Balder - State Opening of 19th Storting

[Onderkelkia]

Delegate elections were not eliminated in Balder until 2015, and those reforms began in late April of that year, through May and into the Summer. A little research does wonders when presenting information.

Nowhere does the above announcement refer to the elimination of regular Delegate elections. It refers to the separation between the roles of Delegate and head of government, which resulted from reforms proposed by North East Somerset upon his ascension to the Delegacy in January 2014. Fuzzy was then selected as the first Statsminister in March 2014. The later elimination of regular Delegate elections was a natural extension of this earlier change.

It is is also misleading to say that Delegate elections have been removed altogether. The Monarch is entitled to call an election at any time or they can be removed via public referendum following a motion of no confidence. In that event, a standard election takes place to select their successor.

[The Iron Rebel]

Delegate elections were not eliminated in Balder until 2015, and those reforms began in late April of that year, through May and into the Summer. A little research does wonders when presenting information.

Nowhere does the above announcement refer to the elimination of regular Delegate elections. It refers to the separation between the roles of Delegate and head of government, which resulted from reforms proposed by North East Somerset upon his ascension to the Delegacy in January 2014. Fuzzy was then selected as the first Statsminister in March 2014. The later elimination of regular Delegate elections was a natural extension of this earlier change.

It is is also misleading to say that Delegate elections have been removed altogether. The Monarch is entitled to call an election at any time or they can be removed via public referendum following a motion of no confidence. In that event, a standard election takes place to select their successor.

It is equally misleading to present it the way you did, when in the between period that same leadership group created the troll "New Balder Order" and then suspended all law to make the reforms that put it in the position it is. And considering I was there when the latter events happened don't try to change history. I wrote the first draft to what they installed, and I know which six people were in the topic discussing it [not including myself] so while I don't know if there was ever a public vote, I know when and where the "constitutional monarchy" began, despite certain peoples efforts in Balder to smear my name and recollection of history. Don't praise an event if you're not going to tell the whole story, because that's just propaganda.

[The Iron Rebel]

I resigned the position of Statsminister in June of 2015 because I need gallbladder surgery, to set that clear and when I left it had only been six people discussing reform, after that I don't know what happened and I won't guess. This however is the last I'm going to comment, because for my own health I don't need to end up in an argument. So Happy Sixth Birthday Balder and Osiris, I was a member of both, had fun in both at times so cheers.

[Solorni]

Not really how it happened. The first major step towards the reforming process was when I suspended the legislature using my Royal Decree powers.

Here is my post on the matter:

I think it is pretty clear that this body does not work in its current form. There are things that need to be done such as reform the law section and new laws that need to be made. As well, this body needs to be able to function so that the Riksraadet can function in an expedite manner. Given how much I have done to improve the state of the region on the gameside, I will be focusing on improving the forumside and believe I can improve it to the same level as I have improved the region itself.

As such, I will be shutting down the Riksdag currently until the reforms are complete and we can progress in a much better manner.

This was done primarily because of your complaints about how the Riksdag was not doing what you needed them to do to function properly. Here was your response in the thread:

As Statsminister, I [TIR] support this decision, in large part because I am fully disappointed at the function of this body, it is supposed to be the law making body, yet when I law is needed to be amended, and people support this amendment, no one steps forward to write a revised version of the law. I further believe the house as a whole needs a kick in the ass, and perhaps a return to having elected members, and not what I feel might have become a state of complacency among members of the Riksdag. No members job is on the line, and thus many might feel they don't have to do anything. Might just be my opinion, but again I support this decision.

It's true though, the whole reform process took far too long. However, there was a vote when the new laws were presented in which I believe 16 people voted. The most notable nay vote was from Zander, although he now supports the current set up.

[The Iron Rebel]

All I really meant was the write up lacked the full story and could use more details Anniversaries and Birthdays deserve only the best efforts

[Zander Cerebella]

All I really meant was the write up lacked the full story and could use more details Anniversaries and Birthdays deserve only the best efforts

It's an announcement which summarised important events over the last 6 years. Nothing that was said was wrong as has been pointed out.
Adding in unnecessary details for what is a summary would be pointless given that was has been written is correct.

A big thank you to everyone for the Birthday wishes! It was also a nice touch bringing back our first delegate.

[Solorni]

219.... was so close to setting a record of 220. This is also the longest I've ever been over 200 endorsements now.

[Consular]

What's your endorsement percentage? Surely that's more important than the straight number.

[Solorni]

223!

What's your endorsement percentage? Surely that's more important than the straight number.

Right now it's 67.7% which isn't that great historically but is improved from earlier in the year (my record here though is over 80%). Well, the straight number at the end of day is the number that matters the most in terms of WA voting clout, influence and safety. On August 8th I was at 167 endorsements. Increasing my endorsement count to 223 is, in my opinion very important. At the end of the day that # is what we're aiming and improving endorsement % is one of two ways to do that.

Total Endorsements = (Endorsement %) x (Total World Assembly Nations)

223 = 0.677 x 329

In order to increase total endorsements, we then have strategies to improve both factors. Endorsement % comes from regularly endotarting, improving our telegram effectiveness & other strategies. Increasing the total number of WA nations also has its own type of strategies. An extreme example of a strategy to deal with the first was Cormac's mandatory endorsement policy in Osiris which allowed him to greatly improve the endorsement %. The endorsement % is generally more malleable but I feel like I've actually had a bit of difficulty getting it up recently compared to past occasions when I've also sought to increase it. But it's difficult to say if that is just my imagination because I've been hyper focused on continuing to set the overall record.

We have big strategies to improve both and hopefully will continue to break new records. If I can, I'd love to break my endorsement % record as well and am working towards that.

[Onder Kelkia]

Lazarus and Balder formalize relations by enacting the Treaty of Regenesis!

The Realm of Balder and the Undead Dominion of Lazarus are delighted to announce the Treaty of Regenesis. This establishes a full alliance between Lazarus and Balder. The Treaty contains provisions for mutual recognition, military support and inteligence support. It will advance the policy objectives and long-term security of both signatories. The signing of this Treaty follows Balder's military operation in defence of Lazarus, commenced on the 4th of September. At its height, this mission saw 31 units deployed under Balder command in support of the lawful Delegate. Lazarus has unequivocally defeated the rebellious elements orchestrated by The South Pacific. Balder is pleased to have supported Lazarus in this endeavor.

Given our shared identity and interests as fellow sinker regions, it is natural that Lazarus and Balder should enjoy a close and supportive relationship based on deep cooperation. Unfortunately, the potential for relations between our regions went unrealized prior to this point due to the September 2013 defender coup d'état and its consequences. However, the reforms under King Funkadelia and Regent Lamb have created a sovereign, secure, and independent Lazarus. Balder and Lazarus are therefore pursuing a close alliance founded on mutual respect and common interests.

---

Treaty of Regenesis

We, the sister Sinker regions of Balder and Lazarus, hereinafter jointly referred to as "the signatories", hereby enter into this treaty to advance the mutual interests and security of our sovereign regions.

Article I: Mutual Recognition

1. The signatories recognize the constitutional governments in force at the time of ratification of this treaty and any legitimate successor governments as the sole and sovereign governments of their respective sinker regions.

2. The signatories will maintain embassies with each other on the NationStates site and on their regional off-site forums.

Article II: Military Support

1. The signatories shall not engage in military hostilities against each other. This includes direct military operations and engaging in military operations in assistance of an opposing force of the other region.

2. On receiving a request from the other signatory, the signatories will provide one another military assistance in the event of a military attack targeting the other signatory's home region.

3. In situations other than a military attack targeting the other signatory's home region, the signatories will endeavour to provide military support to the other signatory when requested by that other Signatory, and where it is consistent with their own policies.

Article III: Intelligence Support

1. The signatories will not engage in any form of espionage or subversion against each other.

2. The signatories will provide information to the other signatory when such information is pertinent to the other signatory's security, unless the signatory in possession of such information reasonably believes that providing such information may violate applicable laws, or violate the terms of use or service established by NationStates or the signatory's forum host.

3. The signatories will keep confidential all information provided to them under this article, unless the other signatory gives permission for its release.

Article IV: Enactment and Dissolution

1. This treaty will come into effect upon its ratification in accordance with the legal processes of both signatories.

2. Either signatory will endeavour to give a week's notice in the aforementioned embassies before withdrawing from this treaty.

3. The signatories will make all reasonable efforts to seek a diplomatic solution before withdrawing from this treaty.[/quote]

[Big Bad Badger]

Congratulations and great work to both of the regions! I am glad to see this relationship being forged.

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

'Tis the season for Diplomacy, it seems.

[RiderSyl]

"Balder passes treaty with the UDL"

That is a factual statement

[Roavin]

Congrats etc.

Lazarus has unequivocally defeated the rebellious elements orchestrated by The South Pacific.

I hate to do it, but I have to do it every time before people actually start taking it as truth. Emphasis above is #fakenews.

[Davelands]

Congratulations on this treaty with another great region!
I know that you two will work together closely and become better because of it!

[Oakrugia]

Soon we’ll reach Valhalla!

[Almonaster Nuevo]

Congratulations to both regions.

[Onder Kelkia]

Queen Solorni to become the second "Longest Serving WA Delegate" in the recorded on-site history of a game-created region

Each NationStates region has an on-site history page which records certain in-game events, including the election of World Assembly Delegates. At the top of this page, there is a "Longest Serving WA Delegate" section, which displays the Delegate who has held office continuously for the longest period in the history of each region (counting all delegacies from those in progress when the page was first instituted).

Today, the length of the Queen's continuous period as Delegate of Balder reached 1276 days on our regional history page. For the time being, this total equals the recorded reign of Fudgetopia, a former Delegate of The South Pacific. Only Krulltopia, a former Delegate of The Pacific, has a longer recorded reign as the delegate of a game-created region. From tomorrow, Queen Solorni's on-site tenure will amount to 1277 days and will therefore be alone as the second-longest-continuously-serving GCR delegate as recorded by the on-site regional history pages. Only The Pacific will have a "Longest Serving WA Delegate" who has served for longer than Solorni has ruled Balder. This longevity represents a considerable achievement. Her continuous period of service constitutes an exceptional and virtually unprecedented contribution to the leadership of a game-created region as delegate. The Queen's historic tenure represents a significant milestone in the history of the entire game. The Queen must be regarded as one of the leading figures in GCR and sinker history.

The Queen's reign corresponds with a period of stability in which Balder has consistently thrived as a polity and a society. The length of her service also measures the length of a remarkable era of prosperity for our region. Balder combines an effective parliamentary system, one of the strongest alliance networks in gameplay, and the happiest, friendliest community to be found in the game. All this has been built by the government and the citizens of Balder on the bedrock of Queen Solorni's reign. The Queen is the ultimate guarantor of Balder's security on which our success depends. Whereas some other game-created regions have at times experienced strife and destructive bouts of intrigue, Balder has enjoyed strength and peace forged by Queen Solorni. However, the true extent of her contribution to the social fabric of the region goes well beyond the provision of essential security. On a daily basis, she inspires and supports all the citizens of Balder. In a UCR, only a founder typically commands the degree of respect and influence within a regional community that Solorni has earned in Balder. No player created Balder, but Queen Solorni is a figure whose enduring significance in Balder is more than comparable to the role of any founder in a user-created region. Solorni's long reign is the foundation of our region.

Please join me in congratulating Queen Solorni on reaching this landmark.

[Unibot III]

"Solorni is second longest WAD on our bullshit scale."

*roars* You're cutting around Loop and Kandarin's enormous reigns. And you're missing the point: stability isn't everything. Nobody remembers the tenures of Krulltopia, Fudgetopia, Kandarin, or Loop as periods of great activity. In all cases, their regions were in very rough shape when they finally departed.

[Marilyn Manson Freaks]

Yeah, Loop and Kandy were longer.

Also, she should let someone else be delegate for a while, even if it is a monarchy. I like Rach, but I have seen nothing from Balder. Balder is currently very quiet.

[Nightkill]

Yeah, Loop and Kandy were longer.

Also, she should let someone else be delegate for a while, even if it is a monarchy. I like Rach, but I have seen nothing from Balder. Balder is currently very quiet.

Careful Marilyn, they'll be screaming you're trying to incite rebellion in their region.

[Marilyn Manson Freaks]

Yeah, Loop and Kandy were longer.

Also, she should let someone else be delegate for a while, even if it is a monarchy. I like Rach, but I have seen nothing from Balder. Balder is currently very quiet.

Careful Marilyn, they'll be screaming you're trying to incite rebellion in their region.

Eh, oh well. Nothing new. I hope they can take constructive criticism!

[Lenlyvit]

Careful Marilyn, they'll be screaming you're trying to incite rebellion in their region.

Eh, oh well. Nothing new. I hope they can take constructive criticism!

Oh, also before I forget. Her and NES did exchange the delegacy back and forth once or twice, according to the Balder history page.

[Marilyn Manson Freaks]

Eh, oh well. Nothing new. I hope they can take constructive criticism!

Oh, also before I forget. Her and NES did exchange the delegacy back and forth once or twice, according to the Balder history page.

They should give it to a random citizen one day.

[Big Bad Badger]

How about Balder runs Balder exactly the way Balder sees fit?

I like Rach, but I have seen nothing from Balder. Balder is currently very quiet.

Perhaps if you looked a little harder you would notice that presently Rach is at an all time high in endorsements. The region votes her in twice a day to serve as leader. More people are voting yes every day.

So perhaps a congratulations is in order to Balder and their leadership rather than shitting on their announcement?