NSG Senate Chamber [NSG Senate] - Version 4

[Belmaria]

If I remember correctly, many people said they would have voted for our budget if we would have used a bracket system instead of a formula. So I don't think the criticism is warranted. If you didn't like the budget, that's fine. By the looks of the political compass in your signature, you are (much) farther left than me, so that makes sense. However, just because you didn't like the budget doesn't mean that everyone else shared your sentiments.

I have never said a word about what I thought about your budget. No matter what you say, it was still a spectacle. People got upset on both sides, and words were thrown. Political affiliation has nothing to do with whether it was a spectacle or not.

So do you believe that the opposition should be able to table a budget? Or that the senate should be able to vote for a budget?

[Lamaredia]

I have never said a word about what I thought about your budget. No matter what you say, it was still a spectacle. People got upset on both sides, and words were thrown. Political affiliation has nothing to do with whether it was a spectacle or not.

So do you believe that the opposition should be able to table a budget? Or that the senate should be able to vote for a budget?

No, I do not. However, that was not what I wrote in the beginning. I asked if the same thing would happen as happened the last time.

[The State of Czecho-Slovakia]

Sen. Deering rises, and says "Ladies and Gentlemen, I think this new Physical Education bill goes to far! If we really want our kids to be healthy, why don't we just let them be kids, and play on the playground, like when I was a boy? Our Government has got better things to do than shovel resources into school sports teams and so called "gym classes". If we are to spend money, let us spend it on making physical improvements to schools, a change which would actually help children to learn."

"I disagree. We cannot rely on children to involve themselves in exercise on their own. It has been proven that exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle and is necessary for a healthy body. Countries across the world are suffering from high obesity rates within young people, and it is important we take a small step in an attempt to prevent this. May I remind you that we have already legislated to make physical education mandatory for children up until the age of sixteen.

"If we passed such legislation, we ought to repeal it. A healthy lifestyle is more likely to result from societal pressure than from blue laws, enforced through our schools." Sen. Deering replied. "And furthermore, shouldn't education focus on the mind? I have heard some gentlemen claim that they associate a sound body with a sound mind."

Deering sipped from his tea cup.

"Gentlemen, nobody would argue that my mind is unsound. But by the same token few would argue I am physically fit. I am fat, old, and balding, with dodgy knees."

Quiet laughter filled the chamber.

"So there goes that argument." Deering continued. "One need not educate the body to educate the mind. Since the education of the mind, rather than the body, is the duty of the schools this bill and the requirement of physical education should be rejected by this chamber as being outside the mandate of our schools."

[Britanno]

"If we passed such legislation, we ought to repeal it. A healthy lifestyle is more likely to result from societal pressure than from blue laws, enforced through our schools." Sen. Deering replied. "And furthermore, shouldn't education focus on the mind? I have heard some gentlemen claim that they associate a sound body with a sound mind."

Deering sipped from his tea cup.

"Gentlemen, nobody would argue that my mind is unsound. But by the same token few would argue I am physically fit. I am fat, old, and balding, with dodgy knees."

Quiet laughter filled the chamber.

"So there goes that argument." Deering continued. "One need not educate the body to educate the mind. Since the education of the mind, rather than the body, is the duty of the schools this bill and the requirement of physical education should be rejected by this chamber as being outside the mandate of our schools."

"You want the Aurentine Education Act to be repealed? I presume you have a replacement ready for when you do such a thing?" James asked in a sarcastic tone, "could I ask you to source your claims on the idea of a complete connection between the mind and body, I do not deny the existence of a connection, but I can't help but feel you exaggerate its effectiveness. It is a fact that exercise is needed for a healthy lifestyle, and that a healthy lifestyle is needed for a healthy body. I have science on my side, who's on your's?"

James paused for a moment, glancing around at the reactions of various senators.

"Through having mandatory physical education in schools, children are guarenteed a healthy amount of exercise. A lack of exercise amongst young people is often connected with youth obesity. Youth obesity has led to some incredibly tragic cases of bullying, and even suicides and deaths. The importance of this bill cannot be underestimated, this is a necessary step forward. We should be encouraging exercise, not doing as the honourable senator suggests and leaving it up to children to decide for themselves whether or not they can be bothered. This will not force harsh workouts on pupils and the Aurentine Education Act already prevents students being forced to take part in physical activity should they be unable to do so without causing harm. I urge all senators to support this bill, and get it through the chamber and into law."

[Belmaria]

So do you believe that the opposition should be able to table a budget? Or that the senate should be able to vote for a budget?

No, I do not. However, that was not what I wrote in the beginning. I asked if the same thing would happen as happened the last time.

Well, that is the issue then. The core of this issue is not whether the "libertarian budget" as you call it (believe me, far from libertarian) was a "spectacle" or not, the core of this issue is that there are many people on each side of the argument regarding whether or not the budget should be voted on. We should have a debate on this.

[The State of Czecho-Slovakia]

"Sir, I have not an replacement for that act, nor would I write one, for I am busy writing another bill at current. If any solution is to be had, it must strike the relevant sections, while retaining the balance of the bill." Deering returned. "However, I am afraid you have rather missed my argument completely. I do not argue that physical health is unimportant, nor that it is not the Government duty to do something about it. Nor am I opposed to children being given the opportunity to exercise, by requiring them to have a recess out of doors, providing that it is safe to do so. I do oppose having schools spend money on "sports" and "physical education", because these are not the responsibility of our schools but rather our public health programs. Those programs should be the ones carrying out such actions rather than the schools. What actions we choose to take are a matter of debate I shall leave for such time as a suitable bill is presented to us which deals with such programs."

OOC: The comment about the "sound body & mind" thing came from a guy in my PolySci course. Not really an argument, just a cathartic jab, really !

[Dangelia]

Sen. Deering rises, and says "Ladies and Gentlemen, I think this new Physical Education bill goes to far! If we really want our kids to be healthy, why don't we just let them be kids, and play on the playground, like when I was a boy? Our Government has got better things to do than shovel resources into school sports teams and so called "gym classes". If we are to spend money, let us spend it on making physical improvements to schools, a change which would actually help children to learn."

"I disagree. We cannot rely on children to involve themselves in exercise on their own. It has been proven that exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle and is necessary for a healthy body. Countries across the world are suffering from high obesity rates within young people, and it is important we take a small step in an attempt to prevent this. May I remind you that we have already legislated to make physical education mandatory for children up until the age of sixteen.

Joshua stands to address the Chamber, "I rise to second the sentiment of my honourable colleague from the Reform Party. This bill disproportionately requires spending on physical education and forces secondary-level students to take physical education classes even if they wish to focus their education somewhere else. The resources of the Ministry of Education can be allocated in a far better manner than given in this bill."

"This is not just about a child's education, it is about a child's health. We have a duty to make sure that we are doing as much as we can to support healthy lifestyles. As I said just then, physical education is already mandatory."

Obesity rates have primarily risen because of lack of good quality, healthy food. Instead, people consume fat, sugar, and salt content rich foods which cause an increase in obesity rates. The schools job is simply to educate students and create a new wave of workers.

[Sedikal]

Sen. Deering rises, and says "Ladies and Gentlemen, I think this new Physical Education bill goes to far! If we really want our kids to be healthy, why don't we just let them be kids, and play on the playground, like when I was a boy? Our Government has got better things to do than shovel resources into school sports teams and so called "gym classes". If we are to spend money, let us spend it on making physical improvements to schools, a change which would actually help children to learn."

Joshua stands to address the Chamber, "I rise to second the sentiment of my honourable colleague from the Reform Party. This bill disproportionately requires spending on physical education and forces secondary-level students to take physical education classes even if they wish to focus their education somewhere else. The resources of the Ministry of Education can be allocated in a far better manner than given in this bill."

Senator Dragoslav stand to address the concern. "Not entirely. This bill works to creat healthy life styles within child and meant to help the both in Bodly health but also in the class room as studies support that curable physical education programs and children who get the recommended amount of daily exercise do preform better in the class room. I would also like to point out that it holds Student Athletes in high academic standing encouraging good academic performance by those students. This bill was designed to boost both academics and athletics with in schools. And to promote smart and healthy students."

[Minarchist States]

"Lessen the laws against physical labour for children." Suggests Jan. "Not only would it strengthen the economy even further, but it would get those kids off their arses and doing more productive work instead of playing video games.

[Haelunor]

Oh, we have a childhood obesity problem? I know what we should do! Bring back child labor!

[Regnum Dominae]

"Lessen the laws against physical labour for children." Suggests Jan. "Not only would it strengthen the economy even further, but it would get those kids off their arses and doing more productive work instead of playing video games.

OOC: I can't tell if you're serious or not.

[Geilinor]

"I disagree. We cannot rely on children to involve themselves in exercise on their own. It has been proven that exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle and is necessary for a healthy body. Countries across the world are suffering from high obesity rates within young people, and it is important we take a small step in an attempt to prevent this. May I remind you that we have already legislated to make physical education mandatory for children up until the age of sixteen.



"This is not just about a child's education, it is about a child's health. We have a duty to make sure that we are doing as much as we can to support healthy lifestyles. As I said just then, physical education is already mandatory."

Obesity rates have primarily risen because of lack of good quality, healthy food. Instead, people consume fat, sugar, and salt content rich foods which cause an increase in obesity rates.

Lack of exercise doesn't contribute to increases in obesity rates? I hope you're listening to yourself, senator.

[Geilinor]

"Lessen the laws against physical labour for children." Suggests Jan. "Not only would it strengthen the economy even further, but it would get those kids off their arses and doing more productive work instead of playing video games.

OOC: I can't tell if you're serious or not.

OOC: I don't think it's serious, we have a Red-Green saying "get rid of child labor laws" above.

[Commonwealth Ground Force]

This is Senator Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Security From Past Punishment Bill would endow me with undue responsibility, so I oppose it.

[The Liberated Territories]

"Lessen the laws against physical labour for children." Suggests Jan. "Not only would it strengthen the economy even further, but it would get those kids off their arses and doing more productive work instead of playing video games.

OOC: I can't tell if you're serious or not.

Somewhat...

>.>

<.<

well, it's not like those laws are enforced now anyway.

[Haelunor]

I was being very sarcastic, though I cannot say for sure if my colleague from the Libertarian party was also speaking ironically.

[Aragon-Francho]

"Lessen the laws against physical labour for children." Suggests Jan. "Not only would it strengthen the economy even further, but it would get those kids off their arses and doing more productive work instead of playing video games.

I hope he knows that child labor consists of forced labor.

[Deputy Director of the NIB]

"Lessen the laws against physical labour for children." Suggests Jan. "Not only would it strengthen the economy even further, but it would get those kids off their arses and doing more productive work instead of playing video games.

I hope he knows that child labor consists of forced labor.

What's Labor?


In other news, vote's starting soon.

[Regnum Dominae]

OOC: I can't tell if you're serious or not.

Somewhat...

>.>

<.<

well, it's not like those laws are enforced now anyway.

Murder is illegal. People still murder each other anyway.

Should we legalize murder?

[The Neo-Confederate States of America]

"Lessen the laws against physical labour for children." Suggests Jan. "Not only would it strengthen the economy even further, but it would get those kids off their arses and doing more productive work instead of playing video games.

"If the children agree to go get a job, then I wouldn't be opposed" says Senator Vrjyet

[The Nihilistic view]

Miscellaneous
To deal with issues that do not fit under any other category provided

---

Section A:
- Security from Past Punishment Act
- Zoo and Aquarium Standards Act
- Youth Politics Act

The vote on the above bills will begin at 10am and last the usual 48 hours.

[Lamaredia]

Section A:
- Security from Past Punishment Act - AYE
- Zoo and Aquarium Standards Act - AYE
- Youth Politics Act - AYE

EDIT: I might be half an hour early. Depends on if the PPT is on UTC, or UTC+1.

[Regnum Dominae]

- Security from Past Punishment Act - AYE
- Zoo and Aquarium Standards Act - NAY
- Youth Politics Act - AYE

[The Nihilistic view]

Section A:
- Security from Past Punishment Act - AYE
- Zoo and Aquarium Standards Act - AYE
- Youth Politics Act - AYE

EDIT: I might be half an hour early. Depends on if the PPT is on UTC, or UTC+1.

No, your fine.

[People Who Say Ni]

Aye to all.