The Black Hawks | The Enchanted Accords

[Miss Bad Life Choices]

hideous color.... o.o

The handbirb makes up for it.

Next time I'll make you a puke green >:)

and yes @ handbirbs

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

On November 20th, 1975 – 43 years ago yesterday – Spanish General and Dictator Francisco Franco died.

36 years prior to that date, his Nationalist forces won the Spanish Civil War with the military backing of Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy (you may be familiar, perhaps, with the Luftwaffe’s firebombing bombing of Guernica in support of Franco during this war, as depicted by Picasso).

Despite remaining “neutral” in the ensuing world war, his Spain sent thousands of volunteers to fight alongside the axis powers. Meanwhile, during and following the Spanish Civil War, la Represión franquista (The Francoist Repression) performed a “cleansing” of political opponents, union leaders, teachers, Freemasons, homosexuals, and other groups it deemed undesirable, in which hundreds of thousands were interned, tens of thousands were executed, and hundreds of thousands more were exiled to France, many of whom would eventually be sent to Nazi concentration camps under the Vichy government.

These, among other events, barred Spain from admission to the United Nations following World War II. UN General Assembly Resolution 39 asserted Franco’s regime as “fascist” “in origin, nature, structure, and general conduct,” and as having supplied “very substantial aid” to the axis powers, ultimately naming Franco as “a guilty party with Hitler and Mussolini,” ultimately recommending the withdrawal of all ambassadors from Spain. It wouldn’t be until about ten years later that the Cold War forced the reassessment of this policy, and the grudging acceptance of Spain after it committed to some democratic reforms.

In present day, Spain's far right continues to pay its respects to his tomb with flowers and fascist salutes, often surrounded by protestors chanting "Truth, justice and compensation for the victims of Franco" or "We won't forgive, we won't forget!" Spain's Civil Guard watches closely to stop any pro-Franco propaganda and cease illegal items like flags of the Franco regime.

So this is all great history, but why is it even remotely relevant to any of you?

Well, we have here on NationStates a branch of followers of an ideology known as “Francoism.” This is not a direct following of Francisco Franco, but rather an ideology named by Poskrebyshev and Unlimited/Vladimir after the player “Francos Spain,” especially in the latter's essay “Proper Francoist Thought.” Besides being of a frankly disgusting root namesake, as above, this ideology is one rooted in division and the demonization of a lesser class of players. Quoting from the CyberNations wiki:

“Francoism is based on a single and very simple concept - class.”

“The two classes recognized by Francoist Thought are the Feederites, who are the nations of their respective Pacific and seek to harness and work with the means of production (namely the Pacific region itself), and the Userites, who seek to exploit its fruits; by exploiting both the nations of the Pacific and the political structure set up within it to further their own political, military and social power.”

The essay goes on to further demonize those players who make user-created regions their own, building a slur used to this day. Here on NationStates, Francoism is embraced namely by the feeder “The Pacific.” Quoting from its charter:

“The Pacific shall remain a state where the teachings and dogmas of the Francoist Revolution, inspired by Proper Francoist Thought, written in August 2005, are to be preserved, obeyed, and practiced in perpetuity.”

While The Pacific deigns to recognize a total of four “classes” rather than the original two, allowing for two other lesser classes of misguided “diaspora” to whom the same malice is not attributed as is to “Userites,” you’ll rarely see these other terms mentioned in reality. After all, they cannot be used as effectively to demean wide swaths of players! Mainly, you’ll see The Pacific calling anyone they remotely dislike “subversive userites,” and advocate for them to be “purged.”

Despite these high and mighty ideals of “Feederite” greatness, The Pacific has had little issue subjugating other “Feederites,” most notably in the region Lazarus years ago – an act widely condemned by the rest of the world, and which in fact earned them “Security Council Resolution 177: Condemn the Pacific.” Further, members of its leadership have perpetuated over time active acts of aggression, both overt and concealed, against neutral-to-The-Pacific regions such as The Black Hawks, reportedly without the approval of their superiors. Once upon a time, this was handled through Emeritus Augustus Pacificus Ivan Moldavi, in a response the included removal of the members of The Pacific in question from their leadership roles, notably the dismissal of a Consul. Then, same sort of thing needed to be addressed again, by Praetor Karenus, and Emperor Aleisyr, after the same individual in addition to another high-ranking member caused further issues. Unfortunately, about two months ago, the player once removed from Consul was quietly reinstated to that position, despite assurances during the latter events that the prior demotion was continuing proof that the player could not possibly cause further issues.

Why is *this*, in turn, relevant to you?

The Pacific, in its charter and elsewhere, makes a big deal out projecting “strength abroad,” including by establishing “protectorates.” One such protectorate is the region St Abbaddon. Around this same time, another anniversary is being marked. A year and a half ago, The Pacific coerced the region of St Abbaddon to force long time native delegate Topid into exile, following humorous comments against their region in the wake of the aforementioned scandal concerning their subjugation of Lazarus. Now, I’m a raider from a twice-condemned region, and even I think that’s kinda a dick move, to turn a community against itself in reaction to criticism that was frankly both fair and funny. Afterwards, they established the region as a “protectorate,” and have watched it rot into inactivity without it’s spiritual core ever since. The delegate that allows the NPO to keep him as "king" has no region left to rule. All of his endorsements are from the NPO, and the region has no activity of its own. Topid, meanwhile, continues to build regions, most notably one of nearly 400 nations and nearly 100 WA members - but yearns to return to a home freed of the NPO.

To quote a Pacifican from that time period:

“We are very patient and we do not forget - we just waited for the right time to strike. It has to be said, that we are no raiders and our motivations are always highly political. We do not engage in military actions without a proper Casus Belli.”

Well, we in The Black Hawks have long memories as well, and now have struck in turn. We *are* raiders, and yet here, our motivations are both political and personal. The Pacific once engaged us without cause, and as the last remnants of the subsequent diplomatic apology fade away, a unique case is found where we struck with both cause of our own and support of the truest native to the region left, as our goals briefly aligned. Topid stood behind us in freeing St Abbaddon from the grasp of Pacifican domination, with a Hawks as wartime delegate of St Abbaddon in the interim.

And so, The Black Hawks attempted to raid St Abbaddon with a few allies on the minor of November 20th. Thanks to the following troops for their exemplary participation in that update:

The Black Hawks
General Ever-Wandering Souls (Point & Trigger)
General Jakker (Point)
Colonel Raionitu
Lieutenant Felt Karpit
Lieutenant Lady Dominator
Sergeant Aquilanion
Sergeant Azaelai
Sergeant Trihydroxy
Corporal Nabashar
Private First Class Ezkio
Private First Class Peperso
Private First Class Salizene
Private First Class Scottfire

Independent Joint Command Coalition
Colonel-General Writinglegend
Corporal Lugus Triune
Corporal Vlaska
Private Ambrella

The Ragerian Imperium
Emperor Vulturret
Fleet Admiral Samsonyte
Lieutenant Xemt
Pilot Xzoardyyn

& Native Topid

...Shit happened, and we missed, triggering what's known as a "pile off" - when the delegate is inactive or otherwise disabled. In the ensuing 12-hour pile-off, over 300 nations threw in support for one side or the other. 25 minutes before the region would update, despite the gap slowly narrowing, the side led by The Black Hawks looked poised to win with the score at 162 to 147 endorsements. Unfortunately, at this time, Kitsco returned online. Desperate to remain "king" over his pile of dust, he ignored Topid's pleas to allow the region to be freed from the NPO rebuilt to glory, and instead asked the NPO whom he should eject to retain their backing. And so, it ended, with some level of victory on both sides. The Great Pacific, backed by 2-3 other feeders, their NPO branches in multiple other games, and the allies of their branches in other games, failed to militarily out-pile a bunch of nobody UCR's backed by just one (amazing) feeder, but ultimately won the skirmish nonetheless with a just-in-time delegate return. It won't be the last time these sides meet, for war has now begun.

The Black Hawks would like to thank every region who joined us in this effort that was invited under the broad terms "as long as you're not shunned, a fascist, or a rulebreaker, and have cleaned up your act since if you ever did do anything dumb, come on in." Each one who participated did so for their own reasons - some to back TBH, some to back Topid, some to fight the NPO, and many somewhere in between those three and more. Each one participated at a non-negligible risk to themselves, having now placed themselves in the NPO's sights. The following is a preliminary list of participants that is likely not complete, and can gladly be edited as more names are accounted for.

Much Thanks To:
Balder
Carolingia
Elparia
Europeia
Extalia
Hartfelden
Joint Task Force
North Pacific Army
The Dictatorial Paradise
The Land of Kings and Emperors
The Ragerian Imperium
The Yeet Army
Voltarium

The following message is from Jakker, Chair of the Council of Hawks, to troops on our side present from all armies:

I'm speechless. I have no speech. These last 12 hours have been a chaotic, beautiful mess and embodied what NationStates is all about. Players from all over coming together and finding a reason to truly take a side and engage to the fullest. Like fuck, dude. I am in awe with all of the regions and players that came to support this mission. In this moment, words seem a little limited to fully convey the joy that we were able to create. We inspired intense motivation to push our abilities to the limits. 162 endorsements in 12 hours. This has not happened in such a long time. We were ahead. Today will be remembered in NationStates history for years to come and you can say that you were part of it.

Thank you to all of the regions, organizations, and individuals that were on our side. Even though we had tough luck and wasn't able to see our hard work tangibly realized, please know that it is truly realized and sincerely appreciated. Giddy up.

...and the following is a message to the NPO:

Bring it on.

---

The Black Hawks: Home of the Most Feared Military Organisation in NationStates!

[Zizou]

That was one hell of a pile off, and one of the more exciting things I've seen happen on NS!

[Neo Domais]

We help'd here at Extalia we sent our entire military to support you, that was fun. What great protectors the NPO are, they would have lost if it was not for there delegate logging on, the still have less then we got.

[Bdurham07]

That was quite the large pile

[Imperium of Josh]

Whoop. Congrats, dudes

[Onderkelkia]

A marvellous siege battle with impressive deployments from many parties and an apt response to the Pacific's unprovoked aggression against other powers.

Congratulations to The Black Hawks on leading this operation.

[Jar Wattinree]

[Bears Armed]

Well, we have here on NationStates a branch of followers of an ideology known as “Francoism.” This is not a direct following of Francisco Franco, but rather an ideology named by Poskrebyshev and Unlimited/Vladimir after the player “Francos Spain,” especially in the latter's essay “Proper Francoist Thought.” Besides being of a frankly disgusting root namesake, as above, this ideology is one rooted in division and the demonization of a lesser class of players.

And looks extremely arrogant, as well as obviously wrong (or "lying",as we call it in these parts...) in its claim that the Pacific[s] are "the means of production": That term implies that the region[s] create nations and then make them available to players, who therefore should show their gratitude by leaving the nations in place, whereas -- of course -- nations are created by individual players who might well have intended moving them out to UCRs all along (and are only assigned to feeder regions, initially, by game mechanics that the feeders & their governments also had no role in creating).

[Ballpit]

An amazing battle, fought valiantly on both sides. There were moments where that RMB seemed to get a little heated, but for the most part, both parties were rather cordial towards each other during the Great Pile of November 2018. I am extremely proud to have taken part in this historic moment on NationStates. When a member of TBH came to me and asked my army for help, I happily obliged, unaware I was in for a great deal of fun. Special thanks to Ever-Wandering Souls and to Miss Bad Life Choices for allowing me and all allianced members in TYA to tag along. I look forward to future collaborations, but nothing, I believe, will ever top the events of last night.

To all who participated, TBH and friends and NPO alike: well done, lads. This was monumental for both sides.



Best wishes,
-Ballpit

[Salvarity]

Keep fighting the good fight TBH.

[Nosewagania]

(Image)

Exactly right! Helping each other in times of need since creation!

Also a war? Ric Flair WOOO

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

(Image)

Exactly right! Helping each other in times of need since creation!

Also a war? Ric Flair WOOO

Also it’d be nice if the NPO was at least competent to quote the tag line correctly. It’s only repeated *twice* in my post.

[Mordheimar]

Spin it how you like...The Black Chickens got plucked....
#The Worlds Least Feared Military Frauds

[Blod Rehvens]

Spin it how you like...The Black Chickens got plucked....
#The Worlds Least Feared Military Frauds

You're gonna need a Mega Ultra Chicken for that one.

[Dyllonia]

Spin it how you like...The Black Chickens got plucked....
#The Worlds Least Feared Military Frauds

I just looked up black chickens and those things look freaking cool! I wouldn't wanna mess with those things

[Neo Domais]

Spin it how you like...The Black Chickens got plucked....
#The Worlds Least Feared Military Frauds

Only because your WAD got on, what if this raid was 3 days ago?

[Blod Rehvens]

Spin it how you like...The Black Chickens got plucked....
#The Worlds Least Feared Military Frauds

Only because your WAD got on, what if this raid was 3 days ago?

I propose we quit complaining about "What if, if" and shake hands for the next encounter.

Or we can just engage in low-tier moralism and overall behave like sons of silly persons.

[Malphe]

Spin it how you like...The Black Chickens got plucked....
#The Worlds Least Feared Military Frauds

Let's not disparage either side here, both did a very good job and put in the effort, if either didn't they wouldn't have gotten about 150 endorsements each. Kinda hard for either side to claim they were much better than the other given one lost and the other only won because they got lucky with the delegate and would've lost if not for that.

[Armaros]

That was one hell of a pile. Kudos to everyone involved on both sides, it was a tense 12 hours. 162 to 143, meaning over 300 people piled within 12 hours.

[Bedetopia]

I expect some hilarious Enemy Mine scenarios to prop up.

[Indo-Malaysia]

That was one hell of a pile. Kudos to everyone involved on both sides, it was a tense 12 hours. 162 to 143, meaning over 300 people piled within 12 hours.

Wish I could have been there

[Kurnugia]

Nawh just when I was looking forward to having the NPO as a nice retirement home from NSGP shit is starting flow around

[Jar Wattinree]

Nawh just when I was looking forward to having the NPO as a nice retirement home from NSGP shit is starting flow around

In the NPO, even veterans serve.

[Southern Bellz]

Spin it how you like...The Black Chickens got plucked....
#The Worlds Least Feared Military Frauds

Does the NPO know how to use hashtags or do they communicate via chain emails?