NationStates Issues **SPOILER ALERT**

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Haven't seen the second choice with any puppet.

Well, its valid for 95% of nations that are valid for the issue, so I guess you've got quite skewed nations.

[Conoistre]

645. An Unwarranted Intrusion

The Issue

When maverick cop Fang Bullock suspected that city worker Gregory Cobblepot had kidnapped 13-year-old Coraline with murderous intentions, she knew that by the time she applied for a search warrant the poor teen could already be dead. She kicked the door down, and saved the day. In the aftermath, many are asking if she did the right thing, and what lessons Conoistre could learn here.

The Debate

1. “Why do we even need search warrants anyways?” asks gung-ho police officer Attila Chandra, grizzled long-time partner of the hero cop. “All this bureaucracy does is make it harder for us to find the people responsible for crimes. If you have nothing to hide, then what’s the problem?”
   
2. “That’s typical police state thinking! Proper procedure protects the populace!” exclaims Penny Mulder, a representative of anti-corruption foundation World Of Watchdog. “We need to make it clear that a search warrant must be attained before forced entry, and we should prosecute this officer for breach of procedure! Can you imagine the police busting in while you’re sharing an intimate moment with your partner? Can you imagine if a cop with a grudge against you decides to break in and wreak havoc with your house on a whim? Is that what you want?”
   
3. “We do need warrants for sure, but sometimes officers see something that causes them to make a split second decision, when they have act immediately for the common good, without going through all the proper steps first,” says Chief Lauren Jekyll of the Scio Police Department. “I think we should judge breaks in protocol by the results. If the suspects were hiding something, then no problem. But if it the officer finds nothing, then we have to judge whether their actions were reasonable, or illegal.”

Issue by New China and North India
Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

[Arcoscephale]

Well, its valid for 95% of nations that are valid for the issue, so I guess you've got quite skewed nations.

You make it sound like that's a bad thing. All my nations are extreme in some way or an another; middle-liners are boring, and there's too many Inoffensive Centrist Democracies in the game without me adding to them.

Regardless, I've now seen that issue with six puppets and none of them got the second option. If nobody else posts it soon, you might want to check if it's set up correctly.

[Trotterdam]

Found the remaining option on #644:

2. "Personally, I've always wanted to see Brancaland," hints society member @@RANDOMNAME@@, packing a beige floral-print trolley-suitcase. "If the government could see its way to subsidising travel for the elderly, we could spread across the world and sing the praises of our homeland. It'd be good for the @@TYPE@@'s international image, and good for my tan. Win-win, right?"

I'd guess, limited to nations that haven't banned emigration.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Well, its valid for 95% of nations that are valid for the issue, so I guess you've got quite skewed nations.

You make it sound like that's a bad thing. All my nations are extreme in some way or an another; middle-liners are boring, and there's too many Inoffensive Centrist Democracies in the game without me adding to them.

Regardless, I've now seen that issue with six puppets and none of them got the second option. If nobody else posts it soon, you might want to check if it's set up correctly.

Its working. And it is 94% of nations who are eligible for it.

Seems to me that the flag which invalidates that option is one that you've triggered on all your puppets.

I mean, I totally agree its fun to have extreme nations. My main nation is purposefully destroying its environment. One of my puppets has maxed out authoritarianism.

However, there's definitely no issue with the code here.

[Australian rePublic]

Going On The Cyber Offensive

The Issue

A student was recently suspended by a school for posting negative comments about a fellow classmate on an online gossip column. The offensive message read “Shigeru’s dad is such a drunk, that he didn’t just lose his front door keys, he lost his whole front door... oh, and his house... and his job. Wow, sucks to be his son, huh?”. As both the suspended student’s parents are celebrities, there’s been a lot of media coverage of the incident, and now everybody is talking about it. Some are calling this harmless fun, while others are labelling it as cyberbullying. It seems like everybody wants to know where you stand on this.

The Debate

“This is a complete violation of my rights,” shouts Ivan Hamilton, the amateur columnist brat. “I can say what I want outside of school, as long as I like, don’t, like, harm anyone. Like, the whole free speech thing, you know. I wasn’t in school, so they can’t punish me. People just need to be allowed to say whatever. By the way, check out my latest roasting of this one geography teacher at my school who doesn’t take showers.”

Accept“Schools need to be stricter,” whispers Hermione True, worriedly looking around before nibbling on a bar of chocolate. “People used to use my name, but now I’m just ‘Ugly Fat-Face’. Please, make it stop! Schools should strictly punish students who say rude things online.”

Accept“Kids these days, they’re geni.. geniei... uh... geniuses!” exclaims Ken Perkins, your Minister of Solutions. “This is the best idea we’ve had in a while! With elections coming up, we can hire a few of these prodigies of the put-down, and pay them to work for us. The kids can, as they say, ‘roast’ the other politicians, and make you look great in comparison!”

Accept

Dismiss This Issue

Issue by The Holy Blue Second Best People of Noahs Second Country

Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

[Tinhampton]

Just to give you a nudge for those of you that haven't checked Sojn's thread about issue wording: "Transsexual Demands Recognition In Chosen Gender" is now called "Transsexual Recognition Demanded". New name, same great options (I think).

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Transgender Recognition Demanded is the new title, to be clear.

[Christian Democrats]

Transgender Recognition Demanded is the new title, to be clear.

What was wrong with the old title?

[Drasnia]

Transgender Recognition Demanded is the new title, to be clear.

What was wrong with the old title?

People in the LGBT community are touchy about the difference between transgender and transexual.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Topic closed, I think. Discuss it elsewhere if you like, lets not clutter the spoiler thread.

[Nurkama]

Which issue is the one where you ban airports?

[Phydios]

Which issue is the one where you ban airports?

This thread is not for general questions or for requests for changes to issues.

Please see the Got Issues FAQ or The Writer's Block.

[Pterodoria]

The Issue

Statisticians have noted that the prisons of Pterodoria are filled disproportionately by the uneducated poor. Many are now debating the advantages of offering education to inmates during their sentences.

The Debate

1. “It’s astonishing that we didn’t think of this before,” admits Junior Education Minister Faith Malik. “If we provide employment-oriented and life-skill education opportunities, we can turn these crooks into productive citizens! Getting jobs will get them out of a life of crime, and keep them out of prison.”

2. “That’s absolutely ridiculous!” yells retired prison guard Josh Pong. “Criminals are in prison to serve time! What sort of punishment or deterrent is a free evening class? If we educate them and then let them back out into the world, we’ve just created smarter criminals! Make prisons tougher, not cushier... You want to teach these scum a lesson? I got a cat o’ nine tails right here...”

3. “Look, lack of formal education doesn’t mean criminals are ignorant, just that they have specialised skills,” observes primary schoolteacher Daisy Magellan, handing out ’You’re Special Too!’ stickers to everyone in the room. “Rather that starting from scratch, why not recognise what skills they have and try to find them suitable work? Murderer? Put that killer instinct to use in the army. Arsonist? Get that knowledge of fire into supervising controlled forest fires. Burglar? Re-purpose those skills in climbing and fine motor control into telephone line repair. It’s all about valuing people for who they actually are.”

Issue by The United Commonstates of Kynotsu

Edited by Sleep and Candlewhisper Archive

[Aqualagoon]

The Issue

After twelve years of detective work notorious serial killer Ariel Lecter has finally been apprehended by the authorities. During questioning, it became apparent that she had already guiltily confessed her crimes in great detail ten years ago, but only to a local priest. He not only forgave her, but chose to keep the confession secret. Now the police have arrested the clergyman, claiming ten years of police work and five more murders were at least partly the result of this silence.

The Debate

1. “The confessional seal and the absolute duty of non-disclosure are core tenets of our beliefs,” explains cleric Randy Wessex, from his police cell. “Our holy texts command that we offer forgiveness to the truly repentant. At that time, the woman was incredibly shaken by the crimes she had committed. I make no apologies for acting as I did. Secular law enforcement is your concern, while my concern is the immortal souls of all mankind. Let’s keep the two separate, shall we?”

2. “The guilty will say anything to save their skin,” growls police officer Hillary Han, who always plays the ‘bad cop’ during interrogations. “In all honesty, I don’t give a flying Trout turd what this crackpot’s religion tells him. He is an accessory to murder, and because he didn’t call the police like a responsible citizen, five young victims are dead! Religion doesn’t entitle you to break the law. As long as you live in Aqualagoon, you abide by OUR laws, not your phoney-baloney god’s.”

3. “Holy laws do indeed transcend the puny rules of the mundane!” declares the elderly former leader of The Flying Suns UFO cult, emerging from his underground bunker for the first time in decades. “Laws of faith come straight from infallible divinity, not from weak and fallible Man! All religions understand this truth, no matter who they worship, so all religions must have the right to put their holy beliefs ahead of mortal law. If you do not heed this warning, you will all perish in a fiery hell-storm when the Ancient Discs of Mu return from beyond the stars!”

Issue by The Free Secular Federation of Nation of Quebec

Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

[Thalasse]

The Issue

Biologists and birding enthusiasts alike are squawking over the recent yearly declines in the numbers of many migratory songbird species, particularly the Thalassean Breegull. After some study, the unifying factor in the species experiencing decline is that their migratory paths takes them over Tasmania. Coincidentally, Tasmania is known to consider migratory songbirds a delicacy. Your cabinet has convened to discuss the matter.

The Debate

2. “Those Tasmanians must be taught a lesson!” screeches Newt Usman, your hawkish Minister of Defense, who has never found a war he didn’t like. “If Tasmania’s utter contempt for environmental stewardship, and our nation’s well-known love of bats…” He pauses as an aide taps him on the shoulder and whispers in his ear. He continues: “...and our nation’s well-known love of songbirds doesn’t convince you, what will? Perhaps troop escorts for those precious butterflies through Tasmania might work. And if someone tries to so much lay a hand on one those flying fish, then we’ll blow ‘em back to the stone age!”

3. “I’d like to suggest another approach.” coos Stan Mendez, your more dovish Environment Minister. “Clearly we value songbirds alive and uneaten, and Tasmania does not. We just need to make Tasmania value songbirds as much as we do. What if we estimated the relevant migratory songbird population each year and paid Tasmania a small amount of Flowers for each migratory bird that makes it here? Peaceful and fair.”

4. “How about none of that?” clucks Jean-Paul Janeway, your eagle-eyed Finance Minister while poring over a report on government revenue collected through coins tossed in wishing fountains. “We can’t keep frivolously throwing our citizens’ hard-earned tax Flowers at every little problem. They’re just some dumb birds - let’s just leave the government out of things for once! In fact, with less songbirds surely we can cut back our budget for parks a bit?”

5. “What if we trained the birds to stop migrating?” warbles the somewhat unhinged bird fancier known as ‘The Bird Lady’, seen wearing a giant bird costume, and whose number you’ve been meaning to give to ‘Doctor Bees’. “I love it here, and migratory songbirds should too! All we have to do is get baby birds to imprint on government handlers, and then teach the birds to fly around Thalasse in circles. Then we’ll be able to keep them to ourselves, protect them, and give the birds the love they need all year round. It’ll be a lark!”

Issue by The United Mangrove Archipelago of Ransium

Edited by Nation of Quebec

[Heliosphere]

Option 1 of Issue 647:

1. “Those Tasmanians must be taught a lesson!” screeches Declan Longbottom, your hawkish Minister of Defense, who has never found a war he didn’t like. “If Tasmania’s utter contempt for environmental stewardship, and our nation’s well-known love of bats…” He pauses as an aide taps him on the shoulder and whispers in his ear. He continues: “...and our nation’s well-known love of songbirds doesn’t convince you, what will? Perhaps military jets escorting the precious butterflies through Tasmania might work. If someone tries to so much lay a hand on one those flying fish, then we’ll bomb ‘em back to the stone age!”

Very similar to option 2, but with military jets rather than troop escorts.

[Trotterdam]

Huh, posts in succession by three different nations with the same flag. I suspect puppets

Properly macrofied #648:

#648 Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind

The Issue

After twelve years of detective work notorious serial killer @@RANDOMFEMALEFIRSTNAME@@ Lecter has finally been apprehended by the authorities. During questioning, it became apparent that she had already guiltily confessed her crimes in great detail ten years ago, but only to a local priest. He not only forgave her, but chose to keep the confession secret. Now the police have arrested the clergyman, claiming ten years of police work and five more murders were at least partly the result of this silence.

The Debate

1. "The confessional seal and the absolute duty of non-disclosure are core tenets of our beliefs," explains cleric @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, from his police cell. "Our holy texts command that we offer forgiveness to the truly repentant. At that time, the woman was incredibly shaken by the crimes she had committed. I make no apologies for acting as I did. Secular law enforcement is your concern, while my concern is the immortal souls of all mankind. Let's keep the two separate, shall we?"

2. "The guilty will say anything to save their skin," growls police officer @@RANDOMNAME@@, who always plays the 'bad cop' during interrogations. "In all honesty, I don't give a flying @@ANIMAL@@ turd what this crackpot's religion tells him. He is an accessory to murder, and because he didn't call the police like a responsible citizen, five young victims are dead! Religion doesn't entitle you to break the law. As long as you live in @@NAME@@, you abide by OUR laws, not your phoney-baloney god's."

3. "Holy laws do indeed transcend the puny rules of the mundane!" declares the elderly former leader of The Flying Suns UFO cult, emerging from his underground bunker for the first time in decades. "Laws of faith come straight from infallible divinity, not from weak and fallible Man! All religions understand this truth, no matter who they worship, so all religions must have the right to put their holy beliefs ahead of mortal law. If you do not heed this warning, you will all perish in a fiery hell-storm when the Ancient Discs of Mu return from beyond the stars!"

Issue by The Free Secular Federation of Nation of Quebec
Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

I'm positive on these macros, verified by cross-checking Aqualagoon's report with the copy my puppet got.

Left in the pretitle on the author because it was amusingly relevant

[Drawkland]

Huh, posts in succession by three different nations with the same flag. I suspect puppets

It literally says "Puppet of Pencil Sharpeners 2" in each signature ... pretty self-explanatory

[Trotterdam]

signature

Oh. I rarely read those

So wait, who's Pencil Sharpeners 1?

[Tinhampton]

signature

Oh. I rarely read those

So wait, who's Pencil Sharpeners 1?

https://www.nationstates.net/nation=pencil_sharpeners
Behold! I bring to you Pencil Sharpeners 1. Interestingly enough, the nation name Pencil Sharpeners 1 has never been claimed, although we'll leave it up to Pencil himself to do so.

[Trotterdam]

Back on-topic:

#649 Made In Maxtopia

The Issue

When ultra-cheap underwear imports from Maxtopia drove a local factory into bankruptcy, the newly unemployed factory workers surrounded you during a press conference to demand you protect local manufacturing by any means necessary.

The Debate

1. "Save our jobs!" begs a recently unemployed worker, @@RANDOMNAME@@, who seems to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "I put years of my own sweat into that factory textile job, figuratively and literally. It's the only work I know. Please, @@LEADER@@, implement tariffs or subsides to keep alive the domestic clothing industry. Otherwise we'll be thrown out on our asses, forced to buy shoddy Maxtopian undergarments."

2. "We have the freedom to know what we are buying!" exclaims an unusually patriotic consumer advocate, while barging into the crowd of workers and ferociously waving @@A@@ @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ flag. "When I buy me a new pair of underpants, I wanna see that 'Made In @@NAME@@' tag to let me know I am getting the best of all possible underpants. Absolutely everything for sale should say where it came from. That way we'll know to buy local, and this problem will probably fix itself."

3. "Why have Maxtopian imports at all?" rhetorically asks @@RANDOMNAME@@, who runs the local store where you used the toilet without buying anything the other day. "Or, for that matter, from anywhere? We've been dependent on foreign imports for way too long. @@NAME@@ needs to strive to be an economically and ecologically self-sufficient nation, where everything is made by our fellow citizens. Other countries might be able to make things cheaper, but no one works with as much pride as us @@DEMONYMNOUNPLURAL@@!"

4. "Wait!" interrupts @@RANDOMNAME@@, the owner of @@NAME@@'s largest department store, Humongo-Mart. "Okay, sure, maybe 'Made In Maxtopia' means slightly lower quality, but Maxtopian manufacturing is so very cheap! Sure, I had to replace my Maxtopian toaster three times last year because of a few teeny-tiny explosions, but that still cost me less than buying one locally-manufactured toaster! Have some common sense, @@LEADER@@, and allow free trade."

5. "There's an easier way to appease the masses," whispers your Minister of Foreign Trade, @@RANDOMNAME@@, while handing you the latest briefs. "Let's keep importing things from other nations, but we can pretend that everything was made in @@NAME@@. Put flag stickers on every conceivable product, tell the people that we're self-sufficient, and beef up the security at all ports. Then bam: the customers are happy, the department stores are happy, and our economy can keep importing essential resources. And of course anyone that mentions our hypocrisy aloud will be... punished."

Issue by Siarki
Edited by Lenyo

[Christian Democrats]

I'll probably update the list of issues on Friday or Saturday.

[Sethian]

#650 Political Hacks

The Issue

Hacktivist group KwikiLeaks revealed the existence of the so-called Trolls From @@CAPITAL@@, a government-sponsored organization designed to spread pro-@@NAME@@ propaganda throughout the internet. The group has recently been caught instigating a separatist movement in Brancaland, and you’ve personally been made aware that they were responsible for unleashing the dreaded DEAT virus in Marche Noir. Concerned “netizens” are asking you whether this group is acting beyond its mandate.

The Debate

1. “We should be giving these heroes a medal, not condemning them!” exclaims your paranoid Propaganda Minister while checking the room for bugs. “It’s obvious that Marche Noir and Brancaland were plotting attacks! Why else would Brancaland be hiking maple syrup prices? What we need is more funding and manpower to continue the fine work of my ministry. With a few keystrokes and the click of a mouse, we can destabilize our enemies... or at least distract them from more pressing matters!”
   
2. “Spreading propaganda was one thing, attacks on sovereign nations is another,” rebuffs Angela Nimoy, the Brancalandian Ambassador, seen dressed in the traditional Brancalandian parka. “Thanks to these @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ sponsored cyber-terrorists, the province of Quaybeck is launching a violent separatist movement! These hackers are an international menace, and you must do something aboot it! Shut these trolls down and extradite them. Or you’ll be sorry!”
   
3. “Are you going to let these foreigners walk all over us?” asks your Interior Minister who simply wants this issue to be dealt with before tonight’s episode of CSI: @@CAPITAL@@ airs. “We obviously don’t want to risk our friendship with Brancaland or make things worse with Marche Noir. These brave keyboard warriors just need a little policing. I can rein these groups in and remind them of their original mandate, which is to spread love, not war.”
   
4. “Why not disown this Trolls From @@CAPITAL@@ and state that Kwikileaks is in the pockets of East Lebatuck?” suggests your easily distracted Minister of Technology while playing Maxémon Woah on her phone. “This gives you more wiggle room to allow these groups to fight it amongst themselves. So what if they end up starting a few international incidents or if those reds in East Lebatuck retaliate? What’s the worst that could happen?”

Issue by Nation of Quebec
Edited by Nation of Quebec

[Tinhampton]

Issue #573 is now logged as being edited by both NoQ and A Humanist Science. I have but this to say: "Holy crap... AHS is an editor now?"