Post #71990
April 14, 2016, 01:58:02 AM
Let's try to refrain from bickering, please. I know that there are some very strong opinions, but it's important that we remain civil here. I will indirectly answer Point Breeze's reference by going over how someone can be removed from the community:
First, there's administrative action, which is authorized via Article VI Section 4 and expanded upon in the Admin Rules and Guidelines found in the technical forum. This is used to either remove people who are immediate threats to the community (such as when Scientiam was removed) or people who have had a long history of failing to follow the guidelines and lesser punishments have not remedied the situation (such as when Gov was removed from IRC). It goes without saying that this authority is only used sparingly and with very great reason, and in my opinion Gov is neither an immediate threat nor has noted history of actionable behaviour on the forums.
Second, there's the authority to revoke Citizenship, which is held by myself and by the Storting. The Storting has the authority to revoke a Citizenship from their authority over Citizenship in the Fundamental Laws, and the Storing also delegated the authority to me under the Citizenship and Demonym Act. However, I don't feel that it's an appropriate authority for me to use outside of an emergency situation...it's basically deciding that someone should be stripped of legal protections without having necessarily committed any wrongdoing, including becoming open to a persona non grata declaration. Wouldn't it be better for the community to make this decision through the Storting than one person? The community welcomes our Citizens in...it only seems fair for it to have a say in a Citizen's removal.
Finally, there's the court system that was established in the Fundamental Laws and specified in several other laws, which is there to respond to specific grievances between people as defined in our code of laws and to hash out appropriate punishments. It is...well, what it is, not much explaining needed there.
As for how to respond to Govindia's behaviour, it's a challenge that we've faced in the past and that other regions have also faced. Gov's behaviour is often pestering, but frequently straddles the line between what's actionable by administration or a court system and what is not. It's not malicious, but ends up being harmful to those exposed to it anyways. It's from someone who has been here for a long time and seems to get something from being here, but at the cost of others who have to put up with that behaviour...people who otherwise also get something from being here.
Where do we go from here? A little short of a year ago, we decided that Govindia deserved another chance, and I can personally attest to the fact that he has had more than just another, and yet here we are again. The people that launched the initial attempts to remove him from the region are long gone, yet new generations of Wintreans have felt the need to take up that call again. Does he deserve a chance again? If so, how will this chance be different from the many that he has had in the past? What are the odds that we'll just be here once again in the future, deciding if Gov has finally reached the end of the road or if he's deserving of yet another chance? On the other hand, if we are deciding that this is it, are we saying he's beyond redemption?
These are not simple questions, although some people on both sides may feel that it is...we're making a decision that will have major ramifications for both Govindia and for this community. We're setting a precedent that may be referenced again in the future. We're charting a course whose destination is unclear regardless of the decision made. It's important that we give the matter all the thought and consideration that it deserves, but it's also important that we don't allow this to drag on and become a community quagmire. I am of the opinion that most people who are involved here have an opinion about this one way or another...it seems best to me to proceed with the legislation, get the votes on record, and let the cards fall where they may.
