The Miniluv Messenger: TEP Liberated!

[Consular]

Vizier A Slanted Black Stripe argued before the Conclave that Viziers' temporary removal of the Delegate became permanent once confirmed by the Conclave or the Magisterium, The East Pacific's legislature.

I guess I'm just still wondering why, after everyone acknowledged there was no evidence that shows he was guilty of anything, a Vizier was still determined to keep him out of office?

[Escade]

It's an NS problem, which unsurprisingly enough is very real worldish with politics. Hopefully, Aelitia is not traumatized and saddened and can have a fun term. I think its one thing I wished for myself to have a peaceful and positive term.

I mean look its politics so there's some level of crazy but if we're going to take in the darker aspects like paranoia, suspicion, same names repeating across titles ad infinitum, lets also take in the fun stuff like whatever the NS equivalent is of lavish parties with assorted entertainment and an understanding that joy is a favorable trait in people and\or online people.

[Cormactopia II]

Anyone making a fuss over TEP's judicial and security systems working properly is just trying to cause trouble.

The irony of that statement from you is really great.

I don't think suggesting that the system needs reformed so that it doesn't cut a month out of a Delegate's term based on accusations proven to be without merit weeks prior is "making a fuss." That's just proposing sensible reform. To give you an example of what making a fuss might look like, someone constantly demanding more power for the Local Council in the South Pacific, for months, even though it has repeatedly been shot down, so that he can carve out a new power structure for himself because he can't get elected to other offices -- that would be making a fuss. Just so we're clear!

[Unibot III]

To give you an example of what making a fuss might look like, someone constantly demanding more power for the Local Council in the South Pacific, for months, even though it has repeatedly been shot down, so that he can carve out a new power structure for himself because he can't get elected to other offices -- that would be making a fuss. Just so we're clear!

As someone who remembers the pro-forum, anti-reform Belschaft who was rarely out of office, it's terribly amusing.

[Belschaft]

To give you an example of what making a fuss might look like, someone constantly demanding more power for the Local Council in the South Pacific, for months, even though it has repeatedly been shot down, so that he can carve out a new power structure for himself because he can't get elected to other offices -- that would be making a fuss. Just so we're clear!

As someone who remembers the pro-forum, anti-reform Belschaft who was rarely out of office, it's terribly amusing.

Back in those days we didn't have Regional Officers, Dispatches, Polls, regional TG's, etc... The technical limitations meant that government had to be concentrated on off-site forums.

As for the allegation that I can't get elected to other offices; I didn't seek cabinet office at all in 2016, though I did run for Chair of the Assembly on the same reform platform I've been arguing for as a Local Councillor. The reality is that the reforms I advocate for would do nothing whatsoever to increase my "power" as a Local Councillor, and largely relate to political rights for regional WA members.

[Anapol]

I'm happy to see Aelita will return to the East Pacific delegacy.

Anyone making a fuss over TEP's judicial and security systems working properly is just trying to cause trouble.

The irony of that statement from you is really great.

I don't think suggesting that the system needs reformed so that it doesn't cut a month out of a Delegate's term based on accusations proven to be without merit weeks prior is "making a fuss." That's just proposing sensible reform. To give you an example of what making a fuss might look like, someone constantly demanding more power for the Local Council in the South Pacific, for months, even though it has repeatedly been shot down, so that he can carve out a new power structure for himself because he can't get elected to other offices -- that would be making a fuss. Just so we're clear!

The bold piece is patently untrue, and completely unrelated to The East Pacific.

If your involvement in TSP was anything more than a bi-annual dabbler's, you would know that Belschaft has held just about every one of TSP's elected offices. He could run for office and win if he wanted. It's not immensely difficult to win elections in this game.

[Glen-Rhodes]

The bold piece is patently untrue.

Not really, if we're being brutally honest here. Otherwise I imagine we'd have seen Bel in TSP's Cabinet some time in the past year. A lot of people in TSP are pretty open about their distrust of him in positions of power. Enough to make winning office in the forum-based government harder than climbing Everest.

[Ikania]

so that he can carve out a new power structure for himself because he can't get elected to other offices -- that would be making a fuss. Just so we're clear!

Are you fucking joking mate?

[Anapol]

The bold piece is patently untrue.

Not really, if we're being brutally honest here. Otherwise I imagine we'd have seen Bel in TSP's Cabinet some time in the past year. A lot of people in TSP are pretty open about their distrust of him in positions of power. Enough to make winning office in the forum-based government harder than climbing Everest.

I think you're drastically underestimating how difficult it is to climb Mt. Everest. Bel could win an election.

Now I don't know that he would, but he certainly could.

[All Good People]

That would also screw up any kind of election schedule TEP has.

So change the schedule so he can be allowed a full term. Pretty simple, and fair to all - present and future.

Anyone making a fuss over TEP's judicial and security systems working properly is just trying to cause trouble.

Hardly. Pointing out flaws is part of open discourse.

[Escade]

That would also screw up any kind of election schedule TEP has.

So change the schedule so he can be allowed a full term. Pretty simple, and fair to all - present and future.

This sounds so sensible...

[Lord Ravenclaw]

That is something for the Magisterium in TEP to handle. (The Viceroy may oversee elections, but they do so under Magisterium passed law)

Aelitia has been reinstated on the forum as Delegate and I believe a telegram has gone out with the WFE updated to work towards restoring him to the Delegacy.

[Escade]

Oh look hi Raven.

Magesterium was always a pretty name.

[Lord Ravenclaw]

Welcome back Escade

I can't remember where their name is from, I was told but I'm getting old and forgetful. Remasking Aelitia back as Delegate was the first action I took as an admin on their forum yesterday.

[The Miniluv Messenger]

Big Brother is watching Gameplay

---

Stronger in Unity: Sandaoguo for Delegate of the South Pacific

In a field of strong candidates, Sandaoguo strikes the right tone for a new era in the political culture of the South Pacific.

By Cormac Skollvaldr

---

The Miniluv Messenger endorses Council on Regional Security member Sandaoguo for Delegate of the South Pacific. This marks the first time in its three year history that the Messenger has endorsed any candidate for regional office anywhere in the NationStates interregional community.

While this endorsement may come as a surprise to some, it follows a careful reading of the platforms offered by each candidate. There is an impressive roster of candidates from which residents of the South Pacific may choose, including incumbent Delegate Tsunamy, Prime Minister Drugged Monkeys, Local Councilor Belschaft, and Assemblyman Zak6858. All of these candidates have distinguished records of participation in and service to the community of the South Pacific, and most have put forward good ideas for the consideration of voters. Sandaoguo, however, stands above the pack by striking the right tone for a new era in the political culture of the South Pacific, an era that many hope will be characterized by more stability and community cooperation.

From the role of the Delegate in the recently reformed governmental framework of the South Pacific, to engagement with the game-side community, to new initiatives that could energize both game-side residents and forum participants, Sandaoguo gets the path forward for the South Pacific exactly right. He understands that the reformed role of the Delegate should be focused toward promoting stability, unity, and cooperative participation, not used as a bully pulpit to advance one's own political agenda. He grasps that the game-side community should have a right to be the kind of community it wants to be, rather than having political controversy and conflict foisted upon it. He understands that it's time for the South Pacific to turn the page on the tired, contentious, and mostly settled debates of the past and move forward to focus on more positive initiatives for the future.

One major highlight of Sandaoguo's platform is an emphasis on promoting World Assembly affairs, something he is uniquely positioned to do as a longtime contributor to the General Assembly and a member of the recently established six-person General Assembly Secretariat, responsible for interpreting and making determinations in regard to the rules for General Assembly proposals. This is an area of the game with much untapped potential in the South Pacific, which can appeal to both game-side residents and forum participants. It would encourage political engagement with game-side residents on issues that actually matter to them, while encouraging a more positive political discourse among forum participants rather than a return to exhausted and exhausting debates over matters like gameplay alignment and the merits of forum embassies.

The truth is that NationStates gameplay is changing and many of our regional communities have been slow to adapt. The traditional emphasis on military gameplay, on the so-called raider-defender aspect of the game, is no longer relevant to a growing number of players who find it more of a nuisance than a benefit. Even longtime participants in military gameplay find little these days about which to get excited. What hasn't been done? What argument hasn't been made? What region hasn't long since settled its military alignment? What raid or liberation will top the raids and liberations of years now long gone? We are fast approaching -- or indeed, we may already have arrived -- at a point in the history of NationStates in which military gameplay is a barely relevant niche activity engaged in by a minority of a minority of players. The South Pacific is one of the few regional communities that seems to at least subconsciously understand this reality and has started to embrace it. Sandaoguo's platform would further move the South Pacific in that direction, to the benefit not only of the South Pacific, but of the entire gameplay community should we choose to follow their lead.

Other candidates, like Delegate Tsunamy and Prime Minister Drugged Monkeys, also get it right on many of these issues and have much to offer. But none quite hit the mark and have the passion for exploring untapped potential and embarking on new initiatives like Sandaoguo. Moreover, as the chief opponent of the political platform advocated by Local Councilor Belschaft, the election of Sandaoguo as Delegate of the South Pacific would indicate a decisive repudiation of that platform. Voters in the South Pacific would be sending the unambiguous message that they are tired of the worn out and at times bitterly divisive politics of yesterday, and that they reject the hyper-politicization of the game-side community. Voters would be sending the clear message both to forum politicians in the South Pacific -- among whom Belschaft is still numbered, despite his newfound game-side populism -- and to the rest of the world that the South Pacific is looking forward, not backward; upward, toward higher aims, not downward into the mud of a bygone era.

The Miniluv Messenger believes that decisive, forward-thinking message is a message worth sending. If voters in the South Pacific agree, they should cast their ballots for Sandaoguo for Delegate of the South Pacific.

[A Slanted Black Stripe]

Vizier A Slanted Black Stripe argued before the Conclave that Viziers' temporary removal of the Delegate became permanent once confirmed by the Conclave or the Magisterium, The East Pacific's legislature.

I guess I'm just still wondering why, after everyone acknowledged there was no evidence that shows he was guilty of anything, a Vizier was still determined to keep him out of office?

1. "Everyone" has not acknowledged there was no evidence that shows he was guilty of anything. The Conclave only decided not to hold a trial. Later, the Conclave held that Aelitia should be reinstated.

2. The Vizier was not determined to keep him out of office. The Vizier was arguing the language and intent of the founders in creating the Concordat. It's not about the individual; it's about the process.

3. For the record, the same Vizier has voted for Aelitia to become Delegate in the last two Delegate elections.

I guess I'm just still wondering why, when there is plenty of information, debate, and discussion on the TEP forum that innuendo and disparagement are the preferred lingua franca of this forum?

[Canton Empire]

More spin than a South Pacific hurricane.

[Escade]

(Image)
Big Brother is watching Gameplay

---

Stronger in Unity: Sandaoguo for Delegate of the South Pacific

In a field of strong candidates, Sandaoguo strikes the right tone for a new era in the political culture of the South Pacific.

By Cormac Sethos
Editor-in-Chief

---

The Miniluv Messenger endorses Council on Regional Security member Sandaoguo for Delegate of the South Pacific. This marks the first time in its three year history that the Messenger has endorsed any candidate for regional office anywhere in the NationStates interregional community.

While this endorsement may come as a surprise to some, it follows a careful reading of the platforms offered by each candidate. There is an impressive roster of candidates from which residents of the South Pacific may choose, including incumbent Delegate Tsunamy, Prime Minister Drugged Monkeys, Local Councilor Belschaft, and Assemblyman Zak6858. All of these candidates have distinguished records of participation in and service to the community of the South Pacific, and most have put forward good ideas for the consideration of voters. Sandaoguo, however, stands above the pack by striking the right tone for a new era in the political culture of the South Pacific, an era that many hope will be characterized by more stability and community cooperation.

From the role of the Delegate in the recently reformed governmental framework of the South Pacific, to engagement with the game-side community, to new initiatives that could energize both game-side residents and forum participants, Sandaoguo gets the path forward for the South Pacific exactly right. He understands that the reformed role of the Delegate should be focused toward promoting stability, unity, and cooperative participation, not used as a bully pulpit to advance one's own political agenda. He grasps that the game-side community should have a right to be the kind of community it wants to be, rather than having political controversy and conflict foisted upon it. He understands that it's time for the South Pacific to turn the page on the tired, contentious, and mostly settled debates of the past and move forward to focus on more positive initiatives for the future.

One major highlight of Sandaoguo's platform is an emphasis on promoting World Assembly affairs, something he is uniquely positioned to do as a longtime contributor to the General Assembly and a member of the recently established six-person General Assembly Secretariat, responsible for interpreting and making determinations in regard to the rules for General Assembly proposals. This is an area of the game with much untapped potential in the South Pacific, which can appeal to both game-side residents and forum participants. It would encourage political engagement with game-side residents on issues that actually matter to them, while encouraging a more positive political discourse among forum participants rather than a return to exhausted and exhausting debates over matters like gameplay alignment and the merits of forum embassies.

The truth is that NationStates gameplay is changing and many of our regional communities have been slow to adapt. The traditional emphasis on military gameplay, on the so-called raider-defender aspect of the game, is no longer relevant to a growing number of players who find it more of a nuisance than a benefit. Even longtime participants in military gameplay find little these days about which to get excited. What hasn't been done? What argument hasn't been made? What region hasn't long since settled its military alignment? What raid or liberation will top the raids and liberations of years now long gone? We are fast approaching -- or indeed, we may already have arrived -- at a point in the history of NationStates in which military gameplay is a barely relevant niche activity engaged in by a minority of a minority of players. The South Pacific is one of the few regional communities that seems to at least subconsciously understand this reality and has started to embrace it. Sandaoguo's platform would further move the South Pacific in that direction, to the benefit not only of the South Pacific, but of the entire gameplay community should we choose to follow their lead.

Other candidates, like Delegate Tsunamy and Prime Minister Drugged Monkeys, also get it right on many of these issues and have much to offer. But none quite hit the mark and have the passion for exploring untapped potential and embarking on new initiatives like Sandaoguo. Moreover, as the chief opponent of the political platform advocated by Local Councilor Belschaft, the election of Sandaoguo as Delegate of the South Pacific would indicate a decisive repudiation of that platform. Voters in the South Pacific would be sending the unambiguous message that they are tired of the worn out and at times bitterly divisive politics of yesterday, and that they reject the hyper-politicization of the game-side community. Voters would be sending the clear message both to forum politicians in the South Pacific -- among whom Belschaft is still numbered, despite his newfound game-side populism -- and to the rest of the world that the South Pacific is looking forward, not backward; upward, toward higher aims, not downward into the mud of a bygone era.

The Miniluv Messenger believes that decisive, forward-thinking message is a message worth sending. If voters in the South Pacific agree, they should cast their ballots for Sandaoguo for Delegate of the South Pacific.

<3

[Ikania]

More spin than a South Pacific hurricane.

Those are called cyclones.

[Canton Empire]

More spin than a South Pacific hurricane.

Those are called cyclones.

I know. I'm American, in case you didn't know.

[Belschaft]

Cormac is now known as "Meddling Foreign Tabloid Hack" on TSP's Discord server

[Cormactopia II]

Cormac is now known as "Meddling Foreign Tabloid Hack" on TSP's Discord server

It's my favorite masking on any Discord server tbh.

[Amy Madison]

Having been gone from NS for some time, I would like to thank the Miniluv Messenger for its thorough and regular reporting. Very fun to catch up on all the Gameplay craziness that I missed. This kind of elaborate drama (especially the kinds of articles and discussions on the whole 'NLO' thing) was always the best part of the game for me.

[The Miniluv Messenger]

Big Brother is watching Gameplay

---

The Empire Strikes Out: Attempted Subversion Against the South Pacific Exposed

Discord logs released via the NSGP Discord server show Neo Kervoskia, Pharaoh of Osiris and longtime Empire core member, agreeing to an offer by then-Local Councillor Belschaft to engage in spying and subversion against the South Pacific.

By Cormac Skollvaldr

---

THEBES - Bombshell Discord logs released via the NSGP Discord server by Ambroscus Koth show Pharaoh Neo Kervoskia of Osiris, a longtime core member of the Empire paramilitary organization, agreeing to an offer by then-Local Councillor Belschaft of the South Pacific to engage in spying and subversion against the South Pacific. The conversation between Neo Kervoskia and Belschaft took place shortly after Neo Kervoskia succeeded to the office of Pharaoh of Osiris on 17 November 2016.

[8:53 PM] Belschaft: Anything you want me to do in TSP? I'm not actually in the government these days
[8:53 PM] Belschaft: So if you want me to act as back channel you've got to let me know
[8:57 PM] Griffin: As Heir Apparent I focused solely on domestic affairs so I'm unfamiliar with many of the neweer people. If you would keep an eye on things - any rumors that may be detrimental to Osiris, or any possible threats. I also want to reach out to TSP eventually, but I don't believe they would be receptive now. Peoeple still have Empire madness and I want to put that to rest.
[9:00 PM] Belschaft: nods
[9:00 PM] Belschaft: Coolio
[9:00 PM] Belschaft: I can work to discourage any "Osiris bad, Empire bad" thinking
[9:04 PM] Griffin: Thank you.

Belschaft, a former Delegate of the South Pacific once held in high regard, is no stranger to controversy. As first reported by this newspaper on 18 October 2014, Belschaft was responsible for the 2014 subversion plot known as Operation Brave Toaster, a conspiracy involving foreign collaborators to subvert the government of the South Pacific for the purpose of purging his chief political opponents from the region. Following his coordination of the Operation Brave Toaster conspiracy, Belschaft was declared a security threat but was restored to full participation in the South Pacific on 15 February 2016. During his February 2017 campaign for Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belschaft called for improved relations with Osiris as well as three other Feeders and Sinkers, and encouraged the South Pacific to pragmatically accept that Osiris is ruled by a member of Empire, a prohibited organization in the South Pacific.

No stranger to controversy himself, Neo Kervoskia apologized for prior acts of subversion against Lazarus two days after taking office as Pharaoh of Osiris, and on 01 December 2016 released a statement of regret regarding prior termination of embassies between Osiris and the South Pacific. In that statement, Neo Kervoskia lamented that Osiris "severed a valuable link to [its] Feeder neighbors" and expressed on behalf of Osiris a "desire to mend the gap the separation caused by extending the hand of friendship to [its] fellow GCR." This latter statement of regret was preceded by the conversation with Belschaft in which the Pharaoh agreed to acts of subversion against the South Pacific, raising serious questions in regard to what many at the time perceived as genuine remorse for Neo Kervoskia's prior actions against other Feeders and Sinkers.

This scandal comes in the midst of growing concerns among many Feederites and Sinkerites in regard to the perceived expansion of Empire influence in the Feeders and Sinkers. Neenee, once the rogue Delegate behind the Empire of The East Pacific and commonly regarded as the leader of Empire, was elevated to the office of Guardian of the West Pacific by the region's Delegate, Big Bad Badger, in 2016. Big Bad Badger is also a member of the Rahl family, a close-knit and selective family led by the four Empire core members. All prospective Rahl family members, referred to in official family documentation as "potentiates," must pledge their allegiance to the Rahl family at the time of adoption. The Rahl family has expanded to include high profile participants in three Feeders and Sinkers.

• Neo Kervoskia, Pharaoh of Osiris;
• Syberis, Crown Prince of Osiris;
• Adytus, Chief Vizier of Osiris;
• Wrektopia, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Osiris;
• Biyah, former Sub-Vizier of Citizenship in Osiris;
• Dalimbar, Secretary to the Delegate and Provost of the Magisterium of The East Pacific;
• Greyghost, Commander-General of the Eastern Pacific Sovereign Army;
• Cain, former Il-Khan of Lone Wolves United and a citizen of The East Pacific until his retirement;
• Big Bad Badger, Delegate of the West Pacific;
• Neenee, Guardian of the West Pacific;
• Yuno, Commander of the West Pacific Armed Forces;
• Davelands, Foreign Affairs Minister of the West Pacific;
• Halo, active in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the West Pacific.

The Neo Kervoskia-Belschaft scandal and emerging concerns over Empire expansion in the Feeders and Sinkers also highlight growing trepidation regarding the GCR Sovereignty Accords, which include both Osiris and the West Pacific as signatories. The Accords were introduced for the consideration of The East Pacific three days ago by longtime Empire core member Dalimbar, who was appointed Secretary to the Delegate, Press Liaison, and Cabinet Officer without Portfolio by Delegate Aelitia on 02 March 2017. Dalimbar was yesterday elected Provost of the Magisterium, the legislative presiding officer of The East Pacific, in an uncontested election. Pierconium, Legatus of the Pacific responsible for the foreign affairs of the Pacific Order, has been a vocal advocate of the GCR Sovereignty Accords in The East Pacific as well, despite not maintaining regional citizenship. Pierconium was a core member of the Empire of The East Pacific under the pseudonym Darkseid. It is unclear how this latest scandal and growing anxiety about Empire influence may impact the fate of the GCR Sovereignty Accords in The East Pacific or elsewhere.

The Miniluv Messenger will bring you more coverage in the future as this story develops.

[Solorni]

This looks more like a Bel thing than a NK thing.