The Rejected Times

[Aclion]

Last I checked SIEGE wasn't a thing.

[Cormactopia Prime]

You're a bit behind, aren't you?

Last I checked SIEGE wasn't a thing.

Maybe someone should tell TSP's new Minister of Foreign Affairs.

It looks to me like Glen-Rhodes thinks SIEGE as a concept is still alive, and he made it the centerpiece of his campaign in TSP.

[The Notorious Mad Jack]

Man this issue could've been like 446 words shorter. The WALL article is funny, probably due to the lack of quality or factual basis. The article doesn't cite a source for its quote of WALL being a "tyrannical regime" - and indeed, that phrase has not been used to describe WALL on these forums... ever. It really seems like the author is living in a few years in the past. The rise of TSP and TEP especially in terms of WA endorsements coupled with a more rebellious rank and file in the WA has blunted the effectiveness of WALL in recent months. One wonders just where TRT is finding these interns - and also if they kept the receit.

tl;dr:

You're a bit behind, aren't you?

[Altmoras]

I liked Fratt's article.

[Armaros]

I liked the Pacific article. The rest is bullshit. What happened to the good authors and editors?

[Qwabour Harbour]

It seems that since Manson took charge TRT is getting worse and worse. The Politics Amino was fully from a defender's perspective (which I expectex), it did not detail the stress and the amount of coordination needed to beat the Security Council. While I wasn't a fan of the destruction, I hoped for at least a quote from Largo

[Pierconium]

Fratt, as ever, has the right of it for the most part.

While I am aware that recent iterations of 'Francoism' have pushed the idea of GCR supremacy, the aim of it was always to push forward an agenda against an outside threat. When it was first conceived, that threat was the ADN and its influence within the GCRs (and explicitly its threat against the Pacific). As times changed so did the concept, to the point where some cross-platform indoctrination created the need for a distinct us versus them mentality regardless of circumstances. I have never held to such a concept.

As noted within the article, the Pacific has a long history of working well with UCRs and GCRs. I find it unfortunate that there are some in TNP, as an example, that still cling to things that happened almost almost 14 years ago, but that is their right. That doesn't change the fact that the Pacific and TNP have been cordial and held treaties since. I am sure if the NS universe exists in 2030 that there will be people still bemoaning the NLO, again, as is their right.

But, Francoism has been an outdated and technically speaking, worthless, concept for a long time. To me, realpolitik trumps ideology in NS. And while I firmly believe that the underlying constructs of the GCRs is fundamentally different to the UCRs, in the manner in which nations arrive, act, and form communities, different does not automatically equate to better or superior. While I have spent the majority of my NS career in the GCRs, I maintain fond memories of the communities I have been a part of in UCRs, most notably the Sparrow regions and The New Meritocracy. And I never considered any of those to be inferior to the communities I am a part of in the GCRs. They are simply different.

Anyway, I am rambling.

Good article.

[Aclion]

You're a bit behind, aren't you?

Last I checked SIEGE wasn't a thing.

Maybe someone should tell TSP's new Minister of Foreign Affairs.

It looks to me like Glen-Rhodes thinks SIEGE as a concept is still alive, and he made it the centerpiece of his campaign in TSP.

I was barely involved in it when it was being hammered out but last I heard it was falling apart when the whole NPO subversion thing came to light and a bunch of members cut diplomatic ties.
It's kind of hard to have a voting block when you're at war after all.

[Frattastan IV]

the Rejected Realms is about to join a rival WA bloc called SIEGE

That was one Delegacy ago.

[Cormactopia Prime]

the Rejected Realms is about to join a rival WA bloc called SIEGE

That was one Delegacy ago.

If SIEGE is so dead, why did Glen-Rhodes just successfully campaign for TSP's Minister of Foreign Affairs with SIEGE as the centerpiece of his campaign? If SIEGE actually is dead, it looks like he lied to voters, because he's not going to accomplish a WA bloc to rival WALL without at least TEP and TRR involved.

So are we saying he did lie to voters in TSP?

[RiderSyl]

If SIEGE is so dead, why did Glen-Rhodes just successfully campaign for TSP's Minister of Foreign Affairs with SIEGE as the centerpiece of his campaign?

because TSP politics is a joke? Glen could campaign on joining the FRA and still win.

[Cormactopia Prime]

If SIEGE is so dead, why did Glen-Rhodes just successfully campaign for TSP's Minister of Foreign Affairs with SIEGE as the centerpiece of his campaign?

because TSP politics is a joke? Glen could campaign on joining the FRA and still win.

The question was more why he would campaign on a dead idea. I'm aware that TSP would still elect Glen even if he banjected a guy on Fifth Avenue.

[Pierconium]

because TSP politics is a joke? Glen could campaign on joining the FRA and still win.

The question was more why he would campaign on a dead idea. I'm aware that TSP would still elect Glen even if he banjected a guy on Fifth Avenue.

Maybe it still exists but the organizers haven't told anyone.

[Cormactopia Prime]

The question was more why he would campaign on a dead idea. I'm aware that TSP would still elect Glen even if he banjected a guy on Fifth Avenue.

Maybe it still exists but the organizers haven't told anyone.

I'm going to advocate that a Beating Deceased Equines Award be included in the next Gameplay Awards, just for you.

[Pierconium]

Maybe it still exists but the organizers haven't told anyone.

I'm going to advocate that a Beating Deceased Equines Award be included in the next Gameplay Awards, just for you.

And the Passable Attempt at Deflection Award goes to...

Regardless, as you have yourself stated, just because it doesn't officially exist on NSGP doesn't mean it isn't a thing.

But, it is good to hear you acknowledge that the APC is a dead horse.

[Roavin]

The question was more why he would campaign on a dead idea. I'm aware that TSP would still elect Glen even if he banjected a guy on Fifth Avenue.

Or, how about a real shocker, it ain't a dead idea and just got pushed back/delayed/whatever'd due to benign factors, including the entire NPO situation. Scandalous!

Fratt, that article was great.

[Cormactopia Prime]

Regardless, as you have yourself stated, just because it doesn't officially exist on NSGP doesn't mean it isn't a thing.

Or, how about a real shocker, it ain't a dead idea and just got pushed back/delayed/whatever'd due to benign factors, including the entire NPO situation. Scandalous!

I was responding to two people, one of whom is the Delegate of the Rejected Realms, who seemed to be saying SIEGE is dead -- not postponed.

[Unibot III]

Fratt's article was extremely well done, classic TRT stuff. It's being heralded as a rationalist perspective, but there's some very salient constructivist points too: the continued NPO/TNP legacy of antagonism is something that's always interested me. Few things have proved as permeable as Great Bight and Pixiedance - for instance, TSP and TRR were tightly allied three or four years after Devonitians despite Sedgistan being a prominent TRRer, whereas the NPO-TNP relationship has almost always been poor and remained a sticking point as a political obstacle for SovCon through the height of the Cold War.

The note about my old "ostrich-hawk-dove" theory made me smile, it's a rough theory for sizing up an NPO Senate. It's not perfect: Feux and AMOM, for instance, register on a political scale as a classic "ostrich" but have committed quite a bit of GCR aggression and subversion.

Is Ivan or Pergamon more aggressive than Feux and AMOM? You can see the dilemma posed by the question.

I suppose we have to remember that alignment tests philosophy and motivation, not actions.

The more "invaderist," a subject is, the more they are predisposed to view the world as an interregional anarchy, a "sink or swim" model where aggression comes with proportional consequences and security is not a right of a community. Invaderist concepts of power and might manifest themselves in different ways. This 'awareness of consequence' could come to politically paralyze those close to power and influence.

I would also argue both Feux, AMOM, Milograd etc. approach every region they've been in consistently, whether it's TEP/NPO/Lazarus/Osiris, with the same model: that of an inward-looking region, glorifying loyalty, camaraderie, hard work, and culture. I think their frustrations in Krulltopia's NPO lay especially with the stubborn/inflexible foreign policy and apathy to cultural development of their compatriots, as well as the apparent lack of reward and upward mobility for their commitment.

[Frattastan IV]

Thanks for the comments on my article!

Fratt's article was extremely well done, classic TRT stuff. It's being heralded as a rationalist perspective, but there's some very salient constructivist points too

I think it might be interesting to look at how identities affect foreign policy choices.
I could have mentioned the TRR-NPO relations too, but that point would have been easier to attack because of the PRL.
Even then, one should remember that military cooperation with NPO itself was turned down and small steps (the NAP) took a lot of effort to achieve. After the NLO, TRR had no relations with the Pacific for two years and even lost its NAP because of the vote against the Condemnation repeal.

All that makes no sense if we believe TRR acts opportunistically and is all eager to get in bed with Franco-Defenderist plots when it benefits them, as some invaders love to claim. If anything, it can be attacked as "still clinging to ancient stuff" and being "irrational" (from a shortsighted pov).

The note about my old "ostrich-hawk-dove" theory made me smile, it's a rough theory for sizing up an NPO Senate.

Yeah, I preferred not to use that terminology. Until the recent shakeup "adventurism" was definitely more associated with the "ostrichs". And actual hostility to UCRs has probably been expressed more often in 'dovish' ways that didn't involve a lot of warfare (Feeder Unity).

If SIEGE is so dead, why did Glen-Rhodes just successfully campaign for TSP's Minister of Foreign Affairs with SIEGE as the centerpiece of his campaign? If SIEGE actually is dead, it looks like he lied to voters, because he's not going to accomplish a WA bloc to rival WALL without at least TEP and TRR involved.

So are we saying he did lie to voters in TSP?

I haven't read his campaign but I assume it was a promise or a statement of intent. Something he hopes will happen and that he will work for in the future, not an achievement.

Internally (TRR) we last discussed SIEGE in November when there was a weak push for ratification. In addition to the mild skepticism I expressed in my election platform (the project was set aside and considered low priority to the point that someone scolded me for "ignoring" it) back then our FA team's opinion was fairly negative for various reasons.
Since then, no foreign official has approached us about it, nor has the issue been on TRR's government agenda.

Quality aside, I'd say the article is fairly tame ("WALL is neither good nor bad" - come on) and could easily apply to any rival bloc. Mysterio is not really involved in any of the would-be signatory governments, nor I recall him being particularly opinionated about WALL or SIEGE. This is no crafty psyop, sorry.

[Guy]

There is no anyone opposed to WALL should feel obligated to refrain from setting up a rivil block. Setting up better orgs is the best way to counter it. Even the author recognise that it's not a bad idea.

Sure, but I think there should be honesty about what's happening here. The Rejected Times doesn't care about improving the World Assembly, it cares about propagandizing against WALL because the Rejected Realms is about to join a rival WA bloc called SIEGE. SIEGE won't be any better than WALL; it will push the agenda of its member regions in the World Assembly the same as WALL does for its member regions. So the article is dishonest propaganda.

Personally, given the three major regions likely to be involved in SIEGE -- The East Pacific, the Rejected Realms, and the South Pacific -- I'm rooting for WALL now more than ever before. I hope more regions will join WALL in order to counter SIEGE, if indeed the WALL regions are open to that. It would be good to see the Interregional Legislative Coalition (ILC) become a strong alternative option as well, and I hope progressive UCRs that would be a more natural fit for the ILC won't be lured into SIEGE. It would be great for example to see Forest join the ILC and advance efforts to raise environmental awareness.

When people talk about Cormac having his hand on the pulse of NS and GCRs, exerting his influence anywhere and everywhere... I hope they remember this post.

[RiderSyl]

The question was more why he would campaign on a dead idea. I'm aware that TSP would still elect Glen even if he banjected a guy on Fifth Avenue.

Maybe it still exists but the organizers haven't told anyone.

I love how this sarcasm backfired immediately. Thanks Roavin!

Pierconium, "it doesn't exist if it isn't public" was already a dumb position to take in NSGP, and now it's starting to make you look dumb.

[Pierconium]

Maybe it still exists but the organizers haven't told anyone.

I love how this sarcasm backfired immediately. Thanks Roavin!

Pierconium, "it doesn't exist if it isn't public" was already a dumb position to take in NSGP, and now it's starting to make you look dumb.

Umm, okay. I don’t think I ever made that statement. Please point to any post where I have stated that about any topic.

Of course, you would know about dumb positions on Gameplay so maybe I should just defer to your wisdom on the subject?

[RiderSyl]

Umm, okay. I don’t think I ever made that statement. Please point to any post where I have stated that about any topic.

If that isn't your position, then we can clear it up right now. Do you believe an organization can exist without being public, Pierconium?

Of course, you would know about dumb positions on Gameplay so maybe I should just defer to your wisdom on the subject?

Put a nickel in the ad hominem jar.

[Cormactopia Prime]

Sure, but I think there should be honesty about what's happening here. The Rejected Times doesn't care about improving the World Assembly, it cares about propagandizing against WALL because the Rejected Realms is about to join a rival WA bloc called SIEGE. SIEGE won't be any better than WALL; it will push the agenda of its member regions in the World Assembly the same as WALL does for its member regions. So the article is dishonest propaganda.

Personally, given the three major regions likely to be involved in SIEGE -- The East Pacific, the Rejected Realms, and the South Pacific -- I'm rooting for WALL now more than ever before. I hope more regions will join WALL in order to counter SIEGE, if indeed the WALL regions are open to that. It would be good to see the Interregional Legislative Coalition (ILC) become a strong alternative option as well, and I hope progressive UCRs that would be a more natural fit for the ILC won't be lured into SIEGE. It would be great for example to see Forest join the ILC and advance efforts to raise environmental awareness.

When people talk about Cormac having his hand on the pulse of NS and GCRs, exerting his influence anywhere and everywhere... I hope they remember this post.

Just going to point out once again that this is all based on Glen-Rhodes' public campaign for Minister of Foreign Affairs in TSP. If you're going to argue that I'm stupid for believing he actually intended to follow through on his campaign promise, well, that's fine, but apparently so did TSP voters.

If you would prefer I obtain information from your citizen-only areas, instead of relying on public information, I can do that.

[Pierconium]

Umm, okay. I don’t think I ever made that statement. Please point to any post where I have stated that about any topic.

If that isn't your position, then we can clear it up right now. Do you believe an organization can exist without being public, Pierconium?

Of course, you would know about dumb positions on Gameplay so maybe I should just defer to your wisdom on the subject?

Put a nickel in the ad hominem jar.

Yes, organisations can exist without being public. I think the confusion stems from my statement that I do not know if an actual organisation like the APC exists because there is no evidence of it through either statements or actions.

As to the rest, I was responding directly to you stating I was dumb, so okay.