Announcement of interests in mutual aid
In the face of both worsening famine in the Republic of Canada and electricity shortages in the American Lakes Union, it is become increasingly apparent that the damages to the economy and infrastructure are too great for the two nations to properly function by themselves. Though economic trade has grown between the Republic of Canada and the American Lakes Union over the past years, it has been largely informal, without any serious intentions of establishing deeper diplomatic and economic ties by either government. The Republic if Canada wishes to broaden the level of political and economic cooperation between the two states, to the point of mutual diplomatic recognition and mutual economic assistance to aid the current infrastructural and economic issues felt by the people of our two nations.
The latter problem can be solved by the Republic of Canada significantly increasing it's energy exports to the American Lakes Union, while the American Lakes Union can significantly increase agricultural exports to the Republic of Canada. Thus creating a partnership of mutual aid and friendship. As January approaches, the worst of winter is rapidly approaching and this could prove deadly for the populations of of our two nations if some sort of aid agreement isn't established quickly.
Prime Minister Amelie Leblanc invites the leadership of the American Lakes Union to Ottawa so that a proper discussion of the terms of diplomatic recognition and mutual aid may be launched.
Elliott Fitzgerald
Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Canada
This was a moment that the American Lakes Union Arbitration Council was dreading. They weren’t dreading dealing with Canadians, of course. Your average Union official liked Canadians more than they liked most other former Americans. Informal trading and communications had been going on for as long as the ECP crisis allowed, and the regional ties existed generations before even that. It wouldn’t be a horrible thing to let trade across the lakes happen without the permission of the federal government, since it wasn’t returning their calls. However, the Canadian government was now asking for more than that: a formal economic alliance and a concerted effort on the part of the Union to relieve the food shortages that Canada was starting to suffer. The potential trade deal sounded attractive, especially since Chicago and Detroit were starved for electricity and fuel during a very power-critical time of year, but the Union simply didn’t know whether it was in their place to make these arrangements or not. A few members of the Council believed that they should hold off and make another attempt to get word from Washington before doing something like this, but most members realized that the practicality of the situation and the fact that the Canadian government was calling for help from the American Lakes Union by name, meant that Canada recognized them as an independent authority, over the former US federal government and still-existing state governments. So, they should act like they were independent and authoritative and send some representatives to Canada to discuss the specifics.Ottawa - 7:49 AM December 22nd 2032QuoteAnnouncement of interests in mutual aid
In the face of both worsening famine in the Republic of Canada and electricity shortages in the American Lakes Union, it is become increasingly apparent that the damages to the economy and infrastructure are too great for the two nations to properly function by themselves. Though economic trade has grown between the Republic of Canada and the American Lakes Union over the past years, it has been largely informal, without any serious intentions of establishing deeper diplomatic and economic ties by either government. The Republic if Canada wishes to broaden the level of political and economic cooperation between the two states, to the point of mutual diplomatic recognition and mutual economic assistance to aid the current infrastructural and economic issues felt by the people of our two nations.
The latter problem can be solved by the Republic of Canada significantly increasing it's energy exports to the American Lakes Union, while the American Lakes Union can significantly increase agricultural exports to the Republic of Canada. Thus creating a partnership of mutual aid and friendship. As January approaches, the worst of winter is rapidly approaching and this could prove deadly for the populations of of our two nations if some sort of aid agreement isn't established quickly.
Prime Minister Amelie Leblanc invites the leadership of the American Lakes Union to Ottawa so that a proper discussion of the terms of diplomatic recognition and mutual aid may be launched.
Elliott Fitzgerald
Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Canada
Saskatoon - 7:13 PMLuke happened to be on the computer during this time, recovering with a blanket from being the sole victim of a particularly hypothermic and soul-crushing snowball massacre, perpetrated by a roving gang of grade-schoolers that ambushed him from behind a dumpster. He would get the cowardly little turds back when they stopped by on Christmas Eve, somehow.Professional-Trashcanburner: HEY LUKE-snip-12 hours of work had passed. Lily returned to her apartment exhausted physcially, mentally and emotionally. Though the return of factory work once lost to China and expensive foreign technology resulted in a boom of work, it was accompanied by heavily relaxed or ignored worker's rights and safety laws. Lily's factory was an example of this, where employees are regularly forced to do overtime, where workers and their families do not enjoy compensation for egregious accidents that in Pre-Outbreak Canada would be enough to send some employers to prison and where workers are expected to achieve and exceed unnecessarily high productivity quotas in order to generate as much profit for their work as humanly possible.
Lily couldn't look back at her work day. It was all one big blur that brings back migraines as well as memories of constant yelling, beratement, loud machinery and the ever present feeling that she was literally being worked to death. Now that she was in her home, she could finally feel some sense of freedom and individuality. Her wife wasn't home yet and wouldn't expect her to be for about another thirty minutes. Lily needed some escape from the thoughts in her head. She grabbed some alcohol and turned to the internet, as she typically does. Though all she wanted to do was try to find some escape from her life, her mind reminded her that she'd been meaning to read up on some Communist materials that she had been beating herself up for the past couple of weeks to get started on. She pulled up a Far-Left library which archived a wide variety of left wing resources in easy to access PDFs from Marx to Bakunin to Kropotkin to Goldman.
Let us, be practical. We want something practical.
Always the cry of humdrum mediocrity, afraid to face the stern necessity for uncompromising action. That saying has done more yeoman service in the cause of oppression than all its avowed supporters.
The average man dislikes to be thought unpractical and so, while, frequently loathing the principles or distrusting the leaders of the particular political party, he is associated with, declines to leave them, in the hope that their very lack of earnestness may be more fruitful of practical results than the honest outspokenness of the party in whose principles he does believe,
In the phraseology of politics, a party, too indifferent to the sorrow and sufferings of humanity to raise its voice in protest, is a moderate, practical party; whilst a party totally indifferent to the personality of, leaders, or questions of leadership, but hot to enthusiasm on every question affecting the well-being of the toiling masses, is an extreme, a dangerous party.
Yet, although it may seem a paradox to say so, there is no party so incapable of achieving practical results, as an orthodox, political party; and there is no party so certain of placing moderate reforms to its credit as an extreme revolutionary party. The possessing class will and do laugh to scorn every scheme for the amelioration of the workers so long as those responsible for the initiation of the scheme admit as justifiable the, “rights of property”; but when the, public attention is directed toward questioning the justifiable, nature of those “rights” in themselves, then the master class, alarmed for the safety of their booty, yield reform after reform – in order to prevent revolution.
Moral – Don’t be “practical” in politics. To be practical in that sense, means that you have, schooled yourself, to think along, the lines and, in the grooves which those, who rob you would desire you to think.
That was written by one James Connoly, Irish socialist revolutionary. Lily's Irish and Christian Socialist friends always seemed to have a knack for Mr. Connoly and she was fairly fond of him too. Lily thought to herself how it could as easily have been written in 2031. It was written in 1909.
However, reading bored her. Lily was never one for reading, though she fully understood it was important and tried to force herself to do so, her ADHD be damned. She felt a need for constant stimuli, audio, imagery, obviously books provided none of these. Drifting off into boredom and sort of drunk at that point, Lily opened up a new tab and typed in a social media website.
Professional-Trashcanburner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iAIM02kv0g
Professional-Trashcanburner: i really, //really// need to learn the banjo
Professional-Trashcanburner: like, to carry out revolutionary purposes
Professional-Trashcanburner: via banjo
Corpus Christi, Texas, NHCA
President Of The Confederation Thad Braddock
Thad Braddock sat in the Presidential office. It felt right....it felt good..... he leaned back into the chair and smiled. Finally...
His Secretary of State, Peter Vanderlay, the Leader of The Confederate Diet, Jennifer Prescott, his Vice President, Gregory Mendoza and the head of the Church of America, Vox Populi Wallace Danforth were led into the office on his instructions. The Secretary, a old, stubborn man who's face looked as if it was melting off his face, spoke first with his typical meandering drawl.
"Good afternoon, Mr President. I presume you wish to speak about our Uranium problem?"
Braddock slowly nodded as he got up. "Yes, thats right. Our current source, the mines of Australia, are simply to far and expensive to be used long term. We need a new source of Uranium. And we all know the closest and largest source."
Vice President Mendoza, a younger and more energetic populist than Braddock, nodded. "Saskatoon."
Everyone smiled. "Yes, my dear running mate, Saskatoon. The Uranium mines there accounted for 18 percent of the worlds Uranium just 30 years ago. Hopefully, the Canadians and us can come to an arrangement. We have something they want, they have something we want. Peter, can you send them a communique?"
Peter nodded and left the room. Prescott, a prissy and well dressed woman, stepped forward. "Now, what about Kentucky? You know we need it."
Braddock nodded. "I know. Once we deal with the Canadians, Kentucky and the push to Mexico City come next. Dont worry. One step at a time."
They all nodded and left the room. Within an hour, a message was delivered to the Canadian Government.
"To: Government of the Republic of Canada
From: Office of the President of the New Holy Confederation of America Thaddeus Beauregard Braddock
Hello, my Canadian friends, I hope this message finds you well! On behalf of the NHCA I want to wish you all a Merry (if early) Christmas. I hope you do not mind me reaching out like this but the Government of the Confederation and myself want to, hopefully, begin a trade mission between our two countries, perhaps even an exchange of Ambassadors if that is agreeable! Down here in the fertile lands of Dixie we grow and raise lots of fresh produce and livestock, the fields of wheat always healthy and the harvest strong while our cattle ranchers produce fresh, pasteurized milk and delectable beef, lamb and chicken meat fit for a king. I'm even told that the Atlanta Cattle Corporation is experimenting on raising a new animal, a 'beefalo' I believe its called? I must confess, when I tasted a sample of this amazing meat it was heavenly. We wish to trade the generous bounty of our lands with the generous bounty of yours. I hope such a trade deal might be agreeable to you and that this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship between our two peoples.
Thank You and Merry Christmas,
Thad Braddock"
Tell Braddock that the Canadian government politely declines its proposal. We arent desperate enough to get aid from North American ISIS
- Leblanc
Congratulations!
Dear President Thad Braddock
We here at Cameco send a warm congratulations to you for winning this year's elections. Your political platform was solid and reasonable, not the least being its support for renewable energies. Cameco is excited to see a NHCA administration so enthusiastic about renewable energies and nuclear power in particular. We all know that nuclear power is the only renewable power source that can efficiently handle the world's energy needs and we know of Global Warming and other troubling factors that encourage a rapid transition away from polluting energies such as coal and oil. As the leader of the NHCA you have a responsibility to aid your people in light of these issues and we are happy to see you are going with the right choice.
We are interested in sending an envoy to Corpus Christi so that we might discuss how Cameco might assist the good people of the NHCA in establishing nucleaer energy as their primary power source.
Jessica Hoffman
Representative for Cameco
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Cleveland, OhioA confederate yankee in pope urban ii's courtCorpus Christi, Texas, NHCA
President Thad Braddock
"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!" President Braddock was holding a newspaper, the headline in big, bold letters 'PRESIDENT FAILS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA'. After a few seconds, he threw it at his desk. It bounced off and fluttered for a second before falling in front of Peter Vanderlay.
"With all due respect, Mr President, we did not fail. The corporation that owns the mines contacted us...." Peter was cut off by the President suddenly yelling.
"I DONT GIVE A DAMN, PETER! So what if that blasted corporation wants to do business? The Canadians can just block the deal anytime they want! Worse, that corporation will want money! Money! The whole point of buying from the fucking Canadians in the first place was that it would cheaper than the Australians!"
Peter spoke, not a single indicator of any discomfort on his face. "Sir, I find it very unwise to dismiss a deal when we have not even had a discussion on terms yet. Maybe this is the Canadian government's attempt to save face. After all, they are attempting to get closer with the ALU. Working publicly with us would definitely sour relations with them."
Braddock face turned to scorn. "What, those yahoo rust belt sodomites and their continuing delusion of 'rebuilding the union'." the contempt barely hidden as he spoke with air quotes. "Please. Even the Canadians must know that we have the better lands and better sciences. Plus, we have the better nuclear reactors."
Peter just slowly nodded. "True. But Canada isn't bordering us, are they. And not much chance of reconciliation between us and the ALU, is there?" Braddock turned to face Peter, his face dark, his tone cold. "After Antietam? Never in a million years." Peter nodded. "Then I suggest that we take the Canadians on their offer and invite Cameco representatives to Corpus Christi. Lets see where it goes and issue a statement calling that article false and misleading." Braddock waved his hand in agreement and picked up a folder on his desk. "And now onto the next order of business, one that falls under your area, Wallace."
Wallace Danforth, Vox Populi of the Church of America, dressed in his holy garb, stepped forward. "I have had talks with the Collage Of Cardinals. They have all agreed to support you Proclamation Of Confederate Infallibility. Under the eyes of God, the Confederation can do no wrong and will be entitled to do anything it wants. Weather other countries accept this or not is immaterial, the population will support the Confederation all the way after this." Braddock smiled. "Excellent. Any idea when it will pass?" Now, it was Wallace's turn to smile. "It passed 3 hours ago." Braddock closed his eyes, looked towards the heavens and nodded.
"Perfect. Now for the final order on the agenda. Something we have been waiting for a long time for. Kentucky. Are our agents in the Kentucky Senate ready?" Peter Vanderlay nodded as he slowly spoke. "Yes, they are. They have proposed asking to join the Confederation and so far the response has been positive. They will be expected to ask our troops to occupy Kentucky, as a peace keeping force of course, with the full invitation of the Kentucky government. After that, a Declaration of Annexation and Kentucky will become part of the family. And don't worry about the Governor or the State National Guard. The guard has agreed to stand down and the Governor can be dealt with if he refuses to co-operate."
Braddock smiled and sat down. "Deus Vult." With two words he would launch the Annexation of Kentucky. The population there loved the NHCA and mostly supported joining anyway. Within an hour, Confederate troops began marching towards the Kentucky border.
Jeffersonville, Indiana, Border of Indiana and Kentucky, Clark Memorial BridgeI thought you would callFrankfort, Kentucky
Governor Kurt Skutner
He was sitting at his desk in the Capital. In front of him were 3 people. Two Confederate 'Peacekeepers' in grey uniforms and his own Lieutenant Governor Seymour Inquart. In front of him was a letter of resignation. The Confederate troops had marched all the way to Frankfort while local crowds more or less cheered as they did. The population of Kentucky were either ecstatic or terrified and Kurt was in the second camp. This was the end. The Confederation would annex Kentucky in less than a week, Independence was over.
He looked to Inquart. "How could you do this, Seymour? How could you betray your people?" Inquart raised an eyebrow. "How could I? How could you, Kurt? How could you oppose the rightful rulers of Kentucky? Oppose the will of the people?" Kurt shook his head. "This is not the will of the people." Inquart chuckled as he walked to the window behind Kurt and opened the blinds.
Confederate troops marched in the street as a light rain fell and large crowds cheered and threw confetti beside them. Certain....undesirables were also in the scene. Hanging by their necks from streetlights, dead. More were being secured and hung, slowly, as the crowd, blind by a mixture of jubilation and fear, cheered as they swung. Priests, Imams, Pastors and Rabbis that had openly criticized the Church of America. The State Legislators, all 13 of them, that had voted against joining the Confederation. Whoever the Confederation had decided were traitors. All tried in a Kangaroo court and hung after a 'trial'. Inquart smiled. "Traitors and Heathens. Savages, barely even human." He looked to Kurt. "Tell me that isn't the will of the people. Tell me that the crowd would not be happy if this wasn't what they wanted. And tell me, Kurt, do you want to join the traitors?" Kurt paled in his seat. He sighed, picked up his pen and signed the Resignation letter. Inquart nodded. "Good boy. You will live. We will let you pack and let you take your car out of here. Got to the ALU, go to Washington, Canada, go to fucking Mars for all I care. Just go and never come back." The two soldiers grabbed Kurt and dragged him out of his office, taking him to his domicile.
Acting Governor Seymour Inquart
Seymour stood, stoic as Kurt was dragged away. Never liked that wishy-washy commie. He sat down in the chair vacated by Kurt and pressed the desk intercom. "Mrs. Marston, please bring in the Declaration." His first order of business was clear. He needed to ratify the request to join the Confederation. The Confederate Diet had already accepted the Invitation but Kurt had initially refused to sign it. No matter. A quick signature and the document was signed.
He was about to say something when he noticed that Mrs Marston was crying. He quickly got up and asked her "Oh, my dear Mrs Marston, what wrong? You should be happy! What's the matter?" Mrs Marston said, through tear stained sobs. "Its...its my hus...husband, sir. He...he's...he's Muslim and I'm afraid...." She was really turning on the waterworks now. Inquart cooed in an attempt to empathize and hugged her. "It's ok, Mrs Marston, it's ok, your husband will be fine. Nothing will happen to him because he's Muslim." Marston looked at Inquart, still sobbing but looking hopeful, as she said "R...Really?" Inquart nodded. "Yes, of course! After all, the Conversion to the Church of America is painless, just a sermon and a quick baptism. And no one judges anyone based on their previous religion. Many members of the Diet were Muslim, heck, I used to be Lutheran before I converted. Its quick and painless, so there is no need to worry about it, your husband will be fine once he converts." Marston's eyes widened as she realized what he meant. Everyone was welcome in the Confederation. Once, and only after, they converted. The message was clear. Convert or get out or.... she looked out the window to the hanging men. The message was very clear. She was brought back from her thoughts by Inquart's voice. "I hope I have assuaged your fears, my dear Mrs Marston. I would hate to lose you as my secretary." She nodded wordlessly and left the office.
Inquart watched her as she left. They would need to watch her. He really hoped, for her families sake, that her husband converted. But on to more pressing matters. He walked out onto the Governor's balcony. Once the crowd saw him and realized what that meant the cheers below got louder. So loud, his first words could barely be heard.
"DEUS VULT!"
Louisville, Kentucky, Border of Indiana and Kentucky, Kentucky border post 17, Clark Memorial Bridge
Sgt Martin Coombs, 7th Confederate Armored Cavalry
Sgt Coombs had been a veteran of the Confederate Army. Not saying much since the Confederate Army had never fought anyone, but still, he'd been in it for a while now. Never had he seen such a place of sin and debasement. Indiana. The American Lakes Union. They really were Heathens. Children of Sodom. The disgust in his gut was palatable. Godless freaks. He could see policemen or soldiers, guys in uniform, on the other side of the bridge. He had been given orders, simple orders really "Turn back all travelers in both directions until further notice. The border is closed." He scowled as he continued to look at the Sodomite on the other side of the bridge. He could not contain himself any longer. He had to say something. He turned to a private beside him. "Give me the bullhorn, Private." The private handed it over, a look of confusion on his face. Coombs went over to the APC he had arrived in and climbed to the top. He looked back towards Indiana. It looked even worse from on high. He could contain himself no longer. He put the bullhorn to his face, turned it on, and began shouting.
"HEATHENS! HERETICS! SODOMITES! REMEMBER ANTIETAM! DEUS VULT! DEUS VULT!"
He lowered the bullhorn, calmer than before. His men and a few civilians nearby began cheering, shouting at the Indianans as well. Coombs smiled.
Lily Carson
Pretty tight. Kinda reminds me of Burzum's earlier music. Would love to hear more.
I hope this invitation finds you in favorable times and its read by the offcial head of state of the receiving nation.
If you are receiving this, you have been invitated to the be apart of the International Conferance of Bucharest, the ICB.
The aim of the Conferance is to promote diplomacy and peaceful relationships between nations to speed up the rebuilding of our scarred world.
Romania has decided to share its fertile lands by establishing a Global Food Market, the details of which will be discussed at the meeting.
All participants are advised to send their most trusted and closest representatives.
The Conferance shall be taking place over the duration of a week with all expenses paid by the Protectorate.
The Conferance shall begin on the New Year's Eve
We await your arrival by any transport means.
I hope this invitation finds you in favorable times and its read by the offcial head of state of the receiving nation.
If you are receiving this, you have been invitated to the be apart of the International Conferance of Bucharest, the ICB.
The aim of the Conferance is to promote diplomacy and peaceful relationships between nations to speed up the rebuilding of our scarred world.
Romania has decided to share its fertile lands by establishing a Global Food Market, the details of which will be discussed at the meeting.
All participants are advised to send their most trusted and closest representatives.
The Conferance shall be taking place over the duration of a week with all expenses paid by the Protectorate.
The Conferance shall begin on the New Year's Eve
We await your arrival by any transport means.
Ottawa - December 25thDr. Ethan Reider and his entourage entered the room quietly, greeting the Canadians and engaging in the bare minimum amount of small talk. They were under immense pressure from the ALU to get a good deal out of this. The food shipments to Canada would flow regardless, as part of “humanitarian aid”, but the Union needed a quid-pro-quo, especially where electricity was concerned. Dr. Reider, an economist by trade, believed he had a fairly simple solution, and as such began the conversation so that he could propose it.
Prime Minister Leblanc and several other bureaucrats who weren't particularly interested in spending their Christmas doing a diplomatic visit sat down in meeting room of a once well and reputable hotel, the left side of the table purposely vacant. Canadian, Alaskan and Icelandic news crews and photographers stood in position, as if soldiers in cohesion, waiting for the ALU delegation to make their entrance. After ~5 minutes of waiting, the ALU delegation opened the doors, letting out a burst of camera flashes and "click" noises as they made their way to the table, Leblanc getting up to shake their hands.
Leblanc responded back "Then we'd like to hear it."Ottawa - December 25thDr. Ethan Reider and his entourage entered the room quietly, greeting the Canadians and engaging in the bare minimum amount of small talk. They were under immense pressure from the ALU to get a good deal out of this. The food shipments to Canada would flow regardless, as part of “humanitarian aid”, but the Union needed a quid-pro-quo, especially where electricity was concerned. Dr. Reider, an economist by trade, believed he had a fairly simple solution, and as such began the conversation so that he could propose it.
Prime Minister Leblanc and several other bureaucrats who weren't particularly interested in spending their Christmas doing a diplomatic visit sat down in meeting room of a once well and reputable hotel, the left side of the table purposely vacant. Canadian, Alaskan and Icelandic news crews and photographers stood in position, as if soldiers in cohesion, waiting for the ALU delegation to make their entrance. After ~5 minutes of waiting, the ALU delegation opened the doors, letting out a burst of camera flashes and "click" noises as they made their way to the table, Leblanc getting up to shake their hands.
“I suppose the first order of business would be the food aid shipments,” he began. “I already worked out a deal I think you all would like, if you want to hear it.”