[NSG Senate] Senatorial Database

[Olerand]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)
I believe that Calaverde should recognize the nations of Kosovo, Palestine, and I would like to recognize Taiwan. However, with the People's Republic of China willing to cut off contact with countries that recognize the legitimacy of the Taiwanese nation, I believe it would be difficult for us to do so.

[Bandwagon]

To all Senators: What is your stance on Space Exploration?

It is a waste of money for many of the Earth's citizens are impoverished.

[Bandwagon]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)
We should recognise Palestine, Taiwan, Kosovo, Catalunya and Iraqi Kurdistan.
True nations of this world.

[New Waterford]

To Catholic Senators who are pro-choice: How do you square this with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which explicitly condemn abortion?

I believe abortion should be prevented, but just not by outright banning it; instead, we should provide sex education to children and young people, including the implications of unwanted pregnancy and abortion, as well as working to improve the poor conditions in which many Calaverdean citizens live, in order to minimise the number of abortions carried out for socio-economic reasons.

To all Senators: What is your stance on Space Exploration?

I believe Calaverde has much more urgent priorities to deal with, such as the abject poverty of thousands of Calaverdean citizens, before we could even consider dabbling in space exploration.

[Arumdaum]

Yunjong Cho (조연종) - Worker's Alliance

Account Name: Arumdaum
Occupation: Senator, doctor, newspaper contributor
Party Position(s):

Senator

Positions in Government:

Senator

Constituency: N/A
Political Ideology: Communism
Family: A wife and two kids; an older daughter and younger brother. He often visits his parents when he has the time.
Background: In 1945, Cho's father had migrated as a small child with his family from the Soviet-occupied zone following the division of Korea which had come after the surrender of Japan, along with many other Christians. Cho's mother had been a native of Yeongnam, and her family was among those who benefited heavily under the rule of Park Chung-hee, in part through business ties with Calaverde. Following their marriage, however, activities seen as subversive by Cho's father meant that he had to leave the country, and the couple left to Calaverde through the excuse of business matters.

Cho was the fourth child in a family of five children, having been born on August 19th, 1975. He attended a mix of both public and private schools, and studied at (most prestigious university in country) before going abroad for medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. During his university years, he was exposed to radical politics, and while in America, helped to disseminate knowledge of the junta and its repressive policies. He later became a certified doctor in the state of Connecticut, but a series of unfortunate events, alongside government incentives to prevent brain drain caused him to return to Calaverde in 2009.

Upon his return to Calaverde, he continued his practice as a doctor, but also began contributing editorials for left-wing newspapers. He became a strong proponent for indigenous rights. He often provided reduced prices for local low-income patients, providing him with a degree of local popularity.

In 2014, he ran for his first office and was elected Senator with a high 59.67% on the Worker's Alliance ticket.

He gave up his Korean citizenship shortly after becoming an adult, and thus was not called up for military duty by the ROK.
Faith: None
Likes: Socialism, indigenous rights
Dislikes: US imperialism, the military, right-wingers, capitalism
Any Questions from the Public to be answered?

• How many languages do you speak? - I speak three languages - Spanish, English, and Korean.
• Are you in support of the North Korean regime? - Of course not! Although I consider myself a communist and anti-imperialist, communism and anti-imperialism are not ideals which the North Korean regime stands for. The DPRK is little better - no, worse than our own dictatorship. However, this does not mean that I stand for any imperialistic intrusions into North Korea by nations such as the United States.
• You say that you are anti-American, yet you attended school in the United States. Isn't that hypocritical? - Having studied medicine in the United States has little to do with the actions of the United States. I cannot condone the injustice America has caused not only in this country with the 1978 coup, but that which it has committed around the world.

[Arumdaum]

-snip-

ooc: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Atlanticatia]

Sebastián Luc Morales - Democratic Left

Account Name: Atlanticatia
Occupation: Senator
Party Position(s):

Spokesperson for Economic Policy

Positions in Government:

Minister of Finance

Constituency: tba
Political Ideology: Center-left, social democracy, social liberalism
Family: Aimée (wife, m. 2005), son: Antonio (b. 2007)
Background: Sebastián was born, in November 1976, into an upper-middle class family in Calaverde, to a Spanish-speaking father(descended from early Spanish colonists), Adrián Morales, and a French-speaking mother, Thérèse Alméras. His father was born in Calaverde to an established upper middle-class family of plantation owners, and his mother was born in France, into a middle-class family. Sebastián's father was an academic - a professor of philosophy and politics, but is now retired. His mother was an art curator, and is currently the curator of the [insert art museum in capital city]. When Sebastián was 5, he moved to Spain while his father lectured at a university there for a short while. This was partly because of the growing tensions in Calaverde and his father's immense disapproval of the junta. He completed his schooling until the age of 13 in an international school in Spain, until his mother took a position as an art curator in Paris. As a result of this, his family moved to his mother's home country of France for a few years, where he completed secondary school. Every year, he had spent his summers in Calaverde, retaining a close connection to the nation. After that, he attended university in France.. After, he began to practice law in Paris as a lawyer in employment matters(in his own law firm, also as a union lawyer), becoming quite successful. He married a French law clerk, and later had a son with his wife. A few years later, he and his wife decided that they would move to the democratic Calaverde, as Sebastián remembered his early childhood and summers spent there, and wanted his children to have the same experience. He began working as an employment lawyer in [insert Calaverde capital city], and also did some consulting work with an American think tank on employment law. Recently, he decided that he wanted to enter politics to improve conditions for working people and the disadvantaged, and was elected Spokesperson for Economic Policy in the Democratic Left. [*pending some future edits probably*]
Faith: Agnostic (prev. Catholic)
Likes: Football, art museums, independent foreign policy
Dislikes: Corruption, social conservatism
Any Questions from the Public to be answered?

• Should our nation look into taking part in free trade agreements similar to CAFTA? While I am open to free trade, I am opposed to any agreements that a) contain constraints on regulatory measures for health, environment, workers' rights etc b) clauses for investor-state disputes, and c) anything that could undermine our nation's well being. Calaverde's sovereignty should be protected.
• How can Calaverde have a bigger voice on the global stage? Furthermore, should it? By keeping an independent foreign policy and being active in intergovernmental organisations, such as the UN.
• What are your views on LGBT rights, and would you like to see legalization of gay marriage?I believe that LGBT people should have the same rights as anyone else, freedom from discrimination in employment, education, and private and public establishments. I also support same sex marriage and same sex adoption. In addition, I fully support trans people, including the ability to legally change your gender.
• How much autonomy should the indigenous people's of Calaverde be allowed?The indigenous people of Calaverde are the original caretakers of this land, who should be granted a certain degree of autonomy and land rights to uphold their indigenous culture and traditions. There should be consistent communication between indigenous groups and the Government.
• What was your relationship, if any, with the Calaverdean Junta? My family has been opposed to the Junta, and we lived overseas (in Europe) during much of my childhood. I believe that the Junta was an abomination.
• How many languages do you speak?Three: Spanish, French, and English.
• What are your thoughts on Israel?I support a two-state solution.
• What are your thoughts on abortion?I believe that abortion should be safe, accessible, and legal. It is ultimately the woman's choice and the right to choose should not be infringed upon.
• Do you think the so called "Pink Tide" that has swept portions of Latin America could harm Calaverde? No, not in particular. Calaverdean politics will follow an independent course- whatever people want, is what our politics will reflect.

I am happy to answer any questions, particularly regarding economic policy.

[Ikania]

To Catholic Senators who are pro-choice: How do you square this with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which explicitly condemn abortion?

I, Simon, am not a Catholic, I'm Orthodox. Well, a convert from Catholicism, that is. But I think I can speak on behalf of all secular theists and say that following the doctrines of your belief may be justified, but forcing others to adhere to it is tyranny. Which is why I'm against Adrian independence but in favor of holding a vote on the matter to let them choose.

[Costa Fierro]

Do you think the so called "Pink Tide" that has swept portions of Latin America could harm Calaverde?
That entirely depends on the leader in question. Certainly, there are cases that can be made that such left-wing populism would be detrimental to the living standards of Calaverde. For example, the administration of Hugo Chavez has seen the country plunge into economic and social unrest despite having immense natural resources and the kind of wealth that could see Venezuela easily become an influential and economic powerhouse within Latin America. That kind of left-wing populism is something that I don't want to see happen here.

On the other hand, pragmatic populist leaders like Correa of Ecuador and Morales of Bolivia have managed to turn their economies around and create substantial economic growth and turn this into social progress. So whether or not the "Pink Tide" as a general movement being beneficial for Calaverde would really depend on the kind of leaders it had and their policies. It's not an question that can be responded to with a closed answer.

[Welskerland]

OOC: Is the organizational form where we go to create political parties?

[Murkwood]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)

Right out the gate, Calaverde should recognize Kosovo. Truly, this is a no brainer.

We should also join our comrades in The Three Saints, Belize, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama in recognizing Taiwan as an independent, sovereign nation.

As for all the others (especially Palestine): No.

[Argentarino]

To Catholic Senators who are pro-choice: How do you square this with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which explicitly condemn abortion?

I believe that while the Church does have its teachings, sometimes, life just isn't perfect. Especially with our country in the state that it is in, women should be given, for lack of a better phrase, the benefit of the doubt. If a woman feels that she and/or her family aren't ready to have a child, or if the pregnancy is a result of rape, incest, and/or other instances of sexual violence, then she has the right to determine whether or not she should go through with the pregnancy or not.

If there were an alternative for these women, I'd push for it. But it's not my place.

[Murkwood]

To Catholic Senators who are pro-choice: How do you square this with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which explicitly condemn abortion?

I believe that while the Church does have its teachings, sometimes, life just isn't perfect. Especially with our country in the state that it is in, women should be given, for lack of a better phrase, the benefit of the doubt. If a woman feels that she and/or her family aren't ready to have a child, or if the pregnancy is a result of rape, incest, and/or other instances of sexual violence, then she has the right to determine whether or not she should go through with the pregnancy or not.

If there were an alternative for these women, I'd push for it. But it's not my place.

If you are a true Catholic, wouldn't you give the Vicar of Christ the benefit of the doubt, not corruptible mortal women?

[Fortschritte]

To all Senators: What is your stance on Space Exploration?

While I generally love science and space exploration, Calaverde should not be funding any major space programs. As a developing country, it is simply not "in the budget."

[Arkolon]

Regina C. Marino is open for questions, totally unlike before.

What were some of the reasons for you abandoning a potentially profitable career in the private sector to work as a politician?

I returned to Calaverde with a commendable degree prepared for the corporate world, but my vocations seriously changed when I was faced with the harsh, underrepresented realities of the Calaverdean people under junta rule. Instead of taking to the corporate ladder, I preferred to spend time with the community I so missed. I helped around the community, organising programs and raising charitable donations, to ensure the proper wellbeing of Calaverde. I turned away from the private sector because I didn't want to help myself; I went into politics because I want to help others.

[MERIZoC]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)

We need to stand with most of the international community in recognizing Palestine. Only then can peace be achieved. As for Kosovo, Kurdistan, and Catalonia, they too should be recognized. The right to self-determination must not be infringed upon.

[Heraklea-]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)

We should recognize Kosovo and a Palestinian state within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as bound by the Green Line with the exception of East Jerusalem. Once a peaceful solution has been found that satisfies the Israelis and Palestinians we should duly recognize the amended boundaries.

[Maklohi Vai]

A question to all Senators:

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)

We should recognize Kosovo for sure. Taiwan and Palestine, I don't think so. I believe it will be easier for us to help bring those conflicts to peaceful resolutions if we take a neutral stance.

[United Provinces of Atlantica]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)

I strongly believe that we need to affirm an opposition to Imperialism in whatever guise that takes, and that means standing with both the Palestinian and Kosovan people in recognizing Palestine and Kosovo as sovereign states. I would also support Calaverde being the first entirely recognized country in the world to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as the rightful administrators of the land of Nagorno-Karabakh. Additionally, if Kurdistan or Catalonia decide to declare independence, we should also recognize them.

What is your stance on Space Exploration?

Although I've always been very enthusiastic about space exploration I feel that we currently cannot afford space exploration. However if we are somehow able to afford it then we should definitely have a small space program. I think we should, however, volunteer to have a location in Calaverde to become a spaceport for any spacefaring nation in exchange for a small fee to help pay for expenses.

[The Neo-Confederate States of America]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)
Calaverde should not recognize the illegitimate terrorist states of Kosovo and Palestine. However, I do believe we should recognize Kurdistan, Taiwan, and Nagorno-Karabakh.

[Sebastianbourg]

I have updated my senator's question section.

[Ikania]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)
Calaverde should not recognize the illegitimate terrorist states of Kosovo and Palestine. However, I do believe we should recognize Kurdistan, Taiwan, and Nagorno-Karabakh.

>Kosovo
>Terrorist State
>Nagorno-Karabakh
>Not

[MERIZoC]

A question to all Senators:

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)

We should recognize Kosovo for sure. Taiwan and Palestine, I don't think so. I believe it will be easier for us to help bring those conflicts to peaceful resolutions if we take a neutral stance.

Senator, could you explain why you believe that recognizing one party in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but not the other, constitutes "taking a neutral stance"?

[St Marcila]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)
We should recognise Palestine, Taiwan, Kosovo, Catalunya and Iraqi Kurdistan.
True nations of this world.

I support an independent Palestine however I can't accept if it's through violent means. Once a peaceful two state plan is hammered out and violent groups like Hamas, PIJ, and the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades are ether fully disbanded or disarmed as well Israeli military presence out of the West Bank.

Taiwan is a tricker situation, I don't mind recognizing Taiwan but I don't see it as a priority as Taiwan isnt stuck in soverignty limbo like the majority of u reginized states and is fully free from PRC jurisdiction. Also if we plan on having trade relations with the PRC we might want to play our cards on Taiwan correctly.

Kosovo is also very tricky. I would first like to see a peaceful solution to internal conflict between Kosovan Albanians and Kosovan Serbs before we go about recognizing Kosovo.

Iraqi Kurdistan has in my opinion has whole heartedly earned its place as an independent nation and I feel that Kurdistan will stand with Israel as one of the few liberal democracies in the Middle East as well as a bastion for Arab Christians, Muslims, and other typically oppressed ethno-religious minorities in the region.

-Vasco Saá

[Lykens]

What partially-recognized countries should Calaverde recognize? (Kosovo, Palestine, etc)

Why should we recognize them? We're a small country in the Caribbean, not like our recognition will haul much weight.