R+B · Vol. 2 [1] · TRF hits fash/REATO targets · RIA started

[Misley]

Balder has started voting on WA matters on the region proper in polls 22 hours ago

I would love to use the built-in polls, but they simply aren't robust enough. TI has several votes going on many different issues at any given time on a rolling schedule. For instance, we could have:

4 embassies up for vote with 6 days remaining
2 embassies up for vote with 2 days remaining

2 legislative items up for vote with 8 days remaining

WA delegate elections with 10 days remaining

WA GA voting with 2 days remaining
WA SC voting with 2 days remaining

The poll system in NS is simply not robust enough to be adequate for use in this kind of voting--at least not in anything more than one single item at a time, which is painfully slow. If we could use checkboxes instead of radio buttons, we would be able to hold embassy votes, but I made that suggestion in Technical back when polls were added and was told that it was not a change that would happen.

[The Rainbow Collective]

Yeah, the dispatch idea is a lot better than my idea to use regional polls for WA voting.

[Zenya]

I was wondering, when can we expect TI's formal condemnation of TCB (assuming its actually written)? And it will be submitted to the World Assembly, correct?

[Misley]

I was wondering, when can we expect TI's formal condemnation of TCB (assuming its actually written)? And it will be submitted to the World Assembly, correct?

This is not related to any of the articles in the Red & Black, so please stay on topic.

[Valrifell]

I was wondering, when can we expect TI's formal condemnation of TCB (assuming its actually written)? And it will be submitted to the World Assembly, correct?

This is not related to any of the articles in the Red & Black, so please stay on topic.

The Red and Black is a news thread for The Internationale, no? Therefore, anything relating to TI is on topic.

[The Rainbow Collective]

The Red & Black is the newspaper of The Internationale. All topics related to The Internationale are no more on-topic here than all topics related to The Rejected Realms are on-topic in The Rejected Times thread.

This is a newspaper, not an embassy or regional update thread.

[Zenya]

Its TI's regional news service just as The Communist Bloc Central News Agency is our news service. We can talk about TCB there, so I can talk about TI here.

[Cuba Revolucionaria]

I just want to say I really enjoy reading the Red and Black. The egg recipe was very good and the mix of real news and in game news is an interesting novelty as I'd shared earlier in TI. Thanks for publishing it.

I'd like to add concerning Comrade Proletaurus who had posted earlier and Comrade Misley's discussion of damnatio memoriae, it was a misguided and politically charged assertion I'd made based on faulty perceptions about a person I consider a friend and who I hope forgives me. In addition I apologize for the issues we had Comrade Misley, as my new posts show I was unwell and in withdrawal from anti-depressants.

I'm not a part of any struggle I feel, decidedly independent, so I'd ask anyone from either side in these issues to forgoe using my mental problems as political fodder as it'd be a very low blow. Thank you for reading.

[The Rainbow Collective]

Its TI's regional news service just as The Communist Bloc Central News Agency is our news service. We can talk about TCB there, so I can talk about TI here.

You may have a point. You could, nonetheless, respect requests to stay on-topic with the articles actually posted in the thread, and we could do the same.

[Misley]

I just want to say I really enjoy reading the Red and Black. The egg recipe was very good and the mix of real news and in game news is an interesting novelty as I'd shared earlier in TI. Thanks for publishing it.

I'd like to add concerning Comrade Proletaurus who had posted earlier and Comrade Misley's discussion of damnatio memoriae, it was a misguided and politically charged assertion I'd made based on faulty perceptions about a person I consider a friend and who I hope forgives me. In addition I apologize for the issues we had Comrade Misley, as my new posts show I was unwell and in withdrawal from anti-depressants.

I'm not a part of any struggle I feel, decidedly independent, so I'd ask anyone from either side in these issues to forgoe using my mental problems as political fodder as it'd be a very low blow. Thank you for reading.

Thanks for your comments. I don't believe anyone would use your mental health issue as a political tool, and if anyone attempts to they'll be dealt with swiftly as The Internationale does not welcome stigmatization of mental illness.

Its TI's regional news service just as The Communist Bloc Central News Agency is our news service. We can talk about TCB there, so I can talk about TI here.

You may have a point. You could, nonetheless, respect requests to stay on-topic with the articles actually posted in the thread, and we could do the same.

I've made a thread in Moderation requesting clarification of the difference, if there is any, between regional newspapers and regional embassy/update threads.

[Zenya]

Its TI's regional news service just as The Communist Bloc Central News Agency is our news service. We can talk about TCB there, so I can talk about TI here.

You may have a point. You could, nonetheless, respect requests to stay on-topic with the articles actually posted in the thread, and we could do the same.

Fair enough, as long as thats the established rule between TI and TCB threads Ill keep you guys to it.

[Cuba Revolucionaria]

I just want to say I really enjoy reading the Red and Black. The egg recipe was very good and the mix of real news and in game news is an interesting novelty as I'd shared earlier in TI. Thanks for publishing it.

I'd like to add concerning Comrade Proletaurus who had posted earlier and Comrade Misley's discussion of damnatio memoriae, it was a misguided and politically charged assertion I'd made based on faulty perceptions about a person I consider a friend and who I hope forgives me. In addition I apologize for the issues we had Comrade Misley, as my new posts show I was unwell and in withdrawal from anti-depressants.

I'm not a part of any struggle I feel, decidedly independent, so I'd ask anyone from either side in these issues to forgoe using my mental problems as political fodder as it'd be a very low blow. Thank you for reading.

Thanks for your comments. I don't believe anyone would use your mental health issue as a political tool, and if anyone attempts to they'll be dealt with swiftly as The Internationale does not welcome stigmatization of mental illness.

Indeed Comrade Misley, I'm very appreciative of the new steps you've taken as well as others have in The Internationale to increase the production of cultural products (whatever their determined value is by the readers which they're free to come to and opine on I feel). It helps add a good amount of depth to the game and embodies the stance of the community through the selection of stories.

I'd add that the Leelah Alcorn story was particularly touching, given my current circumstance. Seeing LGBT people being represented as part of the intersectional underclass of postmodern capitalism is a cogent addition to information on the struggle of all people for a better world.

I have a few recommendations: perhaps a 'cartoon' section added to the paper, so that humor is an established facet of the project. reviews on relevant movies, music, games or other media from a progressive socialist perspective written by TI members themselves, DIY tips on different projects ranging from home gardens to free skools and how to help the community and the revolution as individual members creating peaceful and thoughtful alternatives to the use of money for sustenance.

To clarify what I meant by being used by somebody I meant by people here who oppose the Internationale stances on certain issues and who do not refer particularly to content of the paper in their posts, I feel that certain persons posting on the thread I get along with even if they're on 'the other side' and certain others just flat out dislike me so I'd hope regardless of our in game differences and out of game differences politically that we'd all honor someone's wish to not have their suicidal depression discussed. So that's why I stated it and even mentioned it, to keep it off the barter of personal insults I've seen passed around on this particular thread.

Thank you for reading.

[Corvus Corax]

@Dear Cuba:

Forgiven.

@TI: I just try play game (as a hard core raider) and keep those few regions I have under my control anymore out of malicious hands. If it's possible for me, it is possible for everyone.

[Misley]

Indeed Comrade Misley, I'm very appreciative of the new steps you've taken as well as others have in The Internationale to increase the production of cultural products (whatever their determined value is by the readers which they're free to come to and opine on I feel). It helps add a good amount of depth to the game and embodies the stance of the community through the selection of stories.

I think that last part of what you've said - embodying the stance of the community - is perhaps the most important part of the R&B. People who frequent the Gameplay forum haven't really seen much from the revolutionary left, which was part of the inspiration to revive R&B in the first place.

I'd add that the Leelah Alcorn story was particularly touching, given my current circumstance. Seeing LGBT people being represented as part of the intersectional underclass of postmodern capitalism is a cogent addition to information on the struggle of all people for a better world.

I agree. Liberation News is a very good resource for socialist perspectives on real-world news items, and Leelah's story is important. It's too easy for stories like hers to get lost in the media storm that would love to avoid stories that call on us to critically examine what society should be for our most vulnerable groups.

I have a few recommendations: perhaps a 'cartoon' section added to the paper, so that humor is an established facet of the project. reviews on relevant movies, music, games or other media from a progressive socialist perspective written by TI members themselves, DIY tips on different projects ranging from home gardens to free skools and how to help the community and the revolution as individual members creating peaceful and thoughtful alternatives to the use of money for sustenance.

These are all good suggestions - comrades from our comrade regions are free to contribute (like Ratateague has with POTLUC), so if you have something you would like published you're more than welcome to write something and send it to me.

To clarify what I meant by being used by somebody I meant by people here who oppose the Internationale stances on certain issues and who do not refer particularly to content of the paper in their posts, I feel that certain persons posting on the thread I get along with even if they're on 'the other side' and certain others just flat out dislike me so I'd hope regardless of our in game differences and out of game differences politically that we'd all honor someone's wish to not have their suicidal depression discussed. So that's why I stated it and even mentioned it, to keep it off the barter of personal insults I've seen passed around on this particular thread.

Thank you for reading.

Ah, right. I get what you mean.

[Cuba Revolucionaria]

I'd be honored to present an article for the next issue. It would mean a great deal to me.

Cora: THANKS

[Ivo Mullur]

Wait why is Balder bolded?

You're the only founderless member of the invading coalition. Do the math.

<Ivo>: I heard that he's a threat to Balder now
<Ivo>: .coup
<Tammy>: Let's coup Balder.

It's a sign! Sorry Rach

[Solorni]

C'est la vie. I just didn't expect Cormac to want to coup us so bad

[Ratateague]

Thanks, all. I had a lot of fun writing the recipe. My aim is to encourage the NS audience, which is largely teens and young adults, to cook for themselves. So, the recipes are designed to be cheap, healthy, and uncomplicated. And for those that don't, can still appreciate the humor. Expect more yummy goodness and running gags in future issues.

[Misley]

Thanks, all. I had a lot of fun writing the recipe. My aim is to encourage the NS audience, which is largely teens and young adults, to cook for themselves. So, the recipes are designed to be cheap, healthy, and uncomplicated. And for those that don't, can still appreciate the humor. Expect more yummy goodness and running gags in future issues.

I loved it, and I really hope to see Potluc become a running column in R&B! The humor it injects is definitely welcome and refreshing, like Cuba's suggestion to add comics. I'm not much of an artist, though, so that'll have to come from other comrades!

On the topic of comics, I'm rather fond of the Disney characters with Marx quotes:

[Captain Woodhouse]

You were wrong on Nazi Europe

I've not had the opportunity to address your latest caviling until now. I said I wouldn’t be back for more and have the flak vest on to protect myself against a volley of Woodhouse was wrong on coming back for more! Woodhouse was wrong on coming back for more!

I’ve admitted I was wrong about NE; that one update had passed before our low influence WAD was nailed by the first coalition wave. I’ve also said it makes no difference that I was wrong about ‘tween updates in NE, because I believed your low influence WAD in EE could have been checked by a 30-40+ battering ram beyond the scenario you posited might (or might not be ) the one way to unseat him.

Your latest position argues that what happened in Makhnovia is 'rarely' the case.

My position now is the same as it’s always been:

UIAF and friends could have been stopped in their tracks the update after they took antiquity region Eastern Europe had the mania that accompanies our raids been applied to theirs.

I’ve clarified the remark more than once, but you won’t let go of the bone. Why? Because pettifogging and going on like a pull-string talking doll with a one-line repertoire are all you’ve got up your sleeve. Woodhouse was wrong on NE! Woodhouse was wrong on NE!

I’m charity personified to give you the benefit of a sleeve when I’m certain the Emperor Onderkelkia has no clothes.

you also made incorrect speculation about Anne Frank and referred to Finland despite unsure of its status.

What I said:

We saw swift coalition action in Antifa-held Territory of Finland (our own property again) as well, although I can’t recall if that horde was amassed between updates.

I’m uncertain how long it took to rally the supermassive lib effort in Anne Frank because our presence in the region wasn’t readily known.

Do you understand the meaning of speculate?

Speculation: In any case, one doubts they would be exact as to both the number of updaters on the 'liberation' and whether it occurred on a minor after a major. —Onderkelkia

Speculation: Outside noting them as members of the leftist group of regions, one doubts that the "wider gameplay community" would recognise these two regions as constituting anything at all —Onderkelkia

Speculation: In this case, I think most people would recognise that the battle's outcome had much more to do with the point nation's handling of the mission. —Onderkelkia

I referenced Anne Frank and ToF not to support the ‘tween update business, but to expand on battering ram effectiveness in draining a point’s influence and checking his offense over consecutive updates regardless of how long he’s been in the seat. I couldn’t recall when we were first hit in ToF. So? I mean for chrissake, SO? What matters is that we were hit when our point’s influence was low enough to cripple his offense.

None of Athelstan MacGregor's posts have been removed; that is ridiculous speculation.

You read into my remark. Your forum’s search function yielded only spam point info on Greg. While digging around for his citizenship application, I stumbled upon a few of his posts. That’s all I meant, Emperor.

Thank you for setting me straight on the NE sig bit. Did Greg wipe the remainder of his sig and peerage info voluntarily or was that stripped from his forum account? I’ll ask again: where’s his citizenship application?

I’ve been acquainted with Greg since ’11, when I had a different nation in NE. If there’s anyone in NE—or in the game for that matter—who epitomizes ’salt of the earth', it’s The Gregorach. The Greg I know wouldn’t lie on a citizenship application or lie about what he included in that application.

Among your seemingly endless number of titles and government positions, past and present: Former Minister of Intelligence. Greg’s NE affiliation was unknown to you for how long again, Mr. Former Intel Minister? To this day you’re still performing basic background checks on LKE’s incoming citizen-applicants.

Greg rose to the position of LKE Prime Minister and you hadn’t clue one that he was an NE member even though you concede a glaring clue may have existed in his signature all that time? The damn thing just wasn’t brought to your attention you say? It’s as if you’re blind and removed from vetting LKE prime ministers. Aye, pass the buck some more.

Greg mentioned his LKE affiliation on NE’s RMB several times. He sure wasn’t trying to conceal it from the many enemies who read our board, and with whom you must be acquainted. I’ve swampland to sell to anyone who believes you never read a single one of the LKE prime minister’s 4000+ posts to catch Nazi Europe Propaganda Minister in his sig.

That this is true of some cases does not mean that every instance of taking advantage of a failing by an occupying power constitutes military prowess.

Uh huh. You claimed the success of the NE op was the focus and priority of the UIAF, and here you’re passing yourself off as an authority on what constitutes military prowess, when neither you nor any other UIAF general officer responded to endorsement shedding and your point’s irregular logins.

[Captain Woodhouse]

On the topic of comics, I'm rather fond of the Disney characters with Marx quotes:
(Image)

Is your intent to make Disney roll over in his grave?

Disney had a ferocious temper, especially against people he saw as left-wing. He testified enthusiastically before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee and detailed what he saw as communist plots to take over Hollywood. He branded some former animators communists, said the Screen Actors Guild was a communist front and labelled a 1941 strike that hit his studio a communist plot. He even contacted the FBI about alleged communist infiltration.

When his cartoonists tried to form a union, he brought in armed guards. He fired organisers, cut wages and slashed the opening hours of the studio coffee shop. At one point, faced with a strike picket, Disney had to be physically restrained from attacking the leader of the industrial action.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/26/film.usa

Abigail Disney, grandniece of Walt, has backed up Meryl Streep following the actor's recent comments about Walt Disney where she referred to him as a "gender bigot" and a member of an antisemitic lobbying organisation.

Disney took to Facebook to say she "loved" the actor's remarks, as she had "mixed feelings" about her great-uncle. "You really need to be as honest as possible about those feelings, or else you are going to lead yourself into many a blind alley in life," she said. "Anti-Semite? Check. Misogynist? OF COURSE!! Racist? C'mon he made a film (Jungle Book) about how you should stay 'with your own kind' at the height of the fight over segregation! As if the 'King of the Jungle' number wasn't proof enough!! How much more information do you need?"

She then went on to admit that "he was hella good at making films and his work has made billions of people happy. There's no denying it.”

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/ja ... ism-sexism

[Misley]

On the topic of comics, I'm rather fond of the Disney characters with Marx quotes:
(Image)

Is your intent to make Disney roll over in his grave?

Disney had a ferocious temper, especially against people he saw as left-wing. He testified enthusiastically before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee and detailed what he saw as communist plots to take over Hollywood. He branded some former animators communists, said the Screen Actors Guild was a communist front and labelled a 1941 strike that hit his studio a communist plot. He even contacted the FBI about alleged communist infiltration.

When his cartoonists tried to form a union, he brought in armed guards. He fired organisers, cut wages and slashed the opening hours of the studio coffee shop. At one point, faced with a strike picket, Disney had to be physically restrained from attacking the leader of the industrial action.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/26/film.usa

A capitalist boss acting like a capitalist boss? Ooh, I have one for this, too!

Abigail Disney, grandniece of Walt, has backed up Meryl Streep following the actor's recent comments about Walt Disney where she referred to him as a "gender bigot" and a member of an antisemitic lobbying organisation.

Disney took to Facebook to say she "loved" the actor's remarks, as she had "mixed feelings" about her great-uncle. "You really need to be as honest as possible about those feelings, or else you are going to lead yourself into many a blind alley in life," she said. "Anti-Semite? Check. Misogynist? OF COURSE!! Racist? C'mon he made a film (Jungle Book) about how you should stay 'with your own kind' at the height of the fight over segregation! As if the 'King of the Jungle' number wasn't proof enough!! How much more information do you need?"

She then went on to admit that "he was hella good at making films and his work has made billions of people happy. There's no denying it.”

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/ja ... ism-sexism

Criticizing historically prominent industry leaders? What a radical concept.

[Solorni]

Balder has started voting on WA matters on the region proper in polls 22 hours ago

I would love to use the built-in polls, but they simply aren't robust enough. TI has several votes going on many different issues at any given time on a rolling schedule. For instance, we could have:

4 embassies up for vote with 6 days remaining
2 embassies up for vote with 2 days remaining

2 legislative items up for vote with 8 days remaining

WA delegate elections with 10 days remaining

WA GA voting with 2 days remaining
WA SC voting with 2 days remaining

The poll system in NS is simply not robust enough to be adequate for use in this kind of voting--at least not in anything more than one single item at a time, which is painfully slow. If we could use checkboxes instead of radio buttons, we would be able to hold embassy votes, but I made that suggestion in Technical back when polls were added and was told that it was not a change that would happen.

Can you explain how your dispatch system would work?

As well, you can do multiple questions in the same poll like Balder is doing currently although it is a bit cumbersome. 9 options for the two upcoming GA questions (Aye, Aye... Aye, Nay, Nay, Aye etc etc)

[Misley]

I would love to use the built-in polls, but they simply aren't robust enough. TI has several votes going on many different issues at any given time on a rolling schedule. For instance, we could have:

4 embassies up for vote with 6 days remaining
2 embassies up for vote with 2 days remaining

2 legislative items up for vote with 8 days remaining

WA delegate elections with 10 days remaining

WA GA voting with 2 days remaining
WA SC voting with 2 days remaining

The poll system in NS is simply not robust enough to be adequate for use in this kind of voting--at least not in anything more than one single item at a time, which is painfully slow. If we could use checkboxes instead of radio buttons, we would be able to hold embassy votes, but I made that suggestion in Technical back when polls were added and was told that it was not a change that would happen.

Can you explain how your dispatch system would work?

As well, you can do multiple questions in the same poll like Balder is doing currently although it is a bit cumbersome. 9 options for the two upcoming GA questions (Aye, Aye... Aye, Nay, Nay, Aye etc etc)

The dispatch system is now in practice in TI. All matters up for the vote and the tallies for those votes are listed in a dispatch. For us, that's here: http://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=359125 As you can see, we have rolling votes for various separate issues that would take up way too much space in an RMB post, which wouldn't have the same formatting capability. Furthermore, as the votes don't end at the same time, a single poll would not be able to adequately tally votes as in your GA example.

Votes are still held via post to the RMB, but the dispatch with all matters up for the vote is pinned to the WFE, so comrades can see it and vote at any time instead of happening across the RMB after another discussion pushes the matters up for the vote off the front page.

I'm interested if there have been other regions that have tried to keep democratic processes handled entirely on-site to prevent stratification of their membership by relegating decisions to an "off-site elite".

[Solorni]

Oh that makes more sense, I thought you were voting via the dispatches by their up and down vote function which didn't make sense to me. Another way to utilize the poll system is to establish other regions for the purpose of utilizing the poll function. But your way seems very good and better although there two concerns are the pressures of public voting (although poll voting isn't anonymous) and the secondary concern would be that it could disrupt/hinder RMB conversation.

I'm interested if there have been other regions that have tried to keep democratic processes handled entirely on-site to prevent stratification of their membership by relegating decisions to an "off-site elite".

I am not aware of any regions. TSP was considering such changes but I would perhaps look at the larger non-GP regions.