[DEFEATED] Commend Christian Democrats

[Imperium Anglorum]

The problem with past attempts to Commend CD was their pushing of a conservative agenda in the World Assembly...

. . . Taking the tack that "Yes, the fact that I disagree with him on issues means his gameplay is objectively pedestrian and should be ignored by the Security Council" is extremely small-minded. Of the possible arguments against commendation, that's the dumbest, pettiest, and least legitimate.

This resolution is well worded in that it acknowledges this, but asks members to view the nation for its accomplishments rather than their politics. This is the best proposal for Commending CD that I've seen thus far. I don't yet know how I'll vote if a draft reaches the floor.

[Consular]

No, I'm not commending a player for his promotion of hippism (which includes communism and recreational drug use according to the WFE), for having a WA nation that is named after a serious form of harassment, and for identifying with Lucifer.

Oh wait that's what he said about me, lol.

Hahaha

Yeah, that sounds like the kind of tripe they'd say.

The problem with past attempts to Commend CD was their pushing of a conservative agenda in the World Assembly...

And of course this was just my first reason for not supporting a commendation of CD. As Thomas touched on -- they have a long history of controversial politics that I do not care for.

I freely admit to knowing squat about the GP side of things, and make no comment on anything outside of the General Assembly.

But to my knowledge every single one of CD's passed GA resolutions is supportable across most of the political spectrum. I don't agree with everything he's argued for, but of his actual legislative accomplishments there's really nothing to criticize; and the skill and work it took to pass them is admirable even if you despise every one of them. Taking the tack that "Yes, the fact that I disagree with him on issues means his gameplay is objectively pedestrian and should be ignored by the Security Council" is extremely small-minded. Of the possible arguments against commendation, that's the dumbest, pettiest, and least legitimate.

Signed,

A far left fellow traveler who disagrees with CD on many, many issues.

The way I see it, when the Security Council passes a commendation, we're not merely commending the player's acts or achievements -- we're commending them, the player. While CD may have done some commendable things, I don't consider them particularly commendable.

I'm also going to reject your argument that we should set that aside (because it's the "dumbest, pettiest, and least legitimate" -- inspired argument there). This is a political game, and the Security Council isn't some magical realm somehow exempt from that politics. I find CD's politics to be ridiculous and uncommendable -- and it's not "small minded" at all for me to think that way. I just have weighed things up according to my own beliefs, as is my right, and I do not think the resolutions they have passed outweigh their extreme partisan politics. Let's face it -- the more controversial the figure, the more accomplishments they will need to overcome that, and I don't personally think we've met that threshold.

Don't get me wrong -- it's a fine proposal. But how well written a draft is isn't everything, and I will not vote for.

[Tim-Opolis]

While CD may have done some commendable things, I don't consider them particularly commendable.

This about sums up my views.

[Sierra Lyricalia]

It seems as if Sierra Lyricalia did not read the entirety of my post (certainly did not quote the vast majority of it) and made assumptions about me. Kind of ironic. Maybe I won't add context to a discussion when somebody in the thread asks for it next time.

I freely admit to knowing squat about the GP side of things, and make no comment on anything outside of the General Assembly.

[Cerian Quilor]

While CD may have done some commendable things, I don't consider them particularly commendable.

This about sums up my views.

More or less. CD's habit of occasionally lobbing bombs from the peanut gallery doesn't help his case either.

[Cormactopia Prime]

No. I'm not going to vote to commend someone who has spent his entire NationStates tenure pushing an extreme religious right agenda, I don't care if the commendation is for that or not. You can't just divorce that from his tenure in NationStates because he did other things.

[Consular]

Just to put my opposition in perspective, if this doesn't get sunk by super Delegates I will campaign against it.

[Ardortia]

Behold, the world's leader in the ancient art of the silent GHR. You can't argue against his arguments, because you don't know they exist! Political disagreement? Not a problem! Try and get your opponents ejected from the World Assembly! But, buh- buh-, what if arguments are public? What if they can respond?! Not a problem! Call your enemies fascist statist totalitarian dictators! They don't like that? Not a problem! Say they are immoral, hate democracy, and authoritarian illiterate half-wits! Rinse and repeat.

Disagreements on moral philosophy? They must be amoral Hollywood Athiests or hedonistic nihilists seeking the destruction of the free society! Raise high moral superiority, this way, we can be assured of our victory over the godless Communists enemies of the week! If people elsewhere do things for reasonable reasons that we disagree with, fuck them! They are, er, I can't call people fascists? Er, their arguments are fascist-ic! And opposition to some-position-I-support is Fascist! You know because the Nazis did it! See? Links!

[The Rouge Christmas State]

Full support UM, as you probably already know CD/CoL has been a kind of mentor for nations like myself and probably numerous others. The only thing I would suggest is maybe incorporating the percentage for some of the resolutions passed to show that even with a right to leaning personal ideology, CD has managed to bridge the divide between the sides of NS.

[Frisbeeteria]

Behold, the world's leader in the ancient art of the silent GHR.

Just as an FYI, that's a surprisingly futile tactic. The moderators don't blindly accept GHR arguments or act without checking out both sides of the equation. There are a few genuinely helpful players who file a ton of GHRs on things like offensive nation names and mottos, but most people don't file that many. Those that file UNhelpful or untrue GHRs can be (and have been) warned for GHR spamming, or even banned.

[McNultopia]

deleted

[Consular]

No. I'm not going to vote to commend someone who has spent his entire NationStates tenure pushing an extreme religious right agenda, I don't care if the commendation is for that or not. You can't just divorce that from his tenure in NationStates because he did other things.

Yeah, okay. Extreme religious right. As a registered Democrat myself, I'll tell you that this is not true. If you look down the list of his resolutions, they're mostly all agreeable.
PS: This is UMass

The ones that have passed are, perhaps. But there is also a long list of highly questionable failed resolutions.

I'm really not seeing how you being a "registered Democrat" is at all relevant.

[United Massachusetts]

Yeah, okay. Extreme religious right. As a registered Democrat myself, I'll tell you that this is not true. If you look down the list of his resolutions, they're mostly all agreeable.
PS: This is UMass

The ones that have passed are, perhaps. But there is also a long list of highly questionable failed resolutions.

I'm really not seeing how you being a "registered Democrat" is at all relevant.

Well, I'd say it's relevant because I'm no advocate of the "extreme religious right." But throwing around the term to attack people who aren't doesn't make sense

[Consular]

The ones that have passed are, perhaps. But there is also a long list of highly questionable failed resolutions.

I'm really not seeing how you being a "registered Democrat" is at all relevant.

Well, I'd say it's relevant because I'm no advocate of the "extreme religious right." But throwing around the term to attack people who aren't doesn't make sense

But you being a registered democrat does not prove you aren't an advocate of the extreme religious right.

[Tim-Opolis]

Well, I'd say it's relevant because I'm no advocate of the "extreme religious right." But throwing around the term to attack people who aren't doesn't make sense

But you being a registered democrat does not prove you aren't an advocate of the extreme religious right.

Nor does someone's claim on NS that they are a registered Democrat have much validity when it comes down to it, especially when it's coming from a very subjective author.

[United Massachusetts]

But you being a registered democrat does not prove you aren't an advocate of the extreme religious right.

Nor does someone's claim on NS that they are a registered Democrat have much validity when it comes down to it, especially when it's coming from a very subjective author.

Sir, I am a foremost member of the only left-wing party in RtL. I am no fan of CD's politics, either.

[United Massachusetts]

I re-opened this thread following recent developments and greater willpower on my part to pass this.

[Lexicor]

I'd flesh out and explain why the resolutions CD passed are important in the context of the World Assembly, as plenty of regional delegates seem to be allergic to both forums.

[United Massachusetts]

I'd flesh out and explain why the resolutions CD passed are important in the context of the World Assembly, as plenty of regional delegates seem to be allergic to both forums.

OK. Agreed. If you want to write this, I'd be willing to give you co-author status

[Omigodtheykilledkenny]

Look, I don't like this resolution. It's pedestrian and unimaginative. It's boring, and frankly, CD warrants a little more than a typical laundry list of his accomplishments rather than a compelling and interesting story about his progress as a player.

But God damn it, the arguments of the opponents are so fucking irritating I might vote for for that reason alone. Can we all please stop insulting each other's intelligence by pretending the opposition just doesn't like CD's legislative portfolio? I was accused, rather strongly, of pushing a right-wing agenda in the UN/WA as well. But did anyone utter a word about it when I was up for a badge? I'll give you a hint: the answer rhymes with "Moe." In fact, many people were poking fun at my supposed hatred for dolphins and same-sex couples while it was being voted on. But let's be honest: I was far less unpopular in GP circles at the time. CD, on the other hand, is being denied recognition he deserves as a player simply because powerful GP figures want to punish him for being unpopular.

I mean seriously, if our skills as players somehow don't count because Consular and Thomas don't like them (or are being influenced by people who don't), then we might as well stop playing a game, divide up into social cliques, and let bullies and mean girls reign supreme. We'd be the biggest, baddest, most self-regarding schoolyard on the Internet.

**retreats to the loading dock for a smoke with the other antisocial kids**

[Fauxia]

"Looks good. We'll support this, but will it pass? A polarizing nation indeed..."

[United Massachusetts]

Look, I don't like this resolution. It's pedestrian and unimaginative. It's boring, and frankly, CD warrants a little more than a typical laundry list of his accomplishments rather than a compelling and interesting story about his progress as a player.

What do you suggest, in general terms?

[Consular]

But God damn it, the arguments of the opponents are so fucking irritating I might vote for for that reason alone. Can we all please stop insulting each other's intelligence by pretending the opposition just doesn't like CD's legislative portfolio?

Were we pretending?

I think I was quite upfront about it really.

My argument was that politics are a perfectly acceptable reason to vote against.

[Fauxia]

But God damn it, the arguments of the opponents are so fucking irritating I might vote for for that reason alone. Can we all please stop insulting each other's intelligence by pretending the opposition just doesn't like CD's legislative portfolio?

Were we pretending?

I think I was quite upfront about it really.

My argument was that politics are a perfectly acceptable reason to vote against.

So, worst enemy, what failed resolutions that are "extremely right wing" has CDs authored? I'm too new to remember most, the only one I remember is "Choice in Education"

Behold, the world's leader in the ancient art of the silent GHR. You can't argue against his arguments, because you don't know they exist! Political disagreement? Not a problem! Try and get your opponents ejected from the World Assembly! But, buh- buh-, what if arguments are public? What if they can respond?! Not a problem! Call your enemies fascist statist totalitarian dictators! They don't like that? Not a problem! Say they are immoral, hate democracy, and authoritarian illiterate half-wits! Rinse and repeat.

Disagreements on moral philosophy? They must be amoral Hollywood Athiests or hedonistic nihilists seeking the destruction of the free society! Raise high moral superiority, this way, we can be assured of our victory over the godless Communists enemies of the week! If people elsewhere do things for reasonable reasons that we disagree with, fuck them! They are, er, I can't call people fascists? Er, their arguments are fascist-ic! And opposition to some-position-I-support is Fascist! You know because the Nazis did it! See? Links!

"Oh yes, because saying "you must learn one curriculum, state provided," isn't totalitarian. Sure. But that isn't related."

Just to put my opposition in perspective, if this doesn't get sunk by super Delegates I will campaign against it.

I don't think it will. I could see a couple GCRs, like Balder, TRR, and maybe TEP or Lazarus voting for. Maybe I'm blind, but I think it has a chance

Ummm, Balder? Solorni is more likely to condemn CDs than commend.

"My opinion is, if the Security Council commended Evil Wolf and The Red Fleet, a commendation for Christian Democrats is long overdue. And is one for almost every region and nation."

[Lexicor]

I do believe this has a chance of passing, but I don't think it'd be proper to submit such a proposal without the consent of CD himself.