The Voice of the People - a Taijitu periodical

[Pauline Bonaparte]

November Update
Taijitu Foreign Service

Government of Taijitu
Citizen-Delegate: Jutensa
Citizen-Initiator: Gulliver (Gullivania)
Citizen-Diplomat: Of the US
Citizen-Sergeant: Dyr Nasad (The First Garrison)

Registered Citizen-Legislators of the Ecclesia: 23

New constitution on path to passage

Taijitu's residents meet for a public reading of the proposed Constitution, as an omen from above implies its imminent success.

Taijitu's first constitution since the Glorious Revolution that brought direct democracy to the region is set to pass the Ecclesia, Taijitu's legislature, on the 27th. The new Constitution, drafted by Citizen Eluvatar with a Bill of Rights written by Citizen Zimmerwald (Zimmerwald1912), is minimalist in nature, specifying only that the Ecclesia shall make all laws, that all citizens may vote in the Ecclesia, and that any amendments to the Constitution or Bill of Rights may only be enacted after two separate votes pass the legislature by a two-thirds majority.

The Bill of Rights, a considerably longer document, guarantees 14 individual rights to all Taijituans.

The new document came to a vote after a constitutional convention that lasted nearly a month and a half. Of many proposed ideas, Eluvatar's minimalist draft attracted the most interest and was put to a vote on the 22nd. In a higher-than-average turnout, Taijitu's citizen-legislators have so far approved the Eluvatar-Zimmerwald draft unanimously. The vote is expected to end tomorrow with a victory for direct democracy, Taijitu, and the Ecclesia.

Gulliver takes office as Citizen-Initiator

Gulliver (podium, right) addresses the Ecclesia after his election.

Gulliver, one of Taijitu's original founders and former Delegate and Speaker of the Senate, took office this month as Citizen-Initiator after Myroria's resignation. Citizen-Initiator, a unique Taijituan office, is de jure responsible only for approving citizenship requests but traditionally acts as speaker of the legislature as well.

In a wide-fielded election, Gulliver triumphed over competing candidates Funkadelia (Funkadelia Island), Wast (Annexea), and Delfos (New Delfos). In a post-victory statement, Gulliver said "[my election] happened. I would like to thank those who voted for me for their support." Winking, he continued, "those who voted against me will be ostracized in order to think about what they've done. [...] As Initiator I will make sure that our region moves forwards, not backwards, sideways, not oscillating, and ever twirling, twirling into the void."

We thank Gulliver for his kind words and ask Citizen-Augur St Oz to look for good omens in the movements of the birds this fall.

[Pauline Bonaparte]

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

a Taijitu periodical

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE?


Her Worshipfulness Pauline Bonaparte is a part-time columnist for the Voice of the People and a member of the Taijitu Citizens' Militia.

OPINION
by PAULINE BONAPARTE

A great victory was achieved in the region of Christmas yesterday for the combined forces of freedom, good cheer, holiday spirit, and my ego. A stunning performance by a multilateral coalition liberated the region from the iron fist of an occupying delegate, though now that I think of it, the delegate's single WA endorsement probably made the regime more of an "iron thumb".

My involvement with the whole affair started yesterday evening. I was relaxing in my daily bath of milk and honey, in a bathroom on the second floor of my palatial manor, when I began to hear a strange rumbling approaching my home. Turning off the faucet and leaning forward, it became clear to me that it was a solid musical beat, likely from a car stereo.

I sighed and got out of the tub, wrapping a towel around myself and walking to the window. By now the strange beat was audibly music from the electronic music scene, likely Nigeria's to be specific. I stuck my head out the window of the bathroom to get a look at the car. It was an unfamiliar vehicle - late 70s, probably. Big as a boat. Who was playing this strange music? The driver's side door opened and when the figure inside stepped out, I recognized his pasty white skin immediately.

"Hello, Funkadelia!" I yelled over the loud music.

"Hello!" came the reply. "Do you want to take Christmas?"

"Dr. Seuss already wrote a story about that," I said. "And Tim Burton made a movie about it, too."

"No!" Funkadelia said, as the music from the car swelled. "We want these raiders gone."

"'What about James Bond?'" I said, not quite hearing. "Why, I guess you're right. He took Christmas Jones in The World is Not Enough."

"Not James Bond!" Funkadelia said, turning down the music. "Raiders gone! Do you want to liberate Christmas?"

"Oh!" I realized aloud. "I'd love to, but Nephmir already tried putting that before the Security Council."

"We're going to do it the old-fashioned way. Besides, Nephmir isn't involved this time so it'll definitely work."

"Let me come down," I yelled.

Soon enough we were driving to Christmas Land - a magical place, full of hot cookies, evergreen trees, puppet nations and - as I soon found out - grand plans.

"The invader waltzed in," said Benevolent Thomas from the back seat, a Christmas ornament hanging from his cowboy hat. "And they're trying to set up a government. No one is really taking any positions. The RMB is full of a lot of complaining. Oh, and the delegate has one endorsement."

"Setting up a government with one endorsement? No one caring? What is this, a Warzone?" I joked with a smirk.

Funkadelia cleared his throat and Thomas scratched his head. If we weren't so close to the North Pole I'd have heard crickets.

In short order we reached our destination - the Christmas border. We all endorsed each other, and by update had toppled the delegate and their one endorsement. I thought briefly of Washington crossing the Delaware to attack the Hessian encampment in Trenton on Christmas night.

In a way, we were like Washington. We snuck into Christmas in the dead of night and toppled an invading delegate. Of course, we didn't have to cross freezing water. Or deal with frostbite and disease. And to be fair, we were changing some pixels in a browser game instead of fighting for independence.

But I think old Georgie would have liked to go on this excursion with us. At least he wouldn't end up in New Jersey at the end of it all.

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

Christmas got raided?

[Pauline Bonaparte]

It changes hands so often I think we should just start calling it Warzone Christmas and assign this as its anthem.

[Aden Protectorate]

Great work Pauline! You truly are the face of Taijitu abroad.

[NoblePhnx]

Damn Bonaparte that report was Aces

[Pauline Bonaparte]

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

a Taijitu periodical

ATTRITION WARFARE CONTINUES IN ANNE FRANK; 'BLITZKRIEG' REMAINS FIRMLY UNBLITZFUL


Her Worshipfulness Pauline Bonaparte is a part-time columnist for the Voice of the People and a member of the Taijitu Citizens' Militia.

OPINION
by PAULINE BONAPARTE

The Nazis of NationStates somehow scrounged up a handful of library computers over fifty pilers over the past few days, but despite their persistence the region of Anne Frank remains strangely full of non-fascists.

The whole affair started two days ago - it was about sunset on the second night of Hanukkah when Eluvatar, NationStates' very own Bear Jew, came to me asking for my help. I, of course, offered to do everything I could, but, as I stepped out of the bath and slowly reached for a towel, he interrupted.

"Excellent! I need you to help liberate a region!"

Pursing my lips, I wrapped the towel around myself and followed him into my parlor. It turns out that Anne Frank, a region named after and dedicated to perhaps the Holocaust's most famous victim, had been invaded by a fascist Nazi force.

Like any good Nazis, the invaders had assembled a multicultural and many-colored force consisting of fascists, national socialists, right-wingers, nationalists, and et cetera. And like the brave, fearless Aryan warriors they are, they kept the WFE the same as it had been and seemed intent on refounding the region covertly.

I, of course, agreed - I have been graciously called a "bad bitch" but there is no badder bitch than Anne Frank, whose diary will forever be remembered as a damning portrayal of the Holocaust. It was only natural for me to agree to a liberation - as any player, raider or fenda, imperialist or regionalist, should in these circumstances.

The first update went well - we all got in, but unfortunately the endos on the fascists' side were too great in number. Magnificently, though, the delegate Ostronirn expended all his influence and, miraculously, I remained in the region with almost 15 endorsements - the most among our forces.

Despite this small victory, though, the fascists quickly piled on nations and by the next major update were at almost 40. A new wave left us closer still, but we remained short. The following day the fascists, recruiting civilians from their home regions, increased their endo count to over fifty. A third wave continued to hack at their influence level, but the delegacy remains out of our reach.

Our position is solid, but not invincible. I request help from you - the readers of my column. Any gameplayer, no matter the ideology, should recognize the danger I'm letting a region like Anne Frank fall into the wrong hands. If you would like to aid our efforts in keeping Anne Frank in existence as a monument to the greatest writer of the Holocaust, and not a monument to those who would perpetuate hatred, please reach out to me or other leaders of the effort.

[Funkadelia]

What a beautiful woman.

[Zenya]

Fantabulous

[Ainin]

Excellent writing as always.

[Rifty]

So are you expecting to be able to muster enough updaters to claim it now...or do you feel it's completely out of the realm of possibilities? I must agree that this here is more then just Raiders and Defenders but for the Nazis to send a message. Ah...

If you're willing to put the unnecessary overly-critical view on myself aside id be happy to get AoI involved with this and help out.

[Pauline Bonaparte]

So are you expecting to be able to muster enough updaters to claim it now...or do you feel it's completely out of the realm of possibilities? I must agree that this here is more then just Raiders and Defenders but for the Nazis to send a message. Ah...

If you're willing to put the unnecessary overly-critical view on myself aside id be happy to get AoI involved with this and help out.

We can definitely muster enough updaters to keep their influence down and our WA nations in there for the foreseeable future, but without outside help we likely won't be able to take the delegacy for a while.

And as to the Right Honorable Gentleman's comment - we would gladly take help from anyone who offers it. Its amazing that Nazis can bring people together so well!

[Rifty]

So are you expecting to be able to muster enough updaters to claim it now...or do you feel it's completely out of the realm of possibilities? I must agree that this here is more then just Raiders and Defenders but for the Nazis to send a message. Ah...

If you're willing to put the unnecessary overly-critical view on myself aside id be happy to get AoI involved with this and help out.

We can definitely muster enough updaters to keep their influence down and our WA nations in there for the foreseeable future, but without outside help we likely won't be able to take the delegacy for a while.

And as to the Right Honorable Gentleman's comment - we would gladly take help from anyone who offers it. Its amazing that Nazis can bring people together so well!

Alrighty then - Give me adequate notice and i'll bring all that I can

[Myroria]

Orôse Update
Taijitu Foreign Service

Government of Taijitu
Citizen-Delegate: Jutensa
Citizen-Initiator: Gulliver (Gullivania)
Citizen-Diplomat: Of the US
Citizen-Sergeant: Dyr Nasad (The First Garrison)

Registered Citizen-Legislators of the Ecclesia: 43

Taijituan Revolutionary Calendar, new title and motto adopted by Ecclesia

Citizens carry new calendars on horseback to Taijituan towns and celebrate the new method of daykeeping.

The Taijituan Revolutionary Calendar, designed by Citizen-Initiator Gulliver, was officially adopted as the working calendar of Taijitu by the Ecclesia last week. Comprising twelve months, each month divided into three ten or eleven day weeks, the calendar begins on 1 Ventaire - August 26, in the old system. This date marks the start of Taijitu's Glorious Revolution, which brought direct democracy to our region.

Designed to overthrow the arbitrary and pre-revolutionary system of timekeeping, the new calendar has months named after the seasons and days named after either their position in the week or Taijituan values. For example, the tenth day of the week, Ecclesidi, is named after the legislature that governs Taijitu. A mockup of this year's calendar is available for public viewing here.

As well as the new calendar, the Ecclesia also voted to adopt a new regional title. Taijitu is now known as the Citizens' Democracy of Taijitu. This replaces the old regional title, Free Land, and is intended to celebrate the ideals of the Glorious Revolution.

With a similar intention, Taijitu changed its old motto, "We bow to no one", to the considerably more revolutionary "Voulez-vous donc qu'on vous fasse des révolutions à l'eau-rose?". Translated from the French, this means "Do you think then, that revolutions are made with rose water?", and is intended to be a comment on the hard work that has brought Taijitu back from the brink of death.

Citizen-Delegate elections underway

Citizens meet at a statue depicting Liberty after casting their votes in the election for Citizen-Delegate.

Taijitu's first Citizen-Delegate elections since the start of the Glorious Revolution have started this week. Incumbent Allama faces experienced former Chairman of Lazarus Funkadelia, as well as relative newcomer Kardex for the delegate seat.

Allama has been a member of Taijitu almost since the beginning, starting in 2007 after Taijitu was founded. This summer she was elected delegate in an uncontested race, and has helped helm the region through the turbulent first few months. A crowd favorite, she campaigns on a more open executive, promising to surround herself with members who are experts in various fields essential to the running of the region.

She faces Funkadelia, former Chairman of Lazarus and currently a member of the NPO. Having joined Taijitu in 2012, he was one of the few Taijituans who stayed in the region during its most recent period of inactivity, helping the Glorious Revolution in its earliest stages with his extensive knowledge of modern gameplay. Funkadelia campaigns on his great experience leading regions of great size and pledges to help make Taijitu a well-known UCR again.

The third contender is Kardex, a Taijituan who moved to the region recently. Kardex received praise for his honest, open, and concise performance during the Delegate Debate last week. Kardex campaigns on a platform of sensibility, pledging to keep Taijitu independent and the Ecclesia the ultimate power in the regional government.

The regional election ends on 1 Gaïôse (December 26), and is open to all citizens of Taijitu.

[Pauline Bonaparte]

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

a Taijitu periodical

EVIL TOLMEKIANS TAKE TWO FOUNDERED REGIONS; WIDELY CONSIDERED BIGGEST VICTORY SINCE STALINGRAD


Her Worshipfulness Pauline Bonaparte is a part-time columnist for the Voice of the People and a member of the Taijitu Citizens' Militia.

OPINION
by PAULINE BONAPARTE

All earthly possessions are fleeting. When you're a raider org attacking foundered regions because the Taijitu Militia keeps you out of all your founderless targets, those possessions are especially fleeting.

On the major update early in the morning on February 10th, the dirty, fenda, Cormacian Taijitu Militia decided to take Cormac on his first spotting assignment as an official member of our forces. The update, as a whole, was slow. In the beginning it was slow in that no one seemed to be raiding at all, but by 30 minutes into the update it was clear that it would shape up to be an update filled with slow raiders. Deciding not to focus our energy on foundered regions that would have their tags cleared in a matter of days, we watched as the Right Honorable Evil Tolmekians lumbered their way through a succession of founderless regions, entering up to ten minutes early and leaving at the last minute when they saw the Militia blocking their path to the delegacy.

In all, we had to listen to the superfluous chains on their robes and horses leave from four founderless regions: Oranje Armistice, The Rogue Nations of Horses, The Bad Lands, and Free Chickensoup. Despite the fact that we all would have preferred to face raiders that posed, perhaps, a little bit of a challenge, we ended the update satisfied that four founderless regions would go at least one more update without having the smell of stale Mountain Dew and Cheetos permeate their home.

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw that, the next day, the four raiders we faced were, in fact, bragging about having momentarily taken two foundered regions! I sighed, and felt a tingling in my Cormac Organ (this is the organ that, as dirty Cormacians, all members of the Taijitu Militia have. Its main function is to alert any member of the Militia to pointless raider bragging). I prepared to write a response to the Right Honorable Tolmekian's rambling, only to find that my Lord and Savior Cormac had written one already, pointing out that, in fact, the raiders had to retreat from fully twice as many regions as they took. I nodded to myself and considered the matter settled.

Then came a masterful deployment of doublethink - the kind that would make Orwell fear for the future of humanity, if it hadn't been about a browser game on the Internet. I was told by the Right Honorable Artist Formerly Known As Noblephnx that, in fact, these raiders were teaching the natives a valuable lesson on how to defend themselves. I scratched my head. How is retreating at the last minute teaching them anything besides what the backside of a raider looks like?

Then came the excuses that the raiders were using "old and outdated tech." If anyone started attacking ISIS with P-51 Mustangs, I wouldn't call that intelligent and brave. Likewise came the excuse that "raiders raid foundered regions because maybe the founder won't sign on again." This is technically true, I suppose, but in that case why not try raiding regions that provide a bit more of a challenge than one with 3 natives? I mean, Wintermoot or Equility might just never sign on again! Who knows?

I suppose if there's one thing I learned from all this, it's that the raider talent for self-appreciation is far bigger than their talent for proper triggering.

[Revall]

Then came a masterful deployment of doublethink - the kind that would make Orwell fear for the future of humanity, if it hadn't been about a browser game on the Internet. I was told by the Right Honorable Artist Formerly Known As Noblephnx that, in fact, these raiders were teaching the natives a valuable lesson on how to defend themselves. I scratched my head. How is retreating at the last minute teaching them anything besides what the backside of a raider looks like?

Yes because that was totally meant to be taken literally , and you write satire you say?

I wish more defenders were like you and championed their cause like this more often its makes GP infinitely less one sided in at least one regard.

[Common-Sense Politics]

What's more embarrassing, bragging about being horrible at what you do or bragging about stopping people who are horrible at what they do? Also, nothing wrong with Mountain Dew. You take it back.

[Rifty]

I'm coming to love all your updates...

Please give us more? :3

[Revall]

What's more embarrassing, bragging about being horrible at what you do or bragging about stopping people who are horrible at what they do? Also, nothing wrong with Mountain Dew. You take it back.

Nah Bonaparte is right on point about Mountain Dew.

[Funkadelia]

What's more embarrassing, bragging about being horrible at what you do or bragging about stopping people who are horrible at what they do? Also, nothing wrong with Mountain Dew. You take it back.

Gotta go beast mode on those "pathetic natives."

[Funkadelia]

Military Victory in Imperial Great Britain
16 February, 2015

In the early hours of February 16th, 2015, the Taijitu Citizen's Militia, along with a plethora of other sovereign regional militarizes and paramilitary organizations freed the region of Imperial Grand Britain from the horrific grasp of imperialist violators of regional sovereignty. Five members of the Taijitu Citizen's Militia joined ten other liberators to accomplish this. Sans-Coulottes Cormac was chosen as the lead by the operation leader, and was pushed into the delegacy over the Imperialist dominator.

After the operation. Cormac was promoted by Citizen-Sergeant Funkadelia to the rank of Lancespesades, joining Pauline Bonaparte, Dyr, and Eluvatar as TaiMil noncommissioned officers.

Participating Taijitu Militia members included the following:

• Cormac
• Delfos
• Funkadelia
• Gulliver
• Myroria

[Drop Your Pants]

I'm still in shock at seeing you move your WA funk. Its weird

[Common-Sense Politics]

Congrats on a job well done. I understand why you wanted to leave the occupying force out of your announcement but who was holding it?

[Benevolent Thomas]

I'm still in shock at seeing you move your WA funk. Its weird

He's been moving it for quite a while actually. He was rolling with the "competent update defender squad" for at least a month if not two. Man... we gotta get the band back together.

[Funkadelia]

I'm still in shock at seeing you move your WA funk. Its weird

It was nice to get back to the field!

Congrats on a job well done. I understand why you wanted to leave the occupying force out of your announcement but who was holding it?

It was previously held by United Kingdom.