The Rejected Times

[The Aligned People]

Rejected Radio - "Pride Month with Tinfect & Wintermoot"

I am pleased to announce the second Rejected Radio Broadcast in all of its' glory! Feel free to give it a listen and stir up some discussion with others. As a side note: The Rejected Times is switching to a staggered release schedule. That means that one Issue for the Rejected Times will be published one month, then the next month a Broadcast for Rejected Radio will be published. If only one of our publications satisfies your Rejected Times fix, then don't worry as there could still be special releases of both publications before their main release date.

The Rejected Realms Officer of Media,
The Aligned People

[The Aligned People]

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Issue LIII | August 1, 2019

Media Officer: The Aligned People

Index
"Being Proud of our Pride" | OPINION | WRITTEN BY Senior Correspondent Glacikaldr | EDITED BY The Aligned People
"The Rejected Realms Election Frenzy" | NEWS | WRITTEN BY Media Officer The Aligned People
"The Marsupial Protection Act (and why it failed)" | SATIRE | WRITTEN BY Intern Sancta Romana Ecclesia/Paulus Gaius Epistre | EDITED BY The Aligned People

Being Proud of our Pride
OPINION | WRITTEN BY Senior Correspondent Glacikaldr

As Pride Month came and went this June, I'm proud to be a part of a community that so unilaterally and unapologetically embraced its diversity. From regional to national flags, we decided to show our true colours, and show them we did. As an ally, I found it inspiring to see just how many of my different social circles made a point to embrace the underlying compassion and good-will behind the symbolism of Pride Month.

There's always the odd unsavoury moment flaring up because of these things, from some rather questionable RMB discussions to outright hate, but I think it's important for us to reflect on how important it is to keep activities like these, as unspoken or intentional as they may be, alive and thriving among our community. We have to remember the demographics and impressionability of new players in this game, and how important it is for us to be accountable for setting the tone over the more grey areas of our environment, even when freedom in our nation's, and even region's, roleplay is also a priority.

And for that reason, I stand to challenge our community to celebrate its acceptance and diversity beyond Pride Month. We are and damn well ought to be proud of our communities acceptance, and the positive vibes we're sending across our community, and unapologetic of this fact at all times of the year. Seeing General Assembly Resolution #467 pass, “Affordable Transgender Hormone Therapy”, stands as a testament of where we are considering it appropriate for our roleplay and our OOC values to meet following this Pride Month.

But we still have a way to go: with 23.4% of the World Assembly nations who, constituting 3,309 nations, voted against the passage of this Bill. No doubt at least half of them can be contributed to how they received the in-your-face messaging our regions sent out throughout Pride Month (and if TRR's RMB is any indicator, I'm surprised the Bill even passed as easily as it did - certainly some messages spread by the loud minorities put a damper on a couple of my days this June).

Now, I'm not saying all these votes against the Bill were born out of retaliation for Pride Month's vibes, but, for the players who care little for preserving the 'sanctity of complete roleplay freedom' of which must categorise the majority of the people that are inhabiting our nations, I'm sure it had a considerable impact on the overall votes against.

We can't possibly change everyone's minds but that's not really the point. It's important for us to call out toxic behaviour in this community so that our most impressionable and young players are clear on what we see as right and wrong.

Where do nations fit into all this? Well, to the lowly nation wanting to make a positive impact and send a positive message but without the time to do so, this is my challenge to you: when the next season of trading cards are about to be released, make sure you have the Pride flag featured or even overlayed on your nation's flag. Make it clear to all future card collectors, hopefully reaching the more casual players who open a pack or two as well, where this community stands. If you need a flag made, I highly recommend the “Flag Makers/Requests II” thread currently active under the Gameplay subgroup, found here. I also ask that the powers-at-be help accommodate for this challenge through providing some warning for when the next season is going to be, allowing people interested in undertaking this challenge some time to prepare.

For now, I'm going to keep my nation's flag with the Pride flag proudly displayed. The more people who see it, the better.

The Rejected Realms Election Frenzy
NEWS | WRITTEN BY Media Officer The Aligned People

The Rejected Realms has seen many elections these past few months and there has definitely been no shortage for those that love regional politics here in TRR. Ever since the joint Officer and Speaker election was held back in April of this year, TRR has had six elections. The reasons that lay behind all of these elections include resignations, challenges, officials switching positions, and some had already been scheduled as mandated by the Constitution.

The first election in the line of six began when Jamie resigned from the role of Officer. The resignation came a week after the start of the election voting period and in it, Jamie apologized to all who gave their support in the election and stated that real-life matters needed to be focused on. This resignation began the process for a special election to be held to fill the vacant Officer position. Jamie was the Officer of Outreach, so those deciding to run in the special election geared their campaigns towards Outreach. Voters had a choice between five candidates that could fill the vacant Officer position; Neop, Bormiar, Rom, Bobberino, and Xanderstralia. It eventually came down to two: Bobberino and Neop. Bobberino won the election by a vote of 15 to 10.

The next election in this string was the Delegate election as prescribed by the Constitution of The Rejected Realms. We had three candidates who were running for the position: Kyorgia, Deadeye Jack, and The Church of Satan. Kyorgia originally joined the region in 2014 and decided to stay due to the “interesting theme we had. Kandy's BBQ & Grill was still running and there was frequent talk on the RMB about it” (Kyorgia). Deadeye Jack joined the region in 2017 and became involved all throughout TRR. Deadeye Jack has served “as Culture Officer, as an ambassador and a foreign affairs advisor, an active participant on the Regional Message Board,” and “as a writer for The Rejected Times” (Deadeye Jack). The Church of Satan had previously served as Delegate of TRR, and he was ready to get back into the ring after taking a break from public service. In the end of the election, Kyorgia won with 33 votes against Deadeye Jack with 24 in the second round.

Because Kyorgia was elected Delegate, his former government position as Foreign Affairs Officer had to be filled. Sarah, Flower Boy, Morover, and The Church of Satan all ran to fill this new vacant position. Sarah won the election with a total of 13 votes. Her platform consisted of a campaign that was geared towards Culture and Outreach. As such, she became the new Officer of Culture for TRR after Deadeye Jack said he would be willing to change Officer roles from Culture to Foreign Affairs. A new election was not needed to confirm Deadeye Jack to his new position because the power to assign Officers their role lays with the Delegate.

The next election was triggered after N-Vice/Invincible challenged then Officer Bobberino for the position. The campaign/challenge that N-Vice put forward was all said in a couple of sentences: “I'm frustrated that the Flemingovians of The North Pacific have invaded TRR, the motherland of Zyonnism. Because of this, I have no choice but to challenge Bobberino for the position of Outreach Officer. Hail Zyonn!” (N-Vice). Many citizens regarded this challenge as a joke and denounced the challenge due to the lack of a platform. N-Vice did stand by his challenge and the platform he put forward. But even then, other citizens made their animosity towards the challenge known as this platform was only held up by Bobberino’s involvement with The North Pacific, which was regarded as unnecessary and disrespectful by some. This special election truly was a rare one as Frattastan confirmed the widespread belief that this challenge was uncalled for:

"It is a joke.
Manson asked Vince to run for the whole Zyonnist meme, and Bob was supportive of the idea (even if he forgot to enter the race).
So yes, this is a pointless and a damaging election: the challenger has no plans and the incumbent supported this endeavour too" (Frattastan).

N-Vice then stated that even though his challenge may have started off as a joke, it has turned into something far from it. So, the challenge went to vote and 12 out of 7 determined that N-Vice should not become Officer. This, however, is not where it ended. This then triggered a Constitutional crisis as Bobberino did not state that he was going to be running against his challenger. Due to this, Manson, who was Speaker at the time, made a statement saying “Since Bobberino didn't contest the challenge, I say that the office of Outreach Officer is vacant…” (Manson). Many did not agree with this decision by Manson as this move by the Speaker was unprecedented. Manson did end up reversing his decision after many citizens made it clear that they did not agree with the move.

The section of the Constitution in question is Article 8, Section C which states “...An official being challenged must confirm their intent to run during the challenge period, but does not require the support of any other citizen.” Some thought that this wording should only apply to challenges that have been triggered due to a mandated election by the Constitution; not when an official is challenged outside of scheduled elections. This led to a discussion thread being made in the Assembly Forum for TRR, and Guy wrote the constitutional amendment that went to vote. This amendment cleared up the main problem of this Constitutional crisis as it states that “An incumbent official being challenged is automatically taken to have submitted a challenge unless they announce a contrary intention.” It also affirms that all persons wishing to run in a Constitutionally scheduled election must state their intent to run regardless of their incumbency status. This proposed amendment and voting thread can be seen here and is currently up for vote with the voting period ending on August 4th.

About a month after N-Vice’s challenge against Bobberino went to vote, Bobberino decided to resign from his position after being challenged by Flower Boy. Three candidates decided to run, and they were Bormiar/Twertis, Flower Boy, and Morover. In his resignation, Bobberino said that “I can't handle the stress of this office. I'll still be around as a citizen, though. Been fun…” (Bobberino). Morover had the majority of the votes with 15 and won the vacant Officer position. He did take over Bobberino’s place as Outreach Officer. In his campaign, Morover stated he wanted to focus on "Recruitment and the World Assembly...because I believe that they are what can benefit the region the most" (Morover).

This brings us to the last and most recent election which was the TRR Speaker election. There is not too much to go over with this election as it was scheduled and there were no hoops to jump through. Four candidates were on the ballot: Jamie, Borovan, Neop, and Wabbitslayah. Neop got the majority of votes with 16 and was elected Speaker of TRR. And this election frenzy is far from over as Officer elections will be kicking back up today, August 1.

The Marsupial Protection Act (and why it failed)
SATIRE | WRITTEN BY Intern Sancta Romana Ecclesia/Paulus Gaius Epistre

The government of TEP has been pursuing a controversial policy of ejecting nations labeled "marsupials" for some time. "Marsupials" are described as those nations that are inactive, keep the default Aboriginal Flag (this is said to be their biggest crime), do not join the WA, and do not apply for the citizenship. So they're as active as some citizens, minus the fact that inactive citizens have one more post on the offsite forum than them. A considerable number of gameplayers oppose these ejections on the ground that marsupial rights are nation rights.

Due to this policy and the game mechanics used to enforce it, TRR has seen an increase in the marsupial population. A citizen of TRR concerned about this fact, Jamie, brought before TRR's Assembly an act seeking to address the issues of this growing minority - the Marsupial Protection Act. It was a serious attempt at guaranteeing freedoms of the marsupial-kind, particularly their right to stay in TRR, their right to vote, their right to apply for the citizenship, and any other right enumerated in the bill of rights. The proposed law also stated that, while being a protected minority, marsupials are still fully liable under the law for the acts of treason and aggression. Despite its noble intentions, the support from Manson (then Speaker of the Assembly) and some other citizens, the bill didn't succeed and was scrapped by its author, 32 hours after being posted.

Let us examine why it failed. To begin this topic, there were 5 minor issues with this bill:
1) TRR is (reportedly) missing a button to eject nations, so it's not necessary to state that they're welcome in the region by law.
2) Citizenship (and not a nation's classification in the animal kingdom) grants the right to vote per TRR's Constitution.
3) Speaking of TRR's laws, the Marsupial Protection Act would duplicate the Charter of Civil Rights and Responsibilities, as it grants the same rights to all residents, be they marsupials or otherwise.
4) According to the commonly accepted terminology, marsupials cease to be marsupials once they apply for citizenship. So it's redundant to guarantee that they'll receive equal treatment for their citizenship applications.
5) Since TRR lacks an established court of law and the legislation criminalizing aggression or treason, marsupials would need to be held liable for these offences in a kangaroo court. This would seemingly violate the "Nemo judex in causa sua" principle.
But those were, as said already, minor issues.

The much bigger underlying problem with the bill is its structural problems. The act was perceived as lacking in two qualities - seriousness and complexity. It was received by some as a "lame joke" (that's how former TRR Delegate Catalyse described it), it was believed that its provisions "would not have any actual operation" (in the words of another former TRR Delegate, Guy). Therefore, if you are an aspiring legislator, your law should be seen as more serious than the Marsupial Protection Act, i.e. you need to write a long preamble to it. It is an undisputed fact (because nobody disputed it up to this day) that every serious law has a preamble that is at least three lines long. Jamie's proposal had a preamble that was 3 times shorter than this minimum. The law should also have a complex structure. Intricately written laws, that introduce several new definitions and are divided into many articles, sections, subsections, clauses, subclauses, sub-sub clauses, etc. usually do something. Or at least escape the scrutiny of the masses more easily.

NOTE: The Rejected Times does not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Rejected Realms.

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[Unibot III]

An excellent edition but I’m surprised to see the Rejected Times not approach the Marsupial crisis more critically in terms of Reject foreign policy.

The government of the Rejected Realms has not taken an official stance on the East Pacific’s mass ejections in contrast to its fellow allies, and it recently concluded an ill-timed arts festival with the East Pacific. I would have liked to have seen the paper’s editorial perspective on this apparent change in the Rejected Realms’s foreign policy, which in the past has always been defined by its humanitarianism, liberal internationalism, and its support for the rights of the marginalized. Focusing on the obvious limitations of Jamie’s bill narrows the discussion to procedural issues when the greater problem worth discussing here is the government’s quiet, backroom acquiescence to the East Pacific’s democratic decline. The Rejected Times ought to be a place for critical reflection on the activity of the Rejected Realms abroad - it’s not a government update, it’s a public newspaper with a responsibility to speak truth to power.

[Lord Dominator]

Agreed

[Wabbitslayah]

An excellent edition but I’m surprised to see the Rejected Times not approach the Marsupial crisis more critically in terms of Reject foreign policy.

The government of the Rejected Realms has not taken an official stance on the East Pacific’s mass ejections in contrast to its fellow allies, and it recently concluded an ill-timed arts festival with the East Pacific. I would have liked to have seen the paper’s editorial perspective on this apparent change in the Rejected Realms’s foreign policy, which in the past has always been defined by its humanitarianism, liberal internationalism, and its support for the rights of the marginalized. Focusing on the obvious limitations of Jamie’s bill narrows the discussion to procedural issues when the greater problem worth discussing here is the government’s quiet, backroom acquiescence to the East Pacific’s democratic decline. The Rejected Times ought to be a place for critical reflection on the activity of the Rejected Realms abroad - it’s not a government update, it’s a public newspaper with a responsibility to speak truth to power.

but Marsupials are bad.

[Saint Block]

It’s easy Unibot, the government of TRR are nothing but spineless hypocrites.

[Kyorgia]

An excellent edition but I’m surprised to see the Rejected Times not approach the Marsupial crisis more critically in terms of Reject foreign policy.

The government of the Rejected Realms has not taken an official stance on the East Pacific’s mass ejections in contrast to its fellow allies, and it recently concluded an ill-timed arts festival with the East Pacific. I would have liked to have seen the paper’s editorial perspective on this apparent change in the Rejected Realms’s foreign policy, which in the past has always been defined by its humanitarianism, liberal internationalism, and its support for the rights of the marginalized. Focusing on the obvious limitations of Jamie’s bill narrows the discussion to procedural issues when the greater problem worth discussing here is the government’s quiet, backroom acquiescence to the East Pacific’s democratic decline. The Rejected Times ought to be a place for critical reflection on the activity of the Rejected Realms abroad - it’s not a government update, it’s a public newspaper with a responsibility to speak truth to power.

I really should not dignify disgraced has beens such as yourself with a response but its your lucky day and the only other thing i have planned is staring at the roof. While i do appreciate the lecture in foreign policy from the man that made TNP dislike defenders I dont think im gonna listen to your brilliance. There is more than one way to do FA and while my administrations might not be as flashy as other regions we are monitoring whats happening in TEP and every other region we have diplomatic relations with. The Rejected Realms foreign policy is based on the same ideals as it has always been. No matter how many impressionable new players you telegram to do your bidding you will never have any influence over this region again.

[Lord Dominator]

Erm, I saw no suggestion that the TRR government do anything, given that Unibot's post dealt exclusively with TRT, which is noted to not be an organ of TRR policy.

[Kyorgia]

Erm, I saw no suggestion that the TRR government do anything, given that Unibot's post dealt exclusively with TRT, which is noted to not be an organ of TRR policy.

He did so in the The Miniluv Messenger but i did not notice those posts for a few days and he had not just tried to make newer players posts things for him so i did not care as much.

[Unibot III]

Erm, I saw no suggestion that the TRR government do anything, given that Unibot's post dealt exclusively with TRT, which is noted to not be an organ of TRR policy.

I’ve called on both the Rejected Times to discuss the policy critically and for the Rejected Realms government to defend civil rights abroad.

Now with regards to Kyorgia’s statement - I have to take note that much of his reply isn’t about defending his government’s inaction but rather simply attacking me. Deflecting much? He’s reducing my foreign policy contribution effectively to “alienating TNP.” I resent the accusation that I’m some sort of FP buffoon.

It should be noted TRR’s treaty negotiations with TNP were dropped by the Frattastan administration over Warhammer (although it was a move I supported). I was a main co-author for, and saw through the creation of TRR’s alliance with TSP and its terms of non-aggression with Osiris - effectively laying the groundwork for TRR’s contemporary allies and reversing frosty relations with TSP and Osiris after Devonitians and the Lazarus-Osiris War. Indeed, while I didn’t “hoodwink” any new players into doing my bidding, I did make the case for a multilateral alliance between TEP, TRR, and TSP to a number of senior FA players in all three regions as an alternate confidence building measure that could resolve the dilemma we faced in 2015 when TRR had tried to negotiate an appropriate extinguishment clause with TEP. A few months later, the January Accords was struck, following the conceptual model for a trilateral security-cultural pact that I had advocated privately and publicly. What I think the drafters of the January Accord had not anticipated was a TRR Delegate who’d fail to join the South Pacific in the necessary dialogue on democratic rights with the East Pacific - more or less unthinkable a year ago...

The suggestion that the Rejected Realms should strive to maintain cooperative relations with a major region by appeasement and remaining silent on civil rights infringement, especially erratic and extraconstitutional behaviour from a democratic ally, is not at all consistent with the orthodoxy of Reject foreign policy. The rights of the ejected and the interests of the Rejected Realms should not be compartmentalized. Those who are ejected, become rejects. Their problems can become by virtue of the region’s nature, problems of the Rejected Realms - and consequently necessitate advocacy on behalf of those that have been marginalized. To ask, “how does defending marsupials help us?” betrays the right question which is, “how does being complicit in the mistreatment of our own residents serve us?” The answer is that no number of arts festivals can make up for a wrongful ejection, no arts festival is worth the abdication of the Rejected Realms’ social and global responsibilities. This has been a guiding tenet of the foreign policy of the Rejected Realms for a very long time; long before me, long before Francos Spain even. To make your response about me and not about the situation at hand detracts from the fact that I am far from the only one calling for a condemnation; indeed, your allies, the South Pacific and Osiris have already expressed their public concerns with the East Pacific.

[Cormactopia Prime]

I really should not dignify disgraced has beens such as yourself with a response but its your lucky day and the only other thing i have planned is staring at the roof. While i do appreciate the lecture in foreign policy from the man that made TNP dislike defenders I dont think im gonna listen to your brilliance. There is more than one way to do FA and while my administrations might not be as flashy as other regions we are monitoring whats happening in TEP and every other region we have diplomatic relations with. The Rejected Realms foreign policy is based on the same ideals as it has always been. No matter how many impressionable new players you telegram to do your bidding you will never have any influence over this region again.

You could try actually addressing the deficiencies in your government's response to the situation in TEP rather than personally attacking Unibot.

But then you've always excelled at personal attacks, so I'm really not terribly surprised. The only surprising thing is that you've somehow managed to get elected a GCR Delegate anywhere at all. Be that as it may, you are one, so it would be great if maybe you'd behave with some decorum.

[Evil Wolf]

But then you've always excelled at personal attacks, so I'm really not terribly surprised.

This statement is just packed full of irony.

[Armaros]

I really should not dignify disgraced has beens such as yourself with a response but its your lucky day and the only other thing i have planned is staring at the roof. While i do appreciate the lecture in foreign policy from the man that made TNP dislike defenders I dont think im gonna listen to your brilliance. There is more than one way to do FA and while my administrations might not be as flashy as other regions we are monitoring whats happening in TEP and every other region we have diplomatic relations with. The Rejected Realms foreign policy is based on the same ideals as it has always been. No matter how many impressionable new players you telegram to do your bidding you will never have any influence over this region again.

You could try actually addressing the deficiencies in your government's response to the situation in TEP rather than personally attacking Unibot.

To be fair, I don’t think Unibot is someone TRR’s government has to answer questions from regarding FA.

That being said, if you would like to know, Cormac, then perhaps take it to TRR’s embassy thread yourself, because this isn’t really the place for questions asked to TRR’s government.

But then you've always excelled at personal attacks, so I'm really not terribly surprised. The only surprising thing is that you've somehow managed to get elected a GCR Delegate anywhere at all. Be that as it may, you are one, so it would be great if maybe you'd behave with some decorum.

The irony here is real.

[Guy]

You could try actually addressing the deficiencies in your government's response to the situation in TEP rather than personally attacking Unibot.

But then you've always excelled at personal attacks, so I'm really not terribly surprised.

In addition to the ironies addressed above, I will further point out that Cormac attempted to coup TRR for the sole reason that unibot posted on the RMB on political matters and was not immediately suppressed, and on the platform of suppressing unibot's posts.

I agree that questions regarding the policy of TRR's government are probably best asked elsewhere. I do understand why there would be a bit of incredulity if those questions are asked by someone banned from the community and someone who tried to coup the region.

[Sancta Romana Ecclesia]

Erm, I saw no suggestion that the TRR government do anything, given that Unibot's post dealt exclusively with TRT, which is noted to not be an organ of TRR policy.

Correct. Instead he wanted TRT to suggest TRR to change its foreign policy.

Unibot has said that TRT should be speaking "truth to power". That is correct. It means that this paper cannot report on something that is not there. Now, do I think that TRR's fa needs to change? No. Have I heard somebody in the community criticize it? No - although I may not be the best person to judge it, since I am new to the community. Have I heard two non-members of the community criticize it? Yeah, in this thread. So if I were to report on TRR's foreign policy I would not write that I criticize it, or that community criticizes it, but that two people on NSGP are criticizing it.

Actually, scratch that. I would not report on it at all, since I lack the necessary experience to do so lol. Which is why I opted to write this silly article in the end that sparked this whole conversation.

I agree that questions regarding the policy of TRR's government are probably best asked elsewhere.

Running the risk of repeating what everyone is saying, I also agree with this.

[Unibot III]

You could try actually addressing the deficiencies in your government's response to the situation in TEP rather than personally attacking Unibot.

But then you've always excelled at personal attacks, so I'm really not terribly surprised.

In addition to the ironies addressed above, I will further point out that Cormac attempted to coup TRR for the sole reason that unibot posted on the RMB on political matters and was not immediately suppressed, and on the platform of suppressing unibot's posts.

I agree that questions regarding the policy of TRR's government are probably best asked elsewhere. I do understand why there would be a bit of incredulity if those questions are asked by someone banned from the community and someone who tried to coup the region.

This is a disappointing statement, the Rejected Times is a traditional arena to consider an issue on a critical level - it’s a public newspaper, not a government update. The author’s statement that he couldn’t discuss something that isn’t being discussed except by a pariah is not compelling: an article can be the start of a conversation, nor have I found a single reject who doesn’t question the policy privately. Indeed, the FA Officer is quoted as having been in favour of a condemnation privately and quickly being overruled by the delegate.

To add insult to injury, you and others are deflecting a genuine concern with where the region is headed by attacking me. I’ve never broken TRR’s laws, I’ve always tried to be an earnest, contributing reject and a good person, and I don’t think I deserve to have opprobrium heaped onto me like this from you, ban or no ban. You haven’t bothered to defend the delegate’s foreign policy, you’re just going straight for the personal attack and the marginalization - because you know perfectly well this isn’t a foreign policy decision you would ever had to defend previously and it does constitute an abdication of responsibility that the region has always in the past sought to meet.

I see now why rejects are telling me they can’t speak out against the decision and they’re losing interest in gameplay altogether - the government is more or less enforcing its will through social admonishment and censorship. That’s the kind of cattiness that facilitated the democratic decline in the East Pacific and a phenomenon that I never expected could take root in the Rejected Realms. In the past, the Rejected Realms has always embraced and practiced the principles of free speech, free thought, an open culture, and a just society.

[Kyorgia]

You could try actually addressing the deficiencies in your government's response to the situation in TEP rather than personally attacking Unibot.

I would love to answer questions in our embassy thread from anyone that is not banned from the region or tried to coup it in the past. I think that sounds fair.

I see now why rejects are telling me they can’t speak out against the decision and they’re losing interest in gameplay altogether - the government is more or less enforcing its will through social admonishment and censorship.

The fact that anyone is still talking to you at all knowing you are banned from the region for a good reason is disappointing but lets look away from that since its not the most important part of your statement. If what you are saying is true then i would like to know who is doing that because its not me. I welcome any criticism from citizens and rejects since we are after all a democracy. There are many ways to contact me and most of them are even public if thats what people want.

[The Aligned People]

Something I feel like has to be said alot is that TRT may or may not reflect the views of TRR's government. It's at the bottom of every Issue we publish. The articles that are written by our staff and published in our Issues are not government planned. For that very reason, TRT is a free paper. Not only are the articles not government planned, but they aren't even department planned. Meaning that I, as Media Officer, do not tell authors what they are going to write. The staff themselves come up with article ideas and they can choose to pursue the article themselves, or they can state the idea with the intention of it being a tip for fellow authors that may not know what to write about. To force staff to write articles that the government wants released would contradict the belief and reality that TRT is a free paper which is not a road I want to take TRT down.

TRT is not an FA organization. While we may release articles that go over FA events, TRT has no political say in how TRR operates FA wise. To dislike an article is perfectly fine, and I like to see discussion in this thread about the lastest release. The article about the Marsupial Protection Act was deliberetly meant to be a satirical piece, not a news piece. In Issue LII, there was a news piece written on marsupials by Bormiar if anyone would be interested in reading something that is not satire. It is on page 225 of this thread.

[Cormactopia Prime]

In addition to the ironies addressed above, I will further point out that Cormac attempted to coup TRR for the sole reason that unibot posted on the RMB on political matters and was not immediately suppressed, and on the platform of suppressing unibot's posts.

That was two years ago. Imagine moving on, largely based on the uneven treatment other blacklisted players, or players who should be blacklisted but never were, receive in comparison to Unibot. You don't even see them receiving universal bans, let alone people refusing to answer their public questions.

Unibot is permitted by NationStates to participate here, and there is really no reason people should be refusing to answer reasonable questions based on the identity of the person asking the questions. Nor was his question about government policy, it was specifically about TRT. These deflection tactics -- "he's banned," "he wanted to coup," "this isn't the proper thread," etc. -- are really silly and are frankly beneath TRR. Or they used to be. Now that you're electing people like Kyorgia as your Delegate, I'm really not sure there's anything that's beneath TRR at this point. You seem to have reached rock bottom.

[Marilyn Manson Freaks]

In addition to the ironies addressed above, I will further point out that Cormac attempted to coup TRR for the sole reason that unibot posted on the RMB on political matters and was not immediately suppressed, and on the platform of suppressing unibot's posts.

That was two years ago. Imagine moving on, largely based on the uneven treatment other blacklisted players, or players who should be blacklisted but never were, receive in comparison to Unibot. You don't even see them receiving universal bans, let alone people refusing to answer their public questions.

Unibot is permitted by NationStates to participate here, and there is really no reason people should be refusing to answer reasonable questions based on the identity of the person asking the questions. Nor was his question about government policy, it was specifically about TRT. These deflection tactics -- "he's banned," "he wanted to coup," "this isn't the proper thread," etc. -- are really silly and are frankly beneath TRR. Or they used to be. Now that you're electing people like Kyorgia as your Delegate, I'm really not sure there's anything that's beneath TRR at this point. You seem to have reached rock bottom.

lol. Those aren't deflection tactics. Also, how is electing Kyo rock bottom? There are a lot of worse people that could've been elected. I don't understand why you care about our elections so much.

[Evil Wolf]

That was two years ago.

So? You yourself are still mad at people for things that happened two years ago.

[Cormactopia Prime]

That was two years ago.

So? You yourself are still mad at people for things that happened two years ago.

I'm not saying they shouldn't still be mad at me for it. I'm saying citing it like it happened yesterday instead of two years ago, like it's evidence I'm being a hypocrite about treatment of Unibot, is ridiculous. It was two years ago, my feelings about how Unibot should be treated have changed in the past two years, largely because of the uneven treatment of other players who are or should be blacklisted.

Just to be clear, TRR is welcome to be mad at me for trying to coup as long as they want. I shouldn't have done it, and if someone had done that to Osiris, I'm sure I'd still be mad. So that was never my point here. Not that I'm surprised you deliberately misinterpreted my point.

[Guy]

I think there are a few insinuations in the above posts (or even innuendo), which I think is unfortunate.

First, Cormac, I'm not sure where the suggestion that TRR has hit rock bottom due to electing Kyorgia has come from. I did not vote for kyo, but in my mind he's an appropriate person to serve in the position. Never have I heard before a single complaint about his character. I think it's an unfortunate attack that should probably be re-evaluated.

That two years have passed since you attempted to coup TRR does not seem to me like a very long time, although I am glad that you recognise that you shouldn't have attempted to do it. Perhaps this way trust can be regained that you approach issues relating to TRR in good faith, because prior to that it had seemed to me that you would attack us irrespective of our position on this matter.

The author’s statement that he couldn’t discuss something that isn’t being discussed except by a pariah is not compelling: an article can be the start of a conversation, nor have I found a single reject who doesn’t question the policy privately. Indeed, the FA Officer is quoted as having been in favour of a condemnation privately and quickly being overruled by the delegate.

You haven’t bothered to defend the delegate’s foreign policy, you’re just going straight for the personal attack and the marginalization - because you know perfectly well this isn’t a foreign policy decision you would ever had to defend previously and it does constitute an abdication of responsibility that the region has always in the past sought to meet.

I see now why rejects are telling me they can’t speak out against the decision and they’re losing interest in gameplay altogether - the government is more or less enforcing its will through social admonishment and censorship. That’s the kind of cattiness that facilitated the democratic decline in the East Pacific and a phenomenon that I never expected could take root in the Rejected Realms. In the past, the Rejected Realms has always embraced and practiced the principles of free speech, free thought, an open culture, and a just society.

Ordinarily I would not bother responding, but the suggestions here are so offensive -- and disconnected from reality -- that I will do so.

If there is not a single reject who supports TRR's policy in this area, I am confused as to who would be imposing the "social admonishment and censorship" that supposedly exists. What I do know is that there have been several discussions in citizen areas about TEP, and that, as far as I am aware, the FA Officer is in favour of our policy.

The reason I did not speak of TRR's policy substantively is because I had not kept on top of TEP matters due to RL time constraints. Having requested, and received, a briefing from someone (who, by the way, is not the Delegate) who has helped shape TRR's policy in this area, I can say that I am supportive of it. I also, mind you, wouldn't seek to voice disagreements if I did have them on the NS forums.

[Unibot III]

Ordinarily I would not bother responding, but the suggestions here are so offensive -- and disconnected from reality -- that I will do so.

If there is not a single reject who supports TRR's policy in this area, I am confused as to who would be imposing the "social admonishment and censorship" that supposedly exists. What I do know is that there have been several discussions in citizen areas about TEP, and that, as far as I am aware, the FA Officer is in favour of our policy.

The reason I did not speak of TRR's policy substantively is because I had not kept on top of TEP matters due to RL time constraints. Having requested, and received, a briefing from someone (who, by the way, is not the Delegate) who has helped shape TRR's policy in this area, I can say that I am supportive of it. I also, mind you, wouldn't seek to voice disagreements if I did have them on the NS forums.

I said that *I* haven’t found a single reject in private who endorses the policy which is quite different than what you inferred. And I said that the FA Officer was overruled by the delegate, I never said he hasn’t publicly committed to implementing it.

I disagree quite substantively with the notion that not standing up for citizens’ rights in this area is consistent with Reject foreign policy. It puts the Rejected Realms at odds with the South Pacific - a partner in the January Accords - and in the absence of condemnation, sides with an undemocratic, extraconstitutional purge initiative for the sake of appeasement.

I agree that nothing will be accomplished here, but I do encourage those silent rejects to practice their dissent in the most effectual manner possible: challenge the delegate, challenge those officers that have enabled this policy of appeasement to take root, and challenge their ideas directly in the Rejected Times. Your paper, your high office, and your assembly belongs to you, the rejects - not to any mandarinate or personality. No purge deserves an art festival. No illegitimate use of the ejection powers deserves the support of the rejected.

[Cormactopia Prime]

First, Cormac, I'm not sure where the suggestion that TRR has hit rock bottom due to electing Kyorgia has come from. I did not vote for kyo, but in my mind he's an appropriate person to serve in the position. Never have I heard before a single complaint about his character. I think it's an unfortunate attack that should probably be re-evaluated.

My only experience with Kyorgia has been his fighting in Osiris on behalf of Jesus Whale, and then the potshots he has repeatedly taken against me, and at times the Osiran community as well, despite me letting him back into Osiris. I don't think highly of him or his "contributions," to say the least.

My problem with Kyorgia is very much a problem with Kyorgia though, not TRR. If anything, I wish TRR hadn't been afflicted with him as Delegate.

That two years have passed since you attempted to coup TRR does not seem to me like a very long time, although I am glad that you recognise that you shouldn't have attempted to do it. Perhaps this way trust can be regained that you approach issues relating to TRR in good faith, because prior to that it had seemed to me that you would attack us irrespective of our position on this matter.

I'm sure it doesn't seem like a long time to TRR. That wasn't my point. My point was simply that it's been enough time to reasonably change my view on how Unibot is treated, based on how I've seen other players who are or should be blacklisted treated more leniently over the past two years.

I wish TRR well, and I have nothing against TRR anymore. As a matter of fact, I appreciate that TSP and TRR are likely to be the only GCRs other than Osiris that will stand against the rising tide of self-centered elitist subversion being advanced in the GCRs by LWU and the Rahls. If anything, I just wish TRR would speak out more forcefully against it, because if the few remaining regions that are against this kind of subversion don't speak out, no one else will.