NationStates Issues **SPOILER ALERT**

[Mewlandia]

Finally came across something this thread hasn't seen before!

Issue 412:

The Magic (Of Advertising!) School Bus

The Issue

An educational budget shortfall has prompted several local school districts to allow companies to advertise on school buses. This, of course, has aroused a major controversy over the ubiquity of advertisement.

The Debate

1) "I would like to let you know that I have a problem with this," states high-school social studies teacher Naki Shiomi, "I teach my students all the time about the negative effects of advertising on the populace, and then at the end of the day, they leave on buses inundated with this very corporate propaganda! It must be outlawed! And since we're so strapped for cash, have the rich pay up for once."

2) "Corporate propaganda?" exclaims Larry Khan, CEO of Omni Consumer Products, "You've got to be kidding me! This is all harmless, you see. The advertising on buses is great for the school systems. How else would girls know that Maxxxi brand pads are right for them? Now, if you just sign here, businesses will be able to cover the buses with signs - to support education, of course - and perhaps we can advertise all over the schools themselves, too."

[The Flying Castle]

Issue 410

12 Angry, Tired, and Increasingly Confused Men

The Issue

The trial of one of The Flying Castle's most notorious embezzlers has ended after eight years with a "Not Guilty" verdict, despite most legal experts considering the evidence overwhelming. Some have suggested that trial by jury should be abolished for certain complex financial crimes.

The Debate

1. "Eight years wasted on that crook all because the jury couldn't keep up with the technical terms involved!" rants exasperated state prosecutor Megan Goethe, stuffing papers into a briefcase after the trial. "I'm not saying we should do away with trial by jury altogether, but for cases like these, which involve a great deal of expertise to even understand the laws in the first place - corruption, fraud, insider trading - there's simply no benefit in depending on a group of uninformed citizens to come up with a verdict."

2. "Why are we so hung up on trial by jury anyway?" shrugs the author of the controversial bestseller Leviathan: The Matter, Form and Power of Leader's Mother-in-Law. "When you go to the doctor, do you depend on twelve random strangers for your diagnosis? Of course not. Democratic principles have their practical limits: we mustn't entrust the courts to dull-witted jurors who don't understand basic concepts such as reasonable doubt."

3. "Ooh, and what else do you expect me to do, luvvie?" clucks The Flying Castle's most prolific juror, Lara de Jong as she rolls up a copy of this week's Alright! magazine. "You know, I wouldn't mind deciding on parking disputes, especially if I get to chat with Rita from the Milton murder trial again. Did you hear she's had her hair done again - oh, where was I? Oh right, well this 'pyramid scheme' thing might've given me a headache, but at least it got me out the house."

Issue by: The Banner Hunters of Golgothastan
Editor: Lenyo

[Golgothastan]

#411 Outed Teacher Ousted

Thanks.

Finally came across something this thread hasn't seen before!

Thanks, but can you or someone else provide the name of the author and editor of the issue? Lenyo with the offensive rebound!

[Mewlandia]

#411 Outed Teacher Ousted

Thanks.

Finally came across something this thread hasn't seen before!

Thanks, but can you or someone else provide the name of the author and editor of the issue? Lenyo with the offensive rebound!

Apologies for forgetting to add them; it was 6am and I'd only just got back from the lab.

[Bears Armed]

NO. 414

Subpar Suburbs

The Issue

A water main burst in a suburb of Council Groves. After months of inaction, the pool of standing water has turned the now largely abandoned commercial district into a watering hole for local wildlife. Local businesses have come to you demanding change.

The Debate

1. "If the state of our town proves one thing, it's that the government is completely incapable of running it properly," argues cycling enthusiast and owner of the local bike shop Gone With The Schwinn, Natalia McKay. "Government priorities shift with each election cycle making it impossible for any real growth to happen. We need to privatize the local government if this town is going to run a profit again. Companies can bid for control of everything, from garbage collection to city hall!"

2. "You want to do what?" protests Faith Washington, Mayor of the city. "A town is more than its profit margin, Chairbear of the High Council. Sure, we've seen better days, but it's because our budget has been hacked away year after year. If the government would invest in our fair town instead of throwing it to the wolves, we'd be back on track in no time."

3. "These plans, they have no charm, no wonder!" announces Elias Yensid strolling into the room with an elaborate model city. "I present to you the Exploratory Paradigm City of Tomorrow! What my team and I aim to do is transform this rundown one-horse town into the forefront of science, technology, and international togetherness. Maybe we'll even throw in a roller coaster or two. Think of it as a blueprint for the future! With me in full control of course."

4. "Every one of these plans conveniently forgets about the animals," chastises the head barista from Bean Me Up Coffee. "Y'all saunter in here after mother nature has made the best of a bad situation. That watering hole is crucial to the local wildlife, and it simply isn't fair to take that away from the bunnies and deer and the cute little birds. Let's take whatever money we were going to waste on rebuilding this failing town and turn it into a nature reserve."


Issue by: The Bleu Moon of Luna Amore
Editor: Luna Amore

[Golgothastan]

Thanks.

[Mediobogdum II]

A repeat but with @@ ....@@ added

Daily Issue #414
Subpar Suburbs

The Issue

A water main burst in a suburb of @@CAPITAL@@. After months of inaction, the pool of standing water has turned the now largely abandoned commercial district into a watering hole for local wildlife. Local businesses have come to you demanding change.

The Debate

"If the state of our town proves one thing, it's that the government is completely incapable of running it properly," argues cycling enthusiast and owner of the local bike shop Gone With The Schwinn, @@RANDOMNAME@@. "Government priorities shift with each election cycle making it impossible for any real growth to happen. We need to privatize the local government if this town is going to run a profit again. Companies can bid for control of everything, from garbage collection to city hall!"

Accept

"You want to do what?" protests @@RANDOMNAME@@, Mayor of the city. "A town is more than its profit margin, @@LEADER@@. Sure, we've seen better days, but it's because our budget has been hacked away year after year. If the government would invest in our fair town instead of throwing it to the wolves, we'd be back on track in no time."

Accept

"These plans, they have no charm, no wonder!" announces @@RANDOMMALENAME@@ strolling into the room with an elaborate model city. "I present to you the Exploratory Paradigm City of Tomorrow! What my team and I aim to do is transform this rundown one-horse town into the forefront of science, technology, and international togetherness. Maybe we'll even throw in a roller coaster or two. Think of it as a blueprint for the future! With me in full control of course."

Accept

"Every one of these plans conveniently forgets about the animals," chastises the head barista from Bean Me Up Coffee. "Y'all saunter in here after mother nature has made the best of a bad situation. That watering hole is crucial to the local wildlife, and it simply isn't fair to take that away from the bunnies and deer and the cute little birds. Let's take whatever money we were going to waste on rebuilding this failing town and turn it into a nature reserve."

Accept

The Government Position

The government is preparing to dismiss this issue.

Issue by: The Bleu Moon of Luna Amore
Editor: Luna Amore

[Golgothastan]

Added issue #415.

[Roulantina]

#411 Outed Teacher Ousted

The Issue

A religious high school in @@CAPITAL@@ has caused quite a stir after firing a teacher because of his homosexual orientation.

The Debate

"I can't see what they did wrong," says @RANDOMNAME@@, proud parent and founder of the Holier Than Thou prayer group. "Homosexuality is an apostasy onto everything we stand for and believe in! I don't want my children to be exposed to it. Teachers are role models for their students for heaven's sake. I say all sodomites should be banned from teaching at all schools in @@NAME@@, lest the contagion spread."

Accept

"Prohibiting people from doing their jobs just because of their love life is utterly ridiculous!" shouts a mad-as-hell civil rights activist, "Don't we live in modern society? Giving these fundamentalist idiots what they want is a huge violation of human rights. All people should be able to do their jobs, whatever their sexuality!"

Accept

"This is yet another example of what harm religion does to our society," says LGBTQ activist @@RANDOMFEMALENAME, waving a rainbow flag. "Homosexuality shouldn't be a taboo subject anymore. Children ought to be brought up knowing that sexual diversity is just something that exists in society and is completely normal. To help society move forward, we need to get rid of religious schooling and teach that people should love whoever and whatever they want."

Accept

Issue by: The Socialist Republic of Roulantina
Editor: Lenyo

I created that one days ago. Fun to find it here.

[Lenyo]

#411 Outed Teacher Ousted

The Issue

A religious high school in @@CAPITAL@@ has caused quite a stir after firing a teacher because of his homosexual orientation.

The Debate

"I can't see what they did wrong," says @RANDOMNAME@@, proud parent and founder of the Holier Than Thou prayer group. "Homosexuality is an apostasy onto everything we stand for and believe in! I don't want my children to be exposed to it. Teachers are role models for their students for heaven's sake. I say all sodomites should be banned from teaching at all schools in @@NAME@@, lest the contagion spread."

Accept

"Prohibiting people from doing their jobs just because of their love life is utterly ridiculous!" shouts a mad-as-hell civil rights activist, "Don't we live in modern society? Giving these fundamentalist idiots what they want is a huge violation of human rights. All people should be able to do their jobs, whatever their sexuality!"

Accept

"This is yet another example of what harm religion does to our society," says LGBTQ activist @@RANDOMFEMALENAME, waving a rainbow flag. "Homosexuality shouldn't be a taboo subject anymore. Children ought to be brought up knowing that sexual diversity is just something that exists in society and is completely normal. To help society move forward, we need to get rid of religious schooling and teach that people should love whoever and whatever they want."

Accept

Issue by: The Socialist Republic of Roulantina
Editor: Lenyo

I created that one days ago. Fun to find it here.

I aim for Stakhanovite efficiency.

[Golgothastan]

I aim for Stakhanovite efficiency.

Reminds me I was going to write an issue about that.

A repeat but with @@ ....@@ added

Thanks, but I'd already got it. Nonetheless, I'm curious how you determined option 3 was @@RANDOMMALENAME@@: there doesn't seem to be any gender designated in the option.

[Lenyo]

That #3 actually has a fixed name, Elias Yensid. Ask Luna if you want an explanation. I am very interested in any quality draft about Stakhanovites. Or communist competition with capitalism in general.

[Acronius]

Seems like I found a new one.

#416 - Prophet Margins

The Issue

A recent national survey found that 40% of Acronians regularly consult fortune tellers.

The Debate

"These 'fortune tellers' are nothing more than scam artists!" cries Jacob Neumann from his soapbox, "This is clear-cut fraud and should be punished as such. They can't see into the future! No one can! We need to lock up these crystal-ball reading hacks for the good of Acronius!"

Accept

"Banning these fortune tellers only treats the symptom, not the disease, " states your Minister of Education, Roxanne Nguyen, "If our people are dumb enough to believe this hokum, then we've got a serious education problem. Clearly we need to increase our school budget and start an outreach program to stamp this problem out at the source. It'll require more taxes, but the people need our help."

Accept

"I foresee a great eeeeeeeee-vil if you listen to these advisors," moans Mystic Meg, a prominent fortune teller clad in bangles. "You are in great danger, President Stanislav Lzerkhov. GRAVE DANGER! You must ignore these naysayers, for they will certainly lead to your downfall! Obviously the government needs its own oracles to foresee catastrophe and guide us through troubled times."

Accept

"Consider the opportunity this presents, President Stanislav Lzerkhov," says your chief counselor as he steps from behind the arras, "Almost half of the population believes this hoopla. We must encourage this new faith as much as possible. With a handpicked staff of prophets to forecast what we want and spies monitoring every freethinking opposition group, society will be yours for the taking."

Accept

[Golgothastan]

Thanks; please remember to include the name of the author/editor.

[Luna Amore]

It's Prophet Margins as the title actually. And [Luna Amore; ed: Lenyo]

[Golgothastan]

Ta.

[Acronius]

It's Prophet Margins as the title actually. And [Luna Amore; ed: Lenyo]

Oh, sorry about that >_>

[Mediobogdum II]

Brain Pain on the Sports Plain - Daily Issue #415

The Issue

@@ANIMAL@@ball - a sport that is extremely popular in @@NATION@@ but not so much anywhere else - is causing a slew of concussions in @@DEMONYMNOUN@@ schools. Brain trauma from the head-on collisions is causing cognitive problems and - on occasion - deaths.

The Debate

1. "You have to stop this madness!" yells @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, the mother of an eighth back for @@CAPITAL@@ High School. "My son has received so many concussions that his grades are dropping. To hell with tradition, our children's fragile brains are more important!"

Accept

2. "Come on, @@LEADER@@. You’re not actually thinking about this, are you?" says @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, PR rep from the @@CAPITAL@@ Wyverns, a professional @@ANIMAL@@ball team. "I know it's tough, but without @@ANIMAL@@ball in the schools, who will be the great pro athletes of the future? Need I mention that @@ANIMAL@@ball is a storied part of @@DEMONYMNOUN@@ culture dating back generations? You wouldn't want to mess that up, would you?"

Accept

3. "It's not just @@ANIMAL@@ball," mentions @@RANDONFEMALENAME@@, a techie joining the conversation via Trype. "Think about legball. Concussions happen there all the time. It's just not in the news anywhere as often. And then there's hoopball. They wipe each other out all of the time. Us video gamers have fun without ever knocking our skulls together. I propose we ban all physical sports. It’s only the safest op-" he says before the screen turns off with a security guard twirling the plug.

Accept

The Government Position

The government has yet to formalize a position on this issue.

Dismiss This Issue

Issue by: Have fun with it
Editor: Lenyo

[Golgothastan]

So, I'm assuming the issue chain is why we have such a large gap in the issues. Everyone be on the lookout for Diamonds Are An Expat's Best Friend!

[Annihilators of Chan Island]

So, I'm assuming the issue chain is why we have such a large gap in the issues. Everyone be on the lookout for Diamonds Are An Expat's Best Friend!

Definitely. Looking ridiculously forward to it!

[Sanctaria]

Giggity.

[Reploid Productions]

Spoiler alert! Kidding. Sorta. That's the oldest (deliberately illegible photo) draft of The Chain from my notebook circa... uh. Shit. Started in like November 2011, I think? The Editors got the legible version in mid-2012, anyway, and really ran with it the past year or so. So excited to see it go live!

[Mediobogdum II]

Good to know what the first Issue in the chain is, but how do we know if we ever get off the staright and narrow? Answer EVERY Daily Issue once a nation receives the issue? Will there be an Easter Egg for anyone that makes it to the end of the chain?

[Lenyo]

Spoiler alert! Kidding. Sorta. That's the oldest (deliberately illegible photo) draft of The Chain from my notebook circa... uh. Shit. Started in like November 2011, I think? The Editors got the legible version in mid-2012, anyway, and really ran with it the past year or so. So excited to see it go live!

Best scheme evah

[Leartopia]

I got Diamonds Are an Expat's Best Friend, but it was before the News item announcing it and I dismissed it, so I guess I won't get the chance to experience the full line of issues.