 regions, a record for the NPA in a single term. During this final push into the new year, Captain Zazumo was also able to achieve his 100 mission completion ribbon. Following these accomplishments, Gladio, the six-term Minister of Defence won the election to become Delegate of the North Pacific.
Captain Malphe, a long time member of the NPA and avid rodent was chosen for the honour of succeeding Gladio as Minister of Defence. Malphe accepted this enormous responsibility and assumed the duties of the Minister of Defence and General of the North Pacific Army. General Malphe is a veteran of over 50 campaigns, stretching from the raid upon The Holy Historian Confederation to the most recent defence of the region of Christmas. The opening address of the New Minister of Defense is available here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/single/?p=10111283&t=9106182).
The first major mission for the NPA of the new year is the Defense of The North Pacific while in a state of Delegacy transition. During this time the NPA is recalled to TNP in order to add endorsements to the delegate elect.
In order to keep their skills sharp the NPA has taken part in detagging operations during the transition with the permission of the new delegate. As a capstone for the month, the NPA conducted a tag-raid of Warzone Australia. A summary of NPA operations for the month of January and the soldiers involved is available below:
20/01/2018-Major-Detag
Regions:
Buckeye Boyzzz
The Protectorate and The Starry Skies
Soldiers:
GEN. Quietdad
LTN. BMWSurfer
LTN. BluieGamer
CPT. Zazumo
20/01/2018-Minor-Detag
Regions:
The New World of Name
left 4 dead 3
IDIOTS
New Pakistani Empire
team mediocrity
The CeruleoAguarian Commonwealth
Unitys Alliance
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak
CPT. Zazumo
21/01/2018-Minor-Raid
Region:
Warzone Africa
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak
CPT. Zazumo
GEN. Quietdad
PFC. Lotion
LTN. BluieGamer
PFC. Scottie
30/01/2018-Major-Detag
Regions:
Venetian Trade Routes
Alliance of Northern Somewhere
International Roleplay Region
Club of Philledelphia Eagles
Gentibus Unitatis
Kiklandia
Nationstates Sesquipedalian Countries
Alliance of Nuclear Police States
Nationstates Vexillogical Society
Final Fantasy
Troperia
Batasun Union
Union of Autistic States
War Filled Islands
The Isles of El Nar
The Lumpy Sith Lords
Melivorica
Democratium
Soldiers:
Deputy MinisterLozinak
GEN. QuietDad
MAJ. Darcania
CPT. Zazumo
LTN. Bluiegamer
LTN. BMWSurfer
CPL. Deropia
PFC. Hardonius
PFC. New Atos
Thank you to all members of the North Pacific Army involved in the above operations. Hail The North Pacific! Hail the NPA!
The Northern Lights: Beauty in TruthPublisher: Gladio II :: Executive Editor: Kaschovia :: Managing Editors: McMasterdonia ::
With Contributions From McMasterdonia, Darcania, Sundred, Gladio II, Malphe, and Siwale.
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
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(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6) Tumbleweed In The Regional Assembly
by Brendog, Minister of Home Affairs
Over January the Regional Assembly has barely seen any activity, something we haven't seen in a while. Whilst we have seen a decline in activity over the past few month, it has never been this low.
As still is the case, due to multiple requests for reviews on a now outdated proposal of a Motion to Declare an Emergency Situation (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9092099/1/) the counting of the bill will not happen till all request for reviews is completed.
In relation to the above proposal, the Regional Assembly attempted a recall of THO's (Temporary Hearing Officers) (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9109478/1/) of the latest Request for Review in relation the above bill. This was very controversial as it had 14 ayes, 18 nays and 9 abstentions. Later in the month, we saw one of the THO's cease to exist.
In conclusion, we have seen barely any activity in the Regional Assembly and we are still waiting on the outcome of the R4Rs.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090382%2Ftnl_wa2.png&hash=5029f8a3b75d5edb99fa84e865ee5927) World Assembly Affairs Digest January 2018
by Deropia, Minister of World Assembly Affairs
Minister: Deropia
Deputy Minister: Kranostav
Deputy Minister: Veniyerris
From the Minister's desk:
Hello everyone! February seems to have flown by and here we are again with another issue of the World Assembly Affairs Digest. I'd like to start off by congratulating the ministries very own Kranostav on passing their first World Assembly resolution, Repeal "Promoting Sustainable Timber"!
I'd also like to announce the implementation of the World Assembly Sponsorship Program. Successful applicants can have the cost of their Delegate Approval and Delegate Vote campaigns covered by the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs!
Now, let's take a look at what reached the voting floor over the past month, shall we?
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world, one resolution at a time.
Proposal: The Cloning Conventions
Status: Defeated
Delegates Vote: Against
Forum Vote: For: 0 Against: 9 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 108 Against: 538 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.41%
Final Vote (World): For: 4,091 Against: 14,442
Recommendation: The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, having reviewed the proposal, has found that while it is undoubtedly well intended, has several serious flaws. Chiefly among these being that The Cloning Conventions would seem to outlaw cloning when used during IVF, as well as the cloning of embryos. Secondly, this resolution suffers from poor definitions and unclear language in some of its clauses. Finally, in its closing clause it again, using unclear language that leaves far too much room for interpretation, either strips the World Assembly Science Programme from any oversight over cloning or creates a bureaucratic competition between the Word Assembly Science Programme and the Biomedical Innovation Organization.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a vote against the resolution.
Proposal: Promoting Sustainable Timber (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=422/council=1)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: Against
Forum Vote: For: 6 Against: 3 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 257 Against: 340 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.49%
Final Vote (World): For: 11,707 Against: 6,787
Despite its laudable efforts and purpose to uphold the quality of timber production in order to provide a sustainable future for timber production, this proposal possesses two main flaws. The first being that the resolution bans import of 'timber products' which can greatly harm locations where timber product producing nations are using non-sustainable methods. This lack of ability to export timber would prove detrimental to the timber industries of non-WA member nation which would force them to potentially use cheaper and less sustainable methods than already used. Furthermore this proposal would greatly hurt trade relations between WA and non WA nations who consume or produce not only timber but any product that uses timber. The ministry believes that despite the potential positives provided by this proposal, it will ultimately harm the sustainability of timber rather than protect it.
For the reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a vote against this proposal.
Proposal: Repeal: Promoting Sustainable Timber (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=423/council=1)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 10 Against: 2 Abstain: 2
Final Vote (TNP): For: 509 Against: 104 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.30%
Final Vote (World): For: 12,245 Against: 6,418
Recommendation: General Assembly Resolution #422 Promoting Sustainable Timber, while well meaning in its goal of attempting to ensure timber used in WA member nations is produced in an environmentally sustainable manner, is inherently flawed and places the economies of WA members at serious risk. Given that GAR#422 also seriously harms international trade in the timber industry, in some cases forcing WA members to import timber at a drastically increased cost. The Ministry would also like to note, that due to the loss of some of their clientele due to the restrictions imposed by GAR#422, timber operations may be forced to take further cost-cutting methods of production, which in turn could cause Promoting Sustainable Timber to cause more environmental damage than it currently prevents.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a vote for the resolution.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Proposal: Liberate Westphalia
Status: Defeated
Delegates Vote: Against
Forum Vote: For: 1 Against: 11 Abstain: 2
Final Vote (TNP): For: 71 Against: 504 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.16%
Final Vote (World): For: 5,899 Against: 11,860
Recommendation: Westphalia is a major and very old defender region who, among other things, founded FORGE - one of the biggest defender alliances in NationStates. However, they have broken our recruitment policy in the past by trying to recruit nations from The North Pacific. Furthermore, the Ministry would note that a password has not been imposed on the region, and appears unlikely to be imposed in the future as the influence levels of the natives in the region have considerable regional influence making a refound extremely difficult. Thus, making this liberation unnecessary.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a vote against the resolution.
Proposal: Condemn Wrapper (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=243/council=2)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 9 Against: 2 Abstain: 3
Final Vote (TNP): For: 541 Against: 53 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.34%
Final Vote (World): For: 13,814 Against: 4,037
Recommendation: After spending one too many nights at the Strangers Bar, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, nursing a collective hangover and saddened by the resignation of a number of its staff after one of the impromptu karaoke nights organized by Wrappian Deputy Ambassador Wad Ahume Orliss-Dorckes, has somehow managed to analyze this Security Council resolution while it was at vote. The Ministry has found it accurately documents the heinous actions perpetrated by the Wrappian delegation and delegations from their protectorates during their tenure in the General Assembly. These actions include, but are not limited to, actions that would violate World Assembly law and result in the arrest of one of the august bodies most esteemed ambassadors, firebombing the offices of other delegations, and misappropriating funds meant for disaster relief efforts. The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs believes that these actions are most unbecoming of any delegation to the World Assembly and should be condemned with all due haste.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended (after conducting it's annual fire drill and checking all of the fire extinguishers) voting for the resolution.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090374%2Ftnl_cult2.png&hash=622cdba23cea4c619bffc248befd4812) The Revival of the Lennart Awards
by Yukkira, Minister of Culture
The Lennart Awards; the internet equivalent to your dead-again born-again cousin's wedding to her purity ring. The Lennart Awards is a storied tradition inspired by the legendary TNPer and possible former Minister of Culture, Lennart, which was started a few years ago, was stopped, and then brought back again by the former Minister of Culture, McMasterdonia. Under his leadership, the Lennarts were restarted towards the end of Palliath's delegacy and have been popular ever since.
The Lennart Awards is essentially the North Pacific's version of the Academy Awards, the Oscars, or a possibly more biased version of IMDB's rotten tomatoes. Categories range from Most Popular TNPer of the Year to a category that I didn't think would become a thing, being voted as "RMBae" of the Year. How it happens is I make up a nomination thread like this one (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9120800/1/#new), wait debatably three days (depending on if I'm busy), post a couple TNP polls, and then award a Lennart Award that looks like the one in that nomination thread to the TNPer that our beloved residents have voted for. It has both been a wonderful thing indeed, and somewhat hard to keep up with all at the same time.
In my opinion, I think the Lennarts is a wonderful initiative. It involves everyone from the forums and from the gameside community. I think with a bit more polish, the Lennarts can and will not be forgotten again (I'm allowed to be optimistic; leave me alone). What I'm most proud of is the fact that we've had a slew of winners so far. Winners ranged from Aerilia, an RMB RPer who roleplay's as a sentient blanket of moss to Lord Ravenclaw, TNP's friendly neighborhood birb. I think one way the Lennart Awards can be improved is its execution. This is due, in part, to the fact that the Ministry of Culture turned over the new term on a rough patch due to internal circumstances. The Lennart Awards were not paid enough attention to and were neglected because I, as the Deputy Minister in charge of them, wasn't adequately aware of the status of them nor did I think I needed to pay much attention.
All in all, the Lennart Awards is on track to finish sometime in March. I think that, with time, the Lennart Awards will continue to be improved to the point where the categories will better reflect the best that TNP has to offer. This, in turn, would allow the Ministry of Culture to do its job better, by better identifying and shining the spotlight on those who make TNP a region to be lauded about and beloved by not just its residents, but its friends abroad.
Any questions, comments, or concerns? Please feel free to telegram me gameside. Or, more than likely, I inhabit your Discord server and you can most definitely DM me through there. Thank you for reading about one of the many facets of the North Pacific's culture!
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) The Spotlight #10: Interview with MoD Malphe
by Kaschovia and Malphe, Communications and Defence
Kasch: Malphe, welcome to the tenth edition of the Spotlight, it is great to have you here and to ask you some questions!
Malphe: It's great to be here! I was looking forward to this interview for some time.
Kasch: As was I, it is such a privilege to interview you as Gladio's successor. Do you feel any pressure to follow in his footsteps? Or to be as successful?
Malphe: To some extent certainly, but I was much more dreading it when he first proposed it back in December. I hadn't at all considered that I'd be MoD at any point until quite recently I wasn't even an officer and I had no plans to become one, so it was very overwhelming at first. I'll concede that it did cause me some stress. However, I had about a month to prepare myself, and in that time I lead many more operations than I had prior, with quite good results. Now I'm not so pressured to be as successful as Gladio, the last thing I want to do is beat myself up over supposed shortfalls. Rather, I want to go my own way, and take examples from Gladio's term and implement my own ideas. I want to have some fun with the role, as opposed to hating myself for doing something differently to Gladio.
Kasch: It's promising to know you're taking the role in your own style! I respect that. So, let's go back to your roots. Why did you join Defense in the first place?
Malphe: I'd always had a fascination with military gameplay, even when I hadn't a clue how to do it, so once I joined TNP there wasn't much question about it; I applied the day after I joined the forums. I just liked the idea of it, I doubt I really understood what I was signing up for, but once I had become involved with the NPA's community I never left.
Kasch: What is your stance on raiding and defending? Do you align yourself with the independent policy that our region adheres to, or do you have a preference for either raiding or defending, and why?
Malphe: Honestly, I don't care about the raider and defender feud. I can see where it came from, I can see why people subscribe to either side and how they can have such strong opinions on the matter and if I hadn't joined the NPA I'd probably be a raider by now, but I sooner have a regional military act in the best interests of the region and its allies. In that way, I suppose I'm closest to an independent.
Kasch: What is your greatest NPA ccomplishment, and why?
Malphe: I'd say passing my officer test last year. It was proposed to me about eight months before I actually did it because I was so nervous, and I actually failed the test on my first try which didn't help. It was really easy in hindsight, but managing to conquer my insecurities and just passing the test was just about the hardest thing I've done in the NPA and I'd still name it my greatest accomplishment. Here's to hoping that it won't be by the end of this term.
Kasch: I have to say I was very nervous when I did mine too! What are your core principles regarding Defense? In other words, what's most important to you about Defense?
Malphe: Fundamentally the NPA exists to defend and serve TNP and it's allies but that can only happen for as long as the NPA is both active and capable, which I hold as my core principles. If the NPA isn't active and if it's members aren't competent then we can't do anything really, we'd become a non-entity, so maintaining those aspects is very important to me, and to that end, I donate no small amount of my time.
Kasch: How do you believe your role as Minister of Defense will benefit the ministry as a whole this term? What unique benefits does your leadership bring to the table?
Malphe: A breath of fresh air, I'd say. It's good for a switch in leadership ever so often, provided that the newcomer is competent so that they can implement new ideas and run the NPA in their own way. A change of pace. Beyond that, I'm still exploring the position so it's hard for me to judge how good I am in the role.
Kasch: That's understandable. Now, veering slightly away from the NPA, what are your opinions on Gladio's other cabinet appointments?
Malphe: On the whole, I was very pleased with them. Ghost was a fantastic choice for MoFA and I feel that he's a very inspired diplomat, I certainly enjoyed his lecture on Optimistic Diplomacy. Brendog is shaping up as an effective MoHA and has been doing a good job from what I've seen in the ministry; Kasch is very hardworking and I think will do- and is doing- a very good job in Communications (not biased, I swear). Deropia, from whatever I've seen of the MoWAA, looks to have been a good choice and is well fulfilling his duties. Artemis has been getting on with the Lennarts recently and looks to be an active Minister of Culture and MiniCult of all the ministries needs somebody like that at the helm the most. Put simply, I'm very pleased with Gladio's cabinet and I think it'll keep the region running smoothly for this term.
Kasch: If you were Delegate, what would your cabinet be, just out of curiosity?
Malphe: That's a very difficult question, I'm new to government and not wholly familiar with all sectors of it. For Defense, of which I have the most expertise, Lozinak; he's the only Deputy MoD we've had in some time and has shown to be eager in organizing and leading operations, handling NPA applications and even the paperwork (google docs, not very riveting). I'd reckon that he's future MoD material. For Culture, Mcmasterdonia; it's difficult to not notice McM going about their business, and they've consistently shown ambition and imagination in organizing events, of which culture is largely, if not primarily, focused. In Communications, Kasch, for their work ethic and efficiency of operation, which has kept the Northern Lights afloat. In Foreign Affairs I'm inclined to say Ghost; very purposeful, and their writing is second to none. As per Home Affairs and World Assembly Affairs, I can't say I know and I'm not going to make up an opinion on the spot, so I'll have to pass on those.
Kasch: As I asked Gladio this, I'll ask you... Who is your NS idol/inspiration?
Malphe: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gladio. Most of my time in NS has been almost exclusively in the NPA, and throughout much of that time Gladio has been my mentor. I've practically berated him with questions when preparing for my officer test and for my term as MoD, and he's always been helpful in answering my concerns. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Gladio's patience, and I still frequently ask him questions. He has always been a very capable MoD, maintaining activity virtually on his own and organizing more operations than I could count in his six terms as MoD.
Kasch: What legacy would you like to leave behind when your time on NS is over? How do you want to be remembered?
Malphe: I honestly don't much care about my legacy, I'm on NS because I enjoy the community aspect and the opportunities it offers, not to leave a big impact. I'm quite fine with going about my business quietly and leaving NS in the same manner when I've decided that my time is up. If I had to be remembered, though, I'd most like to be remembered as competent and helpful.
Kasch: What is something about you player-related that nobody knows?
Malphe: What do you mean by player-related?
Kasch: Let me rephrase. What is something that you have done within NationStates that not many people know about? Or do you believe there is nothing other players do not know?
Malphe: There'll be some things but I can't think of any from the top of my head, and if I've done something and I haven't told anybody about it there's probably a reason I've kept it to myself.
Kasch: Interesting! What is your least favourite thing about the North Pacific? And your most favourite?
Malphe: For my least favourite thing, I'd say the OOC drama. It appears in all of NS and TNP isn't exempted, every now and again it comes around and I despise it with every fibre. I've seen plenty of it elsewhere and I know how it turns people off NS, I don't like it here or there. My favourite thing about TNP is the community spirit of the region, which needs little explaining.
Kasch: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Malphe: Don't take NS too seriously, certainly. You'll hear this everywhere, but not enough people really adhere to it. Don't stress yourself out much about NS, if you're losing sleep over whatever's happening in Nationstates you're doing it wrong and you should either ease up or take a break for a while. NS doesn't compromise RL, RL compromises NS always. This applies to a lot outside NS too, it's a good rule to stick to. Mind you, I'm not the best at following that advice myself.
Kasch: If every other nation were to CTE tomorrow morning, and you could only keep six nations alive, who would they be?
Malphe: That's too loaded for me to confidently answer, so I'll pass.
Kasch: Fair. If you could sum yourself up in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
Malphe: Reasonably competant, hopefully getting better.
Kasch: I think that is all we have time for! Thank you for joining me Malphe, it has been a pleasure!
Malphe: Been a pleasure.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) RMB RP Reel #3: Terrible Times In Toshavo
by Illusia, Citizen
February's coming to a close, and it seems not shortly, things are going down really hard in the RMB Olympics, you won't believe it yourself! TNP Winter Olympics, which was started by Toshavo several weeks ago, has been cancelled due to several arising issues that sparked the discovery of the virus known as GIV, or Global Immunodeficiency Virus.
On the 20th of February, the International Olympics Group based in Lahos, the capital of the Akhara Islands, postponed the Winter Olympics due to deaths of some Olympic athletes and cases of some being relatively weak. An international organization, named World Health Association, based in Toshavo, determined that the cause of their deaths was a mysterious flu.
Days later, the WHA, with assistance from Paxiosolange's research centers, and to add the fact most of the athletes that died were from them, named the virus Global Immunodeficiency Virus, in layman's terms would be the failure of the immune system, rendering the body defenseless from certain pathogens and disease. The WHA has designated the virus GIV-1.
Like a wildfire in a dry climate, the flu spread rapidly, effectively blanketing all of the Fusean continent, infecting a large number of nations. Estimates from WHA shown at least 700,000 and more are infected and increased to at least 3.4 million.
Despite this, however, collaboration efforts between WHA, other nations and those who are uninfected have been sprouting around to combat the disease and prevent a global epidemic.
The Toshavoan government also issued a martial law, amidst the epidemic. WHA officials and the Toshavoan Armed Forces rolled around their city streets to contain the infected.
Thanks for reading! I'm Illusia, a new writer for the RMB RP Reel. Hopefully, you appreciated the reel, and here's hoping I can do many much more articles for TNL. Once again, this is Illusia, for the TNP RMB RP Reel!
References used:[list=1]
- TBN News (February 20, 2018). Issue No. 9914. (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=toshavo/detail=factbook/id=975652)
- TBN News (February 20, 2018). Issue No. 8190. (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=toshavo/detail=factbook/id=975923)
- World Health Association (February 21, 2018). Report No. 218. (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=toshavo/detail=factbook/id=976515)
- TBN News (February 23, 2018). Issue No. 7710. (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=toshavo/detail=factbook/id=976399)
- TBN News (February 25, 2018). Issue No. 10280. (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=toshavo/detail=factbook/id=978818)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b) NPA Bulletin for February 2018
by Lozinak, Deputy Minister of Defence
Minister of Defense: Malphe
Deputy Minister: Lozinak
General(s): QuietDad
Following the transitional month of January, the NPA wasted no time returning to training. The NPA started off the month strong with an operation on February 1st, resulting in seven detags. When the Updaters returned, an Auxiliary found them and cried "The Beacons of TSP are lit! Erinor calls for aid." Malphe, still awash in the glow of battle replied: "And the NPA will answer." Thus the NPA departed once again to aid TSP in their transition of power. The operation in the South Pacific was a success but proved to be too calm. The returning soldiers were eager for combat, and the Officer Corps was keen to give it to them. In the seven day period between the 11th and the 18th, the NPA detagged 53 regions. The soldiers were weary after their glorious accomplishments and desired a rest from battle. The NPA decided to go on a vacation to the region of Yorkshire with Europeia. The two relaxing armies were soon joined in glad friendship by the West Pacific, Balder, The Land of Kings and Emperors, and the United Kingdom. Rested from their stay in Yorkshire, the NPA returned to duty. On the 25th the NPA, with our ally the Royal Albion Legion raided the Fascist League of Dictators. The NPA, however, was not satisfied to put only one fascist region in its place. On the very same day, the NPA deployed to the Backbone of Fascism, at the request of the East Pacific, in order to reinforce hold they, and the NPO had established in preparation for a refounding.
Lozinak was promoted to Captain on 12/02/2018.
Lotion was promoted to Corporal on 17/02/2018.
Deropia was promoted to Sergeant on 24/02/2018.
Dinoium & Vyamaz were promoted to Private First Class on 24/02/2018.
February Operations Date-Update-Type-Region(s)-Participating Soldiers-01/02/2018-Minor-Detag
Regions:
UCCN
Herin archipelago
Southfield
New United Nations of the Gator Empire
Asta fan Club
Land of the OG
aoeria
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe-Lead
Deputy Minister Lozinak
GEN. Quietdad
CPT. Zazumo
PFC. Lotion
03/02/2018-N/A-Delegacy Transition
Regions:
The South Pacific
Soldiers
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak
GEN. Quietdad
MAJ. Darcania
CPT. Zazumo
LTN. BluieGamer
LTN. BMWSurfer
SGT. Aber639
SGT. Cimmerien
CPL. Deropia
PFC. Michael Power
PFC. Arstotzka1
PFC. Almacs
PFC. Hardonius
PFC. Dinonium
11/02/2018-Minor-Detag
Regions:
Hardin
Hoffman Heffner Principality
Kids Alliance
World Setting
The Commonwealth of Liberated States
The Planet of Erresia
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak-Lead
CPT. Zazumo
PFC. Lotion
13/02/2018-Minor-Detag
Regions:
United Cluster of Europian States
Islands of Sicherheit
New United Nations of the Gator Empire
The Isles of El Nar
The Lower South
Union of Doomed States
Soldiers
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak
GEN. QuietDad
CPT. Zazumo-Lead
LTN. Bluiegamer
14/02/2018-Major-Detag
Regions:
ace space
the last ones standing
lemonelly
the pacific conglomorate
the lumpy sith lords of rock
horus and ra
unitys alliance
east scandanavian peninsula
adenia
17 D nations
akachan
3ss3ntial
Alliance of Left countries
Soldiers:
Deputy Minister Lozinak-Lead
GEN. QuietDad
MAJ. Darcania
CPT. Zazumo
LTN. BMWSurfer-Lead
SGT. Aber638
16/02/2018-Minor-Detag
Regions:
Ifunny political region
United National Socialist Nations
YEDI
The Sanguine
The Islamic Confederation
A Bigger Better Fork Union
The Republics Of Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe-Lead
GEN. QuietDad
MAJ. Darcania
CPT. Zazumo
SGT. Aber639
17/02/2018-Minor-Detag
Regions:
Golmaal
The Bone Zone
United Nation States of Conservatives
The Boy Band
SEARAF
Demanare
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe
GEN. QuietDad
CPT. Zazumo-Lead
CPL. Lotion
18/02/2018-Minor-Detag-N0vum
Regions:
Antarctic Alliance
That Broken Wanasnaswa RP
Jebtopia
The Diplomatic League
Power
The Conglomerate of Royal Ashholes
Deathdrift Watch
North Sea Collective
Tierra
Drekuki
Sili
The United Alliance of Republic Alliance
Smiley Region
Soldiers
Minister Malphe-Lead
Deputy Minister Lozinak
GEN. QuietDad
CPT. Zazumo-Lead
CPL. Lotion
20/02/2018-Minor-Raid & Hold
Regions:
Yorkshire
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak
GEN. QuietDad
MAJ. Darcania
CPT. Zazumo
LTN. BluieGamer
LTN. BMWSurfer
SGT. Aber639
SGT. Deropia
SGT. Cimmerien
CPL. Lotion
CPL. Sergio86
PFC. Vayamaz
PFC. Dinoium
PFC. Almacs
25/02/2018-Minor-Raid
Regions:
League of Dictators
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak
GEN. QuietDad
CPT. Zazumo
SGT. Aber639
CPL. Lotion
25/02/2018-N/A-Hold and Refound
Regions:
The Backbone of Fascism
Soldiers:
Minister Malphe
Deputy Minister Lozinak
GEN. QuietDad
MAJ.Darcania
CPT. Zazumo
LTN. BMWSurfer
SGT. Aber639
SGT. Deropia
CPL. Lotion
PFC. Dinoium
PFC. Vyamaz
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) The NBS Ends February In Success!by Kasch, Minister of Communications
The Northern Broadcasting Service recently recorded their ninth broadcast (https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Lt0LtpnAQfrLP9djZHr9k0SIDHXqXNb/view), in which they discussed the success of each of the ministries so far, their thoughts on the revival and the current winners of the Lennart Awards, the effectiveness of the Vice Delegate and the Speaker in processing citizenship applications and how that makes TNP very unique in retaining new members, the idea of political parties in TNP, and finally, the upcoming Justice elections!
In accordance with our policy to provide anyone with a voice within TNP the opportunity to speak on topics that are important to the community and to themselves, the NBS plans to recruit over March and April to increase the number of NBS members.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: Gladio II :: Executive Editor: Kaschovia :: Managing Editors: McMasterdonia ::
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
[/b][/size]
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Thank you for the update. :)
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The North Pacific
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Magicality City, 3/2/2018
Dear Wintermoot,
The government of The North Pacific entreats you to accept Lozinak & Bootsie as ambassadors between our two regions. They have been citizens in good standing of The North Pacific for significant lengths of time and legislators in our Regional Assembly for the same period. We believe They will meet the duties of this posting admirably. their responsibilities will include above all keeping your region informed of important affairs in The North Pacific, supporting our interregional ties by interpersonal ties through social involvement, keeping our government abreast of affairs in your region, and providing services to dual citizens should they be needed and welcome.
By accepting Lozinak & Bootsie as an ambassadors, we hope you will continue to honour the long lasting relationship between The North Pacific and Wintreath.
Sincerely,
Pallaith
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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Thanks for the update. We look forward to receiving Bootsie as a second ambassador. :)
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(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711)Judicial Election March 2018[/big]
by Lozinak, Deputy Minister
edited by Owenstacey, Citizen
March 1st, 2018 marked the beginning of a new TNP judicial election cycle. Whilst more than 15 candidates were nominated, only five. Zyvetskistaahn, Clean Land, BMWSurfer, Scorch, and Lord Lore all put themselves forward for the position of Justice of the North Pacific.
On the 5th of March, campaigning began in earnest.
Zyvetskistaahn
Justice Zyvetskistaahn ran for their fourth term under the apt battle cry "YET MORE MONTHS" citing his extensive experience on the court. Zyvetskistaahn also cited that his time as Speaker of the Regional Assembly helped him develop a deeper understanding of the law. Zyvetskistaahn's main goals for the term were to increase ease of use by establishing set templates for everything from Criminal Indictments, to requests for review. When questioned by Siwale on whether or not the court should be striving to meet the seven day goal present in the current law, Zyvetskistaahn responded that he did not mind having a soft deadline, as a ruling in such time is possible, but reminded us that it is in no one's interest for the court to rush decisions. Zyvetskistaahn's final question came from Deropia regarding their opinion on maximum/minimum sentencing. Zyvetskistaahn responded that they are not in favor of minimum sentencing as to them "...the harm caused by arbitrary mercy is, broadly, lesser than the harm caused by arbitrarily lengthy punishment..." Zyvetskistaahn was however in favor of maximum sentencing, as it prevents the court from setting unreasonable punishments. Zyvetskistaahn's full campaign can be found here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9123203/1/#new).
Scorch
Justice Scorch also stood for re-election to his second term. Scorch admitted that most of the tasks of the court fall to the Chief justice, but he points out that he was still involved in discussions ranging from rule changes, to the creation of templates. As further evidence for his ability, Scorch cited his government career stretching back to 2016. Scorch also faced the same two questions from Siwale and Deropia. In regards to setting theoretical goals for the court, Scorch was in support of the clause stating the court should strive for seven-day decisions. Scorch believed that having a baseline is helpful for the court, and there is past precedent for the court ruling within that amount of time. In regards to question of maximum/minimum sentencing, Scorch was in favor of both, viewing them both as useful tools for the court. Scorch's full campaign can be found here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9123616/1/#new).
Lord Lore
Lord Lore entered the election with a strong a resume. Citing a career in NS spanning over three years, as well as a long list of positions he has held, ranging from Minister of Justice in the region of Nevthronia, to Minister of Culture in the North Pacific. Lore also discussed his extensive work in the role play community. Lore stated that over the years he has written and analysed negotiations and laws while engaging in RP, and that this has given him an interesting perspectives on the interpretations of future laws. Lore also faced a different question from Siwale. Siwale asked Lore why he was running for public office after a two-year gap, to which Lore responded that he had been acting as a civil servant, but had a further "public service itch." Lore faced the same question from Deropia as the other candidates. Lore was not in favor of minimum/maximum sentencing, as he felt such rules hamper the court. He was however open to further dialogue on the matter. Lord Lore's full campaign can be found here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9123997/1/#new).
BMWSurfer
BMWSurfer was a fresh face in the election, running for his first ever public office. Despite only having a year in NS, BMW is able to cite an admirable career in the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, where he has reviewed countless proposals of varying severity in the GA and SC. BMW's primary goal for the term was to uphold the integrity of the courts. Siwale's question to BMW was simply what made him wish to run for Justice. BMW responded that he wished to further serve the region ,and he felt the courts were the place for him to do that. When asked about minimum/maximum sentencing he responded that he in favor of maximum sentences as a means of maintaining fairness, but had no strong opinion on minimum sentencing. BMWSurfer's full campaign can be found here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9123584/1/#new).
Clean Land
Clean Land ran a simple campaign stating that he would have the time needed to rule on court matters quickly. Additionally stating that he would also have time to re-read other relevant court rulings before coming to conclusions. He continued his theme of court timeliness by saying he would also have no issue pointing out when other Justices are not meeting reasonable time standards. When asked about the issue of minimum/maximum sentencing, Clean Land felt that the rules regarding the two should be more defined as the current vagueness of the court leaves room for abuse. Clean Land also stated that he would have no personal goals as a Justice in order to remain fully unbiased. Clean Land's full campaign can be found here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9124184/1/#new).
The election for Justice concluded on the 11th March with the election of Zyvetskistaahn, Scorch, and Lord Lore with 47, 45 and 33 votes respectively.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6) RA Relieved After Tumbleweeds Disappear
by BMWSurfer, Deputy Minister
edited by Siwale, Vice Delegate
The Regional Assembly came back from an impressive silence this month with the introduction of two new bills, the reemergence of one bill, and the introduction of three Security Council applications:[list=1]- Citizenship Oath Amendment (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9127181/)
Status: Passed
This amendment slightly alters the citizenship oath to remove the current roleplay aspect. Individuals will no longer be required to take the citizenship oath as the leader of their nation. This bill was passed on March 31st by the Regional Assembly with 19 Ayes, 9 Nays, and 1 Abstain.
- Vacancy Bill (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9126486/)
Status: Under Discussion
The Vacancy Bill tweaks the definition of a government office vacancy. If passed, all government officials will vacate their office if they fail to log into the forum within two weeks, regardless of whether or not prior notice was given.
- Reforming the Penal Code (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9076818/)
Status: Under Discussion
The discussion for this bill is centered around changes to the penal code for clarity, in addition to adding sentence guidelines. Several drafts were created and discussed.
- Sil Dorsett's Security Council Application (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9128992/)
Status: Passed
Sil Dorsett (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=sil_dorsett) was nominated for a seat on the Security Council by a unanimous vote among the current members of the Council. Besides exceeding the influence and endorsement required to serve on Council, Sil has been an active member of The North Pacific community for about a year and a half. He has served in a number of capacities such as Minister and Deputy Minister of World Assembly Affairs, Roleplay Moderator, and Temporary Hearing Officer. The motion to admit Sil Dorsett was passed on March 30th by the Regional Assembly with 30 Ayes, 2 Nays, and 4 Abstains.
- Lord Lore's Security Council Application (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9135422/)
Status: Under Discussion
Lord Lore (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=frances_francis_the_first_of_france) was also nominated for a seat on the Security Council by a unanimous vote among the current members of the Council. He has been involved in The North Pacific community for over 3 years and has held a number of positions such as Associate Justice, Roleplay Moderator, Minister and Deputy Minister of Culture, and Minister of Entertainment.
- Gladio's Security Council Application (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9138554/1/)
Status: Under Discussion
Gladio (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=gladio_ii), the current Delegate and former Minister of Defense, is the third applicant this month to be nominated for a seat on the Security Council. The current members of the Council just recently concluded their vote which resulted in unanimous approval for this applicant.
As we head in April, we hope to see this level of Regional Assembly activity continue. Especially as we gear up for the General Elections in May.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090382%2Ftnl_wa2.png&hash=5029f8a3b75d5edb99fa84e865ee5927) World Assembly Affairs Digest March 2018
by Deropia, Minister of World Assembly Affairs
Minister: Deropia
Deputy Minister: Kranostav
Deputy Minister: Veniyerris
Deputy Minister: Stoskavanya
From the Minister's desk:
With the end of March comes a new edition of The Northern Lights and with it, another World Assembly Digest. The Ministry has had quite the month, with the launch of the new sponsorship program, we saw the successful passage of our first sponsored resolution! Congratulations are due to Stoskavanya on the passage of their first WA resolution as well as for their appointment as our third Deputy Minister of World Assembly Affairs! We also saw a rise in Security Council proposals this month, which has kept our staffers busy with resolution analysis.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
[title]General Assembly
[/title]
Improving the world, one resolution at a time.
Proposal: Protection of Biomedical Research (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=425/council=1)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 9 Against: 3 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 592 Against: 39 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.48%
Final Vote (World): For: 15,039 Against: 4,595
Recommendation: Protection of Biomedical Research seeks to reinstate rules previously repealed in the GA. The proposal has been modified to reflect concerns put forth by WA members.
The relatively mild proposal seeks to ensure a standard of ethics and scientific rigor in biomedical experiments within the World Assembly. It ensures that member states engage only in research where the well-being and ethical treatment of the subjects are prioritized, but in a manner which makes additional testing on both human and lab animal tests possible. More importantly, the proposal preempts future attempts to block biomedical research in the name of religious or moral objections, ensuring that WA members can engage in research in the best interests of their populations.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended voting for the resolution.
Proposal: Protecting Minority Languages (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=426/council=1)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 11 Against: 1 Abstain: 0
Final Vote (TNP): For: 548 Against: 89 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.41%
Final Vote (World): For: 16,679 Against: 3,619
In examining Protecting Minority Languages the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs has found that this proposal contains a common sense set of mandates to help protect the existence of minority languages, without infringing on a nations right to have its own official language, and a committee that helps protect this. For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a vote for this proposal.
Proposal: Protecting Freshwater from Manufacturing Bill
Status: Defeated
Delegates Vote: Against
Forum Vote: For: 1 Against: 9 Abstain: 2
Final Vote (TNP): For: 461 Against: 154 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.48%
Final Vote (World): For: 8,314 Against: 11,215
Recommendation: This proposal attempts to address concerns that freshwater that is safe for drinking is becoming increasingly scarce. However, this proposal appears to be poorly written, with overly complicated definitions and vague language. Additionally, the proposal forgets the variety of WA member states, and uses fixed measures of time, both of which make the proposal more difficult to follow for member states. This ministry believes that the proposal has great potential, and that if the issues outlined here were addressed, there would be more support for it.
It is for these reasons that the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a vote Against the proposal.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
[title]Security Council
[/title]
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Proposal: Liberate Nazi Europia (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=246/council=2)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Forum Vote: For: 1 Against: 7 Abstain: 1
Final Vote (TNP): For: 506 Against: 91 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.34%
Final Vote (World): For: 15,329 Against: 3,546
Recommendation: Like the previous liberation that was before the Security Council, this proposal targets a Nazi region in an attempt to make it vulnerable to refounding should the current founder cease to exist or be deleted by NationStates moderators. The Ministry would note however, that the proposal is poorly written and lacks the quality usually expected of World Assembly resolutions. That being said, the statement made by this proposal is clear and provides the community with a way to strike back against those who hold such hateful and bigoted ideologies.
For these reasons, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
Proposal: Liberate The East Pacific (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=247/council=2)
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: Against
Forum Vote: For: 4 Against: 12 Abstain: 1
Final Vote (TNP): For: 369 Against: 241 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.02%
Final Vote (World): For: 14,347 Against: 4,182
Recommendation: Liberate The East Pacific, though well written, would have been better submitted as a condemnation. Liberations remove delegate imposed passwords from a region, however, since The East Pacific is a Game Created Region, a password cannot be imposed, thus making this liberation essentially pointless.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the resolution.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) The Spotlight #11: Interview with MoWAA Deropia
by Kaschovia and Deropia, Communications and World Assembly Affairs
Kasch: Welcome to the 11th edition of the Spotlight, Deropia! It's good to have you!
Deropia: Thank you, Kasch! It's great to be here.
Kasch: To start off as we usually do here at the Spotlight, please, in as much detail as you think is necessary, tell us, who are you?
Deropia: Who am I? Well, let's see. I started playing NationStates about 4 years ago. I'm pretty sure I spawned in The North Pacific, but like many newbies, I tried to strike it out into the UCRs very early on. I've spent the better part of my time on NS as the last and longest serving Delegate of a small UCR by the name of Arcanum before it disbanded and spent some time lurking around the GA forum. When Arcanum ceased to exist, I moved back to The North Pacific because the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs had caught my attention and I was interested in joining. So, In September of last year, I moved my main nation back to where it had originated and joined WA Affairs under Sil Dorsett. I think I spent about 2 months working under Sil, Tlomz, and Fawkes before Sil offered me the position of Deputy Minister of WA Affairs, being appointed to the position in late November to early December. It was around this time that I took my first crack at running for elected office in TNP in the Attorney General Special Election. Though I didn't win, I can honestly say it was an exhilarating experience, taking questions from potential voters and watching the votes come in over the course of the 5 day voting period. I was fortunate enough to be appointed one of Goyanes' Deputy Attorneys General and have served in that capacity since then. Recently I was appointed Minister of World Assembly Affairs in Gladio's cabinet, trying to run the Ministry to the standard set by my predecessors, while trying to make the position my own.
Kasch: And how are you liking being Minister of World Assembly Affairs this term so far? Is it easy, hard, or somewhere in between?
Deropia: I'm actually really enjoying myself so far this term! I'm working with a great staff who really gets along with one another, so even during our downtime we're able to have a good time. As for how hard it is? The truth is, I've been fortunate enough to have chosen a pair of excellent, hardworking Deputy Ministers in Tlomz and BMWSurfer, they've made things a whole lot easier than I imagine things would be if I didn't have them.
Kasch: What have you brought to the table as Minister of World Assembly Affairs that others in your position have not?
Deropia: Well, I've only served under one previous Minister of World Assembly Affairs, so I don't have a lot to compare myself to. I'd have to say it's that I view World Assembly Affairs not only as about issuing recommendations, but the development and assistance of TNPs potential authors. Be it through assisting with drafting, or helping their proposals reach quorum and pass.
Kasch: Of course. It's good to know you don't take a narrow view of the work the ministry does or should be doing. How well is the term going for your ministry so far? Has anyone stood out particularly that has been doing a lot of great work?
Deropia: In terms of World Assembly activity, I'd have to say we're doing fairly well, I've been pleased that we've been able to get our Information for Voters telegrams out, usually within minutes of a proposal reaching the voting floor. I'm also optimistic about the success of our new proposal sponsorship program, which received two applicants within days of being announced. As for my staff? I've been impressed with Stoskavanya's dedication to the ministry, they've been one of my most active staff members this term. Of course, I can't give my Deputies enough credit either, their skilful IFV authorship and hard work have ensured we've been able to keep our telegram launches on time.
Kasch: The ministry does seem to be doing a lot of very good work! But what do you believe the ministry could do better?
Deropia: I'd honestly like to see more of the staff active, not only in the ministry chat, but also on the General Assembly and Security Council forums. One of my goals for this term was increasing the level of activity we had gameside and having more of an impact on proposals before they reach the queue for approvals.
Kasch: Why do you believe there are issues with overall staff activity? What do you think the cause of this inactivity is?
Deropia: Well, I've been looking over the roster quite a bit recently and I've noticed that despite having 18 staff members, only about 5 or so are active beyond posting a vote on the forums, which is the right of every resident with World Assembly membership and not a duty of the World Assembly Affairs Executive Staff. I suppose that the length of time between proposals going to vote might have an effect on activity.
Kasch: Interesting. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about being Minister of World Assembly Affairs?
Deropia: I'd have to say my favorite thing about being Minister of World Assembly Affairs is the communicating with new WA members in the North Pacific that telegram me with questions ranging anywhere from how to join the ministry and the NPA, to proposal writing tips. As for my least favorite? I really can't say I dislike any part of the job, really.
Kasch: What have you learned during your experience as Minister of World Assembly Affairs so far?
Deropia: Great question! I've learned quite a bit in my time as a Minister, too much to list it all here. But I will say my most important lesson is that sometimes it's better to be late on delivering an IFV and ensure that it accurately reflects the opinion of the ministry as opposed to rushing to get the IFV delivered and later realizing that a mistake was made. I've also learned how to run an effective WA campaign, and the importance of selectively targeting delegates during the voting phase instead of the general delegate campaign that would be used during the approval phase.
Kasch: Let's move onto some questions not related to your work as MoWAA. In NationStates, who is your role model? Who is your NS idol?
Deropia: My role model? I'd have to say that my role models are Pallaith and Sil Dorsett, I've learned so much from both of them since coming to TNP, I can't thank them enough for the guidance they've given me. As for my idol? I'd have to sat it would be the prolific General Assembly authors Seperatist Peoples and Imperium Anglorium, it really is awe inspiring how many proposals they have been able to pass. I mean, it's hard enough to get one on the books, let the 17 (I think) that IA has been able to pass.
Kasch: If you were Delegate, what would your dream cabinet be?
Deropia: My dream cabinet? Let's see...for WA Affairs I'd have to go with Pallaith or Sil Dorsett, for Foreign Affairs would be Lord Ravenclaw, Home Affairs would be Brendog, McMasterdonia for Culture, Defense would have to be Gladio or Malphe and Communications would have to be Kasch.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b) NPA Bulletin for March 2018
by Malphe, Minister of Defence
Minister of Defense: Malphe
Deputy Minister(s) of Defense: Lozinak, Zazumo
[/b]
(https://i.imgur.com/GDY7Owr.png)
The NPA is in the hands of a small rodent. Rest easy and peacefully.
The NPA began March quiet and sleepy, being still deployed in The Backbone of Fascism. People's rifles were used as cricket bats or clubs, depending on whether they picked beer or whiskey as their beverage of choice. After nine days of disappointment in the cold, snowy weather the order came through to return to HC Metalurg; those that didn't leave immediately were booted out unceremoniously by EPSA Officers, tired of their regular Flemingovian Mass keeping them awake at night. That and the constant loud bickering in the officer's lounge concerning highly sensitive subjects that nobody is treating as highly sensitive subjects.
No time was wasted, once the last of the Auxillary had arrived at the NPA's HQ, in getting the slowly sobering soldiers moving again. On the tenth a joint operation with the SPSF (South Pacific Special Forces) was conducted, the organization of which resembled a Raccoon and a Rat arguing about spreadsheets (mainly because it was a Raccoon and a Rat arguing about spreadsheets). In this operation there were three teams, the first of which was lead by NPA MoD Malphe and two others lead by SPSF soldiers; it was noted that the SPSF was detagging more targets than the NPA by far, hence Malphe began to adopt SPSF techniques in his own detagging operations at home. So far he's detagging about half as many per update, which he has decided is fantastic progress that he will not build upon because he can't be bothered detagging 30 targets in one sitting. Nosir.
On the next day Deropia- then NPA Sergeant- took his officer test and succeeded with flying colours. Quite literally flying colours in fact, Malphe had painted the tank shells rainbow because he thought it looked funny. Deropia, as per tradition (It was really twelve years old), was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant because if the NPA Officers don't outnumber the NPA Soldiers, you're doing it wrong.
A little after that, on the thirteenth, an anti-fascist operation with the United Kingdom was undertaken; UK and TNP soldiers stormed the fascist region of Silverkeep in a heroic charge in which the UK point began smashing furniture in an enraged rage. The victorious soldiers then left before the founder realized that his favourite chair was in pieces, with hammer and sickles crudely carved onto the legs so we could collect extra salt after the operation ended.
On the sixteenth and seventeenth the NPA, now a little tired and sipping unreasonably expensive imported SPIT at their leisure, went about two training operations lead by new and fairly new officers Deropia and BMWSurfer. After these, now even more tired, the NPA was herded by their Rodent overlord into another joint detag operation with the SPSF, the organization of which was largely nonexistent. Nonetheless, the operation went smoothly and Malphe's team hit a few more targets than last time, now with a 100% success rate.
Malphe now, out of the kindness of his own heart and by no means because DST prevented him from attending minor updates, allowed the NPA a break from operations for five days before throwing them back into detagging by the twenty second. Now reinvigorated and contemplating getting drunk again, the NPA seemed entirely peaceful.
As it happened, higher in the ranks a raid on the fascist region The Great Fascist Legion was being planned; to cut a long story short, the entire operation was one big collision. The Red Fleet and the MT Army- both anti-fascist organizations- were pretending to be fascists in the region so they could get enough influence to refound it later on. TNP and Euro&Co saw this fascist region with supposedly 20 native fascist endorsements on the delegate and began planning to raid and hold it. Turns out the other Pacifics were thinking the exact same thing, on the exact same update.
It was noted by Malphe that there was going to be a collision, so still not knowing about the covert anti-fascist operation at work in the region, the two operations between the Pacifics and TNP&Co were merged into a bigger operation. The jump was successful, and only sometime afterwards did a group of burly ushanka wearing men inform the occupying forces that they just crashed an anti-fascist operation with another anti-fascist operation. They all ended up making up and living in peace and harmony, beating fascists over their heads with large sticks. Shortly afterwards Zazumo- longtime NPAer and good morning meister- was appointed as Malphe's second Deputy Minister of Defense.
After several days of rampant rum drinking and vainly waiting for border control powers, the order came through to withdraw from the Great Fascist Legion. The order came as a delight to many soldiers with the notable exception of Malphe, who wasn't much a fan of post OP paperwork. That post OP paperwork, do note, also includes writing this article. I give up. Operation over. We all lived happily ever after. Done. Now I'm getting some ice cream.
11/03/2018 - Deropia promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant.
13/03/2018 - Stoskavanya1 promoted from Private to Private First Class.
17/03/2018 - The South Falls is promoted from Private to Private First Class.
22/03/2018 - Darcania is promoted from Major to Colonel.
27/03/2018 - Zazumo appointed Deputy Minister of Defense.
[table=6,March Operations]Date[c]Update[c]Type[c]Region[c]Success Rate[c]Participating NPA Soldiers[c]10/03/2018[c]Minor[c]Joint Detag[c]Katsuragi
Nations of Reason
Cuisine Region
Grand Italy
Horizon Islands
States of Green Marsh
Confederation of Capitalist Association
Quadrahexions
The League of Powers
The Brostevskian Archipelago
Royalty
The Liberal Democracy of Science fiction[c]92.3%[c]Malphe - Lead
Quietdad
Zazumo
Kasch[c]11/03/2018[c]Minor[c]Detag, Officer Test[c]The New Socialist Union
Warzone Vacation Resort
Eggpire[c]100%[c]Quietdad
Lotion
Dinoium
BluieGamer
Zazumo
Malphe
Deropia - Lead
Tlomz[c]13/03/2018[c]Minor[c]Joint Tag Raid[c]Silverkeep[c]100%[c]Malphe
Quietdad
Zazumo
Darcania
Lotion
Stoskavanya
Tlomz
BluieGamer[c]16/03/2018[c]Major[c]Detag[c]Sefarad
In the name of Rothbard
The Confederation of Welsh Democracies
Fox Coalition
Gonorrhea[c]83%[c]Lozinak
QuietDad
BMWSurfer
Deropia - Lead
Aber638
Stoskavaya
Zazumo
Yalkan
BluieGamer[c]17/03/2018[c]Major[c]Detag[c]N0VUM
Coalition of Empires and Rejected States
Ortovios
The Federal Republics
The CRHS Nation
American Foundation for Meme Preservatio[c]60%[c]BMWSurfer - Lead
Stoskavanya
Quietdad
Zazumo
Tlomz
[c]17/03/2018[c]Minor[c]Joint Detag[c]The Region for All
Eastern Nexus Planes
Galaea
United Planetary Council
The Sanguine
NAPistan
The Germanic Imperial Alliances
Sayck
CPN
Unitarian Union
Free Nations of Mobocracy
Kool Kids
Republic of the Trinity Council
The United Republic of Democrats
The Greater Imperial Realm[c]100%[c]Malphe - Lead
Zazumo
The South Falls
BluieGamer
Aber638
Quietdad
Kasch[c]22/03/2018[c]Minor[c]Detag[c]Just a Region
Sporks
Femisphere
Corskov
Mao Zedong Fanfic
East Asires[c]75%[c]Zazumo - Lead
Kasch
Malphe
Darcania
BluieGamer[c]23/03/2018[c]Minor[c]Detag[c]Alvinia
The Capsules
Monastery of Peace
Bayloria
Meme
THE TECHY UNION
Karaz Ankor
Fox News Lineup
Asta Fan Club
United Federations
Lions of Liberty
The Peaceful Union of Anexoria
New Drudgof
Gothiscandza[c]100%[c]Malphe - Lead
Quietdad
BluieGamer
Zazumo[c]24/03/2018[c]Major[c]Detag[c]The Ezraltonian Region of World Affairs
Central Guam
Union of Soverign Nations
The 10th Crusade
IDIOTS
Memetopia
Imperium of Man
New Leftist Union
Liberty Alliance[c]100%[c]Zazumo - Lead
BluieGamer
Quietdad
Deropia
Stoskavanya[c]24/03/2018 - 31/03/2018[c]Minor[c]Anti-Fascist Joint Hold[c]The Great Fascist Legion[c]100%[c]Malphe
Zazumo
Deropia
Quietdad
The South Falls
Darcania
Almacs
Arstotzka1
Stoskavanya1
Kasch
BluieGamer
aber639
Sergio86
Lotion
Lozinak
BMWSurfer
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: Gladio II :: Executive Editor: Kaschovia
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
[/b][/size]
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I have something special from TNP this time! Our first volume of Eras Magazine! This magazine will be a monthly snapshot of the RP community over in TNP.
Eras Magazine Volume I
(https://i.imgur.com/OpipJem.png)(https://i.imgur.com/KNZ83xQ.png)(https://i.imgur.com/G1AKOWd.png)(https://i.imgur.com/5sAF9cQ.png)
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Thank you for the update, @Peregrinum. I'm not a RPer, but it was interesting to read the thought, creativity, and detail that went into the articles...sounds like you have some talented people there. :)
One thing though, it looks like Madjack's article got cut off abruptly at the end: "To fail at this final hurdle is seen as both disrespectful to the tribe that has put so much work".
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Thank you for the update, @Peregrinum. I'm not a RPer, but it was interesting to read the thought, creativity, and detail that went into the articles...sounds like you have some talented people there. :)
One thing though, it looks like Madjack's article got cut off abruptly at the end: "To fail at this final hurdle is seen as both disrespectful to the tribe that has put so much work".
Thank you for the kind words @Wintermoot! Also thank you for pointing out that issue, we're still ironing out the kinks in formatting :p
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I completely understand! The formatting looks fantastic, and hopefully next article we'll find out what else failing is seen as...kinda like a to be continued. :P
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(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711)[size=200]Regional Assembly Highlights[/size]
[align=right] by Peregrinum, Deputy Minister[/align]
The TNP Regional Assembly saw a flurry of activity this month as many of the debates from March carried on into April, and new debates began.
Lord Lore's Security Council Application
Status: Passed
Lord was nominated unanimously by the Security Council and has been an active member of the nation states for over three years. Lord Lore also holds a laundry list of positions in a just as many regions. He currently serves the North Pacific as lead cartographer for the Eras RP setting, and as a Justice on the Court of the North Pacific. Lord Lore was confirmed by the Regional Assembly on April 27th, 2018 with 29 citizens voting Aye, 1 Nay, and 6 Abstaining from the vote.
Gladio's Security Council Application
Status: Passed
Gladio, the current Delegate of the North Pacific has been a familiar face in the region since 2012, and had served the North Pacific faithfully as Minister of Defense for six full terms before deciding to make his run for Delegate. He was nominated unanimously by the security council, and was confirmed by the Regional Assembly on April 18th, 2018 with 34 citizens voting Aye, 4 Nay, and 7 Abstaining from the vote.
Election Commissioner Confirmations
Status: Closed
On April 10th, 2018 the Delegate nominated Ark, and BMWSurfer to serve as election commissioners. Both nominees currently serve as Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs respectively, and are respected members of the community. The citizens affirmed this by confirming both Ark and BMW. Ark received 29 votes Aye, 0 votes Nay, and 3 Abstentions. BMW received 30 votes Aye, 0 vote Nay, and 2 Abstentions.
R3naissanc3r's SC Application
Status: Passed
R3naissanc3r is an old name in the North Pacific and has served the region in a myriad of ways since joining the community in 2007. Most recently he serves as an administrator and as an adviser to the delegate. While this was not his first time being nominated to the Security Council, he was nominated unanimously by the current members. He was confirmed on April 26th, 2018 with 36 citizens voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, and 4 Abstaining from the vote.
Currently in debate in the Assembly is the proposed "Election Corruption Amendment." Proposed by McMasterdonia on April 17th, 2018. The aim of the amendment is to reduce election corruption by prohibiting the delegate candidates from promising ministerial positions before they are elected to office. This proposal can be here. (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/single/?p=10134940&t=9148509)
With the passing of the majority of the proposals brought before the Regional Assembly in April, it is likely that May will see a decline in activity with the exception of the continuing debate around the Election Corruption Amendment. However all citizens are encouraged to partake in the Assembly, and bring forth any proposal that may make the regions a better place for us all.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6) [size=200]NS: The Gathering[/size]
[align=right] by Malphe, Minister[/align]
Ultra Rares, Epics, Legendaries, oh my!
(https://i.imgur.com/Jz3geqS.png)
I couldn't find a good cards gif, so here's a picture of our lord and savior instead. Can't go wrong with that.
Maxx came down to the nations of his world and shook the earth with his booming voice, "On the first of April, as is my custom, I will bring from the heavens an evil too great for you to muster". The nations and regions of the world discussed what he meant by this, and universally agreed to prepare for the worst. Citizens were herded into huge bunkers and the armies were assembled, weapons of all shapes and sizes pointed to the sky in grim anticipation.
Throughout the deep bunkers the people theorized on what Maxx prophesied; some said it was to be a subtle change in the psychology of humanity to encourage selfishness and evil, so plunging the world into narcissistic anarchy. Others, usually with long beards and smoking substances with questionable legality, declared that it was another world just as scared as their own crashing into the earth. Fear and terror paralyzed the crowds.
Then there was Bob. Bob lived in a small fort built in the corner of the bunker made out of various brands of trading cards from his youth. Bob had not showered for thirty years, kept an untidy beard and was thirty years old. People tried to ignore Bob, against his own efforts to the contrary. Bob was adamant that Maxx was, in fact, trying his hand in the recent lootbox fad with his own trading card game based around the nations of his multiverse. These national cards would be assembled into various ranks of rarity, starting at Common and ending at Legendary. You would be able to junk these cards for credits, and with those credits you could buy other cards put up for sale or you could put said cards up for sale, as well as making an offer for any given card. You would find these cards in random boxes which would fall from the sky at a constant rate, and you would be more likely to in these boxes find the card of a nation inside your region.
Bob has since been burned at the stake for foretelling, a form of witchcraft.
It was intended that this would only last a week, but overwhelming demand from the people dictated that it be kept. Of course, being coded to only last for a week, it would require some revision to last in the long term, so whilst card trading was still stopped at the planned time (https://www.nationstates.net/page=news/2018/04/07/index.html), a few million suggestions were made on the NS forums, maybe a few more, which were to some extent largely listed as future changes to the trading system here (https://www.nationstates.net/page=news/2018/04/19/index.html), including increasing lootbox cooldown time and no ex nation cards. It has been stated by moderation that there is no set deadline or schedule for releasing trading cards again with these new changes implemented, it depends on whether any moderators will find the time and motivation to code in the changes.
I'm guessing the novelty of the game will wear off for the most part for most people, though some will stick around with it and gain a hegemony with near infinite credits and enough cards to create a small planet with. That is, when trading opens again.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) [size=200]The Spotlight #11: Interview with MoC Bootsie[/size]
[align=right] by Kaschovia and Bootsie, Communications and Culture[/align]
[box]Kasch: Hello Bootsie! It is great to have you on the Spotlight Interview Series. I don't know why it's taken over a year for the Northern Lights to interview you, but alas, I look forward to this.
Bootsie: Hello Kasch, good to be here. I'm looking forward to talking, in case it wasn’t obvious, I do enjoy doing that. Pardon me if I ramble.
Kasch: Ramble all you wish, I'm not going to stop you. So, Bootsie, tell us about you. What is your NationStates story?
Bootsie: I started playing NationStates in November 2010. I was introduced to the game by this really weird kid in my computer class who told me about this game where you control a nation. Like any young teenager, the sound of controlling a nation was pretty cool, so I signed up. The first few years in NationStates were not too memorable. I believe that it was actually The South Pacific that I founded in, unfortunately, there's no way to know for sure. From there, I jumped around to a bunch of UCRs, including the most memorable of them, the now-defunct region of Alterra. Like most kids do, I got bored with the game, and CTE'd quite a few times before officially joining the TNP forum in 2013. Honestly, couldn't tell you how I even got to TNP, but well, here I am.
Kasch: Very interesting! So how does TNP play into your experience on NationStates? You've covered your NS origins, but what about your story in TNP?
Bootsie: When I first joined TNP, I quickly joined the Speaker's Office as a Deputy Speaker, and befriended Zyvetskistaahn and Asta (SillyString). I was offered a chance to be the Deputy Minister of Culture and Entertainment under Raven, however, soon after the job, I CTE'd because apparently kids enjoy doing that. Upon returning, I was Deputy Speaker under Lord Nwahs, who vacated the office and left me as the Speaker. My first term as Speaker was interesting to say the least (just ask anyone about the Acceptable Words List) and proved that apparently the teenage me loved power. Unfortunately, due to my bad memory, and the sheer number of positions I've held over the years, this part becomes a bit blurred. I was Deputy Minister a couple of times, pretty sure I went back to the Speaker’s Office sometime during this period, but really where I want to get to is the January 2016 elections. I really wanted to make TNP a better place, but I wasn't sure I was ready to make a jump at the Delegacy. Upon talking to McMasterdonia, he convinced me to run for Vice Delegate. Despite running against flemingovia, I was able to win my way into the seat, and served TNP alongside Raven for two terms. I then ran for the Delegacy, but lost to Plembobria by a thin margin. I served as Minister of a few ministries in Plemby's government, and built up my resume a little more. I was Speaker again after that, became a Security Councillor, and then most recently a Justice. I rejoined the Executive just a month or two ago, and due to Yukkira resigning, we had an opening for Minister of Culture. Culture is one of those Ministries I'd literally take a job in any day, so I volunteered to serve out the rest of the term.
Kasch: That was definitely an interesting read! Who do you think has influenced your path in the North Pacific the most, and was that influence positive, or negative?
Bootsie: I'm gonna cheat, but only because I swear these two are attached at the hip, but Their Majesties, the Kings. Raven knows foreign affairs better than any player in NS that I know, and McM is just a beast when it comes to ideas. It's quite crazy, because these were two players I looked up to when I joined NS, and now I can say they're some of my closest friends in the game.
Kasch: What event alone do you believe has shaped your NS career the most?
Bootsie: Errgh, you're really making me think for these questions. I think my terms as Vice Delegate really shaped the direction of my NS career. Prior to my election, I was just a casual player who loved to just RolePlay and go on operations with the North Pacific Army. That all changed when I was elected Vice Delegate. I was finally able to use my expertise and ideas from over the years to make the region, my region, a better place. Being a leader and representative to my fellow citizens was something I think helped me as a person, and I am definitely hoping to get the opportunity to change TNP by leading again.
Kasch: What's the biggest challenge you've had to face as a NationStates player?
Bootsie: Probably encountering players that I disagree with on a political stance. Because NS is a political simulation game, when you travel outside of TNP's sphere, you can encounter players who are on the opposite end of the spectrum. While I think regions are best served with a representative democracy, some of our fellow GCRs prefer a rather permanent leader. Through my work in foreign affairs, those political differences have been less of an obstacle, but sometimes you just gotta admit you're never going to agree with someone with different political values if they're extremely different.
Kasch: And what would be your message to all new NationStates players who want to follow a similar path to yourself, but don't know where to begin in the game?
Bootsie: Jump right in. TNP is unique to other regions because if we see you're capable of putting in the effort, we give you the benefit of the doubt. The Deputy positions are great for newcomers and if you tell your higher-ups the goal for yourself, we're usually very willing to say "hey, you’re not ready for that yet, but let's work to get you there." You also never know what opportunities will come on your way to your goal. I never thought I'd be Justice or Vice Delegate, but those were two positions that I enjoyed working in, and have helped me as a person. And I'm personally open to giving advice to new players, so if they're reading this, they can use the avenues of communication provided to them to reach out to me.
Kasch: To you, what is the best thing about the North Pacific?
Bootsie: Its activity. That was something I took for granted being in a feeder, but there are always new people joining with fresh new ideas to bring to the table. Does that bring chaos sometimes with it? Oh yeah, absolutely, but if we can keep the activity and have the proper leaders in place, TNP can have productivity in its government that even our fellow feeders may not be able to replicate. Stepping back from a political standpoint, with new people, there are potentially more RolePlayers (yay!) and just awesome people to hang out with. You never know who's gonna join or rejoin the forums next. The next Delegate or nations that were here more than a decade before us!
Kasch: And, to challenge you even further, what is the worst thing about the North Pacific?
Bootsie: It's not a negative thing, per se, but TNP is very rooted in its traditions. A lot of times that means good ideas fall to the wayside because they aren't how TNP used to do it. No one was really a huge fan of changing our citizenship laws or making it so our endorsement cap was higher than any region in NationStates, but both of those things paid off in the long run. I'm not saying we need to throw our decade-long traditions away in favor of radical new ideas, I just wish "tradition" wasn't always the argument to some of our ideas. Regions change, and though we must stick to our roots, in order to lead the world, our region must continuously be making steps forward.
Kasch: Are there any specific steps forward you'd like to see in the North Pacific of today?
Bootsie: Unfortunately, some of my best ideas are also part of my platform for the upcoming election, so I can't share them quite yet. I will say that TNP has a good way to go in Culture and Foreign Affairs.
Kasch: Of course. How are you feeling about the upcoming election?
Bootsie: I'm confident. Obviously the last two elections where I ran for Delegate did not go in my favor, but I have faith in my platform. I'm a strong candidate, and I hope that the contributions of our citizens has helped build the grassroots of the campaign.
Kasch: What is the best piece of advice you've ever recieved from another NS player?
Bootsie: Just to have fun. NationStates is a game, and if you're not having fun, you're missing the point. I've had a ton of fun in NS over the years, and I can't wait to see what other fun awaits.
Kasch: And a final question before we wrap this up, if you do become Delegate, how would you like to be remembered by the generations of TNPers in the future?
Bootsie: I want to be remembered as the Delegate that didn't give up, that fought for the citizens and the region he loved. I want to also be remembered as being there for all of the North Pacific, to bring us together, not tear us apart. I hope that at the end of my term(s) that people look bad at my Delegacy as a huge success and that the only thing preventing me from not being Delegate again will be the two-term limit. This interview was fun, thank you for asking all of these thought-provoking questions, and for having me do this interview to start off with.[/box]
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b) [size=200]NPA Bulletin for April 2018[/size]
[align=right] by Malphe, Minister of Defence[/align]
Minister of Defense: Malphe
Deputy Minister(s) of Defense: Lozinak, Zazumo
[/b]
(https://i.imgur.com/CrdcLHs.gif)
A citizen inspecting the NPA High Command.
Summary
The NPA began the month in relative inactivity, having just withdrawn from The Great Fascist Legion and with Malphe unable to attend operations. From the 1st to the 13th there were only three operations held, all of which detags. Thankfully, this lethargic activity changed rapidly past the 13th; between the 14th minor update and the 19th Major the NPA didn't miss a single update for detagging, done with the contributions of various Officers of the NPA. Officer participation in leading operations has skyrocketed in recent months, and this marathon displays that effectively. Officers in this term- Captains Lozinak and Zazumo namely- have taken it upon themselves to update logs and post reports to TNP's forums; this kind of independence did not exist in the NPA until quite recently.
I've always reckoned that this leap in independence and officer participation in the NPA came about in the previous term, when Gladio was MoD. Gladio was WA locked for much of his term as MoD (he was endotarting in TNP), he still could trigger for operations he was unable to point for them, so he had to enlist other NPAers to do that for him. As people became more proficient in detagging they became interested and more confident in taking the officer test (organize and lead your own operation); this lead to a wave of new officers who largely took up the responsibility of leading training operations. The Minister of Defense's action didn't spark activity in this case, but their inaction.
All in all, the NPA in this term has detagged upwards of 260 regions this term, and counting, breaking the previous record of a little over 200 from last term. This is down to not only heightened detag activity due to officer participation, but also to more average targets in a detag; 8 is the general standard for targets, though not all of said targets are always hit. The most targets generally hit are around the 16 mark in operations I lead and in the odd multiple team operation, and I am confident that we could hit over 30. This is a vast improvement on previous numbers, which averaged around 5 in Gladio's detag operation, though he very rarely missed.
The NPA, though for the most part detagging this month, has also raided and refounded the fascist Greater German Imperial Confederation; I intended to only tag the region, but General Quietdad brought up that we could quite easily destroy it altogether, so we went ahead and refounded it, now with a nifty poem on the WFE.
Operation Spreadsheet for Nerds
| Date | Update | Type | Region | Participating NPA Soldiers |
| 24/03/2018 - 31/-3/2018 | Minor | Joint Anti-Fascist Hold | The Great Fascist Legion | Malphe
Zazumo
Deropia
Quietdad
The South Falls
Darcania
Almacs
Arstotzka1
Stoskavanya1
Kasch
BluieGamer
aber639
Sergio86
Lotion
Lozinak
BMWSurfer |
| 02/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | UNAF
NationStates Tea Party
The Last City
Save Earth
Midgar
Amero
God Glory and Conservatism | Darcania
BluieGamer
Malphe
Zazumo
Bobberino
Kasch
Stoskavanya1 |
| 04/04/2018 | Major | Detag | The Ezraltonian Region of World Affairs
Union of Soverign Nation | Lozinak
Bobberino
BMWSurfer
Zazumo
Stoskavanya1 |
| 05/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | Alvinia
Alternis Mundi
Calantaria
Amerish
trumpogettinchuckothesucco
New Utopia
NAPistan
Whoville
The Confederacy of Kingdoms
Omega Syndicate
The EU
The Utopian Union
The Loosly Associated Peoples
Union of Sovereign States and People | Malphe
Quietdad
Bobberino
Zazumo |
| 14/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | Alvinia
Creative Region Title
Dokusai
The Brotherhood without Banners
The Cooler Earth Kingdom
The Annihilatiors
The Meme Reich
The Slativist Commentariat | Malphe
Zazumo
Ornge
The South Falls |
| 15/04/2018 | Major | Detag | Free Sovereign Nations
Alternis Mundi
Magna Orbis Terrarum
New United Nations of the Gator Empire
Memetopia | BMWSurfer
Bobberino
Zazumo |
| 15/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | The WTP Treatise
The Revolutionary Galactic Empire
Orange Archipelago
| Malphe
Lozinak
Zazumo
QuietDad
The South Falls
Bobberino
Lotion |
| 16/04/2018 | Major | Detag | World Economic Organization
medvnmu
alnueq
fornsigtuna | Lozinak
Zazumo
Quietdad
BMWSurfer
Lotion
Bobberino |
| 16/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | The Ezraltonian Region of World Affairs
Death Watch
The Threequeerateers
Central Europe
Fornsigtuna
NAPistan
Right Wingers of America
Countries that happen to be Neighbours | Zazumo
Malphe
Bobberino
Quietdad |
| 17/04/2018 | Major | Detag | The Puppet Dump XD
Kings Kingdom
Earth Sovereign Colonies
Role Player Coalition
Afroeurasia
Unicornsss land | BMWSurfer
QuietDad
Stoskavanya
Zazumo |
| 17/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | The Region for All
The only one that is not an issue of whe
The Actual Batcave
Cuisine Region
Centuria
Stoopid
Iosian Econosphere
DEATH TO THE WA AND DEMOCRACY
The Alliance of Aeronodia
NeoPosadist Dolphin Gang
Sporks
Just Bored
Look at all these police
The United Nations of Fort Kick Awesome
The Unicorn Brigade
New Reland | Zazumo
Malphe
Bobberino
Queitdad |
| 18/04/2018 | Major | Detag | Imperial Federation
FADN
Krilionian Union | BMWSurfer
QuietDad
Corporal Clegg
Bobberino
BluieGamer
Zazumo |
| 19/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | The Central Empires
Federation of Planets
The Third Order
World Assembley Region | Zazumo
Malphe
Quietdad
Bobberino
aber639 |
| 19/04/2018 | Major | Detag | SUCK MY TERRYFOLDS
Midgar | BMWSurfer
QuietDad
Aber639
Bobberino
BluieGamer
Zazumo |
| 20/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | Alvinia
Alternis Mundi
United Moderate States
Holy Internet Empire
Osnyan Union
Nuditopia
Hetopia | Malphe
Quietdad
Bobberino |
| 21/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | Chan nations
The World After The Flash
The Outskirts
in the puppet over the region
ooferooferson
iFunny Gang | Malphe
Zazumo
The South Falls
Bobberino |
| 22/04/2018 (minor) - 25/04/2018 (major) | Minor (jump update) | Anti-Fascist Refound | Greater German Imperial Confederation | Malphe
Quietdad
Zazumo
Lozinak
BMWSurfer
Dinoium
Deropia
Lotion
Bobberino
BluieGamer
The South Falls
aber639 |
| 25/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | Riders of Rohan
Kings Kingdom
The Bone Zone
The Dewwit Empire
Free Nations of Mobocracy
The Rogue Nation
Ducatalot | Zazumo
Malphe
Quietdad
Bobberino |
| 27/04/2018 | Major | Detag | Islamic Communist Union
Cmswbl
Justin Bieber
Cleyra
Alliance of Autonomous Free Nations | Zazumo
Lotion
Aber639
Bobberino |
| 28/04/2018 | Minor | Detag | Prato de Cuscuz
Guilfordistan
The Starbird Empire
Save Earth
Guilfordistan
NAPistan
Yroodylt
The Ambassadors | Zazumo
Malphe
BluieGamer
Bobberino
The South Falls |
| 29/04/2018 | Major | Officer Test, Detag | United League of World Nations
Hearth of Hestia
| Bobberino
Quietdad
Dinoium
Deropia
aber639
Zazumo |
| 29/04/2018 | Minor | Joint Detag (SPSF) | Deathwatch
His DMs
Gratis
Stalag 13
The Northern Pacific Ocean
Southwestern Alliance Temporary Home
Ullesbergian Outpost
The Antarctic Trade Federation
Golden Dragon
The Land of The Scandinavians
Sovietunionnation
Kingdom of the world powers
The Weastern Legion
Ze Land of Whatever
The Free States of Oxfordshire
New Exodus
Alliance of Northern Somewhere
Newest Terrio
The Confederation of Councils
Diverse Opinions
Epimethea
Comintern Pact
Russia Ussr
Imperium of Man
Sayck
Krupp Steel
Eurofrasia
The First Annals of Dankous Memeous | Malphe
Quietdad
Zazumo
Bobberino
Dinoium |
[size=75]The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: Gladio II :: Executive Editor: Kaschovia
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
[/b][/size]
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[floatleft](https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090384%2Ftnp_header.png&hash=9d6fe903b873579de9577dee87481e75)[/floatleft][size=200]Security Council Vote Recommendation[/size]
[size=125] [/size]Part of the Information for WA Voters (http://wintreath.com/page=dispatch/id=724191) program[size=125] [/size]
[/background-block]
[box][size=150]Resolution at Vote: Repeal "Liberate The Monarchist Entente" (http://wintreath.com/page=sc)[/size]
[size=150]Vote Recommendation: For[/size][/box]
[size=150]Resolution Analysis[/size]
The Monarchist Entente was raided by a group of raider regions, of which are internationally blacklisted for their previous abhorrent behavior, in a pile that exceeded 100 endorsements on the delegate. This raid lasted for a little over a month, and was thwarted by the passing of a WA liberation preventing the raiders from placing a password upon the region. Now the region is under defender control, but that same liberation currently prevents the natives of TME from placing a password on the region to prevent further raids (a notion supported by a former delegate and native of the region). Repealing this liberation and allowing the natives to place a password upon their region is the first step to ensuring the wellbeing of The Monarchist Entente's native community by preventing potential raids in the future.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for this proposal.
[size=150]Join our discussion! (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=444666)[/size]
[background-block=#265780]
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fb2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp3023064%2Ftnp_wa_voting_footer.png&hash=ddcc44cb8bc1825ffa0aa9c5121efac4)
Sponsored by the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/39609/) of The North Pacific.
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(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6)May General Elections
by Malphe, Deputy Minister of Communications and Lead Gameside Advocate
(https://i.imgur.com/66bWG8i.png)
Candidates for Delegate Siwale (left) and Bootsie (right). The North Pacific prides itself on species diversity in government.
Election fever gripped the North Pacific a little earlier than expected this time around- a few weeks before the formal start of the election multiple candidacy announcements threads were made for Vice Delegate and Delegate by many future candidates, including Bootsie and Siwale for delegate. This practice drew some complaints from members of TNP's community, claiming it was subverting the process of democracy through citizens pledging their votes behind candidates before the election began and before they saw their platforms, giving the first people to announce their candidacy an advantage in votes. In light of this, Vice Delegate candidate Darcania archived their early announcement thread.
The candidacy declarations began at the start of May; for delegate six people were running- Vice Delegate Siwale, Minister of Culture Bootsie and Citizens Yuno, Bobberino, The South Falls and Mall.
Siwale - Siwale- the standing Vice Delegate- ran on an extensive campaign (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9153664/1/?x=90#new) with goals set for each sector of government which totaled at approximately 4137 words and 25250 letters. This set out goals and promises for each sector of government, such as that the NPA would hopefully break the barrier of 40 troops deployed in an operation and that the Ministry of Communications would publish 4 TNL issues and four NBS broadcasts in the coming term. Siwale also promised to expand the Gameside Advocate program and increase TNP's presence on the world stage.
Bootsie - Bootsie has a storied history in TNP, and this wasn't the first time they'd run for delegate. They were most recently Minister of Culture under Gladio but also a former Vice Delegate and a standing Security Councillor. Their platform (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9153677/1/?x=90#new) was shorter than Siwale's- 1749 words- focusing on Bootsie's ideals and hopes for the term on each of the Ministries as well as the Security Council. There were fewer concrete promises in Bootie's platform than Siwale's, but Bootsie promised increased activity in the NPA, making the Diplomatic Corps more active and engaged and to reestablish TNP as a world leader in cultural activities and community building.
Bobberino, The South Falls and Yuno - Bobberino, The South Falls and Yuno, the latter of which the delegate of the East Pacific, declared their candidacy for delegacy but didn't post a campaign thread or campaign through other methods to a noticeable extent.
Mall - Mall, as is tradition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRdfX7ut8gw), ran for delegate on the basis of couping the region and calling in raider groups to support his rogue delegacy (excluding Nazis and the Dutch).
For Vice Delegate, Dinoium, Brendog, Darcania and Deropia ran.
Deropia - The standing Minister for World Assembly Affairs and an NPA officer, Deropia ran for Vice Delegate under goals and promises including capitalizing off the summer population boom to get all Security Council endorsements up to over 900, implementing another iteration of TNP for #1 (where TNP pushes for first place in regional WA endorsements) and processing all citizenship applications within 12 hours of their posting.
Brendog - Brendog was the Minister of Home Affairs and former Minister of Communications, having been in TNP since November 2016. They ran under similar goals as Deropia, such as organizing a reiteration of TNP for #1, processing citizenship applications within 8 hours, promoting the endorsement tool on TNP's forums to increase the endorsements in TNP and organizing themed weeks on the RMB.
Dinoium - A newcomer to TNP and NPA soldier, Dinoium ran an enthusiastic campaign for Vice Delegate, promoting himself as "A Humble Nation for the Job!".
Darcania - Darcania- TNP administrator and Speaker at the time- ran for Vice Delegate but dropped out of the race before voting had commenced. Darcania would later take a break from TNP, distancing himself from NS temporarily.
For Speaker, ABC ran and for Attorney General Goyanes ran. There was no competition for either of these positions.
ABC (Speaker) - ABC, otherwise known as TNP's resident duck, ran for speaker on the platform of continuing citizenship checks as they were, public polls on the future of the RA digests and promoting the Regional Assembly through dispatches and references.
Goyanes (Attorney General) - Goyanes had been elected as Attorney General in the previous term, and ran for reelection. No particular platform was posted, but it's logical to think that Goyanes' goals were more of the same, or what was promised in the previous election.
The voting period ended on May 11 2018 and the results came in shortly afterwards; for Delegate, Siwale was elected, with Bootsie taking in a surprising lack of votes compared to Siwale. For Vice Delegate, Deropia was elected. For Speaker and Attorney General, ABC and Goyanes were elected, as you'd probably expect.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6)Tu iudex eris
by Limerick1, Court Justice
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
The importance of participating in the elections for Delegate and Vice Delegate as a candidate and a voter are well known. Most people are well aware of the importance of our various ministers; their responsibilities and the standard to which they must be held. The question that needs to be answered is whether or not the Court's responsibilities are widely known and if the extent of the Court's power is well understood. Perhaps it is anecdotal evidence but consider this, in the recently closed election to fill a vacancy in the court, 66 votes were cast in total, 10 being abstentions. The sobering fact is that in the General Elections, 68 votes were cast for one candidate for the Delegacy alone. The title of this article is "Tu iudex eris" which is “You be the judge” in latin. This title was inspired by the sobering participation in our recent elections. Why latin you may ask. It is simply because it allows me to feel like a legal scholar, so please indulge my self confidence booster.
First we will enumerate the responsibilities of the court. Court officials are called on to be as close to experts as possible regarding the different legal documents enacted by The North Pacific. This would include the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Legal Codes, various procedures, and a host of different treaties negotiated with other regions. Why is this important? Well as anyone who has taken a gander around our legal archives would know, there's a lot to know. Many people simply do not have the time nor the willpower to read, dissect, and understand these documents. They do not have the knowledge to contemplate the context in which they were enacted. It is imperative however that candidates for Justice and Attorney General do put in the time and work to do this as it is vital for them to perform their duties. It is the Court's responsibility to protect the integrity of these documents and to give citizens a platform to challenge government overreach. By interpreting these documents and ruling on ambiguities in the law, it allows weaker legislation to remain flexible. And the legislation doesn't necessarily need to be weak for this to hold true. Legislation cannot account for all happenings and situations different than the ones contemplated when the bill was passed by the Regional Assembly. Once again, it is the Court that allows these pieces of legislation to be flexible and to have their ambiguities addressed. The Court's "Request for Review" function allows citizens to bring forward laws they feel to be unjust or unconstitutional, and to have the Court review the actions of Government officials in an effort to keep the Government accountable for their actions and overreach.
While this overview of the Court's responsibilities is quite brief, I urge the reader to consider further review and contemplation of the Court's responsibilities outlined in our legal documents. I can only hope that by encouraging this kind of research, we as a region will see greater voter participation in our judicial elections. The truth is that we as a region cannot afford to neglect these elections. The Court has major responsibilities and the power to set precedents that could prove influential for years to come. It is not enough to just vote for a candidate for Justice. Citizens must read and understand the candidate's platforms and decide for yourself whether they are qualified for the position should they be elected. Citizens must believe that the officials they choose to understand the gravity of the position and the significance of the laws they are responsible for interpretating and enforcing.
With this article, I call on those who haven't researched the topic already, to read up on our court's responsibilities. And when the time does come to elect our justices, we must remember the power we vest in our choice. And thus make the best choice for us.
I would like to note here at the end of my article that in no way was this article meant to be a commentary on the latest judicial election as this article was planned before the beginning of the election. In order to avoid possible influence on the voters in the election seeing as I was a candidate, I chose to delay the release of this article until the conclusion of the election. I am grateful for the opportunity extended to me but i will always call on our citizens to do their research and to make the best possible choice for them.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711)Regional Assembly Highlights
by ABC, Speaker of the Regional Assembly and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
Activity in the Regional Assembly remained stable throughout May and hosted a few proposals that were brought to vote and many more that were discussed.
Election Commissioner Confirmations
Status: All Admitted
On May 21st, Delegate Siwale re-appointed themselves and Crushing Our Enemies to the Election Commission, after which debate on their admission began. Great debate ensued, dividing people on whether or not Siwale should be allowed to serve because of their status as Delegate. Deropia motioned for a vote which was seconded by Artemis and voting began on May 25th. Voting ended on the 28th and both were admitted. Crushing Our Enemies received 24 votes in favor of their appointment, none against, and 2 abstaining
Siwale received 22 voting in favor of them, 4 against, and 1 abstaining.
Vacancy Bill
Status: Passed
Back on March 9th, Darcania brought a proposal in front of the RA to remove the exemption of holders of government office from not logging in for two weeks during a leave of absence. Darcania motioned for a vote on April 4th, after which voting was supposed to begin on April 12th, but it never did. A month later, a second motion to vote, happened soon after which a vote did begin. Voting on the bill began on the 17th and was passed on the 21st with 30 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, and 1 abstaining.
A Motion to Establish a New Line of Succession
Status: Passed
In Late April, Vice Delegate Siwale, proposed to the Regional Assembly a new Order of Succession. After a motion to vote was brought by Wonderess and seconded by Isimud, voting began on May 2nd. The motion was passed with 25 voting Aye, 3 voting Nay, and 12 abstaining.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090382%2Ftnl_wa2.png&hash=5029f8a3b75d5edb99fa84e865ee5927)World Assembly Affairs Digest May 2018
By Bobberino, TNP Citizen and NPA officer
Minister: Pallaith
Deputy Minister: Kranostav, Stoskavanya
From the Minister's Desk:
I'm happy to be back in the place where it all began for me. The ministry has changed a lot since I was last here and I want to build on all the work this team has put into making MoWA a well-oiled machine. We'll have a bigger focus this term on drafting and improving resolutions ahead of time so we're proactive as well as reactive. I look forward to the crazy summer season in the WA!
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Resolution at Vote: Agricultural Invasive Species Act
IFV Recommendation: The Agricultural Invasive Species Act is a well-meaning, however inherently flawed proposal. This proposal seeks to prevent the harm caused by the accidental introduction of non-native species into the environment.
However, the Ministry would note that the proposal makes no provision for goods that are contaminated in transit, mandating that fines be imposed even though were previously uncontaminated. Furthering this concern is the fact that the resolution makes no indication of who should be fined.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the resolution.
Resolution at Vote: Freedom of Religion
IFV Recommendation: The current proposal is an earnest attempt at securing religious rights and freedoms for citizens of WA member nations who may otherwise be forced to worship or not worship specific deities. The proposal allows member nations freedom over the specific criminalization of acts that may threaten the safety, health, or good order when brought upon by religion or persecution thereof. It is important to mention that this proposal protects the rights of citizens to legally practice religion in groups and fear no repercussions as well as the right of citizens to refuse specific religious practices that may have formerly been prescribed by the member nation. Should future application of this resolution be abused, the ministry will seek a repeal and replacement for the abused piece of legislation.
In accordance with the aforementioned reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Resolution at Vote: Pride And Prejudice
IFV Recommendation: My Dear Bears Armed Mission,
Allow me to extend my sincere gratitude for your proposal, it was received with open mind and heart. Your affections are appreciated and I will cherish always the manner in which you expressed yourself. Truly, sir, you are a gentleman. With these sincere and positive thoughts having been acknowledged, I must now acknowledge other universal truths. I have no desire to besmirch your honor, good sir, but previous suitors have declared their intentions with more spirited prose and more binding expressions of desire for my security, growth, and well-being. While fanciful, your proposal does not seem to reflect any genuine passion to bring deeper meaning into my life and has failed to touch my heart.
For these reasons, I must respectfully beseech the gentlemen and women of The North Pacific to vote Against your proposal.
[align=center](https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)[/align]
[align=center]Security Council[/align]
Resolution at Vote: Condemn The Communist Bloc
IFV Recommendation: The proposed condemnation of The Communist Bloc is a poorly written and fairly biased attempt at ideological revenge. The proposal does not substantiate its various presented arguments but rather presents statements with what can reasonably be assessed as a confirmation bias. While we do not condone any malicious or anti-democratic acts by any region within the greater NS community, the content of this condemnation does not stand on its own to justify its passing.
Due to the reasons stated above, the Ministry of WA Affairs recommends a vote Against this condemnation.
Resolution at Vote: Liberate The Conservative Christians
IFV Recommendation: Upon recent events, the natives have brokered peace with the invading faction and have begun the rebuilding process of the region. As quoted from the regional world factbook entry, "This region is in the process of rebuilding and as such is implementing password protection. If you wish to join or are a previous member, send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible." The current leader of the region may institute a password to temporarily prevent raids until more natives return to provide better security for the region. Due to these happenings, the current liberation at vote is now no longer needed.
Not wanting to hinder the rebuilding process of the region and for reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this liberation.
Resolution at Vote: Condemn The Communist Bloc
IFV Recommendation: The proposed condemnation of The Communist Bloc is a poorly written and fairly biased attempt at ideological revenge. The proposal does not substantiate its various presented arguments but rather presents statements with what can reasonably be assessed as a confirmation bias. While we do not condone any malicious or anti-democratic acts by any region within the greater NS community, the content of this condemnation does not stand on its own to justify its passing.
Due to the reasons stated above, the Ministry of WA Affairs recommends a vote Against this condemnation.
Resolution at Vote: Commend Knootoss
IFV Recommendation: The current Security Council resolution-at-vote seeks to commend Knootoss for their numerous accomplishments in the General Assembly, furthering democracy and human rights the world over. Their contributions to international law include the "Read the Resolution Act", a resolution that requires that every WA member state have an office staffed by a literate, sapient individual to review proposals before voting on the proposal and "Right to Petition" which enshrined the right to petition governments without fear or reprisal into international law.
The Ministry, having reviewed the resolutions authored by the delegation from Knootoss believes them worthy of commendation by the Security Council.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b)
NPA Bulletin for May 2018
by Lozinak, NPA Officer and Deputy Minister of Communications
Minister of Defense: Zazumo
Deputy Minister(s) of Defense: Bluiegamer & BMWSurfer
May marked the first month of a new term for both TNP and the NPA. As the election results were announced, former Minister Malphe handed over Command of the North Pacific Army to Captain Zazumo. Now Minister Zazumo came into the office with the goals of maintaining the incredible level of activity seen from the Special Forces last term, and increasing the activity of the Auxiliary Force. Zazumo's opening address can be found here. (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9157313/1/#new) Following the precedent set by Malphe, Zazumo also appointed two deputies. The deputies aid the minister in both administrative tasks, and in leading and organizing operations. With the formalities wrapped up, the NPA jumped back into it performing detags throughout the entire month. Late in the month, TNP ally Stargate was raided in a bizarre turn of events that led to the raider being brought low by the Voice of Mod. The NPA moved into the region following this and assisted in the re-establishment of Stargate's elected delegate.
Promotions:
28/05/2018-Benolia & Legend were promoted to the rank of Private First Class.(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fb2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp3009816%2Fprivate_first_class.png&hash=7fd8403964dc96e890e9e6a27c9d520a)
29/05/2018-Peregrinum(Loz) was promoted to the rank of Major.(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fb2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp3009814%2Fmajor.png&hash=abcfabb6408f798688fd41fd56cf6793)
[align=center]Publisher: Siwale :: Executive Editor: Brendog
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/align]
Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
-
(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6)[big][big][big][big] May Special Justice Election[/big][/big][/big][/big]
by Malphe, Deputy Minister of Communications and Lead Gameside Advocate
(https://i.imgur.com/F7xx6qZ.png)
Judge Zyvetskistaahn, before promptly losing citizenship and being dragged out of the courtroom by the bureaucracy police, who would then proceed to panic that there weren't enough judges in the courtroom anymore.
Panic gripped the nation as esteemed Justice Zyvetskistaahn lost their citizenship due to not posting on the forums in the last 30 days, leaving the court incomplete and calling for a special justice election to bring the court back into full standard. As such, the election commissioners were whipped into action and an official announcement was posted! Now the opportunists of the North Pacific would show themselves in a race for a single justice position, qualifying this special election as a candidate for the most underwhelming elections to date competition.
Candidates
[/b]
Four opportunists stepped forward. The first of which is Blue Wolf II (otherwise known as [any other nation containing the word wolf, and maybe kitty]), an individual so gracious and commended that he saw no need to make a campaign thread. Second of all was Romanoffia, who ran into the election declarations on his morning jog before climbing back into his coffin, and elected to throw his hat into the ring. When writing down his campaign post, windows crashed so it was elected that one line would do the trick. (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9163841/1/?x=90#new)
Third was Dinoium, whose name I have only recently learnt to consistently spell correctly. Opting for their signature tactic of incredibly large images and unbridled enthusiasm, Dinoium also elected to post their campaign thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9165086/1/?x=90#new) halfway through the voting period, in a shrewd move I assume I'm just too primitive to comprehend. Last of the four was Limerick1, whose campaign thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9162280/1/?x=90#new) received the most replies, which has to be a good sign.
Voting
[/b]
Voting showed a clear bias to Limerick1, at a notable 32 votes (just under half of total votes cast) compared to runner-up Romanoffia's 13 votes. Blue Wolf II still recieved 5 votes, as being commended is a platform unto itself, whereas Dinoium received 6 as though they had a platform they didn't have the benefit of being commended, a great burden to bear in elections. Limerick1 was elected to the office of Court Justice despite not having a commendation, truly a testament to their courage and vitality.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)[size=14] Mid-term Review[/size]
by BMWSurfer, Minister of Home Affairs
This term has been filled with exciting changes, fun events, funny quotes, and a lot of work. Here is a report from each ministry:
Home Affairs: The Ministry of Home Affairs has been hard at work informing nations of the opportunities available to them in TNP and providing the necessary assistance to new nations still learning the ropes. They have reached out to over 8,000 nations through manual telegram efforts and over 100 new members of our regional forum through the newly revived forum mentoring program. Additionally, the ministry has restarted the Press Release (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=865229) program in an effort to provide nations with frequent updates from the executive government. With the revival of these neglected programs and maintenance of the existing ministry functions, it is easier than ever to get information and help from the government.
Gameside Advocates: Home Affairs has also undergone an expansion of its Gameside Advocate (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=485394) program. The eight newly appointed gameside advocates have been working to help keep The North Pacific's Regional Message Board (RMB) a safe and welcoming environment through enforcing rules and providing assistance to players seeking help. The Gameside Advocates have just completed their first season of The North Pacific RMB Trivia (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1050602) which engaged the RMB in a friendly competition regaring TNP history. Additionally, they have run a regional survey (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9168596/) to gather nation feedback on various government programs in an effort to enhance these program. We look forward to continued success of this program in the latter half of the term.
Foreign Affairs: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under minister Plembobria, has been working to maintain activity in all of our embassies regions. In addition, the minister has been working to formalize existing relationship as well as develop new alliances. One of the largest accomplishments this term is the non-aggression pact between The Rejected Realms and The North Pacific (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9171583/3/), which just recently passed in our Regional Assembly as well as The Rejected Realms's Assembly. This proposed treaty has been met with a plethora of positive feedback from both communities and will hopefully open the door to further collaborations between our regions as we work to strengthen this relationship.
Defense: Under General Zazumo, the Ministry of Defense has maintained considerable activity but little diversity in operations, almost all operations conducted being detags with the exclusion of a raid and hold on Warzone Africa. Despite this, the North Pacific Army (NPA) has displayed attentiveness to important operations with other regions, including aiding Wabbitslayah's delegacy transition in the Rejected Realms and aiding Stargate in the event of a petty raid on the region with several NPA puppets. Furthermore, with the passing of the WFE/Flag Removal Change allowing Defense to conduct tag operations, diversity in operations may increase in the future. The raid on Warzone Africa displayed that the NPA's pile numbers currently hover around a reasonable 16 nations.
Culture: Culture, under Minister McMasterdonia, has functioned incredibly admirably so far in this term. The ministry's greatest success this term involved organizing and executing the The North Pacific-Greater Dienstad Roleplay and Cultural Exchange (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/5002335/) - a Roleplay-centered interregional event which was met with a tremendous amount of participation from both The North Pacific and Greater Dienstad communities. The ministry has also published multiple issues of the Eras Magazine (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1032221) to highlight our regional forum RP community and all of their acomplishments. Additionally, McMasterdonia's aptitude for ideas has given rise to "Theme Thursdays", where every Thursday a new theme is chosen on TNP's Discord server, including Progressive Theme Thursday and Aussie Theme Thursday. These have been met with great involvement from TNP's community in the events. Besides the traditional ministry functions, The North Pacific University (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/3038622/) is also continuing to development this term under the newly appointed chancellor with a number of new lectures and other educational pieces.
World Assembly Affairs: The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, under minister Pallaith, has maintained their committed to providing to nations in TNP with some insight into proposals currently at vote. The ministry has drafted a number of recommendations (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=724191) for the various proposals that the General Assembly and Security Council have recently voted on. The ministry has additionally fostered many in-depth discussions and debates on various in-queue proposals and forum drafts both among our regional community and our allies in the World Assembly Legislative League. We look forward to many more quality recommendations from the Ministry in the second half of the term.
Communications: Communications, under experienced Minister Brendog, has done an astonishing job this term. the ministry has been successful at fostering new ideas for articles, in addition to helping new writers bring their ideas to life. Two issues of The Northern Lights (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113) (TNL) have already been published and more are in the works for this term. In addition to TNL, the ministry is also working to keep our radio station, the Northern Broadcasting Service (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=992544), alive. The station has had one broadcast so far this term and we hope to see more activity from this area of the ministry in the near future.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711)[big][big][big][big] Regional Assembly Highlights[/big][/big][/big][/big]
By Brendog, Minister of Communications
Passed
[list=1]- Election Commissioner Confirmations
Eluvatur, Artemis and I were confirmed by the Regional Assembly to serve our region’s Electoral Commision. Eluvatur and I received 17 ayes and 6 abstains whilst Artemis received 18 ayes and 5 abstains.
- Bootsie's Security Council Application
Bootsie was admitted to the security council by a vote of 24 ayes, 1 nay and 7 abstains.
- Election Commissioner Confirmations ( again)
Due to Eluvatar's nation CTE's, he was no longer an election commissioner. As a replacement Malphe was elected as the replacement. Malphe was confirmed by a vote of 22 ayes, 0 nays and 4 abstains.
- NPA Doctrine Change
Longly discussed in the Army, the army now has the option to do tag-raiding. The bill was discussed and changed multiple time to provide the means of natives to restore the region. It passed with 53 ayes, 7 nays and 11 abstains.
- The Unicorn Star Accord
The Unicorn Star Accord, being discussed for a very long time is a treaty with The Rejected Realms. It received 42 ayes, 4 nays and 4 abstains
- Vice Delegate Recall Motion
Finally, due to the inactivity of our Vice delegate, the regional assembly has decided to remove Dereopia from the position, triggering a special election for the Vice Delegacy. This received 33 ayes, 11 nays and 11 abstains.
In discussion
[list=1]- Constitutional Amendment to Relocate Forums
We are planning to move to xenforo, and thus a constitutional amendment is needed to change the website our forums will be moved to.
Activity in the Regional Assembly remained stable throughout June and many proposals discussed in May were passed. Hopefully, we don't slow down in terms of proposals.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090382%2Ftnl_wa2.png&hash=5029f8a3b75d5edb99fa84e865ee5927) [big][big][big][big] World Assembly Affairs Digest[/big][/big][/big][/big]
By Brendog, Minister of Communications
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
[title]General Assembly[/title]
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Proposal: Preventing Desertification
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: Against
Total Votes (World): For: 11 231 Against: 6 921
Total Votes (TNP): For: 228 Against: 357 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.9%
Recommendation: Preventing Desertification is an attempt to address the damaging consequences of desertification with a call to action on member states to confront the phenomenon within their nation and a grant of authority to the WA Environmental Council to oversee such efforts. We find the measures urged by this proposal both weak and non compulsory, and the duties granted to the WAEC insufficient to address the magnitude of the issue, thus leaving a proposal that is both fiscally unproductive and blocks stronger potential legislation on the subject. Therefore, the Ministry advises a vote against the proposal.
Proposal: Repeal "Freedom Of Expression"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Total Votes (World) For: 13 246 Against: 3 680
Total Votes (TNP) For: 473 Against: 84 Percentage of WA nations voting: 34.2%
Recommendation: This call for the repeal of GA Resolution #30 is designed to open debate around amendments to the law relating specifically to a nation's right - for the public benefit - to regulate false, misleading, and potentially harmful forms of advertising. Given the importance of clear language around this controversial aspect of expression, and since direct amendments to existing law are not an option, repeal/replacement is the only means by which to expand the rights of nations in this regard. The author places faith in the GA to make these amendments while keeping the spirit of the law intact, and the Ministry shares confidence that a suitable and similar replacement, with slightly expanded rights for nations, will result from this repeal.
Proposal: Preventing The Illicit Trade Of Cultural Artefacts
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Total Votes (World) For: 13 521 Against: 1 968
Total Votes (TNP) For: 450 Against: 49 Percentage of WA nations voting: 32%
No Recommendation
Proposal: Asbestos Consumption, Disposal And Worker Protection
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Total Votes (World) For: 8 720 Against: 5 516
Total Votes (TNP) For: 207 Against: 292 Percentage of WA nations voting: 32%
Recommendation: Calling for worker safety and standards for asbestos is a laudable cause. The substance of the resolution alone seems to be rather harmless in and of itself, however setting arbitrary execution deadlines as well as a lack of any real need - noting that worker safety is already blanket covered by GAR 7 - creates an awkward and improperly executed proposal. Such proposal should be better attuned to addressing building standards and safety to help prevent asbestos leaks from following society into the future.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
[title]Security Council[/title]
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Proposal: Condemn The League Of Conservative Nations
Status: Defeated
Delegate's Vote: Against
Total votes (World): For: 2 397 Against: 14 881
Total votes (TNP): For: 50 Against: 484 Percentage of WA nations voting: 33.1%
Recommendation: We suspect this is a condemnation based on a distaste for the ideology espoused, rather than anything warranting an actual condemnation. The reasons cited are common for many regions, a region is not anti-democratic for having relations with a non-democratic region, and the government identified by this resolution can be understood to be a cabinet, much like the one TNP employs. This flimsy, poorly constructed window dressing does not hide what we deem to be the true motivation for condemning this region, and we support regions on both sides of the political aisle. Condemnations should be made of stronger stuff, and actually condemn something of substance.
Proposal: Commend Guy
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Total votes (World): For: 12 970 Against: 4 587
Total votes (TNP): For: 466 Against: 48 Percentage of WA nations voting: 32%
No Recommendation
Proposal: Commend Helaw
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Total votes (World): For: 12 781 Against: 2 257
Total votes (TNP): For: 428 Against: 38 Percentage of WA nations voting: 29.6%
No Recommendation
Proposal: Liberate Boston
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Total votes (World): For: 13 493 Against: 1 552
Total votes (TNP): For: 470 Against: 39 Percentage of WA nations voting: 32.7%
Recommendation: Boston is a region that will always be culturally significant and a prime target for raids due to its name. The recent invasion was assisted in part by Nazi-affiliated regions and the occupying force failed to remove them from the region when they had ample opportunity. Regardless of any dispute over whether the Nazi involvement is completely fair, liberations ought to protect communities from total destruction when no other option will succeed in preventing that destruction. Size and geopolitical significance are irrelevant. As long as there are displaced natives wishing to save their region, a liberation ought to be supported.[/b]
Proposal: Repeal Liberate The Monarchist Entente
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Total Votes (World): For: 15 122 Against: 1 301
Total Votes (TNP): For: 495 Against: 35 Percentage of WA nations voting: 32.7%
Recommendation: The Monarchist Entente was raided by a group of raider regions, which are internationally blacklisted for their previous abhorrent behavior, in a pile that exceeded 100 endorsements on the delegate. This raid lasted for a little over a month, and was thwarted by the passing of a WA liberation preventing the raiders from placing a password upon the region. Now the region is under defender control, but that same liberation currently prevents the natives of TME from placing a password on the region to prevent further raids (a notion supported by a former delegate and native of the region). Repealing this liberation and allowing the natives to place a password upon their region is the first step to ensuring the wellbeing of The Monarchist Entente's native community by preventing potential raids in the future.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa)[size=14] Spotlight #12: Interview with BMWSurfer[/size]
by BMWSurfer, Minister of Home Affairs & Brendog, Minister of Communications
Brendog: Hello BMW, we finally get to you on the Spotlight, so welcome in!
BMWSurfer: Thanks for having me!
Brendog: So for everyone out there who doesn't know, how did you start in NS?
BMWSurfer: Well, a friend told me about this game where he was creating a communist paradise. Clearly, I thought, I must investigate. I joined NS that day and was instantly sucked in.
Brendog: Ooh, I love that story, next questions, who has influenced you the most in TNP?
BMWSurfer: Hmmm, that's a hard one! So many people have had a huge impact on my time here, but I would have to say that Deropia had the biggest impact. He showed me how fun government could be, and was a big part of me staying in TNP.
Brendog: Interesting, for any newcomers to TNP, what do you think is the most interesting aspect of NS and TNP?
BMWSurfer: Of NS, it would have to be the WA. Of TNP, the executive staff.
Brendog: Speaking of WA, what made you gravitate towards WA?
BMWSurfer: Well, I joined the WA ministry of TNP because I was bored one day, and I was instantly sucked in by the discussion and debate. Over time, I learned some of the nuance and got a feel for different proposals, which made the WA even more interesting to me.
Brendog: With Proposals, TNP writes resolutions so what was the hardest resolution that you had to write an IFV for?
BMWSurfer: Probably my very first IFV for "Liberate Iran", mostly because I wasn't very confident in my writing abilities. To make matters worse, the proposal had our ministry divided on voting for or against, which meant I had to form a cohesive argument from hundreds of different messages and forum posts.
Brendog: Does WA Affairs experience help with Home Affairs?
BMWSurfer: It sure does! The World Assembly requires both writing and interpersonal skills, which helps when writing recruitment telegrams or talking to new players.
Brendog: That definitely helps. How has Home affairs shaped your experience of the government?
BMWSurfer: In Home Affairs I have gotten to see how TNP government really depends on everyone doing their part. Government isn’t just for super experienced players, but for all players to help out in.
Brendog: I feel the same why too! If you had to leave The North Pacific and create your own region, what five current citizens would you want with you and why?
BMWSurfer: Deropia and tlomz for their experience on Gameplay forums and in the World Assembly, McMasterdonia for his experience in forum and discord administration, Zaz for military experience, and bobberino for comedy relief.
Brendog: Very Interesting, but what about if every other nation were to CTE tomorrow morning, and you could only keep eight nations alive, who would they be?
BMWSurfer: Siwale, Deropia, McMasterdonia, Imperium Anglorium, Malphe, Bobberino, Zaz, Kranostav
Brendog: Are you planning on seeking the delegacy or vice delegacy at some point in the future?
BMWSurfer: Probably not, I'm not sure I could stand being WA-locked and not participating in the NPA.
Brendog: Even if you are not, who would your dream cabinet look life if you where the delegate?
BMWSurfer: That's a tough one! I'd probably put Tlomz as MoWAA, Brendog as MoCO, McMasterdonia as MoCU, abc as MoHA, Pallaith as MoFA, Zaz as MoD, and Deropia as Chief of Staff.
Brendog: Thanks for including me, I am honoured. What is your least favourite thing about the North Pacific? And your most favourite?
BMWSurfer: Least favourite? That's hard to answer! Probably would be the lack of applicants to HA ha ha. Most favourite? The people. Everyone here is so nice and makes the game very enjoyable.
Brendog: A couple more questions before we end, What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
BMWSurfer: Someone once said, "be a light, be different, stand out." Definitely, the best piece of advice I've ever seen. If we are just focused on doing good work and not on what other people think about us then we will be more effective.
Brendog: Finally, if you could sum yourself up in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
BMWSurfer: A hard working and sarcastic, but ultimately friendly, introvert.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b)[big][big][big][big] NPA Bulletin[/big][/big][/big][/big]
by Bobberino, TNP Citizen and NPA officer and Malphe, Deputy Minister of Communications and Lead Gameside Advocate
June marked a landmark month for the North Pacific Army. Zazumo, as Minister of Defense, has done a laudable job continuing and improving upon Malphe's record of incredible activity from Special Forces, as well as increasing activity and participation within our Auxiliary. Our Deputy Ministers of Defense, Veniyerris and Konar, have also done excellent work aiding Zaz with administration, leading, and organizing operations. The NPA stands at an impressive number of detags performed so far this term- 144 to be exact - which puts the NPA well on pace to smash the pre-existing record of 312 coupled with the planned Bobulous Bonanza of 10 targets per update for a week straight. Important to note the passage of the recent RA bill that allows us to participate in tag raids. This gives us greater freedom to operate as a truly independent leading military organization as well as advertise our brand as the most active and flexible regional militaries in NationStates.
Operation Spreadsheet for Nerds
(https://i.imgur.com/3H5vjQk.png)(https://i.imgur.com/MVsZI5x.png)(https://i.imgur.com/mH9xuS3.png)(https://i.imgur.com/8vsVfR0.png)
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: Siwale :: Executive Editor: Brendog
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
[/b][/size]
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Thanks for the update! :)
I have to admit, when a region like TNP has issues with inactive government members and mildly to severely disinterested candidates to replace them, it makes me feel a bit relieved since that means it's not just a small UCR issue. I'm glad that the person that seems to have put the most effort in the election won though, hopefully he'll put as much effort into the position and leave his mark on it.
And there's been multiple issues of Eras Magazine? We only received the first one...what gives? :(
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Thanks for the update! :)
I have to admit, when a region like TNP has issues with inactive government members and mildly to severely disinterested candidates to replace them, it makes me feel a bit relieved since that means it's not just a small UCR issue. I'm glad that the person that seems to have put the most effort in the election won though, hopefully he'll put as much effort into the position and leave his mark on it.
And there's been multiple issues of Eras Magazine? We only received the first one...what gives? :(
So sorry! It must have slipped my mind somehow. I'll hunt for it right away! Sorry about that.
And sorry for any formatting errors. :P
I'm still working out how to this kind of thing. First ambassador post and all.
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Eras Magazine Issue II
(https://i.imgur.com/UEKiEcX.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/8w9gh1l.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Q5rkVgn.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/wTFp1no.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/BnAnW5R.png)
Apologies for the late reply.
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Think nothing of it...happens to the best of us. For what it's worth I think you're doing a great job as ambassador. :)
It seems to me that the unification of the Vestrugat may not be as sinister as the author apparently believes it to be...the article implies that it took an extraordinary person to form it, who's to say an heir with no political experience would be able to hold it? It reminds me Alexander the Great in that, as Wikipedia says, "His unique abilities were further demonstrated by the inability of any of his generals to unite Macedonia and retain the Empire after his death—only Alexander had the ability to do so."
In any case, thanks for posting the latest edition, I really enjoyed reading it. :)
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Press Release
Recall Motion
After nearly a month-long stretch of inactivity, Vice Delegate Deropia was recalled by the Regional Assembly with 75% of the votes cast in favor of the recall. Upon the completion of the recall vote, McMasterdonia became Acting Vice Delegate and a special election begun.
Special Election
Four candidates emerged in the Vice Delegate Special Election with a wide range of experience levels and visions for the office: Pallaith, Xagill, Mall, and Krevt. Pallaith, a former two-term Delegate and a current Minister at the time, ended up winning this election with nearly 61% of the vote.
Appointments, appointments everywhere
Following his success in the election, Pallaith resigned as Minister of World Assembly Affairs to focus on his new duties as Vice Delegate. Sil Dorsett, a former three-term Minister of World Assembly Affairs, was appointed in his place.
Shortly before this, Plembobria resigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs due to real life commitments. Malphe, a former Minister of Defense, was appointed in his place.
Due to his new cabinet position, Malphe was replaced by Lotion Empire as Lead Gameside Advocate in an effort to increase regional officer coverage on the RMB. Territorio di Nessuno was also appointed at this time to serve as an additional Gameside Advocate.
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Thanks for the update! Sure looks like a lot of things are changing hands. :)
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Thanks for the update! Sure looks like a lot of things are changing hands. :)
Yup! It's been pretty confusing lately. :P
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Probably just a little. :P
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(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090380%2Ftnl_pol.png&hash=d27122f3799f46e44ab9c62649a89711) Special Vice Delegate Election
by Atlae, Citizen
On July 3rd, Court Justice Lord Lore moved that then-Vice Delegate Deropia be recalled for inactivity. Deropia had stopped posting a month earlier and stopped doing citizenship checks soon after. After some discussion, a vote was held and the recall motion was passed with 33 ayes, 11 nays and 11 abstains.
This triggered a special election for the now-vacant Vice Delegate seat. Candidacy declarations began on July 13th. In the end, 5 candidates (in decreasing order of number of votes received): Pallaith, Brendog, Mall, Krevt, and Dinoium stepped forward and ran for the seat.
Pallaith, former two-term Delegate and Minister of World Assembly Affairs, posted his campaign thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9177118/1/) and ran on a position of implementing a WA voting component to the WADP, with hopes of encouraging more membership within the WA, and pledged to hold a multi-regional endorsement event originally planned around August. As opposed to his competitors, he currently holds a seat in the Security Council, and among other positions, he stated that his "experience as Minister of World Assembly Affairs makes me uniquely suited to be Deropia's successor." (Deropia had been Minister of World Assembly Affairs previously.) He also happened to be a Sith-lord ghost that haunted the regional forums and Discord server.
Brendog, Minister of Communications, posted his campaign thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9177305/1/) and also ran on a position of implementing a WA voting component to the WADP and holding a multi-regional endorsement event. Separately, he pledged to increase the base endorsement of TNP by promoting the endorsement tool. As opposed to his competitors, he stated that he was "more inspired by his ideas" and "has a drive that is effectively running for an elected office which would make the Vice Delegacy be extremely active," and touted his experience in leading two Ministries. He also happened to be a rocket.
Mall, a veteran campaigner, posted his campaign thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9177343/1/) and pledged to endotart until he 'accidentally' took the Delegacy. As head of the Security Council, he would make public any and all documents I will be privy to. Additionally, he would insinuate that I have handed off the nation "Mall" to JAL. He also had a plan for when a recall vote came: stonewall it in the Courts, resulting in various members of the Court to go absent for a month, then start a recall of those Court officials. If the RA fails to recall them, he would bring another case before the Court accusing all those who voted against the recall of treason. If the AG screws it up, he stated that at this point, he would have fouled the works so much that everyone will give up prosecution efforts and just leave him alone until the next time he takes office.
Krevt posted their campaign thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9178721/1/) and touted their experience in being Resource Manager, Map Coordinator, RMB Coordinator, Defence Secretary, and RP-Managing Head in more than 5 regions prior to entering TNP. Nations from those regions, they stated, have appreciated Krevt for taking care of the quality of RMBing and any other sort of stuff that highly affects the nations.
Dinoium, Deputy Minister of Communications, posted their campaign thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9177063/1/) and planned to get more people into the Security Council, expand the WADP, and encourage people to endotart. Dinoium withdrew (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/single/?p=10158409&t=9177063) their candidacy before the election had started.
After the election ended, Pallaith came out on top with 31 votes, followed by Brendog with 17 votes, Mall with 3, and Krevt with none.
Due to Pallaith being elected Vice Delegate, he resigned (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9179701/1/) his post as Minister of World Assembly Affairs. Delegate Siwale appointed Sil Dorsett as his successor.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090377%2Ftnl_jud4.png&hash=724a447d89a14438fb7809b24997fd43) June Judicial Elections
by Dinoium, Deputy Minister of Communications and Deputy Attorney General
(https://thumb1.shutterstock.com/mosaic_250/2040536/797688190/stock-photo-man-voter-putting-ballot-into-voting-box-democracy-freedom-concept-near-blue-wall-copy-space-797688190.jpg)
After the special election that had just taken place in May after Justice Zyvetskistaahn vacated their office, an official justice election was about to unfold. The Chief Election Commissioner General COE appointed Artemis and Brendog as Election Commissioners prior to the start of voting.
Candidates
8 competitors had arrived for the election to run for Justice, a surprising turnout for the usually more quiet Justice elections.
Limerick is a new nation in The North Pacific, and after winning the Special June Justice Election and serving as a Justice for over a month they elected to run again for a full term. Posting his Campaign Thread (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9173602/1/#new), He said that he was incredibly honoured to even be considered for this position and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about him or his legal ideals, and has shown to be one of the most eager members of the court since their initial election.
"I am a relatively new member to TNP considering the time many have put in. This, however, does not compromise my understanding of our legal documents as I read them in preparation for my special election campaign and Continue to re-read them to this day."
Lord Lore was a current associative justice since March of 2018, a former Minister of Culture for The North Pacific, Deputy Minister of Culture for The North Pacific, and Minister of Entertainment for The North Pacific. He also has experience as the Lead Cartographer for TNP's forum RP. Lord Lore campainged (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9173727/1/#new) to continue his term as Justice, many people were impressed and supported him. Lore's experience and name recognition may be a significant tribute to his popularity.
SillyString is an experienced and long-time contributor to the North Pacific, she has previously served as Delegate, Attorney General, both an Associative and Chief Justice and currently serves as Deputy Attorney General as well as an advisor to the delegate. Unsurprisingly, SillyString received magnanimous support.
"I don't have a specific platform to run on, because I don't think there is anything about the court that urgently requires changing." Read more here (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9173782/1/#new)
Mall, the infamous shark and scary game moderator, continues his tradition of running in elections on the premise of doing as much as humanly possible to damage the region, in this case, the court. More recently Mall has proposed that court cases should be decided by a game of chess (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9178613/1/?x=90#new), which has prompted thoughtful discussion among the Regional Assembly. Mallorean Apathetic Evil is a rising ideology in the North Pacific.
"Vote for me and I'll find a way to make the Court interesting for a bit, it's been boring af recently and frankly the entire region needs a kick in the shins. Y'all been decadent." Here is his destructive ways infull glory (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9174475/1/#new)
Yalkan is a strict adherent of Fluff, a former justice and is a standing officer in the North Pacific Army. Yalkan't deny the credentials. "I was a justice. Spirit of the law is for wimps. Like it or hate it the law rules. Vote for me please." Here is more of Yalkan (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9174322/1/#new)
Syrixia, a well known Forum RPer and former Minister of Culturedecided (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9173496/1/#new) to run for Justice as Thomas Johansson, a character from said Forum RP. Syrixia's most notable achievement was successfully annoying Lord Lore. (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/single/?p=10155066&t=9173727)
Cedierking ran for Justice only a month after joining the region. Honestly not much more to their campign (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9174989/1/#new) than that.
"The rule of law is one of the characteristic institutions of a democracy, and of course, this nation. To preserve the rule of law, the judiciary must be independent and not subject to pressure from outside influences. Further, the public must have the confidence and trust that its judiciary is impartial, unbiased and free from partisan interests."
Kingsley ran into the candidacy declarations, decided he was going to run and then proceeded to disappear from the space time continuum. No thread was made, the Executive Council has figured that this may prove a threat to the multiverse. Please abstain from mentioning Kingsley to avoid a full collapse of time.
Results
The victors of this election were Limerick1 with 23 votes, Lord Lore with 32 votes, and SillyString with 35 votes. The other unelected candidates were Syrixia with 17, Yalkan with 16, Mall with 10, cedierking with 4, and Kingsley with none!
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6) How we Dispense Justice in Nationstates: Thinking Outside the Box
by Flemingovia, Citizen
This column does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Disclaimer: I know that some of the trials I reference in this article took place when TNP law looked very different. Before people dismiss what I say by saying "the court/law" is different now so that does not apply" please understand I am not looking at how well the laws are framed or administered but rather the philosophical underpinning of our legal system.
Also please note that this article relates mainly to criminal trials, not requests for review.
'To be human is to affirm one's humanity by recognizing the humanity of others and, on that basis, establish respectful human relations with them.' Hunhist Maxim
The judicial system in TNP has had a rocky history. For many years the kindest thing that could be said about it was that it was dysfunctional. Many hours of crafting rules and legislation have gone into making the system work, and what we have now in TNP is probably the best that we can achieve given the jurisprudence that underlies it. Of course, as part of an online game the TNP court faces this paradox: the better it works the less fun it is to participate in and watch. There is a spectrum between shambolic and stiflingly dull. I leave it to you to decide where you think the current TNP court is on that spectrum.
All this tinkering has left the underlying framework of the system intact. But I have believed for a number of years that the fundamental problem in the TNP court system is not the detail or execution of the law, but the western philosophical basis of it. In this article, I would like to explain how I see the problem, and what I would suggest as a solution.
In TNP the court is essentially based on a western adversarial model. It is about establishing innocence and guilt and apportioning punishment. It excludes people who are not seen as having "standing" and draws heavily on western (largely American) legal codes. This has been the case ever since the first formal TNP courts were established.
It is easy to see why this happened. Most TNP players have grown up under such systems, many are attracted to NS because they have an interest in or have studied law. Many have used NS courts as a safe zone in which to hone skills that they hope might be used in a real-life legal or political career.
So what is wrong with it?
I do not think what is wrong is that people do not take it seriously, or that our laws are poor. Rather, I think this whole system is ill-suited to a game like ours. Here’s why.
1. TNP trials are actually rarely about guilt or innocence
TNP is a small world, and we pretty much know the innocence or guilt of most defendants who come to trial. Rather the trial becomes about proving innocence or guilt under the law. That leads to absurdities where a defendant (I am looking at you, JAL) can be manifestly as guilty as sin, and everyone can know it, but they cannot be proven guilty because the law or the court is inadequate.
So our trials are not really about the innocence of the defendant, as they are in real life, but more about the adequacy of our law. Often it is the criminal code that is put under trial, not the defendant. This is shown by the times that we have passed legislation or a court review to close a loophole in the law after a trial.
2. An adversarial system requires meaningful punishment to be taken seriously
Realistically, what can we do to one another? If we ban someone they either wait it out or move to another region. TNP is not so very special that many of us would lose much sleep over this. Even then, TNP has shied away from imposing the most harsh sentences on convicted criminals.
It is hard to take trials seriously, or expend much effort on them, when the consequences are trivial. Therefore people either refuse to participate in trials or take the piss - a pattern we have seen many times in TNP. Several times I have been defence counsel in a trial and my client has just not bothered with the whole proceedings.
3. Real life courts work in a very different setting
The basis of our court system, Western law, is complicated, technical and requires professional input for even the simplest cases; hence the saying "the man who represents himself has a fool for a client." Attempting to replicate this in TNP means that our laws have numerous grey areas, loopholes and the like. It also leads to a number of mistrials and justices going inactive because of the effort involved in a meaningless exercise.
4. Regions are about community, and an adversarial court does not help build community
This gets to the heart of this article. You can approach courts in TNP in two ways: Either you role-play them as a piss take (as McM and I did once), which undermines the system; or you can take them seriously (Flemingovia vs Grosseschnauzer) which almost always causes a break down in relationships, and often results in people leaving the region or the game.
So think to yourself for a minute. TNP is more like a village than a nation. So what if our justice system was modelled on village councils rather than the High Court? What if we abandoned a western, adversarial court system and looked at other forms of jurisprudence?
In more tribal societies the basis of law is less about guilt and punishment and more about restoring community and reconciling broken relationships. Sharia law in the Muslim world works on this basis, as do the tribal courts based on Ubantu in South Africa or hunhuism in Zimbabwe. In Papua New Guinea, village courts based on traditional custom has had much more success in bringing peace to warring Enga tribes than the post-colonial government courts.
After all, why do we need courts? Has fear of the courts kept us free from tyranny these past few years? I do not think so. Has it been the court that has stopped our delegates from overstepping the Bill of Rights? Nope. Why not scrap the current court, charge the Security Council with keeping a check on the Delegates use of power, and have the SC bring a recall to the Regional Assembly if necessary.
And what if, for disputes between citizens, we had simpler hearings with the objective of arbitration and restoring ubantu or hunhu in the region (google is your friend if you do not understand this philosophy)
In TNP in 2012 I introduced an alternative to the dysfunctional constitutional court called the Fiqh, loosely based on Sharia courts.
It gave as an alternative to the hidebound TNP courts a simple hearing, presided over by respected figures.
All those coming to the Fiqh would agree up front to be bound by the findings of the Fiqh.
As in Ubantu hearings, there would be simple process of accusation and rebuttal or counter-argument. There would be no extended debate.
Those presiding would be expected to use common sense rather than a written legal code.
It was as simple as I could make it, and for those cases brought to it, it worked admirably. Far simpler and better than the constitutional court. Because the object is restoration, in general people went away from the Fiqh happy, and continuing to be a part of the region.
My big mistake was that I wrapped the Fiqh up in Flemingovian mysticism, which meant that from the outset many people did not take it seriously, and brought frivolous cases. I placed it in the world of roleplay, so I cannot complain that people treated it as such. If I could have my time over again I would take it out of that sphere. Perhaps I should have introduced it as a secular adjunct to the judicial court? The problem was, in 2012 I could not find others who understood and agreed with the philosophy behind the Fiqh and the need for a court that aimed for reconciliation rather than justice.
I still maintain that it is a much better way to do courts in a game like Nationstates. Maybe one day there will be a region that reads these words and is imaginative enough to give it a go.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090379%2Ftnl_mil.png&hash=56db11338034c868fbc358d3e503f53b) North Pacific Army Bulletin
by Bobberino, TNP Citizen and North Pacific Army Lieutenant
North Pacific Army Bulletin, July - August 2018!
(https://i.imgur.com/hNJTzaj.jpg)
The armies of Max Barry encircling the combined forces of the NPA and ERN. Note their use of the all-new 'random update time' rifles, which helped them defeat the combined forces.
Your beloved North Pacific Army has shifted focus in a sense this month. Our focus has shifted: No longer are we chasing the detag record. I say, nay nay. Rather, Minister of Defense Zazumo has been lazy and has us in hold after hold. Special Forces have recovered from carpal tunnel largely from the Ratboi's term, typing "in" after yet another detag.
Our alternative from spamming in was to instead do more joints than I've seen in my career over the course of a month. Lots of these were last-minute pings from Zaz; shout-out to excellent last minute attendance by Special Forces and readiness by the Auxillary. Great work!
Specifically, our most recent joint was in Imperivm Romanvm. EPSA gave us a shout and we showed up with good numbers. Held it for a day and we got 10 soldiers deployed.
We got in on a World Cup themed tag of England with the SPSF and EPSA due to BMWSurfer and I being active on the SPSF's discord and subsequently pinging about a last-minute jump. 11 soldiers ended up deploying over 5 days.
Hosted by the NPO, we got called upon to fash bash. We deployed first in The National Axis Powers, but Special Forces got called up and 5 of us (including yours truly) hit and held Carthage. This was last minute and right at the update. We assisted the Pacific armies of NPO, EPSA, SPSF, and TWPAF.
We also hosted our own joint tag raid with ERN. We hit 11 regions and tagged them in honour of our fallen comrade Deropia. This qualifies as our lolcow OP of the Month. BMW and I led a team each, as did WritingLegend of ERN. The ERN-lead team hit 6 of their 10 regions. 3 of them had an RO issue. I hit 5 of my planned 20 targets. BMW hit 4. These numbers were mostly due to truly awful update variance. Atrocious by our standards, to say the least. Heads have rolled.
Two officers joined us this month: The Chronicler and Khanic.
New to the NPA bulletin is the Rookie of the Release. This goes out to the relatively new soldier who has impressed the most over the past release period; be it activity, skill, or anything in between. The inaugural Rookie of the Release goes out to PFC Ryasta! She has shown up for close to every op since joining and has caught on quickly.
A huge congratulations to QuietDad of TNP who finally overtook Gladio in logged operation count. Will Gladio be kicked off his golden chair? Or will the boss baby come back and take charge? Tune in on the next episode of The Northern Lights!
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090375%2Ftnl_for3.png&hash=593abf5256177a59ca797766c1ca57aa) The Spotlight #14: Interview with ABC
by Brendog, Minister of Communications
Brendog: Welcome abc to the 14th Spotlight! How does it feel?
abc: It feels great, thank you!
Brendog: How do you feel about the most recent election, the Special Vice Delegate Elections?
abc: I feel that there were multiple good candidates and some newcomers, but in the end, the citizens chose an experienced person fit for the job
Brendog: Abc, for those who don't know you, tell us your backstory in the North Pacific. Where did you come from?
abc: ABC actually wasn't my first nation, my first one went by the strange name 'Zoobles', which by game mechanics was founded in The North Pacific. I kept that nation afloat for a few months, regularly answered issues, and even joined the forums and received citizenship, but ended up going inactive. When I came back to the game a few months later, I refounded Zoobles, but once again went inactive after a little while. Finally, sometime around November of 2016, I came back to NationStates and founded ABC. I can't quite remember where ABC was founded, but remember moving it to The North Pacific because of my good experience there previously and my preference for the region over others, generally for its consistent democratic leanings. The rest of course, is history.
Brendog: Can you tell us how you got involved in the executive staff?
abc: After founding ABC, I joined the forums and immediately registered for the executive staff (after receiving citizenship) as a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There I started out as part of a diplomatic team sent to The East Pacific.
Brendog: I remember I was the leader of that team! Could you give us a little more information about your time as Speaker?
abc: My time as Speaker has been a time of great work, learning, and implementation. I started out my term on not so high of a note having been elected without competition and having been a Deputy Speaker before who wasn't quite on the active side. I worked hard to change those perceptions and started out my term by training my deputies whilst keeping the office running. My first major test was holding a vote for Darcania's bill which had been much delayed when I was a Deputy Speaker as I was unfortunately inactive. Once I got past that, things started going smoother. I learned the nuances of the office, how much work there was to be done in it, and what could reasonably be done to improve things. I've managed to release RA Digests almost weekly and have brought voting activity up from about 45% to 50% through my work with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Speaker's Staff as well are once again up and running and have played an active role in producing the last few digests.
Brendog: Very Interesting, How has being the Speaker different to being a minister?
abc: They certainly are very different. While both offices require hard work, the office of Speaker requires more than being a Minister ever did. As Speaker, work needs to be done almost constantly and any delay to that could cause major problems. On the other hand, as a Minister although work still needs to be done, it is less of a day to day job - it's more things that need to be done routinely, like every week.
Brendog: But would you prefer being a speaker again or a minister?
abc: I think I'd prefer being a Speaker again. Though I loved my time as a Minister of Home Affairs, I would like to continue my time as Speaker so that when I do leave the office, I leave thoroughly experienced Deputies, Speaker's Staff who hold great interest in the office and may serve as Deputies in the future, a legacy of doing things on time and correctly, and various guides and protocols to ensure that future Speakers start their terms competent and well-prepared.
Brendog: Alright, what is the most important thing that you have learnt as Speaker?
abc: How dangerous it can be to leave things overlooked. As a Minister, I could make a mistake over something and not worry, but as Speaker, any mistake can not only cause major criticism, but also serious problems for the region as a whole. Elected officials have higher standards than non-elected ones and we need to live up to our promises.
Brendog: I definitely agree. What would you say your greatest strengths and weaknesses are?
abc: My greatest weakness is my misinterpreting of things. I often think something is one way when it's not, but luckily as I grow more experience in this office, I tend to make the same mistakes less and less often. I'd say that my biggest strength is my ability to act on things. If I promise something to people, I act on that promise and do what it takes to make it happen. Sometimes I forget (which is another weakness of mine), but once I have it on my mind I make sure that it gets done.
Brendog: Very astute so what in light of that what is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
abc: He's no longer active in this community, but Lord Ravenclaw gave me a lot of good advice back when I was a Minister. I think the best piece of advice he gave me though was not to befriend people seeking to get things done, no matter what it takes (by whatever it takes, I don't mean that in a good way). I made this mistake with Tomb when I was quick to associate myself with him. Though he was outwardly a very nice person, he had some bad intentions and a dark past which I really hadn't looked into. In politics, we like to overlook people's intentions if associating with them will mean for political gain.
Brendog: Definitely a good piece of advice so finally, if you could sum yourself up in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
abc: Despite the mistakes I've made throughout my political career, I genuinely want to make The North Pacific the best it can be.
Brendog: That is a wrap for The Spotlight!
abc: Thanks for having me.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090378%2Ftnl_legb.png&hash=dcbe14403d281e023b2fc7e4db6ca7c6) Regional Assembly Highlights
by Stoskavanya1, Deputy Minister of World Assembly Affairs
Passed
Forum Relocation Amendment (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9175375/3/):
Following an announcement (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9173263/2/) by the administrative team of The North Pacific regarding the transition of the regional forums from Zetaboards to XenForo, the Regional Assembly promptly voted to alter an amendment in the region's constitution to reflect the new location of the official forums. In addition, the amendment stipulates that once posting is disabled in the current Zetaboards forum in preparation for the transition, a Forum Access Emergency will be declared, which will temporarily suspend citizen and government activity checks during this process. The amendment was almost unanimously approved, with 41 ayes to 1 nay.
Sacagawea Alliance Mk. II (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9176801/3/):
Introduced by Delegate Siwale, the treaty expands upon an existing bilateral treaty between The North Pacific and Equilism, elaborating in areas of mutual defence, intelligence sharing, cultural events, and mutual recognition. The treaty passed without controversy, with 32 ayes to 3 nays.
Freedom from Manumission Bill (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9180988/2/):
Introduced by Sillystring on Manumission day, this bill intends to clarify the manner in which certain holidays are to be celebrated. The bill alters the legal code to classify holidays between celebration days, days which are festively celebrated, and memorial days, days which are intended to signify historical dates and events. In addition, the bill allows a sitting delegate to proclaim one-time Celebration Days. The bill was unanimously passed with 31 Ayes.
Treaty of the Golden Star (http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9180531/2/):
Introduced by Delegate Siwale, the treaty cements the close relationship between The North Pacific and Greater Dienstad into a single bilateral treaty, binding the two regions in areas of mutual defence, intelligence sharing, cultural events, and recognition. The treaty was ratified with 53 Ayes and 2 Nays.
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fz2.ifrm.com%2F10711%2F28%2F0%2Fp1090382%2Ftnl_wa2.png&hash=5029f8a3b75d5edb99fa84e865ee5927) World Assembly Affairs Digest
By Malphe, Deputy Minister of Communications and Lead Gameside Advocate
The exalted marble halls of the world assembly have echoed to the sound of tumbleweed recently. It is speculated that most enthusiasm and WA engagement has been sucked out of the multiverse by a disturbance in space-time, leaving only a motley collection of proposals and quiet discussions within the General Assembly. Whereas the GA has shown minimal signs of life, the SC has been brutally murdered and is surely dead.. A funeral is being held for the security council by concerned parties.
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General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Repeal "Ban on Secret Treaties"
Status: Discarded
Delegates Vote: Against
Total Votes (World): For: 5,678 Against: 9,914
Total Votes (TNP): For: 101 Against: 405
Recommendation: The resolution "Ban on Secret Treaties" sought to end the deleterious effects of secret diplomacy, asserting that such conduct fostered an atmosphere of misunderstanding and miscalculation which ultimately resulted in greater conflict within and among member nations. The proposal at vote rejects this notion, asserting that the resolution had failed to account for the 'positive' aspects of secret diplomacy at the time of its passing. We find these claims of the supposed benefits of secret treaties in this proposal unconvincing, however, unsubstantiated either in the text of the proposal or other explanation by the author. Holding that the content of repeals should be based upon a compelling argument, we believe the proposal at vote fails to achieve this standard.
In accordance with the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Protecting Free Expression
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: Against
Total Votes (World): For: 12,495 Against: 3,443
Total Votes (TNP): For: 316 Against: 204
Recommendation: The current proposal seeks to replace the recently repealed WA#30, Freedom of Expression. However, where WA#30 was an elegant, comprehensive defense of individual civil liberties - which had one important omission - the current proposal puts a much greater emphasis on the rights of nations to limit free expression than it does on protecting the rights of the individual. By trying to achieve too much, in a single piece of legislation, the author has introduced a variety of limitations to free expression which are somewhat arbitrary, vaguely defined, and, may in fact empower nations to unnecessarily limit civil rights to expression that were previously granted. The Ministry feels it would be more beneficial to have multiple resolutions address some of the complex issues like defamation and company advertising rather than a single proposal attempting to blanket the many facets of free expression.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against the proposal
Ban on Conversion Therapy
Status: Passed
Delegates Vote: For
Total Votes (World): For: 14,123 Against: 2,300
Total Votes (TNP): For: 448 Against: 81
Recommendation: The Ministry concurs with the author's justification for a total ban on conversion therapy. We believe this proposal is necessary to protect the lives of an often marginalized group of people. Conversion therapy is pseudoscience with no reliable evidence of its effectiveness and is potentially harmful to those who undergo it, especially in teens and children, who have higher suicide and self-harm rates after going through such procedures.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in TruthPublisher: Siwale :: Executive Editor: Brendog :: Managing Editor: Malphe & Dinoium
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
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Good to see Pallaith doing so well in TNP! :)
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That judicial system seems a good idea, you make a good point.
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Editor’s Note
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
Good day, all! I'd like to take a minute to introduce you to The North Pacific's latest publication: The North Star. It will be published once monthly, offset from the Northern Lights by a two week period. The North Star will include Election Results, the NPA Bulletin, Regional Assembly Highlights, and the WA Digest. While The Northern Lights will continue to serve as our region's premiere newspaper, The North Star will take on the role of a standard update. Thanks for your time, and I hope you enjoy this issue!
Signed,
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)September 2018 General Elections
by Hardonius, Staff Member of the Ministry of Communications
The September 2018 elections were a spectacular event, anticipated by many for months and offset by the change of forums. However, after a long wait, the elections finally got underway and ended the 14th.
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Delegate and Vice Delegate elections were only filled by one candidate for each on the ballot. Siwale, the incumbent Delegate, took a total of 49 votes and 4 abstains, claiming his second term in office. As for the Vice Delegate election, Pallaith, the incumbent Vice Delegate, took a total of 46 votes and 7 abstains, claiming another term in office.
Taking a look to our Regional Assembly, the Speaker elections were an interesting area to view, with both candidates putting strong campaigns forward. Incumbent Deputy Speaker Wonderess took a victory with 28 votes, gaining 58% of the votes, taking a term in the Speakership. Their opponent, bootsie, took the other 42% with 20 votes.
In a close victory, Crushing Our Enemies is the new Attorney General, taking 26 votes, for 54% of the votes. Incumbent Attorney General Goyanes took 46% of the votes, for a total of 22 votes. It was a close and harrowing election, but the former Chief Justice and Speaker took the majority and took office the same day.
We would like to congratulate all of our newly elected officials, wish luck to those who ran this election, and thank all of our voters for furthering our democracy.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)North Pacific Army Bulletin Sept-Oct 2018By Dinoium, Deputy Minister of Communications and Deputy Attorney General
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Minister of Defense: Zazumo (http://'http://nationstates.net/nation=zazumo')
Deputy Minister of Defense: Veniyerris (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/nation=veniyerris'), Konar (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/nation=konar')
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This once again was a great couple of months during the term. Former Lieutenant and NPA Officer Goyanes returned after losing the Attorney General Election with the rank of Lieutenant again. Two people joined us within this period: ABC and Koopa103.
We also got two new Officer Tests done! Dinoium and Owenstacey! Owenstacey is a former Lieutenant who rejoined as a Sergeant while Goyanes rejoined at the rank of Lieutenant.
Promotions:(https://i.imgur.com/4k6typm.png)
Dinoium promoted to Lieutenant! (8/24/18) (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9187848/')
(https://i.imgur.com/4k6typm.png) Owenstacey promoted to Lieutenant! (8/29/18) (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9187851/')
(https://i.imgur.com/aDjWVNR.png) Paluentia promoted to Private First Class! (10/13/18) (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189088/')
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Logs of the period
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) Regional Assembly Highlights
By Hardonius, Staff Member of the Ministry of Communications
Passed: Election Commission Confirmation of BMWSurfer:
Introduced by Siwale via appointment, the Regional Assembly undertook a four day vote to confirm BMWSurfer to the Election Commission for the September 2018 elections. BMWSurfer was confirmed to the Commission by a vote 18 “Aye”, 1 “Nay”, and 1 abstain.
Passed: The Unicorn Star Accord:
Introduced by Siwale, this proposal sought to bilaterally further unite and bring together The North Pacific and The Rejected Realms, both being game-created regions. Through this proposal, both regions established diplomatic recognition of each other, while pushing forth an agenda of non-aggression and cooperation in world affairs.
Awaiting Quorum: Amendment to the Election and Appointment Procedure:
Introduced by BluieGamer, this proposal pushed to extend the current term of the incumbent government due to the state of recess caused by the transfer to Tapatalk. Through this proposal, the current government would serve for one more month before transferring to the next election cycle. It also pushed for the change of election months, pushing them forward by one month.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)World Assembly Digest
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
Over the course of the last month and a half, The North Pacific has been - and continues to undergo - a forum emergency. During this period, our Executive Ministries were not as active as is usual, and as such, the coming issue of The Northern Lights was delayed by a month. As such, this WA Digest encompasses about half of October and all of September.
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General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.
Repeal "Crime and Punishment"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 11,284 Against: 3,827
Final Vote (TNP): For: 395 Against: 125 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.7%
Recommendation: United Massachusetts proposed this repeal as the first step towards replacing it with a resolution to ban capital punishment, which would conflict with the currently standing resolution. UM highlights the irreversible effect that capital punishment inflicts, the loss of life. We concur with this and also raise the point that in the event of an error found later on, posthumous acquittals are only symbolic in nature, as they do not change the fact that the state executed an innocent. We believe that all persons have the right to live, and we believe this proposal is a step in the right direction.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
Uniform Labeling Of Hazardous Goods
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 14,184 Against: 1,108
Final Vote (TNP): For: 515 Against: 23 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.1%
Recommendation: The resolution proposes the labeling of hazardous materials in an effort to prevent undue loss of life and reduce inconsistencies of labeling systems between nations. In doing so, it commissions the International Transport Safety Committee (ITSC) with creating a universal labeling system and set of standards to achieve aforementioned goals. Such legislation is deemed to be an integral and necessary step in ensuring the safety of workers and the greater WA citizens alike.
In accordance with these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the resolution.
Freedom Of Expression For Organizations
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3,108 Against: 11,770
Final Vote (TNP): For: 115 Against: 401 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.5%
Recommendation: Affirming that the importance of freedom of speech is paramount, we are disappointed in the stark lack of depth and confusing delivery that leaves us questioning the potential effectiveness of this proposal. This proposal intends to set free speech standards for organizations, however picks seemingly arbitrary points on which to base these standards. Noting the complexities of organizations and how they deal with free speech, especially in the vastly diverse members of this World Assembly, it becomes our belief at this time that these freedoms, or lack there of, are better handled by national governments and and not be regulated by the General Assembly at large.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the resolution.
Administrative Compliance Act
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 11,084 Against: 4,011
Final Vote (TNP): For: 429 Against: 86 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.9%
Recommendation: The Administrative Compliance Act targets the frustrating behavior of noncompliance within the World Assembly. While it is a complicated law, it is also beneficial.
Firstly, the ACA creates a committee that applies hefty fines to any nation that does not comply, within arguable interpretations, with WA resolutions. The payment of these fines will then be used to benefit compliant WA nations.This means that any nation that acts in conformity with WA law will be rewarded for their compliance!
Secondly, the ACA requires members engage in stiff economic and political sanctions for any nation that refuses to pay said fines. This empowers individual nations to act directly to punish genocide, torture, rampant discrimination, and slavery in nations which commit those foul acts.
Lastly, the ACA gives individual persons the right to sue in their nation's courts if that nation refuses to address their grievance, creating both an incentive for participation and a means of reparation.
This proposal, when taken in full, curtails noncompliance in its worst forms. This will not only benefit the greater citizens on the WA as a whole but improve quality of life for those in non-compliant nations.
Refusing to allow non-compliant nations to oppress people further and in accordance with above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Convention on Freshwater Shortages
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,864 Against: 2,161
Final Vote (TNP): For: 452 Against: 34 Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.3%
Recommendation: Convention on Freshwater Shortages establishes a basic mission to preserve an ample supply of clean drinking water and prevent the loss of essential waterways to pollution. The operative clauses are mostly advisory and encouraging, leaving the details to individual nations and justifying its mild strength. However, this is a framework that works and is appropriate for the World Assembly, setting its goals for the future.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
Repeal: "On Universal Jurisdiction"
Status: Discarded
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,234 Against: 2,543
Final Vote (TNP): For: 442 Against: 40 Percentage of WA nations voting: 34.9%
Recommendation: Convention on Freshwater Shortages establishes a basic mission to preserve an ample supply of clean drinking water and prevent the loss of essential waterways to pollution. The operative clauses are mostly advisory and encouraging, leaving the details to individual nations and justifying its mild strength. However, this is a framework that works and is appropriate for the World Assembly, setting its goals for the future.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
Circulation of World Assembly Law
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,053 Against: 2,588
Final Vote (TNP): For: 437 Against: 65 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.3%
Recommendation: The proposal is designed to improve the dissemination of information relating to World Assembly legislation, and ushers the development of a WA service branch to work with member nations in carrying out that task.
The only mandatory clauses to be followed by members are to make WA resolution texts available (not require forceful dissemination of them) and to not interfere with the Law Dissemination Service's work by deliberately discriminating against its employees.
The remainder of the resolution, specifically clauses 2 and 3 are optional, as their enacting clauses are "Urges" and "Recommends", respectively. Clauses 2 and 3 request that additional emphasis on WA law be entered into the education system and that member states make strident efforts to ensure the widest possible understanding and appreciation of both rights and obligations, among citizens. This to improve compliance among WA nations; but, also to ensure that the public has the ability to govern up, and ensure their nation is meeting its obligations to the Assembly, and the international community. However, as stated before this is technically optional, though highly encouraged.
The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
Ban on Capital Punishment
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 7,903 Against: 10,163
Final Vote (TNP): For: 262 Against: 343 Percentage of WA nations voting: 43.2%
Recommendation: This proposal seeks to fully ban all forms of capital punishment, better known as the death penalty, across WA nations. The death penalty has proven to be an ineffective method of punishment for criminals, often having little to no effect on crime rates after being implemented. Noting that the death penalty cannot be reversed, innocent people may die due to judicial error and new evidence coming to light.
In seeking to promote human rights and for these reasons mentioned above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs of The North Pacific recommends a vote for the proposal.
Preventing the Execution of Innocents
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 9,244 Against: 8,475
Final Vote (TNP): For: 341 Against: 242 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.8%
No Recommendation
Int'l Service of Process
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Insufficient information
Convention on International Oil Spills
Status: Repealed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 12,810 Against: 4,372
Final Vote (TNP): For: 376 Against: 200 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.5%
Recommendation: This proposal attempts to create a unified approach to the prevention and clean up of oil spills; however, the Ministry has identified some significant problems with the document, not the least of which is the poor quality of the writing and grammar. This is attributable to it being rushed through the drafting process, and a failure by the author to allow proper vetting of a document that aspires to become law. This leaves the proposal vulnerable to repeal.
In some instances, the proposal is extremely vague and informal, exemplified by the suggested timeline for maintenance of oil tanks. In other cases, the proposal is needlessly specific on matters previously addressed in existing law (specifically GA95). This creates the potential for redundancy and conflict, and could also lead to repeal.
Finally, the Ministry is concerned that a good portion of the onus for the prevention and clean up of such spills would be shifted to the WA instead of remaining on oil companies, where it belongs. While the Ministry acknowledges the importance of the subject, and feels it is an area worthy of legislation, the consensus is that this proposal fails to meet the standards of the Assembly.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the resolution.
Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Program
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For?
Final Vote (World): For: 13,741 Against: 2,606
Final Vote (TNP): For: 483 Against: 93 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.6%
No Recommendation
Repeal "Convention on International Oil Spills"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,189 Against: 3,151
Final Vote (TNP): For: 513 Against: 57 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.8%
Recommendation: As exemplified in the original IFV sent, the target resolution commits improper and unprofessional grammar mistakes, uses unclear and vague language, and possesses a general feel of rushed authorship. This repeal properly addresses and presents these points before the General Assembly as well as meets the goal of repealing the resolution.
Therefore the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, in accordance with such facts presented above, recommends a vote FOR this repeal.
Respondeat Superior
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: Against
Recommendation: The proposal before us would allow individuals to sue companies for acts of negligence committed by employees against individuals. We believe this to be a well-intentioned proposal, however we feel it is too vague to cover the issue at hand. The proposal appears to be vague/under developed which concerns may lead to a repeal which would further harm the chances of positive tort reform coming into effect.
In hopes of a redraft and subsequent resubmit, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against the proposal.
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Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Commend Greater Dienstad
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,689 Against: 1,317
Final Vote (TNP): For: 467 Against: 34 Percentage of WA nations voting: 32.3%
Recommendation: Greater Dienstad is a stalwart of the NationStates roleplay community, fostering exceptional roleplay collaborations with various regions and hosting a variety of events, including our own 'The North Pacific-Greater Dienstad Roleplay and Cultural Exchange' held recently. Seeing the proposed commendation as a well deserved reward for Greater Dienstad's years of activity and service in the community, we urge you to vote for Commend Greater Dienstad.
Commend Frattastan II
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For?
Final Vote (World): For: 12,188 Against: 2,408
Final Vote (TNP): For: 427 Against: 38 Percentage of WA nations voting: 33.8%
No Recommendation
Liberate Confederation Of Corrupt Dictators
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 10,443 Against: 4,928
Final Vote (TNP): For: 316 Against: 196 Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.9%
Recommendation: This self-pat-on-the-back proposal is nothing more than a publicity stunt to bring attention to their region after recently starting a campaign of antagonism against the World Assembly. This region is near totally undeserving of any positive recognition from the greater WA community; particularly in that the proposal's arguments for said commendation hold no merit and the regions intent to undermine experienced and intelligent voices within the WA.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the resolution.
Repeal: "Liberate The Communal Confederacy"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,750 Against: 789
Final Vote (TNP): For: 435 Against: 34 Percentage of WA nations voting: (40.0)%
Recommendation: Barring any reason to maintain a liberation for symbolic purposes, once a region has been refounded and has an active founder nation, there is no need to maintain a liberation. Liberations only remove delegate-imposed passwords, not founder-imposed passwords. Since The Communal Confederacy has a founder, the liberation serves no further purpose.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
Condemn Lord Dominator
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 7,987 Against: 8,748
Final Vote (TNP): For: 193 Against: 351 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.4%
Recommendation: This proposal to condemn Lord Dominator is entirely undeserved. Its only purpose is to fulfill a desire to retaliate for the liberation that targeted the home region of this proposal's author, who also founded the region. Regardless of one's feelings about the use of liberations as an offensive tool, this presents a clear conflict of interest, is clearly an inappropriate use of the Security Council, and is not worth being entertained.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the resolution.
Liberate Federation Of Conservative Nations
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3,892 Against: 12,243
Final Vote (TNP): For: 59 Against: 482 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.4%
Recommendation: The liberation of the Federation of Conservative Nations is an unneeded liberation that would be much better served as a condemnation. Let it be known that racism in any form is toxic and should be condemned and ousted. However when confined to such a small regional discord, a liberation seems unnecessary to fight such transgression.
In believing that the application of a condemnation would be much better served and in accordance with reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against this proposal.
Condemn Chan Island
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: For
Recommendation: In acknowledging that some issues that come before our nations may be brought about by bad actors within the world assembly, we must recognize the primary abettor of this chaos and mayhem. Chan Island, formerly Annihilators of Chan Island, has contributed to at least 24 different situations that nations may encounter; in which your desired answer to these issues may not have the impact you had hoped for. To compound the villainy, Chan Island has also given direct assistance to occupiers and hostile invaders of various regions, some of which had to be valiantly liberated and fought for control of by those wishing to restore them.
Understanding that Chan Island only wants to watch the world burn despite his lack of predatory superweapon usage, and in accordance with the reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: Siwale :: Executive Editor: El Fiji Grande :: Managing Editors: Dinoium, Ryasta, Bobberino
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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Thanks for the update. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/DBpXsf6.png)
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) Editor's Note
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
This last month has seen several changes to the TNP Ministry of Communications, specifically regarding The Northern Lights. The North Star will continue to be published once per month, and will serve primarily as an update. The focus of The Northern Lights, on the other hand, has changed to become - we hope - substantially more insightful, engaging, and relevant. Issues will be less frequent, and likely contain fewer, albeit longer articles. While TNL remains TNP-focused, there will be articles about NS as a whole, and we encourage guest writers to become more involved.
That aside, I hope you enjoy this month's edition of The North Star!
Signed,
(https://i.imgur.com/aXH4VVr.png)
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) November 2018 Judicial Elections
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
Just three weeks or so following the conclusion of the delayed General Elections came the Judicial Elections. General COE and BMWSurfer served as Election Commissioners.
During this judicial election season, nineteen candidates were nominated. Of these, four accepted their nominations. Lord Lore and Limerick1 announced their candidacies independent of a nomination. McMasterdonia made sure to nominate each member of the current Executive Staff, each of whom then proceeded to decline the nomination or to simply ignore it. Hardonius initially accepted his nomination, but later rescinded it and dropped out of the race. The final six candidates in the race were Darcania, SillyString, Eluvatar, Limerick1, Lord Lore, and Marcus Antonius. Detailed below is a summary of each of their campaigns.
Candidates:
Darcania is an experienced nation, having formerly served once as Speaker, Attorney General, Election Commissioner, and as Deputy AG. He views the most important attributes for a justice in the region to be “legal experience, a legal mindset, level-minded discourse, seeing an issue from multiple perspectives… and fluff.” The main criticism surrounding his campaign was the public perception that he has the tendency to leave. Darcania responded by reassuring voters that each time he has left in the past, he did not have an official government position, and that when he had left government positions prematurely, he had always done so responsibly be notifying the Delegate well in advance such that a suitable replacement could be found.
SillyString is the current Chief Justice of The North Pacific and has served in numerous other offices over the course of her five year tenure in the region. She has extensive knowledge both of the law and of court history. Her main concern “is that we need to make sure we elect justices who are thoughtful, familiar with the law, and who take the time to weigh the options and possible ramifications before making big decisions.” She believes that by doing so, TNP’s justice system will provide more consistent results.
Eluvatar is a veteran nation who joined The North Pacific back in 2006, and who has served on and off in various positions including Delegate in the years since. He has extensive legal knowledge and, back in 2012 with the help of then Speaker Gulliver, rewrote TNP’s Constitution and Legal Code to set the region on a better path. There were no questions as to his qualifications, only if he was ‘especially qualified,’ in the words of Funkadelia.
Limerick1 is a relative newcomer who has served on the bench for the last term and a half. Immediately upon posting his campaign thread, he received an endorsement from Siwale, our Delegate, praising him on his legal knowledge and his attitude as a team player. Limerick1 believes his ethic of hard work and the experience he gained in his previous terms make him fit to serve.
Lord Lore has served as a justice for the last two terms, and has held office in numerous other positions prior to that, including as a former Minister and Deputy Minister of Culture and Lead Cartographer. He was endorsed by three important nations: Syrixia, McMasterdonia, and Pallaith. The only point of controversy in his campaign was the note that he did not sign the government letter declaring the new forum valid. His response highlighted his belief that the Court does not and should not serve as legal counsel of the administration, when rather the Attorney General serves that role.
Marcus Antonius is an entirely new nation to the executive staff of The North Pacific, and his recent involvement in World Assembly and Home Affairs show that he is quick-learning, fair-minded, and has plenty of time to dedicate to regional affairs. His campaign thread mirrors that perception, and demonstrates his willingness to study and review TNP’s legal code and constitution. His campaign thread is worth a read, if only for the roleplay he posts within it!
Results:
SillyString, Limerick1, and Eluvatar won, with 46, 35, and 32 votes respectively. Darcania narrowly missed with 29 votes. Lord Lore placed fifth with 23 votes. Marcus Antonius placed last with 14 votes. 12% of the vote requested a re-opening of nominations.
Discussion:
SillyString and Eluvatar almost certainly won due to their extensive legal experience and incredible service record for the region over the years. Their past contributions have not been forgotten. Limerick1 has served about as long on the court as Lord Lore, yet does not have as much name recognition. Siwale’s early endorsement of him is likely a prominent factor that helped his campaign. I would have expected Lord Lore to get more votes. Darcania likely lost out due to the perception - true or not - that his occasional disappearances from the region have been irresponsible, regardless of his statements to the contrary. It is not much of a surprise that Marcus Antonius came last in the race because of his lack of experience regarding TNP’s legal code and history. This is understandable given that he is a regional newcomer. The North Pacific has a strong legacy of supporting qualified newcomers for offices, and we are willing to earnestly consider candidates who may not have as extensive a resume as more senior members. But said newcomers must also be qualified for the offices for which they are running. This explains the difference between Limerick1 and Marcus Antonius in the November Judicial Elections.
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) The Spotlight #15: Interview with Loz
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
El Fiji Grande: Welcome to The Spotlight, Loz! I am delighted you were able to find time on such short notice.
Loz: My pleasure, happy to be here
El Fiji Grande: One thing that that struck me a couple weeks ago when you returned to TNP is just how little I know about you. Could you tell me how you came to join NS?
Loz: Sure, I came into the game in January 2017 if I recall correctly. I was a pretty casual player at first, but a Telegram from Gladio caught my eye. Before I knew it I was in TNP, and in the NPA
El Fiji Grande: How early after joining did you become involved in the NPA? Did you become involved in other aspects of the regional government as well?
Loz: I joined the NPA as soon as I gained my citizenship! I was mainly just in the NPA in the beginning, but after a few months I started joining other ministries piece by piece. I really got my start in the executive in Comms helping to write the NPA bulletin. After that I joined the others, and actually became the Deputy Minister of Culture for Role Play Promotion. My proudest achievement there was restarting the Eras Magazine, which Prydania and McM are now doing a great job with!
El Fiji Grande: Are there any particularly noteworthy moments during your rise while in the NPA? What rank did you ultimately reach before your current position?
Loz: My Officer Test is a moment that will always be dear to me, but my proudest accomplishment was probably my term as Deputy Minister under Malphe. We smashed operation records that term and I learned more about R/D than I ever had before. Following my term as DMoD I was promoted to Major, which was the rank I held before becoming the Minister of Defense.
El Fiji Grande: I've noticed that many - if not every - member of the NPA holds their Officer Test as a significant moment in their NS career. Could you help explain why that is?
Loz: The Officer Test is in my opinion the most important part of a soldier's career. Only officers are allowed to organize and lead operations which opens up a whole new side of R/D. Being made an officer also shows you've earned the trust of your fellows and superiors in the NPA. Being a part of that brotherhood for me at least has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being in The North Pacific.
El Fiji Grande: While serving in the NPA, what is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome?
Loz: The greatest challenge I have had in the NPA is staying organized. I think I have largely overcome this, but when you are a new soldier it can be difficult to keep all the information you need to run an op together.
El Fiji Grande: Siwale mentioned something about how being involved in IRL militaries drew you away from NS. What made you decide to return?
And is that statement even accurate?
Loz: Yes actually, I am in the United States Army and my duties over the last sixth months kept me too busy to be active in Nation States. For this term I thankfully have something of a break, but come May I'll have to put NS on hold once more.
El Fiji Grande: (Thanks for your service!) Congratulations on your appointment to Minister of Defense!! It seems like it’s well-deserved. How does it feel to be Zazumo’s successor?
Loz: Thank you for your support, I appreciate it! I am very happy to be following Zaz, but he has left a tremendous legacy. As Minister he was phenomenal in maintaining activity, and working with our allies. I will absolutely try my best to live up to the standard he set.
El Fiji Grande: In your words, why is it important that the NPA remain active?
Loz: The NPA needs to remain active and well trained in order to support the objectives of The North Pacific. There are parts of R/D that are inherently more difficult than others, and ensuring that my soldiers are well trained to face any operation that might come their way is absolutely critical.
El Fiji Grande: Do you have any plans for where you want to take the NPA?
Loz: My main focuses for this term are training and modernization. I have already reorganized the officer corps in order to make more officers involved in the administration of the NPA. I will also be updating the NPA training documents to reflect changes in R/D, and changes in the NPA. Of course I would also like to continue working with our allies, and continue our dedication to anti-fascism and anti-Nazism.
El Fiji Grande: That sounds good! My plans for the future of the Northern Broadcast Service line up with that as well.
Loz: I am actually in the NBS, or I was before my absence :D
El Fiji Grande: I'm glad to hear that! I've listened to all the old episodes, so I may have heard you.
To continue, why were you chosen above other candidates for the office? What do you bring to the job?
Or rather, what would you say your greatest strengths and weaknesses are?
Loz: While I don't want to speak for Siwale, I'd like to think that he remembered my passion for the region and for the NPA. As for strengths and weaknesses, am I very proficient at leading and triggering which has also been what I enjoy most about NS war. In terms of weaknesses I suppose my weakness is that I have been a TNP loyalist all my time in NS. I have recently starting communicating with my allied counterparts to close up that gap in knowledge.
El Fiji Grande: I know from experience how difficult leading and triggering can be. Regarding stance, how do you align yourself on raiding and defending? What are your thoughts on our stance as independent?
Loz: To be truthful I don’t have strong opinions either way. The NPA is a tool of foreign policy and I’ll do whatever it takes for the NPA to fulfill the needs of the Region.
El Fiji Grande: A careful response. :P It's ok, I respect that. Is there anyone in the region in particular whom you look up to, and if so, why?
Loz: Like is said I’m a loyalist :P
El Fiji Grande: That's not a weakness!
But I understand what you mean.
Loz: I look up to so many people in this region it’s hard to put a few down here. QuietDad, Gladio, Bootsie, McM, Malphe, Zaz, Prydania! It’s hard to pick when this region has such a wealth of incredible people
But I will say that I look to people who take the time to help others learn and grow
El Fiji Grande: What advice would you give any newcomers to the region to have a successful career here - as you put it - to learn and grow?
Loz: The most important advice I can give to new members of the region is to ask questions and find a mentor. I think it was easier for me to find a mentor because the NPA is already more geared towards that to begin with, but in the ministries and in RP its vital to find people who have had a myriad of experience in NS and who can help you grow.
El Fiji Grande: To follow that up, what's the best piece of advice you've ever received on NS? How has that advice affected your own path through NS?
Loz: The best piece of device I have ever received is from QuietDad. Once when I was stressing about something he told me "Its a friggin game." And I think that is important for everyone to remember as they start to establish themselves in NationStates. Too often have I seen people take this too far and ruin themselves in the process.
El Fiji Grande: What's your favorite thing about TNP that isn't NPA-related?
Loz: That's a tough question, but I would have to say participating in Roleplay is my second favorite part of TNP. TNP RP is filled with awesome and incredibly helpful people who are not only usually excellent writers, but people who also care deeply about the growth and camaraderie of the community.
El Fiji Grande: *nods* To borrow a question from Kasch’s interview of Malphe: How do you want to be remembered in TNP? What do you want your legacy to be?
Loz: I want to be remembered as someone who left the region better than he found. And as someone people could always come to for advice or just to chat
El Fiji Grande: I'll keep that in mind.
Alright, before we bring this interview to an end, is there anything you'd like to add?
Loz: Yes! Thank you for having me in the spotlight tonight Fiji! I didn’t know you before I left, but it’s clear to me that you have passion and work ethic that we should all aspire to.
El Fiji Grande: I appreciate that, thanks. I look forward to serving alongside you this term.
Well, it looks like that's all we have time for. It’s been a pleasure. *shakes hand*
Loz: *shakes hand*
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)North Pacific Army Bulletin Oct-Nov 2018
By Dinoium and El Fiji Grande, Deputy and Minister of Communications
North Pacific Army Bulletin, October-November 2018!
Minister of Defense: Peregrinum TNP (Loz) (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5015125/)
Deputy Ministers of Defense: Malphe (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3314069/)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Louisiana_Troops_on_Canal_Street_1917_Heading_for_the_Great_War.jpg)
NPA Soldiers parade through the streets of TNP
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The former Minister of Defense, Zazumo (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3279351/), submitted his Letter of Resignation on October 23, 2018, stating IRL reasons that prevent him from serving to his fullest potential. Having honorably stepped aside, Zazumo was promoted to General by Loz in his Opening address. While a sad day for the Ministry, Zazumo will continue to serve in the NPA, albeit in a lower role, and Loz will surely take the Ministry to new heights!
Promotions:
QuietDad (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3065561/) promoted to Chief of Staff
Owenstacey (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318453/) and Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/) promoted to Adjutants to the Deputy
Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/) promoted to Captain! (11/9/18 (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189353/))
Aerilia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5024173/) and John Maynard (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5050746/) promoted to Sergeant! (11/9/18 (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189353/))
MadJack (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968/) promoted to Private First Class! (11/9/18 (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189353/))
Deerfenland (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5043613/) promoted to Private First Class! (11/14/18) (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189381/)"Logs of the Period"
(https://i.imgur.com/0jvtrMS.png)
To close this off, we'll be continuing our Featured Troop of the Report. Congratulations Deerfenland (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5043613/)!
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
By Dinoium, Deputy Minister of Communications and Deputy Attorney General
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pourrichard.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F02%2Fargument-400x198.jpg&hash=07a8778b363ff5c110e29e7eb5d8b173)Regional Assembly November 2018
Speaker of The Regional Assembly: Wonderess (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5048157/).
Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly: Prydania (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3295892/) and Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/).
Members of The Speaker's Staff: Dinoium (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5028135/) and Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/).
There have recently been six proposals up for discussion in the Regional Assembly. Of these, one was voted on within the last month.
VoteFailed
Amendment to the Election and Appointment Procedure (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189238/), proposed by BluieGamer (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5002697/).
Summary: The Amendment to the Election and Appointment Procedure Proposal was an attempt to postpone all future elections by one month due to the forum-emergency and delayed elections. It was also to remove a grammar error. Had this amendment passed, it would have added an extra month to the terms of the current administration.
"Voter Breakdown"
Members voting Aye:
Siwale
El Fiji Grande
Members voting Nay:
Romanoffia
QuietDad
Great Bights Mum
Owenstacey
Pallaith
Sil Dorsett
Crushing Our Enemies
Brendog
BMWSurfer
TlomzKrano
mcmasterdonia
Lord Lore
Dinoium
Syrixia
Artemis
Sasten
SillyString
Limerick1
Bootsie
Union of Caplis
ibiscaton
Funkadelia
Myroria
Darcania
Praetor
Members Abstaining:
Wonderess
Eluvatar
Summary: The Forum Day Bill is a proposal to create a regional holiday similar to Blue Day which recognizes our first official forum: Old Blue. If passed, Forum Day would celebrate all of the supporters and staff members who helped with our forum-transfer from ZetaBoards to Xenforo.
Reforming the Penal Code (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9076818/unread), proposed by Eluvatar (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/197685/).
Summary: The Reforming the Penal Code proposal is a proposal from last year that has been in discussion for a very long time. It's an attempt to reform the Penal Code of the Legal Code. These reforms include defining basic terms to clarify the original language of the penal code, removing inconsistencies and repetitive sections, and adding specificity to sentencing.
Delegate Advisor Law (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189349/), proposed by St George (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968/).
Summary: The Delegate Advisor Law proposal is a proposal to make Delegate Advisors regulated by law. Most people say that the law already states that this can exist because the Constitution states the Delegate can appoint Executive Officers at any time. This bill would have the consequence of limiting who the Delegate can appoint as an advisor. Publicly announcing advisors is merely a way of transparently informing the public who has consistent access to the Cabinet.
Election Corruption Amendment (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9148509/), proposed by McMasterdonia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3108012/).
Summary: The Election Corruption Amendment was a proposal proposed back in April to stop election candidates from offering positions or influence in exchange for votes. The proposal was written by former Delegate McMasterdonia and was co-authored by Attorney General Crushing Our Enemies. With the January General Election coming up in two months, author McMasterdonia bumped it because "While we need to consider the future and should talk about it, we shouldn’t be jeopardizing the present, our ideals, or the honor by which we campaign." The bill has run into some difficulty however, as there exists a bit of a gray area with Delegates wanting to sound off potential future Cabinet members such that work can begin immediately after the election is won. This common practice has more to do with courtesy than with building support via corruption. That said, some members of the RA are of the mindset that Delegates should only begin building their administration once in office. Either way, the proposal would be difficult to enforce, relying on self-reporting and a more staunch public stance against corruption in the hopes that such a measure would discourage such activity and ingrain TNP's democratic values in newcomers to the region.
Citizenship Amendment (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189379/), proposed by Siwale (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5012431/)
Summary: The Citizenship Amendment proposal is a proposal to make sure if you post on either the forum or regional message board in under 30 days, you can keep your citizenship. It currently is done via forum posts, but if passed, regional message board posts would count as well. Such a measure could substantially enlarge our citizenry, and could potentially provide a bridge between various groups within the region, allowing for a more unified TNP. Proponents of the bill feel that posting requirements should be loosened, and this is a good step towards that goal. On the other hand, opponents argue that citizenship does require activity on the forums - from voting in the RA to elections in general - and that as such, the current system where only forum activity is counted towards posting requirements should continue. ---
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.
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Respondeat Superior
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 8,726 Against: 7,071
Final Vote (TNP): For: 181 Against: 393 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.8%
Recommendation: The proposal before us would allow individuals to sue companies for acts of negligence committed by employees against individuals. We believe this to be a well-intentioned proposal, however we feel it is too vague to cover the issue at hand. The proposal appears to be vague/under developed which concerns may lead to a repeal which would further harm the chances of positive tort reform coming into effect.
In hopes of a redraft and subsequent resubmit, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against the proposal.
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Cyberweapons Control Act
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 5,010 Against: 10,741
Final Vote (TNP): For: 82 Against: 476 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.7%
Recommendation: In attempting to protect society from civilian and collateral damages in regards to cyberwarfare, this proposal ultimately is stunted by its murky definitions and unclear language. The leading definition of cyberwarfare appears to encompass any and all ordinance that uses electricity, far overreaching the intended target of this proposal. Furthermore, the proposal attempts to distinguish cyberwarfare from espionage in a rather unnecessary and poorly written clause. The proposal goes on to outline an arbitrary list of potential 'protected sites' without giving any relevant parameters, rendering this proposal fairly unenforceable, especially when the punishment for attacking these undefined 'protected sites' is potential trial for war crimes.
In accordance with the facts stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
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Right to Self-Defense
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 9,735 Against: 7,682
Final Vote (TNP): For: 253 Against: 353 Percentage of WA nations voting: 42.1%
Recommendation: It is difficult to know if the current proposal is genuinely concerned with improving civil rights or if simply seeks to try and resolve violence by enabling further violence. The author cites the lack of legislation on this subject as a potential tool of oppressive regimes, but a right to self-defense never extends to acts of violence against one's government, so that argument makes little sense. The proposed justification for an individual's (often weaponized) self-defense is too broad and too open to interpretation. This leaves great potential for a disproportionate defense response, based not on the actual threat in each situation, but on the individual's interpretation of that threat. This often leads to fatal mistakes. A one-size-fits-all legislation does not work in this case, and it is the opinion of the Ministry that any nation's rights to self-defense should develop organically, over time, and perhaps through individual judiciaries.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against the proposal.
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Repeal "Right to Self-Defense"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,666 Against: 3,894
Final Vote (TNP): For: 482 Against: 122 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.2%
Recommendation: "Right to Self-Defense", while appearing to be well-meaning, is noticeably riddled with flaws. Most concerning, the resolution is overly broad and as a result unintentionally allows criminals to employ self defense against law enforcement. To reiterate, the opinion of the Ministry is that any nation's rights to self-defense should develop organically, over time, and perhaps through individual judiciaries.
For the reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this repeal.
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Sensible Limits on Industry
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 6,749 Against: 10,702
Final Vote (TNP): For: 124 Against: 483 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.4%
Recommendation: While this proposal has clear ambition to achieve something positive, it suffers by the author's decision to rush it through the review process. The result is a hazy, half-formed blueprint, that outlines an immediate leap from vague premise of offense, to the most extreme consequence. There is little explanation as to how a nation would reasonably get from A to B, or, any detailed justification as to why nations should have this sort of unfettered power over industry. Reasonable regulation on the business sector isn't a bad thing, but there must be some manner of due process. Businesses need to know precisely what sort of actions would put them in peril, and, surely there must be other measures a nation can take prior to asset seizure and liquidation. Much of what this proposal sets out to protect is already covered by existing legislation with clearer definitions, more reasonable steps outlined, and less radical outcomes.
For this reason The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
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Don't Kill The Poor Act
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 14,051 Against: 3,344
Final Vote (TNP): Information Currently Unavailable
Recommendation: The Don't Kill The Poor Act, whilst named in a more trivial way than perhaps it should, is a piece of legislation aimed at expanding the current definition of 'genocide' as set out in GAR#38 'Convention Against Genocide', to include those targeted due to economic status. The resolution, whilst short, contains adequate protections from overzealous definitions or accusations of genocide whilst protecting victims and vulnerable groups. Moreover, the resolution adequately helps those fleeing genocide and reinforces nations responsibilities as defined in aforementioned legislation.
In accordance with the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this resolution.
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Repeal "On Universal Jurisdiction"
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: For
Recommendation: "On Universal Jurisdiction", while well meaning in supporting the ability of WA member nations to prosecute war criminals and those who commit crimes against humanity, possesses critical flaws that are exposed upon further review. Specifically in section three where the resolution requires prosecution, but fails to require the sharing of pertinent evidence or information that will assist the prosecution in reaching a conviction, therefore harming the ability for nations to properly prosecute criminals. Additionally, section seven prevents the World Assembly, as a collective, from claiming jurisdiction over said criminals, therefore preventing any WA based court from effectively bringing up charges and using acquired evidence in prosecuting criminals.
In hoping that a corrected replacement or equivalent proposal is draft, and in accordance with reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this repeal.
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(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
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Condemn Chan Island
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,312 Against: 3,536
Final Vote (TNP): For: 506 Against: 47 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.3%
Recommendation: In acknowledging that some issues that come before our nations may be brought about by bad actors within the world assembly, we must recognize the primary abettor of this chaos and mayhem. Chan Island, formerly Annihilators of Chan Island, has contributed to at least 24 different situations that nations may encounter; in which your desired answer to these issues may not have the impact you had hoped for. To compound the villainy, Chan Island has also given direct assistance to occupiers and hostile invaders of various regions, some of which had to be valiantly liberated and fought for control of by those wishing to restore them.
Understanding that Chan Island only wants to watch the world burn despite his lack of predatory superweapon usage, and in accordance with the reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
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Commend Minoa
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,917 Against: 2,189
Final Vote (TNP): For: 540 Against: 46 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.4%
Recommendation: Minoa is a hard working contributor to the greater NationStates community. One who has authored and passed numerous General Assembly resolutions, maintained the database for passed Security Council Resolutions between 2009 and 2015, and maintained NSIndex as well as currently maintaining a database for tracking issues and the effects they have on member nations. Furthermore, the commendation itself is well written and spotlights a positive community contributor.
In accordance with the reasons presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
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Commend Xoriet
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: For
Recommendation: Xoriet is a hard working contributor to the greater Nationstates community, and one who had a crucial role in The East Pacific and the East Pacific Sovereign Army (EPSA). They led its golden age and helped make it one of the preeminent militaries of its time between 2014 and 2015. They are also a nation that provided guidance on treaties with other regions, including TNP, and helped set new harassment policies around NationStates. Furthermore, the commendation itself is well written and spotlights a positive community contributor.
In accordance with the reasons presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
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The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: Siwale :: Executive Editor: El Fiji Grande :: Managing Editors: Dinoium, Bobberino
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and by the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
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Thank you for the update. :)
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Harry Potter and the Festival of Friendship
A NationStates Community Event
Event Discord (https://discord.gg/XHKUW5y)
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Sponsored by The North Pacific (https://www.nationstates.net/region=the_north_pacific), The East Pacific (https://www.nationstates.net/region=the_east_pacific), The West Pacific (https://www.nationstates.net/region=the_west_pacific), Europeia (https://www.nationstates.net/region=europeia), Greater Dienstad (https://www.nationstates.net/region=greater_dienstad), and Escade's Event Services
(https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=446184)
Dates: Saturday December 22,2018 - Tuesday January 1,2019
(https://i.imgur.com/gQgtzuZ.png)
This festival is an end of the year celebration with a Harry Potter theme for the NationStates community. All players in good standing are welcome to partake :) While the theme is based around J.K. Rowling's epic universe - the festival is to celebrate the end of 2018 and the beginning of a new year!
Festival attendees choose a Hogwarts House to be sorted into and then play to compete in team and individual events including trivia contests, dueling bot, battleship games, art competitions, writing competitions, New Years wishes, a Yule Ball roleplay mystery and other activites TBA!
Preview of Events and Activities
First stop! Take the custom NS edition Buzzfeed Quiz (https://www.buzzfeed.com/ofstars/which-hogwarts-house-would-you-be-sorted-into-base-3a80c?utm_term=.sjAVyEQyPk#.nwa291b9Qm) to get sorted into your House! Houses will earn points and the the House with the most points at the end of the festival will earn the House Cup and shout outs on the event dispatches, posts and regional WFEs!
Posting a screen cap of your Buzzfeed Quiz results will earn your House 10 points :)
(https://i.imgur.com/doMsK8g.gif)
Ways to get House points by Monday 12/31/2018 midnight:
On the NS Forums:
~ Submit decent entries into the Golden Snitch Writing Contest (5 points for each decent entry, 25 points for the best according to our esteemed judges)
~ Create beautiful artwork representing your House (and all members) in the Fantastic Art & Where to Find It contest (15 points if artistically pretty)
~ Write decent RP posts in the Yule Ball Role Play (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=455664) (10 points per fleshed out post)
On the Event Discord (https://discord.gg/XHKUW5y)
~ Take the Buzzfeed Sorting Quiz and post your results in the house-points channel (10 points per individual player)
~ Win the HP Trivia Rounds answering questions about the books, the movies, and the prequels! (20 points per round winner, 5 points for second place)
~ The highest duel hits (pinned) and most duel hits in the Discord Room of Requirement (10 points for highest hits and 25 points for best dueler)
~ Winners of the fantasy and Harry Potter themed Cards Against Humanity Games (10 points to each winner)
~ Winners in the Wizarding Battleship (20 points to each member of the winning team) (5 points to each player)
~ Wizarding Chess duels with bracket ranking. (5 points per completed chess game, 10 points to winners, 50 points to the grandmaster)
~ Complete the Quest for the Last Time Turner (20 points to the first to compete the quest, 10 points to each quest completer)
~ More activites to be announced!
On Discord (https://discord.gg/AHzvp4Q):
- #the-leaky-cauldron - discuss the books (characters, plots, favorites, unfavorites), fan fiction, the movies, the prequels and everything else that makes us love this amazing series!
- #the-goblet-of-fire - the games channel for HP Quiz Bowl, & Cards Against Muggles - a Harry Potter themed CAH deck (for mature players)
- #the-quibbler - channel for spam games and music, etc
- #floo-network - for voice chats with your fellow festival goers
See you there, lovelies :)
Escade <3
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Thanks for the invitation! :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/f4UEI8F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) Regional Assembly Highlights
By El Fiji Grande and Dinoium, Minister and Deputy Minister of Communications
(https://wintreath.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbwcentral.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F09%2Fobamapissed-1000x640-469x300.jpg&hash=74af797df38d559e1c94eb7553580a2a)
Delegate Siwale in the Regional Assembly discussing Artemis' SC application.Regional Assembly December 2018Speaker of The Regional Assembly: Wonderess (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5048157).
Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly: Prydania (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3295892) and Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753).
Members of The Speaker's Staff: Dinoium (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5028135) and Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450).
VotePassedDelegate Advisor Law (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/posts/10202516), proposed by St George (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968).
Summary: Delegate Advisor Law was an attempt to amend the legal code to make advisors official government roles, and both define and limit their powers. The proposal ran into some opposition due to concerns that its passage would lead to less transparency, not more. Every delegate makes use of advisors, and publicly displaying them is essentially one form of public disclosure. The concern was that by setting bounds on advisors and by making them bound by oath, it would discourage future delegates from officially appointing advisers. However, after the concerns were addressed, and when the bill ultimately reached quorum, it was passed by an overwhelming majority.
Voter Breakdown
Members voting Aye (24)
QuietDad
Great Bights Mum
Pallaith
Sil Dorsett
mcmasterdonia
Prydania
Nessuno
Dinoium
Syrixia
Artemis
bowloftoast
Bobberino
SillyString
Sanjurika
Eluvatar
Kyle
Loh
ibiscaton
Marcus Antonius
Praetor
Haor Chall
Scorch
St George
Yuno
Members voting Nay (1)
Yalkan
Members Abstaining (3)
Crushing Our Enemies
Siwale
Wilkshire
Artemis's Security Council Application (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189549), put forward by Pallaith (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5000902).
Summary: With the Security Council unanimously voting in favor of Artemis' application for a seat on the Council, Vice Delegate and Security Council Chair Pallaith presented the application to the Regional Assembly for discussion and vote. While most favored Artemis for the role, Siwale made an unexpected and high-profile declamation against Artemis' acceptance. He passionately argued that while the SC has had difficulty with activity lately, that that should not be an excuse to bring on new members with what he viewed as having questionable records. The Regional Assembly threw out this argument however, and voted nearly unanimously in favor of the confirmation.
Voter Breakdown
Members voting Aye (19)
Dinoium
Wonderess
St George
Bobberino
Rachel
bowloftoast
bootsie
Yuno
Syrixia
Highton
Praetor
Pallaith
Great Bights Mum
Romanoffia
Chinar
Sanjurika
Loh
Sil Dorsett
Lord Lore
Members voting Nay (1)
Siwale
Members Abstaining (5)
Artemis
Owenstacey
Gladio
Crushing Our Enemies
QuietDad
Votes Discounted (1)
Haor Chall - discounted for not being one of Aye, Nay, or Abstain, without embellishments.
Citizenship Amendment (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189379/), proposed by Siwale (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5012431/)
Summary: The Citizenship Amendment proposal is a proposal to make sure if you post on either the forum or regional message board in under 30 days, you can keep your citizenship. It currently is done via forum posts, but if passed, regional message board posts would count as well. Such a measure could substantially enlarge our citizenry, and could potentially provide a bridge between various groups within the region, allowing for a more unified TNP. Proponents of the bill feel that posting requirements should be loosened, and this is a good step towards that goal. On the other hand, opponents argue that citizenship does require activity on the forums - from voting in the RA to elections in general - and that as such, the current system where only forum activity is counted towards posting requirements should continue.
Voter Breakdown
Members voting Aye (47)
QuietDad
Zaz
Pallaith
Brendog
abc
BMWSurfer
Thomas Insaniac
Aerilia
mcmasterdonia
Prydania
Nessuno
Lotion
BluieGamer
Highton
Dinoium
Acria(Hardonius)
Sasten
bowloftoast
Bobberino
King SillyString
Sanjurika
Krevt
Loh
mtboy66
El Fiji Grande
Escade
Plembobria
ibiscaton
Yrkidding
Marcus Antonius
Sopo
Praetor
Pasargad
Klegspart
ACR of Deerfenland
Xyre
Scorch
Patrick Henry
St George
Yuno
Islands of Tonga
Wilkshire
Vapia
Rachael
Vamperiall
Western Remnant
Sinelona
Members voting Nay (12)
Romanoffia
Great Bights Mum
Owenstacey
Goyanes
Crushing Our Enemies
TlomzKrano
Lord Lore
Syrixia
Haor Chall
Iraelia
Chinar
Eireistan
Members Abstaining (6)
Gladio
Sil Dorsett
Siwale
Artemis
Wonderess
Notboss Dragonking
On the Rejection of Andrew's Citizenship Application (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189548), put forward by Pallaith (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5000902).
Summary: The Vice Delegate Pallaith rejected former TNP Minister of Home Affairs and former Balder Minister of Integration Andrew because it has been known that he shared confidential information with officials in Balder while serving under Delegate Tomb. Pallaith saw this violation as a possible security threat to the region, and did not clear Andrew of the Vice Delegate security check. As required by law, this matter was brought before the Regional Assembly. After some heated discussion, the RA voted to overturn the VD check and confirm Andrew as a citizen of TNP. While this may give him a second chance within the region, future administrations should carefully re-evaluate his disposition before bringing him onboard again.
Election Commission Nominations of Brendog and Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189577), put forward by Siwale (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5012431).
Summary: There was some difficulty getting this to vote as Artemis currently serves as a Deputy Speaker. However, since Constitutional restrictions on holding multiple offices is waived for Election Commissioners, this vote proceeded without fault, and both Brendog and Artemis were confirmed.
Election Commission Confirmation of Eluvatar and Owenstacey (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189628/) put forward by Siwale (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5012431).
Summary: While the vote was initially voided due to a technical error, Eluvatar and Owenstacey were both confirmed as Election Commissioners.[/SIZE]
DiscussionThe Speaker Accountability Act (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189672/), proposed by BMWSurfer (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5023308/).
Summary: This legislation was proposed by BMWSurfer in an effort to increase the transparency of the Speaker's office, as he is not entirely sure what the Speaker's staff actually
does. While some saw it as a statement, Wonderess - the current Speaker - supports the bill as doing so may increase the connection the office has with the public. However, many wonder whether this Act is worth inscribing into law, as it does not seem necessary.
The Executive Accountability Act (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189657/), proposed by Wonderess (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5048157/).
Summary: This legislation proposes to have Regional Officers (ie Ministers) submit summary reports of their actions on a monthly basis to increase transparency and aid Executive Staff recruitment. In debate, some feel the legislation poses a needless bureaucratic burden on the Executive. However, others feel that any added accountability in the Executive Branch - irrespective of how long or short the reports are - make the regional government more accessible to the general public. Some controversy was stirred over the Speaker himself proposing this legislation, where some felt his actions inappropriate and others that he had acted merely as a standard citizen.
By El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
North Pacific Army Bulletin, November-December 2018!
Minister of Defense: Zazumo (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3279351/)
Deputy Ministers of Defense: Darcania (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3268033/)
Chief of Staff: QuietDad (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3065561/)
(https://i.imgur.com/TKawjPO.jpg?1)
NPA Soldiers review their holdings
Loz (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5015125/) served from October 24th to December 14th. His brief tenure in office saw training operations, officers' tests, and notably, the West Pacific Delegate transition and deployment to St Abbaddon (https://www.nationstates.net/region=st_abbaddon). After publicly resigning due to IRL military time conflicts, former Minister of Defense Zazumo (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3279351/) returned to take the helm.
Promotions:
Zazumo (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3279351/) is promoted to General
Bluie Gamer (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5002697/) is promoted to Major
BMWSurfer (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5023308/) is promoted to Major
Malphe (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3314069/) is promoted to Major
Dinoium (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5028135/) promoted to Captain
Brendog (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/) promoted to Lieutenant
Praetor (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3302031/) promoted to Lieutenant
Koopa103 (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060570/) promoted to Lieutenant
Stoskavanya1 (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3261869/) promoted to Sergeant
Krevt (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5041825/) promoted to Corporal
Yuno (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3308149/) promoted to PFC
NastyGamer (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060602/) promoted to PFC
Pasmeni (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060654/) promoted to PFC
ABC (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5006661/) promoted to PFC
Spang (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060562/) promoted to PFC
Alex Thompson (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060640/) promoted to PFC
BeanTaz (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060877/) promoted to PFC
Logs of the Period
(https://i.imgur.com/Pk1Us99.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XEkOGu9.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/faCxJBw.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/HP3Xa74.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/poQANsG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Y1dchvu.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/DHRx3zJ.png)
To close this off, we'll be continuing our Featured Troop of the Report. Congratulations Yuno (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3308149/)!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.
Repeal "On Universal Jurisdiction"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 14,483 Against: 1,445
Final Vote (TNP): For: 539 Against: 44 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.8%
Recommendation: "On Universal Jurisdiction", while well meaning in supporting the ability of WA member nations to prosecute war criminals and those who commit crimes against humanity, possesses critical flaws that are exposed upon further review. Specifically in section three where the resolution requires prosecution, but fails to require the sharing of pertinent evidence or information that will assist the prosecution in reaching a conviction, therefore harming the ability for nations to properly prosecute criminals. Additionally, section seven prevents the World Assembly, as a collective, from claiming jurisdiction over said criminals, therefore preventing any WA based court from effectively bringing up charges and using acquired evidence in prosecuting criminals.
In hoping that a corrected replacement or equivalent proposal is draft, and in accordance with reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this repeal.
Repeal "Preventing the Execution of Innocents"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 9,411 Against: 6,397
Final Vote (TNP): For: 392 Against: 165 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.2%
Recommendation: The target resolution, while intending to modernize WA legal systems and ensure innocents are not unjustly killed, possesses various flaws that may lead to its downfall. Namely, the block of limits on discovery and admission of evidence, as well as requiring cases to meet a requirement of no doubt, well beyond that of reasonable doubt. Furthermore, the resolution possesses multiple points that appear to be selected arbitrarily; including the restriction on the amount of people affected by the crimes committed and the order and separation of the discovery periods by the Division and various council associated with the case. Lastly, a criminal could avoid capital punishment by indefinitely delaying appeals and other avenues that prevent the Division from certifying the case.
In hopes of a redraft or new draft addressing capital punishment in the WA, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a close evaluation of the repeal and the target resolution, and a vote For this repeal.
For reference and sake of comparison, the Ministry gave a "No Recommendation" at the original passing of this target resoltuion, such IFV you can find in the following link: here. (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1093883)
International Aero-Space Administration
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,990 Against: 1,357
Final Vote (TNP): For: 555 Against: 37 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.2%
Recommendation: The support of development of space research is a laudable and very important goal for the World Assembly to promote and properly legislate. The proposal addresses a swath of space, engineering, and data issues that concern the way nations interact and share this information. This includes the publishing of donated research, coordination on spacecraft launches, assisting in the development of civilian space programs, and acting as an intermediary for international joint space programs. It further requires nations to coordinate flight plans for aircraft and spacecraft while not infringing on military secrecy or unreasonably requiring corporation. Lastly, and most importantly, the proposal allows for expansion upon the many topics it addresses and lays groundwork for proper space legislation in the future.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Repeal "On Universal Jurisdiction"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 14,843 Against: 2,064
Final Vote (TNP): For: 503 Against: 44 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.3%
Recommendation: "On Universal Jurisdiction", while well meaning in supporting the ability of WA member nations to prosecute war criminals and those who commit crimes against humanity, possesses critical flaws that are exposed upon further review. Specifically in section three where the resolution requires prosecution, but fails to require the sharing of pertinent evidence or information that will assist the prosecution in reaching a conviction, therefore harming the ability for nations to properly prosecute criminals. Furthermore, the requirement of prosecution will lead to criminals seeking out apathetic or even sympathetic jurisdictions in order to reduce or eliminate penalties all together. Additionally, section seven prevents the World Assembly, as a collective, from claiming jurisdiction over said criminals, therefore preventing any WA based court from effectively bringing up charges and using acquired evidence in prosecuting these types of criminals.
In hoping that a corrected replacement or equivalent proposal is draft, and in accordance with reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this repeal.
Repeal "Preventing the Execution of Innocents"
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 7,199 Against: 9,737
Final Vote (TNP): For: 167 Against: 408 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.2%
Recommendation: The Ministry is nearly equally divided about this repeal. Among Ministry members, there is a majority objection to the practice of capital punishment, but the GA has elected to maintain this punitive option for member nations. GA#443 Preventing the Execution of Innocents (the target of this repeal) was passed to maintain checks and balances, and to create a WA body for sober second thought and review of such cases before executions may take place. The objective being to prevent innocent persons from being executed by overzealous, careless, or corrupted judiciaries. Noble in that cause, GA#443 also has its flaws and is perceived by some as too complex and invasive. As the Ministry vote is nearly equally split, the deciding factor must be the likelihood of passage of any replacing legislation, should the target be repealed. While this repeal makes a competent case in pointing out the flaws in the target, it is the opinion of the Ministry that the pursuant replacement would be unlikely to pass, leaving no protections whatsoever against unsound verdicts leading to the execution of innocents in a criminal context. At present, it is the belief of the Ministry that even a flawed legislation that saves innocent lives is better than no legislation at all.
For this reason, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Intersystem Space Stations Programme
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 7,652 Against: 7,988
Final Vote (TNP): For: 209 Against: 337 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.9%
Recommendation: This proposal is a bit convoluted and not very clear in its intent. It fails to cite any parameters for the proposed project and gives only vague indications of the project's eventual benefits to member nations. Without these things, the project has the potential to become a vast and costly white elephant in space, indefinitely hemorrhaging funds into the nearest singularity. Most problematic is the requirement to a mandatory, open-ended spend for all WA nations, many of whom have no interest in space exploration at all. This lack of clarity in authorship, and perhaps an ambition that has outpaced practical realities, renders the project difficult to envision, and the proposal difficult to support.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Commend Xoriet
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 14,443 Against: 2,222
Final Vote (TNP): For: 536 Against: 46 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.3%
Recommendation: Xoriet is a hard working contributor to the greater Nationstates community, and one who had a crucial role in The East Pacific and the East Pacific Sovereign Army (EPSA). They led its golden age and helped make it one of the preeminent militaries of its time between 2014 and 2015. They are also a nation that provided guidance on treaties with other regions, including TNP, and helped set new harassment policies around NationStates. Furthermore, the commendation itself is well written and spotlights a positive community contributor.
In accordance with the reasons presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Liberate the Coalition of Fascist Nations
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 4,008 Against: 10,470
Final Vote (TNP): For: 125 Against: 411 Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.8%
Recommendation: This proposal represents the culmination of a series of ideologically driven offensive liberation attempts to an inevitable triviality. Where once liberations of this nature targeted overtly racist regions that celebrated historic atrocities, and had wide support within the Ministry, this proposal relies heavily on hyperbole in an attempt to equate the mundane with the Machiavellian. Coalition of Fascist Nations is an insignificant region, not actively campaigning, hosting roughly 80 nations, and posing no threat to the wider community. Some may find their political position offensive, and those individuals are well within their rights to support liberation. It is the opinion of the Ministry, however, that an indiscriminate use of this important and powerful tool will ultimately render the tool ineffective.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Commend The Church of Satan
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 7,815 Against: 8,349
Final Vote (TNP): For: 288 Against: 278 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.5%
Recommendation: Because this proposal reads more like a grocery list of government positions rather than citing accomplishments, the initial response might be to reject it. Taking a deeper read, however, it becomes apparent that Church of Satan has made significant contributions in leadership, to a variety of regions over time, and across the spectrum of the WA. The varying demands of each of those posts, within markedly different realms should not be overlooked. There is clear evidence here of a dedication to knowledge and the development of the sort of soft skills that led to CoS being elected to leading positions in region after region. One does not simply walk into The Rejected Realms and garner respect. It is by the years of commitment and hard work, abilities acquired, challenges encountered, lessons learned, that CoS has been able to instill in each region touched, a sense of pride, and so for TRR. This sort of long term, adaptable, get-the-job-done dedication is worthy of acknowledgement.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Repeal "Liberate The East Pacific"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 15,074 Against: 1,767
Final Vote (TNP): For: 488 Against: 45 Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.3%
Recommendation: "Liberate The East Pacific", while a well written and humorous piece of legislation that has blessed these hallowed and secure halls for some time now, has appeared to have lost meaning in accordance with the raider princess being usurped latest election results. The new regime lead with changes in the hue of their official government documents; changing from an autocratic pink to a more democratic green as well as transforming the emigration process to be more shudders cosmopolitan friendly. Furthermore, despite everyone's hopes, TEP was never turned into a Black Hawk or West Pacific puppet state. As a result, the region has moved on and is not currently experiencing the various issues raised in the liberation.
In observance of moving on, while not attempting to demean the artistic flair of the previously passed legislation, and in accordance with the evidence presented above (jokes aside), recommends a vote For this repeal.
Condemn The Pacific
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 14,006 Against: 1,866
Final Vote (TNP): For: 540 Against: 37 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.5%
Recommendation: The last time The Pacific was condemned, the current regime (the New Pacific Order) apologized for their actions and subsequent conduct in the 2015 coup d'etat of Lazarus. As a result of the apology, the international community repealed the condemnation and attempted to start anew with the NPO. Unfortunately, recent events, including previously covered up events following the 2015 condemnation, have revealed to the international community that its trust in the NPO was misplaced and those apologies were hollow. Recent events include, the infiltration and espionage of Osiris and Lazarus by Feux and A Mean Old Man, and the forced exile of Topid from St Abbaddon. Furthermore, various NPO officials have been directly involved in coups in The North Pacific, The South Pacific, and Lazarus and concealing the true identity of a player who committed vandalism and destruction of various regional forums. The Pacific's resident regime of the New Pacific Order has proven to be aggressive, disrespectful of regional sovereignty, and willing to pursue their own agenda at any cost without fear of repercussion.
In accordance with reasons stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the condemnation of The Pacific.
Condemn Macedon
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,732 Against: 2,249
Final Vote (TNP): For: 509 Against: 45 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.9%
Recommendation: Macedon is an ancient region who was among the first imperialistic regions in the NS community. In accordance with actions they committed during their active existence, they were condemned under the very first Security Council Resolution (SC #1). The reason for existence of this second condemnation is to expand upon the first, specifically in detailing the actions Macedon committed which warranted the original condemnation. These actions including using puppets to undermine other regional governments and overthrow sitting governments, invading and forcing out natives from their home region, passwording and refounding regions to prevent natives from reestablishing their community, and attempting to take over and/or refound France, Belgium, and Greece. Furthermore, the actions Macedon committed against Belgium helped pave the way for the creation of Liberations in the SC.
In hopes of maintaining proper SC history while providing context to historical resolutions and in accordance with the facts stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Commend Bachtendekuppen
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 10,113 Against: 5,726
Final Vote (TNP): For: 384 Against: 183 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.4%
Recommendation: It is undeniable that Bachtendekuppen has made significant contributions to The East Pacific as delegate, mediator, diplomat, mentor, and archivist. The ongoing good work cited in the proposal is laudable and should be celebrated. Also notable is Bach's significant contribution to the treaty between TEP and The North Pacific, forming a long standing alliance between the regions, further strengthened by Bach's continued diplomatic efforts. This is a highly regarded player, and a respected diplomatic force in the wider world.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Repeal "Condemn Macedon"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,625 Against: 5,035
Final Vote (TNP): For: 397 Against: 167 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.6%
Recommendation: This repeal is the coup de grâce in a strategy to repeal and replace previous Security Council ruling SC#1, but while taking a slightly different route: Passing first the replacement, then seeking the repeal afterwards. SC#1 was written in the infancy of the Security Council and was without precedent in terms of its structure. The result was a less than comprehensive resolution that failed to provide detail and context to the offences of the target region. The replacing resolution SC#269 accomplishes that, and in doing so renders SC#1 redundant - little more than a curiosity of a bygone era. While care should be taken against wanton revisions of the historical record of both the GA and SC, in this case the repeal of SC#1 poses no threat, and its replacement actually enhances our understanding of that period in our shared history.
For this reason The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Condemn United World Order
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,062 Against: 1,762
Final Vote (TNP): For: 462 Against: 43 Percentage of WA nations voting: 34.0%
Recommendation: This is a Roleplay condemnation, and since they aren't that common, some explanation: A condemnation of this nature is designed to acknowledge both the outstanding roleplay of the nominee, as well as their contributions to the community while out of character. The form the nomination takes, either condemnation or commendation, will often be determined by the role. In the case of United World Order, the role is one of an insidious and villainous nation (in character) guilty of numerous atrocities and crimes against humanity. This condemnation is an extension of that roleplay, and an acknowledgement from their peers of outstanding dedication and commitment to their character. Out of character, UWO is an accomplished RPer with a history of high-quality roleplay for over 5 years. Respected in the community, UWO has always been approachable and willing to help new RPers with advice and feedback, and, has been an upstanding member of our allies Greater Dienstad for some time.
For this reason, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Repeal "Commend Solorni"
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: Against
Recommendation: There is strong historical precedent within the NationStates community, that commendations of players discovered to have engaged in out-of-character (OOC) misconduct ought to be repealed, as a means of isolating these players and protecting the community. Such repeals have occurred a few times in the past, and The North Pacific has consistently voted in support of them. The need for these repeals arises, largely, due to the unwillingness of NationStates' administration to adequately address OOC actions occurring outside of the main NationStates website. It is also an unfortunate consequence of NationStates' harmful rules for handling OOC misconduct issues, that these repeals must be written from an entirely in-character (IC) perspective. As a result, repeals of this kind are difficult to write, with the authors having to waltz around the rules in order to disguise what the resolution really is about: condemnation of OOC misconduct.
Unfortunately, in the case of the repeal in question, the attempts for rule compliance have resulted in a resolution containing assertions that are at best exaggerations, and at worst outright falsehoods. The problematic claims are found in two clauses, "Disgusted..." and "Disturbed...": In these clauses, the resolution takes allegations of misconduct by the commended nation, previously published in Europeia's investigation, and elevates them into statements of fact. This is despite the fact that Europeia themselves acknowledge that there is not sufficient evidence to prove these allegations. To make matters worse, by asserting the entire career of the commended nation to be the result of OOC misconduct, the resolution grossly misrepresents even the number of these allegations. The implication of the clauses is that the commended nation routinely and consistently resorted to OOC misconduct, possibly in a majority of their interactions throughout their years-long NationStates career. There is simply no evidence to support that there has been misconduct at this scale.
It is worth taking a moment to contrast this resolution with previous repeals of commendations for OOC reasons: All of them had to cite IC arguments, in order to overcome the unfortunate confines of the NationStates' rules. However, none of them had to resort to unproven assertions of OOC misconduct. This is the first resolution to do so. Supporting this resolution sets a dangerous precedent for future resolutions attempting to address OOC misconduct. Not only is this resolution not conducive to establishing an effective protocol for how the community should deal with cases of OOC misconduct by commended players, but it damages what progress the community has already made in that regard.
Because of all of the above, The North Pacific must oppose this resolution. The North Pacific would vote in favor of an alternative repeal resolution that addressed the above shortcomings. But as it stands, The North Pacific recommends a vote against the current resolution.
(https://i.imgur.com/HPkzITk.png)
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: Siwale :: Executive Editor: El Fiji Grande :: Managing Editors: Dinoium, Bobberino
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and by the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/f4UEI8F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)January 2019 General Elections
by Marcus Antonius, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Communications
The January 2019 elections were a spectacular event with a large turnout of candidates. Eluvatar and Owenstacey served as Election Commissioners.
Delegate Results
Image: Pallaith vs MadJack
(https://fsmedia.imgix.net/bb/a0/68/6d/0a2e/4245/95d3/0153b2a79de0/sc4-darth-vaderjpg.jpeg?rect=0%2C0%2C2778%2C1389&dpr=2&auto=format%2Ccompress&w=650)
The candidates for Delegate were St. George, Bluie Gamer, abc, Bobberino, BMWSurfer, Pallaith and Praetor.
St. George (Mad Jack) once served as Delegate previously in Osiris in 2012, but had a DOS status that prevented him from accessing NS for the last several years. When, a few months ago, he successfully appealed that decision with the NS mods, there was significant hype around the potential for a campaign of his for the delegacy. His platform was impressive and certainly gave Pallaith a run for his money in gaining 36.36% of the region's voters.
Bluie Gamer was going to run in the last election but was struck by the 'forum apocalypse'. He ran a joke campaign in which he advised the region not to vote for him, but still succeeded in securing a solitary vote.
abc has been a member of TNP for two years and has held the positions of Speaker and Minister of Home Affairs. He received some criticism from his term as Speaker when he 'vanished,' leaving Wonderess to essentially take over the office. This may reflect why voters only gave him the one vote.
Bobberino ran a joke campaign in which he declared himself 'Spammer in Chief!'. He still managed to attract four votes.
BMWSurfer, our hard working Minister of Home Affairs, Deputy Minister of World Assembly Affairs and relative 'newcomer' to TNP, managed to sway six votes. His campaign made light of his plan to have “Some people will be on my cabinet, some animals,” referencing some peoples' choice of forum avatar and NS flag.
Praetor's campaign was well thought-out, and provided a deep level of suggestions for future delegates. It was intended to be a model campaign. Praetor withdrew his bid for Delegate on the first day of voting as he never intended to actually run, not having the time to dedicate to the role.
Pallaith - serving as Vice Delegate and Security Councillor - was always going to be a very strong contender for the delegacy. His commitment, work ethic and the fact he has been Delegate on two previous occasions, proved a popular choice for the voters. He claimed victory with 52.73% of the vote.
The new Delegate of TNP is Pallaith, having secured 58 of the 110 total votes cast.
St. George came second with 40 votes. BMWSurfer, third with 6 votes. Fourth place went to Bobberino with 4 votes. The last place positions were shared by abc and Bluie Gamer with 1 vote apiece. There were 7 Abstains.
Vice Delegate Results
Image: Syrixia gives SiberianFedRep some sound advice
(https://tve-static-syfy.akamaized.net/prod/image/946/39/180403_3694909_Staying_Alive_anvver_1_1500x844_1206807107660.jpg)
The candidates for Vice Delegate were Brendog, Sil Dorsett, SiberianFedRep, Bobberino and Bootsie.
Brendog - a former Minister of Home Affairs - has previously pursued the Vice Delegacy. He provided a sound but intriguing campaign in relation to the running of the Security Council. This achieved him 14.16% of the vote.
SiberianFedRep received no votes, having abandoned the region prior to the start of voting. While his campaign was clearly beneath the standard of a serious candidate in the election, it is important to emphasize that TNP makes an effort to seriously consider the campaigns of experienced newcomers, even if they're not familiar faces.
Bobberino not only threw his hat into the Delegate race, but also the Vice Delegate race. He did not submit a campaign thread for the VD race, but still managed to achieve 9.73% of the vote. His joke delegate bid has already been discussed above.
bootsie has been on the Security Council for three years and has served as Vice Delegate. As Sil Dorsett, a fellow Security Councillor,
was running for the Vice Delegacy as well, bootsie tactically withdrew from the contest so as not to split the votes between them.
Sil Dorsett is a current member of the Security Council. He has been involved in TNP for over two years and has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of World Assembly Affairs. Voters agreed that he was indeed 'The Right Person in the Right Job.' With the withdrawal of bootsie, the race for Vice Delegate was left open for Sil Dorsett to bring home 76.11% of the vote.
At the end of voting, Sil Dorsett is the new Vice Delegate with 86 of the 113 votes cast. Brendog came second with sixteen votes, and Bobberino gained third place with eleven votes. There were four abstains.
Attorney General Results
Image: General COE discussing legal matters with Yuno
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jWYdweOTDGk/maxresdefault.jpg)
There were only two candidates for the position of Attorney General: Yuno and Crushing Our Enemies.
Yuno is relatively new to TNP but she didn’t want COE running against himself. To prove herself knowledgeable and understanding of TNP's Legal Code, Yuno summarized the aforementioned document in her campaign. This impressed some voters as she achieved 27.96% of the votes.
Crushing Our Enemies was the sitting Attorney General and was seeking re-election to the office. Four months ago, he promised to center his work as Attorney General around the values of Compassion, Objectivity, and Efficiency. The voters of TNP acknowledged his appeal and he won, accumulating 67 of the 93 cast votes of which there were 23 abstains.
So, Crushing Our Enemies has been re-elected as the Attorney General.
Regional Speaker Results
Image: Wonderess, Dinoium and Artemis settle matters in the Speaker's Office
(https://pics.filmaffinity.com/Perros_de_reserva-647440198-large.jpg)
Wonderess (the former Speaker) as well as Artemis and Dinoium entered the fray for election for Speaker. This particular race became quite controversial.
Wonderess completed one term as Speaker after succeeding ABC for the role in the last election. He was very keen to be re-elected as he wanted to publish a successor to the Regional Assembly Digest, a comprehensive summary of RA activity that had fallen by the wayside in his last term.
Artemis (also known as Oracle and as Sundred) served as a member of the Security Council, Election Commission, and Deputy Speaker at the time of the election, and is a former Minister of Culture. His campaign cited his plan - if elected - to surround himself with active Deputy Speakers, and hopes to blend the make-up of the Deputy Speakers with experienced members as well as newer individuals to help train future speakers.
Dinoium has had experience as a Deputy Minister of Communications, Deputy Attorney General, Ambassador and has served on the Speaker's Staff. When the voting started, it became obvious that it was going to be a very close race indeed. At the cease of voting, there were only four votes separating the first and last places.
Wonderess - the incumbent - was defeated, taking 34 of 108 total votes. There were nine abstains. Artemis and Dinoium could not achieve a clear majority with 36 and 38 votes achieved respectively at the cease of the voting period. This then led to a runoff vote, which is further described in the section below.
Speaker Runoff Results
Image: Dinoium takes on Artemis
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/45/92/d0/4592d073168663d9499b1f7c1535fb32.jpg)
The runoff vote between Artemis and Dinoium got off to a good start and it very quickly appeared as though Dinoium was going to secure the victory. However, a few days into the campaign, Dinoium had a change of heart having been dropped as a Deputy Minister of Communications. Preferring to once again pursue that role, he wished to concede the Speaker race. There was some speculation as to his intent, given that such an action is illegal. A candidate cannot concede once the voting has started. Dinoium would have had to drop his citizenship or not take his oath if elected. If he dropped his citizenship, the voting process would have to be re-started. If he was victorious in the voting and was awarded the Speaker position and then not taken his oath, this would have triggered a Special Election a week after the Oath Taking period had lapsed. All that said, Dinoium later stated that he had merely attempted to admit defeat and encourage his supporters to shift their votes to Artemis. Whatever the case, this situation did not result in a legal dilemma, as at the close of voting, the votes were as follows: Artemis: 44 and Dinoium: 30, with one abstain.
Artemis is the new Speaker.
Minister and Deputy Appointments
Ministers
Pallaith appointed:
Darcania as Minister of Defense
BMWSurfer as Minister of Home Affairs
Tlomz (Kranostav) as Minister of WA Affairs
El Fiji Grande as Minister of Communications
Brendog as Minister of Foreign Affairs
MadJack (St George) as Minister of Culture
Deputy Speakers
Artemis appointed:
Ark, Bobberino, bootsie
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Marcus Antonius, Deputy Minister of Communications
Image: Delegate Pallaith being transported to the Security Council
(https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/492837823.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1)
Speaker of The Regional Assembly:
Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/)Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly:
Ark (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5029945/), Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/) and
Bootsie (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3189017/)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At VoteNonePassedNessuno's Security Council Application (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189699/), put forward by
Pallaith (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5000902/).
Status: PassedSummary: The Security Council, having previously nominated Nessuno's back in 2015, discussed his application. Siwale provided a detailed statement in support of Nessuno and the Security Council passed the nomination and it went to vote. The vote passed in Nessuno's favour with only one opposed.
Voter Breakdown
– Votes in Favor (21)
QuietDad
Great Bights Mum
artiza
Pallaith
Crushing Our Enemies
Brendog
Siwale
BluieGamer
Dinoium
Syrixia
Artemis
Sanjurika
Andrenne
Drusselstein
Loh
Marcus Antonius
Praetor
St George
Yuno
Wilkshire
Darcania
Votes Opposed (1)
Sil Dorsett
Abstentions (7)
Gladio
Nessuno
Wonderess
Eluvatar
El Fiji Grande
Haor Chall
Nap
, put forward by
Pallaith (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5000902/).
Status: PassedSummary: The Security Council had nominated Crushing Our Enemies for a seat on the Security Council. The vote for his admission was a majority, with 9 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. The application then went to the Regional Assembly for discussion and voting to take place. During the discussion a very interesting and reasoned answer was given by COE in relation to 'Reckless Endorsement Gathering". The RA vote was 28 ayes and 1 abstain.
Voter Breakdown
Members voting Aye:
QuietDad
Great Bights Mum
Pallaith
Sil Dorsett
Siwale
mcmasterdonia
Prydania
Nessuno
BluieGamer
Dinoium
Syrixia
Artemis
bowloftoast
Bobberino
Sanjurika
Drusselstein
Loh
John Maynard
Marcus Antonius
Praetor
Haor Chall
Pasargad
Xyre
St George
Yuno
Wilkshire
Dreadton
Darcania
Members Abstaining:
Eluvatar
, put forward by
Dinoium (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5028135/).
Status: In DiscussionSummary: Dinoium proposes changes of Article 3: Delegate and Vice Delegate of the Constitution of The North Pacific.
Amendment to the Rules of the Regional Assembly (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189856/), put forward by
Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/).
Status: In DiscussionSummary: During the past several months, Artemis had seen some comments about amending the rules of the Regional Assembly. Therefore, he would like to present a draft for consideration of some changes. None are too drastic and would be beneficial.
Making sense of who are government officials (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189870/), put forward by
Haor Chall (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/197322/).
Status: In DiscussionSummary: It seems very odd that Deputy Ministers are not currently seen as government officials, which is causing some confusion. Haor Chall proposes changes to the Legal Code, Chapter 6 and Constitutional Amendment, Article 7.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)North Pacific Army Bulletin January 2019
by Malphe, War Correspondent
Minister of Defense: Darcania (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3268033/)
Deputy Ministers of Defense: Malphe (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3314069/), Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/)
Image: New Minister of Defense Darcania
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FchUiVBMm.png&hash=f898d86f8b6250c7dba43fe757e95f82)
Unfortunately the crown we usually give to the Minister was too small for their head but they found a way to make it work.
Entering into 2019, newly elected delegate Pallaith appointed long-time NPA member and former MoD Darcania as Minister of Defense, who then appointed Bobberino and Malphe as his deputies.
Darcania is one of the oldest NPAers still active and has the experience of over three years and a short time already as MoD in 2017 under his belt. He has also served as Chief of Staff under Eluvatar and Deputy Minister of Defense under both Zazumo and Lozinak. Deputy Bobberino has been a member of the NPA since early 2018, entering during now deputy Malphe's term who has been a member (with bouts of inactivity) since early 2016.
Whilst no large operations have yet been undertaken as of 27/01/2019 excepting a small tag of a fascist region, the Minister has been busy reorganizing the roster of the NPA to automatically update any soldier's number of operations undertaken. This term has also seen the return of Gladio to activity within NPA, although still WA locked he has triggered for a simple tag operation where he hit 3 out of the 3 targets, despite not having triggered for almost a year.
We're optimistic this will be a very good term for the NPA!
Mission Logs
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fajc3dJN.png&hash=142cf0d153167be0ebea5ecaf8980ef0)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)World Assembly Digest
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.
Preventing Groundwater Contamination
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,534 Against: 2,184
Final Vote (TNP): For: 511 Against: 62 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.2
Recommendation: This proposal is a bit convoluted and not very clear in its intent. It fails to cite any parameters for the proposed project and gives only vague indications of the project's eventual benefits to member nations. Without these things, the project has the potential to become a vast and costly white elephant in space, indefinitely hemorrhaging funds into the nearest singularity. Most problematic is the requirement to a mandatory, open-ended spend for all WA nations, many of whom have no interest in space exploration at all. This lack of clarity in authorship, and perhaps an ambition that has outpaced practical realities, renders the project difficult to envision, and the proposal difficult to support.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Debtor Voting Rights
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 9,613 Against: 6,991
Final Vote (TNP): For: 457 Against: 157 Percentage of WA nations voting: 42.1
Recommendation: The proposal very simply and elegantly protects the voting rights of debtors. This is important as democratic member nations should not constrict the rights of citizens to elect representatives and/or the ability to vote upon other democratic processes based on their financial status or grievances.
In accordance with the brief reasoning stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Repeal "Debtor Voting Rights"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 10,937 Against: 5,078
Final Vote (TNP): For: 316 Against: 218 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.0
Recommendation: Foundationally, the target proposal remains sound. That it does not address every conceivable scenario where it may be skirted by nefarious governments does not preclude the possibility of future, enhancing proposals to address those vulnerabilities. The recent passage of GAR#450 (Don't Kill the Poor Act) addressing an oversight in GAR#38 (Convention Against Genocide) shows how scenarios not considered at the time of passage of a law can be later addressed, without a wholesale repeal and replace. Although the ideas outlined in this repeal and the ideas outlined in DVR are linked, they remain separate issues: One relating to debt and imprisonment. One relating to debt and voting rights. As a result, and provided any supplementary legislation enhancing DVR does not tread on precisely the same ground, the concerns raised in this proposal can be addressed without the repeal. While some may see DVR as incomplete, incomplete is not the same as defective. In what it sets out to do, DVR still makes it very clear that no nation shall bar member nations from invoking a person's debts as reason to deprive that person of the right to vote. Legislation relating to debt and incarceration can, and likely will, come later.
For this reason, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Freedom to Seek Medical Care II
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 8,069 Against: 7,770
Final Vote (TNP): For: 196 Against: 410 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.4
Recommendation: This is the second incarnation of this proposal. The first was submitted for vote roughly one year ago, and little has changed between that version and this. The Ministry cited a significant problem with version one (FTSMC), in that it created potential conflicts with standing legislation GAR#389, relating to the closure of national borders, and the prohibition of temporary emigration at times of quarantine during epidemics. Should the need arise to repeal and replace GAR#389 with a more comprehensive version, the passage of FTSMC would have rendered that legally impossible. The loss of that ability to declare quarantines, and close national borders, would present an unacceptable risk to the greater public health of the WA, writ large. While the Ministry, then, supported the premise of FTMSC, it could not support the proposal without a suggested, minor edit to language, alleviating that problem. In the current version, those recommendations have gone ignored, the troublesome language remains, as does the potential conflict. It appears the author simply sat on the proposal for a year, made minor amendments that did not address previous concerns, then added a "II" to the title in hopes that voters would forget. This shows a certain complacency, which is further highlighted by the garbled text that appeared in the previous version and remains uncorrected a year later. For these reasons, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Repeal "Safeguarding Nuclear Materials"
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 4,846 Against: 10,862
Final Vote (TNP): For: 65 Against: 496 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.3
Recommendation: In citing our previous support of the target of this repeal, it should be noted that the target allows all WA nations to procure and trade nuclear weapons without WA interference. This is important as very real and powerful nuclear threats do exist outside of the WA sphere of influence and it is paramount that WA member nuclear programs are not subject to limitations that may prevent a response or act of aggression by a foreign power. Furthermore, the target resolution provides denuclearization services free of charge to nations who cannot defend or no longer wish to maintain their own nuclear program.
In accordance with the items stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this repeal.
Previous IFV
"Safeguarding Nuclear Materials" aims to protect member nations' rights to possess nuclear weapons and use them in cases of defense and war against hostile forces. We wish to remind the WA nations of the region that there are no limitations on what nuclear armaments non-WA member nations may produce and how said nations may use them, and that two former resolutions regarding nuclear materials within WA member nations have been repealed. This creates a situation in which a single resolution limiting the nuclear power of WA member nations could cause detrimental and most certainly fatal military disadvantages for WA member nations against non-WA member nations. Additionally, this resolution ensures that member nations can call upon the Nuclear Energy Safety Commission to secure technology and scientific knowledge as well as provide denuclearization assistance to nations unable to defend said items from hostile forces.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the resolution.
Right to Self-defenseStatus:
At VoteDelegate's Vote:
Against
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Repeal "Commend Solorni"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 10,943 Against: 2,806
Final Vote (TNP): For: 169 Against: 327 Percentage of WA nations voting: 33.8%
Recommendation: There is strong historical precedent within the NationStates community, that commendations of players discovered to have engaged in out-of-character (OOC) misconduct ought to be repealed, as a means of isolating these players and protecting the community. Such repeals have occurred a few times in the past, and The North Pacific has consistently voted in support of them. The need for these repeals arises, largely, due to the unwillingness of NationStates' administration to adequately address OOC actions occurring outside of the main NationStates website. It is also an unfortunate consequence of NationStates' harmful rules for handling OOC misconduct issues, that these repeals must be written from an entirely in-character (IC) perspective. As a result, repeals of this kind are difficult to write, with the authors having to waltz around the rules in order to disguise what the resolution really is about: condemnation of OOC misconduct.
Unfortunately, in the case of the repeal in question, the attempts for rule compliance have resulted in a resolution containing assertions that are at best exaggerations, and at worst outright falsehoods. The problematic claims are found in two clauses, "Disgusted..." and "Disturbed...": In these clauses, the resolution takes allegations of misconduct by the commended nation, previously published in Europeia's investigation, and elevates them into statements of fact. This is despite the fact that Europeia themselves acknowledge that there is not sufficient evidence to prove these allegations. To make matters worse, by asserting the entire career of the commended nation to be the result of OOC misconduct, the resolution grossly misrepresents even the number of these allegations. The implication of the clauses is that the commended nation routinely and consistently resorted to OOC misconduct, possibly in a majority of their interactions throughout their years-long NationStates career. There is simply no evidence to support that there has been misconduct at this scale.
It is worth taking a moment to contrast this resolution with previous repeals of commendations for OOC reasons: All of them had to cite IC arguments, in order to overcome the unfortunate confines of the NationStates' rules. However, none of them had to resort to unproven assertions of OOC misconduct. This is the first resolution to do so. Supporting this resolution sets a dangerous precedent for future resolutions attempting to address OOC misconduct. Not only is this resolution not conducive to establishing an effective protocol for how the community should deal with cases of OOC misconduct by commended players, but it damages what progress the community has already made in that regard.
Because of all of the above, The North Pacific must oppose this resolution. The North Pacific would vote in favor of an alternative repeal resolution that addressed the above shortcomings. But as it stands, The North Pacific recommends a vote against the current resolution.
Commend Lyras
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,948 Against: 2,038
Final Vote (TNP): For: 439 Against: 60 Percentage of WA nations voting: 34.3
Recommendation: Lyras is a well-known figure in the RP community, commanding great respect, and possessing a highly influential style that has drawn the loyalty and alignment of numerous nations. Lyras' military power is undeniable and has proven to be a stabilizing force in times of conflict and turmoil. As a superpower, this military might has been used overwhelmingly as an ultimate force towards good, and always with a beneficial, strategic endgame in mind. Lyras is expert in military armament, custom manufacture, and is always open to educating fellow RPers, and to bringing an unprecedented technical expertise to the realm of play. With a presence dating back nearly to antiquity, Lyras' place in the stratocracy is undeniable, and their leadership in shaping the post-Jolt landscape has contributed to the thriving RP community enjoyed today.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Commend Jutsa
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,930 Against: 1,634
Final Vote (TNP): For: 474 Against: 44 Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.2
Recommendation: In addition to being regionally active in the East Pacific, Jutsa has been an ongoing contributor to the greater NS community. Jutsa has authored several of the daily issues that appear in regular gameplay and has also collaborated in the authorship of legislation for the WA. Additionally, Jutsa is a regular contributor to legislation development for other nations, providing leadership and expertise through consistent forum activity, along with post-factum documentation and archiving. This is often thankless work that benefits every member of the WA by providing a clear and well-organized window into the past. Jutsa is a deserving member of the community and an important contributor to that which keeps the WA functioning day-to-day.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this resolution.
Commend Paffnia
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 11,963 Against: 2,600
Final Vote (TNP): For: 541 Against: 43 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.9
Recommendation: At first blush, the nomination seems to place greatest emphasis on Paffnia's regional accomplishments within 10,000 Islands, but more careful review reveals extensive international work as well, both diplomatically and militarily. A former WA Delegate and Foreign Affairs Minster for 10KI, Paffnia has forged numerous international relationships and has been recognized for ongoing good conduct abroad. Militarily, Paffnia has participated in some of the most significant defender campaigns in recent history, assisting some of the largest GCRs in the realm, and contributing to hundreds of smaller campaigns that have brought relief and stability to thousands of WA nations. Rounding out their contributions to the greater community is Paffnia's authorship of SC Resolution #93. Paffnia has received numerous accolades, awards, and military decorations domestically, and this worthy nominee is an ideal candidate for SC Commendation.
For the reasoning displayed above, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Repeal "Commend Imperium Anglorum"
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3,514 Against: 11,845
Final Vote (TNP): For: 75 Against: 502 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.5
Recommendation: Like all SC proposals, this one should be given a fair assessment, and decisions should be made based on content rather than any assumption as to the author's motive. Similarly, that benefit of the doubt should be extended to the target as well. If we can't jump to the conclusion that the author has submitted this proposal with anything but reasonable intention, then we equally can't jump to the conclusion that IA has submitted past proposals with any less reasonable motives. We must assume that both are acting with what they feel is in the best interest of the Assembly, even though those ideas may be in opposition. Much of the author's case for repeal is in trying to convince us of the target's ill motive, and it is in the absence of benefit of doubt where the author's argument falls apart under the weight of unsubstantiated speculation. Accusations of ill motive are quite simply a matter of opinion, and don't carry the sort of weight necessary to justify repealing a commendation for a player who has made significant and laudable contributions to both their region and the World Assembly.
For this reason, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Liberate Politics Amino
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 10,357 Against: 4,574
Final Vote (TNP): For: 523 Against: 51 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.5
Recommendation: Politics Amino is a small, active region who became the unfortunate target of an aggressive raid and refound orchestrated by a joint force led by Osiris. A liberation becomes necessary as those known to the situation believe it is a trophy hunt without specific reasoning and Osiris has stated that there is no explicit justification for the operation taking place. It is the stance of The North Pacific to oppose the total destruction of innocent communities and the support of legislation aiming to fulfill that goal. In accordance with the reasoning displayed above, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)The Spotlight #16: Interview with Great Bight's Mum
by Marcus Antonius, Deputy Minister of Communications
Views in this interview may not reflect the views of TNP's government
(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Hj.WIjCAv.7RiNfsB9Htg--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9NjMwO2g9MzU0O2lsPXBsYW5l/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/movietalk/MCDCLEO-FE002-H-jpg_160608.jpg)
Marcus Antonius and GBM share a bottle of Shiraz
Marcus Antonius: Welcome to The Spotlight, GBM! I am delighted you were able to take part in this series of interviews.
GBM: Thanks for asking me.
Marcus Antonius: I am relatively new to NS compared to yourself and I know little about you. Could you tell me how you came to join NS?
GBM: About 15 years ago, my brother, whose son had starting playing in college, suggested I might enjoy it. He said, "You make your own country and just answer issues. It takes only a couple of minutes a day." HA!
Marcus Antonius: (laughing) So, what made you pick TNP?
GBM: Fate. I was founded here. At first I wasn't sure I was going to stay, but everyone was so nice - Magicality, Thel D'ran, Blackshear, Poe/Indy Girl, that I decided this was the place for me. And Flem. Can't leave out Flemingovia
Marcus Antonius: That's exactly how I find TNP, really friendly and welcoming. Did you join the ministries straight away? What positions have you held here prior to being on the Security Council?
GBM: Actually, the whole thing was very foreign to me. I had no idea what a forum even was when I started playing. So I lurked for several weeks trying to figure things out.
Marcus Antonius: Yes, that was my experience as well, I found the spam games gave me more confidence. What ministries did you join?
GBM: My first position was MoC for Thel's Government-in-Exile during Great Bight's delegacy. I've been an ambassador, NPA, Vice Delegate and Delegate on a few occasions.
Marcus Antonius: That's really impressive GBM! What was your favourite Ministry or role?
GBM: Delegate. Hands down. It is a fine thing to be Delegate in a GCR.
Marcus Antonius: You mentioned Thel's Government-in-Exile during Great Bight's delegacy, this sounds like a very interesting time in TNP's history. Can you give me a summary please?
GBM: Yes, I hadn't been playing very long when all hell broke loose. We suddenly had a rogue delegate who was banning nations left and right. Great Bight was RPing a 12 year old pirate. (BTW, My original nation was not GBM, I created this one to harass him on the RMB. After all, how heartless would someone have to be to ban his own mother?) Anyway, GB had removed the forum link on the RMB, and replaced it with an elementary school student's piratey website. So we needed to reach as many nations as we could through TG, and by keeping the forum link on the RMB. Remember, in those days once the posts scrolled off the RMB, they were lost to the ether. There was no mass TGing. There were no scans for nations needing endorsements. Everything was quite labor-intensive. Also, there was no influence cost for the delegate in terms of banning nations. After several weeks of unendorsement campaigns, and rallying support from other regions, the Puppetmaster invasion led by Better Times/Ballatonia was successful in unseating GB. For me, the GB delegacy was an experience that fostered a true commitment to regional security. The GIE was created to have a functioning government which could step in once GB was unseated. Avengers Assemble was the region many of us gathered to coordinate things.
Marcus Antonius: That is incredible! That must have been a terrible time for TNP and very understandable that, like myself, you take security seriously. I wondered how you got the name Great Bites Mum. Are there any particularly noteworthy moments during your time as Delegate or the Security Council?
GBM: In 2008 Lewis & Clark, aka Westwind was elected Delegate. He established the Crimson Order, which was in fact a rogue delegacy. It very much divided the region, and it was corrupt at its core. Once I regained the delegacy, we had real problems in terms of unity. Now, we could follow the constitution and try numerous nations for war crimes, but I already had a deep disillusionment with the judicial process which was in place at the time. I also believed that drawn out litigation would further divide the region. So, I decided to grant amnesty to the members of the Crimson Order. I believed that rebuilding the community was more important than the letter of the law. I had already lived through the spirit-crushing Pixiedance regime, and I wanted to try and foster some unity in TNP.
Marcus Antonius: You have seen some really trying times GBM. Do you think the judicial processes in place now are better?
GBM: Of course, they are much improved now. Everything is improved! TNP is so much more sophisticated now than it was back then. Pre-McMasterdonia, we were a tribe. Now we are an organization.
Marcus Antonius: That is reassuring. Those must have been very dark times for TNP. Would you ever like to be delegate again?
GBM: No. Even after 15 years of NS, the list of nations who get to be delegate in a GCR is pretty short. I'd like to see as many people as possible get the chance to give it a go.
Marcus Antonius: Would you say being a delegate is a stressful position?
GBM: Yes, but in a really good way. It has become a much bigger job than it used to be, so if someone cannot make the time commitment, then that would be a problem. But the stress of running things here beats RL stress, since the consequences if you mess up are, well, make-believe.
Marcus Antonius: That's very true. What was the most, positive, memorable thing that has happened to you in NS?
GBM: It isn't just one thing. It is more the sense of community I've gained through sharing this NS experience over the years with so many people from different countries, with different viewpoints, and different walks of life. Yet somehow, by being brought together here, it gives us more in common than we know.
Marcus Antonius: You are right, it is a TNP family and that is great. My next question I hope, brings a smile to your face. What motivated you to eject McM during ZDay when you knew it would cost you so much influence?
GBM: It was an accident. I was looking for where to check to see what the influence cost would be if he were to be ejected. That button wasn't where I thought it was. And the next thing I knew - Poof! It said, in red, "McMasterdonia has been relocated to the Rejected Realms." And that's when the screaming started. OMG! I still can't believe it happened.
Marcus Antonius: (laughs) That must have been quite a shock! It's a shame it doesn't give you a warning like "Are you sure you wish to perform this action" Obviously McM made it back from the Rejected Realms OK. It must have been a bit embarrassing for you. I am sure the Security Council were supportive of you. I hope you laugh about it now.
GBM: I too, thought a confirmation screen would be a nice feature. But then I thought about how much it would slow down a delegate who wanted to do mass bannings.(laughs)
Marcus Antonius: What image is your Avvy?
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GBM: it was a gift from Thel.
Marcus Antonius: Do you know who the character is?
GBM: I do not.
Marcus Antonius: Do you have any plans for where you want to take the Security Council?
GBM: Not really. The SC is here in case bad things happen. We aren't political. We are just defenders of the region. I do agree that every council member should be visible and active in the region.
Marcus Antonius: That's sensible. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received on NS?
GBM: Ah... that's easy. Thel once said "Everyone has the right to play the game as they see fit."
Marcus Antonius: For good or bad, hero or villain?
GBM: Yes. It is truth. There are so many paths to take and each is allowed to choose for himself.
Marcus Antonius: Wise words indeed, this is fantasy after all. What advice would you give any newcomers to the region to have a successful career here?
GBM: Have fun! Look around and find what interests you, there is so much to do. Talk to people in the ministries you want to be involved with. Ask for help if you need it. Have fun! Alternative advice: Join the NPA. Everyone should do a stint in the military. It builds character, teamwork and it's fun. If I wasn't SC I would be NPA.
Marcus Antonius: Two lots of advice from GBM! Both good. Is there anyone in the region in particular whom you look up to, and if so, why?
GBM: The short list of people I look up to is still pretty long. But, first would be Flemingovia, because he is God.
Marcus Antonius: Not that we are expecting you to disappear soon GBM, but how do you want to be remembered in TNP?
GBM: I resolutely do not like to blow my own horn, Marcus. Keeper of the flame, maybe. I've also called myself everybody's Mum.
Marcus Antonius: (laughs) I like that. What do you want your legacy to TNP to be?
GBM: That I did as much as I could to keep TNP safe. If a community doesn't feel secure, it is difficult for it to flourish and grow, and be creative and just have fun.
Marcus Antonius: That is an honourable and wonderful legacy GBM. What’s the question nobody ever asks you but you wish they would?
GBM: I'm drawing a blank.
Marcus Antonius: (laughs) That's ok. Alright, before we bring this interview to an end, is there anything you'd like to add?
GBM: No, I am done waxing philosophical on NS. Did you have fun?
Marcus Antonius: I certainly have. It was an absolute pleasure speaking to you. Thank you for answering the questions. I shall see you on the spam threads no doubt.
GBM: Thank you. It was lovely.
The lights fade and Marcus produces a bottle of Shiraz
Marcus Antonius: I thought this would be a change from Rum.
GBM: (laughs) I love Shiraz, mind you I will drink anything except Gin.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Artemis, Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Regional Assembly February 2019Speaker of The Regional Assembly:
Artemis (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/')Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly:
Ark (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5029945/'), Bobberino (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/') and
Bootsie (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3189017/')
VotePassedExtension of Border Control Powers to Nessuno (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189943/') put forward by Delegate
Pallaith (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5000902/').
Status: PassedSummary: Pursuant to Chapter 7, Clause 9 of the Legal Code: ”In the event of a Delegate Emergency, or with the permission of a majority vote of the Regional Assembly, the Serving Delegate may assign Border Control powers to any member of the Security Council.” Delegate Pallaith has requested the Regional Assembly grant Security Councillor Nessuno to help assist moderating the RMB of TNP.
Voter Breakdown
Votes in Favor (27)
QuietDad
Great Bights Mum
Zaz
Crushing Our Enemies
BMWSurfer
Thomas Insaniac
Aerilia
TlomzKrano
BluieGamer
Dinoium
Syrixia
bowloftoast
Bobberino
Wonderess
Sanjurika
Eluvatar
Loh
mtboy66
El Fiji Grande
John Maynard
ibiscaton
Haor Chall
Yuno
Darcania
Ark
Advancia-Sizzletown
-Enjolras
Votes Opposed (8)
Siwale
mcmasterdonia
Acria(Hardonius)
Drusselstein
Far Easter Republic
Alex Fierro
Altmoras
DrOdnat
Abstentions (3)
Sil Dorsett
Nessuno
Artemis
Current BusinessAmendment to the Rules of the Regional Assembly (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189856/') put forward by
Artemis (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/').
Status: In DiscussionSummary: During the past several months, Artemis had seen some comments about amending the rules of the Regional Assembly. Therefore, he would like to present a draft for consideration of some changes. None are too drastic and would be beneficial.
RMB Regulations Bill (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189951/') put forward by
Artemis (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/').
Status: In DiscussionSummary: This bill expands upon the Delegate of the North Pacific power to regulate the RMB as they see fit by allowing offending nations to be ejected or banned from the region. Current laws already specify that these regulations must not prohibit speech which is in the context of TNP Politics, nor conflict with other laws, Bill of Rights or the Constitution.
Vice Delegate Check Efficiency Bill (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190020/'), put forward by
Sil Dorsett (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318789/').
Status: In DiscussionSummary: Vice Delegate Sil Dorsett has proposed an amendment to Section 6.1 of the Legal Code which deals with the Vice Delegate’s Security Checks of nations applying for citizenship in TNP.
Recall Novare Res from the Security Council (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189978/') put forward by
McMasterdonia (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3108012/').
Status: CancelledSummary: A motion to recall Novare Res, aka Romanoffia, was put forward by McMasterdonia following a recent publication by the Vice Delegate detailing endorsements received, and given by members of the Security Council. It was noted that Romanoffia had only endorsed 11% of WA members of TNP, but still maintained the legal requirements of the office. Discussion on this issue came down to what should be expected of members of the Security Council and calls for Romanoffia to respond. Once a response was received from Romanoffia, several members were still not satisfied and motioned for a vote. Prior to the conclusion of the vote, Romanoffia resigned from the Security Council. The recall and the vote were thus cancelled.
The Ministerial Ethics Law (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190044/') put forward by
Wonderess (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5048157/').
Status: In DiscussionSummary: A proposal to establish a Mandatory Ministry that will be charged with ethical affairs of the government of TNP. The purpose of this office will be to decrease corruption in the regional government by advising the Delegate on issues regarding ethics and producing public reports of government activity that will be available to the citizens of the region.
Recall Reform Act (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190053/') put forward by
Romanoffia (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/198591/').
Status: In DiscussionSummary: A discussion brought forward to add specific instances that a government official of TNP can be recalled by the Regional Assembly. Currently, the Regional Assembly can recall any official for any reason with a 2/3rds majority vote. While no specific changes have been proposed, the thought process is to prevent a recall of an official unless a specific violation of a specific law or legal requirement of position is cited. The Regional Assembly would still be required to meet a 2/3rds majority to recall an official.
NPA Doctrine - Consistency (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189942/'), put forward by
Knightblood (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5050746/').
Status: In DiscussionSummary: A member of the NPA has proposed an amendment to provide consistency between the title of Chapter 8 of the Legal Code and the text of it. The current legal name for the military of TNP is the North Pacific Armed Forces (NPAF), while the colloquial name of the organization is the North Pacific Army (NPA). This proposal seeks to change the legal name from the NPAF to the NPA.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)North Pacific Army Bulletin February 2019
by Dinoium, Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
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LeadershipMinister of DefenseDarcania (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3268033/')
Deputy Ministers of DefenseBobberino (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/') and Malphe (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3314069/')
DescriptionThe North Pacific Army has entered into the second month of 2019 with the Delegate Transition in The South Pacific.
PromotionsIslands of Tonga (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060653/) promoted to Private First Class.* (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189967/)
ACR of Deerfenland (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060645/) promoted to Corporal.* (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189967/)
Mission LogsSpoiler
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The Soldier of The Issue is Minister of World Assembly Affairs and Private First Class TlomzKrano (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5028214/').
The Officer of The Issue is Lieutenant John Maynard (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5050746/').
The High Command Officer of The Issue is Deputy Minister of Defense and Major Bobberino (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/').
The North Pacific Armed Forces Doctrine is currently being discussed in the Regional Assembly for amending.
Two people have been removed from the North Pacific Army for Inactivity and failing to maintain a nation in the region.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)World Assembly Digest
by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications
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General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.
Right to Self-defense
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 5,575 Against: 10,531
Final Vote (TNP): For: 162 Against: 430 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.2%
Recommendation: This proposal is being resubmitted despite it having been previously repealed for cause. The author has made some minor amendments, but their attempt to shoehorn the fix into the old version, instead of rewriting from scratch has left a convoluted document that claims to fight government oppression but affords citizens no coherent means by which to do so. Many other problems can be cited, including an unnecessary grocery list of weapons and a defined threshold for their use that is highly subjective. Self defense is a very complex issue that requires case by case interpretation and evaluation far more intricate than a generic piece of legislation can address for every single WA nation. Rights to self-defense should develop organically through each nation's judiciary and be appropriate to their culture. Matters of government oppression are better handled in WA legislation that is more thoughtfully constructed than this. For this reason, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Defending the Rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 8,758 Against: 7,400
Final Vote (TNP): For: 295 Against: 272 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.8%
Recommendation: This proposal is well-meaning in its goal of ending sexual and gender discrimination and ensuring marriage rights are fully and completely extended to the LGBTQ+ community, but close examination of the content reveals some critical flaws. Firstly, the Ministry believes that the Charter of Civil Rights (GAR#035) already prohibits discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity, making a large part of this proposal redundant. Clause 3 mandates member nations punish organizations for discriminatory practices but does not allow for an exemption for compelling practical purposes. Under the proposed legislation an organization that assists victimized women could be penalized for having a policy of hiring only biological women. Additionally, clause 5 specifically exempts religious institutions from the scope of the proposal. It is the belief of the Ministry that religious beliefs are insufficient grounds to excuse discriminatory practices. For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting Against the proposal.
Command Responsibility
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,020 Against: 2,806
Final Vote (TNP): For: 501 Against: 72 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.0%
Recommendation: This well-crafted proposal seeks to ensure reciprocal protections for individuals both up and down the chain of military command. It is designed to both prevent war crimes from being committed, and to provide a disciplinary framework for those who violate the accepted rules of engagement. Given significant attention are the rights of military subordinates to legally decline orders that contravene established law, placing the onus on those issuing such orders. Similar protections are extended to military commanders, limiting their responsibility for any rogue, illegal actions of their charges in the field, provided those rogue individuals are held by their commanders, to account. Throughout existing WA legislation, actions defined as war crimes are surprisingly few and tend toward the most commonly understood and egregious acts. The mandatory education clause ensures widespread understanding of fair rules of engagement across the spectrum of the military and makes clear what actions would be contrary to those rules. The Ministry believes this framework will help to establish a prescient culture of fair conduct in combat, greatly decreasing the likelihood of illegalities. For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
On Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 14,393 Against: 2,960
Final Vote (TNP): For: 518 Against: 49 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.7%
Recommendation: This proposal wants a healthier WA and seeks to place stringent regulations on the producers of tobacco products. These regulations include the placement of clear warnings on tobacco packaging, prohibition of advertising, and mandatory public education about the risks of use. There is some common-sense regulation placed on tobacco use by the public, like a prohibition of sale to minors. As an alternative to complete prohibition, the proposal requires that nations encourage tobacco users toward safer forms of nicotine ingestion, like electronic cigarettes, gum, patches, or mists, which don't rely on the dangerous inhalation of burning tobacco leaves. While not sweeping in scope of change, this proposal does represent a transition away from the cancer-causing harms of tobacco, and a movement towards less dangerous alternatives. This should both reduce health care costs for nations and contribute to greater life expectancy throughout the WA.
For these reasons, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Restricting Solitary Confinement
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: Against
Recommendation: The proposal, while well meaning in its intent to address the complex problems that arise as a result of solitary confinement, ultimately does more harm to its cause than good. The proposal is extremely vague, using language that can be easily misinterpreted or creatively interpreted to be used in whatever fashion member nations see fit. The use of 'problems' with virtually no context in the definition of 'solitary confinement' exemplifies this issue. This use of the term also does not take into account the nuances of a situation requiring confinement; whether that be police custody for a temporary time of an individual who may be experiencing stress or anxiety or long term imprisonment and the various psychological effects that are becoming of such. Another example is the problematic use of 'reasonable' in the second clause. This allows law enforcement and any other party using solitary confinement, as defined in clause one, to use any justification they wish as long as it can be deemed 'reasonable' per their own authority. Finally, the third clause inherits the issues of the first two as it suffers from overly vague wording and the ability to be exploited by the lack of sensible application in the second clause.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal
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Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Condemn Antifa
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 4,265 Against: 12,089
Final Vote (TNP): For: 143 Against: 397 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.8%
Recommendation: A bit of effort by the author might have made this a condemnation worth supporting, but the lack of detail and concrete examples of the alleged transgressions render it difficult to justify. Condemnations must make a clear case to support their allegations. If Antifa has crossed lines, then explain against whom, provide dates, and inform as to the impact on natives. Without that, support is impossible. Similarly, suggesting that a region is ‘just as bad’ as other regions qualifies as little more than a statement of opinion, and nothing close to grounds for WA condemnation.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Commend The North Pacific
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Abstain
Final Vote (World): For: 6,312 Against: 7,801
Final Vote (TNP) For: 497 Against: 46 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.4%
Recommendation: In accordance with the delegate issued statement and Executive Order per Clause 5 of the WA voting policy, "In keeping with WA tradition, as well as prior precedent, I [The delegate] will be abstaining from this resolution when it goes to vote. No vote will be held, and no recommendation will be issued."
For this reason, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs issues no recommendation and the delegate will abstain from the vote.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: Pallaith :: Executive Editor: El Fiji Grande :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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Magicality City, March 14th, 2019
Statement Regarding Invasion of Stargate
During major update on March 10, forces led by The Democratic Republic invaded Stargate. The NPA mustered a force to retake the region the following update and the rightful delegate Casl was returned to the delegacy. Twenty of our finest, led by Minister of Defense Darcania, came to Stargate's aid during the operation, which has just concluded.
The North Pacific has a long and cherished relationship with our friend and ally Stargate, and we will always come to its aid when needed. As is evidenced by the participation of McMasterdonia, who returned to active duty after many years, we will always go the extra mile to ensure our friends are safe, and will act immediately regardless of who tests them or what their motivation may be. We extend our best wishes to the people of Stargate and their continued security, and congratulate the NPA for a swift and successful mission.
Pallaith
Delegate of The North Pacific
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Thank you for the notice! I'm sure Stargate appreciates that it has such a friend in The North Pacific. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Campus News
by Marcus Antonius, Chancellor of The North Pacific University
[size=150]The North Pacific University Has A New Chancellor[/size]
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Chancellor Marcus Antonius
On March 9 2019 I took on the mantle of Chancellor of The North Pacific University
I would like to thank St. George The Notorious Mad Jack for his hard work and efforts as chancellor within these hallowed halls of the university and for personally recommending me to take up this honorable position.
Within the university there have been fits of activity that have subsided almost as soon as they have begun, my efforts included. I am grateful that there are still forum members that contribute to our knowledge database. It is my intention to try and maintain and encourage their efforts.
I have a great personal passion for history and the arts. This is reflected in my humble submitted efforts. That aside we must remember that the university was created for bringing education and knowledge of NationStates and The North Pacific to the populace of the region. I am aware that our Delegate, Ghost Pallaith, has a vision of developing the University. As chancellor, I shall endeavor to bring about his vision. I would be interested to hear feedback and ideas on what is needed to make this vision become a reality.
One of my first acts as Chancellor was to appoint St. George The Notorious Mad Jack and Prydania Prydania as my Vice-Chancellors. They will be the first members of the University Committee. I will be seeking further members as my tenure continues.
I have also commissioned a Coat of Arms for the University.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/557949608022769704/558050793681453066/COA5.png?width=257&height=300)
The design was composed by Prydania Prydania with further embellishments by Malpe malphe. It comprises of the following elements. A sun rising over water, indicating the sun always shines over the Pacific. The open book, meaning study, with the numbers 2012, the year the University came into existence. An Owl, the universal symbol of wisdom, teaching and learning. The crossed pens, symbolizing the work of the student. The symbolized star, a commonly used motif in The North Pacific' heraldry, representing The North Star or to give it the correct name Polaris. Finally the motto “sequere Polaris“ which translates from the Latin to “Follow The North Star”.
I would take this opportunity to thank all who have supported the University in the past and appeal to them to continue to do so. I would also appeal to any budding writers out there, who have lectures or articles they would like to share in the University to get in touch with myself Ethnon, The Notorious Mad Jack or Prydania.You will find The North Pacific University here https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/3038622/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/3038622/) so please, come and visit us.
I have a real passion for the university to become a shining beacon in the minds and lives of the nations of The North Pacific, I hope you will find this too.
"in victoria!" (To Success!)
MARCVS ANTONIVS
Chancellor of The North Pacific University
Ethnon
[align=left](https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Judiciary Election Results[/align]
by BMWSurfer, Acting Minister of Communications
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2498/4123999205_20b7fccda8_b.jpg)
Bootsie and friends celebrate victory in the elections and form an "Eluvatar"
The dust has settled on the first Judicial Elections of the season. An impressive total of 23 people were nominated for this election, and in the end, 7 candidates ran in the election. Let’s take a look at them:
Eluvatar
In his campaign, Eluvatar drew from his extensive experience going back to 2006, including being delegate of TNP and writing many of her laws. Eluvatar, in an exchange with McMasterdonia, did an in depth analysis of the fictional hearing found in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Eluvatar also defended the length of time it takes for the courts to conduct reviews, saying that procedural correctness must be followed. He did, however, say that the courts should take suggestions on how to better do this.
Lord Lore
A 2 time former justice, Lord Lore kept his campaign simple, directly opening up his campaign thread to questions. I’m contrast to Eluvatar, Lore agreed that court reviews take too long and that they should be shortened. He also dismissed the argument that the court doesn’t get new people very often.
Bootsie
Bootsie, a longtime security councilor and former Justice, made communication the center of his platform. He believes that the court should communicate with the people better. When asked about review lengths, Bootsie said that reviews should be optimized to take as little time as possible, while still maintaining the integrity of the process.
Dinoium
Dinoium had by far the most complex and involved platform of all the candidates. His campaign was based around a more active judiciary. He proposed creating several programs to achieve this goal, including the creation of an appointed court staff and a joint program with the Attorney Generals office. He also promised that he would review all Regional Assembly legislation to ensure their legality.
Romanoffia
Romanoffia, a former Security Councilor and Justice, also kept his campaign simple. He promised that he would follow “Due Process, The Constitution, Legal Code and Separation of Powers”.
King SillyString
SillyString, a longtime member of TNP and justice, ran on a platform of precedence. In her campaign post, she emphasized a new policy that was adopted by the courts last term. She, like Eluvatar, defended the length of time taken by the courts for reviews. When asked about the lack of new faces on the bench, she said that the courts were not suited to newer players.
Janus
Janus, also known as isimud, posted a late campaign thread that focused mainly on his history and background as a part of TNP.
King SillyString, Eluvatar, and Bootsie won the election.
Discussion
SillyString, Eluvatar, and Bootsie clearly won due to their previous experience in the region and the courts. Dinoium was also a favored candidate in the election, but his activist views on the courts likely cost him votes from the more traditional voters of TNP. Lord Lore was another favored candidate due to his experience, but just couldn’t get voters excited about the courts like the others. Janus didn’t have a campaign until just before voting started which likely hurt his prospects, and Romanoffia had a lengthy exchange with the admin team in his campaign thread which may have alienated voters against him.
[align=left](https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[SIZE=200]NPA Bulletin[/size][/align]
by Bobberino, Minister of Defense
(https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/L_Hobi6MpGk7bzk0chSbMkH09dlBNntZjRvmB9Dp_hM/%3Fimage%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.upl.co%252Fuploads%252Fnorthpacificarmy5043971550264923.jpg%26hash%3D6065d62d39171b079c888c3d0bf8f403/https/forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php)
The North Pacific Army swept through February and March in fashionable terms. The soldiers went from region to region, sweeping clean of native scum; or went from region to region, sweeping clean raider scum and reinstating native unity, depending on the direction that former Minister of Defense Darcania's floof flowed in the wind that particular day.
(https://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks-and-insignia/ranks/_jcr_content/contentpar/tabsystem/tabs/new_tab_0/tabpar/titletextimage.img.jpg)
Warrant Officer Rank Tab
Important news; the NPA passed a resolution proposed by then-MoD Darcania to institute a new rank, Warrant Officer. The officer test no longer could fulfill the standards of the draggo, who regularly orders his soldiers into 40-tags to "test their switching speed." and thus the Warrant Officer rank allows the MoD to hold rightful officers hostage until either they are burnt out to oblivion, or the oligarchy permits the torture to stop. Yet another power grab by the reckless and harsh policies of the oligarchy while the people are left behind yet again.
(https://mocah.org/thumbs/1411-game-of-thrones__game_of_thrones_battle_of_winterfell.jpg)
NPA forces at The Battle of WinterFell
For the lolcow of the report… we have Winterfell! We spun the wheel of floof because the wind wasn’t blowing that day. So we landed on a raid. It started off harmless, with Bob being asleep at the major and being pingspammed, Dino quoting the legal code and stating “Correct”, and a smol lil incident thanks to some memeposting. We also did some border control work for when we ban Siwale for TSP interference in the election. More to come on that.
(https://cdn.athlonoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2014/07/gunny-full-metal.jpg)Bobberino, the new Minister of Defense, in discussion with his staff.
The day this was due, Bob became MoD. So instead of doing this on time like a good DM of Comms would, Bob decided to write this blurb. And before Bob is attacked and dragged away by the oligarchy, he'd like you to know that ----- muffled screams ----- Everything is fine and under control in the NPA. O7
[align=left](https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Spotlight #17: Interview With BMWSurfer[/align]
by Bobberino, Deputy Minister of Communications
Views in this interview may not reflect the views of TNP's government[/I][/align]
(https://www.wgauradio.com/rw/Pub/p10/CmgSharedContent/2019/01/11/Videos/4570323-U08224367202HnD-400x200.vpx)
BMWSurfer is surprised and caught, by Bobberino, for an interview.
Bobberino: Welcome to The Spotlight, BMW! I am excited you were able to take part in this edition.
BMWSurfer: Thank you! I’m excited to be here!
Bobberino: So let's start with your beginnings - how did you first join NS?
BMWSurfer: Well, a friend who was building a communist paradise on NS invited me to join. I initially didn’t play very much, and I almost CTEd in the beginning. But, I eventually was sucked in like everyone else.
Bobberino: Oh, that sounds interesting. Was that in a UCR of his? Or simply his nation?
BMWSurfer: His nation. He didn’t last very long in the game, though.
Bobberino: Gotcha. So what brought you to the shores of The North Pacific?
BMWSurfer: Well, I originally founded in The South Pacific, and hopped around UCRs for a while, but decided joining the biggest region would allow me to figure out the game before moving to a smaller region with more responsibilities. I liked this region so much that I decided to stay.
Bobberino: I actually ended up similarly - I just founded in TNP and stayed. How'd you get involved with TNP's gov?
BMWSurfer: Well, after I joined, I spent a few months joining and participating in all of the various Ministries and in The North Pacific Army. I eventually found my niche, which was World Assembly Affairs. Eventually, I became a deputy there and was very dedicated to that position. This gave me name recognition, and eventually got me hired as Minister of Home Affairs.
Bobberino: That makes sense; again, I draw similarities to myself there. What has been your favorite position thus far?
BMWSurfer: Honestly, my first term as Deputy Minister of World Assembly Affairs was my favorite. We had lots of fun, and I didn’t have as many responsibilities as a deputy.
Bobberino: I'd say Fiji has me working, as do you! Lol Where do you foresee yourself in TNP in a year?
BMWSurfer: Well, I see myself still serving my region in whatever way I can.
Bobberino: Do you see another Delegacy run? Y'all and your endorsements SMH. So what made you stick in NS? What do you like most about it?
BMWSurfer: Well, for me its the people. I have met so many great people on NS and that has been the reason I stay.
Bobberino: Definitely; we got a lot of good eggs in NS. Very interesting to learn about the host of personalities that take part in such a niched game.
BMWSurfer: For sure! It is interesting how borders dissolve and national identities become irrelevant on the internet, and on NS especially.
Bobberino: Definitely. Speaking of, is there one positive memory that sticks out in your mind in terms of your NS career?
BMWSurfer: The first time I was able to successfully plan and organize a defensive operation in the NPA, and the night I became an officer. I just remember thinking for really the first time in my NS career, "I got this. I know what i'm doing."
Bobberino: My officer test stuck out to me too, yeah! What advice would you give to TNP's new folk?
BMWSurfer: I would say: jump in! Get as involved as possible and be as outgoing as possible. Once you find your niche, you can start focusing on that, but having the experience of the various aspects of the region is priceless.
Bobberino: Awesome stuff and true advice. Who do you look up to in TNP? Who are your mentors or trusted friends?
BMWSurfer: The two people I most look up to here are El Fiji Grande and Deropia. Deropia was my first boss and a true mentor to me. I wouldn't be here without him. Fiji is one of my most trusted advisers.
Bobberino: I miss Dero. Great dude and a trusted friend. I wish him well wherever he is. Is there anything you're never asked you feel you should be?
BMWSurfer: I don't think so.
Bobberino: Is there anything you'd like to be remembered by? Not expecting you to leave, but in case you pull a Dero. (Cries)
BMWSurfer: I would like to be remembered as an honest, generally good person. Nothing fancy. (sticks out tongue)
Bobberino: I'd prefer to be remembered as the eccentric, hardworking memer. Just who I am.
BMWSurfer: And that you will be, bob. (sticks out tongue)
Bobberino: You're the groundhog I fed the other day right? Those carrots were poisoned.
BMWSurfer: Uhhh.... I don't feel so good... BMWSurfer left the channel*
Bobberino: Victory is mine!
BMWSurfer: Ha! ha!
Bobberino: Is there anything else you'd want to add?
BMWSurfer: Nope. Thank you for your time!
Bobberino: Likewise! Cheers!
[align=left](https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights[/align]
by Artemis, Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Regional Assembly March 2019
Speaker of The Regional Assembly: Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/)
Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly: Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/)
(https://amp.thisisinsider.com/images/5989fc4eefe3df1f008b48b9-750-563.png)
Artemis looks on at events in the Regional Assembly
VotePassed Amendment to the NPA Doctrine (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190166/), put forward by
Knightblood (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5050746/).
Status: PassedSummary: Previously the Legal Code of the North Pacific recognized the legal name of the military of TNP as the North Pacific Armed Forces (NPAF). Knightblood proposed amending Chapter 8 of the Legal Code to rename the military as its commonly known name, The North Pacific Army (NPA).
Voter Breakdown
– Votes in Favor (20)
Great Bights Mum
Gladio
Zaz
Owenstacey
artiza
Pallaith
Sil Dorsett
Brendog
Siwale
TlomzKrano
mcmasterdonia
BluieGamer
Syrixia
Sanjurika
mtboy66
Knightblood
Haor Chall
Yuno
Dreadton
Severisen
Votes Opposed (4)
QuietDad
Dinoium
Bobberino
St George
Abstentions (6)
Romanoffia
Artemis
bowloftoast
Koopa103
Darcania
Golden York
[SIZE=125]
Current Business[/SIZE]
Vice Delegate Check Efficiency Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190020/), put forward by
Sil Dorsett (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318789/).
Status: In DiscussionSummary: Vice Delegate Sil Dorsett has proposed an amendment to Section 6.1 of the Legal Code which deals with the Vice Delegate’s Security Checks of nations applying for citizenship in TNP. This bill continues to be in discussion before the Regional Assembly.
The Ministerial Ethics Law (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190044/), put forward by
Wonderess (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5048157/).
Status: In DiscussionSummary: A proposal to establish a Mandatory Ministry that will be charged with ethical affairs of the government of TNP. The purpose of this office will be to decrease corruption in the regional government by advising the Delegate on issues regarding ethics and producing public reports of government activity that will be available to the citizens of the region. This bill continues to be under discussion.
Recall Reform Act (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190053/), put forward by
Romanoffia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/198591/).
Status: In DiscussionSummary: A discussion brought forward to add specific instances that a government official of TNP can be recalled by the Regional Assembly. Currently, the Regional Assembly can recall any official for any reason with a 2/3rds majority vote. While no specific changes have been proposed, the thought process is to prevent a recall of an official unless a specific violation of a specific law or legal requirement of position is cited. The Regional Assembly would still be required to meet a 2/3rds majority to recall an official. This bill continues to be discussed before the Regional Assembly.
Making sense of who are government officials (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189870/), put forward by
Haor Chall (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/197322/).
Status: In DiscussionSummary: A discussion started to properly identify the role that certain officials, primarily Deputy Ministers have as government officials. The debate has led to a proposed constitutional amendment to Article 7 and amendments to Chapter 6 and 7 of the Legal Code.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)World Assembly Digest
[align=right]by Marcus Antonius, Deputy Minister of Communications[/align]
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.
Repeal: “Defending The Rights Of Sexual And Gender Minorities”
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 4088 Against: 11740
Final Vote (TNP): For: 128 Against: 457 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.2%
Recommendation: The targeted resolution, in application, is one of the most far reaching and beneficial pieces of civil rights legislation in recent WA history. While there are certainly holes to be filled and issues to still be addressed, a full repeal is not the way to achieve this. In knowing that the author had the best intention for those who have lacked civil rights in the past, this ministry hopes that extraneous legislation is introduced to patch the potential loopholes pointed out by the repeal.
In conclusion and hopes for additional legislation to be introduced, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommended a vote Against this repeal.
Repeal: “On Tobacco And Electronic Cigarettes”
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3230 Against: 12698
Final Vote (TNP): For: 61 Against: 521 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.5%
Recommendation: This repeal focuses on the issue of the word "should", and how the interpretation of its application may affect compliance in member nations. The use of "should" allows some optionality in how member nation can print labels for the products covered by the proposal, which further allows nations to use the appropriate language that would most benefit certain communities. As such,the intent of GAR 459 was never to create overbearing regulation on member nations. In the event warning labels are printed in a language that would be ineffective and deliberately avoid the intended effects of this proposal, member nations would still be required to educate smokers and non-smokers alike on the dangers of tobacco and the greater safety of electronic cigarettes as an alternative. Barring the possible consequences of nations applying this resolution unfaithfully, this resolution will still benefit the majority of NS communities and ultimately achieve what it set out to do.For these reasons,
The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
"The Cloning Conventions"
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 6001 Against: 9185
Final Vote (TNP): For: 131 Against: 429 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.8%
Recommendation: This resolution attempts to deal with the cloning of organisms and the legal landscape surrounding that process. Unfortunately, there are several concerning issues that arise from its mandates. The proposal attempts to limit the cloning of prenatal sapient organisms without a direct consent from the organism which couldn't possibly be provided. Further, there is no allowance for a parent or legal guardian to give that consent on behalf of the organism, regardless of its viability. Given that these organisms lack the capacity for cognizance or feeling, due to low development, this prohibition places unnecessary limitations on medical research, and specifically in the creation of cloned organisms for the beneficial harvest of stem cells. This resolution, in clause 5, permits the cloning of organs or like unfeeling organisms from people. It does not include a requirement making that cloning contingent on consent. Insofar as the proposal permits people to have their genetic material harvested without their consent, it may be in violation of previously passed resolutions.
In accordance with the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
"Condemn Civil Defence Siren"
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 2016 Against: 13366
Final Vote (TNP): For: 46 Against: 497 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.7%
Recommendation: The Ministry of WA Affairs cannot decide if we should be dumbfounded or impressed. It is incredible that the collective fragility of CoCD's egos was able to produce such a profound, instantly back-firing garbage fire. Not only was there actual monetary investment in a campaign to support the proposal, but there was also an apparent lack of spellcheck. This concoction of utter incompetence has led to the most impressive aspect of this proposal, the record for the quickest discarded proposal in SC history.
The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recognizes that the vote now no longer matters but recommends a vote Against regardless. Furthermore, we award you zero points and may the Civil Defence Siren have mercy on your souls.
"Commend Severisen"
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 11236 Against: 3701
Final Vote (TNP): For: 516 Against: 37 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.3%
Recommendation: This commendation is generally well written and properly exemplifies the achievements and contributions of Severisen to the communities he has spent time with and the greater NS community. Amoung things not mentioned for whatever reason, Severisen has also been active in and contributed to The North Pacific during different times in his NS career. Furthermore, it can be found that Severisen is widely acknowledged as being 'good people', and the ability to maintain that overall impression among a wide cross-section of one's peers, after nearly a decade-and-a-half, is a testament to the quality of their character. Seeing this long standing reputation and his previous contributions, Severisen is quite deserving of this commendation.
In accordance with reasoning presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this commendation.
[size=75]The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: Pallaith :: Executive Editor: BMWSurfer :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/147437376057245696/564474147523264563/delegate.PNG)
Press Release: The North Pacific Army deploys to Lazarus
On the orders of Minister of Defense Bobberino, The North Pacific Army deployed in support of the delegacy transition from outgoing Chief Executive Officer Imkiville (Imki) to incoming Chief Executive Officer Treadwella (Tubbius).
The North Pacific Army deployed 16 nations in support of this transition. Delegate Pallaith expressed his appreciation to Imki for her service as Delegate of Lazarus and for her conscientious work in restoring unity and stability to Lazarus. Likewise, he congratulated Tubbius on his new role and wished him the very best.
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I remember supporting him for Delegate almost a year ago...better late than never, glad he has the opportunity that he deserves. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/rdCSwZL.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/0uy7doE.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/FlxRSf4.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/HdOg4jW.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/QkwG9OD.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/K1PDu79.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/MMbQAHU.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/Jcjc3kh.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/OgT9wqi.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/4DP8WkZ.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/cVIk4jJ.png)[h][/h](https://images-ext-2.discordapp.net/external/EyLd4yvncq4-Ma4gxFntLO2gjQnTeqrnqyeBKPoyrNI/https/i.imgur.com/wFT6uAF.png?width=386&height=499)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/ukvKPyF.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/ndEiS5W.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/0zSGOH9.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/1PBeNlT.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/hsVRAFH.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/S5BvkSi.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/gOIEau8.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/nau4mtS.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/DkxCMBe.png)[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/FB4RabI.png)
EDIT: Sorry about page 12, this was the best I could make it. Here's the dispatch if you still can't see it. https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1206723
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Thank you for the WA-focused update. :)
Wintreath has never had much interest in the WA...as a UCR, we've tended to grow in areas where individuals have had the desire and the ability to put in the work to grow them, and to be honest I don't think we've ever had such a person come around when it comes to the WA. Throughout our history, Delegates have tended to hold the position by default because nobody else was interested. Since becoming an elected position almost two years ago, I think there's only been one or two actual elections cause usually only one person has stood for election. Part of it is that Wintreath's delegate holds little power outside of WA matters, but I think a larger part of it is that Wintreans have never felt the WA was relevant to them, and aren't convinced that putting a devoted effort into the WA would make the game more fun or relevant for them.
In those regards, we're far away from the largest and most-endorsed region in the game. :P
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We are aware that not everyone is equally appreciative of image-based NS newspapers. As such, we've included the standard format mostly plain-text version of the newspaper in the spoiler below. We hope you enjoy reading this month's issue! If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions, feel free to telegram the current TNP Minister of Communications
El Fiji Grande or Minister of Culture
Prydania.
Standard Version
(https://i.imgur.com/9brILVO.png)
Editor's NoteThis is the first Issue of the Roleplay Reel (RPR), a joint publication by The North Pacific's Ministries of Communications and Culture. This magazine is designed to show off TNP's roleplay community to the NS world, and to highlight the interesting characters, nations, and worlds that roleplayers here have put so much effort into creating. What follows are a series of showcases that draw attention to roleplays worth reading. We hope you enjoy a closer look at all the stories being told, and hope it inspires you to become a part of this community if you aren't already.
The Editors of the Roleplay Reel
El Fiji Grande, Syrixia, MadJack, and Prydania
A Look at For The King, To Valhalla: A Forum-Based Roleplay and Character Studyby Prydania, Minister of Culture and RP Moderator
The continent of Craviter on Eras is a place where tradition and modernity clash violently, where romanticism and materialism struggle for supremacy. The wheels of history are moved by the blood of these clashes. Kings, Emperors, and Generals all did what they did for personal glory, honor, and what they thought was right. It’s a land of heroes, villains, revolutionaries, lords and ladies, and of the epic struggle of the human spirit. Prydanians, despite having origins among their Andrennian brothers on Gothis, are right at home in Craviter in this regard.
Prydania had been, since 2002, under the control of the Syndicalist Party. The country suffered under the radical left wing regime, and it was William Aubyn’s Front of National Unity that offered the best hope to topple them. It was among the FNU that Prince Tobias Loðbrók found a father. His real father, Prince Robert, was executed in 2002 along with the rest of the Royal Family. William raised the Prince, and in 2012 the seventeen-year old Tobias received his family’s sword Veiðiblað. And he asked “are the stories real?”
Tobias asked that of Jørn Stöðuvatn when he was handed his family’s heirloom sword. The sword had been in his family for long time. A very long time. Back before the Loðbróks were even a dynasty. So it was natural Prince Tobias would ask that of Jørn when he was handed what was once Æschere Loðbróki’s sword. Did he really pull Veiðiblað out of an oak in ancient Andrenne to lead his people against a wild and ferocious enemy? Jørn never answered that question. Instead he pivoted it to remind Tobias of his place in modern Prydanian history. Of the role he played as their country burnt around them, and how Tobias could potentially save it. That is the story of For the King, to Valhalla. It’s the story of a young man who carries the weight of a nation on his shoulders. Who struggles with faith, love, loss, and the implications of his family’s legacy.
Tobias himself is not particularly remarkable. He is a kind-hearted young man who has had to deal with personal tragedy and loss from a young age, and who has the unfortunate case of having this tied into a civil war - a war for the soul of Prydania itself. Tobias is not a stoic general, a brave warrior, the chessmaster, nor a particularly charismatic figurehead. He’s just the last of his family - a family that happens to stretch back into the murky past of myth and legend. He needs to find a way to carry this responsibility and be the symbol of hope people want him to be, all without losing his mind or cracking under the expectations. This is the real power behind that very old sword known as Veiðiblað.
It’s through Veiðiblað that Tobias is finally able to understand the connection that allegedly stretches back to the semi-mythical Æschere. To Heorot, Hróarr, Vortgyn, and the rest of his family’s legacy. He can now touch it, understand it. Whether or not the stories of Æschere and the sword are true doesn’t matter. What matters is that he understands his place in history. Tobias will never be the grand figurehead or general so many expect him to be, but with this sword? He understands the role he has to play in being a beacon for hope for his people. He understands how he is the universe’s counterbalance to the tyrannical Syndicalist President Thomas Nielsen. The sword’s power isn’t magical, its power lies in being able to convince Tobias Loðbrók, a boy who has suffered tragedy after tragedy, that he can be King Tobias III and help save his country from those who would see it burn.I began my stint in TNP’s Forum-based RP community with a novel idea. What if, instead of roleplaying a civil war, I roleplayed the immediate aftermath? Most people like to roleplay civil wars, but the aftermath is rarely fleshed out. I wanted to do something different, so my first roleplay, Over the Hills and Back, started with Tobias’ coronation. The war was over, the FNU had won, the Syndicalist tyrants were vanquished, and Tobias was King at the age of twenty-two, fifteen years removed from the Syndicalist coup.
I had a blast writing Over the Hills and Back with my fellow Eras roleplayers, but the details of the civil war I had chosen to skip nagged at me. That said? Fifteen years is a long time. There is a lot of minutia in that timeframe. And so I thought about the civil war and how it affected Tobias and the rest of the country with no real outlet. I kept putting it off until fellow Eras roleplayer, Sil Dorsett, inspired me to do a collection of stories from the civil war. And thus For the King, to Valhalla was born.
I admit this structure leaves it a bit odd to read, as it rarely has chronological order. It’s a series of individual “episodes” from the war that I write as I feel inspired to. So the order is all over the place. Still, the timestamps should help. Regardless? I hope that despite this quirk it’s something people remain interested in. I’m quite proud of it, mostly because of how much fun it is to write. Of course I had the basics of Tobias’ character set and ready to go, but For the King to Valhalla allowed me to really dig into what makes him tick, what he’s like, and why he’s like that. Not just now, but over the course of fifteen years. It does focus on other aspects of the war besides Tobias of course, but he’s the focus. In many ways, it’s the story of how he became the young man and King he is in Eras’ present.
I find Tobias so much fun to write because of how human he feels. As I alluded to in my description of the roleplay above - he’s not even the leader of his own cause - his adoptive father William Aubyn is. Tobias is just a kid for the early parts of the war - a kid who has to make sense of a world that is trying to tear itself apart, all without his parents. He is unsure, scared, vulnerable, rash, and emotional. Who wouldn’t be? It’s his journey through these stages of his childhood and young adulthood, however, that matter almost as much as the FNU’s struggles against the Syndicalist government.
I admit this structure leaves it a bit odd to read, as it rarely has chronological order. It’s a series of individual “episodes” from the war that I write as I feel inspired to. So the order is all over the place. Still, the timestamps should help. Regardless? I hope that despite this quirk it’s something people remain interested in. I’m quite proud of it, mostly because of how much fun it is to write. Of course I had the basics of Tobias’ character set and ready to go, but For the King to Valhalla allowed me to really dig into what makes him tick, what he’s like, and why he’s like that. Not just now, but over the course of fifteen years. It does focus on other aspects of the war besides Tobias of course, but he’s the focus. In many ways, it’s the story of how he became the young man and King he is in Eras’ present.
I find Tobias so much fun to write because of how human he feels. As I alluded to in my description of the roleplay above - he’s not even the leader of his own cause - his adoptive father William Aubyn is. Tobias is just a kid for the early parts of the war - a kid who has to make sense of a world that is trying to tear itself apart, all without his parents. He is unsure, scared, vulnerable, rash, and emotional. Who wouldn’t be? It’s his journey through these stages of his childhood and young adulthood, however, that matter almost as much as the FNU’s struggles against the Syndicalist government.
I’m a strong proponent of character roleplay being the best vehicle to explore national roleplay. In so far as that goes, Tobias Loðbrók is the “main character” of my roleplay with Prydania as a nation. For the King, to Valhalla began as an experiment to see if I could use the random episodic method to cover fifteen years of potential stories regarding the Prydanian Civil War. It has become perhaps the best character piece I’ve ever written in over thirteen years of NationStates-based roleplay. I hope it’s something people enjoy reading. If you find yourself checking it out, enjoy the journey!
The Political System of the Sutherland Federationby Wonderess
The Sutherland Federation is one of the newest nations of Eras having broken away from the Kingdom of McMasterdonia on February 8th, 2018, in an area which remains in dispute to this day. Sutherland was formed as a safe haven for the Courantist minorities of McMasterdonia, tired of persecution and second class treatment by both the Royal Family of McMasterdonia and the military movements of the Flemingovian bishop Gunrei amidst a civil war in the nation.
With this in mind, the government of Sutherland was formed to allow for religious freedom and the federal unity of small communities and local customs. The nation attempts to avoid nationalism without causing fracturing and becoming a nation too decentralized to accomplish national goals. To achieve this, Sutherland has dominions or states that act as the central level of government. Below are Sutherland’s dominions along with the unorganized Territory of Thane:
Each dominion’s government is made up of the leaders of each governmental district within them which each contain about 10,000 people. The Council of the Dominion in each one handles “state level” affairs such as healthcare matters, welfare, and defense organization. The populous and their character drastically affect the priorities of each dominion when it comes to legislation and spending. The Dominion of Alderon by far spends the most on defense due to its more antagonistic character and proximity to the McMasterdonian border to its south. The Dominion of Lake Prime trends towards labor training and pro union legislation due to the great number of manufacturing jobs in the City of Lake Prime. Below the dominions are broken down into their governmental districts and the colored areas are the governmental districts grouped into their Core General (legislative) districts:
The federal government of the Sutherland Federation mainly focuses on foreign affairs, international economics, university education, disputes between dominions, nationally coordinated defense, as well as the civil organization of the nation. With this in mind, it is actually possible for the federal government to dissolve a dominion or create a new one even though their jurisdiction over the governance of dominions is limited. The foundation of the federal government is the head of state: the Arc-Wonderess of Sutherland. The inaugural Arc-Wonderess is Nathan Jarreau, the founder of the Sutherland nation and the main visionary for its development as a united Courantist (Eras version of Roman Catholic) people. Official portrait to the right.
The Arc-Wonderess must be a Courantist who is unmarried and has a doctorate in philosophy or sacred theology. The Arc-Wonderess’s actual governmental power is limited, however his advice and centrality to Sutherlan culture makes his influence significant on the rest of the government. He or she has the right to enter the legislative chamber of the nation, the Core General, and be a speaker of preference at anytime that the Core General is deliberating legislation. The Arc-Wonderess is removed through resignation, death, or by the confidence vote of the Core General. The confidence vote requires two separate votes of the nation that are three months apart. The removal must be confirmed twice in order for the removal to succeed. The Arc-Wonderess is the embodiment of the “philosopher king” and therefore acts as challenger and critic of the Core General’s actions if those actions appear politically charged or opposed to the spirit of Sutherland.
The Arc-Wonderess has major influence when it comes to the election of the Core General. At any time, he may ask the people of Sutherland to push for a vote on a new Core General election. This requires a simple majority in the affirmative by the populous with governmental districts being counted. If the motion succeeds, he may then pose a dilemma to the people of Sutherland. Their two responses will act as the future coalitions of the Core General members. The first question in the history of the Federation referred to the Sutherlan relationship to McMasterdonia in which an Anti-McMasterdonian Coalition and a McMasterdonian Tolerance Coalition were formed. The second and current question was based on the theo-cultural posture of the nation as a faith based outlook (Fidei Coalition) or a reason based outlook (Ratio Coalition). Sutherland does not have political parties and only uses general coalitions in response to the Arc-Wonderess’s question until the next election cycle. Here is the current makeup of the Core General:
The Ratio Coalition controls 285 seats to the Fidei Coalition's 267 seats.
The Core General serves as the national legislature and has the duty to deliberate on obstacles and conflicts that face the Sutherland Federation. It is made up of representatives from districts that include around five governmental districts. The Core General is divided up into the Committees of Heart, Doctrine, Passion, and Wisdom as modeled after the national rule of life of Sutherland. Heart deals with matters of welfare and charity, Doctrine deals with law and order, Passion deals with defense and foreign policy, and Wisdom deals with finances. The Committee of Passion is subdivided into the Diadem of Sutherland which is its united defense force and the Wings of Sutherland as its department of state. Below is the Palace of the Core General:
The final part of the Sutherland government is the Court of Inspirators. This court is the advisory body of the Arc-Wonderess and its members act as advisors and mouthpieces for the work of Sutherland at home and in the international community. Important nations may receive an Inspirator as an ambassador. Their main purpose is to serve as the group from which the next Arc-Wonderess is to be chosen. They are each chosen from a collection of governmental districts that are their “kingdom” or Inspiraria. Map of Sutherland Inspirarias:
The Chamber of the Inspirators, their central meeting place and offices:
The government of the Sutherland Federation serves to make Nathan Jarreau’s vision of a free, independent, and thriving Sutherland financially as well as culturally a reality. It requires the dedication and steadfast hope of the people to keep Sutherland together and united for a better tomorrow. The dominions accomplish this by caring for their people, the Core General does this through its dialogues and acts of unity for the one nation, the Court of Inspirators do this through their dedication, and hard work for the vision and ideals of the Arc-Wonderess. The Arc-Wonderess does so through his lifelong dedication to Sutherland, his land, home, and people.
The Queen and the Empressby Salgado
From the land of vast taigas, open seas and the largest cities on the face of Northern Osea, a dark-skinned Queen and her adopted child boarded the earliest flight out of Esperanza City to meet the Empress of the Rynese, another grand country separated from Azenyanistan by thousands of miles of earth and water as well as the fact that both countries resided upon different continents and were a part of strange alliances. Just as the two members of an ancient royal family settled down in their comfortable first-class seats, the adorable young woman noticed a troubled expression coming unto the face of her adoptive mother. She reached out to her hand and grasped it firmly while she smiled at her mother. The older woman, despite the pain crawling up and down her arm, a price she paid for using wild and evil magic made evident by the horrifying scars that traced over her arms hidden by the sleeves of her top, smiled back and reassured her only daughter, without a word spoken, that she would be okay. The plane, in minutes, soon left the airport and gave its last witness to the land of the Azens and their kingdom.
This is a taste of the start of one of the most intense and passionately written roleplays that surfaced on Strangereal just recently.
This roleplay has no title made by both players involved in this romantic and incredibly character focused collaboration. Yet, it seems that the most basic working title could always make up for the lack of a proper name. So, dear readers, please allow me to introduce this month’s featured roleplay, The Queen and The Empress.
A month ago, this roleplay began quite innocently and absentmindedly in what was supposed to be a routine diplomatic chat between two heads of state controlled by the players Rynese Empire (Ryn) and Azenyanistan (Azen). On the backgrounds of both players, Ryn is an old player of The North Pacific's Strangereal RMB RP. He is the humble owner and creator of The Rynese Empire, a vast and powerful member of an alliance of nations called the Ironblood Zwei. Meanwhile, Azen is a new addition to the region, hailing from the modern tech region of New Ausozera. He is a young roleplayer focused on modern tech and character-focused roleplays. And just like Rynese, he is the owner and creator of Azenyanistan, a kingdom dominated by both magic and technology as a member of the strict but outstandingly strong Warsaw Pact.
Returning to focus on the roleplay itself, both players expected that it would end quickly and wouldn't matter much. For the article, it was fortunate that both players agreed to an interview.
What did you first expect from this RP?At first, I thought it would be a short lived meeting between two queens.
Okay. And what can you say about how it turned out?It turned out to be a long and planned out romance story. It’s something I’m totally okay with. I’m actually glad it happened.
That’s nice. So, are you willing to continue the RP with Azen?Absolutely! This is one of the roleplays that I can’t really say no to continuing, even if it turns into a lot of filler.
Do you truly enjoy it?It’s hard not to enjoy it.
If you and he were to work together again on a similar or different project, would you?Absolutely! Azenyanistan has proven to be pretty much the most reliable guy around. I’ll always be up for working with him again.
That’s really nice of you. As for the roleplay, what comments would you like to make? How romantic is it really? Is it over the top or genuine? I’d say that I like the way it is, with slightly over the top love. To me, I feel like it’s the correct amount of everything, considering everything from both sides, though to a third party it might seem a little, as I said, over the top. It’s enjoyable to write, which is all I really care for. The story itself is good because both writers involved had fun writing it.
Alright. So, we are almost done with the interview, what would you like to say to our readers about one on one roleplays like this one?They’re probably the backbone and femur of roleplaying in general. Not to mention, easy to pull off and probably the type of roleplay to have the most potential structuring and planning for.
Thanks. That was a wonderful interview.You’re welcome!
According to Azen, he started that,
"It was wonderful to play with Ryn. I didn't even expect this RP to lead not only to a thriving In-Character friendship but also an Out-of-Character partnership."Ever since the two resumed the roleplay just a few days ago, so much warmth has been exchanged between the two players. In both private and in public, in their own company so shared or in the company of many others, both friend and stranger, the two writers have closely tied themselves to the other without a hint of coldness or hesitation.
In the end, the roleplay continues between the two. The current arc is situated around Empress Tiara attempting to bring back Queen Natalia to the Rynese Empire after a serious misunderstanding.
Federalist Party Swept into Mensedag in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishmentby Syrixia
April 7, 2019, NIDAROS - Vallanders registered their dismay and frustration with Nidaros' political establishment on Friday, April 6, 2019, handing a party both relatively new in the national scene and widely considered irrelevant the largest share of seats in both the Vårtinget and the Lånsevar. The surprise outcome defied polls that showed the Messianist Democratic and Confederation Development Parties coming in 1st and 2nd respectively.
For the party's leader, Mark Hellstrand, an actor and entrepreneur-turned politician with no government experience, the results were triumphant in particular. The voters delivered a powerful rejection of the establishment forces that had assembled against him and his party, from the public sector to the private sector; from one wing of the political spectrum to the other.
Before Hellstrand, the Federalist Party was a nearly unheard-of fringe party essentially run by the Kelten family, who had run it for decades, and for 3 generations. Its third leader, Gert Kelten, in particular, stressed the party's radical single-issue agenda: the abolition of the cantonal system and the Confederation as a whole in favor of a federal republic, during a point in time when Vallanders became more and more angry at a dual-hung legislature and a stagnating economy.
However, in November of 2014, Kelten became caught up in a sexual harassment scandal that endangered his and his family's leadership- and rocketed his party to national news. It was at this point that, during the chaos engulfing the party, that Hellstrand first registered as a member. His star power and his brief career as a lobbyist propelled him to the upper echelons of the party relatively quickly, and just months before the midterms, Hellstrand was elected Leader of the Federalist Party with 88% of the vote.
What followed was a massive effort by Hellstrand to transform the party from a fringe federalist movement into a force appealing to Vallanders everywhere, galvanizing a largely overlooked coalition of mostly blue-collar and middle-class voters who managed to swing cantons that had been reliably in the camp of much more established parties for decades.
In the 2015 midterms, the Federalists managed to break into the Vårtinget with 29 seats, but were still considered fringe by political pundits and the three major parties alike, as well as much of the public. However, that wasn't enough for Hellstrand, and for 4 years, from 2015 to 2019, the Federalists ceaselessly criticized government division and called for strong action, while slowly but surely mobilizing grassroots campaign efforts.
Erna Hareide and her husband Rasmus, two 32-year-old newlyweds, walked out of a polling station in Vikstad on Friday and said they had cast their votes for Hellstrand and his party, despite usually voting for the CDP. Their comments suggested that Hellstrand's longstanding grassroots efforts had paid off, and they weren't alone.
Voters, as the results show us, were willing to take a gamble for change, and gave the Federalists 340 seats in the Vårtinget, compared to 184 for the Messianist Democrats and 163 for the CDP. Meanwhile, the Centrist Union, previously the largest political party in the country, was eviscerated, and is now the smallest with 46 seats. In the Lånsevar, 60 seats went to the Federalists, whereas 28 went to the Messianist Democrats, 24 to the CDP, and 12 to the Centrists.
While the Federalists were not able to gain an absolute majority, they were able to gain a simple majority- a tool Hellstrand can use to appoint a Federal Council with a Federalist majority. The Federalists also performed a number of feats that, to many political pundits and pollsters, seemed impossible. By taking Halsen, they performed the rare Skjednak- a political term meaning "cutting the neck", referring to the Litefjord; where the traditionally Centrist strongholds in the Litefjordstad region and the Outer Plains region are not connected by a fully Centrist-controlled Litefjord region.
More importantly, though, the Federalists stole the South from the Messianist Democrats, who have traditionally held the region, just as the CDP have traditionally held the North and the Centrists the West. The Messianist Democrats were, however, able to compensate for this by winning over many suburban voters, as well as through the personal charisma of Lotte Jensen, their leader.
Due to these factors, Jensen had become the primary opposing force to the rise of the Federalists, and the Messianist Democrats, though they had lost the South, made significant gains in the North, flipping districts and cantons previously held by both the CDP and the Centrists. However, as a consequence for Never-Hellstranders, the results have yielded no united opposition to the Federalists in the Mensedag. The Messianist Democrats and CDP, though united in their disdain for Hellstrand, are fundamentally center-right and center-left parties respectively.
This gives Hellstrand and the Federalist Party a larger advantage, and makes their success story all the more fascinating, whether you support or dislike the Federalists' agenda. However, only time will tell what this new party and its firebrand leader will be able to do, and whether they will be able to deliver on their campaign promises to cut the power of the big banks, get Valland more involved in the international community, bring in new jobs, and bolster the economy.
In short, though the campaign- one of the most brutal in Valland's history- is finally over, a new political era has dawned. After years of waiting and tireless campaigning, the voters have put the Federalists in power; and time will tell if they are able to, as their mantra states,
Set Valland Forward Again.
Rump, Tony Scheduled for Duel at Dawnby Deerfenland
(Freetown, SL) - The President of the African Caribbean Republic of Deerfenland prepares for the duel after he was challenged by the Minister of Defense concerning the state, Markaz Tony. This individual engagement is cataloged for Sunday at 6:30 at the Revolutionary War battleground.
The Minister of Defense of the African Caribbean Republic of Deerfenland approached President Rump yesterday at around 19:45. "Careful how you proceed, good man. Intemperance indeed, good man. Answer forth the accusations I lay at your feet, or prepare to bleed, good man," were the words the Minister of Defense yelled to the President. The President was seen smiling. "Your grievance is legitimate. I stand by what I said every bit of it."
This goes back to the President saying that the Minister of Defense was: amoral, a disgrace, and unprofessional along with other strings of insults. Then, we heard the MoD yelling towards Rump. "Then stand, Donald. Freetown, dawn. Guns, drawn." We can see the president standing up and shaking the minister's hand. "You're on."
There has been a feud between the two. Politically and emotionally, the feud has been between the men for years. The vendetta must be resolved. One man will die, one will survive. The battlegrounds in the middle of Freetown was the place where the Deerfenese Revolution ended after the Deerfenese Colonial Forces surrounded the British.
These grounds were later deemed the only duel grounds. These are the only places where duels are legal. So far, a total of 222 duels have been fought here. One winner and one loser. A companion and a doctor will be with each man. There is a moat that surrounds the battleground. They will row across it at dawn.
President Rump endured a journalist colloquium. Here is something he had to state: "I know you have learned that Defense Minister Markaz Tony and I have challenged each other to a duel. Here are the details. The Minister of Defense's second will be Jévon Booker, the former Vice President. My friend who will accompany me will be Henderson Moore."
Markaz Tony served as the Minister of Defense under the Dapaah and Addo Administrations. He made himself known when he called for the operation to invade the Nikolas in World War IV. He also called for the invasion of the numerous labor camps in the Special Administrative Region of Zhumu (瞩目) in the times of Alerian and Tiristanian occupation.
Markaz Tony also has a marksman’s ability and a tremendous shot. He served in the Deerfenese Armed Forces during the times of Nikolas occupation. He also served on guard ready to attack orders of a Toshavoan Invasion. This man has killed hundreds of opponents in war. He cut down several Niks alone in the fourth World War.
Donald Rump also has a marksman’s ability. He is known for not throwing away his shot. He had been in one duel before Sunday’s, which he won by a long shot. The opponent was never able to shoot.
It will be really difficult to decide on a winner. However, this duel will end long political tensions between the two men. However, it will remain to see who wins. However, who do you think will win? Who has the best shot? Who will not throw away their shot?
The Roleplay Reel: Showing the Beauty of StorytellingPublisher: Pallaith (Ghost) :: Executive Editors: El Fiji Grande, Syrixia, MadJack, and Prydania
The Roleplay Reel is produced by the Ministries of Communications and Culture on behalf of the RP Community of The North Pacific.(https://i.imgur.com/QIWLIly.png)(https://i.imgur.com/Q9SJd30.png)(https://i.imgur.com/IWWx7Zw.png)(https://i.imgur.com/eD6J16n.png)(https://i.imgur.com/alpDbGg.png)(https://i.imgur.com/FI3VdgC.png)(https://i.imgur.com/6VfFiDe.png)(https://i.imgur.com/wsfALjG.png)(https://i.imgur.com/Re6DIdV.png)(https://i.imgur.com/V1Mb4sb.png)(https://i.imgur.com/cmwqhvo.png)(https://i.imgur.com/V1Mdrht.png)(https://i.imgur.com/KuwUMs7.png)
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Thank you for the roleplay updates! :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/aBDj95m.png) General Election Report
by bowloftoast, Political Correspondent
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The Region is now "Fijitastic" with the election of our new Delegate.
Spring has sprung for those in TNP’s northern hemisphere, and the May General Election provided verdant democratic ground for both perennial candidates and budding new political talent.
The Delegacy:
Keeping to his campaign promise of a single term, previous delegate Pallaith opted not to run this round, creating the opportunity for new leadership to rise, and keeping alive TNP’s tradition of encouraging citizens to engage in the pursuit of leadership positions.
El Fiji Grande was the first candidate to declare, riding momentum from recent election to the Security Council, and having displayed great acumen as Minister of Communications. In his platform, Fiji emphasized a willingness to learn as he led, if chosen. Fiji deferred to those with greater experience during the campaign, and his platform became a work in progress. This willingness to adapt to the views of the community went a long way in building confidence in his candidacy, securing him 88% of the votes, and victory.
St. George (Madjack) declared shortly thereafter. A former Delegate in Osiris, St. George brought executive experience to the campaign. St. George placed an emphasis on Ministerial liberty and gave a specific mention of the importance of an unfettered RP community. Previous indiscretions came to light, however, and with matters before the courts, St. George withdrew from the race.
Not wishing to see El Fiji Grande gain the Delegacy uncontested, Lady Raven Wing rose to the occasion with an intriguing platform of Evil – and one must assume the accompanying chaos. Light on policy, heavy on goats, pants, and perhaps even goats in pants, this irreverent but timely campaign garnered nearly 12% of the popular vote, proving there can be no light without darkness.
The Vice Delegacy:
Hotly contested, with several vying for the number two job, the Vice Delegate race provided the counterpoint to the fait accompli that was the Delegate race.
Incumbent candidate Sil Dorsett was going to be difficult to unseat on the heels of a nearly infallible term. Sil’s platform relied mainly on a positive track record, with some additional emphasis on regional security, continuing promotion of WA membership, and a well-executed Star Trek reference. These elements combined into a win and a second consecutive term, with 57% of the popular vote.
Little is known about candidate Kirostan, but it is a testament to the region that a relative unknown may enter any race and run for office. Despite having no platform to speak of, Kirostan’s courage is laudable, and the candidate even captured a couple of votes.
Praetor’s campaign for Vice was similar to Sil’s in focusing on regional security, but Praetor put a greater emphasis on game-side improvements and advocated for somewhat increased transparency. Overshadowed by the battle between a very popular incumbent and an exceedingly well-rounded rat dude, Praetor garnered 4 votes.
Malphe came at the candidacy with a past experience in most TNP Ministries, a predisposition to security, and proven accountability. The emphasis of the platform was reliable execution of tasks matched with an openness to learn and evolve into the position. The Vice Delegate position is likely in Malphe’s future, but this time out, a respectable 35% of the popular vote wasn’t quite enough.
Speaker:
Fairly new to TNP and NS, Dreadton took on the mammoth task of unseating a popular incumbent, both out of a belief that that no candidate should run unopposed, but also with confidence in their understanding of the role. Stepping up is never easy, and Dreadton was rewarded with a respectable 12% of the popular vote.
There was little doubt that Artemis would reacquire the Speaker role, and the variety of common-sense procedural amendments implemented over the last term spoke for themselves. More-of-the-same seemed to be all the refrain that citizens needed to secure 88% of the popular vote, and another term in office.
Attorney General:
With the future of the region’s AG position in question, three candidates declared, each seeking to carry the office forward. Two prevailed, but a runoff was required to determine the ultimate winner.
Dinoium presented a comprehensive platform emphasizing greater public education of TNP’s laws to citizens / residents and outlined a potential internship program. Ambition to resurrect the AG office to greater activity in TNP garnered 23% support among voters. Not enough, however, to qualify for the ensuing runoff vote.
Funkadelia gathered nearly 30% of the vote, and that was close enough to the frontrunner to trigger the eventual runoff. Emphasizing the need for reform in the region’s justice system, to a less adversarial construct, Funk expressed a desire to adapt a more inquisitorial format, to better expedite future cases before the courts.
Once the runoff was complete, Darcania emerged victorious with 70% of the popular vote. The majority feeling was that Darc’s previous experience and acumen as AG would be critical as the RA decides whether the office should be maintained, or if the duties of the AG are to be parsed out to others in government.
Summary:
Delegate: El Fiji Grande
Vice Delegate: Sil Dorsett
Speaker: Artemis
Attorney General: Darcania
(https://i.imgur.com/aBDj95m.png)NPA Bulletin
by Robespierre, Deputy Minister of Communications
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Leadership
Minister of Defense (MoD): General Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/)
Deputy Ministers of Defense (DMoDs): Colonel Knightblood (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5050746/) and Colonel Koopa (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060570/)
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Uh oh! It seems as though our Minister of Defense here in the North Pacific, General Bobberino, has once again fallen asleep for today’s updates (like usual...). Not to worry though, it looks like I, Sergeant Robespierre, will be reporting this time around instead!
Promotions
Private Abraham was promoted to Private First Class
Private Robespierre was promoted to Private First Class
Private First Class Robespierre was promoted to Corporal
Corporal Robespierre was promoted to Sergeant
Let me tell you, folks, this month your favorite soldiers from the North Pacific Army have been putting in the work necessary to serve the region proudly and have loads of fun while doing it! It started off with a nice World Assembly block operation lead by Lieutenant TlomzKrano on the region Authoritarianism Is Cool Kind Of, a mission where six of the Army’s finest (including myself for my debut raid in the NPA) deployed on the eighth of May at NationStates major update to swiftly capture the region.
From there on out, it was more of the same. Raid after raid, officers took up arms in the spirit of peer leadership to seize many more regions. “Keep on keeping on” was practically the motto of the North Pacific’s personnel for the past month. On the nineteenth of May’s minor update, General Gladio and company were successful in targeting a couple of regions on yet another operation. On the twenty-third of May’s minor, the Army headed by Malphe struck again! And, on the major and the minor, troops lead by General Malphe and Lieutenant TlomzKrano combined to hit two more regions. Looks like not all of Malphe’s six rats were asleep either since on the twenty-fifth of May’s minor update his group of men took four more regions in the name of the North Pacific’s glory.
Let’s not forget - it wasn’t all raiding either for El Fiji Grande’s Ministry of Defense. From the eighth of May’s minor update to the thirteenth of May’s minor update, the North Pacific Army worked in cooperation with the Warzone Federation to effectively secure multiple Warzones in the face of oncoming invaders. This was a lot like the time in late April when eighteen soldiers from the North collaborated with the Europeian Republican Navy to hold Warzone Africa. The highlight of the operation was Warzone Airspace, during which an astounding seventeen NPA soldiers took part in the campaign that spanned several updates.
Upon the conclusion of the Army’s mission, Minister of Defense Bobberino saw fit to award those who participated with a Regional Liberation Award. In addition to such, all who displayed unwavering commitment and insurmountable strength to the task at hand were presented with the Warzone Federation Liberation Award.
Lastly, in addition to everything mentioned above, the North Pacific Army found itself more than happy to assist its valued allies in the Rejected Realms with their standard procedure Delegacy transfer. From the twentieth of May to the twenty-third of May, sixteen NPAers deployed to go out and support newly-elected Delegate Kyorgia in his ascendency to higher office. Following that, the troops who participated were once again given a special ribbon to commemorate their sense of teamwork and unity to the goals given. "Exemplo Duceneus" - we lead by example! ... But, we're also still awaiting the awakening of Bobberino... for some reason... Gladio, it's coup time! :P
(https://i.imgur.com/aBDj95m.png)Spotlight #19: Interview with Darcania
by Dinoium, Deputy Attorney General and Gameside Advocate
Views in this interview may not reflect the views of TNP's government
(https://i.imgur.com/BM2d8as.png)
Darcania was happy to hear that they could get a redo interview after a year of a previously attempted interview.
Dinoium: Hello there and welcome to this month's The Spotlight. Today we will be interviewing Darcania! How are you doing this fine day, Darc?
Darcania: Well enough.
Dinoium: Great! Can you tell me a summary of your background in NationStates and The North Pacific?
Darcania: Well, Darcania was founded in The North Pacific right away, and while I looked for a good RP UCR to settle into I never found one that met my needs, and so instead I became a roleplayer in TNP. During my first stint here, I quickly became a Citizen and joined the NPA as well. I first rose to prominence when I was a Deputy Minister of Home Affairs under Andrew, reviving the decaying Mentoring program and helping to set some standards for it. Later on, I also became a Roleplay Moderator when that program was revived, and also served as the NPA Chief of Staff under Eluvatar. Unfortunately, a conflict with how RP was led and moderated led to me leaving NS for about a full year.
A year later, I came back after some prompting from Syrixia pointing out that RP leadership had improved since I left. While I intended to get back into RP, I never managed to really get back into it and become a mainstay of RP like before. Instead, I became more involved in the regional government, becoming a Deputy Minister of Culture under Syrixia and Goyanes, and one of Ash's many Deputy Attorneys General. I even ran for Delegate, though I withdrew my candidacy before voting.
After Ash left NS, I was elected into office for the first time as Attorney General, where I would serve for the better part of a year. It was also during Pallaith's first Delegacy that I was appointed into my first Ministry position, Minister of Defense. Nothing of note happened during either, though I was appointed a forum administrator during this time.
Soon after, I was elected Speaker in a special election, where I served with distinction, bringing much-needed speed and consistency to the office. Many were wondering when I would run for Delegate, though I never did. Soon enough I declined to run for another Speaker term to run for Vice Delegate, though, again, I dropped out of the race before voting began.
I then left NS for a second time about a month later, though this leave wouldn't last for a full year. I returned to NS and, while I had lost much of the influence I had during my heyday, I was still appointed for a second Ministership, once again as Pallaith's Minister of Defense. Though I resigned before the term was over, I remained to assist the incoming Minister, Bobberino, as he took the reigns for his first time. And here, we reach the present day.
Dinoium: That seems to be an impressive background. Which one do you think was the best position in your opinion?
Darcania: While I served well as Speaker, better than my terms as Minister of Defense, in my opinion, I also caused undue stress on myself due to undertaking all of its duties on myself, due to inactive Deputies. At the time, I also had to handle the majority of forum and Discord administration. I also failed to leave the office in any good state when I left it, leaving behind almost no resources that future Speakers could take advantage of, beyond Feyt's (now Madeline's) autorole functionality for the Discord server.
My second term as Minister of Defense was by far my favorite term in office. While there was still paperwork and spreadsheets to take care of, both of which I excel at handling if you'll pardon the pun, I also had to consider "soft" data as well, such as the state of my soldiers and our relationship with other military organizations. While I was unsure how well I would handle this coming into my second term, it proved to be a challenge that I overcame with zeal. The various challenges of a Minister position are a far cry from the sleepy days as Attorney General or the rote tasks as Speaker, and I enjoyed tackling these challenges and innovating new ways to handle them.
Dinoium: Interesting. Seeing how that was your favorite experience, who do you think was the best Minister of Defense in terms of leadership and merit?
Darcania: It's tough to beat the legendary Gladio. His experience in the position is unrivaled by any current NPA soldier, and even after a term in TNP's Security Council, his triggering remains top-notch. While most of the newer soldiers, including our current Minister of Defense, have never experienced Gladio in the position, I have, and his sheer consistency in the office is unmatched. Recent MoDs would have to step back after only a term due to how much work the office entails, yet Gladio managed to serve many terms in a row without tiring from it.
Dinoium: Yeah Gladio is a great Minister of Defense. Without releasing anything operation secret, what do you think is a great tactic to use when Raiding or Defending (i.e. Programs to use; strategies, etc.)?
Darcania: Most organizations by now, when requiring precision, will use a program to find targets, a program to find trigger regions, then use manual triggers from those regions. For looser operations like detags, there are also some programs that will figure all that out on their own for you, but nothing remains as accurate as manual triggering. As for the details, I believe they'd be outside the scope of this interview - so anyone looking to try them out should look around for these programs themselves or even join their local military organization (for example, the North Pacific Army) to get some hands-on practice in.
Dinoium: Alright then. Who in your opinion was the biggest mentor to you in NS?
Darcania: I can't particularly point to a single person who was a larger mentor than anyone else. Ever since I joined, I've generally acted independently and learned on my own, or from simple observation. Through various leaders in TNP I've learned from their successes and their mistakes, and I would often butt heads with these leaders due to my independent streak. However, my general laid-back attitude and friendly demeanor have prevented most of these incidents from damaging my friendships with these leaders. From MadJack to Raven and from Ghost to Gladio, there is no shortage of experience that a new player can learn from, nor a shortage of mistakes that a fresh set of eyes can see and resolve when they rise to the top spot.
Dinoium: That must be good to mentor yourself by observing successes and mistakes. Is there any specific advice you would like to give to anyone reading this on how to become as successful as you?
Darcania: I would say to start out by finding your niche, or niches. I started in roleplay, for example, and Bobberino found his niche in the NPA. As you devote your time and effort there, you will eventually find success, and from there, you can blossom out and find other areas you can succeed in. You'll already have a foothold in your home turf, so to speak, and as you gain more well-rounded experience, learn from more leaders, and gain a name for yourself in many areas, you'll quickly find yourself being talked about as a future Delegate. For example, I explicitly avoided anything law-based when I first joined, but as I learned more about it and made more of a name for myself as a legal mind, I now have a small measure of notoriety in that area.
That said, there's no reason to shoot for the high spot. In other areas of the game don't suit you, don't force yourself. There's nothing wrong with being a leader in your own spheres and niches.
Dinoium: How do you come up with the Floof/Fluff and why do you think has it made much importance.
Darcania: Well, it's a bit of a long story, but a long while ago, Yalkan and I would talk late into the night in TNP's main Discord server (making it the most active NS Discord based on the Heartbeat's data), and as time progressed our RPs together became more serious. However, after two years of RPing with the same characters, we realized that our characters had grown to the point where they had no character arc left, and thus were no longer interesting to RP. We retired those characters and brainstormed new characters, furred dragons from a waning dragon clan in the far tundras of the north. These new dragons were furred dragons, and of course, I changed my Discord avatar to match my character - and I chose a red and white dragon with a crown on its ear [picture seen above].
At the time, I also held citizenship in TWP, and they (mostly Altino) noticed right away. A short time later, I met TWP native Skymoot, aka Fedora Dan, and the two of us in a way helped to kickstart RP in TWP's Discord server. Skymoot later joined TNP's server, and he, Yalkan, and I managed to associate my NS persona with Floof by our conversations. It became a bit of a meme in TNP after that, and with my growing popularity and influence in TNP at the time, it rather quickly became a staple of my persona. As time passed it became on par with Flemingovianism among those members too young to remember its heyday.
Nowadays it's not as important, due to my own waning popularity after my own heyday. Yet, it retains some importance among some members, as well as some fond memories of my own heyday, and fluffy dragons at this point are too tied to my NS persona to warrant a change now.
Dinoium: Seems like Flemingovianism really had a competition huh? :P Well, that seems like that's all the questions we have today. Is there anything else you would like to say?
Darcania: Hail floof.
(https://i.imgur.com/aBDj95m.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Artemis, Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Regional Assembly May 2019
Speaker of The Regional Assembly: Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/)
Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly: Dreadton (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060805/), Funkadelia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3125845/), and Brendog (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/).
Vote
Passed
Onsite Authority Enhancement Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190387/), put forward by Pallaith (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5000902/)
Status: Passed
Summary: TNP Law is very strict in the manner that nations can be banned from the region, and did not allow bans of individuals who have been banned from the forum by Administration. This proposal expands the authority of the Executive to issue a regional ban of individuals banned from the forum by Administration for the same length or shorter.
Results: 37 Ayes, 3 Nays, and 3 Abstentions.
Treaty of the Northern Passage (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190473/), put forward by Minister of Foreign Affairs McMasterdonia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3108012/).
Status: Passed
Summary: A Bilateral treaty negotiated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs between the North Pacific and Europe to strengthen ties and develop a natural alliance between the two regions. TNP and Europe wish to develop further relations and open dialogue. The Treaty received a large margin of support.
Results: 33 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 1 Abstentions.
Election Commissioner Confirmation of COE and Siwale (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190493/), put forward by Speaker Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/)
Status: Passed
Summary: The newly elected Delegate, El Fiji Grande, appointed veteran members of the Election Commission Crushing Our Enemies and Siwale to serve for six months as Election Commissioners. Debate was quick as many felt that these two individuals both wielded experience in dealing with elections in the North Pacific.
Results: Crushing Our Enemies - 27 Ayes, 3 Nays, and 1 Abstentions.
Siwale - 24 Ayes, 4 Nays, and 2 Abstentions.
Current Business
On a Proposed Amendment of the Wording of the Legal Code (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190508/) put forward by Antityranicals (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061473/)Status: In Discussion
Summary: An amendment to the Legal Code to strike the word planning from Section 1.7.22 of the Legal Code and insert the text “, or colluding towards the goal of committing such a crime. This section of the Legal Code deals with the Criminal Code of TNP and specifically defining the crime of Conspiracy. The Author offers that this amendment will help provide clarification to the definition of Conspiracy.
Criminalising Espionage in Our Partner Regions (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190411/), put forward by St George (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968/).
Status: In Discussion
Summary: This bill further restricts the ability of the North Pacific to conduct espionage by prohibiting the practice in regards to any region the North Pacific has passed a treaty with. Currently, the law states that the North Pacific will not conduct espionage against regions that the Regional Assembly specifically exempts.
The AGORA Act (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190382/), put forward by Siwale (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5012431/) and Crushing Our Enemies (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3148393/).
Status: In Discussion
Summary: Former Attorney General Crushing Our Enemies and Former Deputy AG Siwale introduced legislation to abolish the office of the Attorney General and roll the duties into the Courts of the North Pacific. Currently the proposal indicates that a prosecutor may be appointed by the Delegate to handle matters on a case by case basis. If the Delegate is under investigation, then the next individual in the Line of Succession will make the appointment.
Delegate’s Report Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190483/), put forward by Brendog (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/).
Status: In Discussion
Summary: A bill that would require the Delegate to present a regular report to the Regional Assembly summarizing the activities of the government. Discussion has mainly centered around the time and frequency that the report must be presented. The current text of the bill stipulates that the report must be given after 7 and 14 weeks upon the Delegate taking office.
Siwale’s Security Council Application (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190531/), put forward by Sil Dorsett (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318789/).
Status: In Discussion
Summary: The Security Council of the North Pacific nominated Siwale to join the Council following a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain, and 1 not present. The motion was presented to the Regional Assembly and is currently under discussion on the merits of the applicant and if they would help provide for a secure TNP.
(https://i.imgur.com/aBDj95m.png)World Assembly Digest
by Deerfenland, World Assembly Correspondent
(https://i.imgur.com/Yji1FkM.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Repeal: “Endangered Species Protection”
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,539 Against: 2,859
Final Vote (TNP): For: 478 Against: 92 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.72%
Recommendation: The target, Endangered Species Protection, is well meaning but flawed as outlined by this proposed repeal. The target possesses vague definitions and is ambiguous on how far certain aspects it extends its protection to, which causes concern on what is protected and why is neglected in application. The resolution also does not prevent items such as harming organisms in a non-fatal manner, which allows for avenues for abuse. Furthermore, the repeal calls for restorative action to prevent species from remaining low once protected. Finally, replacement legislation must pass as soon as possible so as to protect those various organisms during this repeal.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Protection Of Airspace
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 9,737 Against: 6,749
Final Vote (TNP): For: 171 Against: 390 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.5%
Recommendation: Protection of Airspace possesses many flaws, the majority of which stem from the proposals definitions. "Aircraft" in the way that it is defined requires sapient beings to have total control over the vehicle at all times. This becomes problematic in UAVs/Drones and even autopilot for manned vehicles as neither would be 'aircraft'. Furthermore, air-foil based flight at increasingly high altitudes is much more complex than a question of whether it is possible or not at any given altitude. This definition also makes the application of all clauses and definitions forthcoming subjective as nations will vary. Finally, this proposal only aims to supply an arbitrary amount of sovereignty that is most likely already present unless further legislation is given. It then further requires supplying information to the ITSC for international travel despite not having any additional mandates to accommodate for the aircrafts responsibilities and works abroad.
For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Preventing Species Extinction
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,528 Against: 1,522
Final Vote (TNP): For: 533 Against: 49 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.97%
Recommendation: This comprehensive resolution seeks to expand on protections initially outlined in the recently repealed GAR#66 and enhances regulation to encompass the full scope of living species. The resolution also clarifies the objectives of the WA Endangered Species Committee to better track and adjust for natural fluctuations in species' populations, and to take a more proactive approach in general conservation through strengthened enforcement protocols. Greater onus is also placed on WA nations to ensure habitat protection for at-risk species to reduce encroachment through human development. Nations must also develop plans for species recovery from near-extinction events, update both conservation and recovery plans frequently to align with the most recent science, and make greater efforts to reduce species-threatening pollution within their borders. Finally, the resolution allows common-sense exemptions, with WAESC approval, for nations to waive regulations when species pose a threat to the wellbeing of citizens, and eradication represents a net positive for the overall, living environment.
For these reasons, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this resolution.
(https://i.imgur.com/jefS1tz.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Condemn Darkesia
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 13,757 Against: 2,020
Final Vote (TNP): For: 526 Against: 46 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.65%
Recommendation: Darkesia is a long time player with an extensive history of condemnable acts. They began in the Pacific, serving under the New Pacific Order and advancing their agendas and influence where possible. Darkesia also participated in countless intelligence operations against other regions, namely The West Pacific. Furthermore, Darkesia participated and supported numerous coups in The North Pacific, The West Pacific, and The East Pacific. In conclusion, Darkesia has a history of espionage and undermining of sovereign governments, perpetuating their own agenda wherever they may see fit.
In accordance with the reasoning posted above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this condemnation.
Liberate Politics Amino
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 11,650 Against: 3,169
Final Vote (TNP): For: 261 Against: 267 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.5%
Recommendation: This proposal is factually incorrect and misrepresents the current situation in the target region. Politics Amino is currently not under the control of raiders but is under the control of a defender. This proposal thus miscategorises a defender as a raider. While a repeal of the liberation is not a bad idea, the situation remains fluid. As such, it is important to ensure the contents of the proposal are factually accurate before decisions relating to the repeal are made. In this proposal a significant error has been made. Given all of the above, Politics Amino is currently in protective hands, and there is no reason to rush to change its liberated status.
For these reasons the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this repeal.
Condemn The Land Of Kings And Emperors
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: Against
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: El Fiji |Grande :: Executive Editor: Pallaith :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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Thanks for the update, and congrats to El Fiji Grande! I can't help but notice how his popularity in International Northwestern Union has really improved during his tenure in TNP. :P
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(https://i.imgur.com/f4UEI8F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Spotlight #20 Interview With Zazumo
by Robespierre, Minister of Home Affairs
This month Zazumo is in the spotlight. Zazumo has served three times as the Minister of Defense under Siwale, taking a small break during Siwale's second term before coming in at the end to relieve Loz. He currently serves as a Gameside Advocate in Fiji's government. When asked to describe Zazumo in five words, his peers said that he was ‘competent, friendly, smart, active and a good teacher.’ He's also a lot of fun and brings positive energy to the region wherever he goes, and I was very pleased to get the chance to speak with him. He had a lot of interesting things to say, but he's very busy and we didn't want to stop talking to him, so the following is only part 1 of my interview.
Robespierre: Good evening, TNP! Today, I’m joined by General Zazumo of the North Army! Zaz, how are you doing on this fine day?
Zazumo: I'm just fine. Thanks for reaching out. How are you? Getting getting used to the minister life yet?
Robespierre: Haha, I’m doing quite well actually. Have enjoyed a few days of vacation since leaving the Midwest this past Friday, now I’m on the east coast! Ooh, those midnight major update times... It’s great to hear that you’re doing fine. Now, as we do with most interviewee’s on the Spotlight, let’s start out with a couple of basics: The name Zazumo - any ideas as to where its origins lie?
Zazumo: Lol if it does I've since forgotten. I thought it sounded cool at the time. Guess I just wanted a name as weird as I was.
Robespierre: That’s fair enough, have you been in the game for a while by this point or was the North Pacific your first ever region?
Zazumo: I vaguely remember leaving TNP early to join The Realm of Unrestricted Science. Those were very early days. I learned soon after that TNP was the world's largest region and I really want to be involved with such a large community. I've been stuck here since.
Robespierre: When it comes to NationStates aren’t we all ‘stuck’? :P But hey, the good news is that when it comes to the warm and welcoming regional community that we have here in the North Pacific it makes the job of being stuck a lot easier doesn’t it?
Zazumo: Oh absolutely, I only regret not being active Gameside sooner. For all the negatives many people instantly assume about the RMB, there's so much awesome to it as well. Mainly the people. There are so many folks on the RMB that make my day.
Robespierre: Oh really? You mention Gameside activity, and that actually brings up something I wanted to talk to you about. I know you’re a Gameside Advocate as well in addition to being on the NPA’s High Command, what’s it like having the opportunity to interact with some of our newest nations?
Zazumo: It's interesting. Obviously, you'll meet less than friendly people or trolls occasionally. But then there are newcomers who stay. People who have become a regular part of the community since joining. And that's fantastic. I don't consider it an opportunity. It's literally why I play the game. Oh and also cards.
Robespierre: You guys are quite integral parts to the integration process, especially when it comes to the transition from the RMB over to the forums. Once you get them there the rest is history, but how difficult is it to steer newcomers in the right direction while also having your own personal favourite sets of activities in the region?
Zazumo: We regularly advertise the off-site community throughout the day. We can only point them there. We can't make them join. It doesn't for me personally get in the way of other things since I'm already on the RMB slacking off.
Robespierre: That’s true, you can’t make them join - obviously. But, I definitely think it helps that we have active GAs such as yourself who are comfortable on the RMB and willing to be patient with those who have questions. In my mind, it really sets the tone for our community’s integration process really should be about, wouldn’t you agree?
Zazumo: I think that's accurate. You have to bear in mind that anyone new can be a young person. So patience is sometimes very necessary. cough Not naming names. cough But most importantly you gotta remember you're playing a game.
Robespierre: Of course, and at the end of the day that’s exactly what we’re all participating in: a game.
In the next part we discuss scouting RP'ers on the RMB and finding players who may be interested in other parts of the community, as well as Zaz's history with R/D and his rise in the NPA. Plus I get to the bottom of his legendary feud with Aerilia and I ask him what everyone is dying to know: just who is Aber? Don't miss it!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)NPA Bulletin
by Robespierre, Deputy Minister of Communications
& Knightblood, Member of the High Command
(https://i.ibb.co/Xy6S7hG/BquQOG8.png)
Leadership
Minister of Defense (MoD): General Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/)
Deputy Ministers of Defense (DMoDs):
Colonel Knightblood (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5050746/) and Colonel Koopa (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060570/)
(https://i.ibb.co/qg3gGFw/img.jpg)
Lieutenant Robespierre and Lieutenant Yuno proudly display their new 'butterbar' officer insignia shortly after having been promoted to the North Pacific Army's corps by General BobberinoPromotions
Private Trondstorm (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061510/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-2#post-10240818) to Private First Class
Private First Class Trondstorm (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061510/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-2#post-10243127) to Corporal
Sergeant Yuno (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3308149/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-2#post-10241880) to Lieutenant
Sergeant Robespierre (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-2#post-10242988) to Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer Robespierre (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-2#post-10243126) to Lieutenant
It's me, it's me: it's the name that starts with an 'R' and ends with an 'e', your 'MacMilitant' Minister of Home Affairs, Robespierre! ... No, but seriously, with that bit of monthly narcissism out of the way - we're back at it again for round two of the NPA Bulletin with your favourite Lieutenant in the second month consecutively! Unlike last time, we unfortunately actually do have a more substantial amount of defender activities to report.
Although the North Pacific's flag continues to wave above the world factbook entries of hundreds of regions captured during tag raiding, it seems as though there will now be more joint missions between the Army and allied avengers to speak of in the future. Recently, the North Pacific Army deployed to the region of Anontia alongside the Rejected Realms Army. The operation was a success, and at present, the High Command has ordered all available personnel to pile into the region in support of the liberation. Even so, that's not what you're here to read about now is it?! Nope, definitely not! I know what you want to read about: the adrenaline-pumping adventures of the NPA's dirty deeds done dirt cheap - that's what. Well, not to worry, we have plenty of raiding in store for you sprinkled throughout this update as well.
Back to our winning ways: On the third of June's minor update, General Gladio coordinated a tactical assault on a region known as the 'Coalition of Authoritarian Nations'. Though, perhaps after being barraged by eight of the North Pacific's finest, they weren't so authoritarian for much longer after all, because everyone knows there's only so much exposure to democracy and ingestion of rejuvenating rum a few nation's people can take before they too start giving up their restrictive policies in favour of freedom. It didn't stop there either, as later in the week on the seventh of June's major update General QuietDad lead a squad of six soldiers on brief tag run that saw four regions fall.
On that note, the High Command kept 'em coming! Just three days later on the eleventh of June's major update, General Bobberino spearheaded another charge behind enemy lines on an operation for which six soldiers seized two more regions. The next morning, yours truly was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer, effectively making me the second ever holder of the rank since now-Lieutenant TlomzKrano held it earlier on in the year. Quick to use this newfound authority, I decided to take the troops out on a four region fire run. That operation marked General Darcania's one-hundredth mission completed while with the North Pacific Army, so as a congratulatory token to his excellence on the General's Staff all tags that night were plastered with messages hailing the Floof!
Relentless in our resilience, I was promptly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant alongside my fellow soldier, Trondstorm, who was promoted to the rank of Corporal; and on the thirteenth of June's minor update we set out together yet again in a fruitful effort that landed us six more sieged targets. Everyone got in on the action too, when multiple points that included General Malphe, General Zazumo, General Bobberino and Captain Owenstacey were all called upon to hit each target with ease. That night, we'd go on to rinse and repeat with another eight regions falling at the hands of Colonel Koopa and co. In a small team showdown, two soldiers joined me on the seventeenth of June's minor update to raid another set of regions. But it wasn't all rosy coloured pictures of raiding either, since, on the twenty-fourth of June's minor update, our favourite rat broke the streak of capture consistency when he and a small platoon of five other personnel detagged five native regions.
In true-blue North Pacifican fashion, we just had to end off on a high note! I'll give you some highlights: How about a lightning fast tag run on the twenty-ninth of June?! Sixteen targets were hit and eight NPAers deployed. But what's most impressive is that Major Bluie actually came out of his sickened state IRL just to join in on the fun! Kudos to him for that, and it looks like he had some more excitement earlier in the day at minor update too because that was when General Bobberino took seven more troops on a tour to go see Kyorgia's Puppet Storage. I tell you, they must really have paid the Delegate of the Rejected Realms a good, long-overdo visit because he's been getting pinged in the spam channel ever since!
Anyhow, this concludes another month of the NPA's mayhem. I hope you all enjoyed it, especially the natives who were kind enough to host us during our missions. We look forward to visiting many other regions soon!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) Regional Assembly Highlights
by Artemis, Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Regional Assembly June 2019
Speaker of The Regional Assembly: Artemis (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/')
Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly: Dreadton (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060805/'), Funkadelia (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3125845/'), and Brendog (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/')
Vote
Passed
Nomination of Siwale to the Security Council (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190549/') put forward by Sil Dorsett (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318789/').
Status: Passed
Summary: The Security Council voted to nominate Siwale to join its body. Siwale received broad support from members of the Regional Assembly, many citing his prior service as Vice-Delegate and Delegate as being the foundation for their support.
Results: 40 Ayes, 4 Nays, and 3 Abstentions.
Amendment to the Line of Succession (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190625/') put forward by Sil Dorsett (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318789/').
Status: Passed
Summary: As some time has passed since the line of succession was updated, and several members had been added to the council and others leaving, the Security Council and the Vice-Delegate felt it was prudent to amend the Line of Succession. There was little opposition to the proposed Line of Succession and passed by a wide margin.
Results: 30 Ayes, 3 Nays, and 0 Abstentions.
Confirmation of Eluvatar, Owenstacey, and Brendog as Election Commissioners (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190585/'), put forward by Speaker Artemis (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/').
Status: Passed
Summary: The Delegate, El Fiji Grande, appointed veteran members of the Election Commission Eluvatar, Owenstacey, and Brendog to serve for six months as Election Commissioners. The debate was quick as many felt that these three individuals both wielded experience in dealing with elections in the North Pacific.
Results: Eluvatar - 19 Ayes, 3 Nays, and 1 Abstention.
Owenstacey - 21 Ayes, 1 Nay, and 1 Abstention.
Brendog - 21 Ayes, 1 Nay, and 1 Abstention.
Current Business
Instant Runoff Election Bill (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190606/'), put forward by Gorundu (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/').
Status: In Discussion
Summary: An amendment to the way that elections are run in the North Pacific. This bill introduces the idea of implementing an instant runoff voting system for the General Elections. Talks are centering currently regarding the use of "Reopen Nominations" on the ballot and how it will be counted.
Security Council Member Standards (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190602/') put forward by Praetor (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3302031/').
Status: At Vote
Summary: The Security Council Member Standards bill was introduced to address an issue that several individuals felt in regards to the Security Council. As the law currently reads, members of the Security Council do not have to maintain citizenship in the region. This bill amends the constitution to remove that exemption for maintaining citizenship from the Security Council.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)World Assembly Digest
by Gorundu, World Assembly Correspondent
(https://i.imgur.com/YnLYZLb.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Right to Farm
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 5061; Against - 9728
Final vote (TNP): For - 141; Against - 433; Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.65%
Recommendation: This proposal, while well meaning, fundamentally falls short in application and methodology. The proposal intends to create exceptions in nuisance laws for properly performing agricultural entities but fails to recognize the complexity and diversity of agriculture throughout the WA community as well as broadly asserting the inherent ability to own and maintain property despite nations' sovereignty to control those specific rights. Furthermore, this issue would be better handled on a property zoning basis where exceptions could be built in except where an entity violates the law similar to to 'accepted and standard agricultural practices.
In accordance with the reasoning displayed above, and in hopes of a potential redraft, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
World Assembly Justice Accord
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 11753; Against - 3001
Final vote (TNP): For - 451; Against - 91; Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.66%
Recommendation: The World Assembly Justice Accord effectively creates an overarching court system directly facilitated by the greater World Assembly. This is accomplished by created the World Assembly Judiciary Committee which will exist to maintain and appoint officials to the various courts held within this system. The purpose of these courts is to prevent noncompliance and fight it where ever it may be used to violate the rights of parties within noncompliant WA member nations. This is very important as compliance is the very essence of the World Assembly. Without proper discipline issued to those who simply ignore passed resolutions, there is no reason for nations to follow any resolutions, thus defeating the point of the WA. In an ideal world in which everyone acts according to the law, this would not be an issue, however this appears to be no perfect world.
And thus, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Prevention of Mutually assured destruction
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 2472; Against - 12247
Final vote (TNP): For - 69; Against - 434; Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.40%
Recommendation: Prevention of Mutually Assured Destruction, while well meaning, is flawed and somewhat useless in application. The definition of Mutually Assured Destruction is not one synonymous with what players would be familiar with in real life, which leads to a misleading title. Furthermore, the proposal takes no steps to prevent its own defined version of MAD, therefore not achieving what it fundamentally sets out to do. The only binding clause is one that arbitrarily bans 'response systems' to nuclear attacks while never actually defining or specifying what it is banning. Due to this lack of clarity, non-lethal or even productive systems could be banned due to faulty interpretation because of the very open worded clause. Finally, this proposal creates a committee that collects and reports uses of MAD to the WAJC, despite it not being illegal. This indicates that the author is simply using this proposal as a stepping stone to push more constraining legislation in the future.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
(https://i.imgur.com/MSkSvav.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Condemn The Land of Kings and Emperors
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 6790; Against - 8503
Final vote (TNP): For - 234; Against - 333; Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.65%
Recommendation: The Land of Kings and Emperors has committed various actions in the past which make them worthy of condemnation. However, this Ministry believes that the proposal does not properly address the condemnable aspects of LKE and even goes so far so as to spread a potential falsehood within its text. In clause 12, this proposal states that an individual was scapegoated after being caught violating inter-regional standards on recruitment practices. There is no evidence of this ever occurring which brings significant concern to the legitimacy of any other claims that are not directly substantiated.
In accordance with the issues raised above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Commend Woonsocket
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 10871; Against - 3613
Final vote (TNP): For - 504; Against - 31; Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.11%
Recommendation: Woonsocket has a long history in 10000 Islands, a region also commended by the Security Council. In his time, he has served in numerous positions and through them contributed to NS as a whole. He has deployed over 400 times to defend regions and has participated in multiple operations to secure lawful delegacies in Game Created Regions. He has also spent an enormous amount of time recruiting for his region, enabling 10000 Islands to be the commended region that it is.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this commendation.
Condemn Pierconium
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 12250; Against - 1715
Final vote (TNP): For - 487; Against - 36; Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.33%
Recommendation: The Emeritus Augustus Pacificus of Pierconium, as he is known at present, is a nation that posseses a long, tumultuous history within various spheres of NationStates GamePlay (NSGP). Having been one of the original four founding members of 'the Empire', Pierconium's long-standing history of participating in and/or supporting various subversive activities that seek to undermine legitimate governments across NationStates is the subject that plagues the Security Council at this very moment. Despite the fact that his existence predates all records readily available, the practice of duality has enabled the continuance of Pierconium's unapologetic nature for his atrocious actions that span over the past decade. On two separate occasions the nominee has been the perpetrator of tyranny in the North Pacific; and as an influential member in Gatesville (a region known for its opposition to the World Assembly) it serves to reason that he'd be held partially responsible for the coup d'etat of Osiris in 2013, the overthrow of a legal East Pacifican government in 2008, the survival of the authoritarian Triumvirate of the West Pacific, and for the brutal purging of five thousand and five hundred natives between his reigns in both the Pacific and the North Pacific respectively.
For the above reasonings it's suffice to say the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs strongly suggests a vote in favour of FOR the resolution.
Condemn Durkadurkiranistan II
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 8459; Against - 5594
Final vote (TNP): For - 195; Against - 302; Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.60%
Recommendation: The proposed condemnation of Durkadurkiranistan would be the second time this player is condemned. While they are deserving of being condemned for their various acts, namely against this very region, this proposed condemnation falls short in a few key places. The delivery and writing is uninspired and conveys its items more akin to that of a laundry list than a convincing condemnation. Furthermore, there are concerns that this proposal could be used to justify the repeal of the original condemnation at some point in the future. This concern is present due to the fact that this proposal does not and cannot fully outline the various actions Durka took against TNP and its interests. Despite communication with the author on some of these issues, they remain even if not taken advantage of by them.
In accordance with the statement above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Commend Common Territories
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 12250; Against - 1715
Final vote (TNP): For - 426; Against - 49; Percentage of WA nations voting: 34.37%
Recommendation: The proposed commendation of The Empire of Common Territories, herein referred to as TECT, is one based primarily on a legacy of significant contributions to RP they have made in the various RP communities they have participated in. These include an international arms smuggling manufacturing company, money laundering services investing and banking services, and blood thirsty, imperialist hitmen peacekeeping private military forces. Overall, TECT is a well respected player who deserved this commendation and acknowledgment of their RP content on both a regional and international level.
Following the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
[small]The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: El Fiji Grande :: Executive Editor: Pallaith :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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TEXT BASED VERSION
(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
Editor's Note
by Pallaith, Minister of Communications
Since reimagining The Northern Lights at the start of the year, we have strived to focus on particular themes or topics, ones that our authors could explore at greater length and could be applied to the game as a whole, not just The North Pacific. Issue XXIX is all about regional outreach and engagement. We brought together authors whose experience in NS has given them insight into the best ways to motivate and interest players and in so doing help change the culture and character of their regions. These perspectives should prove useful not just in the authors' home regions, but to any region willing to apply what they have learned, and were so kind to share with us in these pages. We hope that the wisdom they share lights the way to enhanced activity and a richer gameplay experience.
The views espoused are the authors' own and are not the opinion of The North Pacific unless otherwise stated.
PallaithTNP Minister of Communications
(https://i.imgur.com/z3LvGu8.png)
A Little Culture and Communityby Escade, of Gameplay Magazine
The number one question players in NationStates often ask is some variation of “How do I develop my community?” or its fraternal twin, “How do I engage players in my region?” In this article, I’d like to provide some of my thoughts on the topic of developing player engagement by developing a strong culture and community.
Part 1 - Develop Your WorldProvide your players with a singular or unique experience by developing a detailed world for your region. Build a cohesive culture to give players a home to rally around. This is also where you assemble your team of like-minded individuals who work towards this common goal together.
Part 2 - Know Your PlayersWhat does your ideal community look like in terms of people and activity? What kind of players do you want to attract? Are you interested in quality or quantity or a median point between the two? Are your goals realistic based on the amount of time, effort and practical experience you have with community building?
Part 3 - Burn Out and NationStatesHow many players do you know who have said something like, “Region or players of region don’t appreciate or recognize my hard work?” I’ve lost count. Building a region isn’t easy, maintaining a region isn’t easy. The Ozymandias effect sometimes obliterates everything a group of dedicated players have done. This part is about how to focus less on what other people think or do and more about what you can do for yourself to avoid or mitigate burn out.
Part 4 - Questions and AnswersI get a lot of "How do I.." kinds of questions from “How do I advertise/hype?” to “How do I make other people play this game that I created?”. This section will be devoted to answering some of the oft-repeated ones in one place. In addition, players in good standing who have questions about any of the above are welcome to DM me or post below and I will add to the list as appropriate.
Develop Your WorldWhat is culture? It’s a set of shared values, ideas, interests, and goals. What does this mean for a region? These are the symbols, theme(s) and customs that unify your region and demarcate it as a unique place, as a space to spend time in. Building a cohesive culture gives your region and players something to rally around.
Many regions attempt to do this in some manner or form (with titles, names, flags, etc). Some regions, like Balder and Osiris, have pre-built mythological imagery to work with. Others, like The North Pacific, have cardinal directions that give them a lot of leeway. Sometimes too much choice can result in a muddled mess. If you can’t describe your region’s identity or culture in a few words, then go back and treat it like a world you are building. Look up and answer a set of world building questions online (https://www.jsmorin.com/2013/10/20-world-building-questions/) and, with your team, plan out your community as if it were a world. Of course someone will say, “I’m creating a region not a roleplay community,” but a region is a space where people roleplay and in the case of NationStates, roleplay a political simulation of sorts.
It’s always surprising to me if a member of a region can’t explain their flag or what their region’s color scheme means, or if I ask the creator/leader of a region, “Hey, what is your region about or for?” and their response is unclear. Some people might think such details are frivolous or shallow but if you think of your community as a world, then your world building should be detailed, imaginative and recognizable. Your theme is your brand, and it’s what creates a feeling of being part of something that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
However, themes should also be adaptable and what we often see in NS is stagnant regional themes. Often regions have accumulated the debris of older players' decisions and choices clogging up the arteries of the region. One of the best ways to incorporate new players and give them a sense of being part of the fabric of the region is to run a theme/flag redesign/color scheme competition. You might articulate some things that remain the same (symbol of a lion, or a lotus, or a lyre or the colors red, white, and blue) but allow players to envision new designs and to move forward. If something hasn’t been active in a while and attempts to restart it failed, put it in a fancy mausoleum or museum section of the forums.
A bonus to doing the work of world building is that when you potentially decide to develop your roleplaying community, there will be a whole set of guidelines for roleplayers to already work with and expand upon.
First and foremost, really develop a full and engaging world (themes, symbols, customs, laws, colors, Discord bot names and commands) that players will want to live in. Words AND visuals are important. Your best bet is to co-create this with players who share your interests and imagination. This is your team or the group of people who you have enchanted (or at least inspired) with your vision and who will help you accomplish important tasks. If you can’t assemble a team at this initial stage, you need to rethink something. The reasons might be benign for why players don’t want to support you (too busy in real life, etc) or might highlight that you need more experience or planning. In addition, if you can’t put together a team now, how will you recruit players later on? Assemble a team of wonderful people you actually like to hang out with.
I’m also not advocating writing a 300 page guide on the theme (although that can be a future goal). A theme that operates on Norse mythology for example could use the nine worlds as nine houses or representatives or operate as one of the worlds (let’s say Asgard and frame their allies\enemies as the other worlds). Small details like referencing the Bifrost as the Foreign Affairs conduit would help make the theme a cohesive experience. Or political\government groups\ministries could be separated by the god or goddess they choose to revere the most (and therefore embody the values of). Does your region celebrate Loki as their esprit de corpus or does it revere Odin or Freya? Each choice gives a slightly different flavor to the region and helps provide different goals (to cause or engage in chaos\mischief vs. to lead by example through wit and wisdom, etc).
The tie-ins don’t have to simply be classic, they could be to the old deep mythology or a mixture of the classical and the modern (via the MC universe). World building is a form of play and attracts creative people which should always be encouraged. Someone might argue that a theme limits the region but taking the example of Norse mythology, there’s nothing to stop you from visiting or adopting the customs of “another realm” for a week or a month if your region wants to run a particular themed event that is inspired by let’s say Aztec myth, Spongebob or Death Note.
Any time a new region comes into existence and the creator/leader cannot explain why the region exists or what its goal or theme is, the death knell sounds. A game, like most forms of entertainment, offers an experience that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere, so offer an immersive world.
Know Your PlayersWhen I was actively running the event planning server (instead of Gameplay magazine), many players came and continue to come to me with an idea for an event or activity and want to know how to run it or want help with how to run it.
What makes a successful event/activity? This generally depends on the goals of the event. For some, a successful event is 5-10 players active and enjoying the activities while for others it’s a much larger number, post count, time spent, or attracting players to the region to stay. There’s also the aspect of events being about regions mingling and getting to know one another. Think about your (realistic) end goals first and then work towards them. The goal may simply be, “Find you what level of activity and engagement I can get on a weekend over the summer.” Then, you track what worked, what could work better and some things you might want to change next time.
Whether you’re trying to attract new players or engage your current ones, at the end of the day you have to get to know your players to a degree. Community building requires some level of socializing and social skills. It helps to naturally find people interesting and it also means you should talk to players in public and private and get to know their interests. Then you build events or activities or festivals around their interests or the cross point between your interests and theirs.
I received a DM from someone who wanted to know how I ran Gameplay magazine interviews, but they were really asking why I used the questions I did and how they could replicate what I was doing. What I do won’t necessarily work for them because, for example, GP Magazine focuses on the personalities over the politics and they seemed far more keen on the political and historical aspects and couldn’t care less about what someone’s favorite book or music was. Emulating other people is a great way to learn but you also should figure out what speaks to you or what role you enjoy and adapt to that. While people all over the world fake it all the time, something about genuine enthusiasm and interest is infectious (whereas faked feels heavy).
For example, I am terrible at trivia and don’t enjoy partaking in trivia games. However, most NSers enjoy trivia and it can actually be quite fun to organize and host trivia games. My favorite is Harry Potter themed trivia games because it also happens to be a personal fandom (although I’ve run far more on things I don’t know as well). Using any of the planning docs that are shared on the GP magazine server is just a start; you have to adapt things to you community and yourself.
There are a whole host of things that can go wrong with trivia or activities. The questions may be too hard or esoteric, the organizer/host or the players may become fatigued, or the scheduling may not work out for all of the participants to run the event at the same time. However, activities are more likely to be successful if the organizer or host’s level of enthusiasm is high, they utilize hype (pings, all caps, advertising, suspense, competition) appropriately to boost attendance, and they provide adequate and interesting individual and group prizes/awards/recognition.
Does this mean you can never ever run an event where you share that one thing you love but no one else knows about? Nope, but think of it this way: part of running events/activities is building a reputation as someone who can help people enjoy their time in a game over the million other things they might be doing with their time instead. Build that reputation first, and then run a festival or event around 15th century bread making techniques, the secret language of flowers (hai I want in on this) or other esoteric things.
Activities/events/festivals should be:[list=1]
- Clearly branded/have a theme
- Give players enough time to enjoy and partake in the event
- Be accessible (on one or more platforms that players are already on such as Discord, the RMB, and sometimes forums)
- Be advertised in the venues from which you want to attract players
- Allow multiple ways to enjoy the event (something to engage the cerebral, artistic, competitive, strategic, etc types of players)
- Be enjoyable for you as a host\organizer
Part 3 - Region Building, Burn Out and NS“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”
Burn out. It is a very real thing in NationStates. Often, a player will mention how they are ready to give up because all their effort yielded very little or nothing in terms of results, or sadly tell me about how they did so much but no one appreciates it. (*Huggles*). Here are some hard truths about NS and community building:
1. NS very much is a character driven game. When a player leaves or is pushed out or whatever the circumstance, often the things they built vanish or break down. You may call this the Ozymandias effect (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46565/ozymandias). Every major region has some sort of “revive x, y, or z” project going on that has varying levels of success or failure.
2. If you’re playing the game for accolades or recognition or appreciation (whether in your region or with commends/condemns or otherwise) it will never be enough (if you even get any in the first place). Just look at the list of condemns/commends before you started playing. How many of those players do you know? How many are still active? How many new players will know the current “heavy-hitters” in five years? Think about the region you’re in and how many players are still remembered from 5-10 years ago. For me personally, at least, building culture or community is about people, creativity, and getting energy (positive) from things like doing interviews. I’m fascinated by the players I interview for example, and I also enjoy festivals and parties. If you don’t like people (or struggle socially) then think of other ways you can build community (world building, creating lore, creating laws, teaching players how to do your particular skills such as legal writing or etc).
3. Those six hours you spent making badges for a contest no one entered? It’s okay. You learned how to make badges (maybe?) and also engaged in the creative process. If you don’t feel good/happy/productive doing something, don’t keep doing it. Did the $200 you spent on stamps that yielded 0 recruits bring you joy? Did it teach you a valuable life lesson? A lot of us spend money on games or other forms of entertainment, or something like Starbucks that has a temporary value. If you’re naturally a pessimist then this is an optimist telling you, hope is the answer. Put another way, think less, worry less, do more (at least for yourself). This game (NS) is a somewhat masochistic game. Perhaps you enjoy it a little? Again, if not, then don’t repeat the same thing over and over again. That way leads to insanity.
4. You can think of region and community building in multiple ways. Sometimes you might want to choose quality over quantity. Having 10 active engaged players is better than 25 inactive or barely there players. Spend more time on developing the close relationships you already have in the game. This is probably the biggest thing that irks me. A community can sometimes become so focused on new players that they forget to engage the players who are already active and start losing them.
5. Share what you learn with others. One thing I appreciate about players like Yuno is how willing they are to share their skills or things they learned with others. That’s a form of community building in itself. Even with all the dark sides of this game, there are so many things I have learned and continue to learn from just being a semi-active player. Fedele, for a recent example, helped me work on being more concise. It’s a work in progress (as you can see here), but still valuable.
Note: This article was originally commissioned for Issue XXIX of The North Pacific’s regional newspaper, The Northern Lights (TNL). The full article will be posted in TNL and it will be cross-posted in three parts for Gameplay Magazine.
(https://i.imgur.com/z3LvGu8.png)
Will There Be An NS Belt and Road Project?by McMasterdonia and Owenstacey, TNP Minister of Foreign Affairs and TNP Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Regions including many of the game-created regions and prominent user-created regions such as Europeia and 10000 Islands that have been around for a long time have established a robust infrastructure that underpins almost everything that the region does. This infrastructure survives the test of time. It adapts to the shifting sands of the politics of the game, changes to NS rules, and even severe regional calamities and political crises can be overcome with relative ease.
Naturally, this is not the case for younger regions. For those emerging regions, there exists no one-stop database of scripts, supporting infrastructure, or ‘free’ consultants to provide them with the support that they need to ensure the sustainability and longevity of their region. One severe political catastrophe can be enough for the region to come to an end. A sudden resignation of a trusted leader or the departure of a region mate can spell the end of a region's recruitment, cultural activities, or other key aspects of regional life, where they remain dependent upon one person who is often, but not always, the regional founder.
In The North Pacific, Europeia, 10000 Islands, and many game created regions - our infrastructure stands the test of time. Despite this success at home, there has been limited success in attempts to facilitate regional development. The sharing of technology, ideas, and expertise more broadly has occurred on many occasions on an informal level. So far, this has proven to be the most successful example of regional development occurring through that exchange of knowledge. Nevertheless, there is no formal belt and road project on the part of the major regions to proactively expand our infrastructure and knowledge beyond our shores.
However, the concept of taking the development of regional infrastructure as a foreign policy concept is certainly not a new one. In this article, we will examine a number of examples of this type of initiative - the formal and the informal, in an attempt to answer the question of what a NationStates equivalent of a belt and road project, one that extended beyond the borders of our home regions, would look like.
The NS RepublicThe Nationstates Republic (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=176884) (NSR) , and the later revived form in the Nationstates Republic Alliance (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=204985) (NRA) was an alliance of nations led by The West Pacific. Active between 2011 and 2013, the NSR was established with the desire to build a republic of regions, to work with TWP to harness the power of all involved to create an unrivaled power bloc. By choosing to assist each other, the regions involved believed that this mutual cooperation would allow the progress of smaller regions, whose survival would be unlikely without the support of established regions. NSR was a large alliance, containing 19 member regions, who moved away from exclusively a defence alliance and more towards a diplomatic alliance by helping members build strong relationships.
However, whilst there were some strengths to the NSR, it was limited by some fundamental flaws. The main two of these flaws was its size and TWP’s dominance. Being such a large alliance meant that for decisions to be made, there would undoubtedly be a wide range of views and so a consensus between members would have been hard to achieve. In addition, its large size meant that some regions wanted to feel included but were instead isolated or left out. To avoid this situation, some of the smaller regions would have to ‘piggyback’ on larger regions to gain their favour for later assistance. This ultimately weakens the alliance because it results in the larger regions being dominant over the smaller regions who will just go along with whatever is proposed.
NSR gave way to some opportunities, especially for smaller member regions, in the assistance that would have been offered to them from larger regions. By being part of the Alliance, they would have gained knowledge and insight into ways to develop their region and allow them to flourish and grow. This offered opportunities for the smaller regions to grow as well as offering opportunities to the larger regions in that they would have gained the support of smaller regions when it is needed (whether militarily or in the World Assembly). However, these opportunities were weathered by the leadership of TWP over how the alliance was run. This is because the region's dominance meant that the alliance became exposed to the changes in goals of TWP's delegate. When a delegate was elected that did not have plans for NSR, it ultimately ended due to a lack of continuous support. Therefore, for an alliance such as this to be a success it must be underpinned by the longstanding support of the region, and have supporting infrastructure that can survive shifts in political priorities of regional leaders.
The Grand Architecture Program (GAP)The Grand Architecture Program was an initiative championed by former Europeian President Anumia in his election campaign of October 2013, as a means of utilising Europeian knowledge and infrastructure to facilitate regional development in upcoming regions of a similar interest. The program was underpinned by the Foreign Cultivation Act 2013 (https://forums.europeians.com/index.php?threads/foreign-cultivation-act-2014.8896674/#post-8097364). While the program was initiated by President Anumia, the loose concept had been proposed much earlier by the founder of Europeia HEM who opened a discussion on a “good neighbour policy”. The GAP emerged as a fusion of HEM’s policy and Anumia’s own ambitions for Europeia and NationStates.
The GAP involved the appointment of an Architect who would oversee the development of the region under the guidance of the Minister for Cultivation. In addition, a Council of Cultivation was formed with the intention of providing reports to the region on progress made - it would include a number of Europeian officials and a representative of each partner region.
By May of 2014, Europeia had enacted two ‘Construction Partnership Agreements’ under the leadership of Minister Lethen. Nevertheless, soon after a handover within the Ministry to Minister Ogastein spelled a stalling of progress for the initiative. Minister Ogastein stated that he believed the program was a failure, saying that “We entered into construction partnership agreements with three separate regions and I can tell you with confidence that none of those regions is in a better place as a result of our work.”
In spite of this, Europeia persisted and the initiative was carried forward by President Kraketopia who appointed Malashaan as the new Minister for Cultivation. For a time, this proved to be a success with architect assignments being distributed on a timely basis, 6 construction agreements signed (Commonwealth of Kings, The Infinite Alliance, Natan Region, The Union Republic, The Bungle Brigade and Aura Hyperia) and several more in negotiation.
However, the size of the project, a lack of communication about its successes, and the perception that the program was a burden upon successive administrations, led to the initiative being dropped. The political will to support such an initiative had come to an end. While some including HEM believed that the program required more time and support to be a success, others believed that for all the good intentions of Europeia, it was not possible to guarantee a core group of dedicated players who would sustain the region for the years ahead.
Despite the initial successes and the support of a significant number of Europeian leaders, the Grand Architecture Program came to an end. It was an incredibly bold initiative - one that required taking risks politically and institutionally - but it was considered a failure by many within Europeia all the same. It’s important to remember that for any major project, there are often unrealistic expectations. We can easily dismiss a failed term as Delegate or Minister as par for the course, but when an ambitious foreign policy agenda is pursued, our expectations are heightened and senses are attuned to even a whiff of failure or stalling. This can be enough to end the plans of the boldest of political leaders before they even begin.
Status of Forces AgreementsA more recent initiative also undertaken by Europeia as a means of building new partnerships, training valuable allies, and establishing military forces took place through the ‘Status of Forces Agreements’. This was certainly not as bold an initiative as the GAP, but nonetheless was an attempt to utilise the knowledge of Europeian military leaders to foster positive relations with emerging regions that were interested in forming their own military but lacked the infrastructure and knowledge to do so on their own. Europeia signed two such agreements - one with Merridel and one with Olympia. There is currently no agreement still on the books.
The difficulties with this kind of agreement are similar to the GAP. Despite the best intentions of political and military leaders, the success is largely dependent on that core group of dedicated players in the partner regions. In Merridel’s case this was certainly an issue, and it seems very likely that Olympia also suffered the same personnel deficiency. Olympia states in their WFE that they ceased operations after 500 days and the region is currently founderless. Merridel is still around with 72 nations - but lacks a regional forum and for all intents and purposes appears to have simply stopped recruiting.
The initiative should still be accepted as a reasonable foreign policy initiative. The intent behind building capacity to run and operate a regional military in order to build meaningful diplomatic relationships is a good one. The difficulty as always lies in the ongoing sustainability of the project - and the dedication of the partner region itself to also work to see the project through to completion.
The World Assembly Development ProgramThe World Assembly Development Program (WADP), an initiative pioneered by r3naissanc3r, remains a central component of everyday life in The North Pacific. Furthermore, the initiative has been championed by the Security Council, successive Vice Delegates, Ministers of World Assembly Affairs, and of course, WA Delegates. The time invested into this initiative has meant that it has continued uninterrupted by political change, resignations, or even the increasingly time poor nature of the creator.
The World Assembly Development Program has been expanded in some form to Balder as the ‘WA Expedition’, and as the ‘World Assembly Advancement Program’ in Europeia. This was made possible by the hard work of r3naissanc3r as the creator of the programs and the close partnerships that continue to this day between The North Pacific, Balder and Europeia.
The initiative has also encouraged innovation in other allied regions, such as in the The South Pacific through their own ‘SWAN’ (the Southern World Assembly Initiative), which operates in a similar fashion to the other programs, but was developed by South Pacifican United States of Vietnam. McMasterdonia (one of the authors of this article) and SillyString (also known as Asta) are both acknowledged for their contributions to getting the SWAN initiative up and running.
These programs do not constitute a typical network of foreign policy alliances. However, it’s clear that the strength of these initiatives and the cooperation involved in operating them, have led to a positive flow of ideas between close partners.
Telegram InitiativesAnother matter that is closely linked to regional development is the use of telegrams to maximise efficiency in efforts of internal recruitment and integration. The use of telegram infrastructure that is widely accessible to members of the executive staff as well as the executive council, was first introduced in Europeia before expanding out into other regions including The North Pacific. At various times, this infrastructure has been utilised by Balder, The East Pacific, The Black Hawks, The Land of Kings and Emperors, Albion and The New Inquisition. This kind of infrastructure helps to sustain regions through challenging times, allowing the dedicated public servants to use their time efficiently and maximise the utility of integration efforts within the region. This is another example of a common basis of infrastructure that closely links regions together.
What’s next?While this article does not examine all possible scenarios where regional infrastructure has been used to assist in regional development or for the purposes of foreign policy, it is clear that there regions continue to work hard in this space.It is the duty of leading regions to assist in the further development of the game. The strength of the community of NationStates as a whole relies upon the strength of the communities that lie within it. A point of friction is the need to both freely share knowledge and ideas for the objective benefit of the game balanced against the political need to ensure such initiatives satisfy the foreign policy of your home region.
It is clear that many of us who play the game would not consider ourselves to be believers of optimistic diplomacy (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9103289/). However, bold successes of diplomacy that benefit all partners require a high degree of optimism and commitment. We must balance the needs of our communities for the constant validation of the success of such bold initiatives against the measurable and communicable long term benefits of quiet, conscientious and tireless work in the field of diplomacy.
Even smaller steps, such as the sharing of knowledge through the WADP can be an important step in assisting developing regions to get through the difficult periods of growth where many falter. Game created regions have the obvious benefit of a steady flow of nations spawning each day - but without our initiatives and proactive engagement with them, this means little.
Regional development as a product of foreign policy would require a boldness on the part of our leaders and the political will to see through the projects through the difficult stages, in the hope of forming a sustainable and meaningful development process that facilitates growth for developing regions in a manner that works with their culture and aspirations. While it is not possible for any leading region to simply guarantee a dedicated group of core players to sustain a region over many years, it is certainly possible for us to assist in giving these newer communities the best possible hope of success.
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A Personal Connectionby Bobberino, TNP Minister of Defense and former TRR Deputy Speaker
Throughout the game of NationStates, there is a very diverse crowd of talent, characters, backgrounds and people. Recruitment, Outreach and Home Affairs all touch upon this same core concept of drawing in this talent. For those unaware, Outreach is the Office in The Rejected Realms that focuses on this concept, scripted telegrams, and The Rejected Runekeeper’s upkeep; and Home Affairs in The North Pacific is similar with its scripted TGs, recruitment lists, Gameside Advocate program, and other similar campaigns.
My experience in this department has led to a more nuanced approach to outreach than many others in the game, even in the GCRs. As much of an undertaking as this might be, a more effective approach would be a personal way to approach newer folks to the region, gauging their interest, skill and area of expertise through a privatized campaign based on reaching out to specific individuals. TNP has done this in part through its Mentorship program, overseen by myself for around a year as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. During my time, I trained TNP’s mentors to watch for applications on our forum thread and actively welcome them (there was a pingable role in our government server dedicated to this as well), and continue that connection in private. The one-on-one interaction is where the key work of outreach is done. for example, Robespierre, a new face to TNP but not GP, reached out through the mentorship program, and I picked him up. Through my mentorship and his own ambition, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a Minister in TNP within two months of joining the region. This is an unprecedented rise.
In TRR, the same prioritization is key. The RRA is currently teeming with newer members, eager to join in the proud tradition of defenderism that TRR holds dear. To reach out to these individuals is something I prioritized and was able to do quite well during my term as Outreach Officer, effectively the same as Minister of Home Affairs in TNP, through my means of contacting folks over Discord. Discord is the keystone that unlocks this methodology. It is how people can communicate information the most directly and with the most integration and notification. This is how we activate our recruitment abilities the best: where a casual conversation, not a forced or abbreviated or abrupt conversation, works to help the newcomer personally with the ins and outs of gameplay, the people behind the game rather than simply its mechanics, and a more adaptable way of training.
Automating this process is difficult and would take a Herculean effort, and it still wouldn't do as good a job as two people connecting and communicating directly with each other. The personal touch has reaped great rewards. It is a smaller scale and takes longer, but is time well spent.
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Keys to Successby Alchera, TWP Minister of Recruitment and Citizenship
Attracting members is a region's key to success. After all, a region can’t grow and be successful if it doesn’t have anyone to participate in its community. As one of the feeder regions, The West Pacific (TWP) has an advantage in this regard, yet this does not mean we don’t try to attract players. If players don’t see any growth or activity they’ll move on to other more lively regions. There is a multitude of ways TWP attracts members and maintains its population, most notably our weekly regional message board (RMB) activities, various fairs and festivals (including some involving other regions), and a general atmosphere designed to encourage members to become active in TWP.
The World Factbook Entry (WFE) and RMB are the most important things for a region attempting to attract players, as they act as a window into the region, and a slow, inactive RMB isn’t as attractive as an active one. That being said, TWP has a strict RMB policy. TWP has many weekly RMB activities such as Punday Monday, where nations compete for the best pun; Thank You Haikusday, where members post haikus; and finally Karaoke Friday, when nations post their favorite song lyrics and the weekly playlist is featured. The goal of these RMB exercises is to act as a sort of ice breaker for new nations, a simple way for them to get involved and get integrated with the community, and they’re also fun for players of all ages.
TWP also hosts and joins fairs, the most recent example being the TWP-Osiris prom. This was a way for the two regions to enhance their relationship, but it also provided an opportunity for people to mingle with those outside just our regions. Events such as these also break up the monotony of day to day life in Nation States. They’re a fun event for all to attend and make the region more appealing in general. Other events that celebrate a region’s change or marks an anniversary of some sort are also a good way to set a region apart. A good example of this in TWP was the Three Perfections festival, which was held to showcase the implementation of TWP's regional theme.
Finally, one of the most important ways a region can improve activity is to help others get involved. My job as Recruitment and Citizenship (R&C) Minister is to help guide new players to the appropriate person to get involved, be it the head of the military or diplomatic minister. It’s also my job to organize outreach programs for those just answering issues, or who aren't otherwise involved, and get them involved in other aspects of the region. One of the ways TWP achieves this is by establishing our own Gameside Advocate (GA) program. Much like TNP’s GA program, one of the GAs' jobs is to inform those on the forum and RMB of recent changes and events that are going on. They are also required to be active on the RMB to help new players and answer questions. As a result, they often need a massive amount of patience. Their efforts play a key role in the overall effort to entice players who only answer issues to look beyond their own nation to the community at large. TWP has also been sending out a weekly telegram with two purposes: one, to keep the residents informed on regional happening, and two, to entice them to become more active and to come and enjoy the events.
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Playing With A Full Deck:How NS Cards Enhance Regional Activityby Pallaith (Ghost), TNP Minister of Communications and former Delegate
The introduction of NS trading cards did more than just add a new permanent mini-game to the mix. It has given regions a valuable tool to encourage activity and interest from their player base. While it is true that collecting the trading cards isn’t for everyone, there are enough players interested in them to make harnessing this part of the game worth the effort for regions old and new alike. In The North Pacific, cards serve as an effective endorsement boosting tool and a means to create additional immigration to the region, both gameside and on the forums.
TNP utilizes what it calls the World Assembly Development Program (WADP). Every month players receive badges and recognition for the amount of endorsements they give out, and recognize players they call Keepers of the North, players who endorse the Delegate, Vice Delegate, and all members of TNP’s Security Council. NS cards have allowed us to offer something other than badges as rewards, something that entices a greater number of players to increase their endorsement activity. We accomplish this by utilizing the most valuable kind of card, Legendary, and awarding one to each of the top three players in individual reward categories, and by making all Keepers eligible for a daily lottery, one that gives out a random legendary card to a random Keeper every day. Additionally, Keepers have their names added to the lottery additional times for every vote they cast in the WA in the past 30 days.
There is simply no arguing with the results. Since adopting the program, we have estimated an increase of 30,000 endorsements, driven in large part by nations who migrated to TNP to take advantage of the card program. At a time when there has been a precipitous drop in WA endorsements across the game, TNP’s delegate has maintained a high number of endorsements that has somewhat resisted the drop. This was also evident during the last delegate transition, which was extended due to players being less willing to lose Keeper status, and therefore less willing to withdraw endorsements from myself, as I was a member of the SC. Without delving too deeply into the topic, obviously the greater incentive to exchange endorsements and keep them on the SC, Delegate, and Vice Delegate further strengthens the region’s security as well.
Legendary cards a finite resource, so to harness those cards in a sufficient number to be utilized for these specific awards, an extensive network of puppets is necessary. In the process of gathering cards using this network, many of the cards are needed to fund the transfer of the legendary cards to our main regional nation. But these cards can also serve as rewards for any number of regional activities or competitions, and some of the recent contests have utilized them as prizes. Before, we could only offer the badges and inclusion in factbook records, bragging rights, or sometimes cosmetic changes, such as custom flags flown by key players in the region or other customization of national details. Cards offer us a tangible reward, something that a lot of players actually want and can literally show off in a collection. In the case of Legendary card rewards, the prize comes with significant objective (market) value and bragging rights of its own.
Additionally, TNP runs a cards request program, where participants can name a specific card and if that card is found during the collection of cards, it will be gifted to the requestor. All requests have to be made on the offsite forum, which drives activity there as well. As with the lotteries, Keeper of the North status is a prerequisite for making a request. However, in this case members of the NPA are also eligible. Since NPA members typically cannot maintain Keeper status, this gives them a chance to gather card, but also eliminates a potential choice that players have to make which could lead them to decide against membership in NPA.
Cards activity makes for a frequent topic of conversation, but that conversation is also spurred by these programs. As with other region-wide awards, our regional nation regularly sends out alerts on the RMB whenever a card is awarded in a competition or a lottery. The cards request program also involves a spreadsheet which maintains a list of pending and completed requests, allowing everyone a chance to see the scope of the program and how often and completely it is fulfilled. Time and again the results of these initiatives being posted reminds people of their existence and tends to increase demand. It can also spur competition in itself. In the case of WADP wards, we have already seen the same few people at the top of the charts month after month. Lottery recipients and individual award winners get a card whether they have an interest in cards or not. Nothing is gained if the player does not venture out and makes the effort needed.
TNP managed all of this with a few scripts and a spreadsheet enhancing infrastructure we already had in place, as well as the large puppet network needed to gather the prizes. This project allows us to focus more competitions and activities in the game itself, something that can be hard to do, especially in an age when offsite communications continue to dominate most daily activity. A new type of player, perhaps unreachable previously, can now be encouraged to get more involved and explore other areas of the community they may not have been inclined to otherwise because of having a specific, identifiable incentive. Considering the game provides the means and the material, a region need only tap into this aspect of the game to start producing results and enhancing its own regional activity. The barrier to entry is low and the cost is minimal, so I highly encourage the adoption of some sort of program or effort to utilize NS cards as part of the arsenal of regional activity and engagement.
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An Idiot’s Guide to Regionbuildingby Yuno, former Delegate of TEP
When I was first elected delegate of The East Pacific, I set out to do a few very specific things, and I hope that what I did can be a model for regions everywhere. These things were done in TEP, but I have The North Pacific to thank for being the inspiration behind these ideas. While I’m no longer active, I'm comfortable staying close to the source(s) of my admiration and inspiration. I wrote these from the perspective of a region's delegate, but the principles should be the same no matter how the region is set up.
First steps1) Ask everyone in the region something to the effect of: "WHO WANTS A JOB?!!!!" Post this question everywhere you can, wherever people might see. Places can include the RMB, the Forums, Discord, Skype, or a mass telegram to the whole region.
2) Wait for the large number of replies you'll be getting, and grab the contact info of everyone who replied. Ask them how active they are, and what days are they available.
With that done, you should have grabbed a massive number of followers! But wait, you don't even have any jobs for them yet. Well, time to fix that!
How to invent jobs1) Ask people what they're good at.If they say Roleplay, create a RP department. If one already exists (as the majority of Regions already have a RP branch that exists separately from the regional government), direct them there. Make sure you know what's going on there - then you can suggest changes to whoever runs that department. If RP doesn't exist yet, then you can go ahead and create a new RP department, and hire that Roleplayer to be a staff member.
If people say coding, invent a programming department, and have them code many projects that may be useful for your player base.
If people say writing, create a Newspaper Department and hire him to be a Journalist (or Lead Editor/Chief Publisher.) I recommend you being the Lead Editor Chief/Publisher yourself, at least for the beginning stages of the newspaper, unless that person you hired is a dedicated and expert organizer.
A great example of that in TEP would be Libertanny, who was a random dude I hired from the RMB and plopped into the position of Lead Journalist. He created his own Journalist Department and hired dozens of Graphic Designers and Writers for the newspaper department I just founded. He did 99% of the work, while I did the 1% work of hiring him. That was a first for me, as I was so used to doing all the organization work and telling people what to do, but it was an exciting and welcome change to find a person who knew how to run something. And this kid isn't even a veteran player; before I hired him, all he ever did was RMB RP and he had only played NationStates for one month. Yet when I hired him, he managed to run the Newspaper Department like a professional Delegate, and hire droves of hard workers! I was shocked and pleasantly surprised, and we managed to publish over ten visually appealing and fresh content-filled articles, some of which hit top dispatches and were read by all the RMBers, government officials and regular citizens alike.
If people say "I don't know, whatever you tell me to do" (which makes up the MAJORITY of responses you'll get), give them a boring job that needs to be done. Trust me, there are MANY of them. These "boring jobs" can include telegramming people to join the region's discord/forum, writing and posting "endorse the Delegate" dispatches, approving citizenship applications, doing the region's statistics (like checking every citizen's nation, counting them, making sure they haven't CTEd), or writing telegram drafts for you to mass-telegram to the entire region to encourage members to join the WA/forums/any Department. This could form a Recruitment/Outreach Department.
The so-called "boring jobs" do require creativity. For example, when a worker is drafting a telegram, he/she has to think "what items should I include in the telegram to integrate the reader closer to our platforms and retain him/her? How do I make the draft persuasive?" Nonetheless, they are easy to teach to people who just want to follow instructions without much thinking.
I’ve already gone ahead and explained Creative Jobs, which is the hardest part. You might be low on Creative Departments, or still have zero of them. Don't worry, you can revisit that later. But now...
2) Create the boring jobs/departments. These are PRE-SET departments, for players who want to do the “Boring Jobs.”
The standard template consists of these listed departments:
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Communications
- Ministry of Culture
- Ministry of World Assembly Affairs
You will have to write the descriptions for each department, detailing exactly what each one does. If someone has to choose which department to join, he/she will want to know what he’s expected to do once he’s hired for that department.
I have to give full credit to the retired NationStates player/former TNP Delegate/Guardian, R3naissanc3r, who is the first person to create these departments and write descriptions for them. He is a real innovator who I emulated to a large extent, without him knowing. Sometimes he helped without knowing, because strategic players look at his old threads; but sometimes he helped by openly providing TEMPLATES to people who asked/telegrammed him for them. But I’ll explain that later. Again, since he’s retired, I don’t think that’s a possible route anymore. Anyway, much of my previous leadership success is due to reading his “Executive Applications” thread here, despite never joining his Executive Staff: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7198621/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7198621/) (I have used this thread as a template and for inspiration, but it is important that you design one suited for your own region when developing your own staff).
Here's what to do:
[list=1]
- Have a clear idea what the specific tasks of the ministry will be (e.g. recruitment and mentoring for Home Affairs)
- Create positions that fit the tasks you want
- Write a description based on the tasks and positions
- Repeat for all ministries
After that, you want to create an application form, with basic personal information such as nation name and Discord tag, as well as relevant information such as reasons for joining or previous experience.
ALL DONE! Now, your thread (for Executive job applications) is ready to post! Add a short summary of the purpose of the thread (i.e. “you’re supposed to apply for jobs here if you’re bored on NationStates,”) at the top of the thread.So you posted it, now what? You link the thread to all the people you hired, and have them fill out the form. This way, they become “official” AND you look active - like you’re an amazing Delegate who simply writes a thread and instantly 20 people apply within minutes. The reality of course is that you “hired” them beforehand, then invented some jobs after the fact, then forced them to apply for real.
3) Make a Discord Server. Hopefully, you already have a normal Discord server, for everyone in the region to hang out. If you don’t, make one.
Now, there should be an additional Discord Server, apart from the main server. That discord server will be your Government server. Invite your newly hired government workers there. Within that server, you should create a separate channel for each government department, and give each government member access to their respective departments. You should also create a Cabinet chat for the top brass to discuss more intricate stuff like department-creation and foreign policy, but have a lower-cabinet chat for people who want to get involved in those discussions too. Finally, add a general Executive staff channel, for all government members to be able to see.
These are just my suggestions for the Government server setup, based on the setup in TNP’s own government server. With a proper government (workers’) discord server, filled up with members you’ve hired, it’s going to become really easy to put everyone to efficient work.
4) Constantly advertise the Regional Server to the Gameside Region. Then, hire people from the Regional server to the Government server (and have them fill out the app you made). Then give them jobs, and set deadlines for results if that’s viable.
Congrats, you’ve created and established the foundation of a region!A few more things to note:The Foreign Department is sensitive department that you can’t just hire anybody for. You have to hire diplomatic players who know how to act respectful, and not embarrass you. Those players will be ambassadors representing you to other regions, so you don’t want to hire immature trolls. There are also some
optional steps if you want to expand your region further:
5) Establish the Regional Military (considered a Department). You should create a separate Military Application thread. Still describe the military as a department, like Ministry of Defense, (as pre-set/“boring jobs”) in your Executive Application thread, but link to the military application. Anyone who applies and gets accepted to the military automatically becomes a “soldier” of your region, or at least a “recruit.”
You can always use them to "pile," or teach them to “update.” If you don’t know how to "update," or how to lead updates, there are plenty of guides out there. This article is not the place to learn that stuff. You can learn by joining the North Pacific Army, asking NPA officials, or tracking down good people who know how, or asking me.
6) Talk to show presence. Post things in the RMB, Discord, and forums; link your posts if they’re relevant to people. If the leader is active, people will naturally be active too.
7) Set goals/milestones. For example, if you want to attain many endorsements, set an endorsement goal you want to reach. Then devise strategies to reach those goals. This endorsement-related duty belongs to a Department, most likely Home Affairs.
8) Thank your workers, and reward them. Give them medals of appreciation, or honorary mentions, but whatever you do, CREDIT THEM. Always credit people who submit ANYTHING, whether writing or ART, especially art. People hate when they put in the work, but get their credit stolen (or don’t get credited.) It’s also the ethical thing to do.
9) Always be on the lookout for new ideas/activities. You're running a community when you're a delegate, and people (including yourself) get bored fast if you don't try new things. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. But most importantly, have fun! As with all games, you can burn out if you don't take breaks, so be sure to take a break now and then so the game always remains fun.
Speaking of giving credit where credit is due, I want to thank Ghost for coming up with this concept and pushing me to write it. I believe these ideas work (and they must be good because TEP still uses the systems I set up) and can really help regions engage with their players and keep the players invested.
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The Northern Lights: Beauty in TruthPublisher: El Fiji Grande :: Executive Editor: Pallaith (Ghost) :: Managing Editor: Robespierre
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)[/align]
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Hmm, the images are oddly small and compressed this time around. Any reason for that?
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Thanks for the update...lots of good advice in this one. What TNP is doing with cards is very impressive, too. :)
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Hmm, the images are oddly small and compressed this time around. Any reason for that?
Sorry for the late reply! I must have missed this somehow. I tried fixing it but it wouldn't cooperate. Next time around, I'll try and get it fixed. Sorry again.
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Judiciary Elections - July 2019
by Marcus Antonius, Deputy Minister of Communications
The dust has settled on the second Judicial Elections of the season. An impressive total of 22 people were nominated for this election, and in the end, 7 candidates ran in the election. Let’s take a look at them.
@Eluvatar: Has extensive experience in NS, going back to 2006. Always a class act, Elu's campaign thread started with this wonderful ditty, which basically summed up his campaign.
Bravado's not my usual game
but here, I'll try it just the same.
I've been in this region for thirteen years,
let's better hope you can lend me your ears.
We've danced this dance many a time,
a couple of times, even, in rhyme,
but every time I ask for your vote
is never the time to mumble by rote.
From ancient Athens comes the name
for the rite we make the game.
The voice of the people may be odd
of all the things to make a god,
But Winston had it right, I say,
when saying it's the least worst way.
There's majesty and grandeur, see,
in writing down your vote for me.
Even if you vote abstain,
your ballot disfavoring my campaign,
Your participation in our game
will make me happy all the same.
I've voted, read, campaigned, for years
and yet will scream, to deafen ears:
VOTE!
[/b]
Dreadton : Currently a Deputy Speaker in TNP and in RL is currently taking a degree in Legal Studies. His campaign relied a lot on his previously submitted Speaker campaign thread. One of the main things he likes about the way our court is structured is that there is a mechanism for Justices to review previous rulings without reopening the case. This falls in line with his belief that a person's beliefs and positions should be reviewed in light of new discoveries and facts. He does do not think anything should really change fundamentally with the judicial system. He thinks it is structured rather well.
Gorundu : A relative newbie to TNP, Gurundu has had some experience in Judicial matters in UCR's. He believes the inherent advantage of electing someone new to the region is that they have not been in the region long enough to form bias, thus guaranteeing maximum impartiality. He sees the position of Justice as something about reliability and experience, and as such, he doesn't have any radical plans for the position of Justice, other than a return to timeliness and regular updates for the public.
Wonderess: A past Speaker of the Regional Assembly and a well known Citizen of TNP. He describes himself as the philosophical and Catholic person of TNP. Unfortunately this has, at times, drawn negative attention to himself despite bringing effective service to this region and governed previous positions he has held efficiently. This may very well affect his chances in the vote.
Lady Raven Wing : Though not experienced in the legal profession, TNP or RL, Lady Raven Wing ran a no joke campaign. What experience he does possess should still be useful. Much of that is in the more legislative area, notably pursuits in NS's own General Assembly, but also in real life Model UNs and Model (state) Assemblies. He chooses not to promise anything except promise to engage appropriately and efficiently as a member of the court, and do his due diligence in evaluating what decisions and cases are put before him.
Dinoium : A previous Deputy Attorney General and holding legal positions in UCR's, Dino is a well known and popular Citizen in TNP. His campaign was long and detailed, mentioning his previous experience and referring to his previous Court campaign. He wishes to speed up due process and review RA bills and resolutions to check their legality. He will try to act as nonpartisan and unbiased as he can when reviewing matters. If something directly involves himself or calls for his recusal, He will formally recuse himself from such discussions.
Lord Lore: Lore has been in TNP for just under 5 years. He has been a Justice before and is a serving Security Councillor. He believes himself to be a trustworthy person. He doesn't believe that making campaign promises is smart for a Court Justice and instead he just provided us his history in the region as a benchmark for why he should be a Justice. He has a fairly robust knowledge of TNP law and Precedent and is very actively aware of the need to be careful when setting Precedent. He is very active in his roles as Cartographer for Eras on the forum and as Security Councillor and he doesn't believe that Justice is outside of his current workload.
The Vote
Due to Lady Raven Wing, losing their citizenship the vote was closed with a new round of voting beginning immediately. At the time of the suspension of voting, Lady Raven Wing was in 5th place with 16 votes. The top three positions were held by Eluvatar, Lord Lore and Dreadton respectively. The main beneficiary of the withdrawal of Lady Raven Wing was Dreadton, gaining an extra 5 votes. Surprisingly Gurundu lost 6 votes, Lord Lore lost 5 votes and Dinoium lost 3 votes. This may have been due to voters not returning.
The final vote is shown below.
(https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/9G0wIOFn_y2OXJEKj2E5kH3C2N5G3BOCSQy9Us0lRJY/%3Fimage%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmedia.discordapp.net%252Fattachments%252F500103780302323760%252F600420833634287617%252Funknown.png%26hash%3D1f6747dea5db2303801bf69b9e1a4953/https/forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?width=821&height=482)
The Winners
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Elu was delighted at hearing he came top in the polls
Eluvatar, Dreadton and Lord Lore won the election and are now TNP Justices. Congratulations to them and all who took part.
Conclusion
Eluvatar, Lord Lore and Dreadton clearly won due to their previous experience in the region and the courts. Dinoium was also a favored candidate in the election.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)NPA Bulletin
by Robespierre, Minister of Home Affairs
(https://i.ibb.co/Xy6S7hG/BquQOG8.png)
Leadership
Minister of Defense (MoD): General Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/)
Deputy Ministers of Defense (DMoDs):
Colonel Knightblood (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5050746/) and Colonel Koopa (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060570/)[/SIZE]
(https://images-ext-2.discordapp.net/external/mXWbuBZUoipyE_qWOLfE9-rx81jAO5BDNLkHAn-Gq00/https/i.ibb.co/zP7mJhH/18dl0c.jpg)
Captain Robespierre and two fellow NPA operatives scout the area for oncoming fascists who threaten to disturb the occupation of a nearby white supremacist stronghold. Via telecommunication, Sergeant Trondstorm is heard through his two-way radio proclaiming that this is no place for hateful ideologies to call haven.Promotions
Private Be Prepared (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061813/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190803/) to Private First Class
Private Nation of Stars (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061755/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190803/) to Private First Class
Private First Class Rom (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3238036/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190803/) to Corporal
Lieutenant Robespierre (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190803/) to Captain
DMoD Koopa (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060570/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190803/) to Major
Major BluieGamer (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5002697/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190803/) to Colonel
It's been quite an eventful and productive term thus far and even with one month remaining before the next general election cycle, and I can only reasonably assume that the Army's progress will continue. We've been fortunate enough to experience an influx of new blood, talent that's filling out the roster of the house that Gladio built.
I'm sure that any enlistee will tell you that the barracks have been buzzing with excitement as this month proved to be yet another rousing success for the NPA. When we finished up last time I spoke a bit about our liberation of the region Anontia, an operation for which we assisted our allies in the South Pacific Special Forces, the Rejected Realms Army, and even the Ten Thousand Islands Treaty Organization (TITO). That was great news, mind you, but I think what soon followed after that report is also worth noting. On the thirteenth of July's minor update the North Pacific Army collaborated with the Rejected Realms' troops once more when we embarked upon a joint detag run and had a good showing from five of our Generals and four of our soldiers. After that, Private First Class Abraham was promoted to Corporal and Private Rom was promoted to Private First Class... that's two bright spots on leaderships' radar who are looking to turn themselves out as fine operators in the near future.
Next, we set our sights on keeping up with the quota for tag raiding! No, there isn't actually a quota to be met but with how well we do at it you'd think there was! On the nineteenth of July's major update I decided to take the troops out for a seven region sack run for the glorious experience of raiding. On the first of the month General Malphe, Zazumo, and Darcania all suited up to bring six of their accompanying personnel on another target of that day's featured region. The Floof Emperor calls himself a slumbering dragon on occasion, so I suppose that makes sense since for the next several hours the 'Realm of the Dragon' boasted a pretty NPA tag on it for all the world to see! This encounter saw the return of Corporal Scorch, so hopefully with this new blip on the record he can find himself capable of joining in on all the happenings of Bobberino's ping wars.
Backtracking a bit, we reflect on the tenth of July's major update, where I led an onslaught of seven soldiers to three targets and captured them in rapid succession. Don't look now, but on the fourth of August's minor update Captain Dinoium was pleased to find himself with ten other willing and able people to have a tagging party. We did that for about five jumps and of course Colonel (Major) Koopa slept through them all. Seriously, someone tell him that he needs to be getting his rest! *shakes fist*
Finally, in perhaps the most recent and most relevant news, it was announced this past Friday that the North Pacific Army had successfully locked down a region known as the 'Coalition of White Supremacists' (or as we like to call them, C.O.W.S!!). In an operation that saw a staggering twenty-three of the North's finest participate, General Darcania and company worked closely with the Sekhmet Legion from Osiris to secure the fascist encampment and rid it of its distasteful world factbook entry. Upon the completion of this campaign, Minister of Defense Bobberino took the time to recognize everyone who deployed in the worthwhile effort to bash the fash and even supplied the troops involved with complementary gift baskets.
Suffice to say, it was another great month for the Army and their friends abroad; whether it was on one side of the battlefield or another, the Ministry of Defense in the North Pacific remains committed to excellence and fun! It definitely shows too, as those undesirables best beware! A very special thank you to any and all natives who helped host our tags in their regions... we appreciate you! This has been Captain Robespierre from the Officer Corps, logging out!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Artemis, Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Regional Assembly June 2019
Speaker of The Regional Assembly: Artemis (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/')
Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly: Funkadelia (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3125845/') and Brendog (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/')
Vote
Passed
Security Council Member Standards (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190602/') put forward by Praetor (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3302031/').
Status: At Vote
Summary: The Security Council Member Standards bill was introduced to address an issue that several individuals felt in regards to the Security Council. As the law currently reads, members of the Security Council do not have to maintain citizenship in the region. This bill amends the constitution to remove that exemption for maintaining citizenship from the Security Council.
Results: 34 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 3 Abstentions.
Confirmation of Lord Lore and Robespierre as Election Commissioners (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190722/') put forward by Speaker Artemis (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/').
Status: Passed
Summary: The Delegate, El Fiji Grande, appointed members of the Election Commission Lord Lore and Robespierre to serve for six months as Election Commissioners. The debate was quick as many felt that these individuals both wielded enough experience to supervise elections in the North Pacific.
Results: Lord Lore - 21 Ayes, 1 Nays, and 2 Abstention.
Robespierre - 23 Ayes, 0 Nay, and 1 Abstention.
Instant Runoff Election Bill (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190606/'), put forward by Gorundu (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/').
Status: Passed
Summary: An amendment to the way that elections are run in the North Pacific. This bill introduces the idea of implementing an instant runoff voting system for the General Elections.
Results: 15 Ayes, 7 Nays, and 3 Abstentions.
Current Business
Lessening Repeating Work (L.R.W.) Bill (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190741/'), put forward by Praetor (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3302031/').
Status: In Discussion
Summary: An amendment to the way that elections are run in the North Pacific. This bill introduces some grammatical fixes to the election laws, changes the method of election for Court Justices to a preferential voting system instead of first past the post, and includes methods for dealing with candidates that either become ineligible or withdraw during the voting period. This bill additionally deals with instances of ties at the end of the voting period.
[floatleft](https://i.imgur.com/01ZMaQA.png)[/floatleft]World Assembly Digest
By Deerfenland, World Assembly Reporter
(https://i.imgur.com/YnLYZLb.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
____________________________________________________________________________________
Affordable Transgender Hormone Therapy
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 10,855 Against: 2,859
Final Vote (TNP): For: 369 Against: 146 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.51
Recommendation: This proposal intends to extend rights to and legally define transgender and non-binary peoples. This will not only improve the quality of life for those communities but also compliment previous legislation regarding this same and similar topics. These rights, being well deserved, primarily focus around hormone therapy for the altering of ones sex characteristics to better reflect their gender identity. The proposal also attests to the scientifically proven facts involved with sex and gender characteristics and the various medical conditions involved.
In accordance with the reasoning stated above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Prohibit Private Prisons
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 8,576 Against: 6,401
Final Vote (TNP): For: 245 Against: 257 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.73
Recommendation: Prohibit Private Prisons possesses problematic phrases that will hinder prisoner quality of life and member nations' ability to care for them. The definition of 'prison' is somewhat small in scope and appears to exclude short-term and non-permanent facilities, thus dropping those from the definition of 'private prisons.' This would make make the desired effect of the resolution more difficult to achieve. Furthermore, one should note that legislation (GAR #161 & GAR #194 to name a few) already exists to care for inmates which would greatly prevent these private prisons from abusing those inmates they possess. Finally, this proposal inadvertently bans non-profit prisons which have on countless occasions worked to advance inmate rights and create safer, more rehabilitation focused centers to directly benefit the lives of inmates.
In hopes of legislation that better protects inmates while not harming systems already in place, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Protecting Personal Privacy
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 6,173 Against: 7,954
Final Vote (TNP): For: 179 Against: 327 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.46
Recommendation: Protecting Personal Privacy, while well intending, gets caught up in its own over-worded clauses and ultra specific definitions. The proposal denies governments the ability to view the data unless specific situations occur, which could cause governments to take larger action than realistically needed in order to view items pertinent to national security and gross crimes before an investigation could be opened. The definition of 'user' is so specific that there is not an easily discernible definition to 'non-user' seeing that it is not defined. This error makes Clause 3, sections 2 and 4 difficult to enforce. Clause 3, section 4 also allows for people to remove evidence of their specific person ever interacting with an organization unless 'there is a clear and compelling safety or disciplinary reason to do otherwise such as loans or criminal records'. This becomes an issue because there is no way to determine if such information could be used in the future for criminal or civil proceedings without those proceedings taking place, thus putting these organizations in a state of limbo. Additionally, Clause 4 allows organizations to prohibit a person from using services if they do not consent to their data being collected, however does not address what happens if a user provides falsified data. Furthermore, Clause 5, section 1 seems unclear if the resolution wants member nations to grant private individuals the ability to go after organizations who do not follow the resolution or if the WA member nation itself must take action against organizations who do not follow the resolution.
In accordance with the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Preventing Unjust Warfare
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: Against
____________________________________________________________________________________
(https://i.imgur.com/MSkSvav.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
____________________________________________________________________________________
Commend The Rejected Realms
Status: Defeated
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 2,568 Against: 10,668
Final Vote (TNP): For: 59 Against: 411 Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.39%
Recommendation: Commend TRR is the sixth attempt by this author at submitting this proposal. While this proposal has improved somewhat over its earlier iterations, it is still lacking. Unfortunately, there is a distinct lack of appropriate focus on TRR and their history. Of the solid arguments it possesses, it never goes into extensive detail and leaves the reader with little understanding. This is combined with awkward syntax and occasional subtle inaccuracies which cause it to appear as an unfinished draft at best. Furthermore, the author has seemed fairly reluctant to receive and apply criticism as well as perform edits and redrafts.
While believing that TRR is a very commendable region with countless contributions to the greater NS community, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs must recommend a vote against this proposal.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Commend Auralia
Status: Defeated
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3,443 Against: 9,637
Final Vote (TNP): For: 67 Against: 402 Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.65%
Recommendation: Auralia, despite having contributed 19 resolutions to the World Assembly, possesses a messy history involving cheating and questionable GA character. A couple proposals they have been involved in have been discarded for various violations however the most significant of such occurred in early 2014. A nation by the name of 'Afrasiab' (now CTE) authored and submitted the proposal 'Commend Auralia'. This proposal wrote a glowing commendation of Auralia citing various contributions they had made to the General Assembly during their existence in the WA. However, 11 days after the author had posted the draft to the forums, the NS admin/moderation team discovered that Auralia and Afrasiab were not only the same person but were both in the WA at the same time. This discovery of WA multi-ing prompted the discard of the commendation as well as Auralia (and all nations owned by them) being banned from the World Assembly. When confronted, Auralia showed no remorse and couldn't even be bothered to care as they dismissed NS as being a nothing more than a political game and cited they had done nothing morally wrong. Auralia then claimed that they were going to retire from NS due to their apparent lack of credibility and cheating, which never did happen. Today, Auralia has since been unbanned and is back as an on and off member of the WA.
In the General Assembly, Auralia has been known to participate in creative compliance and non-compliance, both of which fundamentally undermine the authority and functions of the GA. This growing trend of people 'opting' out of legislation they didn't like was later addressed by legislation which made this type of 'compliance,' or lack there of, punishable. Upon evaluating the specific resolutions they choose not to acknowledge and reasoning behind them, one might conclude that rampant human rights abuse occurs in the nation of Auralia.
While this Ministry has no issue with them working to produce future legislation in the WA, it is unclear as to why Auralia should be commended by the same organization they nearly succeeded in defrauding a few years ago. And thus, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal
____________________________________________________________________________________
Condemn Kyrusia
Status: At Vote
Delegate's Vote: Against
[/i][/i][/i]
____________________________________________________________________________________
[small]The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: El Fiji Grande :: Executive Editor: Pallaith :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) Spotlight #21 Interview With McMasterdonia
by Owenstacey, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
This month's spotlight interview is with McMasterdonia, currently the Minister of Foreign Affairs and since joining The North Pacific in 2011 has held most jobs in the executive, including both Delegate and Vice Delegate. Having held many positions throughout their time in The North Pacific, I used this interview as a way to learn more about McMasterdonia’s time in Nationstates and reflect on the good and bad during the last 8 years. When asked before the interview, McMasterdonia said that the mentorship with Eluvatar in the early days was very helpful and that they both still communicate regularly. With the experience McMasterdonia has, this interview was interesting to see the views and pick on the experiences that can undoubtedly teach many people something new.
Owenstacey: Good evening, I am joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs McMasterdonia. Welcome to the Spotlight, how are you?
McMasterdonia: I am good thanks Owen, thank you for reaching out to me for this interview.
Owenstacey: No problem, it’s amazing to have the chance to interview you. First up, it might be a while ago but what made you join The North Pacific in the first place?
McMasterdonia: I was encouraged to join NationStates by a friend of mine at university who had described to me how the issues worked in general details. I was intrigued by the idea of a nation simulator, so I decided to join. I was first spawned in The North Pacific and relatively quickly got involved in the community on the regional message board.
In terms of my wider involvement on the forum, I tried to join when Delegate Grosseschnauzer announced that they would be retiring as Delegate and that elections would be held. I was initially denied entry for failing an admin security check. From memory, I was using one of those usb internet devices and Eluvatar flagged me due to how often my IP had been changing.
In The North Pacific at that time it was a great period of change and tumultuous challenges. Blue Wolf II had won the Delegate election and had defeated, I suppose, the establishment candidate in an upset win. Romanoffia had been very active on the regional message board at that time and essentially reminded us that decisions were made by those who show up. If we wanted to improve the game and region, we had to make our voices heard. So I answered that call.
Owenstacey: That must have been an interesting time to be a part of TNP, you've been in Nationstates for a while now, how much do you think NS has changed with regards to regions and how they work together?
McMasterdonia: Well I certainly think it has become more challenging and rigid than it once was. When I was first getting started in NationStates there were a lot less formal relations between the different regions. From what I recall, The North Pacific was not the party to a single formal treaty when I first became a member.
It is often said that the days of old were more polarised, with more ideological and in-character battles and of course, more coups. That may be the case for some, but in my experience as someone who joined in 2011, things seemed a lot more flexible and chilled out back then. Now, we have so many established relations that go back the better part of a decade. That either limits your options, or you end up in a situation where you have a heap of allies and treaties sitting around, and nobody seems to like that much either.
Secondly, I think the way our regions operate now is a lot more sophisticated. Most major regions have extremely well established security networks supported by major infrastructure. We are less exposed now than we’ve ever been. That can change the way we engage with our neighbors.
Owenstacey: So things are quite different and a lot more complex than it was back when you first started. You were delegate of TNP for a while, so what would you say was the biggest impact you made as Delegate?
McMasterdonia: I think my first few terms of government as Delegate of The North Pacific were trans-formative. It needs to be said that when I first came to power, The North Pacific had only had a full cabinet for possibly two terms, and even then, it was not functional most of the time. The Government was for a large part in disarray and prone to inactivity at crucial junctures.
One of my first tasks was to restore faith in elected officials and to get the wheels of government working again. I worked extremely hard to establish a well oiled government machine, one that delivered for all aspects of our community. I think it was truly a trans formative time. The North Pacific made a significant shift into a highly efficient and transparent operation, one that really focused on the development of our internal culture, the cultivation of external allies and supporters, and took meaningful steps to take our place in the world.
I think that my efforts in that regard assisted our community at that time and since then, to continue to have very high expectations of our elected officials; as well as an expectation of accessibility and transparency on the part of government.
Owenstacey: I definitely think that we have come to have a very high expectation of elected officials, finally, have you got any advice to people starting out in NS on how to be successful and have a long career like yours has been?
McMasterdonia: I would say that it is important to find your home. Find a community that makes you happy and that is filled with people you trust and enjoy spending time with. It’s the community that makes the game so long lasting in so many lives. Then find an area you can contribute. Work hard, earn your place at the table and ensure your voice is heard. Don’t equate stubbornness with strength - sometimes you will need to compromise to find the best outcomes. Seek advice from others when you need it. Keep their confidence and they will keep yours. Most importantly... Have fun!
Owenstacey: I think that is some very good advice that all members both new and old can learn from, and that is it for this interview, thank you for taking some time to do this interview. It's been good to learn something from someone with your experience
McMasterdonia: Thank you for having me.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) NPA Bulletin
by Robespierre, Minister of Home Affairs
(https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/7Em0eELCEiPA6M7DJUzGlKagVhbpLhiVfSikS6omC1s/%3Fimage%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fi.ibb.co%252FXy6S7hG%252FBquQOG8.png%26hash%3Dd3eb70392d147dcf4f857c087d8538c3/https/forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php)
Leadership
Minister of Defense (MoD): General Koopa
Deputy Ministers of Defense (DMoDs):
VACANT
(https://images-ext-2.discordapp.net/external/J4vKYDVm5U1Udsdpv8KCbFXTmubDAUnv_uMJb8Agcyc/%3Fimage%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.iraqinews.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2016%252F09%252FUS-Troops-in-Iraq.jpg%26hash%3D46b8a8091f8b2fa2b008ebc895e6605a/https/forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php)
NPA soldiers arrive on the shores of the South Pacific in eager fashion, ready to answer the call of their ally and assist in their neighbour's Delegacy transition
Promotions
Private Federalania was promoted to Private First Class
Private Gorundu was promoted to Private First Class
Private Inven was promoted to Private First Class
Private Somniaureus was promoted to Private First Class
Private TheEmiritus was promoted to Private First Class
Sergeant Trondstorm was promoted to Warrant Officer
DMoD Koopa was appointed as MoD (General)
Koopa couped! Koopa couped! Bob has fallen! Victory is ours! ... Wait, no. That's not how any of this works, is it? Right, well, the September 2019 General Election cycle is upon us and the last month of the North Pacific Army's activity has had a lot to do with refining our piling prowess. If you'll recall (and you probably don't!) last time we ended off this segment of the North Star's monthly news we reported on General Darcania and co.'s hold on the Coalition of White Supremacists (COWS). But, that operation got us thinking: You know what's better than bashing fascists once or twice? Bashing them again and again of course! Thus, in the month of August, our troops were proud to take part in an inter-regional operation that saw the capture of yet another Nazi stronghold. In total, twenty-two of the North's finest joined up with their fellow hate-hunters on a campaign that spanned several updates. From the seventeenth of August's major update until the twenty-ninth of August's minor update, personnel from the Ministry of Defense were engaged in gridlock as some the most talented updaters in attendance warded off incoming undesirables.
Not to be outdone, it seems as though our friends over in the Kingdom of Great Britain had a trick up their sleeve as well this month! On the ninth of August's major update, it was announced by the High Command that our next operation would be a joint tag run with His Majesty's Royal Marine Corps. In a crafty yet ambitious effort, our combined teams scoured the NationStates world in search of letters that would spell out 'Rule Britannia'. Unfortunately, we weren't able to pick up all of the letters needed in order to do so - but on the bright side, we did collect a respectable eight hits with seven of our troops in attendance. This would be the second of two tag runs completed in the final month of this term, with the first one being undertaken on the fourth of August's minor update. It was on that day for which the NPA experienced a solid turnout for noon updates at eleven soldiers standing, not bad... but the deal was sweetened with an extra five hits added to the mix.
Lastly, it is with a heavy heart that the Executive Council of the North Pacific must inform everyone of the recent resignation of Bobberino as the Minister of Defense. At this point in time, with less than forty-eight hours until a new Delegate is scheduled to take their oath of office, a new Minister of Defense has been appointed in accordance with the forty-first clause of the Legal Code, chapter seven entitled 'Executive Government'. Nonetheless, deployment to the South Pacific still persists and is ongoing. Since this past Wednesday, orders have been posted in the mess hall to endorse Aumeltopia upon entering the region and since then twenty soldiers have acted swiftly to respond to our leadership's call. In conclusion, despite the more sporadic nature of our tag raiding efforts do to more time-consuming holds, the North Pacific Army remains as committed to excellence as ever! Thanks again to the regions that hosted us this term, and thank you to Bobberino for his many months of service! Ciao!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) Regional Assembly Highlights
by Artemis, Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Regional Assembly August 2019
Speaker of The Regional Assembly: [Artemis
Deputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly: Brendog
Vote
Vice Delegate Check Efficiency Bill put forward by Sil Dorsett.
Status: Passed
Summary: The Vice Delegate Check Efficiency Bill changed the time allotted to the Vice Delegate to process security checks for citizenship applications. The original time was set to 3 days. This bill allowed the vice delegate an additional 4 days bringing the total time to 7 days to process a citizenship application.
Results: 26 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 1 Abstention.
The Vexillum Billum put forward by Darcania.
Status: At Vote
Summary: The Vexillum Billum is a bill currently at a vote in the Regional Assembly aimed at changing the regional flag of the North Pacific. The proposed change removes the Coat of Arms of the North Pacific and changes a number of the elements. The proposed flag can be viewed here https://i.imgur.com/Tck0Lt0.png.
Current Business
Lessening Repeating Work (L.R.W.) Bill, put forward by Praetor.
Status: In Discussion
Summary: An amendment to the way that elections are run in the North Pacific. This bill introduces some grammatical fixes to the election laws, changes the method of election for Court Justices to a preferential voting system instead of first past the post, and includes methods for dealing with candidates that either become ineligible or withdraw during the voting period. This bill additionally deals with instances of ties at the end of the voting period.
Flag Usage Act put forward by Gorundu.
Status: In Discussion
Summary: The Flag Usage Act is a proposal that would make the use of the Official Flag of the North Pacific illegal to use by nations in written statements and dispatches. This is aimed to prevent dispatches and statements produced from being seen as legitimate statements endorsed by the government of the North Pacific.
The Better Banner Bill put forward by Bootsie.
Status: In Discussion
Summary: The Better Banner Bill stikes Section 10.1.5 from the Legal Code and allows for the Coat of Arms to be used by any citizen or nation of the North Pacific. As the law currently stands it is illegal to use the Coat of Arms except to represent the North Pacific or an official regional entity.
Peace Terms Acceptance Amendment put forward by IkeaRike[.
Status: In Discussion
Summary: This amendment seeks to amend Section 6.4.18 of the Legal Code to stipulate that a Peace Treaty would require a simple majority vote of the Regional Assembly to be ratified. The Constitution currently stipulates that all treaties need a 2/3rds majority vote to pass.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by Gorundu, World Assembly Correspondent
(https://i.imgur.com/YnLYZLb.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Preventing Unjust Warfare
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 2917; Against - 10106
Final vote (TNP): For - 84; Against - 411; Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.73%
Recommendation: The proposal, while well meaning, is hampered by various holes and unachievable standards. Namely, Clause 2.1.1 relies on 'undeniable and concrete evidence' which is not easily obtainable if possible at all, especially in situations where bad faith and third party actors are excepted to be involved but proof is not totally present. Additionally, clause 2.1.3 appears to be miswritten as it never fully clarifies that nondomestic forces engaging the local nonstate actor would be required to satisfy this however domestic forces engaging on a local nonstate actor would not need to satisfy this requirement as it would not be transnational. Furthermore, clause 2.3 becomes problematic as a nation's predictions may not reflect reality and the results of a transnational conflict can vary greatly between predicted result and actual result, especially in scenarios where a multitude of factors for this decision are unknown or only generally specified.
In accordance with the above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Treatment of the Deceased
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 1280; Against - 11426
Final vote (TNP): For - 47; Against - 449; Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.72%
Recommendation: Treatment of the Deceased, while well meaning, falls victim to its own poorly worded and vague clauses. This proposal requires the previous consent of the deceased to perform various actions in order to exempt them from 'grave molestation'. This becomes problematic if the death is sudden or the record of now deceased granting and denying these permissions is lost. The proposal also requires member nations to protect graves until the point of decay 'to the fullest possible extent from molestation' that could span well over a decade (at the very least), and would impose unreasonable requirements on member nations in order to comply. Finally, the proposal attempts to accommodate for religious and cultural beliefs but then requires the now deceased to have requested it and then prevents anything that violates Clause 1 and 4, thus defeating the whole point of this clause to begin with.
In accordance with the reasoning presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Reducing Food Waste
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 11161; Against - 1902
Final vote (TNP): For - 466; Against - 42; Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.24%
Recommendation: This proposal attempts to address the wasting of food and how citizens of WA member nations can better handle their leftovers. The proposal addresses various aspect of this in requiring food producers to minimize waste, recycling compost into agriculture, and expanding the duties and abilities of the International Food Wellfare Orgaization. A few concerns involved with this resolution include the lack of specific language that leaves a lot of the proposal up to interpretation and provides vague mandates. Furthermore, the proposal ignores the fact that food safety and standards do contribute to a large portion of food waste despite it being a net positive. In conclusion, this proposal generally promotes the sensible use of food and prevention of food waste that leaves openings to be expanded upon by more specific resolutions.
In accordance with the reasoning presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
(https://i.imgur.com/MSkSvav.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Condemn Kyrusia
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 1516; Against - 10818
Final vote (TNP): For - 45; Against - 421; Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.46%
Recommendation: The proposed condemnation of Kyrusia is fundamentally lacking. This is primarily due to the rushed drafting process which did not allow for the following issues to be properly dealt with. Primarily, this proposal seems to brush over and totally exclude a very large amount of relevant content to this condemnation. When asked, the author claimed that they wanted this proposal to be light-hearted, which is perfectly fine in theory, but ultimately harms the execution of this proposal for such a deserving target.
Due to the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Condemn The New Inquisition
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 8440; Against - 4736
Final vote (TNP): For - 282; Against - 208; Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.63%
Recommendation: TNP has a demonstrated history of opposing the condemnation of The New Inquisition, specifically during the most recent previous attempt at condemning TNI occurred in 2015 where effectively the same reasoning and text was used to justify the condemnation. While the proposal is fundamentally well drafted, TNP and TNI have developed strong relations and worked productively on many military operations since the acts of TNI mentioned in this proposal. This includes the 2015 defense of Stargate (historically a very close ally of TNP which TNI had no stake in), the invasion and refounding of Nazi Europe in which TNI and TNP are amoung those who jointly maintain the founder nation to this day, as well as the joint occupation of Scotland in 2014. Finally, the proposal appears to fail to mention various acts of the Founderless Regions Alliance committed that contributed to and eventually led to war between the two, and at the very least, placing sole blame on TNI is disingenuous. Generally addressing the recent dispatch that was released regarding the history of the events referred to in this proposal, it is disappointing that TNI did not lament the actions it took against TNP in the past, however it must also be acknowledged that it was not justifying them.
In accordance with the reasoning presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Condemn North East Somerset
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 10615; Against - 2202
Final vote (TNP): For - 439; Against - 42; Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.52%
Recommendation: North East Somerset, herein referred to as NES, is deserving of their condemnation for the various actions they have committed during their career and outlined by the proposed condemnation. These include directly assisting in the coups of The North Pacific, Lazarus, The Rejected Realms, and The East Pacific as well as their undermining of the Founderless Regions Alliance. Further condemnable acts include their involvement in regions which perpetuated unprovoked violence against various regions and their natives, namely Belgium. NES has built a career out of raiding, espionage, and destruction of governments specifically within the GCRs; as such they are very deserving of this condemnation.
In accordance with the reasoning provided above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: El Fiji Grande :: Executive Editor: Pallaith :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues
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Thanks for the update! :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/n8h8JDH.jpg)
Announcement: Epic Gamer Party
Invite: https://discord.gg/TANguTt
The North Pacfic and The Rejected Realms are pleased to announce that we will be co-hosting “The Epic Gamer Party” a fun event open to all. The event will run for one week (October 16 2019 - October 23 2019).
The Epic Gamer Party will be hosted on the Games Server and will include favourite bot games of Rejects and TNPers including Werewolf, Adventure, and Trivia, and other games such as Codenames, Spyfall, and card games - just to name a few.
We will publish a schedule of activities for particular games so that interested players can plan ahead to make sure they are available for their favourite game.
An invitation will be distributed to our embassy partners in due course. We look forward to your participation and assistance in making this event truly epic.
Kind regards,
McMasterdonia
Delegate of The North Pacific
Kyorgia
Delegate of The Rejected Realms
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Nice event name.
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Thanks for the invitation. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/f4UEI8F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)NPA Bulletin
by Robespierre, Minister of Defense
(https://i.ibb.co/Xy6S7hG/BquQOG8.png)
Leadership
Minister of Defense (MoD): General Robespierre (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/)
Deputy Ministers of Defense (DMoDs):
Colonel Koopa (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060570/) and Colonel Trondstorm (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061510/)
(https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/04/000_TS-DV1710265-e1398295372965.jpg)
Troops from the Legio Pacifica of the New Pacific Order arrive at the North Pacific Army's military base stationed on the outskirts of Magicality City in preparation for the East Pacific's liberation effort
Promotions
Lieutenant Agadir (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5005329/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191163/#post-10268910) to Captain
Private First Class Gorundu (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-3#post-10263974) to Corporal
Private Greater Saint-Paul (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061715/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-3#post-10269035) to Private First Class
Corporal Rom was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-3#post-10264135) to Sergeant
Warrant Officer (DMoD) Trondstorm (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061510/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9189864/page-3#post-10269038) to Lieutenant
Phew! Finally, the waifu uprising has been laid to rest! … If you’ll remember back to the North Star’s last installment of the NPA Bulletin (TNS Issue XII (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1265779)) then you might recall how we had a bit of an epidemic going on for a while there. I have no shame in admitting that at one point they even managed to corrupt yours truly with cuteness, but luckily I’ve since come to my senses and so have most of the other soldiers for the most part. Nonetheless, you still have menaces like Gorundu and Koopa lurking in the shadows; not to mention that mega-nerd Bobberino. They’re always preying on potato peelers in the hopes that they’ll lure them to the animator’s lab >_>
Anyhow, so goes another month of fun in the North Pacific Army! The flavour of this month’s activities? Righteous liberations and coup fighting! (Plus supporting our allies from abroad, that too!) On the fifteenth (15th) of October’s major update troops from the Legio Pacifica of the New Pacific Order, the Ten Thousand Islands Treaty Organization, the South Pacific Special Forces, the Rejected Realms Army, the Europeian Republican Navy, and the East Pacific Sovereign Army all participated in a large-scale joint operation that would later see the East Pacific liberated from the clutches of the tyrannical Fedelegate. The operation was lead by moi with backup triggering assistance from General Zazumo and Colonel Bobberino. All and all, this endeavour was a huge success on the part of our organization and on the part of our allies.
Next up, we have … more defending?! On the twenty-first (21st) of October's minor update, the North Pacific Army, along with the Rejected Realms Army and the South Pacific Special Forces, conducted a set detag operations in which eight regions were hit with two teams. A total of eighteen soldiers participated with twelve of them being from the North’s barracks. We made up for it though, because on the twenty-fourth (24th) of October's major update we embarked on a raiding excursion that saw our soldiers accompanied by the Sekhmet Legion of Osiris. [strike]I promise I'm not turning the NPA fenda[/strike]
With the Ministry of Defense being at its midterm, one can only await what slew of incoming announcements may be coming in the next week. At present, the newly-seated Delegate of the East Pacific, Marrabuk, has distanced himself from transitional Delegate/Vizier Aelitia by a margin of twenty endorsements. In a short address given before the Officer Corps late last night, the Minister of Defense promised to begin withdrawing transitional troops from the East Pacific in the coming days. The High Command is currently monitoring the differential in endorsements for the two East Pacificans so as to ensure that the removal of NPA intervention from the region is sustainable, as forum records currently reflect that approximately thirty-five members deployed to aid TEP sovereignty.
Lastly, as I’m sure many have already noticed: McMasterdonia was seated as Delegate of the North Pacific twenty days ago! In spectacular fashion, the North Pacific Army was able to make their jump on the East Pacific in the same twenty-four-hour time span as they propelled the Delegate-Elect of the North Pacific over the threshold to overtake outgoing Delegate El Fiji Grande. Both Delegacy transitions were strongly aided by the North Pacific’s finest, but we can’t take all the credit in these endeavours because hadn’t it been for fantastic native populations none of this would have been possible. As always, thank you to our natives.
Whether it was upholding treaty obligations, hosting joint operations, liberating GCRs, conducting training missions, teaching upcoming officers how to trigger, or raiding all the livelong day - one thing remains as true a statement as ever: The North Pacific Army is versatile, agile, and hopefully here in the next few days mobile as well ;) Cheers!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights September 2019
by Kaschovia, Legislative Correspondent
Regional Assembly Highlights, October 2019
Speaker: Gorundu (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/)
Deputy Speakers: Yukkira (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5020911/), Darcania (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3268033/)
Passed
The proposals that passed through the Regional Assembly in the month of October were the 'Emergency Flag Bill', and the 'Peace Terms Acceptance Amendment'.
Emergency Flag Bill by Darcania (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191014/)
Summary: Due to Tinypic™ shutting down, our flag and coat of arms ended up becoming this (http://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) image. Deputy Speaker Darcania immediately proposed reverting the images back to their previous conditions.
Results: 34 ayes, 3 nays, and 1 abstention.
Status: Passed
Peace Terms Acceptance Amendment by IkeaRike (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190876/)
Summary: An amendment to Section 6.4, Clause 18 of the Legal Code, this bill clarifies conditions around the recognition of all terms, formal or otherwise, rather than just treaties, that can end a war, and establishing a voting requirement for ending wars through a simple majority vote in the Regional Assembly.
Results: 22 ayes, 9 nays, and 4 abstention.
Status: Passed
Current Business
The proposals discussed for the month of October were the 'Lessening Repeating Work (L.R.W.) Bill', and 'Criminalising Espionage in Our Partner Regions'.
The Lessening Repeating Work (L.R.W.) Bill by Praetor (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190741/)
Summary: An amendment to the way that elections are run in the North Pacific. This bill introduces some grammatical fixes to the election laws, changes the method of election for Court Justices to a preferential voting system instead of first past the post, and includes methods for dealing with candidates that either become ineligible or withdraw during the voting period. This bill additionally deals with instances of ties at the end of the voting period.
Status: In Discussion
Criminalising Espionage in Our Partner Regions by St George (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190411/)
Summary: An amendment to Section 1.2 of the Legal Code, criminalises espionage in all of our partner regions through the rewording of several clauses, so that alliances ratified by the Regional Assembly, and non-aggression pacts, are included.
Status: In Discussion
Clarifying Vagueness in Peace Terms Amendment by Dinoium (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191181/)
Summary: As the title suggests, this proposal aims to amend both a grammatical error, and a vagueness in wording of the Peace Terms Amendment bill passed by the Regional Assembly.
Status: In Discussion
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by Brendog, World Assembly Correspondent
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Repeal "Preventing Desertification"
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 11,639 (86.6%); Against - 1,797 (13.4%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 465 (90.0%); Against - 51 (10.0%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 39.5%
Recommendation: The target resolution was an attempt to address the damaging consequences of desertification with a call to action on member states to confront the phenomenon within their nation and a grant of authority to the WA Environmental Council to oversee such efforts. Based on the proposed repeal and our previous arguments found during the voting period of the original proposal, we find the measures urged by this proposal both weak and fair ineffective. Various aspects of desertification and the contributing factors therein are generally ignored and vaguely defined when addressed. The duties granted to the WAEC are fundamentally insufficient to address the alleged magnitude of the issue. This has unfortunately created a resolution that is fiscally unproductive and blocks stronger potential legislation on the subject.
Seeing that this proposed repeal is an ends of means for paving the way for new and improved legislation on this topic, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this repeal resolution.
Ban on Sterilisation of Minors Etc
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 10,312 (76.7%); Against - 3,139 (23.3%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 440 (84.5%); Against - 81 (15.5%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.3%
Recommendation: This proposal is intended to fill a gap that was highlighted in previous legislation attempts at addressing the rights those who are seeking surgery to alter their sexual identity. This issue boils down to legal guardians having full authority on the sterilisation of their minors they are legally responsible for. This surgery, by nature, is totally irreversible and therefore requires a high level of scrutiny when making this very sensitive medical decision. As such, this proposal will aim to prevent dangerous and/or coerced surgery that the minor does not want or need. This will reduce possible abuse and give rights to those minors who would otherwise be helpless in this situation should it involve parental/guardian bad actors.
In conclusion, it is great to be able to work with and support Imperium Anglorum as a WALL ally in assisting this proposal in passing. Therefore, in accordance with the reasoning displayed above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Responsible Land Mangement
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 11,351 (76.9%); Against - 3,409 (23.1%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 481 (91.5%); Against - 61 (8.5%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 42.8%
Recommendation: This proposal aims to minimize environmentally harmful practices and effects that may lead to desertification. This is achieved through the establishment of a committee that tasks with testing, reporting, and educating member nations so as to how to most effectively deal with the various environmental hazards present in their local region(s). The proposal further targets a few specific scenarios that narrow the scope of the resolution somewhat. While not ideal, this proposal is harmless in application and will work to provide a net gain in environmental awareness and quality to WA member nations.
In accordance with this reasoning, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Financial and Economic Education
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 11,435 (84.0%); Against - 2,185 (16.0%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 482 (91.5%); Against - 45 (8.5%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 42.0%
Recommendation: The GA proposal "Financial and Economic Education" aims to increase general awareness of important topics such as financial mathematics, currency, and economics, all of which are pivotal concepts that are greatly beneficial to learn. This goal of increasing knowledge among the populace is to be achieved by mandating WA member nations to educate its citizens on these important financial and economic concepts. This acquired knowledge of said concepts can make it significantly easier for those transitioning into adulthood to manage their life and get adjusted to adult living.
Seeing how this proposal is completely beneficial to the greater WA community, the Ministry of WA Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Promoting Natural Sciences in Schools
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 13,316 (91.4%); Against - 1,246 (8.6%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 483 (85.5%); Against - 82 (14.5%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 44.9%
Recommendation: The GA Proposal “Promoting Natural Sciences in Schools” aims to promote and provide for the furthering of the teaching of the natural sciences. While this goal is admirable, the proposal falls victim to vague language, incorrect definitions, and troublesome clauses that leave open the possibility of abuse. The definition of 'natural science' becomes an issue because the sciences that are listed refer to various physical and natural sciences instead of exclusively natural sciences as the definition would suggest. This defined science also has zero requirements to be peer-reviewed or validated so as to maintain scientific uniformity across WA member nations. The proposal goes on to refer to the term 'Natural Science' only once before abandoning it after clause 2 for the more general term of 'science' for the remainder of the proposal. Furthermore, Clause 6 allows for religious influence over the aforementioned sciences which further undermines the purpose of this proposal by allowing flawed religious historical beliefs to influence the teaching and understand of natural science which is crucial for a functional, modern society.
In hoping of a redraft or another proposal to cover this important topic, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Repeal "Condemn The Black Hawks"
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 2,206 (17.6%); Against - 10,271 (82.4%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 50 (9.7%); Against - 463 (90.3%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 40.1%
Recommendation: This is the third time that the Security Council has voted upon a repeal of the original condemn The Black Hawks resolution. Raider groups consider condemnations such as this to be a badge of honour, a recognition of the role they play as the villains within the context of military-based gameplay. The original resolution (SC #52) is both of historical significance and is a snapshot in time of The Black Hawk’s early contribution to NationStates. It would be very difficult and unlikely that this resolution, if it were to be repealed, would be replaced by a more detailed resolution that covered that early history of The Black Hawks and their influence on the multiverse.
The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs believes that little has changed since the last repeal attempt of this resolution. The Black Hawks are deserving of both of their condemnations and continue to be a real threat to founderless regions. Therefore the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: McMasterdonia :: Executive Editor: Kaschovia :: Managing Editor: Darcania :: Coordinator: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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Thanks for the update! :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/f4UEI8F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[NPA Report
by Bobberino, War Correspondent
(https://images-ext-2.discordapp.net/external/xZe5fWJxB_Qa7O49OfMCIrZS6-WzCcnW9LS8CnnWlvM/https/i.ibb.co/Xy6S7hG/BquQOG8.png)
Leadership
Minister of Defense: Trondstorm
Deputy Ministers of Defense: Lieutenant Rom
In a bit of a pivot since the last NPA Bulletin, the North Pacific Army took place in largely raiding operations in the month of November. The waifu takeover of the NPA is still progressing, unlike what Robes will like to tell you… *audibly muffled screams in the back*
Beginning on the 30th of October, we joined our friends in Lazarus in getting them the delegacy of Warzone Australia and briefly holding. We then followed up, in true independent style, by liberating a close ally in Stargate, then pivoting the next update and raiding the region affiliated with Stargate’s raiders in The Anti World Assembly. The next minor update, Deropia put on his best Gladio impression in leading a featured region tag, after which in the major, Agadir led a two-detag run.
After all that, you’d expect the NPA to stop somewhere and fuel up, but we’re too good for that. We then invaded New Western Atlantic for a few days with our friends in Europeia and The West Pacific. After getting bored of sitting there, we decided to tag 5 regions, then 7 more the next day. Then we decided on invading Xedas with The Black Hawks, the Europeian Republican Navy and The West Pacific Armed Forces.
Another day, another tag run. 4 regions were hit on 11/17 and another 4 on 11/19. The next day, the ERN, TBH, NPA and TWPAF got together and did another tag. The next major, we got together with Osiris and amassed 17 tags. Rounding out the month was an invasion of North Ustaynga beginning on 11/23’s major, with the ERN, TBH and LWU all showing up alongside us, which we held for a week.
Whether we were defending treatied allies, raiding with friends or spreading the good news of anime across NS, one can be sure that we are not idle at the NPA. We are as agile, adaptable and coordinated as always. Happy holidays, all!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Spotlight #23 - Interview with Koopa
by Angshire, Interviewer
Angshire: So, first things first, are you new to NationStates? Also, what encouraged you to come to the North Pacific?
Koopa: Im probably around a year old or so, maybe a little more. My nation initially formed in TNP, and after moving around for a while, I eventually found myself back here and ended up staying.
Angshire: Well that's definitely interesting!
Angshire: Did anything in particular bring you back?
Koopa: I guess I always associated it with home, since it was where I started. I was also intrigued by it being a democracy, so I felt like it was a fitting place for what was my relatively small nation to grow.
Angshire: TNP does have a very stable democratic system, that is true.
Angshire: Have you gotten involved in the government, whether in the executive branch or otherwise?
Koopa: I am currently the Deputy Minister of Defense, this being my second term.
Angshire: So you are both a Deputy and an NPA colonel?
Angshire: Quite an impressive resume!
Angshire: So do you have any other goals that you want to accomplish within TNP government?
Koopa: I do hope to become Minister of Defense at some point, and maybe even become a full fledged General down the line.
Angshire: What about the delegacy or anything of that branch of government? Do you see yourself ever ending up there?
Koopa: The delegacy seems like a bit of a stretch, never really had goals in that sector. That being said, I do have a lot of respect for the people who can pull it off.
Angshire: What about the RP section of TNP?
Angshire: Are you active in that area?
Koopa: No, I have yet to engage in the RP sector. I'm not even active on the RMB. Nothing against roleplayers, it's just not my cup of tea.
Angshire: Ah yes, I totally get that.
Angshire: You definitely seem to be very skilled in the defense part of TNP, and I noticed how you have risen through the ranks.
Angshire: Before we wrap this up, do you have any questions you'd like to ask of me, or anything else you'd like to answer?
Koopa: Nothing from me, aside from saying that you have been an excellent host.
Angshire: Why thank you very much!
Angshire: I had a splendid time interviewing you :)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Kaschovia, Minister of Communications
Regional Assembly Highlights, November 2019
Speaker: Deropia
Current Business
The current business for the RA for the month of November is the act for Committee Codification by Wonderess (in discussion), and the repeal of the Unicorn Star Accord and the adoption of the Unicorn Star Treaty between the North Pacific and the Rejected Realms.
An Act for Committee Codification by Wonderess (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191317/')
Summary: This proposal aims to grant the Speaker the right to create committees made up of citizens to serve the purposes of the Regional Assembly, the structure and scope of which would be determined by law.
Status: In Discussion
The Unicorn Star Treaty (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191393/')
Summary: A proposal which aims to repeal the Unicorn Star Treaty currently legally in effect, and adopt the new Unicorn Star Treaty in its place, between the North Pacific and the Rejected Realms.
Status: At Vote
Passed
The proposals that passed through the Regional Assembly in the month of November were the repeal of the North Pacific and Albion Security Treaty, confirmations of Siwale and Crushing Our Enemies to the Election Commission, confirmations of Marcus Antonius to the Security Council and 'Criminilising Espionage in Our Partner Regions'.
Repeal of the North Pacific and Albion Security Treaty (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191225/')
Summary: Due to an inactivity that does not seem to be ending on Albion's part, the Regional Assembly of the North Pacific, by majority, has decided to repeal the security treaty shared by the two regions.
Results: 24 ayes, 1 nay, and 3 abstentions.
Confirmation of Marcus Antonius (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191358/#post-10288149') to the Security Council
Summary: Marcus Antonius' confirmation of membership on the Security Council was supported overwhelmingly, despite concern over Marcus' lack of experience in major leadership roles, due to his enthusiasm
Results: 25 ayes, 3 nays, and 5 abstentions.
Status: Passed
Confirmations of Siwale (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191321/') and Crushing Our Enemies (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191343/') to the Election Commission
Summary: The Delegate appointed Siwale and Crushing Our Enemies to the Election Commission, and so the RA discussed and eventually voted to confirm the appointees' membership on the Commission.
Crushing Our Enemies: 26 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions.
Siwale: 28 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions.
Status: Passed
Criminalising Espionage in Our Partner Regions by St George (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190411/')
Summary: An amendment to Section 1.2 of the Legal Code, this proposal criminalises espionage in all of our partner regions through the rewording of several clauses, so that alliances ratified by the Regional Assembly, as well as non-aggression pacts, are included.
Results: 34 ayes, 3 nays, and 1 abstention.
Status: Passed
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)World Assembly Digest
By Deerfenland, World Assembly Correspondent
(https://i.imgur.com/YnLYZLb.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Protecting Borrower Rights
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 11,637 Against: 3,020
Final Vote (TNP): For: 464 Against: 78 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.81%
Recommendation: This proposal aims to alter the way we deal with debt and the ability to repay for those who fall into debt. It achieves this by eliminating the harmful practices that deliberately target those who are in debt, such as criminalising the act of having debt so far as to punishing it via forced labor. While not infringing on member nation's ability to enforce the law, this proposal allows citizens the ability to repay their debts by keeping them out of jail and in the workforce or whatever method they may have to procure the required funds to repay their debts. This proposal also protects citizens ability to make investments with higher risk that would otherwise land someone in jail for making an investment that went negatively. This allows greater investment into small business and otherwise risky ventures that could ultimately benefit the greater community via their success.
In accordance with this reasoning, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
The Amelioration of Maritime Conditions
Status: Defeated
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3,286 Against: 11,679
Final Vote (TNP): For: 132 Against: 426 Percentage of WA nations voting: 43.83%
Recommendation: The Amelioration Of Maritime Conditions has the laudable intent of monitoring and reducing the number of pollutants released by member nations into the hydrosphere, however, it fails in properly executing that goal. The Ministry has reviewed the proposal and has found that its scope is too narrow to have any meaningful effect, as it only requires the governments of member nations to record the pollutants they release into water supplies. The Ministry also believes that the pollutant reduction target is poorly set, as the "recorded international average" is a poor metric to use when setting international targets. The mandate of reducing the pollutants by this arbitrary value is also very difficult to enforce given that exactly recording 'any and all' pollutants is an unreasonable task. Further, a committee is perhaps a better option here, by handling the collection and distribution of the data and working specifically with member nations to reduce their pollution where possible.
For these reasons, and in hopes that a redraft will occur, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the proposal.
Convention On Animal Testing
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 7,621 Against: 7,310
Final Vote (TNP): For: 190 Against: 356 Percentage of WA nations voting: 42.62%
Recommendation: Convention on Animal Testing is well-meaning in its attempt to place ethical restrictions on the use of animal test subjects, however, the Ministry is unable to recommend support at this time. Upon close inspection, the proposal would seem to allow for undue pain and suffering caused by negligence. It should also be noted that the proposal requires that "all procedures" be documented and reported to the World Assembly Bioethics Board. Without a proper definition, the Ministry believes this to be an overreach and would include something as simple as shaving fur for future placement of testing devices. Further, it is concerning that the World Assembly Bioethics Board appears to acts as a judicial entity; while this is something that extant legislation has done in the past, we must question the necessity of the practice in regards to a subject such as animal testing.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote against the proposal.
(https://i.imgur.com/MSkSvav.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Commend Grays Harbor
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 11,013 Against: 2,464
Final Vote (TNP): For: 459 Against: 45 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.56%
Recommendation: Gray's Harbor has been a long time member of the NS community who has shown extensive activity in a notable UCR, contributed multiple proposals and GA illegal proposal shenanigans, and is a seasoned RnDer. GH possesses the longest tenure of any other delegate in the new defunct The Heartland in which they helped saved them in 2003 by brokering a deal with Texas and Wysteria to protect The Heartland from invading forces. GH has also passed three General Assembly proposals and established the "Illegal Proposals" thread in the WA forums which became a quickly growing repository of humorous and silly proposal attempts in the GA. Finally, GH has a history as a defender who participated in various notable events as well as designing and a world map for the regions he was involved in.
In line with the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Condemn Atlantic
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 10,050 Against: 3,223
Final Vote (TNP): For: 469 Against: 42 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.82%
Recommendation: The Atlantic is a region with a demonstrated history of unbridled imperialism in the NS R&D sphere. Throughout their history they have threatened and invaded close allies and friends of TNP including Europe, The South Pacific, The West Pacific, and The Rejected Realms. Numerous UCRs were also harmed by repeat invasions so much that they were reduced to bits and pieces of their former selves. This behavior in this context is unacceptable, especially so when done to allies of TNP.
In accordance with the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
Liberate Aurelia
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 12,414 Against: 2,236
Final Vote (TNP): For: 486 Against: 52 Percentage of WA nations voting: 41.83%
Recommendation: For sake of clarity in this IFV, Aurelia is the region that was invaded and is being liberated, and Auralia is the invading force that is the aggressor.
The region known as Aurelia has been under the tyrannical control of the similarly-named Auralia for nearly a year. In this time, the invaders have been banjecting the natives, clearing World Factbook entries, suppressing RMB posts, and password-protecting the region to prevent the original inhabitants from reclaiming it. The primary cause for this liberation stems from the fact that the region of Auralia has expressed its desire to refound Aurelia, wiping out all of the region's history and culture permanently. Additionally, Auralia is founded by the individual known as Nephmir, who is known for various acts of attempted raiding and threats against a number of GCRs and UCRs, including 'war' with TWP. They, and their childish creations, should not be allowed victories.
Given the reasons above, the Ministry of the World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: McMasterdonia :: Executive Editor: Kaschovia :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798')
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Text Version
(https://images3.imgbox.com/27/64/IeZiY2Rb_o.png)
The Practicalities of Defendingby Praetor
It is frequently commented that The North Pacific (TNP) is raider in all but name by those outside of the region. Less frequently comments are made of this nature from citizens of the region itself.
Both are wrong.
Raiderism is fundamentally incompatible with TNP. While this should be fairly self-evident, apparently it is not. Prior to explaining the basic facts which make TNP and raiderism mutually exclusive, it is best to specify exactly what is meant by raiderism. By raiderism, I refer not to the raiding itself, nor to the mechanics of raiding, nor regions which are raider. I refer to instead the ideology of raiderism and all of that which is contained within; from raider unity to senseless and purposeless destruction of regions to without reason preventing resolutions from obtaining quorum to knocking over Delegate streaks for their own amusement.
It is this package which is at odds with TNP.
TNP takes part in various regular activities of raiding from replacing native Delegates, tagging, and ejecting nations. The latter of which only done in Warzones or on liberations.
As such any proposals that argue TNP should be raider are advocating for either increased raider activities (either in severity or frequency) or a decreasement in defensive actions. In a similar vein, those that state TNP is already raider ignore the necessity for TNP of defensive actions.
There are a variety of reasons for which the North Pacific Army (NPA)—TNP’s army—will conduct an operation from self-defence, defence of allies, training, maintaining activity, and advancing our foreign policy (listed in no particular order). Unquestionably some of these activities are more of a priority than others (self-defence would be a priority over a training operation). As well, an operation is able to satisfy multiple reasons for which an op is conducted.
Some of these reasons may be accomplished by more than one different type of operation or may partially be accomplished by all (eg. literally any operation contributes towards maintaining activity). However, each and every other reason will be conducted by the NPA at some point whether deliberate or incidentally in accomplishing another goal.
The mechanics by which each objective can be accomplished differ whether that is by an operation which is classified as raiding or as defending. The NPA is active regardless of whether it is tagging or detagging regions. The NPA can advance our foreign policy by working with other regions regardless of their alignment by once again tagging or detagging regions.
There are certain objectives which raiding is innately unable to accomplish. TNP is unable to defend her allies or herself without defending. These activities are directly at odds with a raider organization. However, these actions are of the utmost priority for the North.
The missions which the NPA (and TNP) value more than anything else are those in which we are coming to the aid of our allies. When the NPA is scrambling troops within the span of 12 hours to liberate or protect an ally whether it is because the region was raided or the founder CTEd are the crux of our military’s existence. Such is the importance of the issue that recently, a long time Security Councillor (McMasterdonia) resigned from his position to ensure the safety of our long-time ally Stargate.
The NPA may partake in different operations whether they be raiding or defending, the proportion and activity of these operations will fluctuate at times.
But at the end of the day? When all is said and done? We may raid but we will never be raiders. We
need defending.
Freedom 4 Dummies: A Reader's Guide to the Politics Behind Harmoneia's "In Defense of Morality in NationStates." A Precursory Piece.by Grim Reaper
Harmoneia's "In Defense of Morality in NationStates" explores the concept of Hegelian freedom as a basis for participation in NationStates as a game. Beginning by stepping away from 'realpolitiks' as a method for understanding NationStates' political relationships, Harmoneia rejects the realist model of politics on the grounds of the meaninglessness of its utilitarianism in cyber-reality. Instead, Harmoneia proposes that politics in NationStates must be understood as an experience only meaningful through the application of ideals & morals - in line with Hegelian ethics, true freedom can only come by being free to adopt a moralist framework that reflects one's personal convictions. To 'win' the game of NationStates, if there is no material goal to achieve, then the goals must be moral ideals.
Harmoneia's work is effectively a meta-ethical approach to the NationStates environment, covering some of the fundamental questions of political philosophy and their applicability to a game. Her argument against 'realpolitiks' is an underpinning concern of modern international relations, where post-realist scholars argue that utility in the real world is similarly immaterial to that of NationStates. The schism of modern IR (international relations) is concerned with the definition of utility, with different schools discussing either an ontological approach (i.e. that states have an identity that they aim to secure, and which traditionally happens to, but does not necessarily, constitute a largely realist approach to the world, associated with "social constructivism"), or a normative approach (i.e. that states aim to maximise their moral structures through both domestic law and international law, the latter of which is facilitated by modern global capitalism, associated with "IR liberalism").
A benefit of her proposed moral truth framework is that it avoids the promotion of meaningless utilitarian goals that lead to zero-sum games - wherein regions can only achieve their goals by damaging the goals of other regions; a critique of modern realism's ability to predict international cooperation. Her seemingly abstract, philosophical argument that Hegelian freedom permits a healthy game-environment for the emergence of new systemic ideals therefore produces a meaningful conclusion, in that it simultaneously maximises the ability for individuals to adopt and achieve non-contradictory political goals.
In Defense of Morality in NationStates: An Argument from the Perspective of Freedom
by Harmoneia
The right of individuals to be subjectively destined to freedom is fulfilled when they belong to an actual ethical order, because their conviction of their freedom finds its truth in such an objective order, and it is in an ethical order that they are actually in possession of their own essence or their own inner universality.
- G.W.F. Hegel, "Third Part: Ethical Life," in the Philosophy of Right, §153.
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. - George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four
Morality has become a dirty word in NationStates, despite the fact that NationStates is a political simulation game. Though it is indeed the true that politics and morality can be mutually exclusive as in the case of realpolitik, anything outside of such political model necessarily inter-relates to a conception of morals. To my mind, realpolitik is a political concept of a utilitarian nature that is simply not applicable to NationStates by virtue of it being a fictional cyber reality. In other words, it is precisely the purpose of such space where are provided the possibility of imagination, of going beyond "what needs to be done" for the sake of basic social order, for it is the simple case that in a game where there is no concrete winner, nothing "needs to be done" in a strictly in-character sense, for there are no "basic needs" (I.e. food, shelter, clothes, etc) to attend to. Needless to say, such pragmatism and no-nonsense view of politics may work in real life, but in a cyber reality, it is nothing but a waste of opportunity and imagination. As such, we shall proceed with the understanding realpolitik is not a viable political model for a fictional game. It is thus for this reason that a meaningful experience cannot be divorced from ideological and moral considerations – though I shall elaborate more on this later.
For our purposes, however, I shall define morality as a set of values through which we can measure the rightness or wrongness of our actions, and the game as its life-world, where the players are its agents.
Though it is no secret that NationSates is not a game where all realities can be mapped out in a single, authoritative, and unchanging, system, for the reason that the concept of "winning" is blurred, such collapse of a meta-narrative might not necessarily mean a collapse of coherence, that is, the nihilistic denial of meaning and morality. In fact, the argument from which this work draws is that it could very well be the case that it is because of such contingency, that there is a necessity to a concept of morality in the game – though not necessarily through guiding principles, but through acknowledging the organic and dynamic nature of the game by virtue of allowing for the capability of each individual player for maximal pleasurable ends. This premise prevents, I claim, the collapse of the whole.
The argument I aim to make is a simple one: that if we take the notion of freedom as a necessary component of the game, then it must be that 1) moral truth is to be measured by what we push forth as the struggle for freedom which, in our case, is the freedom to choose and experience our ends as players; and that 2) objective morality is a necessary element to ensure the flourishing of the whole of the game which is more than the sum of its parts.
Freedom as Objective Ethical TruthFreedom as a starting point may come as a surprise in its relation to morality, but if we take to be true what a great German philosopher, G.W.F. Hegel, once said, that is that the final purpose of all human history and activities can be said to lead to the final purpose that is the fulfillment of Freedom, then we can extensively derive that this activity is also an activity to exercise our free will, whatever part of ourselves we choose to exercise. As such, any conversation on right and wrong must begin with the conversation of what it truly means to be free. Indeed, when we demand for our right to be free, what do we mean? What are, if any, the limits of freedom and where does it sit in between our equal convictions for both scientific determinism/predictability and moral responsibility? Should we simply, as Richard Taylor suggests, “be content with discovering difficulties,” as elsewhere in metaphysics, where our aim is to discover inconsistencies which remind us of our ignorance?
In any case, any conversation on freedom is a conversation on causality, for the most basic, primary, and therefore ontological, definition of freedom is probably "uncaused cause,' in the sense that it is an unconditioned event that leads to an act which, itself, is a cause to something else. In this context, we may take freedom to be equivalent to Necessity, which is the indispensable cause to something.
The easiest definition to freedom, however, would probably sit along the lines of the existentialist tendency to say that freedom means responsibility – that is, the assertion that man is condemned to be free, as Sartre would have it. In a more optimistic sense, Isaiah Berlin would call it “negative liberty,” that is, the freedom to choose our ends as human beings. In a more or less similar vein, Martha Nussbaums’ Capabilities Approach would define it as “the power to form a conception of the good and to select action toward its realization.” It is questionable, however, of whether we truly are capable of having unconditioned choices at all. According to Richard Taylor Richard Taylor, we are not, and he presents a powerful argument for the incompatibility of our supposed moral ideals and the apparent determinism of the world at work in order to prove this. According to Taylor, moreover, our attempts at making these two contrasting things compatible with each other has so far only failed. He notes, for instance, that "soft determinism” is an attempt to account for determinism as well moral responsibility by trying to balance both, in as much as soft-determinism argues that if our inner states, which are not externally caused, are responsible for our choices; it is, however, a failed one with regard to making such opposing claims compatible because it neglects the fact of the matter that determinism proves that those inner states are not without causes.
The question of freedom as causality, therefore, is a question of causality where it cannot be denied that our choices and decisions are often themselves caused despite our belief that they are unconditioned. However, this does not mean that freedom, “uncaused cause,” is impossible. If, however, we view the issue in such a way that is non-linear and dynamic, that is a type of causality that is both necessary and contingent, or an agency that is conditioned but conscious, then we may be able to think of freedom as both necessary and contingent. In the context of causality, this may be explained in terms of X causing Y, and Y causing Z, while Z causes X – it is to mistake it for linear causation but ultimately X is both necessary as well as contingent to X and so on and so forth.
That is, it is spontaneously emerging from moment to moment, determined not by constitution nor any particularly linear cause, but by everything else, that is, the transformation and movement of everything. As such, we see a unique notion of freedom: one that is necessary and singular in as much as it is purely contingent in constitution and transformation, in relation to the necessity of everything else’s contingency; one that is satisfied and at ease—this is what is meant by freedom.
In other words, freedom understood as becoming one with the movement of an organic system, is what relates our freedom to the freedoms of others, presenting us with a robust notion of freedom which is not confined to one section of players, but to others as well, making fulfillment possible in a multi-layered network of players.
In this same vein, freedom as fulfillment appeals to a type of essentialism that is not inherent but is contingent. Ethical objectivity can thus exist but not in a fixed manner; that is, for every circumstance there exists a right that is unquestionably correct, but for every changing circumstance, the objective truth for those specific circumstances are also changing. This is the necessity of contingency that is meant when determining what ought to be done in specific situations, and in this sense it can avoid the problems associated with both the lack of moral truth, but also the dogmatism associated with it when we try to impose a universal set of values for changing situations.
In our specific case, when we say that raiding is wrong, it is not because the act itself is inherently evil, but because in most circumstances where it is done, it goes against the contingent essence or spontaneous nature of given situations. For instance, to declare war for a reason is an exercise of this type of freedom, but war on everything for no reason is an external causation which infringes on the distinct narratives of the particularity of regions which must be protected in order for them to have the freedom to determine their own ends, for so long as those ends do not deliberately infringe on others’ as well.
In other words, freedom is only the freedom to play as individual players in an environment of mutual consent. The capabilities of a region to direct its own fate, by its own natives, must be affirmed.
Spontaneous Unity and EmergenceWhat this means is that everything must be put to an order, allowing for the possibility of moral truth. That is, "freedom" as the freedom not to be infringed; the freedom to be right, in order for the possibility of emergence to exist. In other words, though parts are distinct, they are inherently connected and one small act against the internal movement of the whole can cause significant damage to a significant community.
What this suggests is that freedom is neither externally either imposed or sought for, nor is it internally constituted within each and all. This kind of freedom, though it is not a kind of veering away from, as is traditionally understood in the liberal sense,16 still saves this interpretation from the type which Isaiah Berlin critiques as “a deep and incurable metaphysical need; … to allow it to determine one's practice is a symptom of an equally deep, and more dangerous, moral and political immaturity.”17 Indeed such positive freedom which Berlin holds as oppressive, in contrast to the negative freedom of liberalism, is not possible here. This is because something can only be oppressive if it is imposed upon by something else, something other, which is precisely what we are trying to avoid here. Rather, it is spontaneously emerging from moment to moment, determined not by constitution nor any particularly linear cause, but by everything else, that is, the transformation and movement of everything. As such, we see a unique notion of freedom: one that is necessary and singular in as much as it is purely contingent in constitution and transformation, in relation to the necessity of everything else’s contingency; one that is satisfied and at ease—this is what is meant by freedom.
From this, we can surmise that such notion of freedom tells us that though moral truth is constantly changing, as is what is right or wrong – that is, though there are no inherent essences to players whatsoever, this does not prevent the existence and emergence of moral truth that is accessible within specific circumstances. It is not therefore the case that it is just a game – it is the game upon which we exercise our political ideals and as a political game, a politics without an ideology or ethic is not worth playing as is either sinks into the nihilism of meaninglessness in an environment where winning is already vague as it is, or into a politc of realpolitik, the non-viability of which we have already established earlier.
This realist objectivity in the context of morality is necessary thus in order to maintain order to the whole, and to keep the necessary and singular freedoms of the distinct parts intact. In this manner, the entirety of the game keeps its meaning and purpose, while leaving open the possibility of the emergence of new meanings and purposes – that is, if we choose to abide by the objective yet spontaneous nature of moral truth.
EpilogueIt is the hope of this philosophical piece for us to find an ontological structure of causality and the nature of the game, that shows us the fundamental unity between freedom and destiny, and why this is not something that denies us of the maximal experience of play– in fact, quite the contrary, when liberty or the freedom to play is, at once, self-fulfillment as a player according to one's own position and role in his or her environmental conditions. In other words, freedom understood as becoming one with the movement of the game and not its deliberate infringement, is what relates our freedom to the freedoms of others, presenting us with a robust notion of moral truth and fulfillment which is not confined to one faction of the game or another, but to all the others as well, in order to confront the ongoing challenges moral truth in an infinitely diverse and multi-layered network of players that is the game.
Footnotes:[1] Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, “Section Three: Philosophic History,” in The Philosophy of History, trans. J. Sibree (New York: Dover Publications, 1956), § Introduction
[2] Richard Taylor, ““Freedom and Determinism,” in Metaphysics, 4th ed., Prentice-Hall Foundations of Philosophy Series (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1992), 219
[3] Isaiah Berlin, “Two Concepts of Liberty,” in Four Essays On Liberty, Oxford University Press Paperback. (London: Oxford University Press, 1971), 32
[4] Nussbaum, Martha C. "Human Functioning and Social Justice: In Defense of Aristotelian Essentialism." Political Theory 20, no. 2 (1992): 234.
[5] Richard Taylor, ““Freedom and Determinism,” in Metaphysics, 4th ed., Prentice-Hall Foundations of Philosophy Series (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1992), 35-53
[6] There is limited space in this lecture but this conception of causal relations is indebted to Quentin Meillasoux. For a more comprehensive discussion, see his book on the Necessity of Contingency.
The Musings of a Soldier
by Trondstorm
When I joined NationStates, I was solely an issues-answerer. But later on, I wanted to get more involved in the game and explore new ways to play. So, as all new players do, I asked myself: What am I doing here? What should I stay for? And is it worth my time, effort, and attention?
At the surface, NS is a simple browser-based political simulator that parodies real life issues, puts whimsical, exaggerated twists on them, and gives you the choice to implement laws in your own personal and fictional society, with no end, and no victory. You can do what you wish with the people of your nation.
Under the surface, however, there are many different levels to the game. The various communities are proud and vibrant, with ideas and dearly-held beliefs flowing from all corners. Some invest their time in role-playing, while others devote themselves to the advancement of the game-world and its politics, but the most intriguing concept, to me, is participation in Military Gameplay, otherwise known as Raiding/Defending (R/D).
Upon brief observation of military gameplay within NationStates, it is clear that NS militaries conduct their operations uniquely to anything in real-life or any other simulated game. Raiding and defending uses the mechanics the game is known for; targeting regions through its delegacies using endorsements and influence. Activity is concentrated during the game’s two-update schedule, relying on both careful planning and quick reaction time.
Being in The North Pacific (TNP); I’ve enlisted in the North Pacific Army or the NPA for short. I was excited to put my time in NS into use, hoping that my service will contribute to the betterment of not just the organization, but also of the region as a whole. At the same time, I was raring for the chance to experience R/D. NS military gameplay is simple, easy to understand but simultaneously compelling and different. It was a new challenge, just waiting for me to step outside the box and take it. In short, I’ve heeded the call, completely immersing myself in the process.
Presently, after serving in several operations, all varying in motives, methods and sizes, I can say that military gameplay is one of the most worthwhile actions in NS. I find it amusing that R/D brings out emotions that may seem outlandish for a Text-Based Political Simulator; There is that lingering enthusiasm for prospective operations, the adrenaline rush for every Go order issued and the sense of accomplishment in every region hit. Even in failed operations, the opportunity to try again and improve are too good to pass upon. The R/D community is unparalleled; with different active organizations, each with their own policies and hierarchies, conducting their own, or joint sets of missions. The camaraderie within an organization is beyond question. These individuals have gone above and beyond to make NS warfare thrilling, and they are not shown signs of stopping.
It is hard to project what lies ahead. There is always the possibility of an unforeseen event may force me to stop logging into NS, but I can say that after taking the leap into R/D, it made the game much more enjoyable. I’ll continue to serve with the best of my abilities and I won’t let thoughts about the future interfere with the present.
Independence Builds Strong Communities
by McMasterdonia
Independence builds strong communities - and the evidence for this has never been stronger or more apparent. Nevertheless, at times, independence comes under criticism. It cannot fit easily into a box or the more traditional constraints that are placed upon regions, so like anything that challenges the norm - especially as it does so so successfully - it becomes a target of traditionalists. Some vaguely suggest that independence is in decline, or no longer relevant. Others dismiss it as raidersim by another name. A few assert that there is strength in fanatic idealism. However, as with most polarizing arguments in NationStates, examples are rarely offered to support these claims.
Instead, Independence remains more relevant today than ever. It is important to remember that Independence does not subscribe to the notions of polarity in military gameplay and utterly rejects the idea that military activity - whether that be raiding or defending, should define the region as a whole. Independence advocates that the military is a tool of the regional government and an expression of the people’s will.
This definition has historically come into conflict with the traditionalist view of regions based upon where they sat on the spectrum of raiding and defending. Independence challenges these traditional viewpoints and instead advocates for a more pragmatic approach to military gameplay.
Independence As Foreign PolicyIndependence has allowed for regions to adopt a more diversified foreign policy. Foreign relationships and partnerships are based upon the cultural identities of the regions involved. This takes into consideration more important facets of regional life, such as roleplay, issue answering, World Assembly engagement, democratic ideals and more recently, even NationStates cards. Foreign policy of regions that strictly adhere to defending or raiding foreign and military policy are less likely to put much emphasis on these aspects of regional life, as instead, these relationships are viewed entirely through the perspective of raiding or defending.
Effectively, most major regions embrace an Independent philosophy. While some regions may choose to subscribe to another label, the reality is that these regions are taking an Independent approach to their foreign policy. These regions maintain a wide variety of relationships with regions on both sides of the ideological divide - or at least, they attempt to do so, in some shape or form.
The Independent ideology has allowed regions such as The North Pacific to establish long-lasting bilateral and multilateral relationships that have stood the test of time, survived wider conflicts in the NS world, and persevered through many of the summer lulls. These enduring relationships have persevered because of the deep ties that are much broader than the relationships formed by those only concerned with where a region sits on the ideological spectrum.
Independence As Regional CultureAn Independent philosophy assists in the sustainable development of the region. Given that Independence focuses not just on militaristic activity, or how xyz services that activity, it is not treated as the sole priority or driver of a region's success. The result is a holistic development of all aspects of NationStates life - including the development of diverse roleplay communities, a proactive engagement with the World Assembly and the fostering of democratic ideals.
Furthermore, Independence results in a more diverse community. Unlike regions that strictly adhere to raiderism or defenderism, independence fosters community openness. Independent regions are accepting of almost all players and do not set barriers to entry based upon a player's raider or defender alignment. As a consequence, this diversity leads to a better region - and generally a better government. The elected government will be one that prioritizes the delivery of services for the community, ensuring the meteoric rise of officials with diverse skill sets, viewpoints and areas of focus.
Everything put together ensures that Independent regions thrive, and that they will continue to thrive for many years to come.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: McMasterdonia :: Executive Editors: Kaschovia & Marcus Antonius
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113)
(https://i.imgur.com/YcUb8Iw.png)(https://i.imgur.com/axJpdb9.png)(https://i.imgur.com/sn3sK5n.png)(https://i.imgur.com/sll3j9Z.png)(https://i.imgur.com/OMUkPSd.png)(https://i.imgur.com/jkezdQ6.png)(https://i.imgur.com/DXRnhnd.png)(https://i.imgur.com/AaMOuBS.png)(https://i.imgur.com/KNwJL3D.png)(https://i.imgur.com/mfUvke8.png)(https://i.imgur.com/cI9E8NN.png)
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Statement on the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators operations against The North Pacific
The North Pacific has uncovered an undercover espionage operation (dubbed “Operation 84”) which was orchestrated by the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators against The North Pacific starting in December 2018. At the order of regional founder Jocospor, two agents from the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators, Castelia (a Supreme Council member of the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators) and The Inquisitor, joined The North Pacific under the assumed names Artemizistan and Ikea Rike with the ultimate goal of securing The North Pacific’s delegacy. United Massachusetts was also recruited by Jocospor to serve as a mentor/handler of Castelia’s operation.
Ikea Rike’s cover was blown immediately upon joining The North Pacific when they applied for an embassy between The North Pacific and the Confederation. Nevertheless, Ikea Rike continued with the operation for almost a year and made regular reports to Jocospor. Artemizistan’s operation appeared to have been underway for approximately six months and was not immediately known to us. Neither operation was a success with both agents not rising beyond the ranks of junior members of the executive staff.
The Chuck, a former administrator of the discord server of COCD has provided us with damning supporting evidence, including screenshots. This evidence is extensively detailed in The North Pacific’s official report on this incident which can be read here (http://'https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=209015&p=36643947#p36643947'). You will also see many of these screenshots be presented in proceedings against the foreign agents in the Court of The North Pacific. We were also given testimony from United Massachusetts, which will assist us in prosecuting the agents involved.
The motive appears to be Jocospor’s desire to turn The North Pacific into a puppet state of the Confederation and to end his region’s presence on the Civil Defence Siren, a warning system utilized by the feeders to discourage players from joining fascist regions.
While this effort was poorly executed and ultimately came to nothing, it was an outrageous violation of The North Pacific’s sovereignty and will not be tolerated. To that end, I have ordered military strikes on six regions affiliated with the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators, and have filed indictments (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/6989211/page-6#post-10299385') against the individuals involved. We will continue to target the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators itself with our retaliatory recruitment and will strike against any region that maintains any ties with the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators.
It is clear from this plot that the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators, with Jocospor at the helm, has delusions of grandeur and empire. Its rhetoric regarding the common nation and opposition to elites rings hollow. It is not a region led by a pretend fascist, but an actual fascist, one who consorts with neo-nazi groups in secret, beyond the knowledge of even his Supreme Council.
We continue to oppose this direction and will continue to stand up against fascist forces in NationStates. We will not stand for this inexcusable behavior, whether it is directed at us, our allies, or our neighbors in this game. And we call on all regions to take the same stand.
Yours sincerely,
McMasterdonia
Delegate of The North Pacific
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Thank you for the report, @Sanjurika.
A part of me had always hoped that CCD was simply a misunderstood region, as many of its own residents sincerely believe to be the case. But these actions make it clear that its leadership puts its own self-perceived prestige above all else, and considers this end to justify all means...whether those means are the infiltration and attempted subversion of a sovereign region, or the private associations with Nazis. The deactivation of CCD's Discord in response to this investigation appears to be nothing short of an admission of as much.
Wintreath firmly condemns the assault on The North Pacific's sovereignty. How anyone ever could believe this scheme was a good idea in any way, I don't know, but I'm glad that at least they went with a foolish idea that was incompetently executed and had no chance of getting off the ground. If there's a scheme to be had, those are the best kind.
If nothing else, we should appreciate the clarity that these actions have provided. It is now impossible to perceive CCD under Jocospor as anything but a malicious entity that consorts with dangerous real-world ideologies. This information can be used to better protect other regions from their machinations, and to better inform those who weren't aware, including those within CCD itself who sincerely believed that all the fascism stuff didn't extend beyond roleplay.
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) NPA Report
by Rom, War Correspondent
(https://images-ext-2.discordapp.net/external/xZe5fWJxB_Qa7O49OfMCIrZS6-WzCcnW9LS8CnnWlvM/https/i.ibb.co/Xy6S7hG/BquQOG8.png)
Leadership
Minister of Defense: Trondstorm
Deputy Minister of Defense: Colonel Rom
During the month of December, the NPA participated in a variety of operations. Whether it was going on tag runs, doing some detags, raiding regions with our allies, or partaking in a liberation or two, we definitely had plenty of operations to do in December.
Having just wrapped up our hold in Cretanja Queendom with our allies, we decided to go on a joint tag run with TBH on the 7th of December. In this joint tag run, there were three teams of tag raiders that consisted of both TBH and NPA soldiers, and we were able to tag well over 40 regions between the three teams. We also participated in another raid with TBH, and other allies including the ERN, LWU, LKE, and Balder. With NPA soldiers and soldiers from those allied militaries, we partook in a raid of Cretenja Kingdom during the 22 of December. The NPA would also proceed to stay in the region, and help our friends hold the region until the conclusion of that operation.
The NPA also did several solo operations during the month of December as well, including several tag runs, a detag run, some liberations, and a successful defense as well. During the month of December, we did five tag runs, and tagged a total of 16 regions. Besides the tag runs, we also did a detag run, where we detagged 5 regions. We also liberated our close ally Stargate on the 23rd of December. Other operations the NPA did over December was a Liberation of the region The Tyrannian Empire, where we thwarted a refound attempt that was made by The Vedigothic Imperium during the December 16 Major. During that same update, the NPA also successfully defended a region, World Alliance of Kingdoms and Empires, from a TVI invasion, that one with the help of TITO.
The NPA concluded 2019 with a tag run on the 27th of December, where we tagged a total of 4 regions. We had a very great 2019, where we continued to partake in a wide variety of operations, and we kept ourselves very busy over the last year.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) The Spotlight #24 - Angshire
by El Fiji Grande and Angshire
El Fiji Grande: What made you decide to join TNP?
Angshire: Well, my nation Angshire was founded here. I decided to start getting involved in the community, first with roleplay, and then with government.
El Fiji Grande: When joining NS, nations are bombarded by recruitment telegrams. What about our community made you decide to stay?
Angshire: One of the telegrams that I received told me to block out all recruitment telegrams, which I did.
El Fiji Grande: It took you nearly three weeks to gain citizenship due to a duplicate account issue. What was that all about?
Angshire: Well, it was my older brother who introduced me to NationStates, and we shared a computer. He was involved in TNP as well, but not to the extent I am.
El Fiji Grande: Right, that sucks. Did you have to kick him off? XD
Angshire: He went off to college starting this September. Which was when I started actively playing and when I founded my main nation.
El Fiji Grande: You appeared on the RMB posters for the executive staff Home Affairs telegram list. Did this reach you/influence your decision to apply for the executive staff?
Angshire: Quite frankly, I don't remember the TG I recieved from Home Affairs. What made my decision to join executive staff was someone recommending it to me on the TNP RP server.
El Fiji Grande: I expected as much, but I figured I'd ask. Who recommended you join the RP server?
Angshire: I believe I found it after I joined the TNP main server, linked to the NS factbook.
El Fiji Grande: Right. Which roleplays have you taken part in since joining?
Angshire: Mainly RMB based ones. Strangereal, Hestis, Tempest Alpha, and Facet, all of which are RMB-based.
El Fiji Grande: For those who don't know, can you explain the major themes behind each of those RPs?
Angshire: Well, Strangereal is based on the modern world, similar to Eras. Hestis was based on the classical world, but I have no idea if Hestis is still running, or if it got discontinued. The rest, I presume, are also based on the modern world.
El Fiji Grande: Between October 9 and October 21, you became a member of all executive staff ministries. Is there a reason you didn’t apply to all of them all at once?
Angshire: Originally, I joined the Ministry of Culture. After being there for a couple of days, someone else recommended I joined Comms and WA Staff, which I did. Eventually, like a week or so later, someone else recommended that I join all of the ministries, so I could see which ones I liked and disliked. I ended up joining them all, and have decided to stay in them all.
El Fiji Grande: That's good news for TNP :D
You applied for TNP University Senatus on October 28. While the Senatus is now obsolete, do you have any plans to expand your thread on the Basics of Statistics into a full course?
Angshire: I don't know what I plan to do with that.
TNP University is obsolete now, you say?
El Fiji Grande: No. Just the Senatus plan that was pre University re-integration with TNP government.
You showed strong support for Marcus Antonius’ SC vote on Oct 28, 2019. What do you look for in a Security Councillor?
Angshire: My biggest concern for a Security Councillor, or for any governmental position for that matter, is activity. While Marcus might have been new to TNP relative to other members of the council, he has consistently shown that he is active and eager to engage in the TNP community.
El Fiji Grande: McM appointed you to the External Affairs Oversight Committee. Can you describe your role as a member of this committee?
Angshire: In all honesty, the External Affairs Committee has been relatively inactive. The chair, St George, recently resigned, so we are currently electing a new chair as of now.
El Fiji Grande: Ideally, what do you think its role should be?
Angshire: I think it's best role is to ensure that the management and administration of WA Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Defense are being conducted with integrity, honesty, and in the best interests of the region and the citizens.
El Fiji Grande: What is your opinion of the oversight committee process - back when it was more active, that is?
Angshire: I believe that it had potential, and I still believe it does, but it seems to have taken a back seat to the ministries, both then and now.
El Fiji Grande: In your opinion, are Ministry reports useful for government transparency?
Angshire: Most definitely. I believe the citizenry is entitled to know what goes on the region and the decisions that TNP is making.
El Fiji Grande: Let's move on. On Oct 30, you started the Count to 10 until Angshire posts thread. Do you enjoy spam games?
You’ve lost 25 times (so far) in that thread. How much does losing there irritate you?
Angshire: I did for a little while, like 2 weeks. Then I ended up getting busier with other governmental things.
Speaking of, I need to check that thread, I haven't checked it in days.
El Fiji Grande: On Nov 2, you decided to run for Justice. What did running a campaign to teach you about TNP’s elections?
Angshire: Well, me running for Justice definitely gave me a firsthand experience of what the election process is like, how votes are counted, how declarations of candidacy are made, etc. I believe that my experience running directly contributed to and was essential to my appointment as Election Commissioner.
El Fiji Grande: As I’m sure you’re aware, Marcus Antonius once ran a campaign for Justice as a newcomer as well. Did his campaign influence yours in any way?
Angshire: Bold of you to assume I was aware of that. Jokes aside, I think what I really focused on with my platform was trying to answer all questions as honestly and to the best of my ability as possible.
El Fiji Grande: I had thought he may have encouraged you to stick with it and un-withdraw from the race. Could you discuss your thinking on what made you decide to run again then?
Angshire: I forget who it was, I think it was Bob, but someone told me that, even if I didn't expect to win, the learning experience would be worth it in the long run.
El Fiji Grande: You ran on a platform of Activity, Fairness, and Loyalty. In your mind, why are those important qualities for a justice to possess?
Angshire: Activity is, in my opinion, the most essential, as a judge who rarely shows up is hardly a judge at all. You have to be actively engaged in this situation to deliver the best verdict. As for fairness and loyalty, I believe that both of those are linked to integrity and transparency, acting in the best interests of the region, regardless of personal preferences, being fair and just to both parties.
El Fiji Grande: You stated in your campaign that you “think it is important to increase the role the citizens play in the government’s operation.” What do mean by that, and how can future administrations improve?
Angshire: My biggest concern, and probably my first priority if I were ever to be elected to a higher governmental office, would be to increase citizen participation in the Regional Assembly, most likely through telegrams via Home Affairs. Additionally, I believe that the power the Regional Assembly plays in government operation should definitely be increased, whether that be through referendums or increased checks and balances.
El Fiji Grande: Interesting.
You obtained roughly ⅓ of the vote, putting you second to last, above Bobberino’s campaign. What do you think was the biggest reason that made voters vote for you?
Angshire: Most likely, I think voters voted for me for one of two reasons: either they wanted to see a fresh face in government, or they knew me through my heavy involvement in RP. A lot of the votes I received were from other RMB RPers.
El Fiji Grande: On Nov 5, 2019, you nominated yourself for Newcomer of the Year. You later also nominated yourself for Best Tourist Destination and for having the Best Flag. - You nominated yourself for the Judicial race and again for the Lennarts. You’re definitely not the only one to have done it, but why do you keep nominating yourself for things?
(TNP has a tradition of getting others to nominate you first)
Angshire: Putting myself out there is something I have been doing. I nominated myself for Newcomer as I believed I had a chance of winning. As for Tourist Destination, I had a high in-game tourism stat, and for best flag, one of the other RMB RPers nominated themselves, so I did too. And as for the Judicial race, nominating myself was the only way I would've gotten it: I was a fresh, relatively unknown player in TNP at the time, so it would have been unlikely that someone else would have nominated me.
El Fiji Grande: For what it's worth, I nominated myself for Best Flag too, so you're not alone :P
Also on Nov 5, 2019, you applied for the University, and you were accepted the same day. I know I already asked you about the University Senatus - What makes you interested in TNP’s University?
Angshire: At the time, the TNP University was the only major TNP institution I wasn't actively involved in yet. Additionally, at the time, a lot of the TNP University things were new, and I believed that with my experience in other ministries I could help out and gain some experience as well.
El Fiji Grande: On Nov 14, 2019, you applied to join the NPA and you were accepted the same day. What influenced your decision to join?
Angshire: Someone on the discord encouraged me to join, and I did.
El Fiji Grande: Since you didn’t have any experience with R/D when you joined, what is your opinion of the training program?
Angshire: I believe it to be beneficial.
I think, based on my own experience, the best way to learn with the NPA is learning through experience.
El Fiji Grande: Have you found someone to mentor you there?
Angshire: Not really, whenever I joined I immediately took part in an operation. It was more like everyone was my mentor.
El Fiji Grande: On Nov 16, 2019, you were promoted to Private First Class after your first raid with the NPA, which hit nine targets. What’s your rank now?
Angshire: I am still a Private First Class.
El Fiji Grande: I noticed that you've got several hundred endorsements. It suggests you may not be as active in the NPA going forward. What are your thoughts on your future in the NPA?
Angshire: Well, here's the thing: I believe I told you before because I'm in radio, but I don't have regular access to a computer currently. I have a chromebook but eh...and doing ops through mobile is practically impossible.
I don't know whether I'll ultimately choose to stick with NPA or endotarting, it all depends on government positions that I take and my schedule.
El Fiji Grande: On the topic of NS Cards, you obtained your own NS card through the TNP Great Card Giveaway due to your Keeper status. What is your opinion of the program?
Angshire: I personally believe that this program not only has a lot of potential but has also raised involvement in the community. It has gotten players who spend more time on the actual game to get involved in TNP politics, and I think that it is great. Definitely the best thing that McM has done during their term.
El Fiji Grande: What makes you interested in cards?
Angshire: Idk to be honest, I just find it to be a sort of fun minigame in NS. It's something to do when there are no issues to answer.
El Fiji Grande: Do you think NS Cards are a suitable reward for participating in regional programs?
Angshire: It totally depends on whether the person receiving the cards is into it or not. But I think as of now it is the best available reward.
The amount of activity in the Cards Guild is amazing, and it really shows the nations of TNP have some real dedication to cards.
El Fiji Grande: Are they enough to motivate you to do tasks?
Angshire: Sure, kinda. They're not the primary motivator.
El Fiji Grande: What is?
Angshire: My biggest motivator is the possibility of getting noticed by the higher government ranks so I can be nominated for other things. I love trying to make TNP a great experience for all, and I love trying everything I possibly can.
El Fiji Grande: Fantastic! And you've been doing a great job of that :D
On Nov 19, 2019, you applied to join the NS Cards Guild. You were accepted two days later, on Nov 21. Shortly thereafter, you were appointed to become Deputy Guildsmaster by Praetor. What do you believe led him to select you for the role?
Angshire: I think the main thing was my activity. While I certainly don't have the experience, the knowledge, or the skill of the other Deputies, I think what I bring to the table is an undying dedication to be an active participant.
El Fiji Grande: You certainly are active. What are your responsibilities as Deputy Guildmaster?
Angshire: Deputy Guildmaster is slightly different in terms of responsibilities than other Deputy executives in that, for the most part, the Deputy Guildmasters don't have so much to actually do, like make forum posts. The main thing we do is discuss ways to better reach out to the community, discuss events with cards, reward programs, etc.
We are kinda similar to the Ministry of Culture, but with a hyperfocus on Cards and a tie to reward programs.
El Fiji Grande: How does one become a Deputy Guildsmaster?
Angshire: Prae simply messaged me asking if I wanted to be a Deputy, and I said yes. My assumption is that Deputies are tied to the Guildmaster, like other ministry Deputies being tied to the Minister.
El Fiji Grande: For those who don’t know, can you explain what the Card Lottery, the Card Giveaway, the Market Watch, and the Card Queries page are?
Angshire: The Card Giveaway is for Guild members only - basically, you can request any non-legendary card you want, and when our farmers get it, then it is delivered.
The Card Lottery, on the other hand, is for Keepers of the North, rewards for exchanging endorsements and voting on WA resolutions.
The Market Watch, as the name suggests, gives statistics about the current card market in the form of plots and graphs. It includes card values, trades, deck values, and historical records for all of the above.
The Card Queries page can be found on the actual NS forum and basically helps you narrow down your search and find specific cards. For example, if I wanted to find the cards of commended WA nations, I could use the queries page to find it.
El Fiji Grande: How can someone who is new to the game start building a deck? How can they optimize their likelihood of winning a card here in TNP?
Angshire: I'd say the first step is to join the Card Guild. The people in the Card Guild are very experienced and could easily help guide a new player through the experience.
To optimize their winnings, just becoming a Keeper of the North helps tremendously.
El Fiji Grande: On Dec 2, 2019, you won a legendary on Day 2 of the 31 Days of Legendaries program. Your total deck value is now 99.66. Are you relying on a team of puppets, or can the majority of the growth be attributed to TNP’s card programs?
Angshire: My DV is almost entirely attributed to TNP card programs. All of the legendaries I have were obtained through TNP.
El Fiji Grande: On the subject of Foreign Affairs, you serve as ambassador to Forest. Forest is a relatively calm, quiet region as compared to some. Do you think such a region is best as the first assignment for someone new to the ministry, or would you have preferred a more engaging assignment?
Angshire: I definitely think that Forest is a suitable region for a first assignment. It isn't too much to handle and it helps an ambassador adjust.
El Fiji Grande: On Nov 5, you claimed the Spotlight interview #23 for TNS XIV. By the 29th, you completed your draft, having interviewed Koopa. How would you rate the experience?
Angshire: Not gonna lie, I didn't prepare enough for it. A lot of the questions I winged it, and I think that contributed to the relative lackluster quality of my interview.
El Fiji Grande: You shouldn't put yourself down like that - I thought your interview with Koopa was alright.
On Dec 4, 2019, you swore an Oath of Office to become Deputy Minister of WA Affairs, revitalizing the ministry with fresh blood. It’s been nearly a month since you became a deputy minister in WA Affairs - how is it going so far?
Angshire: Quite honestly I believe that, even though I have done some work, I haven't done as much as I'd wanted to. Personally, I also believe that two people in particular have shown dedication and activity exceeding my own: Deropia and Concrete Slab.
But, overall, it has been nice.
El Fiji Grande: Is WA Affairs the Ministry you're most interested in given your position there as Deputy Minister?
Angshire: As of now, yes. However, that could change, depending on if I get appointed in other ministries.
El Fiji Grande: nods I'll keep you in mind for Radio :P
On Dec 8, 2019, you were appointed to be an Election Commissioner by McMasterdonia. By Dec 14th, you were confirmed by the Regional Assembly. What makes you excited to take on the role?
Angshire: As always, I was excited to try out something new.
El Fiji Grande: In your mind, why is the election commission important?
Angshire: The Election Commission is not just important, it's necessary - having a group of trusted individuals who are able to cross-check each other ensures transparency, which is of the utmost importance.
El Fiji Grande: Of course. I'm glad to hear it from you.
Recently, on Dec 19, 2019, you approached McM and Prydania about having a Christmas-themed flag for TNP. What sparked the idea?
Angshire: I noticed other feeder regions with Christmas flags, and I thought, "Hey, TNP should have one too!" And one thing led to another.
El Fiji Grande: It's really cool the way it turned out. Thanks for the suggestion.
Angshire: My pleasure!
El Fiji Grande: That more or less brings us to the present. In the last three months, you’ve made an incredible mark on TNP as a newcomer. You’ve posted more than 400 times on both the RMB and the forum. You’ve really become a member of our community. Do you have any advice for other newcomers looking to get more involved?
Angshire: My biggest suggestion is to get involved in as much as you can. If that means trying out all the ministries until you find something that calls to you, then so be it.
And the biggest thing is to stay active. If I wasn't as active as I was my first couple of months, I likely wouldn't be anywhere close to where I am now.
El Fiji Grande: What can we look forward to from you in the future? Do you have any interest in running for elected office?
Angshire: I do eventually want to run for Delegate. However, that would be in the distant future, like in 2022. Hopefully I can be appointed as a Minister of some of the ministries, and maybe even become a VD before going for the Delegacy.
As for the near future my biggest goal is to be a Minister.
El Fiji Grande: I look forward to it!
And as a three-time former (and I suppose current) Minister and former delegate, I'd be happy to mentor you as you continue to advance in TNP.
I want your take: is the color of your forum name red or orange?
Angshire: I...I have no idea!
El Fiji Grande: Alas, it shall fore'er remain unresolved.
Angshire: Indeed.
El Fiji Grande: Your forum motto is that "Saying things in French makes you sound more cultured."
Why do you think that's true?
Angshire: My nation's motto in RP is "Longue vie au roi", which means "Long live the King" in French
And let's face it, "Longue vie au roi" just sounds fancier
El Fiji Grande: It does, it does.
What’s one question you’d like to be asked that I’ve overlooked?
Angshire: Maybe one question would be about me being one of the supervisors for the current election.
El Fiji Grande: Can you answer your own question?
For instance: What is it like to be a supervisor of the January elections?
Do you expect to encounter any challenges in performing the role?
Angshire: Well, me and Sil are the supervisors of the elections, and it'll be both of our first times. So far, it seems interesting and Siwale has guided us both through the steps.
Since McM is very likely to be re-elected, I expect no real challenges from the delegacy part of the election.
El Fiji Grande: Well, that's all I have. Thanks so much for taking the time to conduct this interview with me. Do you have any final thoughts?
Angshire: No, I think everything has been covered! Thanks for the opportunity for an interview!
El Fiji Grande: You're welcome!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Gorundu, Legislative Correspondent
Regional Assembly Highlights, December 2019
Speaker: Deropia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5032634/)
Deputy Speakers: Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/), Kaschovia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5062031/)
Current Business
Total Term Limits Act (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191501/) by abc (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5006661/)
Summary: This proposal aims to impose a total term limit of two terms for Delegates instead of the current consecutive limit of two terms. Although the author indicated he would be willing to increase the proposed total term limit, the bill was faced with widespread opposition, with the primary reasons given being that it would reduce competition and increase the chance of an incompetent Delegate. Just a few hours later, the author indicated he would like to withdraw the bill from consideration, which resulted in discussions on the Speaker's ability to table (withdraw) bills as rules were unclear. No subsequent action has been taken yet.
Status: In Discussion
Passed
Confirmation of Angshire (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5062147/), Sil Dorsett (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318789/), Scottie (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3314171/), Dreadton (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060805/) and Darcania (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3268033/) to the Election Commission
Summary: Due to the rapidly decreasing number of Election Commissioners due to inactivity and term expiry, Delegate McMasterdonia appointed five new Election Commissioners in a short timeframe to ensure the number of Election Commissioners will not fall below the minimum requirement of five for some time. All five appointees were confirmed, though some felt the process was rushed and the appointees have not sufficiently answered all questions, leading to an objection to vote in the case of Scottie.
Results
Angshire: 16 ayes, 3 nays, 6 abstentions
Sil Dorsett: 24 ayes, 0 nays, 3 abstentions
Scottie: 16 ayes, 4 nays, 7 abstentions
Dreadton: 21 ayes, 0 nays, 6 abstentions
Darcania: 26 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention
by [URL=https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5032634/]Deropia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191479/[URL=Revision of the Criminal Code to include Perjury[/URL)
Summary: Following a trial in which the defendant presented likely falsified evidence, Deropia proposed to make perjury a criminal offense, separate from the existing crime of fraud, with more specific punishments designated. It is currently at vote where it is expected to pass.
Results: 40 ayes, 0 nays, 2 abstentions
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by Rocketdog, Deputy Minister
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Repeal "Ban on Secret Treaties"
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 5,507 (37.0%); Against - 9,385 (63.0%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 106 (20.1%); Against - 421 (79.9%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 40.7%
Currently at vote in the Festering Snakepit...er...General Assembly is the repeal of "Ban on Secret Treaties" and to be frank, the argument isn't that compelling. We are being asked to repeal a perfectly functional piece of legislation because of a "joke" within the text of the target resolution. Upon realizing that this was the only argument the repeal made, the staff of the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs spent the night reviewing previously passed resolutions and found that a number of them include these jokes. One proposal calls the assembled ambassadors "drunks, stoners and weirdos" while another repeal includes a recipe for an Orange Julius. Including jokes in proposals has been a part of the institution since its inception.
The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, having given all due consideration to the repeal in question (which, let's be honest, wasn't very much.) recommends a vote Against the proposal.
Repeal "Promoting Natural Sciences in School"
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 5,663 (38.4%); Against - 9,087 (61.6%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 346 (64.7%); Against - 189 (35.3%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.0%
Currently under consideration by the General Assembly is the repeal of GA#475 Promoting Natural Sciences in Schools. Focusing on the possibility for intentional misinterpretation of the text of the resolution due to vague language, the lack of a requirement for the scientific information taught to students to have been verified by through peer review and requiring member states to fund the science programmes of private schools. The author makes a convincing argument. Though the Ministry believes that legislation supporting the advancement of the sciences is necessary, we believe that it should be written in such a way that doesn't mandate public funds be used to fund private schools and encourages the use of a peer review system. The Ministry hopes that with the repeal of GA#475 the General Assembly will pass a sufficient replacement that corrects these problems.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the proposal.
Repeal "Ban on Secret Treaties"
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 7,015 (48.4%); Against - 7,456 (51.6%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 170 (31.4%); Against - 371 (68.6%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.3%
Currently at vote in the Festering Snakepit...er...General Assembly is the repeal of "Ban on Secret Treaties" and to be frank, the argument isn't that compelling. We are being asked to repeal a perfectly functional piece of legislation because of a "joke" within the text of the target resolution. Upon realizing that this was the only argument the repeal made, the staff of the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs spent the night reviewing previously passed resolutions and found that a number of them include these jokes. One proposal calls the assembled ambassadors "drunks, stoners and weirdos" while another repeal includes a recipe for an Orange Julius. Including jokes in proposals has been a part of the institution since its inception.
The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, having given all due consideration to the repeal in question (which, let's be honest, wasn't very much.) recommends a vote Against the proposal.
Repeal "Civilian Aircraft Accord"
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 1,672 (13.4%); Against - 10,810 (86.6%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 74 (12.7%); Against - 507 (87.3%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 44.1%
"Civilian Aircraft Accord" is an important resolution safeguarding protections for civilian aircraft. The interpretation of this resolution provided by the repeal proposal is unreasonable and made in bad faith. The arguments of the repeal are based on a single sub-clause of the resolution requiring member nations to provide "Assistance to any civilian aircraft that declares itself to be in distress within the communication range of that nation". The repeal ignores the fact that the same resolution ensures pilots are properly trained and would not make false distress calls, as well as the provisions of GA#334 that forbid military combatants from falsely utilising protected status as civilians. Furthermore, the repeal presumes nations would send aircraft to intercept a distressed aircraft, when that is entirely unreasonable as the most effective form of assistance is through air traffic control. The last clause of the repeals poses a more implausible scenario - that nations would send aircraft to hostile territory for this purpose, even though the nation that the aircraft is actually in would be more suitable to handle the distress call.
In accordance with the reasoning presented above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this repeal.
Ensuring Commercial Vessel Navigation
Status: Passed Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 11,876 (85.2%); Against - 2,056 (14.8%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 469 (94.4%); Against - 28 (5.6%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 38.1%
This is a clearly-written resolution with reasonable definitions and mandates that improves the safety of commercial maritime transport. It distributes responsibility to governments, by requiring them to provide and update nautical charts, and commercial vessels, by requiring them to carry nautical charts and instrumentation, and to submit pre-planned routes to governments for approval. Overall, by ensuring governments and commercial vessels are equipped with the necessary tools and information for navigation, the proposal contributes to safer sea travel.
For the reasons above, the Ministry recommends a vote For this proposal
Don't Shoot Strangers Act
Status: Failed| Delegate's Vote: Against[/color]
Final Vote (World): For - 2,779 (21.3%); Against - 10,285 (78.7%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 78 (17.2%); Against - 376 (82.8%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 34.9%
Don't Shoot Strangers Act is a well-intentioned proposal to promote world peace, though its definition of acts of hostility would hinder its effectiveness. Of concern is the listing of violating national borders as an act of hostility, without regard for intention and failing to account for nations that may not have exact knowledge of a previously unencountered nation's borders. Its listing of four specific acts of hostility also failed to take into account non-physical hostile actions towards a nation or a nation's citizens committed outside that nation's borders, such as some forms of espionage, or harming a nation's interests internationally.
The Ministry, in hopes of a more effective redrafted proposal, recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Repeal "Convention on Animal Testing"
Status: Passed Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 11,532 (90.6%); Against - 1,193 (9.4%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 397 (88.8%); Against - 50 (11.2%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 34.2%
The target resolution was an attempt to place ethical restrictions on the use of animal test subjects. Based on the proposed repeal and our previous arguments during the voting period of the resolution, we find that the targeted resolution allows for the suffering of test animals through the exploitation of various loopholes. These loopholes include allowing testing facilities to "humanely" kill animals rather than putting them up for adoption and testing facilities setting their own definitions of "ethical testing."
In hopes of a future loophole-free resolution that guarantees the rights of test animals to the greatest extent possible, the Ministry recommends a vote For this proposal.
Wartime Healthcare Protections
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 9,966 (74.9%); Against - 3,340 (25.1%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 434 (87.3%); Against - 63 (12.7%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 38.3%
The proposal aims to protect medical facilities and the rights of injured combatants during wartime. The GA has previously passed resolution protecting civilians, and this would be another step in ensuring that the rights of people in general are protecting even in the chaotic times of war. The passing of this proposal would help to further strengthen the protection of personal rights during a wartime scenario, by protecting the access to medical care and preventing medical facilities from being targeted, thus ensuring the least possible casualties in armed conflicts.
In light of the above reasons, the Ministry recommends a For vote for this proposal.
Subject State Enforcement Act
Status: Failed| Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 1,942 (15.2%); Against - 10,819 (84.8%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 199 (38.6%); Against - 317 (61.4%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 39.8%
This is a much-needed resolution that would prevent some World Assembly members from circumventing the enforcement of resolutions in parts of their territories. In doing so, it would ensure General Assembly resolutions are applied more fairly across all member states. Thus, all member states would have General Assembly resolution apply to all parts of its territory, closing any loopholes in this area that may have previously existed.
For the above reasons, the ministry recommends a vote For this resolution.
Data Protection Accord
Status: Passed Delegate's Vote: For[/color]
Final Vote (World): For - 11,297 (79.7%); Against - 2,875 (20.3%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 450 (87.5%); Against - 64 (12.5%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 40.0%
Data Protection Accord is a sensible and well-written proposal that would protect the privacy of the individual from data-collecting organisations by requiring explicit consent from individual users for data collection (notwithstanding crime prevention) and ensuring users are informed on how their data is used and/or shared. Additionally, individual privacy is protected against governments as they are prohibited from viewing the data unless given consent by the individual and the data-collecting organisation (notwithstanding crime prevention and judicial orders). Furthermore, the proposal protects minors by ensuring consent for data collection is required from their guardians.
For the above reasons, the ministry recommends a vote For this resolution.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Commend Duxburian Union
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 10,731 (83.6%); Against - 2,111 (16.4%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 492 (90.1%); Against - 54 (9.9%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.8%
The matter before the World Assembly Security Council is the commendation of the Duxburian Union, better known to the international community as Vincent Drake. Throughout their career in NationStates, they have participated in over 6,000 defender operations. Counted among these are the liberations of The Monarchist Entente, St Abbadon, Japan, and Anontia. They also participated in the refounding of both their home region and Greece. The latter which had been under the oppressive rule of Yauna for almost a decade. The Duxburian Union is also credited with the development of Breeze++, a tool used by military organizations the world over. Despite the high quality of writing, potential issues arise in addressing their accolades and accomplishments in a consistent manner given the rest of the proposal.
However the Ministry does note concern with these aforementioned insufficiencies in proving warrant and reputable subject material, we do ultimately recommend a vote For the proposal given the vast contributions made by the target nation to the greater NS community.
Repeal "Liberate Aurelia"
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 13,497 (93.7%); Against - 2,111 (6.3%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 498 (93.1%); Against - 37 (6.9%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 40.1%
Shortly after passing of 'Liberate Aurelia', the region was liberated by military forces and power was restored to natives. During a time of rebuilding, a password is very useful in ensuring there is no attempt to retake the region by hostile forces. As such, the liberation has served its purpose and now can be safely removed to allow the natives to restore appropriate control over the region.
In accordance with the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this repeal.
Commend Markanite
Status: Passed Delegate's Vote: For[/color]
Final Vote (World): For - 10,192 (82.2%); Against - 2,208 (17.8%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 419 (90.1%); Against - 46 (9.9%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 35.6%
Markanite is a long-serving member of 10000 Islands, a commended region in itself. Currently the Chief Executive, and notably having been the longest-serving World Assembly Delegate of the region, Markanite has contributed significantly to the development of 10000 Islands and its place in the world. For an equally long time, Markanite has been a member of TITO, overseeing and participating in missions to restore lawful Delegates in large regions and protect founderless regions from external threats through refounding.
For the reasons above, the Ministry recommends a vote For this proposal.
Commend Ramaeus
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 10,393 (79.7%); Against - 2,654 (20.3%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 445 (90.5%); Against - 47 (9.5%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 37.9%
Ramaeus is a faithful and long-time citizen of The East Pacific, serving in many notable government positions, most notably three times as Delegate. In these positions, they have contributed to the development of the region internally and externally in a meaningful manner. Although their contributions are mostly concentrated in one region, they have been instrumental in enhancing the region's international image and fostering interaction between the region and the international community through the World Assembly, the East Pacific Sovereign Army, and alliances with other prominent regions. In addition, Ramaeus has been a prolific Security Council author, recognizing other nations for their achievements, and most recently played a significant part in organizing the liberation of their home region from a rogue Delegate.
For the reasons above, the Ministry recommends a vote For this commendation.
[small]The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: McMasterdonia :: Executive Editor: Marcus Antonius :
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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Thank you for the update! :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/qHIvxeZ.png?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)General Election Report
by Angshire (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/), Deputy Minister of Communications and ACR of Deerfenland (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060645/)
The Candidates
Delegate: McMasterdonia, Nessuno, & Felis.
Vice Delegate: Artemis & Robespierre.
Speaker: Deropia & Dreadton.
Attorney General: Vivanco & Hopps
The Election for Delegate
Following a very successful term, incumbent Delegate McMasterdonia announced his plans to re-run for Delegate, on a campaign of increasing citizen participation, strengthening the executive government and the ministries, and furthering opportunities for newcomers and returners to get more involved in TNP government. Providing detailed reports about each of the ministries, and goals for the next term, the plans that McMasterdonia had made for Delegate were laid out from the beginning. His campaign received immense support from the general populace, praising his efforts and accomplishments in his previous term.
The second candidate, Nessuno, represented the Animal Party, one of the few political parties of the North Pacific. Having served as the Lead Gameside Advocate for the previous term, and advocated for a “Revolution” in the North Pacific. His campaign included plans for radical changes, including a merge and reform of all the current ministries into five brand new ministries, and incorporating the Gameside Advocates into them. His call for the widespread adoption of socialism and purge of counter-revolutionaries created outcry against his campaign, with many voters simply denouncing it as a “joke campaign.” Nevertheless, he did garner support among some of his fellow GAs, as well as other citizens who are primarily on the RMB.
Finally, the third candidate was Felis, an unexpected candidate who had nominated themselves close to the end of the nomination process. Having spent all of his time-constrained to Eras roleplay, Felis was notable as the only candidate for Delegate who lacked previous experience in the North Pacific government. While he did indeed run and managed to gain votes, Felis never made an official campaign thread and, therefore, never officially ran on any campaign promises. Nevertheless, Felis did manage to win votes in the election, although his support came mostly from his fellow Eras roleplayers.
In the end, Delegate McMasterdonia won 89.00% of the vote, the highest out of any candidate across all four races of the January 2020 Election. Nessuno and Felis racked in at 8.00% and 3.00% respectively, coming in 2nd and 3rd. With only five voters choosing to abstain, the Delegate election also had the highest amount of voter participation among the four elections. 8.57% of voters wanted to re-open nominations.
The Election for Vice Delegate
Unlike the race for Delegate, the Vice Delegate race was highly competitive from the start. The first candidate, incumbent Vice Delegate Artemis (Sundred), had previously faced no competition in the September 2019 elections. He campaigned on the success and growth that TNP experienced. At the same time, he was Vice Delegate under McMasterdonia, while also promising to increase cooperation with the Cards Guild and host a region-wide endorsement event with the Ministry of Culture. Most of the questions were regarding his membership within the Security Council, with some condemning it as an unelected group of “elites.” Artemis, however, argued against that notion, and his campaign received mostly positive reviews from the general public.
The other candidate, Robespierre, served as Minister of Defense before his election campaign. Although a relative newcomer to the community, Robespierre boasted an extensive repertoire of accomplishments and previous positions. He based his campaign on a commitment to activity and transparency, while also maintaining that members of the Security Council will be held accountable to those same standards. His campaign also received mostly positive reviews, with many citizens commending his efforts in other government offices, while also being excited to see a fresh new face in the running. He also managed to gain the support of most of the North Pacific Army, and his promises to increase the power of the RA were met with wide acclaim.
At the start of the election, it was expected that sitting Vice Delegate Artemis would win. However, in a surprising political upset, it was Robespierre that won, with 53.06% of the votes. Artemis was close behind, placing 2nd with 46.94% of the votes. The Vice Delegate race was the closest of all four elections, with Robespierre winning by a vote of 52-46, a margin of just six votes. Only 1.90% of voters wanted to re-open nominations, the lowest amount across all four elections. There were seven abstentions.
The Election for Speakerr
There were two candidates for the office of Speaker. This was a highly competitive matchup between Dreadton and Deropia, who both had their own beliefs to bring to the table.
Deropia, a former Deputy Speaker, came into the election with several things that he wanted to accomplish. Speakers Checks and updating the Citizenship Rolls as well as engaging the region as a whole in legislation passed by the RA was a big thing that he wanted to be accomplished.
Dreadton’s story was different when he ran. With some prior experience in running a campaign for Speaker. Coming into the election, he did not have any significant plans for projects. However, he ran with several goals of what he wanted to accomplish. Monthly Citizenship Reports, Adoption of Bill Tracking Indicators into the Regional Assembly Procedures, and the addition of Deputies.
Coming in with 73.33% of the votes, Deropia captured the office of Speaker with 66 votes under his belt. Dreadton won a mere 26.67% of the votes with 24 votings under him. 14 Nations abstained, which meant that Deropia was elected as Speaker.
The Election for Attorney General
Just like the speaker and delegate races, the election race of the Attorney General was also uncompetitive, and one nation came out in a landslide victory over their opponent.
Vivanco ran on three core covenants; justice, a new light, and the people. He also came in with substantial experience under his belt. He acted as an ambassador to the Democratic Socialist Assembly, as well as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also showed early on in his candidacy that he was knowledgable about the topic of law and that he is interested in pursuing it as far as he can.
Hopps, unlike other candidates, did not have a campaign, but he, just like everyone else, had his visions that he would follow if he were to win the position.
With 85.19% of the votes, Vivanco was elected Attorney General. Forty-six voted for Vivanco, a mere eight voted for Hopps, and 51 voted to Abstain, but with that, Vivanco was elected as the Attorney General.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/), Minister of Communications
Regional Assembly Highlights, January 2020
Speaker: Deropia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5032634/)
Deputy Speakers: Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/), Kaschovia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5062031/)
Current Business
Term Limit Removal Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191639/) by Pallaith (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5000902/)
Summary: The Term Limit Removal Bill aims to do just as the title says. This constitutional amendment would amend Article 3 Section 12 to strike out a provision that limits the Delegate to being elected more than two consecutive terms. The bill has garnered a large amount of attention from a wide variety of members of the community. Opponents to the bill have indicated that this bill will not lead to an increase in competitive elections and will lead to a stagnation in our executive branch. Supporters of the bill have argued the opposite, citing that this bill will lead to an increase in competition and encourage members to run against incumbent Delegates.
Status: In Discussion
Military Modernisation Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191629/) by McMasterdonia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3108012/)
Summary: Originally drafted as an amendment to the Constitution and the Legal Code, the Military Modernisation Bill has been altered as an amendment to the Legal Code with the promise of discussion on a separate constitutional amendment. The MMB aims to replace from the Legal Code the chapter regarding the North Pacific Army and modernize the laws governing the NPA. This amendment aims to allow more flexibility to the operations of the NPA while still maintaining the Independent ideology and oversight from the Regional Assembly.
Status: In Discussion
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FsG8YGQy.png&hash=830f89855f5628222c1a0109e1ef13e8)NPA Report
by Rom (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3238036/), War Correspondent
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-ext-2.discordapp.net%2Fexternal%2FxZe5fWJxB_Qa7O49OfMCIrZS6-WzCcnW9LS8CnnWlvM%2Fhttps%2Fi.ibb.co%2FXy6S7hG%2FBquQOG8.png&hash=c9403e130971d2b1a91554263dfc8fcc)
Leadership
Minister of Defense: Trondstorm (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061510)
Deputy Minister of Defense: Colonel Rom (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3238036/)
The North Pacific Army (NPA) had a very busy January, continuing to do a wide variety of operations. From doing fash bashes, tag runs, raiding regions to liberating regions, the NPA conducted several different types of operations throughout January.
To begin the month, the NPA, along with some of our friends, raided the region of Iran. A total of twenty-six (26) NPA soldiers participated in the operation, which lasted for a little over a week. This operation was considered to be a success as we were able to hold the delegacy despite several attempts made by defenders to liberate the region.
Another big operation that the NPA did in January was tagging regions that had an embassy with the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators (CCD). A total of nine regions that had embassies with CCD got tagged by the NPA between two different tag runs. These tag runs sent a strong message to regions that are considering relations with CCD that they have gained the attention of the NPA, and that we will tag your region if you wish to align yourself with CCD.
The NPA also participated in a couple of liberations in January. One of the first liberations we did this month was to liberate the region Christianity Union. This region was being held by Farkasfalka, a fascist region that also is allied with CCD. Later in January, the NPA, along with other defenders, liberated the region of Cheddar, a region that was being held by Lone Wolves United (LWU).
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FsG8YGQy.png&hash=830f89855f5628222c1a0109e1ef13e8)WA Digest
by Brendog (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/), Minister of Home Affairs
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time
Data Protection Accord
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 3,814 (26.2%); Against - 10,713 (73.8%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 91 (15.8%); Against - 484 (84.2%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.9%
Forensics Accord is a poorly-written proposal that was submitted with virtually no drafting. Firstly, its title is misleading as it suggests the proposal is about forensics in general, when it exclusively covers "forensic genetics". Another major flaw of the proposal is that it does not mandate any action from nations, as its clauses only "encourage", "welcome" or "emphasize" certain things, meaning it is essentially useless and arguably has no area of effect. Its category of health is also arguably incorrect, as it does not fit the description. Furthermore, the proposal is ironically full of both vague undefined terms and unnecessary definitions. It defines the word "forensics", which is not used at all in the rest of the text, while its other definition is for "impunity", a word used only once. The vague term "forensic genetics", which is used multiple times, is undefined, while other terms such as "international sentient law" or "sentient rights international law" are unclear and/or grammatically incorrect.
For the above reasons, the ministry urges a vote Against this proposal.
Ensuring Safe Syringe Use
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For - 13,592 (86.9%); Against - 2,041 (13.1%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 552 (94.4%); Against - 33 (5.6%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 41.9%
Ensuring the use of safe, sterilized syringes is a worthwhile goal for the World Assembly even if it does not seem like an obvious issue, as it will contribute to the overall reduction in the transmission of bloodborne illnesses. The current proposal does this in such a way that it does not place undue strain on medical systems in less developed member nations.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the proposal.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary
Commend Benevolent Thomas
Status: Passed | Delegate's Vote: For*
Final Vote (World): For - 11,930 (81.5%); Against - 2,710 (18.5%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 445 (90.4%); Against - 47 (9.6%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 38.0%
While previously The North Pacific had voted against commendations for the same individual, we no longer believe that a small incident over a miscommunication should prevent the commendation of a notable individual. Since the previous attempts, The Order of the Grey Wardens, founded by Benevolent Thomas, has cemented its place as a premier defender organization, and Benevolent Thomas has been recognized internationally for dedication to defending. Along with his service in developing several regions, including many prominent duties in European Union, working to revive 00000 A World Power (a prominent defender region) and significant roles in 10000 Islands as delegate, and all achievements highlighted in the proposal, Benevolent Thomas is most deserving of a commendation.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the proposal.
Condemn Norlands
Status: Failed | Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For - 1,741 (12.8%); Against - 11,878 (87.2%)
Final Vote (TNP): For - 57 (10.8%); Against - 467 (89.2%)
Percentage of TNP WA nations voting: 37.5%
A roleplay proposal, which not frequently seen in the Security Council, is one that addresses the roleplay activity of a nation, rather than gameplay actions such as raiding/defending or regional politics. A roleplay condemnation is viewed as a badge of honour for playing a good villain IC while contributing to the roleplay community OOC. On the surface, this appears to be a perfectly fine proposal of this category. However, upon closer examination, many actions by the subject, Norrlands, such as launching unprovoked nuclear strikes, or pushing another nation to launch 14 nuclear warheads, is indicative of unrealistic and excessively militaristic roleplay. Furthermore, the subject roleplays solely in the Discord server of Sonindia, and has not made any contributions to the general NationStates roleplay community.
For the above reasons, the ministry recommends a vote Against this resolution.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: McMasterdonia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3108012):: Executive Editor: Artemis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753):: Managing Editors: Angshire (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5062147/)and Bobberino (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450)
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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Very nice as always ^^ perhaps we should start doing WA vote summaries like this.
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Thanks for the update! It is much appreciated. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/hI6sqE9.png?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Bobberino, Minister of Communications
Speaker: Deropia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5032634/)
Deputy Speakers: Koopa (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060570/), Rom (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3238036/), MadJack (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968/), Owenstacey (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318453/)
Current Business
Delegate's Report Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190483/#post-10307353) by Brendog (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/)
Summary: This bill writes into law the recent common practice of Ministers providing reports as per their administration's requests, following the precedent established by El Fiji Grande in his Delegacy.
Status: In Discussion
Lessening Repeating Work Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9190741/#post-10305904) by Praetor (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3302031/)
Summary: An election law based bill, this addresses the addition of preferential voting into our judicial elections, eliminates restarting elections, which also permits candidates withdrawing during voting. In addition, it provides yet more power to the oligarchy by stating that after backwards tie-breaking a tie remains, the longest-standing citizen is declared the winner, in a clear bone thrown to the oligarchy to get this passed.
Status: In Discussion
Court Rule Amendments Consulation (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9191863/) by Zyvetskistaahn (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3157760/)
Summary: A bill that makes some common sense changes regarding the court rules and presents them to the RA. These include the court seeking out government officials for R4Rs relevant to them, a statement re: how to submit and withdraw R4Rs, an extension for opinion drafting and submission from 7 to 14 days, and introducing rules re: Freedom of Information and an insurance plan for vexatious appeals and/or relevant reviews are vexatious.
Status: In Discussion
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)NPA Bulletin
by Pierce, Communications Staffer, NPA Soldier
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-ext-2.discordapp.net%2Fexternal%2FxZe5fWJxB_Qa7O49OfMCIrZS6-WzCcnW9LS8CnnWlvM%2Fhttps%2Fi.ibb.co%2FXy6S7hG%2FBquQOG8.png&hash=c9403e130971d2b1a91554263dfc8fcc)
Leadership
Minister of Defense: Trondstorm
Deputy Minister of Defense: Colonel Rom
The North Pacific Army (NPA) participated in a few operations, consisting mainly of refounds.
From the 29th of February to the 9th of March, a strong force of 20 NPA soldiers participated in a joint operation with The Black Hawks (TBH) on the region of Opstan to prevent a refound by removing the Delegate and all Regional Officers. The operation ended by the Minor update on the 9th of March, by which the region was passworded.
On the 7th of March, Colonel BluieGamer of the NPA refounded Itaque Sanctus Defensus after it had ceased to exist. The region was previously protected by Chapter 7.6 Section 32 and 33, which protects regions and its natives from permanent harm and excessive force through altering the embassy list, password protecting the region, forcibly removing natives, and refounding the region. The section states that exceptions can be made upon authorization of the Delegate and majority approval of the Regional Assembly. Since the region had formerly been an embassy partner with the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators, Delegate McMasterdonia proposed the exception for ISD alongside other regions to the RA on the 15th of February and the exception was approved with a 30-3 vote. The region had ceased to exist during the vote, and it was refounded following the passage of the exception and passworded.
On the 24th of March, the NPA took note during a training operation that the Hitlers Alliance had been abandoned by its natives, and was refounded by Corporal Nimarya and Colonel BluieGamer to prevent the region from being a site for fascists.
Finally, the NPA captured and refounded the region Nessuno (named after Lead Gameside Advocate Territorio Di Nessuno) to prevent its use from outside individuals.
[h][/h]
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) March 2020 Judicial Election
by Haven
With four months since November now behind us, it's time for another judicial election. March's vote comes as the Court in recent months has faced criticisms over a series of seemingly over-punitive decisions, including in cases featuring guilty pleas and requests for commutation. It also follows the abolition of the office of the Attorney General with the passing of the AGORA Act, leading to questions of the Court's standing to decide on legal ambiguities in a trial format, among other issues. The field was exceptionally large this month, with six candidates eventually making it to the final ballot. This including respected veterans and a few fresh faces looking to make a name for themselves on the bench.
The Candidates:
Vivanco
Zyvetskistaahn
Wonderess
Lady Raven Wing
Eluvatar
Alamei
MintChocoIC13 (Disqualified)
Vivanco
Vivanco's campaign emphasised his experience as Attorney General, and his record of upholding the independence of the judiciary. Vivanco responded to the issue of harsh sentencing by implying punishments may seem "more harsh [sic]" due to their final nature. Though they seemed to support the idea that the Court should always be open to rehabilitation, they indicated that past good deeds should not negate a bad act in the eyes of the law.
Notably, they supported establishing a civil procedure for the Court, as a forum outside of moderation for the resolution of conflicts among individuals. They stated that the administration would assume the duty of enforcing these decisions, though they did not indicate what penal actions may be incurred upon violation.
Vivanco received 18.31% of the vote and was not elected.
Zyvetskistaahn
Having served as the previous Chief Justice, Zyvetskistaahn's reelection campaign had an air of inevitability surrounding it, heightened by a highly thorough, issue-based campaign. On procedures, Zyvetskistaahn laid out a plan for much-needed reforms following the AGORA Act, including alteration of the requests for review form, the introduction of a form for indictments, and rule amendments to reflect the inevitable delay that will come from appointing a prosecutor after charges are accepted. Other amendments he endorsed included clarifying of indictments and requests for approval for bans, the introduction of requirements that changes to indictments be approved by the Court, and changes to the guilty plea process.
Zyvetskistaahn received 49.30% of the vote and was elected.
Lady Raven Wing
Lady Raven Wing, running a concise but thoughtful campaign, was a clear favourite for reelection as Justice, having received several high-profile endorsements early on. Her time as Justice launched them from a relative unknown in TNP politics to a highly respected and experienced member of the bench.
In the wake of the AGORA Act, she indicated that the Court should, going forward, not be resolving ambiguities of law in the criminal trial process, if at all. She qualified that this pertains only to ambiguities that do not result in "Constitutional conflict". Speaking on penal restrain, she stated that she did not feel any particular cases in recent years were decided improperly or that the Court handed down any unreasonable punishments.
Lady Raven Wing received 50.70% of the vote and was elected.
Wonderess
This was Wonderess' second campaign for Justice, having run unsuccessfully last July in a comparatively bare-bones effort. This time around, he emphasised his conservative approach to interpreting and applying the statute, declaring that it was not the Court's role to innovate on the law but instead to act as a "respectful referee" of the trial process.
On the issue of retribution, Wonderess pointed to The North Pacific v Bobberino as a case in which the Court could have pursued more leniency. He made it clear, however, that he did not see it as his place to criticise the Court for its previous decisions, especially considering we the public may not have all the "pieces of the puzzle". He offered a reasonable position on heavy-handed rulings, emphasising that punishment should be, first and foremost, about the rehabilitation of the defendant and that the Court should use only such legal force as necessary to affect this outcome. He indicated that, especially with as sparse a body of case law as the North Pacific has, precedent should not be the final word, and that each case encompasses unique circumstances that require a unique approach to resolution, even if the charges are the same.
Wonderess received 50.70% of the vote and was elected.
Eluvatar
Eluvatar, the renowned former Delegate and elder statesman who has previously served in the now-defunct position of Attorney General, only tentatively accepted his nomination for Justice. He failed to post a campaign thread, and seemed to have relied on name recognition and a robust record.
Eluvatar received 32.39% of the vote and was not elected.
Alamei
Though a TNP native for some time, Alamei has only recently begun to actively engage in regional government. An experienced legal official for the Versutian Federation, Alamei hopes to bring their philosophy of transparency and impartiality to the North Pacific. They supported the recent reforms under the AGORA Act, stating that it made the Court more accessible to the "common citizen". They also proposed a rule change that would allow Justices other than the Moderating Justice to ask questions of trial participants, suggesting this would allow Justices an opportunity to make a more 'fully informed' decision.
Alamei received 35.21% of the vote and was not elected.
MintChocoIC13
MintChocoIC13 did not post a campaign, and they lost their citizenship during the initial vote. They were struck from the ballot, and a new vote was triggered automatically.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by El Fiji Grande
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.
Oceanic Waste Disposal Ban
Status: Discarded
Delegate's Vote: No vote
Final Vote (World): For: 13,550 Against: 2,693
Final Vote (TNP): For: 533 Against: 50 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.3%
No Recommendation
Repeal: "Promotion of Recycling"
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3,028 Against: 12,850
Final Vote (TNP): For: 46 Against: 547 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.8%
Recommendation:
This repeal ironically uses rather ambiguous reasoning to argue that clause 3 of GAR #483 is ambiguous, stating that it creates for possible loopholes and abusive regulations for member nations and large corporations, without providing prove or examples as to how the by the author predicted negative consequences might come to pass. It is also rather contradictory, in claiming firstly that clause 3 was ambiguous, but then stating that clause 3 specifically creates abusive regulations while in fact the resolution itself does not create those regulations, but requires member nations to create regulations or subsidizations and tailor them according to their needs and requirements. Although it is possible for environmental regulations such as those on recycling to impact small businesses more than big businesses, it is up to national governments to craft regulations that do not disadvantage small businesses unfairly.
Considering further that the author of the target resolution is currently working together with other members of the World Assembly to properly repeal GAR #483 and replace it in order to correct actual deficiencies, of which none where mentioned in this repeal, the Ministry advises to vote Against this proposal.
Disease Naming Compact
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 8,490 Against: 7,203
Final Vote (TNP): For: 210 Against: 379 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.5%
Recommendation:
This proposal appears to be written opportunistically based on current real-life events. Unfortunately its provisions appear unnecessary as a common name for a novel disease would be adopted by most nations through communications between government authorities, and medical professionals would be aware of different names if they exist. In addition, the large variation in the languages of WA nations will make the task of creating a name suitable for all languages functionally impossible, and nations need flexibility to adopt a name that suits their language.
For the above reasons, the Ministry recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Interference Causing Equipment Act
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 3,511 Against: 11,040
Final Vote (TNP): For: 51 Against: 500 Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.4%
Recommendation:
While a well-intentioned proposal, it unfortunately falls victim to wording problems, which are at times overly complex while also creating loopholes. For example, clause 2i includes technical vocabulary that is not properly defined. Clause 3 prohibits distribution of non-compliant devices between member states while allowing member states to import and export from non-member states. Clauses 3 and 4 together ensure only member states capable of developing non-compliant devices are able to use them for government purposes such as security and defence, while those not as technologically advanced cannot purchase them, and are left without a vital line of defence.
For these reasons, the Ministry recommends a vote Against this proposal, in hopes of a better resolution in the future.
On the Health and Financial Well-Being of Workers
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 6,815 Against: 8,326
Final Vote (TNP): For: 463 Against: 101 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.4%
Recommendation:
This proposal aims to establish leave for workers in the event they become sick, have a family medical emergency, or if they have children. These types of events in a person's life are important for them to attend to, regardless of work obligations. On top of that, in the event they are sick, it would be wise to provide some sort of program that allows them to stay home and prevent the spread of the disease. Further, workers will receive identical compensation as they would have had they been at work, easing financial stress undertaken by not attending work. Creating an umbrella program for each of these, allowing greater flexibility for workers, is the best course of action.
For these reasons, the Ministry recommends a vote For this proposal.
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.
Liberate The East Pacific
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 6,708 Against: 8,799
Final Vote (TNP): For: 211 Against: 365 Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.7%
Recommendation:
In an event that can only be described as confusing, the Delegate of the East Pacific themselves has called for an end of their tyranny and wishes for a liberation of their region. While The North Pacific is always glad to help the weak and oppressed, we believe in this case it is sufficient to point out all the wonderfull options available to end ones own tyranny and political career, like self-impeachement or a good old donation affair.
While we advise a vote Against this proposal, we sincerely wish The East Pacific all the best in ending its Delegate's reign of tyranny.
Commend Kindjal
Status: Passed
Delegate's Vote: For
Final Vote (World): For: 10,818 Against: 4,208
Final Vote (TNP): For: 519 Against: 72 Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.6%
Recommendation:
While we have our reservations, Kindjal has demonstrated a determination in a popular field of the game that is not usually discussed in the Security Council. Although they intended to dedicate to roleplay, they struggled with writing as English is not their first language. Instead, they chose a path that led to them becoming the best in their field of NS issues. Kindjal, in adjudicating right from wrong, has topped every other nation in 10 different censuses in the game, all of which are highly competitive. We hope that this well-written commendation demonstrates that nations in all fields of the game can be commended, and serve as an inspiration to dedicated issue answerers.
For the above reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this commendation.
Commend Cormactopia Prime
Status: Failed
Delegate's Vote: Against
Final Vote (World): For: 4,255 Against: 8,936
Final Vote (TNP): For: 63 Against: 459 Percentage of WA nations voting: 36.4%
Recommendation:
Cormactopia Prime, commonly known as Cormac, despite being a potentially deserving nominee, is the subject of a rather stale proposal that doesn't paint an accurate picture. Cormac is known for being capricious but still dedicated and charismatic in any role (defender, invader, imperialist, journalist, etc) they decide to take. The proposal doesn't argue that, rather that Cormac has great recognition among their peers for a collection of accomplishments. The proposal is jumpy and doesn't flow well throughout the clauses, each of which is shakily written and barely supports the the initial argument. Several of the clauses, such as the "Affirming" clause on developing stability in Osiris, contradict further evidence on Cormac's history with Osiris.
For these reasons, the Ministry recommends a vote of Against "Commend Cormactopia Prime", hoping for a better proposal down the line.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Spotlight - with 9003
by McMasterdonia, Delegate
McMasterdonia: Today I am joined by 9003, a relatively new member of The North Pacific who is already a prominent member of our community and in the Cards Guild specifically. Welcome and thank you for joining me!
9003: Thanks for having me!
McMasterdonia: Firstly, can you tell me a little about your background in NationStates? When did you join and which region did you first call home?
9003: I've played for 7 years now. Pretty much after founding my nation I got a lovely simple telegram from Sauron recruiting for Mordor. It said “one does not simply walk into Mordor” so I did the only logical thing and simply walked in. I helped develop the then fledgling region into a hotspot of a player region after out posting the RMB bot, I joined the force of Mordor and held a warzone for a couple of months.
McMasterdonia: What did you enjoy most about your time in Mordor? During your time of supporting regional development in that region, what did you learn?
9003: I learned a lot about developing the region including that the founder and in turn dark lord can be put on trial and serve as the sitting judge on said trial. In a mess of legal debate. My favorite activity in Mordor was spamming on the forum I played every one of the games to a crazy level reaching several thousand posts a week. Raising in the ranks in the forces of Mordor was also fun and fits well with me joining the NPA now.
McMasterdonia: Excellent! We will get to your NPA service in a moment, but before that What made you decide to join The North Pacific?
9003: What made me join tnp was the card lotto after seeing all the legendaries going about I knew I had to get in on the action for some of those!
McMasterdonia: How did you hear about the card lottery? Always interested to know how our outreach is going!
9003: I heard about the lottery from the marketplace discord after The Northern Lights posted some winners. The chance to win a soops or mindless contempt while collecting Ex flags was a huge draw. They are the peak ex flag card, after that I knew I couldn’t sit it out any longer.
McMasterdonia: Did this create any conflict for you? In terms of deciding to leave Mordor for The North Pacific?
9003: Well all in all I still haven't "left" Mordor my main has due to a small snafoo with NS breeze. Blowing my 7 years of residency. So I switched a puppet in but for the most part the Mordor government has fallen aside and is quite and a shadow of its former glory
McMasterdonia: And ever since, you have been very involved in The Cards Guild! What is it about Cards that you find enjoyable within the context of NationStates?
9003: I love cards because they give nationstates more of an active game rather than logging on once in a while to answer issues.
McMasterdonia: Regarding the NPA, it has been great seeing you get involved there. What made you decide to participate in our Army and how have you found it to be?
9003: After serving in the forces of Mordor and reaching the rank of general there I partook in the UDL for a while before hanging my hat up on r/d for a good while. However, once I saw the NPA was an active army I knew I had to join and give it another shot.
McMasterdonia: Would you say that before joining the NPA you would have identified as a defender?
9003: I would say I identified mostly defender. After some espionage missions among den (pre-predator days) I jumped for a mission or two of tags and always enjoyed it but until now didn't have an army that supported the view. I very much like the NPAs method to preserve the wfe and flag. As the big part of raiding I didn't like was destroying random regions when they didn't do anything warranting destruction.
McMasterdonia: Wow! So you were involved in espionage ops against DEN?
9003: I was mostly just there to muck things up and see if they were up to any large scale raids. The level of opsec was next to zero during that time.
McMasterdonia: So joining the NPA could be another espionage operation? :P
9003: For who! The now defunct forces of Mordor lol. And nah I wouldn't move my main nation into the region if I was, I would have far too much to lose.
McMasterdonia: Naturally I am just teasing! How has your experience differed to your prior military experience?
9003: The npa has a larger occupational force and a larger active force. Most operations of Mordor’s forces were missions with 5 nations. Therefore seeing the NPA show up to a joint op or even just a regular op with 7+ jumpers is impressive and having the Generals here to help out new folks is awesome.
McMasterdonia: You also mentioned earlier that you like that the NPA does not (as a general rule) do destructive raids. Are there any circumstances where you think a destructive raid is desirable and necessary?
9003: Well in the case of anyone The North Pacific is at war with would be a very justified cause or any region that is causing distress to the greater nationstates community.
McMasterdonia: Do you see yourself getting involved in other areas of The North Pacific? Are you interested in pursuing higher office?
9003: I'm trying to. Truth be told when I first moved here it was during the delegate election and I tried to run to only be shot down by just a few days short on the residency requirement. Now, I have learned that it would be far better to learn more about the position before I try and run for it. But I would love to run for more at some point. For now, I am enjoying serving as a Deputy Guildmaster. It is great fun!
McMasterdonia: What about the executive staff? Have you considered getting involved in other Ministries?
9003: I have been considering joining the culture Ministry. It fits quite well with Cards and I would be interested to get involved in their other activities.
McMasterdonia: That concludes our interview! Thank you once more for your time 9003. We look forward to seeing your future contributions to The North Pacific.
9003: My pleasure, thank you for having me![h][/h]
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: McMasterdonia :: Executive Editor: Bobberino :: Managing Editor: Robespierre and Cosmosplosion
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)May 2020 General Election Report
by Cretox State (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063529/')
In May 2020, The North Pacific underwent its general elections for the Delegate, Vice Delegate, and Speaker positions. It marks the first General Election since the AGORA Act was passed, abolishing the position of Attorney General. This election was one of the most competitive in recent memory, with six candidates vying for Delegate and four running for Vice Delegate. Voter turnout was markedly higher than the January General Election, as well. The Delegate election entered into an instant runoff and consisted of two rounds, with the candidates with the least number of votes in the first round being eliminated before the second. No nominations were re-opened.
May 2020 Election Results: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192226/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192226/)
The Candidates
For Delegate: Prydania, Praetor, Gorundu, Yuno, Rocketdog, and Mall.
For Vice Delegate: Artemis, Lady Raven Wing, Filiposgov, and Tinfect.
For Speaker: St George and Highton.
The Results
Delegate: Prydania
Vice Delegate: Artemis
Speaker: St George
The Election for Delegate
Due to previous Delegate McMasterdonia hitting term limits, the position of Delegate was open to new candidates, each of whom brought their own ideas to the table.
Our first candidate, Prydania, served in a number of appointed positions within TNP, such as Minister of Culture (under Delegates Ghost, Fiji, and McMasterdonia), Lead RP Mod (since late 2019), and Deputy Speaker (under Wonderess). Though he never held an elected position, Prydania expressed his belief that he had "the experience in government necessary to make an honest go of it." Prydania built his campaign around community and integrity. Referring to the ongoing pandemic, he expressed his intent "to use the vast resources our region has to foster a sense of TNP community to make this hard time for us all just a bit more manageable." Prydania outlined his belief in "a measured approach" and bringing transparency and integrity to the office of Delegate, promising to "always be upfront and honest about what [he believes], and what [his] intentions are on any given matter." His proposed agenda focused on strengthening the region both at home and abroad, with special emphasis on increasing the activity and visibility of the Ministries of Home Affairs, Culture, Communications, and Radio, as well as the Cards Guild. Prydania also emphasized his desire to strengthen the region's ties with its allies through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and World Assembly Affairs.
Prydania received 48.92% of the vote in the first round and 50.36% of the vote in the second round, becoming our new Delegate.
The details of Prydania's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192152/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192152/)
Our second candidate, Praetor, built his platform around revitalizing the region through bold new initiatives. Speaking on the matter of transparency, he asserted that he would "openly accept applications" to the executive staff and "continue the tradition of meritocracy in our democracy." He also promised to "provide an update every week to the region on the progress of the government: what have we accomplished, what are we planning to do, and what did we fail to do." Praetor articulated several new ideas he wished to implement in the various Ministries, such as "a format for players to bring ideas that they have for the region to the Home Affairs" and having the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs "maintain a list of potential resolutions for new authors to work with."
Praetor received 30.94% of the vote in both the first and second rounds, and was not elected.
The details of Praetor's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192154/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192154/)
Gorundu, our third candidate, pitched his potential Delegacy as a natural extension of his time in TNP's government, which included serving as Minister of World Assembly Affairs and Speaker. Rather than making grand promises, Gorundu vocalized a desire "to be a representative for all TNPers." In short, his campaign focused on "presenting solid, realistic and insightful plans that can take the region above and beyond." Gorundu elaborated on policy objectives such as expanding hiring for the executive staff through "specific advertisements for each ministry," and being "more active on the Regional Message Board." His proposed agenda for specific ministries included continuing to expand upon the mission of the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, and improving the frequency of content creation by Culture, Communication, and Radio through increasing available staff pools.
Gorundu received 9.35% of the vote in both the first and second rounds, and was not elected.
The details of Gorundu's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192153/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192153/)
Our fourth candidate, Yuno, ran a simple and straightforward campaign, promising to "send daily telegrams advertising ministries, games (especially free games)," distribute "lesson resources... and tell more people to vote." As the former Delegate of The East Pacific, Yuno possessed a level of experience above that of other candidates. She expressed her wish to make government recruitment less traditional, with "regional TGs [being used] more often for accessories stuff that 'regular RMBers' might be interested in" and more personal telegrams and citizen applications.
Yuno received 6.47% of the vote in the first round and 9.35% of the vote in the second round, and was not elected.
The details of Yuno's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192151/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192151/)
Rocketdog, our fifth candidate, pledged to focus "on consolidation and collaboration" within the region's government. "Having served as Minister of Home Affairs, Communications and Foreign Affairs, some multiple times, over the past few years, [he articulated his desire] to use that experience to foster more cooperation between ministries, other entities and resources." Rocketdog's proposed agenda was built around fostering collaboration between individual Ministries. Specific policy proposals included modernizing the region's handbook dispatches, promoting recruitment, releasing more tutorials, and increasing the frequency of The Northern Light's publications.
Rocketdog received 2.16% of the vote in the first round (tied lowest with Mall), and was therefore eliminated as a candidate.
The details of Rocketdog's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192155/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192155/)
Mall, our sixth candidate, ran on a platform of "Let's Make Things Worse". Mall promised to "burn this region to the ground" by calling "upon every major raider org to endorse" him and purging TNP. Mall stated that, towards the conclusion of his term, he would ban as many nations as he could before conquering The Rejected Realms. Additionally, he expressed a desire "to continue the fine tradition of the NPA raiding Nazis."
Mall received 2.16% of the vote in the first round (tied lowest with Rocketdog), and was therefore eliminated as a candidate.
The details of Mall's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192159/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192159/)
The Election for Vice Delegate
Our first and incumbent candidate, Artemis, pitched his potential additional term as a continuation of his existing agenda. Artemis' platform was very straightforward, with a focus on active endotarting, "working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to work on retention of the recent surge of nations," continuing the tradition of Weekly Vice Delegate Updates, and attempting to make TNP the number one region in average World Assembly endorsements.
Artemis received 87.69% of the vote, and was elected Vice Delegate in a landslide victory.
The details of Artemis' platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192160/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192160/)
Our second candidate, Lady Raven Wing, built her campaign on a promise of "Security for None". Pledging to work alongside Mall should he become Delegate, Lady Raven Wing's platform included denying citizenship applications, extending all Security Council votes indefinitely, and granting any citizens deemed worthy access to the SC forums.
Lady Raven Wing received 7.69% of the vote, and was not elected Vice Delegate.
The details of Lady Raven Wing's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192161/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192161/)
Our third candidate, Filiposgov, ran as a relative newcomer to the region. His campaign focused on improving the retention of new nations and assisting the Delegate in strengthening the region overall. On 11 May 2020, Filiposgov conceded the election for Vice Delegate.
Filiposgov received 3.08% of the vote, and was not elected Vice Delegate.
The details of Filiposgov's campaign can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192175/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192175/)
Our final candidate, Tinfect, accepted a nomination for Vice Delegate, but did not outline a campaign platform.
Tinfect received 1.54% of the vote, and was not elected Vice Delegate.
The Election for Speaker
St George, who previously served as Acting Speaker, applied a frank tone to his candidacy and announced his intention to not engage in "overly ambitious campaign promises." St George pledged to make "sure the work gets done, [increase] the speed of the checks and [ensure] the team around the Speaker is at its best at all times." The particulars of St George's platform included increasing the speed of Speaker's checks for citizenship, using the Speaker's Staff to rotate into the role of Deputy Speaker, and working to continuously hold the region's government accountable.
St George received 82.31% of the vote, and was elected Speaker in a landslide victory.
The particulars of St George's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192150/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192150/)
Our second candidate for Speaker, Highton, addressed his lack of experience in the position of Speaker, but expressed his belief that "it ain't an election if there's only one candidate" (that being St George). Highton cited what experience he did possess, including serving in the positions of Deputy Minister of Culture and Gameside Advocate.
Highton received 17.69% of the vote, and was not elected as Speaker.
The particulars of Highton's platform can be found here: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192172/ (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192172/)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)The Spotlight - Interview with Rom
by Pierce (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061363/') & Bormiar (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061165/')
Pierce: Good evening! Tonight we sit with Rom, current Minister of Defence and General for the North Pacific Army. How are you this evening, General?
Rom: I'm doing good. Little tired but glad to be doing this.
Pierce: I’m happy to have you here. Down to business. It’s been a few weeks since you were appointed as Defense Minister by Delegate Prydania. What has the Army achieved thus far, and what are some of your goals in the near future as Minister?
Rom: I've liked what we have been able to do in terms of our joint OP's that we have done so far, and another thing is that we have worked with a wide variety of orgs so far, some of which it had been a while since we had previously done stuff with. Take that fash bash we did not that long ago ~ we worked with Legio, a org that we really hadn't worked with for a long time, and hopefully the next time a fash bash comes up we can continue to work with them. I've also really liked our soldier participation so far as well, as we have been averaging over 8 NPA soldiers participating in an OP this term, and I only expect that number to increase as the term goes on as hopefully sometime in the next couple weeks the delegacy transition is complete and we can start doing more holds and other types of operations that are more than just tagging and detagging.
Pierce: What other military organizations might we see NPA work with on future operations in its endeavor to beat the fascists across NationStates?
Rom: Off the top of my head, obviously Legio, and I do know that TGW has done a great job and is more than willing to do fash bashes. Really there is a lot of orgs out there that do fash bashes, and it is great to see that because obviously they have no place on NS.
Pierce: Thank you. Now, I’m sure some people like myself who aren’t aware of your history are curious to know more about how you became involved into military gameplay. Tell us about that history”
Rom: I made my first nation in 2011 as me and some of my RL friends had made a RP region, so I made a nation to join that region. I did some things in that RP region, like we did some fash bashes with MT Army and Vippertooth33. However that was the extent of what our region did in terms of Gameplay, but by 2014 we were wanting to get more involved in Gameplay, specifically defending. So, considering that the FRA was the biggest defending org of the time, our region decided to reach out to the FRA to apply to become a member region of the FRA, and I got sent to represent our region on our behalf. Now, our region never became a FRA region member, but I found defending and the FRA to be quite interesting, so I ended up joining a couple regions that were FRA members at the time - The Rejected Realms and Global Right Alliance.
So I ended up joining the RRA and and also the GRADF, and I've been involved in GP ever since.
Bormiar: What has been your general impact and history with any of those groups (FRA, TRR, GRA)?
Rom: I never really did a whole lot with the FRA. GRA and TRR is where I did more things during this time ~ like in GRA I as I mentioned earlier was in their regional military, and also I believe did some ambassador things with them. RRA one of the first things I remember doing was doing a TBR infil. Not a whole lot came out of my infil, but I would remain involved in TRR to this day. As for RRA, I left them in 2015 I believe to join the first version of TGW. That was also um interesting. Wouldn't be until 2018 I believe until I rejoined RRA again, and I'd stick around in there until I went and joined NPA. Actually had just received a promotion from Fratt a couple weeks before I left lol.
Bormiar: Why did you decide to leave defending for the NPA?
Rom: I had kinda gotten bored of GP around the time I left the RRA, so I considered the following ~ either retiring from GP and focus on getting endorsements or whatever, join a new defending org (I really thought about going to SPSF), or trying something new and join a org that does raiding. From there I decided to give NPA a try mostly because I was friends with Bob, and I figured it could be fun to do some more GP stuff with him. I'd say I've had some fun in the NPA.
Bormiar: What has been your favorite part?
Rom: My favorite part? I'd say some of the raids that we have done since I joined have been very enjoyable. Iran in particular. It was a lot of fun holding that region, and successfully defending that region from all the liberation attempts that libcord had made towards the region. I think there was over 50 defenders that jumped one time? And they came really close to liberating it, but we did a good job in having people on ready to banject defenders before the region updated. I'd love to do more holds like that in the future as well too.
Bormiar: How did you rank up so fast in the NPA?
Rom: I participated in a lot of OP's from when I joined the NPA, and now I've participated in over 100. Also I really haven't ranked up that much, since I'm still technically a Lieutenant :P
Bormiar: What would you say to a prospective NPA soldier on how to get involved?
Rom: I would say that there is several ways to get involved within the NPA ~ whether you are simply piling or you are active during updates. Also there is plenty of things to do when we are not doing operations, like graphics for example. And the NPA is also very much a rewarding and enjoyable thing to do, because GP is honestly a lot of fun, and there is so much to do.
Bormiar: Going off of the point on "plenty of things to do when we are not doing operations", is it possible to assist the NPA casually and without updating?
Rom: Absolutely! We love our pilers, and they are a crucial part of the NPA's success. Pilers are essential to a mission's success after we initially get our target after the jump, and the NPA has one of the best piling forces on NS. We can usually provide 20+ pilers into a region after the jump when needed, and very few orgs can say the same.
Bormiar: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you want to say for your plans for the NPA?
Rom: I want us to continue to diversify our OP's. We just did a joint detag run with RRA, SPSF, and EPSA, and I plan on continuing to do more detags and do more defenses and liberations as well. I think we have been doing a solid job at doing a wide variety of OP's, and it is something I hope to continue throughout my term.
Bormiar: Thanks for participating!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)North Pacific Army Bulletin - April to May 2020
by BMWSurfer (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5023308/')
(https://www.goarmy.com/content/dam/goarmy/refresh/redesign-nav-images/Desktop_Navigation_IMG_1.jpg)
Lieutenant Nimarya successfully refounds a region
The North Pacific Army has had one of its most eventful months yet from April to May, trying out a bunch of new tricks and finding new partners to work with.
In April, the North Pacific Army conducted 23 operations, with many successful blockade runs, a plethora of tag raids, and several refounds of fascist regions. This continued the use of exceptions to refound fascist and fascist-sympathizing regions with the authorization of the Regional Assembly under Chapter 7.6 sections 32 and 33 in our Legal Code.
Over several days in April, the NPA, in coordination with The West Pacific Armed Forces, the Legio Pacifica, the East Pacific Sovereign Army and the Balder Jomsvikings, conducted blockade runs against a Security Council proposal by the fascist Confederation of Corrupt Dictators, which ultimately failed to reach quorum due to our efforts. Afterwards, we took a pit stop to refound Republican Army, which was one of the aforementioned exemptions, after a 6 update hold in which 25 soldiers participated.
Going into May, the North Pacific Army participated in Pacific-Con and joined in wargames alongside the 4 other Pacifics. These wargames were a fun way to bring the armies of the 5 regions together, and an opportunity to recruit newer players curious about R/D. This was an all-around fun event, and we look forward to participating in similar events in the future.
The dictatorship delegacy of McMasterdonia ended in mid-may with the election of Prydania as our new delegate, marking the start of the new term. With this new term, we said goodbye to Trondstorm as our Minister of Defense and Rom was appointed as our new MoD. General Rom selected BMWSurfer and Robespierre as his Deputy Ministers of Defense. This new term has so far brought us much success, with many joint operations conducted and several important refounds.
Lieutenant Nimarya successfully refounded The Spartan Empire, another region on our exempt list. We also conducted a joint raid alongside the Legio Pacifica and The Grey Wardens against The Third Coalition. The NPA also conducted a joint hold of SECFanatics alongside The Black Hawks and several other militaries, to close the over 2000 embassies that have been spammed over the years, and successfully defended Warzones Airspace and Australia against raiders associated with Opstan. So far, we have conducted operations with soldiers from with The Black Hawks, the Europeian Republican Navy, the East Pacific Sovereign Army, Lone Wolves United, the Land of Kings and Emperors, Balder, the Grey Wardens, Lily, and the Legio Pacifica.
The North Pacific Army continues to have tremendous involvement from our soldiers, with an average of 8 soldiers present in each of our non-joint operations. We hope to continue this into the next month, and look forward to another month of successful operations.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights - April to May 2020
by Robespierre (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/'), Deputy Speaker
Speaker: St George (MadJack) (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968/')
Deputy Speakers: Robespierre (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/'), Owenstacey (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3318453/'), Bobberino (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/'), and Crushing Our Enemies (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3148393/')
Current Business
The current business for the Regional Assembly for the months of April and May is the Security Council Application of Wonderess.
Wonderess' Security Council Application (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192217/')
Summary: After applying to the Security Council on the first of May, Wonderess failed to be recommended for admission. The Regional Assembly then began a discussion to examine the proposition of upholding or overturning the Security Council's decision.
Status: Motioned for Vote
Passed
The proposals that have passed through the Regional Assembly in the months of April and May include the Incorporated Rum Pact treaty with Lazarus, the Delegate's Report Act, exceptions to the NPA doctrine under Sections 32 & 33 of Chapter 7.6 of the Legal Code, and confirmations of Holdac, Siwale and Artemis to the Election Commission.
-~-
Exceptions under Sections 32 & 33 of Chapter 7.6 of the Legal Code (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192126/')
Summary: These batch of exemptions were presented to the Regional Assembly by McMasterdonia in an effort to permit the North Pacific Army to target fascist regions in addition to regions that maintain embassies with region's previously exempted for their nazi ideologies. With little opposition, all five exemptions were passed by the Regional Assembly.
Results:
The Union of Dictators - 34 Ayes | 6 Nays | 10 Abstentions
Jon - 33 Ayes | 7 Nays | 10 Abstentions
People are Worthless - 34 Ayes | 6 Nays | 10 Abstentions
Pax Britannia - 38 Ayes | 5 Nays | 7 Abstentions
Fifth Empire - 39 Ayes | 4 Nays | 7 Abstentions
Status: All Exemptions Passed as of 3 May 2020
Confirmation of Holdac as Election Commissioner (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192082/')
Summary: Holdac was nominated to the Election Commission by then-Delegate McMasterdonia in mid-April of 2020. Due to their almost exclusive activity in the North Pacific's roleplay community, Holdac received many questions from their fellow citizens. After answering the questions proposed to them, Holdac's knowledge and understanding of the electoral procedure was sufficiently tested and they were later confirmed, by a majority, to take their seat and be admitted to the Election Commission.
Results: 29 Ayes | 5 Nays | 19 Abstentions
Status: Confirmed as of 4 May 2020
Delegate's Report Bill (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192179/') by RocketDog (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/')
Summary: The Delegate's Report Act was originally introduced to the Regional Assembly a year ago during El Fiji Grande's term as Delegate as a way to clarify when the executive administration was to give reports on its activities. After a period of dormancy for many months, discussion surfaced again in late March of 2020 and after a few revisions the bill later passed.
Results: 24 Ayes | 20 Nays | 10 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 11 May 2020
Confirmation of Siwale as Election Commissioner (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192216/')
Summary: As a constantly active and notably consistent member for two terms prior, Siwale was nominated by then-Delegate McMasterdonia in early May of 2020 to continue their service on the Election Commission. In light of their invaluable experience in the role, Siwale was successfully confirmed as an Election Commissioner once again after little debate.
Results: 50 Ayes | 1 Nay | 1 Abstention
Status: Confirmed as of 15 May 2020*
*Bill was subsequently vetoed by the Delegate after passage
Confirmation of Artemis as Election Commissioner (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192245/')
Summary: After answering a few standard questions that North Pacifican citizens typically ask nominees to the Election Commission, Artemis was successfully confirmed as an Election Commissioner following their nomination by then-Delegate McMasterdonia in late April of 2020.
Results: 53 Ayes | 1 Nay | 3 Abstentions
Status: Confirmed as of 20 May 2020
The Incorporated Rum Pact (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192298/')
Summary: The Incorporated Rum Pact is a non-aggression and communications agreement between the North Pacific and Lazarus. Although a last-minute situation emerged in which the Director of Public Relations of Lazarus publicly posted questionable comments regarding the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators, the treaty nevertheless passed, with said Director later resigning.
Results: 38 Ayes | 5 Nays | 8 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 29 May 2020
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by BMWSurfer (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5023308/'), Gorundu (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/') and Bormiar (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061165/')
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time.Prevention Of Forced SterilisationSpoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 10088 Against: 2172
Final Vote (TNP): For: 826 Against: 110 with percentage of WA nations voting: 50
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 111 Against: 27 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 207 Against: 40 with percentage of WA nations voting: 47
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 291 Against: 44 with percentage of WA nations voting: 61
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
"Prevention Of Forced Sterilisation" is a proposal that seeks to put an end to involuntary sterilisation (that is, the involuntary "removal of an individual's reproductive ability"), an immoral and inhumane act often used to oppress the rights of people and groups, as well as an ineffective punishment. It accomplishes this goal in an effective and concise manner. It is a necessary and adequate extension to the extant resolution Ban On Sterilisation Of Minors Etc, especially through clause four of the proposal. The proposal demonstrates the sophisticated handling of the subject at hand and would make an excellent addition to international legislation.
For these reasons, the Ministry recommends a vote For this proposal.
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 4253 Against: 7060
Final Vote (TNP): For: 192 Against: 636 with percentage of WA nations voting: 43
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 35 Against: 102 with percentage of WA nations voting: 31
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 83 Against: 170 with percentage of WA nations voting: 47
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 100 Against: 181 with percentage of WA nations voting: 47
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
While On Marijuana is well-intentioned, those intentions are not sufficient enough to make a well-written proposal. First of all, considering the vast variety present in World Assembly nations, it is almost nonsensical to write a proposal on such a narrow category of drugs - it would've made more sense to write a proposal on a wider category of drugs. Beyond the topic, the proposal text is equally flawed. For one, in the Mandates clause, the phrase "incarcerated for marijuana and marijuana related paraphernalia" simply makes no sense because people can only be incarcerates for crimes related to the drug. If we were to interpret is this way, the proposal becomes extremely problematic as it would require dealers and even violent offenders to be released, whose crimes are not victimless, unlike possession. In the Ensures clause, without a proper specification of the percentage for reparations, the clause is meaningless as nations can set any percentage they want, including almost zero.
For the reasons above, the Ministry recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 3333 Against: 8792
Final Vote (TNP): For: 159 Against: 770 with percentage of WA nations voting: 45
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 33 Against: 108 with percentage of WA nations voting: 31
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 41 Against: 204 with percentage of WA nations voting: 45
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 67 Against: 234 with percentage of WA nations voting: 46
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
The proposal at vote, "Repeal: Reproductive Freedoms", attempts to repeal a resolution that is known for its longstanding protection of women's rights, and namely the right to have bodily autonomy in regards to the termination of pregnancy. The author wishes to repeal the target solely for the fact that he has a natural dislike of abortion.
While there are some concerns that are not completely without merit, these are mostly able to be overlooked, given the fact that Reproductive Freedoms does actually supply more societal good than the moral outrage that some may have over it causes. The author attempts to claim to be concerned with the flaws they believe are present in the resolution, ignoring the fact that none of the "flaws" are unobjective, and are rather moral concerns, which, in most cases, is not grounds for repeal. Even in the case that these claims were factually accurate, the author is intentionally misleading with them, given the fact that they have no intention to actually have a replacement go into effect.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 6902 Against: 4645
Final Vote (TNP): For: 704 Against: 190 with percentage of WA nations voting: 42
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 53 Against: 77 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 112 Against: 117 with percentage of WA nations voting: 43
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 209 Against: 55 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
"Ban on the Administration of Unwanted Substances" is a well-written proposal that is the natural continuation of previous proposals to ensure the right to bodily autonomy. Giving reasonable exceptions to its mandate, it adequately prevents nations or any other entities from applying substances to most individual that would not want that substance applied to them. Additionally, it allows a pathway towards future legislation further covering information in the proposal, including adding more exceptions to the proposal if need be.
While there has been some criticism over the proposal allowing "anti-vaxxers" to put the public at risk of being infected with preventable diseases, these are unfounded concerns. There is a clause that specifically allows the administration of substances deemed necessary "for the widespread public health of either the nation or the large." Furthermore, due to the phrasing in clause two that says "Subject to other World Assembly Legislation...", this resolution, "Public Health And Vaccinations Act", would be in effect and negate any concerns of public health in regards to vaccines.
For these reasons, the North Pacific Ministry for World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the at-vote proposal.
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 3256 Against: 7393
Final Vote (TNP): For: 143 Against: 691 with percentage of WA nations voting: 39
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 29 Against: 113 with percentage of WA nations voting: 31
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 54 Against: 147 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 63 Against: 191 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
This proposal attempts to create a comprehensive set of laws for international cargo transport by road vehicles, but fails to do so reasonably. In clause IV, member states are required to enforce a fee on all road cargo transport entering their nation, which prevents free movement of goods. Clause II mandates that all said transport must be planned beforehand between the foriegn transporters and the domestic national services, a useless and bureaucratic procedure that will rarely be beneficial in practice. Clause VI bans the formation of preferential trade agreements by mandating all nations of origin to be charged the same fee. Lastly, Clause III takes away member states' control of their own borders, requiring entry points to be open at all times except under "compelling purposes".
For these reasons, the Ministry recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 1809 Against: 8761
Final Vote (TNP): For: 102 Against: 703 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 25 Against: 105 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 15 Against: 199 with percentage of WA nations voting: 39
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 23 Against: 211 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
Repeal "Data Protection Accord" is a highly flawed proposal that doesn't identify any legitimate issues in the target resolution. A majority of the arguments are based on the premise of national sovereignty, which are not grounds for repeal, and those arguments which are not based on national sovereignty are generally non-issues or nonexistent in the first place. For example, the proposed repeal claims that allowing individuals to see data collected on them is "impractical" - when it should not be impractical to simply allow the viewing of collected data.
Furthermore, there are several points where the proposed repeal claims the target to be vague or otherwise nonviable, which is simply untrue. In all instances where this is mentioned, the issue is not present if good faith compliance is occurring - which all compliance must be - making these issues practically entirely fictitious. It would be one thing if these issues were addressed with an adequate replacement proposal, but no such replacement exists.
For these reasons, the North Pacific Ministry on World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote of Against the at-vote proposal in the General Assembly.
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 4955 Against: 5004
Final Vote (TNP): For: 191 Against: 543 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 34 Against: 89 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 80 Against: 119 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 63 Against: 180 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
The current proposal at vote, Requiring Promulgation Of National Laws, is flawed in an assortment of ways. Primarily, this legislation is ripe for abuse on multiple levels. There is concern of a potential loophole allowing nations to abuse the period of vacatio legis to indefinitely delay the application of legislation they do not wish to comply with. Regardless of a good faith issue, the proposal does little to outline any restrictions on how vacatio legis may be used. Additionally, this mandated waiting period adds unnecessary bloat to member states' domestic legislative systems, and restricts their ability to quickly deal with any issues that demand haste. Furthermore, there is a gross overreach in empowering the Judicial Committee of the Compliance Commission to shut down emergency legislative functions during a State Of Emergency if they feel you are not in enough "danger" to justify it. Not only should that be a power held only in the hands of each nation's sovereign government, it should not be able to be reviewed by a party that does so only to evaluate the legislative processes of a government in its more dire time of action.
In accordance with the reasoning displayed above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 8004 Against: 1474
Final Vote (TNP): For: 687 Against: 64 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 123 Against: 13 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 167 Against: 22 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 196 Against: 18 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
The repeal at vote is well-written and outlines a few major reasons that the target should be repealed. These points were actually pointed out near the beginning of the voting period for the target resolution, but it wasn't enough for a lot of people to vote against without replacement legislation. Now, replacement legislation has been drafted and is simply waiting on "Ensuring Safe Syringe Use" to be repealed. Both the repeal and the replacement adequately address the issues that are in the initial proposal, without being too over-the-top about it. While the repeal is rather short and you can read the issues there, a brief synopsis of them is that some of the wording is overly ambiguous, to the point where the meaning is muddled, and that it constantly refers to "syringes" despite the author meaning to address needles, not syringes. The replacement proposal has neither of these issues.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the at-vote proposal in the General Assembly
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 7553 Against: 1763
Final Vote (TNP): For: 654 Against: 84 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 101 Against: 26 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 180 Against: 26 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 202 Against: 14 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
This proposal serves as a well-written answer to the current dearth of animal rights legislation in the World Assembly. The legislation effectively restricts excessively cruel animal testing, while allowing member nations enough flexibility to engage in testing when it is justified. Additionally, several key clauses ensure that animals are humanely treated both before and after testing, along with prohibiting experimentation on species at risk of extinction unless it will aid in conservation efforts. The establishment of an Animal Experimentation Board is handled well, and allows member nations to receive the necessary funding to comply with the act's provisions.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the resolution, "Ethical Treatment of Animals in Research".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 8036 Against: 1194
Final Vote (TNP): For: 697 Against: 47 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 122 Against: 11 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 142 Against: 51 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 204 Against: 12 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
This resolution clearly from the beginning defines a purpose; which is to install military identification tags for the militaries of WA-member states and it reminds all voters that the absence of medical treatment to recovered, but unresponsive soldiers due to lack of identification on their person is a problem that needs to be fixed. This resolution clearly states the reasons of why such a move would be beneficiary. These include the identification to return fallen soldiers to families and to seek missing or killed soldiers. The steps needed to be taken are also very simple steps to take and the information needed per soldier is not too outrageous. Not only this, but this resolution also protects the soldiers identification from destruction from the opposing sides. This means that under this act, soldiers killed-in-combat will be able to have their remains brought home to their loved ones relatively easily, in theory.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the resolution, "Military Identification Tag Act".
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.Condemn This GameSpoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5212 Against: 2195
Final Vote (TNP): For: 232 Against: 378 with percentage of WA nations voting: 41
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 106 Against: 26 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 148 Against: 28 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 88 Against: 12 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
The Ministry acknowledges the humorous intent of this proposal, and as it has completed its purpose of coming to vote on April Fool's Day, the Ministry sees no benefit to passing a joke proposal. Therefore, we recommend a vote Against.
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5259 Against: 1302
Final Vote (TNP): For: 407 Against: 123 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 48 Against: 51 with percentage of WA nations voting: 23
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 135 Against: 24 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 74 Against: 19 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
"Commend Kuriko" hits all the points to be made for why Kuriko has had an exemplary impact on NationStates. The first predominant reasoning is that Kuriko is a consummate Security Council player, having written the most SC resolutions by any one player, many of which being liberations to protect invaded regions. Kuriko has also been elected Delegate of 10000 Islands three times, a position she served with distinction as her World Assembly experience allows her to spur rational discussion. In the same role, which also gives her responsibility for Foreign Affairs, Kuriko led a notable shift in a region which has been isolationist for the majority of its 17 year history, towards increased cooperation (including with The South Pacific, the Rejected Realms, and Yggdrasil). This has helped to solidify 10000 Islands as a member of the worldwide community, particularly in defending. Kuriko is also the founder of The Hole to Hide In, an impressive role-play region.
TNPers may recall a campaign by Kuriko against a commendation for prominent TNPer Crushing Our Enemies based on his past raiding activities. The ministry recognizes that this came from a strong ideological position which she is obligated to uphold and does not reflect ill on her person or negate her abilities or achievements.
Therefore, the Ministry has come to a conclusion to recommend a vote For this commendation.
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 1214 Against: 6177
Final Vote (TNP): For: 51 Against: 545 with percentage of WA nations voting: 40
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 8 Against: 107 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 19 Against: 155 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 19 Against: 99 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
Condemn Nations Creating Regions For SC Props' must be the last proposal of its kind to reach the voting floor of the Security Council. As this proposal correctly points out, creating regions as props to commend or condemn them is an awful trend. It is one that began as a joke, admittedly a bit funny as well, yet it has become an annoying bit that must be quashed. There is no effort put into these proposals, no research conducted, and nothing positive is ultimately contributed to the Assembly by them being voted on and potentially passed. It is imperative for us to euthanize this cancerous trend once and for all.
For these reasons, the ministry highly recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5968 Against: 4347
Final Vote (TNP): For: 664 Against: 167 with percentage of WA nations voting: 47
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 79 Against: 33 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 156 Against: 42 with percentage of WA nations voting: 40
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 194 Against: 71 with percentage of WA nations voting: 54
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
"Condemn This Game" was a resolution intended to be a joke for April Fools' Day, which the Ministry had opposed due to its lack of purpose. The repeal currently at vote recognizes this, and exemplifies the arguments that jokes shouldn't be made simply for the sake of being made in the Security Council. The repeal also satirises comments from other attempted repeals, taking the assertions and taking it to the extreme, stating that the intent to bring traits such as "good-will", "joy", and "humor" into the Security Council is an overall bad thing and "should be eradicated."
All in all, the author has gone above and beyond to provide a fitting repeal to a light-hearted proposal that wasn't meant to stay. Thus, the Ministry recommends a vote For the proposal.
Spoiler
Status:
PassedFinal Vote (World): For:
7672 Against: 2854
Final Vote (TNP): For: 370 Against:
431 with percentage of WA nations voting: 42
Delegate's Vote (TNP):
AgainstFinal Vote (Balder): For:
92 Against: 33 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Balder):
ForFinal Vote (Europe): For:
181 Against: 41 with percentage of WA nations voting: 41
Delegate's Vote (Europe):
ForFinal Vote (Europeia): For:
196 Against: 89 with percentage of WA nations voting: 50
Delegate's Vote (Europeia):
Against
Recommendation:The North Pacific Ministry World Assembly Affairs appreciates the idea of commending the Holy Principality of Saint Mark (commonly known as Halo), but feels that this resolution lacks effort or quality. Its opening clause, stating Halo is "a leader in many aspects of the world", is unsubstantiated throughout the proposal as it only describes their actions in specific regions or organizations. The resolution reads like a laundry list containing very little description of the nominee or proof that these actions are commendable. Examples include listing their former position of "Arbiter in the judicial system", but providing no details on their actions in that position; mentioning their creation of a religion in Albion, without explanation of its purpose or why it was desirable; and stating their role in creating Osiris' court system, without explanation of whether it has impacted the region positively, as court systems are known to be divisive at times. In the most substantive part of this resolution is on their tenure as WA Delegate of
the West Pacific, we are left with no understanding of the "Imperial Culture", the "Manners of Governance", or what events Halo responded to "in a thoughtful, reasoned way". On the many treaties negotiated, it fails to state any positive impacts. The resolution also vaguely references "[encouraging] internal reforms in The Pacific" without explanation of what internal reforms or what work was done by Halo to cause them. The mention of NSToday's News Partnership Framework is bewildering as there is no evidence of whether the organization has become a positive force,
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Hello, people of Wintreath!
As TNP’s ambassador, I am open to questions about TNP, which I will answer to the best of my abilities. Obviously I won’t divulge confidential information though :D!
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Thanks for the update! :D
Hmm...do you know any confidential information about TNP? :P
More seriously, why do you think Prydania won over so many people, some of whom like Yuno have huge name recognition throughout NS? The update says a lot about each candidate's platform, but it doesn't speak to what led them to win over everyone else.
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Thanks for the update! :D
Hmm...do you know any confidential information about TNP? :P
More seriously, why do you think Prydania won over so many people, some of whom like Yuno have huge name recognition throughout NS? The update says a lot about each candidate's platform, but it doesn't speak to what led them to win over everyone else.
I think that what led Prydania to win the delegacy was simply that he convinced a lot of people that he would do a good job. I think that in TNP it’s not always name recognition that gets you to power, it’s a willingness to put in effort for the benefit of the region, and I think that’s an attribute we share with your region. Seriously, though, I advise you to read their platforms. A lot of it is probably how the candidates responded to questions, and how they were able to overcome shortfalls in their campaign, like how Pry never served in an elected office.
And I’ve got a question for you: what exactly is Werewolf?
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And I’ve got a question for you: what exactly is Werewolf?
Hey, I know this one!
Werewolf, also called Mafia, TWG, and I'm quite sure I've heard others, is a forum based game of deception and logic. At it's most basic level, there are two teams: Town and Scum. Town is trying to eliminate all Scum by voting them out during the day, while Scum is trying to remove all town until there is nothing standing in their way (Usually when parity is reached) by using night kills and the daily votes to get rid of people.
In other variations, there are third party teams, individuals who can win alone, and much more. I encourage you to check out our Werewolf subforum found here (https://wintreath.com/forums/index.php?board=87.0), as we have serveral beginners guides and past games that you might find interesting. On top of that, we invite you and all your regionmates to join us in our current game, for which sign ups can be found here (https://wintreath.com/forums/index.php?topic=6661.0).
And in case you are wondering why a completely random person has dropped by without introducing themselves first, I'm wondering that myself and please let me know if you come by a good answer.
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@Comfed: I'll try to check out the campaigns this weekend if I have a chance to. I try to anyways...it's just nice to see what direction leaders are going in elsewhere. :)
I'm curious to know...what are your thoughts on Wintreath now that you've been here and interacting with us for a few days?
@Ruguo: You know, it's never too late to introduce yourself. :P
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@Comfed: I'll try to check out the campaigns this weekend if I have a chance to. I try to anyways...it's just nice to see what direction leaders are going in elsewhere. :)
I'm curious to know...what are your thoughts on Wintreath now that you've been here and interacting with us for a few days?
@Ruguo: You know, it's never too late to introduce yourself. :P
Oh, I have to judge your region now...
It seems like your region is pretty casual, and you have a unique government system that works pretty well. I’m from a directly democratic republic, with no monarchs. We might call your region a benevolent dictatorship, but I wouldn’t go that far. Although Wintermoot has considerable authority, I think he rules with a light touch. If your goal here was to have a government similar to Norway, I’d say mission accomplished.
Oh, and update to my previous post: Prydania had the most extensive campaign promised, so we all have high expectations. I’d say that Prydania has lived up to them so far.
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Oh, I have to judge your region now...
It seems like your region is pretty casual, and you have a unique government system that works pretty well. I’m from a directly democratic republic, with no monarchs. We might call your region a benevolent dictatorship, but I wouldn’t go that far. Although Wintermoot has considerable authority, I think he rules with a light touch. If your goal here was to have a government similar to Norway, I’d say mission accomplished.
Oh, and update to my previous post: Prydania had the most extensive campaign promised, so we all have high expectations. I’d say that Prydania has lived up to them so far.
When you said that Wintreath and TNP shared an attribute, I figured you had already judged the region, so of course I was curious. :P
I think you summed it up well...when some people asked me to make a serious region after I left Spiritus, I knew that I'd be putting a lot of myself into it and I wanted the power to protect that. I had been in a lot of situations where I'd put my heart into something only to be rubbed out because somebody else wanted to control it, and I was kinda tired of it. I made how I felt clear, everyone was fine with it, it got drafted in a constitution that passed a vote, and here we are. But as you note I'm not really a fan of using power unnecessarily, especially the more extraordinary powers. They should be used sparingly, and only for good reason.
Ah, the power of extensive campaigns...that's the route I would go when I ran for things in Spiritus, and much more recently I was impressed with Libertanny's extensive campaign in The East Pacific. I look forward to reading Prydania's and seeing how it compares. :D
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You know, what I have often noticed is that executive “dictator” delegates are often much more draconian than “dictator” founders. I think that this is because founders put all the work into building up the region, and don’t want to be cruel to their citizens/residents. There are exceptions, of course, but generally delegates have the potential to be much worse than founders. I’m not saying you’re a dictator, of course.
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@Comfed: At the end of the day, it's not in a founder's best interest to be tyrannical, because regions depend on their communities to grow and maintain the founder's region. For example, as much as people joke about the massive amount of work that I do here, I didn't have much to do with making Wintreath a region of games and culture...that credit goes to people like Pengu, Gerrick, and now Ruguo. I like being hands-on and on top of everything, but even I can't do everything...for that you need a community that's empowered and hasn't been alienated to the point of leaving.
This isn't even specific to regions. How Google Works (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUU13Y0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) is one of my favourite books and speaks a lot about Google corporate culture around 2010, especially the need to attract and empower "smart creative" employees. It's a shame that Google itself doesn't seem to follow this great advice anymore, to the detriment of their own culture and employee trust.
It may be that delegates don't tend to have such a nuanced view of their region, or if we're talking about a founderless region they may feel the need to be stricter for security reasons. I'm not sure Wintreath could have thrived as a founderless region, and I think it's criminal that the powers that be in NS have put R/D before regional communities in not creating a mechanism for a founder to choose a successor nation if they cte.
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Founder succession... then we could really have a monarchy!
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Founder succession... then we could really have a monarchy!
I would assume that such a mechanism wouldn't prevent a democratic election of a successor if that's what the region wants, just like democratic forum elections determine TNP's in-game delegacy. :P
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Of course, of course, that too!
I happen to be a regional founder as well, and one of the decisions that I have made is to strip the WA delegate of their powers, and let WA nations pick their delegate by endorsing, thereby keeping the delegate out of politics.
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That's cool! If you don't mind me asking, what is your region? That sounds like a cool way to turn the delegacy into a competition without putting the region in danger...do you have a lot of interest/competition among nations wanting to be delegate?
Here in Wintreath, the delegate is a Thane (Vice-Minister)-level position, which is elected by Citizens here on the forums. There's the default WA role that the game grants the nation with the most endorsements, and then we have a separate "Elected Delegate" role I give to the legal delegate...that way, an illegal delegate wouldn't have any power over the region page.
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Ah, well, my region isn't what you would call "big" or "relevant"... if you want to see it it is here (https://www.nationstates.net/region=oddness).
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TNL is out! There is also a lovely dispatch (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1406621)!
(https://i.imgur.com/R3S3vD6.png)
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[h][/h][h][/h]Editor's Note
[h][/h][h][/h]Editor's Note
by Gorundu, Minister of Communications
Issue XXXI of The Northern Lights is the first issue to be published in over half a year. This issue's focus is outside TNP, with events, people and relationships in the wider NationStates, and particularly Gameplay, community, being explored from a TNP perspective. It is our continued goal for The Northern Lights to be a recognized forum to discuss the things that affect NationStates communities and TNP's place in it. As always, no views espoused in this or future Issues represent the official TNP government stance unless otherwise stated.
Gorundu
TNP Minister of Communications
[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/z3LvGu8.png)A TEP Story: Interview with Libertanny, Delegate of TEP
by Gorundu, Minister of Communications
Today I'm joined by Libertanny, who was just recently elected Delegate of The East Pacific in an unusually a election. Welcome, Libertanny! How are you going?
Hello Gorundu! I would say that I am doing rather well. I wasn't sure what to expect after being elected, but it seems similar to being Vice-Delegate, you just have to sign papers more often and answer to more pings. I am, for sure, positively surprised how few little changes in Cabinet and election of new Delegate boosted Cabinet's and Executive's activity by few times.
Well, those pings are the price you have to pay :P
If you don't mind, let's wind back a bit. How did you make your start on NationStates?
Well, my start in NationStates is highly linked to another game I played - AtWar. I was one of founders of Bushido Order and one day, one of members pinged us on Discord saying that he found a cool game (NS). We joined it and became Got Issues Players. We did not care about the fact that half of us were in TWP and another half in TNP. All we cared about was bragging with stats. Almost a year after that, Bushido Order was disbanded and I joined NS (again). I started my journey from Roleplay - committing genocide on my streets. It worked, it brought a lot of attention (lol). I then RPed for a while, until I sent a long brief on RMB and RMB RP situation to the Delegate. They hired me to EPNS. 2 weeks after that I proposed repeal of EPNS Act, formation of the Ministry of Information and as it has succeeded, I was appointed Minister of Information. Soon after that, Fedele took over and I was appointed Minister of Propaganda (sick times), which then evolved into being one of two Second-in-Commands of The East Pacific. In the meantime I served in almost every executive body. I left TEP due to incident that happened on 16th of December 2018. I came back around June of 2019 and I have been here since then.
Wow, that's a colorful career in a short time! What made you decide to come back in 2019, and how different was it from when you left?
In The East Pacific we have a saying, which I would say is highly linked to Todd - "You are here forever". There is some kind of truth, that even if you leave, you are missing something in your life. It's an addiction that is hard to get rid of. Speaking of Todd McCloud, he played an important role. After incident in 2018, he was the one who contacted me and told me story about one of former Delegates. They got a second chance in TEP and became a Delegate one day. Maybe it was his story? Maybe not. (Editor's Note: We believe the story is referring to Der Fuhrer Dyzsel, a former member of Empire who participated in its coup of TEP, but later was legitimately elected Delegate) But I've always had that story somewhere in my mind. So why I came back was probably the motto and story Todd told me. I then stayed in TEP as Fedele and Co welcomed me warmly. Ironically, I then became one of biggest people in opposition to his administration. I took what he offered and used it against him.
I think the main difference was in me. That break changed me - I stopped being an annoying teenager and became a more stable person. Which had a huge impact on my career, people started trusting me more. Speaking of differences in TEP - everything seemed different. Executive was dead, Fedele had his people in Magisterium, they were already preparing for what's to come. Thankfully, there was more people than me who noticed it. I would say that I started building resistance against Fedele from first days since I came back, whilst at the same time actively VCing and 'making friends' with Fedele and his people.
Well, we all know what happened after that...when you made it back to the Executive under Marrabuk's Delegacy as MoFA, what were the first things you did?
I would say that the first steps was trying to find out what I am even supposed to do. I was appointed MoFA, as I had some experience with dealing with FA and I had contacts all around NS. But I had frankly no idea, what to do as MoFA. First contacts with other MoFAs were terrible - everything seemed so serious and so professional. But I managed to break the ice and start making 'friends' with other officials, to the point that sometimes talking FA stuff was the minor part of conversations. I think the first real steps were total reorganization of MoFA server and structure of Ministry - abolishment of Deputy Minister of FA, introduction of four-level hierarchy (Junior Diplomat, Diplomat, Senior Diplomat, Minister) alongside introduction of spheres (overseen by Seniors). In a longer run, I'd say it pretty much paid off. The idea has also evolved to the point where MoFA is not lead by just the Minister, but by "Inner Circle" - a Council of Seniors, Minister and Delegate.
Speaking of contacts around NS, did you build any relationships outside TEP before Fedele's coup and then becoming MoFA?
My main FA experiences during before coup were experiences before December 2018. Serving as Minister of Information, then Minister of Propaganda and then Chief Minister of Comms (second-in-command) I have been reaching out to people mostly regarding events, newspaper and other stuffs of that kind. There was a moment when we were even working on inter-Pacifican newspaper - the idea, however, died. I made a few contacts in the NPO, TNP and TRR mostly. During my journey after December 2018, I also met new people in TNP, Gay and TRR, as I have been in these regions for a moment. Most of contacts I made were mostly due to me actively talking on foreign Discords. I have then used these contacts before coup, whilst working on resistance. I was getting notifications from other regions on how they perceive TEP and Fedele's actions. After becoming the MoFA, it was a total boom. I rapidly got in touch with most of friends of TEP, but I have also started reaching our to new regions, meeting even more people. The list of "cool people I met" would probably make a long list. Just to list a few? Most of Senators in NPO; Kuramia, Dax, Pichto, Peeps from Europeia; Syr, Holdac from TNP or Andy, Appleberry, Helvetics from Thaecia. The list is really long, as there are many awesome people in NS.
I'm sure these people will all appreciate your shoutouts :P
If you have to pick however, who would be the one or two people that you would say have influenced you the most?
Frankly, I would say that people that influenced me the most are all former or current TEPers. I use to call Mecovy (former EPNS Editor) my "first and main Mentor", but there was also Queen Yuno and Aelitia Astor, that all played important roles. I cannot forget about Atlae and Tretrid, who helped be build my first Ministry. All these 5 people helped me a lot during my first steps in Gameplay, which I consider to be abolishment of EPNS and creation of Ministry of Information. There's also a loud shoutout to Xoriet, who serve with awesome advice and Grey, who tried to teach me R/D. Most recently, it was Bachtendekuppen, who influenced me a lot. So probably as I said, all of these people were or are TEPers.
What would you say were your proudest achievements in your roles as Minister of Information and MoFA?
My proudest achievement in all of my GP career is the Ministry of Information itself. I wasn't really sure what and why I am doing, but with advice from people mentioned above, I have managed to do a huge change. We had EPNS, which served as newspaper body. Taking advice and talking ideas with Yuno and Aelitia, I proposed the repeal of the EPNS Act (as I stated, it was too restricting); I built a new Ministry from scratch (with help from Atlae and Tretrid). During the best stage of this Ministry (when it was called Ministry of Propaganda), it had around 23 workers and several tasks: doing newspaper, doing informational dispatches, being a hut for coders and designers, doing text editing, preparing regional TGs and probably few more I'm forgetting. So that is my proudest achievement. Building "My Little Empire" from scratch. The fact that it was then successfully abolished and ruined by Fedele very rapidly is whole another story.
Speaking of MoFA, that is probably the creation of "My Second Little Empire". I reorganized the Discord server, introduced new liberalized FA Policies and most importantly, introduced a four-level hierarchy, which is still in place today. The hierarchy is split into 4 levels: Junior Diplomats (who serve as right hands of Diplomats), Diplomats (who oversee regions), Seniors (who oversee whole spheres) and Minister. This idea has also naturally evolved enough, to change the whole leadership of Ministry. It's no more the Minister's playground. Our FA is now lead by "Inner Circle" - a Council made of Seniors, Minister and Delegate. All leadership job is done by team as a whole and so are taken all decision. Ministry of FA is an example of perfect teamwork and how it pays off in a longer run.
Is there an article you're most proud of that was published during your time as Minister of Information? Or do you love all of them equally?
Haha. I would say that I love them all equally, as it was another example of teamwork. What is, however, worth noting is that there was a moment when we had an additional RMB Newspaper! That was for sure what we were all proud of, especially since it made RMB interact with Government (i.e. answering in polls for newspaper needs). Such interaction paid off, as RMBers started applying for Citizenship and joining Ministry of Information!
Alright then. Let's move on to the future now. What are you most excited about doing, now that you're Delegate?
That'd probably be introducing the "more original" ideas from my campaign. Firstly, that is Bureau of Public Affairs, which is supposed to be a channel between Region (Residents and Citizens) and Government. As a part of that idea, RMB RP and Forum RP are allowed to elect / select their representatives to the Cabinet. There is also few other tasks, but all of them are aimed towards Government interacting with the Region more. Second thing would be the idea, that started during Marrabuk's administration - formation of Consortium. As of now, we have already began planning stage of it. But from less practical and more theoretical things, I'm excited about having a possibility to work on betterment of our region as Delegate.
I was quite amazed to notice a while ago that TEP is a treatied ally with every feeder and sinker, except for Lazarus (which I believe TEP intends to negotiate a treaty with soon). As MoFA during the negotiation of a quite a few of those treaties, obviously you had a lot to do with them. Why did TEP decide on this FA approach, and do you believe it's better to have as many allies as possible?
Firstly, I would like to make it clear, that I for sure do not support the approach of "let's make a treaty with everyone around us". Treaties are to be well-thought and they need to be beneficial for both sides. Many treaties were made before I probably even knew about Gameplay. As for the recent ones, I would not say that this is anything of an approach or FA target / policy. It's simply the fact that both sides were interested in a treaty and we decided to pursue for them. From TEP's position, it's also rather easy to become "friends" or "treated allies" with many regions. We are known for being neutral diplomatically and unaligned militarily. So conflicts of interest are rather non-existent. The only restriction, I would say, is the fact that a treated ally, or any region we are establishing relations with, has to accept our general approach to GP - "You are independent and sovereign, we won't interfere in your internal or foreign affairs, unless asked to. But we require the same from you."
Speaking of general approach to GP, how much attention would you say TEP pays to the NSGP community, and when does TEP choose when to listen to or ignore what NSGP has to say?
I would say that we pay attention to NSGP. I can't say if it's little or much attention. I would say, that we are rather up to date with things, but we don't see a need to participate or have a stance in the 243rd conversation about a coup of region X.
When do we listen to NSGP? Probably never. NSGP is full of manipulation and we also don't go with the mainstream. If we find some topic important, we always try to get more background and information, to see the whole picture and have a neutral stance (as in - not manipulated by any side). We, however, rather rarely share our opinions, as we have more important tasks than dealing with NSGP dramas.
Of course, TNP ourselves have been an ally of TEP for quite a while now. How would you say we have been as an ally during your time?
The North Pacific has been an awesome ally, from what I heard (mostly). I myself haven't had too much of an interaction with TNP, except for hosting Paradoxical'20 together. But hearing a lot from Marrabuk, I was painted a picture of TNP as an awesome ally. The best example would probably be TNP reaching out to us and proposing is to use their tools, without expecting anything in exchange or trying to show, that "North is the better Pacific". It is common that people tend to become arrogant as the power comes. I haven't noticed or heard anything of that kind regarding TNP - it tells a lot about the region. What I am hoping for is for sure more events, we enjoyed first edition of Paradoxical a lot.
Thanks for the flattering comments! Last question - who do you think was the best Delegate of TEP and the one you will look up to the most?
I would say that every Delegate did something I can support. Yuno's administration was very liberal towards how Ministers organize their Ministries. Marrabuk boosted regional unity. Fedele actively interacted with Residents. That's the recent examples. I would say that most of TEP Delegates were awesome, and I will look up not to people, but to their ideas.
Hehe...I was kind of expecting that you wouldn't just name one person. Anyway, that's all we have time for! Do you have any parting words?
I guess I do. I'd like to order a release of your newspaper with your signature on it! And thank you for the interview.
Thanks for coming too! Hope you have a great day, and a great Delegacy!
[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/z3LvGu8.png)The Power20: How not to rank players
by Bormiar, Deputy Minister of Communications; Officer of WA Affairs and former Media Officer of The Rejected Realms
To readers who have not yet heard of "NationStates Today", the newspaper reports on common events such as elections on top of recording podcasts with popular figures. The gameplay-centric organization frequently affiliates itself with other regions in cross-promotional agreements. It has hosted election debates in Thalassia, The Leftist Assembly, and Lazarus.
NationStates Today hosts a biannual publication entitled the "Power20", the product of a panel of experienced players' interpretation of the most influential. The publication has been heavily vilified, which begs the question: "Why don't players like the Power20?"
The paper is known for skewing towards members of regions such as Osiris and the West Pacific, and the latest Power20 is no better than the rest. The graph in the next page shows Power20 members by affiliated region (some are members of multiple):
(https://i.imgur.com/u0aokUi.png)
Region affiliation is determined by the descriptions provided, as the article states that "the panellists were also asked to provide reasoning for each choice, which was used to determine descriptions". The only exception is Kuriko, where her influence can be presumed as heavily part of her role as 10,000 Islands delegate.
As can easily be seen in the above graph, Osiris, The West Pacific, Karma, The Black Hawks, and Balder have a substantial skew in members (though readers of the Power20 would not find this surprising whatsoever). While bias cannot be concluded from this information alone, members of regions such as The East Pacific, 10000 Islands, The North Pacific, The Rejected Realms and Lazarus should be immediately confused, given that all of those regions have immensely influential, active players. Even further, the delegate of 10,000 Islands wasn't even credited for that as a source of influence; r3naissanc3r, an incredibly important member of The North Pacific was credited first for creating automated tools for Balder and Europeia; and Frattastan's influence in the Rejected Realms was briefly noted as "a major voice in policy". Why does a single sinker somehow have more hyper-influential members than three other GCRs, combined? Why is over half of the Power20 members credited for work in Osiris, The West Pacific, Balder, or The Black Hawks?
Bias can only be determined if the results do not match reality, or if the methodology is provably designed to favor a certain result. A strong case can be made for both. First, the North Pacific's member on the panel, Madjack, was never sent the link to vote. A note from Wymondham states that this was due to "an unforeseen family emergency", though that did not affect any other panelist, and Wymondham originally didn't even know that there was a TNPer on board. McMasterdonia immediately confirmed that no member of the North Pacific's cabinet said they were asked to participate, which is questionable considering the panelists were mostly made up of high-level government members. While real-life is a valid excuse, it does not make the list any better at expressing the opinion of the North Pacific. Second, many of the regions "neglected" by the most recent Power20 have large militaries, significant diplomatic sway, a large playerbase, and high-influence players who control them. It seems unlikely that many of the North Pacific's extremely prominent members (and yes, this author and publication potentially harbors unintentional bias), who could influence a large military, the most World Assembly votes in the world, and all the prestige and sway of a GCR, would not appear on the Power20, aside from McMasterdonia. This is more surprising upon considering that the delegacies of Osiris and the West Pacific were considered prime reasons to place Rigel and Bran Astor, respectively, on the list (neither had been on the previous list). Upon first glance-- and first deep dive -- it seems clear that the list is biased.
However, NationStates Today's definition of "an influential individual" is... murky. "An individual who has been actively influential in the GP community in the last 6 months or who could have been actively influential in an impactful way, if they chose, in the last 6 months". The definition seems innocent, but "community" is extremely ambiguous and not defined. It could mean the broader gameplay world, regarding the less noticeable powers who are not active within the gameplay forums or discord, such as a region-builder in any GCR or a leader of an isolationist military, in which case there would be no reasonable claims of bias. "Community" more likely means the influences within the gameplay forums and discord, indirectly -- but most likely directly -- present. These are the players who influence the perceptions and gameplay of other players in their community. GCRs which are less involved in this NSGP community are free from their networking grasp, and free (mostly) from the Power20. That's why such an odd focus has been made on the position of NSGP admin (referring to the discord server). That's also why there's a skew towards regions whose members involve themselves in NSGP, such as Osiris and The West Pacific. Disregarding the Madjack snafu, the list is not biased, simply useless for determining true gameplay prominence.
Therein lies the problem with the Power20. The Power20 focuses almost entirely on a subgroup within gameplay of players who network, appeal to, and manipulate other members of that subgroup within gameplay. Gameplayers within that subgroup are known to like the Power20 because it appeals to their community, and gameplayers distant from it criticize it relentlessly.
Why don't players like the Power20? It's just not written for them.
So if it probably won't be reasonable to me as a North Pacifican, is there any good reason to read it? Nope! :)
[h][/h](https://i.imgur.com/z3LvGu8.png)Europe: Elections, Fraud and Secrets
by Canibull, Reporter for The Northern Lights
On 26 May 2020, the Government of Europe issued an executive order, Cabinet Order 2020, that saw the Home Secretary, Feria-Alkaline, stood down from office. The basis: Feria-Alkaline's importation of foreign votes into the European Parliament.
Three days earlier, on May 23, Feria-Alkaline admitted to contacting private real-world friends and convincing them to create World Assembly nations, in the hope of securing the passage of the Defence Office Act 2020. Authored by Regnum Italiae, the act would have seen the creation of an additional Cabinet position that served to bolster Europe's defences against, ironically, foreign intervention.
Imperium Anglorum, Europe's World Assembly Delegate and de facto leader since late 2016, stood opposed to the passage of the Defence Office Act for a series of reasons. From Feria-Alkaline's perspective, the act was neither necessary nor redundant, and so the Home Secretary resolved to support the executive's position.
"It's never a bad idea to have 'the Man' on your side," Feria-Alkaline told the Northern Light.
The man in question, however, did not return Feria-Alkaline's blasé approach.
Otherwise, Feria-Alkaline has described her actions as a demonstration of Europe's electoral weaknesses. She strongly argues that vote rigging needs to be criminalised entirely, and that it has not been due to administrative complacency. When the Northern Light declared her a martyr, she did not reject the title.
Cabinet Order 2020 included screenshots highlighting Feria-Alkaline's crimes. Feria-Alkaline argues that these screenshots were manipulated. Imperium Anglorum denies any such manipulation.
On the surface, the case is rather transparent. But through its seeming simplicity, it invites speculation, and if readers are wondering how such came to pass, they can find some explanation within the confines of this article. Europe, like any region in NationStates, is not without its secrets.
Europe is one of NationStates' oldest user-created regions, founded in 2002. Renowned for its contribution to the World Assembly, its professional legislature and its refusal to institute an endorsement cap, it has played part in the game-wide conflict against the notorious Confederation of Corrupt Dictators (CCD).
The Northern Light is repulsed to print anything remotely associated with CCD, but for once the region's antics actually do shed light on an important feature of Europe's governing laws. In 2018, CCD attacked Europe and installed Foucaults garden as World Assembly Delegate. The following update saw Imperium Anglorum take back the delegacy.
This transference of power was, in fact, legal. Proudly, though obviously at the risk of foreign interference, Europe conducts elections for its World Assembly Delegate every twelve hours. This approach is unique to amongst all regions of note within NationStates.
When pressed, Imperium Anglorum recounted his rise to power as Europe's World Assembly Delegate. He fought a hard campaign against his principle opponent, Jenesia, in 2015, advocating for regional reform. Such reforms included the creation of a clear law code, the creation of a constitution, a more active role for government, and a restart of recruiting efforts.
Imperium Anglorum has described his initial attempts to see these reforms carried as "overly ambitious". A week after his election, he lost his delegacy to Jenesia. After a period of months, he returned to the post and began his reforms at a more measured pace. From this point onwards - late 2016 - Europe saw an unprecedented population boom, the effects of which are still felt today.
Alternatively, Feria-Alkaline has existed within Europe since the nation's founding. She served for three terms as First Deputy Commissioner during 2018 before rising to Secretary of the Home Office in September of that year at Imperium Anglorum's invitation.
Interestingly, September was not the first time Imperium Anglorum had offered Feria-Alkaline the Home Office. On 13 February 2018, Imperium Anglorum wrote to Feria-Alkaline over Discord concerning the retirement of then-Home Secretary Jenesia (the same Jenesia that had given Imperium Anglorum a run for his money back in 2015):
"I don't know who to replace [Jenesia] with that I can pretty reasonably trust [for the position of Home Secretary] other than you."
Perhaps Imperium Anglorum faced similar concerns when considering the addition of a Defence Secretary.
In any regional government, loyalty is arguably the most important quality of a regional officer. Sometimes this can come at the expense of the democratic process.
"The cabinet is comprised of Imperium Anglorum and, well, Imperium Anglorum's cronies," said Feria-Alkaline.
"The only thing elected by the people is the commissioners."
When a movement surfaced to increase the authority of these commissioners by way of the Commission Reform Act 2018, Imperium Anglorum opposed it. The reform act failed to carry.
Feria-Alkaline has also drawn the Northern Light towards some of Europe's more authoritarian legal provisions. The Government Act 2017 includes a clause on statuary interpretation, which reads:
"Interpretation of statutory law will be vested in a 'European Council' composed of three persons: the Founder, the author of The Basic Law, and the current Delegate."
"Which is EuroFounder (inactive), Imperium Anglorum (author of The Basic Law), and Imperium Anglorum again," said Feria-Alkaline.
This clause came as a surprise to the Northern Light, but Feria-Alkaline was unfazed. She contends that no one really knows how Imperium Anglorum's power is codified, since Europe's laws and constitution are so difficult for the ordinary person to interpret.
"This **** doesn't make sense to me and I've been here for three years and Home Secretary for nearly two," said Feria-Alkaline.
That said, Imperium Anglorum alerted the Northern Light to his many publications explaining Europe's laws.
"If others in Europe have ideas to simplify our laws or make them clearer, I would be happy to cooperate with them in doing so, as I have in the past," said Imperium Anglorum.
While Feria-Alkaline paints a bleak, almost dictatorial, image of Imperium Anglorum's Europe, the World Assembly Delegate has hit back strongly, attacking Feria-Alkaline's credibility.
"I did not intend to dismiss Feria before the Defence Office act's irregularities became known," said Imperium Anglorum.
Nonetheless, he and Feria-Alkaline suffered past disagreements.
"Since the creation of the Moderation Committee, we have disagreed repeatedly on the enforcement of RMB moderation regulations. In one case, I asked for and received her recusal from a moderation case, as she was involved in an exchange."
"But in most cases, consensuses emerged on the committee."
Imperium Anglorum also alerted the Northern Light to an incident from September 2018 involving Feria-Alkaline and Aweland from the region, supplemented with legitimate evidence.
"Two days after Feria was appointed as Home Secretary, she claimed to have 'accidentally' banned Aweland from [Europe]. She apologised to him both publicly and privately, which I had recommended."
"I am not entirely sure that she in fact gave the apology, but she admitted on 13 May 2020 that her claim of 'accidentally' banning Aweland was a lie."
"However, this did not induce me to dismiss her almost two weeks later, as I then believed that such unlawfulness would not be repeated."
Some might argue that for Imperium Anglorum to hold such a belief indicates a certain level of nativity. Feria-Alkaline had performed unlawful acts in the past, including importing votes to secure the passage of Statutory Revisions Act 2018. The same tactics that were used this May were used in 2018.
Feria-Alkaline has claimed that Imperium Anglorum had a vested interest to see the passage of the revisions act. Imperium Anglorum has denied being aware of the importation, and has in any case argued that the May importations were to his benefit too.
Furthermore, Feria-Alkaline has expressed concern with Imperium Anglorum's leadership presence.
"[He] is conspicuously not around much," she told the Northern Light.
"The man's so ******* distant it's like being ruled by a wall."
Feria-Alkaline also contended that Imperium Anglorum was now more involved in the General Assembly of the World Assembly than he was in Europe's government. To date, Imperium Anglorum has authored a total thirty World Assembly resolutions, making him one of the most prolific legislators in NationStates' history.
The Northern Light had no difficulty in reaching Imperium Anglorum for an interview.
Several other nations also offered their interpretation of Imperium Anglorum's delegacy, confirming Feria-Alkaline's beliefs. These nations requested anonymity for their own safety. Feria-Alkaline also expressed concern:
"I prefer not to endanger my friends."
"I know a few who, after this debacle, have begun to more vocally disapprove of Imperium Anglorum, but always in side servers."
It is even Feria-Alkaline's opinion that the European government is scared of its leader, whose addiction to power knows no bounds.
Both Feria-Alkaline and Imperium Anglorum were asked to describe Imperium Anglorum's five-year delegacy in one word.
"Long," was Feria-Alkaline's immediate response.
Imperium Anglorum declined to comment, declaring the question "unhelpful".
Regardless, Europe is an undeniably successful region, and whatever its politics it remains a close friend and ally of The North Pacific. The Northern Light was pleased to conduct this inquiry, and looks forward to working with both Imperium Anglorum and Feria-Alkaline in the future.
For now, Feria-Alkaline intends to remain in Europe and work productively to "close the loopholes" she has uncovered.
Imperium Anglorum has given his assurances to the Northern Light that legislative actions are being taken to unequivocally criminalise the importation of votes into both Europe's elections and Parliament.
The Northern Lights: Beauty in Truth
Publisher: Prydania :: Executive Editor: Gorundu
The Northern Lights is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Except where otherwise indicated, all content does not represent the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of issues (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=352113')
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Thank you for the update!
I always thought the Power20 was particularly cringe for an interregional publication, because it's gameplayers giving each other pats on the back based seemingly on their popularity with the panel doing the voting. Of course that's how most award shows are, but...well, I think those are cringe too. :P
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People are only talking about the Power20 article... personally I liked the one about Libertanny.
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I bet the Power20 article has sparked large amounts of drama with the gameplayers. :P
I thought the Libertanny article was good, it's just that TEP also did a Libertanny interview in their dispatch as well as an article on their campaign and election, so maybe I'm on Libertanny overload. :P
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You bet it has - read the gameplay forum.
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(https://i.imgur.com/f4UEI8F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)The Spotlight - Interview with Prydania
by Chinese Rebel, Reporter for The North Star
Chinese Rebel: Well everyone, here we are with our Delegate Prydania. I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Let's start from the beginning - How did you get started in NationStates?
Prydania: So I got started in NationStates like so many do, as a teenager who was interested in politics and history.
I was in my grade twelve year of high school and I had just finished with Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. And I stumbled upon NationStates. I was still thinking about a passage form Nineteen Eighty-Four that explained that the totalitarian INGSOC regime had built a statue to honour Oliver Cromwell. Something about a socialist Britain that found common cause with Cromwell was very interesting, so I created Inglo-Scotia. It was a Britain expy whose government was a mix of Orwell's INGSOC regime and Cromwell's British republic.
I can't remember where I spawned, but I quickly joined the Lexicon where I met Eluvatar. That was back in 2006.
Chinese Rebel: That is such a long time ago! How did you eventually make your way into The North Pacific's government?
Prydania: I came to TNP full time in the summer of 2017. I had some bad experiences with game play and regional government in my last region, Taijitu. I had been there for nine years by that point, but it ended in a very explosive way.
So I decided I only wanted to be part of RP in TNP. No government stuff. Problem was I was a good enough RPer to be made a RP mod! And that got some attention from the GP community. I had to turn down multiple offers to be Minister of Culture. I finally accepted when Minister of Culture MadJack resigned in the final two weeks of Ghost's last term. I agreed to fill in. And Fiji, who succeeded Ghost, convinced me to stay on. I ended up staying on as Minister of Culture for a year. And then enough people who I respected in GP convinced me to give a run at Delegate a try. And here I am!
So I got started in TNP government through slow, eventual capitulation to peer pressure! Not a good look for a teacher, I admit, but I'm glad I did. I'm proud of what I've been able to do as both Minister of Culture and as Delegate.
Chinese Rebel: That is an extremely interesting experience! So for most of your time in government you have been Minister of Culture. What did you oversee and accomplish in that position?
Prydania: Regular publication of the Roleplay Reel magazine. We set up and ran a number of cultural events with regions such as Greater Díenstad, XKI, and the other Pacifics. We ran fantasy football, which was a huge success. And we successfully resurrected the Lennarts. Not to mention getting a RP map included in the 2019 Democracy Day reward package!
Chinese Rebel: So now that you are Delegate, what has been your most challenging problem so far?
Prydania: So that's an interesting question! This is my first shot at being Delegate in my long time spent in NationStates, but that long run in the game has given me a good idea of what the position entails. My good friend Sovereign Dixie was a multiple time Delegate or Taijitu, and I served as his Vice Delegate for one of those terms.
So I decided to run for Delegate it TNP with a pretty good idea of what the job would entail. As such most of the trials of the office haven't bothered me too much. I knew what I was signing up for, essentially.
I would say the biggest problem I've had is dealing with what I didn't expect. TNP is a very large region with a lot of moving parts. Of course as Delegate I oversee many of those moving parts but even so. It seems like a lot of people, both inside TNP and outside, are of the belief that I'm the guy who can snap my fingers and address whatever problems they have. I've been inundated with requests about the Civil Defence Siren and embassies and "grand initiatives" random players dream up in their spare time since I was sworn in.
The trials of the Delegacy- working to accomplish goals I want to see accomplished- I'm fine with those. I knew what I was getting into.
Being the point man to absorb everyone's random thoughts or grievances, however, has taken some adjustments.
Chinese Rebel: Of course, there will eventually be a time when you are no longer Delegate. What do you plan to do then?
Prydania: I plan on focusing on my roleplay. Both as an active participant in the roleplay community and with my duties and lead RP mod.
Chinese Rebel: One thing I've been wondering - did you ever consider joining the NPA?
Prydania: No. I had a few unremarkable stints in the Taijitu army but military gameplay isn't really my cup of tea. That being said, working with Rom as my Minister of Defence and the rest of the NPA has been an enlightening experience. The work those guys and girls put into the Army is incredible.
Chinese Rebel: Now, as a Delegate, I'm sure you've looked to past Delegates for inspiration. Who was the delegate when you first arrived and do you think they did a good job?
Prydania: I arrived in the summer of 2017, and the Delegate was Ghost. I thought he did an amazing job, despite being hampered with the RMB drama that was kicked up just before his term started. I have a lot of respect for Ghost, and it's been an honour. Both to kick off my Minister of Culture career under his Delegacy and to have him on board as my Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Chinese Rebel: And who was your favourite Delegate?
Prydania: A lot of them are quite good. McMasterdonia's ability to be everywhere at once was something to admire. McM has also been a great mentor for me in both the Delegacy and earlier in the Ministry of Culture. Fiji provided calm, stable leadership that I personally see a lot of myself in. Ghost is that special sort of leader who can just get you to do anything after a pep-talk! Siwale did a lot for the RP community and the RMB, which I think speaks a great deal to his character because he's not really part of either community. Yet he went the extra mile for both communities.
Those would be the favourites of mine since I've been here, but if I had to pick one? Geeze...I would go with Fiji because I tend to jive with his leadership style and it's one my own is closest to.
Chinese Rebel: Well, unfortunately, that's all we have time for. Thank you for joining us in this interview, Prydania!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)North Pacific Army Bulletin - June 2020
by Gorundu, Lieutenant of the North Pacific Army
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-ext-2.discordapp.net%2Fexternal%2FxZe5fWJxB_Qa7O49OfMCIrZS6-WzCcnW9LS8CnnWlvM%2Fhttps%2Fi.ibb.co%2FXy6S7hG%2FBquQOG8.png&hash=c9403e130971d2b1a91554263dfc8fcc)
Leadership
Minister of Defence: General Rom
Deputy Ministers of Defence: Colonel Robespierre and Colonel BMWSurfer
(https://i.imgur.com/7X1WgHx.jpg)
The North Pacific Army and The Black Hawks wait for orders to enter Liberty Nations Alliance during RaiderCon
So what has the North Pacific Army been up to these days, you ask. Well, curious reader, let me tell you the answer - a lot! We started the month of June with an occupation in SECFanatics, courtesy of an invitation from our friends at The Black Hawks, to stop them from spamming all those pesky embassy requests.
And what’s that? It’s the smell of fresh, new blood in the air! After a successful hold that saw 18 NPA soldiers deployed among over 100 total pilers, two of our newest Privates were promoted to Private First Class (PFC). Soon after, a joint tag raid on June 6 with the Europeian Republican Navy and East Pacific Sovereign Army, hosted by ourselves, saw three of our PFCs joining in to hone their skills in the art of tagging, taking 34 regions with two teams even as update variance threatened to thwart our plans.
Of course, all this raiding doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about our defender friends! On June 13, we hosted the Rejected Realms Army, South Pacific Special Forces and East Pacific Sovereign Army in a joint detag run, efficiently taking down the eyesore non-NPA graffitis from 45 regions in three teams.
But alas, nothing can beat what’s to come at the end of June. On the 29th, under the cover of a sleepy minor update, the NPA and The Blacks Hawks snuck out during a regular tagging run to capture this year’s RaiderCon target: Liberty Nations Alliance. We swiftly restored order to the chaotic, crumbling region, taking action decisively to suspend its Constitution and eject the troublemakers. Again, 18 soldiers were deployed as part of an over-100 coalition occupying force to maintain order.
In the ensuing RaiderCon festivities, much fun was had, whether it’s listening to RaiderVision entries, beating the Puzzle Hunt in impossible time, or laughing at the cringeworthy entries to the meme contest. But the show-stealer came from our newly minted General BluieGamer, who claimed victory in the triggering contest, beating out The Black Hawk’s finest, including fellow General Jakker in the finals! Of course, the bragging rights were immediately claimed by Minister of Defence Rom, and as a reward, we expect Bluie to be leading a lot more missions in the coming months :)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)Regional Assembly Highlights - June 2020
by Cretox State, Deputy Speaker
Speaker: St George (MadJack) (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968/')
Deputy Speakers: Robespierre (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/'), Crushing Our Enemies (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3148393/'), Cretox State (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063529/'), and Bobberino (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/')
Current Business
The only current outstanding business for the Regional Assembly from the month of June is the Court Amendment Act.
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Court Amendment Act (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192490/) by McMasterdonia (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3108012/)
Summary: Proposed by former Delegate McMasterdonia, the Court Amendment Act would attempt to modernize the Court's operations to be more in line with the region's present needs. In its form as of writing, the bill would shift Justices to being appointed by the Delegate and confirmed by the Regional Assembly on a rolling basis, with each Justice serving six-month terms. The bill is currently being revised and discussed, and will likely be submitted at some point in the future.
Status: Proposed
Passed
The proposals that have passed through the Regional Assembly in the months of June and July thus far are the Confirmation of Dreadton, Sil Dorsett and Eluvatar as Election Commissioners, the Confirmation of Dreadton as Prosecutor in The North Pacific v. Pigeonstan, and the Lessening Repeating Work (LRW) Bill.
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Confirmation of Dreadton and Sil Dorsett as Election Commissioners (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192438/)
Summary: Nominated to the Election Commission in early June 2020 by Delegate Prydania, Dreadton and Sil Dorsett had both garnered acclaim for their previous work on the Election Commission. A week after the opening of debate on the subject, both nominees were deemed to have responded to questioning satisfactorily and a motion for a vote began. Both Dreadton and Sil Dorsett were later confirmed by near-unanimous majority Regional Assembly vote, and were admitted to the Election Commission.
Results:
Dreadton: 51 Ayes | 1 Nay | 4 Abstentions
Sil Dorsett: 51 Ayes | 0 Nays | 5 Abstentions
Status: Confirmed as of 21 June 2020
Confirmation of Dreadton as Prosecutor in The North Pacific v. Pigeonstan (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192470/)
Summary: Dreadton was appointed in mid-July 2020 to serve as Prosecutor in the criminal case The North Pacific v. Pigeonstan. A vote was quickly opened and scheduled to run for the shortest possible duration of three days. Dreadton was confirmed by majority vote at the conclusion of the voting period.
Results: 31 Ayes | 6 Nays | 7 Abstentions
Status: Confirmed as of 23 June 2020
Lessening Repeating Work (L.R.W.) Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192504/) by Gorundu (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/)
Summary: Initially brought before the Regional Assembly by Praetor in mid-July 2019, the L.R.W. Bill was revived and revised by Gorundu in mid-March 2020. The bill sought to implement a preferential voting system for Judicial elections, and passed the Regional Assembly by majority vote.
Results: 30 Ayes | 5 Nays | 13 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 1 July 2020
Confirmation of Eluvatar as Election Commissioner (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192621/)
Summary: Eluvatar was nominated to the Election Commission by Delegate Prydania in mid-July, 2020. Eluvatar has previously served on the Election Commission, and the confirmation was expected to pass easily.
Results: 37 Ayes | 2 Nays | 4 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 27 July 2020
[h][/h]
Failed
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Two proposals have failed in the Regional Assembly since the last update, being Wonderess' Security Council Application, which failed to reach a two-thirds majority Regional Assembly vote, and the Delegate's Report Bill, which failed to reach a majority.
Wonderess' Security Council Application (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192217/)
Summary: After applying to the Security Council on the first of May, Wonderess failed to be recommended for admission. The Regional Assembly then began a discussion to examine the proposition of upholding or overturning the Security Council's decision.
Results: 37 Ayes | 42 Nays | 12 Abstentions
Status: Failed as of 25 June 2020
[h][/h]
Delegate's Report Bill (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192611/) by RocketDog (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5008463/)
Summary: The Delegate's Report Bill was originally introduced to the Regional Assembly a year ago during El Fiji Grande's term as Delegate as a way to clarify when the executive administration was to give reports on its activities. After a period of dormancy for many months, discussion surfaced again in late March of 2020 and after a few revisions the bill was later passed by the Regional Assembly and vetoed by the Delegate. On 14 July 2020, the bill has been brought to vote again after further revision.
Results: 9 Ayes | 23 Nays | 19 Abstentions
Status: Failed as of 21 July 2020
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png) World Assembly Digest
by BMWSurfer (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5023308/')
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg)
General Assembly
Improving the world one resolution at a time. Rights Of The EmployedSpoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 11828 Against: 10133
Final Vote (TNP): For: 330 Against: 365 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 76 Against: 45 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 116 Against: 53 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 169 Against: 23 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Despite being written with the commendable goal of fighting workplace discrimination, "Rights of the Employed" is marred by several glaring issues which leave it unable to achieve its lofty goals. Though ostensibly intended to ensure "a range of rights" for workers, the proposal inexplicably omits freelance workers and most contractors from benefiting under its clauses. The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs finds it troubling that the first thing a resolution against workplace discrimination does is discriminate against certain types of workers.
Additionally, some of the proposal's language is questionable at best. For example, the legislation places the burden on the employee to prove to their employer the need for breastfeeding at work, which is unacceptable for what should be obvious reasons. On the subject of breastfeeding, the proposal mandates that "a private, safe, hygienic and ventilated area in [the] workplace, separate from any toilets" exists solely for breastfeeding, which is unrealistic for many small businesses. Furthermore, the proposal's heavy-handed banning of "intimidating behavior" is wholly incompatible with certain professions built around experiencing such. We recommend that the authors revise their work, and cannot, in good faith, recommend voting For this proposal.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting Against the resolution, "Rights of the Employed".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 18256 Against: 1803
Final Vote (TNP): For: 696 Against: 17 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 126 Against: 6 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 189 Against: 7 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 193 Against: 8 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Proper Hygiene For Medical Instruments" is a well-suited replacement of the recently-repealed "Ensuring Safe Syringe Use" - not only does the replacement cover up all the issues that the repealed resolution had while still maintaining the integrity of the legislation, it also has a far broader scope so as to ensure proper sterilization of all susceptible medical instruments and not just syringes. The topic it is on is an essential area of legislation in ensuring that the spread of disease through improperly sanitized equipment in medical settings is minimized, and it legislates on this topic very effectively.
For these reasons, The North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For the at-vote proposal, "Proper Hygiene For Medical Instruments".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 17814 Against: 1221
Final Vote (TNP): For: 692 Against: 38 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 105 Against: 12 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 161 Against: 15 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 171 Against: 16 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Over the years, the General Assembly has sought to protect the rights of all people to enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities afforded to their peers, regardless of categories like race, gender, or sexual orientation. Unfortunately, international law has not afforded deaf and hard of hearing individuals this protection until now. "Language and Education Rights for Deaf Individuals" seeks to remedy this deficiency, by guaranteeing deaf individuals the right to an equal education, freedom from discrimination, and the ability to fully participate in society through recognition of non-audial languages. The proposal displays good writing, and effectively legislates on an important topic.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote proposal, "Language and Education Rights for Deaf Individuals".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 11930 Against: 6378
Final Vote (TNP): For: 300 Against: 389 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 106 Against: 27 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 103 Against: 66 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 166 Against: 34 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Written with the goal of curbing the possible negative environmental effects of desalination, "Regulating Desalination" naturally legislates on a very narrow topic. However, this limited scope does the proposal more harm than good. For starters, the legislation's clauses are quite weak, and do not take advantage of the proposal's narrow topic to effectively regulate desalination. The issues posed by desalination are not limited to waste products harming ecosystems; rather, they include risks to human health, which are not covered by the proposal, and ocean-specific issues such as the intake and destruction of animals and eggs. Additionally, the proposal fails to address the potential commercial applications of waste products, nor does it effectively address the financial issues plaguing desalination in water-scarce areas or encourage water conservation measures. It is our belief that a proposal on such a narrow topic must take full advantage of its limited scope. Otherwise, it may as well be rewritten to regulate water treatment or land-based industry in general.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting Against the proposal, "Regulating Desalination".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 15221 Against: 3197
Final Vote (TNP): For: 638 Against: 58 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 105 Against: 13 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 128 Against: 31 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 161 Against: 16 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Supporting and Valuing the Humanities is a proposal that firstly notes the importance and rightful mention of the humanities within the halls of the WA, coming after GA# 475 which spoke on the importance of the Natural Sciences. This resolution not only speaks about the humanities' importance, but takes steps to ensure their presence and usage in member nations' curriculums. Funding is offered for those nations who may not be able to support such curriculum with their own national budget through the World Humanities Fund. Such funding has been given concrete objectives to ensure that no money is being improperly used. These funds are not limited to only governments, but are extended to non profit entities who help further the mission of this proposal.
Built into the proposal is the formation of the Department of External Auditors, which ensures funds are being responsibly allocated to avoid wasteful spending and ensures transparency when it comes to the use of funding.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the proposal, "Supporting and Valuing the Humanities".
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 7075 Against: 10160
Final Vote (TNP): For: 195 Against: 457 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 46 Against: 73 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 70 Against: 84 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 133 Against: 37 with percentage of WA nations voting: 31
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
While the proposal reveals the noble intentions of its author, "Standards On Police Accountability" does not achieve the goal its title suggests. Potentially its most significant problem is the fact that the proposal does not mandate that bodycams and onboard cameras ever be turned on, providing nations with a major loophole. Secondly, the proposal defines "police force" and "law enforcement officer" in a way that is overly broad and includes institutions (e.g., intelligence services) that are not intended to be included. Lastly, the proposal jeopardises the safety of undercover officers by requiring them to wear bodycams.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting Against the GA proposal, "Standards On Police Accountability".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 13157 Against: 2532
Final Vote (TNP): For: 549 Against: 53 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 106 Against: 14 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 129 Against: 12 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 151 Against: 14 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
"Fair Arbitration Act" (GA) fulfills an important role in comprehensively regulating arbitration agreements, which are agreements that mandate the resolving of legal disputes by an independent arbitrator, rather than a court of law. The proposal seeks to ensure that these agreements are only valid when they serve the public good, and accomplishes this effectively by prohibiting all such agreements with respect to matters of antitrust violations, civil rights, consumer goods, and employment. The proposal sees to it that arbitration agreements will only apply between two parties of relatively equal bargaining power, and will never unduly interfere with the ability of an individual to seek legal action over alleged wrongdoing. The proposal nicely complements prior resolutions passed by the General Assembly, by ensuring that individuals can enforce their rights in court.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Fair Arbitration Act".
(https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg)
Security Council
Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary. Commend Crushing Our EnemiesSpoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 15370 Against: 5135
Final Vote (TNP): For: 599 Against: 79 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 89 Against: 23 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 112 Against: 49 with percentage of WA nations voting: 31
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 170 Against: 20 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
"Commend Crushing Our Enemies" is a well drafted resolution that recognises the substantive work that Crushing Our Enemies (also known as "General COE" has undertaken during their time in NationStates. Their tireless efforts have included vastly improving The North Pacific's internal security, laws and policies, publications, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government institutions as a whole. Crushing Our Enemies is one of the modern founding fathers of The North Pacific and his contributions are too numerous to mention in a single resolution. Crushing Our Enemies has a proven record of valuing regional sovereignty, military service, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. In addition to his contributions to The North Pacific, Crushing Our Enemies has helped to develop a culture of professionalism and responsibility in The Black Hawks and ensured compliance with international law following the use of the military weapon "Predator". Crushing Our Enemies is a very deserving candidate as is reflected in the resolution.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting FOR the resolution, "Commend Crushing Our Enemies".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 13882 Against: 4806
Final Vote (TNP): For: 605 Against: 61 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 58 Against: 62 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 115 Against: 41 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 173 Against: 16 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Commend 9003" outlines a most eloquent and refined set of rationales for the favorable recognition of 9003 by this most noble World Assembly. A truly cultured nation, 9003 is most deserving of this pinnacle of honors, as exemplified by its everlasting commitment to the collection of "artwork" in the form of cards from across NationStates. The proposal articulates two fine reasons for why 9003 is to be commended, those being its noteworthy history of tasteful card collection and its storied history of involvement with both the North Pacific Army and the forces of Mordor. Special emphasis is placed on the nation's role as Deputy Guildmaster of the North Pacific Cards Guild, and its hosting of Olympic Games for art. In the opinion of the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs, both this proposal and this nation will undoubtably age as befitting a bottle of fine wine.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the Security Council proposal, "Commend 9003".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 16861 Against: 2416
Final Vote (TNP): For: 606 Against: 58 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 57 Against: 51 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 134 Against: 21 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 110 Against: 74 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
[No Recommendation]
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 4153 Against: 11716
Final Vote (TNP): For: 112 Against: 529 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 20 Against: 105 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 43 Against: 103 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 75 Against: 100 with percentage of WA nations voting: 31
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
"Commend Apulita" is a resolution that seeks to recognize a prominent native of the Warzone regions for their lengthy tenure as Delegate of Warzone Europe and for their supposedly invaluable influence in keeping the region stable. If Apulita is commendable, this resolution does not make the case. The resolution misrepresents the influence The North Pacific (TNP) had in protecting Warzone Europe which at the time Apulita was Delegate was a protectorate of Equilism, a treatied ally of TNP. TNP deployed to the region a number of times when the region was under threat and TNP's support of Apulita served to dissuade regions from toppling Apulita. The proposal additionally falls into the trap of just listing positions (eg. Senator, President, etc. ) without specifying what exactly Apulita did in those positions.
Additionally, it should be noted that simply reigning as Delegate for an extended period of time in one's native region is not a commendable feat on its own and as such this proposal relies far too heavily on that one subject.
Thus, for the reasons outlined above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote AGAINST the resolution Commend Apulita.
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 4007 Against: 11916
Final Vote (TNP): For: 409 Against: 232 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 19 Against: 78 with percentage of WA nations voting: 22
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 22 Against: 103 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 26 Against: 128 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
Repeal: 'Condemn Vandoosa'" makes a well-formulated and straightforward case for why its target resolution would best be repealed. The target resolution in question (SC#188), a condemnation of the now-defunct Vandoosa, is largely obsolete at this point. The proposed repeal notes the depreciated nature of the target resolution (especially considering that the nation in question has since been refounded under a new name), and highlights several deficiencies in its clauses, such as the overinflated description of the nation's actions alongside numerous errors, which the author of the target themselves attested to.
For these reasons, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the Security Council proposal, Repeal: 'Commend Vandoosa'
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 13640 Against: 2763
Final Vote (TNP): For: 555 Against: 62 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 84 Against: 19 with percentage of WA nations voting: 24
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 114 Against: 18 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 142 Against: 8 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
The Salaxalans is one of the most dedicated players in the game, dedicating over eight years to their home region of Spiritus. Over this time, he has spent six years as delegate, furthering the community around it and thrusting the region onto the international stage. "Commend The Salaxalans", gives a superb demonstration of this dedication, and shows how Spiritus would not be the region it is today if not for The Salaxalans' leadership, amongst other various accomplishments. Among these accomplishments includes the dispersion of the "potato" meme amongst NationStates, a meme so widely popular that it was recognized by Max Barry, superb leadership through both Z-Days and N-Days, and becoming the first-ever Vice WA Secretary-General.
For these reasons, The North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote FOR the at-vote proposal, "Commend The Salaxalans."
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 9371 Against: 4794
Final Vote (TNP): For: 499 Against: 76 with percentage of WA nations voting: 32
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 78 Against: 26 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 85 Against: 32 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 136 Against: 20 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
A focused and well-written proposal, "Condemn Australian rePublic" (SC) makes a thorough and humorous case for why its target is to be condemned by the Security Council. The nation in question, Australian rePublic, is one of the game's most prominent issue authors, with a full seventeen (17) published issues to their name, and a consistent presence in the "Got Issues?" subforum. While the seemingly logical decision would be to commend the target for their lasting efforts rather than condemning them, the proposal's author blends the meta with the in-character to build a compelling argument that is pleasing to read and feels entirely appropriate in its conclusions. Additionally, the fourth wall in our office went missing shortly after one of the "missions" mentioned in the proposal, and we want it back.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote Security Council proposal, "Condemn Australian rePublic".
Publisher: Prydania (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3295892/')
:: Executive Editor: Gorundu (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/')
:: Managing Editor: BMWSurfer (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5023308/')
, Bormiar (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061165/')
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific. Index of Issues (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798')
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The North Pacific and The South Pacific recently announced a joint festival! Full of fun and games, A Drop in the Ocean 2 comes four years after the original Drop in the Ocean. Coordinated by Minister of Culture Syrixia and Minister of Regional Affairs Seraph (Erinor). Now, they’re back and with the same goal: to celebrate strong TNP/TSP relations and all the things that make GCRs great! A lot has happened during this time, but with TNP/TSP relations still going strong, A Drop in the Ocean 2 is sure to be a lot of fun!
A Drop in the Ocean 2 will have what every NS festival requires: games, competitions, lectures, releplaying and much more. Since TSP hosted last time, we’ve made a subforum on the TNP forums for all the necessary celebrations. We also have our own Discord server just for this event. We’re super excited to kick this off, and anyone who so desires is welcome to take a look.
Links:
FESTIVAL SUBFORUM: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/forum/5002545/
DISCORD SERVER: https://discord.gg/tsGD2Vv
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Thanks for the update!
It seems that TNP has a history of people coming from regions they didn't have a good experience in and rising to becoming delegate...in that respect it reminds me of El Fiji Grande. But I suppose that's because TNP seems to be much more peaceful than most other regions, and probably does a better job of developing talented people, too.
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Thanks for the update!
It seems that TNP has a history of people coming from regions they didn't have a good experience in and rising to becoming delegate...in that respect it reminds me of El Fiji Grande. But I suppose that's because TNP seems to be much more peaceful than most other regions, and probably does a better job of developing talented people, too.
No more peaceful than UCRs with founders :P
Though I gotta say not every newcomer who runs for delegate has “talent”.
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No more peaceful than UCRs with founders :P
Though I gotta say not every newcomer who runs for delegate has “talent”.
We both know that having a founder doesn't necessarily make for a peaceful community, and not having a founder doesn't necessarily make for an unpeaceful community. :P
I certainly agree, but TNP does seem to have its share of people who wouldn't have reached their full potential in the region they were in before.
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I imagine us being a stable meritocratic democracy would have something to do with that. :)
We have a philosophy of (and this is posted as me, not expressing my region's official views) promoting whoever seems to be doing the best job. We have a very new member who has just been promoted to deputy minister of Home Affairs by virtue of activity and going the extra mile for the ministry.
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There's where we have some differences...being a smaller UCR, we don't have a large pool of people interested in government or civics, so a lot of people end up in positions by default. It's not meritocratic at all, but fortunately most people who end up in a position are dedicated and do good work nonetheless. :)
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Text Version
Dedicated entirely to defining, exploring, and evaluating Information For Voters releases (IFVs), this piece takes an in-depth look at an increasingly critical component of many regions' WA programs. This essay also takes a look at the dual nature of IFVs: they serve to both amplify regional voting power and provide players less involved in WA matters with a means of gaining greater insight into a specific proposal.
Kenmoria - The Role of IFVs in the General Assembly (http://’https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192879/’)
This relatively shorter essay defines and examines liberations in the modern sense- specifically, offensive liberations and their defensive (or "standard") counterparts. Liberations are a potent tool, which can be wielded to protect native populations- or to harm them.
Lord Dominator - Offensive and Defensive Liberations (http://’https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192883/’)
This piece explores the logic that often shapes big Delegate voting in the General Assembly, and examines several differing schools of thought when it comes to determining how regional Delegate votes are cast. A secondary purpose of this essay is to examine the factors that often determine a region's voting stance on a particular proposal, and the role of IFVs in shaping how votes are cast.
Maowi - Regional Delegates and General Assembly Canon (http://’https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192872/’)
Interpreting committee provisions within General Assembly resolutions is inherently a point of some controversy due largely to the significant differences in how national governments and WA committees create and enforce regulations, and the increasing reliance of proposals on committees. This piece argues in favor of applying the reasonable nation test (nations would not interpret provisions in a self-detrimental way) to committee provisions.
Imperium Anglorum - Interpreting committee provisions (http://’https://raw.githack.com/ifly6/ifly-images/master/nationstates/wa-law-review/walr-wp-2020/walr-wp-2020-02.pdf’)
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Thanks for the update! :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/f4UEI8F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[SIZE=150] Regional Assembly Highlights | August - September 2020[/size]
by Cretox State, Deputy Speaker
Speaker: St George (MadJack) (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3131968/')
Deputy Speakers (August): Robespierre (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/'), Crushing Our Enemies (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3148393/'), Cretox State (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063529/'), and Bobberino (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/')
Deputy Speakers (September): Robespierre (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061368/'), Bobberino (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5047450/'), Comfed (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063690'), and Lady Raven Wing (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061052')
Current Business
Current outstanding business for the Regional Assembly as of writing is voting on the rejection of New Francois (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063940/')'s citizenship application by the Vice Delegate, and handling the potential confirmation of Gorundu (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5061448/') as prosecutor for the court case "The North Pacific v. New Francois".
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Rejection of New Francois (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063940/')'s Citizenship Application
Summary: New Francois lost citizenship on 9 September 2020 due to failing to maintain a nation within TNP. They reapplied for citizenship on 20 September 2020; this application was rejected by Vice Delegate Dreadton (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5060805/'). The Regional Assembly must determine whether to uphold this rejection.
Status: At Vote
Appointment of Gorundu as Prosecutor for "The North Pacific v. New Francois" (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9193021/')
Summary: Delegate TlomzKrano appointed Gorundu as Prosecutor for the court case "The North Pacific v. New Francois" on 21 September 2020 after some concerns were raised regarding a prior appointee. The appointment of Gorundu is currently being discussed.
Status: Discussion and Debate
On Hold
Appointment of Chewie as Prosecutor for "The North Pacific v. New Francois" (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192967/')
Summary: Then-Delegate Prydania appointed Chewie as Prosecutor for the court case "The North Pacific v. New Francois" on 11 September 2020. The matter was successfully motioned to be voted upon, but received enough objections to cancel the scheduled vote. Another Prosecutor was subsequently appointed by Delegate TlomzKrano.
Passed - Legislative
The legislative proposals that have passed through the Regional Assembly in the months of August and September thus far are the Government Officials Achieving Transparency Act and the North Pacific Security Council Disclosure Act.
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The Government Officials Achieving Transparency Act (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192550/')* by Praetor (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/3302031/')
Summary: In an effort to increase the transparency and accountability of the region's Security Council, Praetor brought the aforementioned proposed piece of legislation before the Regional Assembly in early July. The bill sought to make the Security Council subject to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), thereby allowing redacted private Security Council records to be made public upon resident request. The bill passed the Regional Assembly by majority vote, after which it was vetoed by the Delegate.
Results: 32 Ayes | 14 Nays | 5 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 15 August 2020
*Vetoed by then-Delegate Prydania after passing
North Pacific Security Council Disclosure Act (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192791/') by Oracle (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5011753/')
Summary: In response to the veto of The Government Officials Achieving Transparency act, Oracle brought their proposed legislation before the Regional Assembly in mid-August in an attempt to address the subject of Security Council transparency in a modified manner. The most important of these modifications included provisions dealing with private records that existed prior to the bill's taking effect and methods of validation through the Court. The bill passed the Regional Assembly by majority vote.
Results: 19 Ayes | 6 Nays | 9 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 13 September 2020
Passed - Non Legislative
The non-legislative proposals that passed the Regional Assembly in the months of August and September as of yet are the Confirmation of Fregerson as Election Commissioner, the Confirmation of Vivanco as Prosecutor in "The North Pacific v. Ihese", the Confirmation of Cretox State and BMWSurfer to the Election Commission, and Former English Colony's Security Council Application.
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Confirmation of Fregerson as Election Commissioner (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192762/')
Summary: Fregerson was nominated to the Election Commission by then-Delegate Prydania on 11 August 2020, as Fregerson's term on the Commission was expiring. The nomination was soon motioned to a vote, and passed the Regional Assembly by majority vote on 25 August 2020.
Results: 36 Ayes | 0 Nays | 6 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 25 August 2020
Confirmation of Vivanco as Prosecutor in "The North Pacific v. Ihese" (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192900/')
Summary: Vivanco was nominated by then-Delegate Prydania to serve as Prosecutor for the aforementioned Court case. After a period of debate, the nomination was brought to a vote on 3 September 2020. The nomination was confirmed by the Regional Assembly by majority vote.
Results: 30 Ayes | 1 Nay | 12 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 6 September 2020
Confirmation of BMWSurfer and Cretox State as Election Commissioners (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192912/')
Summary: BMWSurfer and Cretox State were nominated by then-Delegate Prydania in early September to serve on the Election Commission. Shortly thereafter, the matter was brought to the Regional Assembly, where both nominations passed by majority vote.
Results:
BMWSurfer: 35 Ayes | 0 Nays | 4 Abstentions
Cretox State: 38 Ayes | 0 Nays | 2 Abstentions
Status: Both passed as of 10 September 2020
Former English Colony's Security Council Application (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192995/)
Summary: In mid-September, the region's Security Council nominated Former English Colony, one of the oldest and most notable members of TNP, for a seat on the Security Council by unanimous vote. The matter was motioned for a vote of the Regional Assembly, where it passed by majority vote.
Results: 40 Ayes | 0 Nays | 8 Abstentions
Status: Passed as of 21 September 2020
Failed
Ease of Prosecution Act (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9192600/') by Comfed (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063690/')
The only proposal that failed the Regional Assembly in the last two months is the Ease of Prosecution Act (legislative). Introduced in mid-July, the bill aimed to provide for the appointment of a new Prosecutor in Court cases where the sitting Prosecutor discontinues the case. The proposal barely failed to reach majority support.
Results: 12 Ayes | 13 Nays | 6 Abstentions
Status: Failed as of 29 August 2020
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[SIZE=150] News - ADITO 2[/size]
by Arichia, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
A Drop In The Ocean 2 was a celebration, hosted by The North Pacific and The South Pacific, celebrating TNP and TSP as allies and Pacifics. The festival followed A Drop In The Ocean 1, which happened in 2017. The celebration had places to learn, role-play, have fun. The celebration was planned by TNP’s Minister of Culture, Syrixia, TNP’s Cards Guildmaster, Praetor, as well as the rest of TNP’s Ministry of Culture. A Drop In The Ocean 2 began on 2 August 2020 and ended on 9 August 2020.
TNP Delegate, Prydania began with an Opening Statement on the celebration. Beforehand, a Celebration Pavilion was made in TNP’s forum, for the part of the celebration that was on the forum. A Discord server for the festival was also released.
TNP’s forums contained the Celebration Pavilion. There, three social deduction games were put up, Mafia, Detectives, and Assassin In The Palace, hosted by Praetor. However, Detectives ended early, due to discussion on the game happening on the Discord server. Seraph also brought over the “Cake vs Pie” thread from TSP. The Celebration Pavilion also had the central thread for the Art and Writing Contests. There were two prompts during the celebration, “Describe What You Think The Best Quality Of Your Region Is”, and “Describe What You Hope For The Future of TNP-TSP Relations”. The role-play part of The Celebration Pavilion contained the World Exposition, as well as the International Conference.
The Discord server of ADITO 2 had several channels, including The Mess Hall, and channels for some of the activities on the forum. The Mess Hall was a place for spam and memery. It also contained a trivia and a battle game for everyone to enjoy. The server also had a voice channel, the Aquarium, for lectures and AMAs (Ask Me Anything) from figures from both regions. Morover, Rom, Pallaith, Nimarya, Phoenix, Jay, Gorundu, Dreadton, Seraph, Syrixia, Nakari, and Prydania all did AMAs. Highton, Praetor, Omega, Phoenix did lectures on Sports, Cards, Podcasting, and Character RP, respectively. Nimarya touched on how the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Home Affairs rely on each other. Rom explained how they wanted to expand the NPA's piling force. Pallaith also talked about The World Factbook Project. Many other subjects were brought up as well. The transcripts were posted in the Celebration Pavilion, under the Lecture Transcripts thread. The recordings were posted on NBS.
As A Drop In The Ocean 2 concluded, El Fiji Grande was named as the winner of the Art Contest and was awarded a medal. Syrixia gave their Closing Statements on the festival, stating that “Our friendship has been and continues to be stronger and deeper than any of the great oceans on which we sail. May it remain so in perpetuity!” Following the end of A Drop In The Ocean 2, the Celebration Pavilion was locked and moved to the Archives.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[SIZE=14] The Spotlight - Interview With Nimarya[/size]
by Arichia, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
Arichia: So, I would like to start from the beginning, how did you first get started in NationStates?
Nimarya: Well, my brother actually found the website and showed it to me a little over two years ago. I made a nation and spent most of the following two years just lurking, answering issues, and spying on the forum. Eventually, my old nation CTE'd, so when I decided to return to NationStates I made a new nation under the name "Nimarya" which just so happened to spawn in TNP. Then, I was inexplicably drawn into the activities of this region and the rest is history.
Arichia: TNP has many activities for many people. What activities did you first get yourself involved in?
Nimarya: Home Affairs and the North Pacific Army were the two big things. I joined Home Affairs not long before Bluie resigned from the position of Minister of Home Affairs, and when Rocketdog stepped up as Minister he choose to give me a chance as Deputy. I think I can point back to that singular decision on his part as the one thing that's most defined my path in TNP, because when I was brought in as a Deputy I was given the chance to learn administration, to establish myself in the region, and was set on the course that would lead to me one day taking over as Minister of Home Affairs.
The NPA has also been one of my absolute favorite things about this region. Rom in particular was amazing and taught me R/D personally, and now I can say I'm an officer in the NPA thanks to his guidance. It's fun, it's engaging, and I love the friends I've made there. Working with the NPA is also a great opportunity to make friends outside of the North Pacific as you compete with other R/D players in NS.
Arichia: From what you've said about your time here, it looks like you've really enjoyed Home Affairs and NPA! I would also like to hear about what you think is the most enjoyable part of being the Minister of Home Affairs.
Nimarya: The most enjoyable aspect of being Minister of Home Affairs, for me at least, is harnessing the ideas and passion of the people who work with me. I like how we're all a team who wants to reach out to new players and help them become part of the region, and I think that passion and sense of community we share is crucial to the life and productivity of Home Affairs. It makes me very happy to see my staff have fun and engage with others, and that's been one of my most driving motivations as I work to continuously improve the Ministry.
Arichia: Before yourself, many people have held the position of the Minister of Home Affairs. As you are in that same position, who do you look up to, and what do you admire about them?
Nimarya: Well, I haven't worked under that many other Ministers in Home Affairs- only Bluie, very briefly, and Rocketdog. I have, however, also become friends with BMWSurfer who was a MoHA long before I joined TNP. I would say I respect each of them for different things. I admire BMW greatly for the advice he has given me throughout this term, as well as his genius creation of Home Affair's latest roster. I respect Bluie for being a solid and dependable worker and advisor who has stepped up to the plate multiple times this last term. I also admire the work he did with polls during his last term, an idea which, if I'm ever again able to work as MoHA, I intend to blatantly copy. Lastly, I respect Rocketdog for his example in delegating certain work to his deputies during his term as Minister, instead of trying to do everything himself. In that way I've chosen to follow in his footsteps by delegating work and trusting my deputies to help shoulder the work of Home Affairs, a tactic which I believe has led to better results all around.
Arichia: I see that you value hard work and determination. What are some difficult challenges that you have gone through during your time working in Home Affairs, or TNP government in general?
Nimarya: Two main challenges come to mind, I think. The first would be a more general challenge that just comes with gaining a leadership position. It can be hard establishing goals, schedules, and then of course figuring out step by step what exactly needs to happen and then how to make it happen. I think that's just gotten easier with experience as I've worked throughout the term. I've had to postpone different projects and I've had to accept that some things I would like to do just aren't feasible or important enough for the moment, which can be a hard pill to swallow sometimes. But I would like to say I'm learning, and getting better at management in general, and I am happy with the things we've been able to accomplish this term.
The other challenge would be handling situations with staff that aren't really doing what they're supposed to. This term we've had situations where people were claiming things out of order, or fighting over rows, and dealing with that hasn't been easy, but I think the key to solving or at least mitigating those problems has been just to talk to people, and work out what needs to change.
Arichia: Those are hard problems, but, of course, problems arise all the time, and we accomplish things too. Under your leadership, what do you believe is Home Affairs' greatest accomplishment?
Nimarya: That's a very tough question to answer. We have the new Log and Data Viewer system, which I believe to be revolutionary, and we've also recently introduced a cards reward program that I think will also go very far and might potentially serve as an inspiration for other cards programs. However, at the end of the day I think the most important thing Home Affairs has gained is a solid system of operations. We now have methods and routine for each of the main processes of Home Affairs, from distributing Home Office work in a rotational schedule, to guides for accepting and training new staff, to templates and procedures for mentoring, and more. At the beginning of my term, I said I wanted to do many small things to make Home Affairs easier to run and easier to work in. I think I can say I've succeeded at that.
Arichia: To my knowledge, much of the work you put into is for Home Affairs and the NPA. Are you part of other ministries, The Regional Assembly, or in any other places?
Nimarya: Well, as a citizen and Minister I'm definitely part of the Regional Assembly! I haven't been involved in drafting legislation, but that could change one day. Truth be told most of my focus and efforts have been on the NPA and HA, especially the past few months. However, I am part of Culture as well and have assisted with graphic design this term, and I'm also technically part of the Cards Guild, although that's mostly because Praetor hasn't kicked me out yet, and I want to become more involved with that in the future.
Arichia: And to finish, once your time as Minister is over, what do you plan to do, and would you consider doing anything more?
Nimarya: Well, when I'm done as Minister of Home Affairs, I'm probably going to turn my attention to trying out different areas of the game and region that I haven't explored much yet, namely Foreign Affairs and possibly World Assembly Affairs. I'll also consider running for office one of these days. That's not to say I intend to abandon Home Affairs or the NPA- on the contrary, I doubt I could ever leave them, but I probably will step back from leadership for at least a term in the future, just to recharge and figure out what it is I want to be doing.
Arichia: Those are all the questions I have. I really appreciate your time and answers! Thanks for the opportunity to interview you!
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[SIZE=150] News - August 2020 Special Election[/size]
by Comfed, Deputy Speaker
After Lady Raven wing lost her justice position for not posting on the forum for 14 days, she lost her position as justice and a special election was called.
Candidates:
Yalkan
Vivanco
Eluvatar
Yalkan
Yalkan declared his candidacy in the candidacy declarations thread. He did not post a campaign thread.
Yalkan received 16.67% of the vote and was not elected.
Vivanco
Vivanco accepted a nomination from Praetor. He posted a campaign thread, and based it on his election to the now abolished post of Attorney General, and stated that he had enough experience to understand and interpret the law.
Vivanco received 28.12% of the vote and was not elected.
Eluvatar
Eluvatar accepted a nomination from Robespierre. He posted a campaign thread, and ran on the basis of his experience as a previous justice. He also included a FAQ in his thread.
Eluvatar received 55.13% of the vote and was elected.
Mall also ran, but since he already had a justice seat his candidacy was null. He posted a campaign thread only, which was entitled "Mall4Court 2: Thanks Election Commission". The election was run differently due to the"Lessening Repeating Work" bill recently passed by Praetor resulting in a vote system similar to Single Transferable Vote (STV).
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[SIZE=14] News - September 2020 Special Justice Election[/size]
by Owenstacy, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Due to losing citizenship, Eluvatar abandoned their position as justice, which resulted in a second Special Justice Election of the term being called. The election saw two candidates run, both of whom had experience in the judicial branch: Vivanco and Saintpeter.
Vivanco
Vivanco, a former Attorney General and running for the fourth time, ran on a platform of ‘truth, honesty, and justice’. Citing the importance of stability in the court, and the fact that this was the third judicial election of the term, he promised that he would not abandon his office.
Vivanco received 85.71% of the vote and was elected.
Saintpeter
Saintpeter, running for justice for the second time this term, also pledged that they would not abandon office this term if elected. Apart from this, they ran on the same platform as they did in their last candidacy. This consisted of the clear implementation of judicial philosophy into the workings of the court and the court self-regulating its power. As well as this, Saintpeter proposed implementing a trial of law clerks to give people experience working in this branch.
Saintpeter received 14.29% of the vote and was not elected.
(https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png)[SIZE=150] World Assembly Digest[/size]
by BMWSurfer, Minister of Communications
Protecting Legal Rights Of WorkersSpoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5424 Against: 1105
Final Vote (TNP): For: 555 Against: 55 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 100 Against: 17 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 144 Against: 10 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 112 Against: 14 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4978 Against: 1421
Final Vote (TNP): For: 519 Against: 67 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 104 Against: 15 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 144 Against: 21 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 118 Against: 16 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
A proposal designed to lay the groundwork for police accountability in all member nations, "Integrity in Law Enforcement" effectively legislates in pursuit of its goal by mandating the disclosure of law enforcement records relating to investigations into and incidents of alleged wrongdoing by police, such as sexual assault and excessive use of force. The proposal strikes a good balance between facilitating transparency and providing for a necessary level of confidentiality, by allowing the redaction of records in order to protect personal information and preserve national security, as well as other reasons. Additionally, the legislation explicitly allows for national and World Assembly law to increase the scope of transparency regarding law enforcement records, and the public's access to such.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Integrity in Law Enforcement."
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4398 Against: 1790
Final Vote (TNP): For: 515 Against: 69 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 72 Against: 32 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 135 Against: 30 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 28 Against: 96 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
A well-written proposal, "Repeal: Wartime Journalism Protection Act" helps illuminate multiple glaring flaws in the target resolution. There are several loopholes in the resolution which include granting member-states the ability to expel reporters from scenes where chemical and biological weapons are being used on the grounds that it would put the journalist in danger, the ability to cover up crimes against humanity on the grounds that it would jeopardize its military efforts, and the ability to expel journalists carrying objects on the grounds that they are weapons, especially considering that target does not define a weapon. While these are not all the issues with the target, it very quickly becomes apparent that this repeal is necessary.
For these reasons, The North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the at-vote proposal in the General Assembly, "Repeal: Wartime Journalism Protection Act".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5410 Against: 932
Final Vote (TNP): For: 542 Against: 43 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 105 Against: 12 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 155 Against: 9 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 112 Against: 9 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
A solidly constructed proposal legislating on an important subject, "Public Access to Court Records" sets out to achieve one goal: to ensure public access to judicial records for the purposes of facilitating more effective oversight of national court systems. The proposal effectively fulfills this objective by mandating that court documents be provided to the public free of charge and in an easily accessible manner, while crucially allowing for redaction or sealing where it serves the public interest. Additionally, the proposal in question requires that all documents it pertains to be deposited with the Universal Library Coalition where reasonable.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the General Assembly proposal, "Public Access to Court Records".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4751 Against: 1404
Final Vote (TNP): For: 493 Against: 72 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 93 Against: 19 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 143 Against: 23 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 90 Against: 29 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
A sensible repeal of quite a flawed resolution, "Repeal: 'Promotion of Recycling'" makes an effective case for why its target should be stricken from the body of international law. Chief among its arguments are the general incoherency of the target, holes in its wording, and careless oversights in matters such as the upgrading of existing recycling systems and the transshipment of viable waste materials for the purposes of recycling. With a superior replacement rapidly approaching the point of readiness for submission, we see little reason to oppose this proposal.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Repeal: 'Promotion of Recycling'".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5012 Against: 1409
Final Vote (TNP): For: 529 Against: 75 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 89 Against: 17 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 153 Against: 21 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 106 Against: 15 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
The at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Restrictions on Forced Eugenics", is a concise and eloquent piece of legislation that protects the right of individuals to not be subject to genetic modification under the orders of any government. The proposal guarantees that governments cannot encourage the genetic modification of any person prior to birth for any reason other than to address bodily disorders and diseases. This proposal is an important step towards fully protecting bodily autonomy for all peoples of the World Assembly.
For these reasons, the North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Restrictions on Forced Eugenics."
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4730 Against: 1380
Final Vote (TNP): For: 518 Against: 52 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 77 Against: 14 with percentage of WA nations voting: 23
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 91 Against: 66 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 103 Against: 11 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
The General Assembly proposal "GMO International Trade Accord" effectively legislates on several key areas concerning the transboundary movement and use of genetically modified organisms, with the goal of mitigating potential negative externalities of the use of GMOs. The proposal achieves this goal by targeting three points: the decision to import GMOs for agricultural or other use, the safe utilization of GMOs once they are within a member nation, and the sterilization of plant GMO seeds in order to prevent genetic contamination of nearby plants, which could result in consequences such as superbugs and herbicide-resistant weeds.
The first point is fulfilled by the creation of a committee, which provides guidance on environmental risk assessment of GMOs and their international trade. The proposal mandates that decisions on the import of GMOs are based on scientific environmental risk assessments, and that member nations take measures to prevent the release of GMOs or their genetic material where unintended or for malicious purposes. Perhaps the most important role of this proposal is to ensure that member nations have control over the sterilization of plant GMOs, so long as sterilized plant GMOs may be used where it is of net environmental benefit.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "GMO International Trade Accord".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 3626 Against: 2709
Final Vote (TNP): For: 171 Against: 396 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 56 Against: 35 with percentage of WA nations voting: 23
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 92 Against: 81 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 56 Against: 55 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
The at-vote proposal in the General Assembly, "Land Reclamation Regulation," attempts to serve the noble cause of minimizing environmental damage that may occur through land reclamation (creating new land out of a body of water). Unfortunately, the method in which it does this is peculiar at best and ineffective at worst. By placing the responsibility of impact studies under a committee that will monitor all cases of land reclamation occurring in member-states, it creates an undue burden on the World Assembly when it could just as easily be handled by each individual nation. Additionally, clause two is worded in such a way that these impact studies may simply be required to be done on land reclamation as a whole, as opposed to each individual project that involved land reclamation - which is a fairly unhelpful task and makes the crux of the resolution pointless. Clause one is also worded perhaps a little too strongly, without having any reasonable limits set on what the "minimal" amount of environmental damage would be. While this issue likely deserves being legislated on, this proposal is too heavy-handed to be the legislation that covers it.
For these reasons, the North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against the at-vote proposal in the General Assembly, "Land Reclamation Regulation."
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4887 Against: 1155
Final Vote (TNP): For: 528 Against: 48 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 85 Against: 14 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 107 Against: 53 with percentage of WA nations voting: 34
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 105 Against: 9 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
The at-vote proposal in the General Assembly, "Marine Protection Act," is a well-written proposal that tackles the somewhat nuanced problem of international maritime pollution. While this problem would ordinarily be complex to directly legislate on member-nations, this proposal eases that burden by setting up a World Assembly Committee in order to identify the problem and put proper regulations in place that should minimize the damage done to areas of profound biodiversity or cultural significance. This is a significant environmental issue which the proposal has tackled well, and its passage will be of benefit to the World Assembly and environmental health.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the at-vote proposal in the General Assembly, "Marine Protection Act."
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5334 Against: 996
Final Vote (TNP): For: 521 Against: 49 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 92 Against: 17 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 155 Against: 17 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 99 Against: 10 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
The at-vote proposal in the General Assembly, "Ensuring Effectual Recycling," is a well-written proposal that obligates member-states to expand their recycling infrastructure and programmes. This proposal also incentivizes research done in the subject-area of recycling, which should ultimately make the process more efficient and effective in the long-term. This proposal is a direct replacement of GAR#483, "Promotion of Recycling", covering up an area of legislation that was left vacant following the repeal of which. As such, it is a worthy cause and an adequate proposal in the subject.
For these reasons, the World Assembly recommends a vote for the at-vote proposal in the General Assembly, "Ensuring Effectual Recycling."
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 1725 Against: 4277
Final Vote (TNP): For: 116 Against: 430 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 20 Against: 78 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 85 Against: 71 with percentage of WA nations voting: 33
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 29 Against: 63 with percentage of WA nations voting: 23
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
"Repeal: 'Supporting and Valuing the Humanities'" seeks to strike out its target resolution on the basis of poor management of the World Assembly General Fund pursuant to the implementation of its mandates. The specific concerns presented are twofold: they include the resolution not placing strict enough limitations on the acquisition or use of WA funds, potentially permitting member nations to acquire funding they don't need to use on wasteful programs of no practical benefit; and the resolution's wording arguably requiring all funding to be ceased after receiving any mere report of improper use of funding, potentially stripping member nations of all WA funds due to frivolous reports. Additionally, the presence of other extant resolutions dealing with education means that the negative consequences of repealing the target will not be too severe.
However, these arguments are the subject of a not insignificant level of controversy. Opponents of this repeal argue that the resolution does not, in fact, mandate that all funds be ceased due to any reports, as the intended meaning of "funds" is clear in the context of the legislation. Additionally, the resolution does not actually lay out a concrete process for the submission of reports of improper use of funding, nor does it explicitly authorize the filing of reports. Further, this is inherently a technicality-based repeal, and the absence of any planned replacement does this attempt no favors.
We feel that this is a unique case in which we cannot readily offer a concrete recommendation in one direction or another. For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs issues no recommendation on which way to vote on the General Assembly proposal "Repeal: 'Supporting and Valuing the Humanities'", and instead urges individual nations to make an informed decision on the matter with the above points in mind.
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4577 Against: 1343
Final Vote (TNP): For: 526 Against: 36 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 88 Against: 15 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 144 Against: 28 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 96 Against: 7 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Disputes arising from commercial agreements between firms are inherently different from disputes between individual persons, due to the former's greater emphasis on neutrality, discretion, flexibility, and finality of judgement as a result of these disputes often occurring between actors in similar bargaining positions engaging in mutually beneficial dealings. Arbitration is an attractive and efficient form of alternate resolution of these disputes, due to its ability to provide a greater level of neutrality, flexibility, and discretion than national court systems. "Commercial Arbitration Recognition" seeks to provide for the enforcement of arbitration agreements and arbitral awards as pertaining to international commercial agreements, with certain exceptions. Seeing as the resolution's scope is limited to these types of agreements, and arbitration in these situations is quite beneficial and by definition mutually agreed upon, we see little reason to oppose this proposal.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Commercial Arbitration Recognition".
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 1250 Against: 5012
Final Vote (TNP): For: 67 Against: 482 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): Against
Final Vote (Balder): For: 14 Against: 94 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 21 Against: 144 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 9 Against: 90 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
A fairly benign proposal at first glance, "Pedagogical Freedom" aims to establish a balancing test with regards to the freedom of parents and legal guardians to interfere in the education of their children. However, this is where the problems begin. The proposal attempts to insert a supposed right of parents "to direct and guarantee, with regard to their sincerely-held moral beliefs, the education of their children" into its balancing test that all member nations must abide by. This is inherently problematic, firstly because it is not, and should not be, the role of parents to "direct and guarantee" their children's education in accordance with said parents' "moral beliefs," and secondly because nothing currently prevents parents from engaging with their children on educational topics outside of the classroom. This balancing test, which forms the crux of the proposal, is unnecessary at best and starkly contrary to the purpose of education at worst.
Furthermore, the proposal implicitly places the burden on member nations to demonstrate that families within their jurisdictions are not complying with the mandates of the proposal, thereby placing an unnecessary burden on the Independent Adjudicative Office by forcing it to make judgement as to whether individual children's education is compliant with the proposal's balancing test in a context where what is "adequate and appropriate" for one child is wholly inadequate or inappropriate for another. Due to this proposal's attempted inclusion of parents' morality into its primary (and only) mandate, and its efforts to address an issue that does not really exist as the proposal makes it out to, we see little reason to support it in its current form.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting Against the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Pedagogical Freedom".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4831 Against: 1138
Final Vote (TNP): For: 514 Against: 50 with percentage of WA nations voting: 37
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 86 Against: 18 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 140 Against: 22 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 96 Against: 9 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Lawsuits between states and foreign legal persons have proven to be a particularly pernicious issue to diplomatic relations. The suit can happen in the courts of the nation, giving rise to a conflict of interest. Alternatively, the lawsuit may be filed in the foreign person's native courts, forcing one state to haul another into their courts. Both options are flawed. Furthermore, this opens up avenues for retaliatory and abusive suits between members, damaging the international system. "Sovereign Justice Accord" tactfully addresses this issue by redirecting such lawsuits to a neutral, well-regulated international court system. Given the importance of fairness and justice, there is scarce reason to oppose this proposal.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Sovereign Justice Accord".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5679 Against: 841
Final Vote (TNP): For: 530 Against: 38 with percentage of WA nations voting: 38
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 100 Against: 16 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Balder): For
Final Vote (Europe): For: 161 Against: 21 with percentage of WA nations voting: 39
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 107 Against: 6 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
A proposal legislating on broader education quality as much as segregation, "Ending School Segregation" aims to ensure that all students in member nations have equal opportunities to attain a pluralistic and social education. The proposal accomplishes this by declaring all children as generally possessing this right, prohibiting segregation and self-segregation of students by protected classes, mandating that educational services not under nations' direct control not be worse in quality than those that are, and including a provision against mistreatment of students. This proposal is poised to make an excellent addition to the existing roster of education-based resolutions, and there is little reason to oppose it.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote General Assembly proposal, "Ending School Segregation".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 5014 Against: 809
Final Vote (TNP): For: 531 Against: 35 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 86 Against: 16 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 115 Against: 20 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europe): For
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 114 Against: 5 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
Trotterdam is a well respected member of the Got Issues community for a plethora of reasons. First of all, Trotterdam has left useful feedback on hundreds of issue drafts over the years, enabling aspiring authors to produce high quality drafts that eventually end up in the game for players to answer. Additionally, Trotterdam has made significant strides in the general public's understanding of issue features that may not always be obvious, such as validities, macros, and issue chain sequences through posts on the various stickied megathreads in GI. Just as impressive is the creation of a database documenting more than 5000 issue effect lines, stat effects for each option, and a plethora of policy information. Ultimately, "Commend Trotterdam" does an excellent job of laying out these contributions and more in a comprehensible manner.
For these reasons, the North Pacific World Assembly Ministry recommends a vote for the at-vote Security Council proposal, "Commend Trotterdam".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 3683 Against: 1914
Final Vote (TNP): For: 493 Against: 72 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 67 Against: 32 with percentage of WA nations voting: 24
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 78 Against: 57 with percentage of WA nations voting: 29
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 102 Against: 17 with percentage of WA nations voting: 27
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
"Commend Nuremgard" is an unusual proposal compared to the recently passed "Commend Frieden-und Freudenland" and "Commend Trotterdam," due to its focus on pure issue writing rather than other issues-related and regional development work. Nuremgard, the nation in question, has had eighteen high-quality issues written by them make it into the game for all nations to answer. Nuremgard is a unique target due to their lack of forum drafting for their issues, and their lack of a well-known online presence. Nevertheless, they are a highly skilled, dedicated, and underappreciated author who deserves to be recognized for their work in developing the game's community through issues authoring.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote Security Council proposal, "Commend Nuremgard."
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4199 Against: 1323
Final Vote (TNP): For: 485 Against: 66 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 71 Against: 21 with percentage of WA nations voting: 22
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 110 Against: 30 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 81 Against: 26 with percentage of WA nations voting: 25
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
"Commend Wallenburg" is a commendation of one of the most well-versed General Assembly players, which they have authored nine distinct resolutions for. They are an incredibly well-respected voice within the community, and have helped countless drafts there. They also have served as The East Pacific's Chief Minister of World Assembly Affairs for approximately a year and a half to this day. The proposal touches on several other aspects of Wallenburg's good deeds, including their time spent in The Conclave (regional court) of The East Pacific, as well as multiple positive facets of their roleplay.
For these reasons, The North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the at-vote proposal in the Security Council, "Commend Wallenburg".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4259 Against: 1268
Final Vote (TNP): For: 473 Against: 78 with percentage of WA nations voting: 35
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 74 Against: 22 with percentage of WA nations voting: 23
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 117 Against: 26 with percentage of WA nations voting: 31
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 86 Against: 32 with percentage of WA nations voting: 28
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): Against
Recommendation:
The at-vote proposal, "Condemn Noahs Second Country", is a very well-written proposal that goes lengths and bounds to uncover the treachery committed by the target in the cards game. Noah, as they are oftentimes called, is easily within the ranks of the Card Elite, and have readily abused multiple facets of the game in order to further their own collection. Noah employs what is considered by many to be "scummy tactics", including exploitations that were so overpowered that they have since been changed considerably, meaning that it is now near-impossible to nations to replicate some of the tactics that have led to Noah's immense wealth. They have contributed a lot to the cards community, and deserve recognition for that - and the various ways that the nation has contributed to the game lend themselves well towards condemnation. Even beyond cards, however, Noah is a prolific Issues author and up-and-coming Security Council author, both of which are also touched on in this proposal.
For these reasons, the North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for the at-vote proposal in the Security Council, "Condemn Noahs Second Country".
Spoiler
Status: Passed
Final Vote (World): For: 4511 Against: 1175
Final Vote (TNP): For: 511 Against: 53 with percentage of WA nations voting: 36
Delegate's Vote (TNP): For
Final Vote (Balder): For: 75 Against: 16 with percentage of WA nations voting: 23
Delegate's Vote (Balder): Against
Final Vote (Europe): For: 117 Against: 22 with percentage of WA nations voting: 30
Delegate's Vote (Europe): Against
Final Vote (Europeia): For: 98 Against: 9 with percentage of WA nations voting: 26
Delegate's Vote (Europeia): For
Recommendation:
"Commend Valanora" makes a convincing case for the commendation of a prolific contributor to the NationStates Sports community. The target, Valanora, has both held and ranked a number of tournaments- one of the most unforgiving and unrecognized jobs within NS Sports. They have also accomplished a vast range of athletic victories, such as being the "best football team ever in NationStates history." While these accomplishments alone are likely enough to merit commendation, they barely scratch the surface of the target's true contributions to the game's community. NS Sports is not often recognized by the World Assembly, but this proposal makes a strong and compelling case to do so.
For these reasons, the North Pacific Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting For the at-vote Security Council proposal, "Commend Valanora."
Spoiler
Status: Failed
Final Vote (World): For: 1714 Against: 4044
Final Vote (TNP)
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World Assembly Accelerator Program Announcement
Hello neighbors! The North Pacific is proud to announce the launch of the World Assembly Accelerator Program. Any World Assembly author can post their complete or nearly complete drafts for review and drafting assistance from the TNP Ministry of WA Affairs. When you’re ready to submit your proposal, it will be evaluated for sponsorship by the Ministry. Should it be accepted for sponsorship, your proposal will have the backing of TNP and access to extensive lobbying opportunities. You do not have to be a citizen of TNP or a WA resident to apply. For more information on this unique opportunity, please review this thread: https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9193071/
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(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)The Spotlight - Interview With Gorundu
by Arichia, Deputy Minister of Communications
Arichia: Alright! I'll get started now, When and how did you get started in TNP?
Gorundu: I joined TNP in May 2019, about 10 months after I started playing NationStates. I was the WA Delegate of a region of 30-ish WA nations at the time, but some people in the region were opposed to my agenda, and I felt I wouldn't be able to do what I wanted even in that position. So I decided to try my luck in the biggest region in the game, TNP. (My feelings turned out to be right and I ended up getting banned by the founder within 2 months) When I joined TNP I applied for every ministry except for Culture, and that was how I got started.
Arichia: Wow! You have an eventful past before TNP. Have you ever been involved in the NPA or any other military organization?
Gorundu: After I left my previous region, I decided to devote my WA to the NPA, and I've been in the NPA ever since. Currently I'm an Officer and a Deputy Minister of Defence.
Arichia: What are some accomplishments you or you helped achieve during your time in TNP?
Gorundu: In my previous roles as Speaker and Minister of World Assembly Affairs, I mostly continued to execute the existing duties of those offices, which was no easy task considering that in both roles I succeeded a relatively long-serving and popular holder of those offices, though I wouldn't consider these accomplishments. I'd like to think that as Minister of Communications I made some progress in reviving a struggling ministry by recruiting new members and managed to restart the publication of The Northern Lights, which probably counts the most in terms of my accomplishments.
Arichia: From what I see you've done a lot in TNP. Who do you consider a mentor throughout your time in TNP?
Gorundu: I would say McMasterdonia and Tlomz (Kranostav) have been most like a mentor for me. McMasterdonia offered me my first position in government (a short tenure as a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs) and was supportive of my run for Speaker. He also offered me my first cabinet position as Minister of World Assembly Affairs, and was very helpful in getting me settled into the position as the head of one of the most active ministries in the government. Tlomz was my predecessor as Minister of World Assembly Affairs and I served under him as Deputy Minister, during he helped me get a better understanding of the World Assembly and TNP's WA relationships, which enabled me to become his successor.
Arichia: What do you believe is TNP's best quality?
Gorundu: I would say the best quality that is unique to TNP is the depth and breadth of the discussions and debates in the Regional Assembly and in relation to the government. It points towards a citizenry that is committed to making TNP better in any way possible, but are unafraid to raise their own ideas or offer criticism for what isn't being done well. Another quality of TNP that I admire is that we are a pioneer in so many fields - for example, in the WA and in Trading Cards - and we have so many people dedicated to the success of these pioneering programs.
Arichia: I believe you had said before that you had run for speaker and you had been speaker as well. From your experiences then, would you run for speaker, or perhaps a different office in the future?
Gorundu: I don't see myself running for Speaker again for the near future. Serving as Speaker was an enlightening experience and taught me much about what people expect from a government official, but for now I'd like to focus on what I can do in the executive.
Arichia: And to finally close, would you take on more in the executive, or would you stay with what you are working on now?
Gorundu: I've been busy in real life recently, so I haven't taken on too much responsibility this term. I'm glad to have the opportunity to get involved in the NPA a little bit more as Deputy Minister of Defence, and I have continued advising the Ministry of Communications after departing as Minister. If I feel ready to take on more responsibilities, I will of course look for new opportunities.
Arichia: I believe those are all of my questions. I really appreciate all your time and answers here, and thanks again for the opportunity to interview you!
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(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)North Pacific Army Bulletin
by Jan Mackistan, Reporter for The Northern Star
(https://i.imgur.com/lWQIGcg.jpg)
NPA and Libcord forces in the midst of liberating Smol Fur EmpirePromotions
Private Healiopolis (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/profile/5063859/) was promoted (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9193016/post-10350781) to Private First Class
After cleaning up the fallout, it was right back to work for our uniformed servicemen. If they weren’t saving The North Pacific from nukes they were helping out other regions in need, whether they requested or not :P
For ten straight days in early October, the North Pacific Army, along with friends and allies from Libcord, laid siege to Smol Fur Empire, which had been occupied by raider forces, presumably for the purpose of refounding as a jump point for later use. In total, 13 NPA soldiers joined the updater force at some point during the ten-day siege, contributing to one of the highest liberation forces ever, numbering over 100 towards the end. It makes me smile when support goes to those who need it. We certainly have generous men and women among our armed services, at least when they are kind and cute.
When not taking part in high-stakes confrontations, NPA Officers, including COL BMWSurfer, COL Rom, COL Gorundu and CPT Nimarya, continued to lead training operations in the form of tag and detag runs, attracting seasoned officers and new soldiers alike to hone their skills.
Finally, the NPA joined our friends in the South Pacific Special Forces and East Pacific Sovereign Army on October 11 for a special detag operation combined with chasing practice, where lots of fun were had as NPA soldiers work on a skill that has been seldom used recently while Phoenix from SPSF brings out her favourite R/D playlist for all to enjoy.
Aaaaand that’s it for the bulletin this month. It may not have been the most eventful month in the books, but no matter the stakes, our soldiers are always there, ready to give it their best. Now, I sure hope you all had a good Halloween and are looking forward to the rest of the holidays to come. Stay strong, TNPers!
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(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)Regional Assembly Highlights
by Comfed, Deputy Speaker
Regional Assembly Highlights
Current Business
Timing Amendment to Security Council Disclosure by Comfed
Summary: Timing Amendment to Security Council Disclosure is a bill that would remove the 14-day time limit on releasing private Security Council logs of over 1 year of age requested by a resident.
Confirmation of Siwale to the Election Commission
Summary: Delegate TlomzKrano/Kranostav appointed Siwale to the election commission.
Passed - Legislative
No legislative bills were passed by the Regional Assembly this month.
Passed - Non-Legislative
No non-legislative bills were passed by the Regional Assembly this month.
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(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png) World Assembly Digest
by Nimarya, Minister of Home Affairs
WA Digest
The month of October saw four General Assembly resolutions passed, and the Security Council observed four proposals reach quorum, of which two were passed, one failed, and the last was quickly withdrawn. Of the Security Council proposals brought to vote during the month, two have stood out of particular interest.
The first was a resolution that passed without much issue, and yet seemed to be surprisingly controversial among The North Pacific citizens. On October 16th, Morover (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=morover), an accomplished World Assembly author and a former Minister of World Assembly Affairs for The North Pacific, submitted a proposal (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=328/council=2) to the Security Council that aimed to commend the nation Kuriko (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=kuriko), a highly influential player in NationStates. Kuriko is perhaps best known for her service to the region 10000 Islands as its longest-serving WA Delegate. She might also be more recently recognized as NationStates’s World Assembly Secretary-General, having won the position during the Secretary-General election event of last April.
While the proposal saw broad approval and ultimately passed at vote with 84.1% support, on The North Pacific forum voters seemed somewhat more divided. The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs issued a recommendation to vote “For” the proposal, stating that the proposal clearly makes an excellent case for why Kuriko is deserving of a commendation. The Ministry also indicated that this proposal would serve as a far superior replacement for the first commendation of Kuriko, which had been previously repealed (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=323/council=2) due to criticisms of poor writing.
However, despite the Ministry’s recommendation, on The North Pacific’s forum voting thread (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9193129/) a number of citizens voted against the proposal, with only a few stating why. Of those who chose to voice their reasoning, it was a mix between simply disliking the writing of the proposal itself and a more targeted dislike of 10000 Island’s actions abroad and of Kuriko’s alleged stance against condemning raiders in the Security Council.
Without hearing the thoughts of the others who voted against, much is still left to conjecture, although it is easy to deduce that the age-old tensions between raiding and defender ideologies are likely at play here. A look into the NationStates forum thread (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=489656) in which this proposal was debated shows a similar trend to what was observed in TNP’s forum- most were approving of the proposal, with the few who stood opposed stating criticisms of Liberate Syria (https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=325/council=2), a recent defender operation in which Kuriko was involved. It is clear that in this case, the voting sample in The North Pacific forum thread reflects the same general voting patterns of the wider NationStates community. The vote we have seen for this proposal is, perhaps, a symptom of the fact that TNP houses citizens of all sorts of ideologies, including both raider and defender leaning individuals.
The second notable Security Council proposal of October failed at vote, managing to gain only 23.6% support. On October 20th, Tinhampton (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=tinhampton) submitted a proposal (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=487071) to condemn the nation Northern Borland (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=northern_borland). What made this proposal somewhat unique was that it aimed to condemn this nation based purely off of NationStates statistics, which is an oddity for the Security Council but not completely unprecedented, since the nation Kindjal (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=kindjal) has been commended for their impressive statistics back in March of this year. The North Pacific’s Ministry of World Assembly Affairs issued no recommendation for this vote, choosing instead to let others debate and decide for themselves. TNP voters seemed to be vocally divided on the issue, but ultimately the forum vote ended in favor of the proposal, with 18 votes “For” and 15 “Against.”
The arguments for and against were rather simple- Tinhampton, the proposal’s author, argued that Northern Borland had spent almost seventeen years answering issues in a manner dedicated to working towards these statistics, and that being able to pay close attention and religiously answer issues for that sheer length of time is worthy of a condemnation. However, others remained unconvinced, citing that Northern Borland was not even in first place for many of the statistics they were being condemned for. Additionally, both in The North Pacific voting thread (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9193147/) and in the NationStates onsite discussion thread (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=487071), there were many voters who were convinced that the mere act of answering issues for long enough is not commendable or condemnable on its own.
On the other hand, some players take the stance that issues answering and statistics planning is just as valid an area of the game as others, and therefore just as worthy of recognition. While the proposal to condemn Northern Borland was shot down tremendously at vote, there are likely many players who would support other stat-based proposals to commend or condemn exemplary nations, as evidenced by the words of support seen in the debate threads and by the nation Kindjal’s commend. It will be interesting to see if, in the future, stat-based Security Council proposals can succeed and become more prominent.
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The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: TlomzKrano :: Executive Editor: BMWSurfer:: Managing Editors: Arichia (Forumside) and Gorundu (Gameside)
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798)
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Thanks for the update! :)
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(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)The Spotlight - Interview with BMWSurfer
by Comfed, Deputy Speaker
Comfed: Okay. First question: How did you start off in TNP?
BMWSurfer: Well I joined NationStates in early 2017, and founded in The South Pacific. After some region shopping, I decided the best way to learn about the game was to join the biggest region. I originally planned to only stay a few months then go make a name for myself in a UCR, but I loved it so much here that I ended up staying.
Comfed: I'm sure lots of people would be familiar with that story. You're currently a Colonel in the NPA, how did you get started in there?
BMWSurfer: Well, I read through all of my options in TNP government when I first joined, and military gameplay looked interesting to me. I wasn't sure at first if I really wanted to commit to being there during updates, so I joined the Auxiliary which at the time was essentially our piling service. I became close friends with the soldiers and officers, and over the next 9 months climbed my way up the ranks to Lieutenant (the first officer rank). I loved the culture of the NPA and the friendships I made there, so I stayed there and have been in the NPA through my entire NS career.
Comfed: That's great! What was your first position in the government and who gave it to you?
BMWSurfer: While I'm more well known in TNP for my role in Home Affairs, my first passion in NS was the World Assembly. My first leadership role was as a Deputy Minister of World Assembly Affairs, and I served under Deropia and alongside TlomzKrano, who is now Delegate.
Comfed: Very interesting. Could you go into a little more detail abut your role in TNP Home Affairs?
BMWSurfer: I served for a year as Minister of Home Affairs, for two terms under Siwale, and for one term under Pallaith. I also served this year as a deputy and advisor to current HA Minister Nimarya, where I created a system of recordkeeping for HA.
When I first joined TNP, I would've never believed I would become a Minister, especially in Home Affairs. However, over the years I've grown to love HA, and welcoming people into our great region.
Comfed: Home Affairs certainly is an overlooked but essential part of TNP. What was your favorite moment in TNP?
BMWSurfer: I took a break from NS for about a year, from the end of my last HA term until April of this year. When I refounded my nation, it was mere seconds before people here in TNP noticed. I hadn't even rejoined our Discord servers before I was pinged by people welcoming me back. Moments like that make everything worth it (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P_JwgGiYgB6AcCoYeZrJT-FL--711cyuP6XK_CPNVH3_4VLWxUNIxfYYnS9cttdzuj4dL_-Uh__3Ex45dLDB65dYGJMafEyOwuGmQWD2n3yo_oBi82thKkdYGoR1RTK7c4TnSQi1).
Comfed: That's sweet. What’s your favorite thing about TNP?
BMWSurfer: I definitely think the community here is my favorite thing. If it weren't for the welcoming of the people here I probably wouldn't still be here
Comfed: If you could only pick one ministry to work in, which one would it be?
BMWSurfer: I would pick World Assembly Affairs. It has a little bit of everything, keeping new TNPers engaged, inter-regional cooperation, and plenty of stuff to do all the time. Although, both Home Affairs and Communications are very close seconds.
Comfed: Awesome! That's all the questions I have for now, thanks for being interviewed!
BMWSurfer: Thank you for interviewing me!
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)RA Highlights
by BMWSurfer, Minister of Communications
November was a relatively peaceful month for the Regional Assembly, a reprieve from the busyness of October and a clear transition into the holidays. There were four motions brought before the chamber this month, of which two were appointee confirmations and two were related to citizenship applications.
In October, Delegate TlomzKrano re-appointed Siwale to the Election Commission for another 6 month term pending a vote of the RA to confirm the appointment. Debate was short, and consensus in support of the confirmation was clear from the beginning. Siwale has served on the EC for its entire modern history, and is a well known and very trusted member of the TNP community. Voting on the confirmation ended at the very beginning of this month, with 47 in favor, 1 against, and 4 abstentions.
In a similarly non-controversial move, Lady Raven Wing was appointed as prosecutor in the court case The North Pacific vs. St. George. The court case involves speaker St. George (also known as MadJack) refusing to process a citizenship application, and is still ongoing. The confirmation of Lady Raven Wing also had broad consensus, and the confirmation was passed with 31 in favor, 2 against, and 15 abstentions.
In addition to these, two residents who applied for citizenship, Funkadelia and Aleister, were denied citizenship by Vice Delegate Dreadton. When this happens, according to the legal code, the RA votes to uphold the rejection of citizenship. Both rejections were upheld.
In addition to these motions which went to vote, Cretox State applied to join the Security Council and was accepted pending a confirmation by the RA. The confirmation is still in debate, where much of the discussion revolves around balancing the needs of activity and seniority within the SC. We look forward to seeing how this debate unfolds in the coming month.
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)News - Z-Day
by Arichia, Deputy Minister of Communications
Hello fellow survivor. I see that you’ve also survived the recent zombie apocalypse. Oh. So you survived it by hiding under your bed, hoping you won’t get the virus? And I suppose you’ll want the whole story to it, huh? Well then, here’s what happened during the 24 hours where brain-sucking zombies, infected by a virus invaded the world.
Before the actual disaster, TNP posted a regional poll to decide what TNP should do when the zombies strike the world. We chose to cure the zombies, rather than exterminating them or embracing them and sending them to infect other nations. (and also for nations to do whatever they want).
The zombies came on October 30th, and The Office of The Surgeon General released a public service announcement and instruction for curing other nations. Unfortunately, the game admins decided to stop curing research on all nations, meaning that nations had to begin researching a cure again. People were advised to join the regional discord and mask themselves to access the channels to coordinate with each other.
On the same day, Max Barry reassured the NS community that everything will be fine. All cure manufacturing ended all around the world. He said that “The real problem I want to discuss, though, is how some regions have closed their borders, and nations have redirected their resources into researching a "cure," or even exterminating zombie hordes with military force. I can't emphasize enough that this is a complete over-reaction. It is, in fact, this kind of needless fear that stokes division and prevents us from returning quickly to a regular lifestyle.”
The zombies kept coming and TNP saw a steady increase of zombies and decided to close its borders. Fortunately, the cures were being developed, and people began to send missiles to other nations, which drove down the number of zombies. Lists were created to show nations where to send their cures to make them do the most. Some people still decided to exterminate, and nations with zombies to exterminate were posted in a discord channel. Others decided to embrace the zombies, and sent hordes to other nations, infecting them. These nations were then kicked out of the region, preventing them from infecting others.
These border measures ended, and Max Barry created a news post declaring it. ”You can reimpose them if you really must. But why would you? Stop cowering in fear and embrace life again! “Get out and stretch your legs! Use your brains! Yes, especially those. Your soFt, deliciOus braiNs. Get tHem outsIde. Where wE cAn rEach them” he also said, creating some suspicion of him being infected. This was later confirmed when he announced that he was just struck by a cure missile, and to ignore his previous comments regarding the apocalypse.
The apocalypse ended soon after, and even after, through those combined efforts, TNP managed to decrease zombie numbers, and came out with the region with the most survivors. 23.7 trillion! While the rest of the world wasn’t so lucky, having 55.1% dead, TNP was mostly spared.
I guess you could say that Z-Day this year was a blast! For those who didn’t join us this year, make sure you join next year! Whether you’re curing your fellow region mates, shooting down zombies, or shipping them out to your rival’s nation, Z-Day is surely a fun day for all! (Except for the zombies being shot down, of course.)
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)NPA Bulletin
by Westinor, Deputy Minister of World Assembly Affairs
Promotions
[PFC] Arichia -> Corporal
[PVT] Westinor -> Private First Class
The NPA has been very busy prepping for the holiday season, starting off the month of November with a visit to everyone’s favorite admin friends over at Testregionia ! They looked around for Testlandia , but couldn’t seem to find them anywhere… hoping to leave a little surprise and feeling a bit naughty, a tag was left behind for them to enjoy!
However, the rest of Nationstates was not to be forgotten. NPA Officer COL BMWSurfer, as well as Minister and Deputy Minister of Defense COL Gorundu and GEN 9003 led several tag and detag runs throughout the month, whipping new recruits into shape and singing awfully premature yuletide carols along the way. Featured Region of the Day Mikov Call was also hit on minor update of November 15th, led by GEN Gladio on the trigger.
During one of these tag runs the North Pacific Army also unseated several delegates in approval of the proposal “Repeal: ‘Liberate Confederation Of Corrupt Dictators’”, contributing to the eventual failure and dropping of a proposal that sought to remove an offensive liberation from fascist region Confederation of Corrupt Dictators.
The NPA also departed on two separate joint operations with members of ERN, looking to spread some Christmas cheer before Thanksgiving, ending at Christmas , where Defense Minister 9003 declared Die Hard a Christmas movie and challenged others to prove otherwise. The second, held on Major of November 25th featured an ultimately unsuccessful attempt at invading the region of Japan as variance resulted in the target region updating earlier than expected. However, participating members had a fun time bonding with members of different organizations.
High Command also had something in store for the beginning of the holiday season. On Thanksgiving weekend, a total of nine soldiers from the North Pacific Army gathered with members of several other organizations, including Lily and The Grey Wardens in an effort to unseat delegate Mikeswill of the region Nationstates . Soldiers were seen prepping for the op an hour before the jump, chatting with comrades and enjoying stories from times long past. The raid itself was successful, bringing King Zhaoxiang Of Qin up to the position of WA Delegate for a single update and ending Mikeswill’s 16-year long reign - the longest in Nationstates at the time.
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)World Assembly Digest
by Cretox State, Minister of WA Affairs
WA Digest
Fifteen WA proposals in total went to vote during the month of November, nearly double that of October. Of these fifteen, eight were GA proposals, with the remaining seven being in the SC. Only two proposals failed at vote, both of which were in the SC. These defeated proposals included “Commend Ariusgrad” and “Commend Twobagger”. Impressively, ten out of the fifteen voted-on proposals were submitted by members of the TNP WA Ministry; this is 67% of voted-on proposals and 77% of passed proposals during the month. A total of ten unique authors submitted the fifteen voted-on proposals this month. Three passed resolutions this month were sponsored Accelerator proposals. Former TNP WA Minister Morover was commended this month.
Most Supported
The most widely supported proposal during November was SC 332 “Commend Sierra Lyricalia” (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_past_resolution/id=331/council=2'), which passed with 89.6% support and sought to commend a prominent antifascist military gameplayer, WA and issues contributor, and member of the WA General Secretariat. Overall, this was an incredibly uncontroversial commendation that faced no major opposition. This proposal was authored by Cretox State and co-authored by Honeydewistania .
Most Opposed
The most widely opposed proposal to come to vote during November was another SC proposal, “Commend Ariusgrad”. Proposed by Joan Darc , this proposal sought to recognize its nominee’s region-building efforts in the founderless region of Philippines and received 31.7% support. A large portion of the opposition to this proposal stemmed from concerns over the actual significance of the nominee’s accomplishments, along with strange construction; specifically, the proposal cited the region maintaining “warm relations” and creating government positions as commendable.
Most Controversial
The most controversial proposal to come to vote in November 2020 was undoubtedly “Commend Twobagger”, proposed by Jakker City . Narrowly failing with 46.9% support, this proposal aimed to recognize the contributions of its nominee to defending, a subset of military gameplay, and regional development. The proposal was the subject of intense opposition from the beginning, with 10000 Islands being a primary voice of criticism. The proposal’s voting numbers shifted between slight support and opposition throughout the duration of the vote, and a single substantially powerful regional delegate had the power to flip the vote for most of it. The turning point arguably came after a highly publicized incident in which three members of The Black Hawks moved WA nations into The South Pacific and voted in favor of the proposal in an alleged violation of TSP sovereignty. Given the incredibly narrow final margin of the vote, there could very well be another attempt at this commendation in the future.
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)[SIZE=14]November Justice Election[/size]
by Owen, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
The months of November brought us another Judicial election and this time all three justice positions were up for election. With it being a normal judicial election, there was a larger field than the special elections that have been held recently with 8 citizens declaring their candidacy. The citizens that ran in this election were: Comfed, Honeydewistan, Laeg, Lord Lore, Monkemafiatopia, saintpeter, Vivanco, and Yalkan.
Comfed
Comfed ran in this election on the back of their successful defence in a recent Court case as one of the newest citizens in the field. Comfed also ran on their belief that they had sufficient experience to allow them to take on the role of Justice with an open mind and the ability to be a neutral and unbiased judge of issues. Whilst Comfed received some support, they were not elected.
Honeydewistan
Moving onto looking at Honeydewistan’s campaign, they had a much more informal campaign than some of their other competitors. They had a campaign thread, but did not post any campaign promises or reasons to vote for them until they were asked to. After being asked why they should be a good pick for Justice they said that their neutrality in TNP politics put them in a strong position to ensure their neutrality if they were elected as Justice. However, when it came to voting, Honeydewistan did not receive the support needed and therefore was not elected.
Laeg
Laeg was the most inexperienced candidate in the election, having only joined TNP’s forum in October. Their campaign was a short one in which they promised to work to ensure that laws in the region remained fair and just, as well as ensuring cases were balanced and equal for both sides. In their campaign, they also endorsed Vivanco and Lord Lore as the other two justices that they liked to see elected alongside them. However, Laeg’s campaign was not successful and they were not elected.
Lord Lore
Lord Lore is a Security Councillor within TNP. They declared their candidacy in the election and then chose not to post a campaign thread. Despite not having a campaign thread, Lore was elected as Justice in the third tally of votes.
Monkemafiatopia
Monkemafiatopia is a new member of the TNP community and chose not to post a campaign thread. Likely due to the lack of a campaign thread, they received very little support and were not elected.
Saintpeter
Saintpeter ran off of the back of an unsuccessful attempt to get elected as Justice in the August Special Election. In this campaign, they had more experience in this branch of government in TNP having argued in a request for review before the Court as well as being Temporary Hearing Officer for another case. In their campaign thread Saintpeter argued that it was important to protect the independence of the judiciary, and ensure this by not voting in any RA business during their tenure as Justice. As well as this, they stood on a promise to make the Judicial branch more accessible to new members of TNP by looking at implementing law clerks within the judiciary to allow new members to get experience within TNP’s Court. Saintpeter’s campaign proved to be popular and was the second elected Justice.
Vivanco
Vivanco was the only incumbent standing for re-election. Vivanco ran their campaign as a continuation of their time as Justice after their election in the August Special Election. They also ran on their experience of TNP law as a former Attorney General as well as their time as Justice last term. As well as this, one of Vivanco’s most important aspects was the need for stability and independence within the judiciary. Vivanco proved to be the most popular candidate in the election and was the first Justice to be elected.
Yalkan
Yalkan is a long-standing member of TNP and stood for election for the first time in a while. Yalkan did not post a campaign thread, which proved to be an issue when it came to voting. Due to the lack of a campaign, Yalkan was not very popular amongst voters and therefore was not elected as Justice.
Therefore, after an election that had a good turnout and had a large field, Vivanco, Saintpeter, and Lord Lore were elected as Justices.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: TlomzKrano :: Executive Editor: BMWSurfer :: Managing Editor: Arichia (Forum) and Gorundu (Dispatch)
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.
Index of Issues (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798')
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Thanks for the update! :)
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(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_logo.png)
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png)The Spotlight 32 – Interview with Owen
by Comfed
Comfed: When did you join The North Pacific?
Owen: I joined The North Pacific around 4 and a half years ago, in August 2016 I think. It was the region my first nation was founded in, so I just stuck around.
Comfed: And once you joined, what did you do?
Owen: For the first couple of days, I just got to grips with the region and became a citizen straight away. From there I started looking into the TNP government and joined the Foreign Affairs ministry, which was being led by Praetor I think, who really helped me get settled in the ministry and the region as a whole and was probably what got me really interested in FA, and that interest still remains today.
Comfed: What was the first thing you noticed about the TNP community?
Owen: I think the first thing I noticed about the TNP community was how involved and how active it was. I obviously joined right before a general election, so I saw what elections were like an it just surprised me how much is going on and how active it was all the time, and I think that is what has been something that I have always loved TNP for.
Comfed: Have any people in particular been important to you as mentors?
Owen: So this is a question that people have asked me a few times, and I think that his has changed the longer I have been around but I would definitely say that there are a couple of people that I would see as mentors. The first of these would be Pallaith. Pallaith was Speaker that saw something in me and gave me the chance to join the Speakers office and become more involved in the region. Since then, we have worked really closely on numerous occasions and I have never bee afraid to message and ask any questions that I have. The second of these is McMasterdonia. Since I first interacted with him when he became MoFA before going on to be Delegate, and we have developed a good relationship and have worked really closely on some really big projects and he is someone that I speak to a lot and bounce a lot of ideas off, so he is a really important mentor for me.
Comfed: So, what's your favorite ministry and why?
Owen: See this is something that is conflicting for me a little bit. Being the Home Affairs Minister, I should really be saying that it is the HA ministry, but then everyone would know that I am lying. For me, there isn't really much doubt, it has to be the FA ministry. It is the ministry that I have been a part of since the start and have done so much work for, so it cannot be anything else.
Comfed: Interesting! What was your first position in the government and who gave it to you?
Owen: So, the first position I had in government was actually a ministry that I am not really involved with now and that is the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs. Back when I was a deputy speaker, I was doing a bit in the ministry and Sil Dorsett approached me about becoming a deputy and I said yes.
Comfed: And finally, the most important question: cake or pie?
Owen: Now that depends, are we talking a sweet pie, like an apple pie, or a savoury pie?
Comfed: Whichever you prefer.
Owen: I would probably have to say a savoury pie, like a steak and gravy pie. I don't really have a sweet tooth and I usually prefer savoury to sweet, so I would have to go for that.
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png) News - January Elections
by lol2639
In January, TNP held a General Election. During this election, citizens voted on who should become the next Delegate, Vice Delegate, and Speaker of the Regional Assembly. In the Delegate election, McMasterdonia ran on a platform of government accountability and communication with the citizenry, while incumbent Tlomz ran on continuing his successes from the previous term. McMasterdonia won the delegacy, winning 78% of the total vote.
The race for Vice Delegate was uncontested, with only Cretox State running. He secured 79% of the total vote, with a notable 37% voting to re-open nominations. Robespierre and Bobberino, both former Deputy Speakers with similar backgrounds in TNP, were the primary challengers to the Speakership. Robespierre ultimately secured 43.9% of the vote, while Bobberino got 37% of the vote.
The transition into the new government was quick, with McMasterdonia taking the in-game delegacy within a couple weeks of the election. This was due to McMasterdonia having a high number of endorsements coming into the transition, and a rapid response from Home Affairs and the Gameside Advocates in publicizing the transition.
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png) NPA Bulletin
by Westinor
Promotions
Lieutenant Gorundu -> Captain
Lieutenant 9003 -> Captain
Corporal Westinor -> Sergeant
Private Great New Canada -> Private First Class
Private East Isles -> Private First Class
Welcome back from the holidays, folks! Well, what can I say? The term started off quick as former Minister of Defense 9003 took the NPA flying with the Black Hawks in a joint op that hit several hundred regions! We bid 9003 a fond farewell and hope to see them joining us for ops again soon.
Cue the music: our next Minister of Defense, appointed by Delegate McMasterdonia, comes from the wondrous land of rows and recruitment telegrams - that’s right, Nimarya is taking the helm for this term! In her opening statement, Nimarya laid out a clear plan for the rest of the term. The first and foremost priority was leading and hosting more operations, with a greater focus on increased training ops and teaching chasing. Additionally, NIm also noted that much more time will be spent updating training manuals and guides. With the increased focus on versatility and training new soldiers, the NPA is looking at a term of great growth and renewed energy.
Nim took to the Minister role right away, giving regional jump points Lunarpunk and Birb a brand new coat of paint - pink paint, to be exact. She also managed to appease 9003’s newfound hunger for power with a promotion to Captain. The NPA focused on the delegacy transition for the first half of the month, helping to complete an incredibly fast transition for incoming Delegate McMasterdonia and Vice Delegate Cretox State.
But of course, who wants to wait for a stinky delegacy transition before going off on an op? Not the NPA! Some NPA soldiers snuck out to party with a whole bunch of regions in Operation Boom Beach, hitting Alnobia as part of the largest updater force ever! The NPA returned back to the delegacy transition before doing a one-eighty and turning back to delegate tip the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators - but in a surprising twist, the region refused to update! It appeared that the combined power of the NPA and its allies was too much for even the game to handle.
True to the goals outlined in her opening statement, Nim alongside officers ROM and BMWSurfer led the NPA on several training operations, whipping the new privates into shape and tagging regions along the way! Switching is going to become super easy, barely an inconvenience in no time for the new recruits. Additionally, Nim led the NPA in a special operation on the 22nd, splitting the participating members into two groups - one tagging group and one chasing. While the chasers had a bit of trouble catching the taggers, with a bit of experience and some determination there is no doubt the NPA will get the hang of things quickly.
To cap off the month, the NPA once again joined TGW, Europeia, Lily, the AA, and our fellow Pacifics in paying the CCD another visit. Energy was high as the force hit several openly fascist regions, toppling their delegates in an outstanding operation. Fun was had, but in the end the force accomplished a great feat. If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the last month, it’s that fascists have no place on NationStates, and the North Pacific Army is glad to have participated in an operation that cast shame on those who so openly supported a vile ideology.
That’s all for now! We hope to see you next time for some more action and some more ops. And hey, if you ever want to join in on the fun, the NPA’s doors are always open. (https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png) World Assembly Digest
by Honeydewistania
Repeal: “Commend The Western Isles”
This incredibly savage resolution, penned by our former Deputy Minister of WA Affairs Bormiar, was the latest in a series of badge hunting ripping commendation badges without replacing them due to poor writing and inaccuracies. Commend The Western Isles was authored by former resident Greater Cesnica, which commended them for their roleplaying. Bormiar argued that the lack of international impact and gross exaggerations meant that the resolution should be InstaRepealed!, but also controversially stated that Greater Cesnica’s inability to listen to feedback or to not rush a resolution to vote was a reason the resolution should be repealed. The resolution was supported by The North Pacific, but was opposed by regions such as 10000 Islands who did not want to remove a commendation of an allied region. The proposal passed on January 6th.
Commend Northrop-Grumman
A sneaky sneaky resolution! This proposal included the many roleplaying accomplishments and contributions of the “most dark nation” of Northrop-Grumman, including maintaining indexes and creating databases. However, due to a certain unmentionable, the resolution also included numerous references to the unmentionable, in a slightly clever but somewhat-poorly executed attempt at sidestepping the well established decorum of the Security Council! The proposal was defeated by a tight margin, despite support from The North Pacific, owing to the lack of commendable content in the proposal. A discussion on the application on the legality of directly mentioning the unmentionable was generated, but in the end the established rules prevailed.
Commend Singapore no2
A very well written resolution, Commend Singapore no2 commended its nominee for their prolific issues authorship (28!), or as described in the resolution text, for their ability to resolve the conflicts that plague the nations of the world, as well as protecting their home region of Singapore in an issues-based commendation that broke the mold of past resolutions. Revised, rewritten and redrafted to excellent quality, the resolution passed comfortably and with the support of the North Pacific.
Regulating Remote Election Administration
Think you were out of the election woods when we exited 2020? Think again! The first General Assembly proposal to hit the floor in the New Year was in style, touching on mail voting (a RL hot button topic) and expatriate voters. The proposal was soundly (and perhaps surprisingly) defeated, garnering just over 10% of votes, due to multiple issues such as the narrow scope and the unpopularity of elections-related resolutions.
Repeal: “International Criminal Protocol”
Hot on the heels of the election proposal was yet another controversial proposal - Repeal International Criminal Protocol. Very similar to another passed resolution, Repeal: “Crime and Punishment”, this proposal denounced the target’s mandate that the World Assembly shall reserve the legality of the death penalty as a whole to member nations themselves. This proposal reignited the perennial debate on the death penalty but ended up passing overwhelmingly, despite concerns over the underdeveloped replacement to the other mandates in the target.
Fair Treatment of Prisoners
The WA should pass a ‘Fair Treatment of WA Ambassadors’ after subjecting us to the ensuing death penalty debate! This resolution aimed to protect the rights of prisoners regarding solitary confinement and prison labour. The proposal was fairly simple, passing easily and with the support of the North Pacific. It would hardly be the most exciting of proposals to come.
Death Penalty Ban
Now we have the resolution everyone was waiting for! Authored by longtime death penalty abolition advocate Imperium Anglorum, this resolution was cut and dry: abolish death penalty except for war criminals and the like, and commute all death sentences. Despite massive outcry from smaller nations, this resolution passed with minimal resistance, almost 100 resolutions after the original Repeal “Crime and Punishment” passed.
Protecting Sapient Life
Death Penalty Ban II: Electric Boogaloo, basically. This proposal enforced a full ban on the death penalty, in addition to preventing the extradition or deportation of people to countries where they could be executed. The resolution was surprisingly defeated on the voting floor likely due to its extremely vague text, leaving room for several loopholes. Following this defeat, another proposal has been drafted to enforce this ban (yes, this saga isn’t over yet), so stay tuned.
(https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/images/news_media/tns_separator.png) Security Council Review
by Cretox State
With a new Delegate, new Vice Delegate, new applicants, and new and ongoing projects, January was sure to be a hectic month for the Vice Delegate and the Security Council as a whole.
The Transition to a New Government
As of January 11, 2021, McMasterdonia and Cretox State took the positions of Delegate and Vice Delegate, respectively. Despite beginning the transition period with fairly high enforcement counts, both nations had some distance to climb before assuming the first and second regional positions in endorsements.
In total, the Delegate transition took slightly under two weeks. The Vice Delegate transition was completed shortly thereafter. This transition was significantly faster than the previous two largely due to the Delegate’s and Vice Delegate’s starting positions, active endotarting, frequent endorsement alerts, personal telegrams, a responsive Security Council and executive staff, and involvement from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Gameside Advocates. No special card rewards were employed for this transition. A complete timeline of the transition is available in this thread (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9194240/').
2020 WADP Survey
Started during the previous term, the 2020 World Assembly Development Program survey invited interested nations to offer feedback on TNP’s World Assembly Development Program (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=338370'), with some questions also tackling the region’s Security Council. The survey is released yearly, with 2020’s results made public in January 2021. Responses were positive and constructive, with a full breakdown available in this thread (http://'https://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/9194257/').
New SC Applicants and Resignation
Two nations applied to the Security Council in January: Kranostav and Dreadton. Additionally, Regional Assembly discussion and voting on Xagill’s Security Council application largely occurred in January, with Xagill joining the SC in early February. Despite being narrowly denied nomination by the SC, Xagill acquired the 2/3rds Regional Assembly majority necessary to be appointed to the SC. A former Delegate and career public servant, Kranostav was nominated to the SC by majority vote. RA discussion on their application is currently ongoing. Dreadton, a former Vice Delegate and Minister, applied shortly after Kranostav, with the Security Council currently voting on their application.
In late January, Sundred resigned from the Security Council, bringing total membership down to ten nations. However, the SC is poised to expand to as many as thirteen members in the near future.
Other Projects
In addition to the ongoing declassification effort and weekly reports, there have been a few new developments over the past month:
- The first monthly Vice Delegate fireside chat was held on January 31st, with a recording available on the Northern Broadcasting Service’s YouTube channel here (http://'https://youtu.be/fcwArWnYFvI').
- An early version of a VD mentoring template is being sent to forum members who pass the Vice Delegate’s citizenship check.
- This is the first edition of a new Security Council Review article for the Ministry of Communications, covering SC matters over the past month.
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The Truth
Publisher: mcmasterdonia :: Executive Editor: BMWSurfer
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Communications internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
Index of Issues (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1114798')
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Thanks for the update!
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(https://i.ibb.co/BcnRyh1/Untitled-design-71-1.jpg)
Produced by The North Pacific Cards Guild (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1284592')
- Main Page (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1506996')
- Event Schedule (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1507000')
- Guest Speaker Schedule (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1507001')
Cards Symposium? What's that?
Greetings, everyone! To celebrate the fact that cards trading (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=deck') has lasted so long as a prominent feature, The North Pacific hereby invites YOU, fellow NationStates user, to attend our first-ever Cards Symposium!
Starting first-thing on February 21 2021, players finding themselves participating in this event will get to experience a wide range of activities, whether it be: 1) competing in games to win awards, 2) listening to experienced card users giving lectures, and more!
To participate, please click on the Discord invite (https://discord.gg/Bx8ahjXFsk) in order to join!
What exactly will take place at the Symposium?
With all honesty, there's so many things that it'll prove difficult to name! There will be events such as card collecting competitions, card lotteries, long-time users speaking about their experiences in cards, and even gaming rooms such as an Among Us match, so be assured that there will be more than enough events in order to make your participation worthwhile~
To view our full schedule, please see the following: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1507000 (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1507000)
What's in it for me if I attend?
Not only will you get the chance to gain first-hand knowledge regarding the cards game (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=deck'), but you'll also receive multiple chances to win extremely valuable cards each day, including the highly coveted Testlandia (http://'https://www.nationstates.net/page=deck/card=1/season=2')!
Each day, there will be 1 lottery that will take place, and a random user attending the event will be the recipient of a randomized legendary card. In addition, multiple events + competitions will be hosted that will reward the winner with cards of the same rarity as mentioned, so not only will participation in those events be fun, but they'll also be highly rewarding!
We hope to see you there, so thanks a ton for reading!
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Thanks for the invitation! Just a heads-up though, looks like there's a problem with your links...there's a %27 at the beginning, a missing colon after https, and an apostrophe at the end.
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World Assembly Digest - February 2021
A busy and contentious month in the Assembly
By Boston Castle
This month was extremely active in the World Assembly with several resolutions, some quite contentious, passing in both chambers.
Repeal: “Freedom of Assembly”
This proposal was proposed by Wymondham to repeal a long-time resolution on the books (GA #27-passed in December 2008!). The North Pacific stood against this repeal effort, largely due to concerns about specific wording in the repeal. Wymondham’s resolution was, however, supported by the community-at-large and passed 58%-42% on February 5. This would not be the first thing that Wymondham worked on this month-an active month from an impressive first-time author.
Commend King HEM
On the same day that Repeal: “Freedom of Assembly” passed the General Assembly floor, a proposal passed the Security Council: “Commend King HEM”. The irony here lies in Wymondham’s co-author Maowi getting her month started with passing this proposal. Similar to Repeal: “Freedom of Assembly”, this proposal was quite contentious, with the newly formed Partnership for Sovereignty issuing a statement against it. Despite this, the proposal still passed 77%-23% on February 5.
Commend Northern Borland
Initially intended to be something of a joke proposal and a tongue-in-cheek commendation of the nominee by Honeydewistania, this proposal raised trying questions about pure stats commendations and condemnations that are still being discussed in the Security Council. The vote on this proposal went back-and-forth several times between passing and failing during the several days it was on the voting floor, something reflected in the even-split in TNP’s vote. The proposal’s back-and-forth status was largely due to the influence of 10000 Islands Delegate HumanSanity, whose vote changed several times. This vote passed extremely narrowly 51.2%-48.8% on February 10 giving Honeydew his 6th Security Council Resolution authorship.
Right to Assemble
The second time that the fundamental right to assembly was discussed in the Security Council and the intended partner to the repeal earlier this month, this was the second time that a proposal by the team of Maowi and Wymondham was discussed in February. This proposal capped off a busy month for both authors. As suggested by the title, this resolution codified a right to assembly.
However, this proposal was not without controversy as an effort by Greater Cesnica was introduced at the same time and both proposals made the formal queue. While the original proposal was not as controversial as the repeal effort earlier this month, this proposal passed easily 79%-21% on February 13 giving Maowi her 6th General Assembly Resolution authored.
Commend 1 very fast endotarter
This resolution dealt with the commendation of a figure well-known to many in The North and abroad, 1 very fast endotarter, also known as r3n. While the exploits of his long and illustrious second stint on the game are well-established elsewhere, it is worth noting that this proposal raised the ire of several in the defender community. Some figures in the defending community were reluctant to support the measure, or even outright opposed it, due to r3n’s association with independent militaries for whom the vast majority of activities are raiding in the NPA and the Europeian Republican Navy. Ultimately though, TNP author Noahs Second Country saw his proposal prevail, with TNP’s backing of course, and earned his 4th Security Council Resolution authored, and first of this month, 78%-22% on Valentine’s Day (February 14).
Right to Secure Digital Communication
A new face to many in The North, Greater Cesnica has long been accused of badge-hunting in his exploits in the General Assembly largely due to the large volume of proposals he creates and readily submits. Though some may intentionally vote against his proposals, even ones which deal with such a vital issue as ensuring digital communications are secure, his proposals often pass-such was the case with this one. While mired in questions of what constitutes a badge hunt and even if the term should apply to eager authors who pump out quality proposals, Cesnica saw this proposal passed with an emphatic 85%-15% margin on February 17-giving him his 3rd General Assembly resolution authored.
Liberate The Embassy
Perhaps the biggest topic in gameplay, the one which has led the most people to sound off recently has not been the R/D Presidential election-themed tag raids going on in Lily, Grey Wardens Warden Matthew’s trips to fast-food restaurants after the movies, but rather the invasion of The Embassy and the subsequent closure of over 3,600 embassies. Arousing debate among nearly every force that participated in the invasion, defenders seized on the moment and sprang into action with 10000 Islands Delegate HumanSanity submitting and passing a liberation, stopping raiding forces from holding the region for a potential refound. This proposal passed on February 18 by a 70%-30% margin marking an auspicious Security Council debut from the 10000 Islands Delegate.
Whistleblower Protection Act
Yet another proposal that quietly aroused conflicting feelings among many, this proposal dealt with questions of how to protect those exposing illegal activities. Though the proposal itself remained relatively uncontroversial to many, Europe delegate Imperium Anglorum issued a statement announcing that he could not back the legislation due to deficiencies he saw in the legislation. However, the opposition of that region and The East Pacific during the waning days in which Libertanny held the delegacy did not imperil final passage, it made passage by 78%-22% rather than a larger margin. Passage ensured that The North Pacific’s own Boston Castle earned passage of his 2nd General Assembly Resolution.
Repeal: “Commend Northern Borland”
As mentioned earlier in our roundup of this month’s action in The World Assembly, stats-based commendations and condemnations are still a hot topic of discussion in the wider world of the Security Council. Commend Northern Borland was always a contentious resolution, having passed by an extremely narrow margin when it first came to the floor, and opponents seized on this. While pointing out flaws in the resolution, including its use of tongue-in-cheek sarcastic or ironic language, this Repeal made the case to repeal the Commend and it was, indeed, repealed. This proposal passed on February 22 by a 59%-41% margin without the North’s support. It gave The North Pacific’s Noahs Second Country a 2nd Security Council resolution passed this month, coming 8 days after the passage of Commend 1 very fast endotarter, and his 5th overall.
Supporting People With Disabilities
Occasionally, a proposal will genuinely come to be considered quite “feel good”, this one qualifies under that category. Codifying the rights of the disabled into World Assembly law and “reaffirming the right to not be discriminated against on the grounds of disability”, this proposal passed easily-83%-17%. This proposal, authored by Free Las Pinas marked a promising debut for the author in the General Assembly and his resolution, passing on February 25, received the overwhelming support of the North.
Condemn Lily
One of the most infamous independent militaries of the last few years-Lily has no shortage of detractors and admirers. With their rainbow-colored tags on regional WFEs and the sheer number of operations they undertake, it is clear that at some point, regardless of their affiliation, they would be on the receiving end of a condemnation. One such attempt to condemn Lily came to the floor on February 22 and while it showed condemn worthy things, it did not tell the whole story or prove convincing enough for the North, or the wider World Assembly community, to approve it. This proposal failed by a 78%-22% margin on February 26.
Polaris: Lighting the way to truth
Publisher: McMasterdonia :: Executive Editor: Veniyerris
Polaris articles are produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and are distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Communications internally.
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Statement on the Invasion of Genua (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1548179)
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Statement on the Invasion of Genua
Greetings,
This past Sunday, the North Pacific Army (NPA) participated in a large-scale joint operation alongside forces from The Black Hawks (TBH), the South Pacific Special Forces (SPSF), the East Pacific Sovereign Army (EPSA), the West Pacific Armed Forces (TWPAF), the Legio Pacifica, the Europeian Republican Navy (ERN), The Order of the Grey Wardens (TGW), the Land of Kings and Emperors (LKE), Balder, the League's Defense Forces (LDF), the Ten Thousand Islands Treaty Organization (TITO), the MT Army, Lone Wolves United (LWU), Thaempirial Army (THA), the Red Fleet (TRF), the Kingdom of Great Britain (KoGB), the United Kingdom Air Force (UKAF), the Free Nations Defender Army (FNDA), the Joint Systems Alliance (JSA), Korea, the Autumnal Court, Aurrelius, and Wintercrest to rid the world of an up-and-coming Nazi stronghold.
Following the deletion of its founder nation, Genua (https://www.nationstates.net/region=genua) was seized by a record-setting one-hundred and fifteen (115) updaters from all across the NationStates world. It is currently being held by over one hundred nations in an ongoing piling effort, where eight of the North?s finest were also in attendance on the jump. Their names are as follows:
Participating Soldiers:
General Westinor
General Rom
General BluieGamer (Konar (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=konar))
Colonel Gorundu
Major Koopa (Palutenia (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=palutenia))
Captain Knightblood (Goatentah (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=goatentah))
Corporal Cascadian Bioregion
Private First Class Kastonvia
It is clear to us that, whilst a few fascists may cling on in their hovels and hideaways, those who espouse such bigoted and prejudiced views will always be defeated by the combined forces of anti-fascism. The site administration has now made it clear that (https://www.nationstates.net/images/forumlink.png)Nazism on NationStates will no longer be acceptable (https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=505040).
The North Pacific stands firmly in affirmation of the anti-fascist cause. We will not tolerate hatred and we are proud to be a part of the unifying show of force that was displayed from every end of the raiding/defending spectrum. The fifteenth (15th) of May's major update is a perfect exemplification of the sickly remnants of the ideologies that plague our game and how they ought to be dealt with.
We would like to thank all other participating regions, organizations, and individuals who came together to make this happen.
Sincerely,
Robespierre (Francois Isidore (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=francois_isidore))
Delegate of The North Pacific
St George (Madjack (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=madjack))
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Westinor (Westinor (https://www.nationstates.net/nation=westinor))
Minister of Defense
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I'm glad to see that so many people came together to fight Nazis, and that the mods changed their policies to allow for it. It won't completely get rid of Nazis, but it'll definitely make it harder for them to operate in NS. :)
Thanks for the update!
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Polaris - July 2021 Judicial Elections (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1583389)
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July 2021 Judicial Elections
Biggest Elections in Recent History; Close tie for last Justice Spot
By Owenstacey
The months of July brought us another Judicial election and this time all three justice positions were up for election. This election was different from previous judicial elections due to the size of the field, with it being the largest in recent history, containing 12 candidates. The citizens that ran in this election were: Comfed, Dar Es Saalam, Dreadton, Greater Ale Permars, Lady Raven Wing, Lord Lore, Pallaith, Peeps, Scottlanda, SCP Foundation, Vivanco, and Yalkan.
Comfed
Comfed ran their campaign off the back of successfully defending their client in a case before the Court in recent months. However, apart from this, Comfed offered very little in terms of promises for the term and did not engage with any of the questions put to them by citizens. This meant that Comfed was not elected to any of the justice positions available.
Dar Es Saalam
Dar Es Saalam produced no campaign for this election, and so had very little success in the election.
Dreadton
Dreadton is a candidate that had a lot of experience in the Court having been part of a number of decisions, both as Justice and as a lawyer. This experience is important for Dreadton because it really sets them apart from the other candidates in this large field. As well as playing on their experience, Dreadton proposed a way of looking to the future and increasing the understanding of TNP?s Courts with the creation of a Legal program to allow people to learn about TNPs laws in a more structured way, which would allow people to be in a better position to both work in and run the Courts in the future. Dreadton offered a really strong campaign which resulted in him being the second Justice elected.
Greater Ale Permars
Greater Ale Permars (GAP) came into this election running for their first elected office within TNP. Despite being one of the more inexperienced in the race, GAP proposed a large campaign with a number of promises ranging from introducing Officers of the Court to mandatory judicial review of Regional Assembly bills. GAP got a good amount of attention to their campaign and received a number of questions that they answered well. However, this attention did not translate into votes and GAP was not elected this term.
Lady Raven Wing
Lady Raven Wing, a former Justice, also sought to return to the Court in this open election. Basing their campaign on past performance, Lady Raven Wing went into this election hoping that their past record was enough to get people to vote them into office. When it came time to vote, Lady Raven Wing was part of the closest result of this election, the third justice position where they lost out to Lord Lore by a single vote, meaning that they were unsuccessful in this election.
Lord Lore
Lord Lore, also a former Justice, ran a similar campaign to Lady Raven Wing, basing it on his past experience within the Court as well as this question he answered from citizens. Both Lord Lore and Lady Raven Wing got similar engagement with their campaigns and as a result were split in the voting by the narrowest of margins. However, Lord Lore was ultimately successful and became the third Justice on the Court for this term.
Pallaith
Pallaith was running for re-election as Justice after having spent the last term in the Court. He was running to continue the work that he had been doing to bring the Court?s issues to the front of citizens' minds and reform the Court in a way to make it more productive for the people, based on the thoughts that he put forward to the Regional Assembly during the last term. Pallaith really engaged with the questions put to him by citizens and got a lot of attention from people. As a result, Pallaith was the first justice to be elected in this cycle.
Peeps
Peeps ran a straightforward campaign, he offered no fancy promises and just wanted to focus on maintaining a professional, timely, and focused court. While Peeps did stay on top of any questions asked by citizens, he didn?t get much attention to his campaign and as a result was unsuccessful in this election.
Scottlanda
Scottlanda produced a campaign that did not offer a lot about why they were running for Justice or what they would do if they were elected. Although they did get some attention from citizens, Scottlanda didn?t really offer anything of note and therefore was not elected.
SCP Foundation
SCP Foundation also produced no campaign for this election, which meant that they had very little success in voting.
Vivanco
Vivanco was one of the most experienced candidates in this race because of being a former Justice. Vivanco ran his campaign around remaining active and ensuring that he was able to maintain his role for the entirety of the term. However, Vivanco received little engagement with his campaign and was not able to get the votes to be elected this term.
Yalkan
Yalkan didn?t propose much of a campaign for this election and just allowed people to ask them questions that they did answer. However, without an actual campaign Yalkan was going to struggle to get much traction, and as a result was not successful in being elected Justice.
Therefore, after a very competitive election where the last seat on the Court was decided by 1 vote, the three people elected this term were Pallaith, Dreadton, and Lord Lore. Since the result of the election, it has also been announced that Pallaith would be serving as Chief Justice this term.
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Thanks for the update! It's so unusual to see so much interest in judicial positions in NS...I suppose it's a testament to the strength of TNP's legal institutions and it's democracy. :)