[PASSED] Commend Sionis Prioratus

[Glen-Rhodes]

Though I fully understand that there are many left-wingers who feel quite differently.

It's not so much 'left-wingers' as it is international federalists. World Assembly -- well, General Assembly -- politics is roughly split between two groups. International Federalists believe that once a nation joins the World Assembly, they become sub-entities within a federation, with limited sovereignty. National Sovereigntists believe the exact opposition: the World Assembly only has the authority to legislate on important matters of actual international significance. There are liberal and conservative members of both sides. For example, a conservative IntFed might force pro-business economic policies on all member nations.

Sionis Prioratus was unabashedly an International Federalist. He also happened to be unabashedly liberal.

[SchutteGod]

To my understanding, this nominee's legislative achievements, while extensive, have been marred by a fair amount of snark, abusive language, childish and immature behavior, and unbearable arrogance. The resolutions really sucked too, on the whole. We therefore regretfully rise in opposition to this commendation, and wish the nominee the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Dora Lee
Ambassador to the World Assembly

[Quadrimmina]

To my understanding, this nominee's legislative achievements, while extensive, have been marred by a fair amount of snark, abusive language, childish and immature behavior, and unbearable arrogance. The resolutions really sucked too, on the whole. We therefore regretfully rise in opposition to this commendation, and wish the nominee the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Dora Lee
Ambassador to the World Assembly

They will not have any future endeavors, as they have retired from NationStates. As such, this resolution was written to commemorate their accomplishments.

[Ballotonia]

An emblem for a soon to be ex-nation. A commendation as going-away present for a friend. What has the SC come to...

Ballotonia

[Quadrimmina]

An emblem for a soon to be ex-nation. A commendation as going-away present for a friend. What has the SC come to...

Ballotonia

A commendation as a going-away present? Not at all. Sionis Prioratus has contributed so much to the World Assembly, having passed landmark GA resolutions and having helped draft others and ensure that they protect human rights. Sionis Prioratus's achievements are to be commended...and that's why we're here.

[Unibot]

An emblem for a soon to be ex-nation. A commendation as going-away present for a friend. What has the SC come to...

Ballotonia

Actually we're trying to get the commendation now, before he won't be a potential nominee. What does it matter that the nominee is a soon to be an ex-nation? Are you saying people with real-life commitments aren't deserving of commendations? Or do you think its a waste to hand out the emblem if they're going to die? If so, I must wonder what the SC has come to if the badge is more important to someone than the contributions of the nominee being recognized for future and present generations. That's like valuing a piece of paper over life, health, happiness and well-being. If the looming mortality of a nominee is an immediate negation of candidacy in your mind for a commendation, then is that not suggesting that when one dies, all of the things that we have done to help the world are undone immediately by simply ...dieing? Even in NationStates, the dead seem to rule the living (or more exactly, the non-existent seem to rule the existent).. the dead live on through the time-honored constitutions of feeders, the regional rivalries and inter-regional peace that they created and they live on through the resolutions that they pass and are documented forever like Sionis. The thing with WA resolutions, though, is that they can be repealed or exploded into extra-dimensional inanity, just like constitutions can be overthrown and peace can decay into war and long-time rivals can forget their rivalry through a trickle-down of generations. Is it not important then for the Security Council to recognize what has effected our world, good or bad, before it is too late to do so?

[Masucciania]

Fellow Delegates of the Security Council:

The Confederacy of Masucciania rises in strong opposition to this proposed resolution of commendation.

Even though Sionis Prioratus has fought for what it believes in and appears to have the best of intentions at heart, the resolutions which have been offered, such as the resolution pertaining to medical care, violate state sovereignty. The Masuccianian Parliament recognizes that some sovereignty must be surrendered as a condition of membership in the World Assembly. That having been said however, that sovereignty should be confined to matters international; the internal affairs of a member state are under the sole jurisdiction of the government of that country.

Therefore, the Masuccianian delegation shall vote and encourage the delegations of the other member states of the Security Council to vote "AGAINST" this proposed resolution of commendation.

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

The Republic of Quadrimmina understands the objections of the Confederacy of Masucciania concerning the possible "state sovereignty" violations. At the same time though, we consider that Sionis Prioratus's contributions were necessary in a World Assembly that protects citizens and affirms their rights. We must therefore counter your encouragement and encourage the delegations of the other member states of the Security Council to vote "FOR" this proposed resolution of commendation.

To the Honorable Ambassador from Quadrimmina:

With all due respect, may I ask you one question? Would you sacrifice liberty, in this case state sovereignty, for security, in this case "protection" of citizens and their "rights?"

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

[Masucciania]

The Republic of Quadrimmina understands the objections of the Confederacy of Masucciania concerning the possible "state sovereignty" violations. At the same time though, we consider that Sionis Prioratus's contributions were necessary in a World Assembly that protects citizens and affirms their rights. We must therefore counter your encouragement and encourage the delegations of the other member states of the Security Council to vote "FOR" this proposed resolution of commendation.

While I can see the WA being concerned with basic human rights, it goes a bit far to extend that concept to per example the pricing of aspirin or which books one can use as part of education. The 'legacy' of Sionis Prioratus is that the WA should feel free to interfere in any and all affairs of state, which IMHO does not qualify that nation for a Commendation. Though I fully understand that there are many left-wingers who feel quite differently.

Ballotonia

To the Honorable Delegate from Ballotonia:

The Masuccianian Parliament and Foreign Ministry thanks you for your defense of state sovereignty in the face of do-good internationalism. It is refreshing to see a fellow representative in the World Assembly who recognizes that there are in fact limits on what the international community should be able to legislate on.

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

[Masucciania]

Though I fully understand that there are many left-wingers who feel quite differently.

It's not so much 'left-wingers' as it is international federalists. World Assembly -- well, General Assembly -- politics is roughly split between two groups. International Federalists believe that once a nation joins the World Assembly, they become sub-entities within a federation, with limited sovereignty. National Sovereigntists believe the exact opposition: the World Assembly only has the authority to legislate on important matters of actual international significance. There are liberal and conservative members of both sides. For example, a conservative IntFed might force pro-business economic policies on all member nations.

Sionis Prioratus was unabashedly an International Federalist. He also happened to be unabashedly liberal.

To the Honorable Delegate from Glen-Rhodes:

The Masuccianian Parliament and Foreign Ministry would like to commend you (no pun intended) on your excellent analysis of the two primary groups in international politics, International Federalists and National Sovereigntists. We appreciate that you characterize National Sovereigntists, such as the Confederacy, as believing "the World Assembly only has the authority to legislate on important matters of actual international significance." In addition, we are happy that you raised the point that there are political liberals and conservatives on both sides of this international divide.

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

[Quadrimmina]

Fellow Delegates of the Security Council:

The Confederacy of Masucciania rises in strong opposition to this proposed resolution of commendation.

Even though Sionis Prioratus has fought for what it believes in and appears to have the best of intentions at heart, the resolutions which have been offered, such as the resolution pertaining to medical care, violate state sovereignty. The Masuccianian Parliament recognizes that some sovereignty must be surrendered as a condition of membership in the World Assembly. That having been said however, that sovereignty should be confined to matters international; the internal affairs of a member state are under the sole jurisdiction of the government of that country.

Therefore, the Masuccianian delegation shall vote and encourage the delegations of the other member states of the Security Council to vote "AGAINST" this proposed resolution of commendation.

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

The Republic of Quadrimmina understands the objections of the Confederacy of Masucciania concerning the possible "state sovereignty" violations. At the same time though, we consider that Sionis Prioratus's contributions were necessary in a World Assembly that protects citizens and affirms their rights. We must therefore counter your encouragement and encourage the delegations of the other member states of the Security Council to vote "FOR" this proposed resolution of commendation.

To the Honorable Ambassador from Quadrimmina:

With all due respect, may I ask you one question? Would you sacrifice liberty, in this case state sovereignty, for security, in this case "protection" of citizens and their "rights?"

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

The delegation from The Confederacy of Masucciania is thanked for their questions. We answer your question with a question of our own: When a nation fails to provide a social safety net or a basic right to its people, is it not our solemn duty as public servants to uphold these basic rights and principles, even at the expense of the nation's sovereignty? Nevertheless, it is irrelevant to me whether someone is a NatSov or an IntFed thinker, we ourselves have a bit of each in us. What we will not stand for is using the argument to frame Sionis as a bad person just because they disagree with you. Whether you are NatSov or IntFed, Sionis Prioratus was instrumental in the World Assembly, was a true diplomat, and fought for the people. This is something to be commended. I will not allow my and Unibot's proposal to be used as a small part of a larger NatSov v. IntFed debate.

[Omigodtheykilledkenny]

An emblem for a soon to be ex-nation. A commendation as going-away present for a friend. What has the SC come to...

Right, Ballo. Much better to commend gameplayers for being popular, or for racking up a lot of "defender points."

[Sanctaria]

An emblem for a soon to be ex-nation. A commendation as going-away present for a friend. What has the SC come to...

Well, he was active only 43 minutes ago. I don't think SP will be able to give up NS that easily, so don't regard him as an ex-nation just yet.

[Kandarin]

An emblem for a soon to be ex-nation. A commendation as going-away present for a friend. What has the SC come to...

Ballotonia

Again, consider the audience. The audience that will see this resolution will be that of NSers with enough interest in the history of the WA to peruse the records of passed resolutions. That those records should contain a testament to someone who contributed so much to them is only fitting and relevant to the folks who will be reading them. Were this a Commend for a Gameplayer or RP nation who is retiring, there would be more cause for concern, but it makes sense here.

[Ballotonia]

An emblem for a soon to be ex-nation. A commendation as going-away present for a friend. What has the SC come to...

Ballotonia

Again, consider the audience. The audience that will see this resolution will be that of NSers with enough interest in the history of the WA to peruse the records of passed resolutions. That those records should contain a testament to someone who contributed so much to them is only fitting and relevant to the folks who will be reading them. Were this a Commend for a Gameplayer or RP nation who is retiring, there would be more cause for concern, but it makes sense here.

Since IMHO the resolution at vote says nothing more substantial than 'this nation wrote four resolutions which passed', I'm sincerely wondering what message the SC is actually sending to those nations in the future. Considering the comments made in this thread, I really can't see it as anything else then a going-away present for a friend.

Ballotonia

[Glen-Rhodes]

... I really can't see it as anything else then a going-away present for a friend.

That's what commendations are. A gift to a friend, for something they did that you think is worthy of a commendation.

[Unibot]

... I really can't see it as anything else then a going-away present for a friend.

That's what commendations are. A gift to a friend, for something they did that you think is worthy of a commendation.

Not necessarily, I can think of a few dickheads that I'd still commend regardless of their insolence, and wouldn't touch as a friend with a six foot pole. But it does help to be friends with the nominee, I'd think.

[A mean old man]

Looks like this passes.

[Topid]

I voted for this for the record. I am kind of mehish about it, four passed resolutions is significant I guess, I just wish it could have been coupled with something else.

[Omigodtheykilledkenny]

He's actually gotten seven resolutions passed, but that's not what this commendation considers important. What's supposed to be commended here is the overall effect of those resolutions: the advancement of personal liberties worldwide. Of course being the irrepressible jerk that I am, I naturally hate personal liberties, and have voted accordingly.

[Omigodtheykilledkenny]

... I really can't see it as anything else then a going-away present for a friend.

That's what commendations are. A gift to a friend, for something they did that you think is worthy of a commendation.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a C&C resolution that wasn't a meaningless gesture. Of course, with some voters, it helps to be a gameplayer for these meaningless gestures to mean anything. I guess that means SP is SOL, at least in Ballotonia's case.

[Unibotian WA Mission]

I voted for this for the record. I am kind of mehish about it, four passed resolutions is significant I guess, I just wish it could have been coupled with something else.

That's like saying a roleplayer shouldn't just be commended for roleplaying something great, or commending a gameplayer for just doing great gameplay stuff.. writing is what WA authors do, why would I commend him for anything else?

[A mean old man]

You'll be hard-pressed to find a C&C resolution that wasn't a meaningless gesture.

So what is a meaningful gesture?

[Ardchoille]

You'll be hard-pressed to find a C&C resolution that wasn't a meaningless gesture.

So what is a meaningful gesture?

A meaningful gesture is *** the one I'm gonna make *** if the snark level rises any further.

As long as a proposal is still at vote, comments should deal with why delegates think this specific one should or shouldn't pass.

Save the essays, blogs and general views on the state of the world/the SC/the fashion sense of the delegation opposite until after the fat lady sings.

[Adamalk]

I agree and with this and will vote for I think they deserve it

[Masucciania]

Fellow Delegates of the Security Council:

The Confederacy of Masucciania rises in strong opposition to this proposed resolution of commendation.

Even though Sionis Prioratus has fought for what it believes in and appears to have the best of intentions at heart, the resolutions which have been offered, such as the resolution pertaining to medical care, violate state sovereignty. The Masuccianian Parliament recognizes that some sovereignty must be surrendered as a condition of membership in the World Assembly. That having been said however, that sovereignty should be confined to matters international; the internal affairs of a member state are under the sole jurisdiction of the government of that country.

Therefore, the Masuccianian delegation shall vote and encourage the delegations of the other member states of the Security Council to vote "AGAINST" this proposed resolution of commendation.

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

The Republic of Quadrimmina understands the objections of the Confederacy of Masucciania concerning the possible "state sovereignty" violations. At the same time though, we consider that Sionis Prioratus's contributions were necessary in a World Assembly that protects citizens and affirms their rights. We must therefore counter your encouragement and encourage the delegations of the other member states of the Security Council to vote "FOR" this proposed resolution of commendation.

To the Honorable Ambassador from Quadrimmina:

With all due respect, may I ask you one question? Would you sacrifice liberty, in this case state sovereignty, for security, in this case "protection" of citizens and their "rights?"

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,

The delegation from The Confederacy of Masucciania is thanked for their questions. We answer your question with a question of our own: When a nation fails to provide a social safety net or a basic right to its people, is it not our solemn duty as public servants to uphold these basic rights and principles, even at the expense of the nation's sovereignty? Nevertheless, it is irrelevant to me whether someone is a NatSov or an IntFed thinker, we ourselves have a bit of each in us. What we will not stand for is using the argument to frame Sionis as a bad person just because they disagree with you. Whether you are NatSov or IntFed, Sionis Prioratus was instrumental in the World Assembly, was a true diplomat, and fought for the people. This is something to be commended. I will not allow my and Unibot's proposal to be used as a small part of a larger NatSov v. IntFed debate.

To the Honorable Delegate from Quadrimmina:

To answer your question: no. It is not our, our being the World Assembly's, solemn duty to uphold basic rights and principles; it the duty of state governments to perform that function. The international community should be concerned with matters which are actually international in nation.

As per the "NatSov/IntFed" dynamic, I did not bring that up in response to your statement; I was merely commenting on another delegate's excellent analysis of the two dominant types of WA members.

The Confederacy of Masucciania respectfully yields the floor,