The Red-Greens Headquarters [NSG Senate]

[Oneracon]

Hello fellow Red-Greens!

I don't know if you're aware of the upcoming Aurentina Pride Parade but I felt it would be appropriate for us to make an appearance. It will be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with the LGBT community, and will be a fun event for the whole family to take part in (my husband and I will be bringing our daughter along).

[Potenco]

Hello fellow Red-Greens!

I don't know if you're aware of the upcoming Aurentina Pride Parade but I felt it would be appropriate for us to make an appearance. It will be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with the LGBT community, and will be a fun event for the whole family to take part in (my husband and I will be bringing our daughter along).

Thank you for informing me of this. I hope this will be a fun parade of festivities and build greater solidarity amongst Aurentinias LGBTQQI community!

[Oneracon]

I came up with a draft for forming an Internet Registration Authority. Any opinions or suggestions?

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR], Potenco [RG], Quebec and Atlantic Canada [RG]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 Directors elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting Director.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    First AurNIC Board
12. The first AurNIC Board shall be appointed by a Senate committee chaired by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
13. Half of the appointed directors, chosen by random drawing, are to be nominated for a one-year term to ensure future elections maintain a combination of rotation and continuity.
    
    AurNIC Services
14. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Maintenance of the Aurentine name database within the Domain Name System
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
15. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
16. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
17. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
18. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
19. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
20. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
21. Applicant for .an domains shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
22. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
23. AurNIC shall maintain a list of restricted domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
24. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
25. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
26. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
27. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
28. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.
    
    AurNIC Autonomy
29. The AurNIC Board shall make regulations covering aspects of ccTLD governance not given in this act.

[Ainin]

I came up with a draft for forming an Internet Registration Authority. Any opinions or suggestions?

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors:

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 members elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting member.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms, with the exception of the first election where half of the directors are to be elected for one-year terms, to ensure a combination of rotation and continuity.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    AurNIC Services
12. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
13. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
14. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
15. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
16. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
17. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
18. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
19. Applicants shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
20. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
21. AurNIC shall maintain a restricted list of domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
22. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
23. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
24. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
25. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
26. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.

I'll sponsor 'cause I get to hand out subdomains

[Potenco]

I came up with a draft for forming an Internet Registration Authority. Any opinions or suggestions?

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 members elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting member.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms, with the exception of the first election where half of the directors are to be elected for one-year terms, to ensure a combination of rotation and continuity.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    AurNIC Services
12. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
13. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
14. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
15. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
16. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
17. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
18. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
19. Applicants shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
20. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
21. AurNIC shall maintain a restricted list of domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
22. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
23. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
24. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
25. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
26. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.

I will sponsor this

[Oneracon]

I'll sponsor 'cause I get to hand out subdomains

I will sponsor this

Updated with your names as co-sponsors.

[Quebec and Atlantic Canada]

I came up with a draft for forming an Internet Registration Authority. Any opinions or suggestions?

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR], Potenco [RG]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 Directors elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting Director.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms, with the exception of the first election where half of the directors are to be elected for one-year terms, to ensure a combination of rotation and continuity.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    AurNIC Services
12. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
13. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
14. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
15. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
16. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
17. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
18. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
19. Applicants shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
20. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
21. AurNIC shall maintain a restricted list of domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
22. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
23. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
24. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
25. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
26. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.

I'll sponsor this as well.

[Oneracon]

The following is a constituency message posted to Sen. Burchett's official website:

---

From the Desk of Senator Joshua Burchett

My friends,

It seems that today's Pride parade didn't quite accomplish its job of celebrating diversity and acceptance, and instead showed that the forces of hate and violence are still strong within our great nation's borders.

An armoured car very nearly ran over innocent civilians at the parade, the driver evidently intent on frightening the crowd of gender and sexual minorities (GSMs) and their allies into submission. I, as your representative, was appalled at such a violation of the fundamental freedom of peaceful assembly that this nation is built upon. You can rest assured that I will be following this matter closely in the Senate and with the proper law enforcement authorities to ensure that such events are never repeated.

These are dark stains on this great nation's reputation, but even in darkness we can find light...

The actions today by the aforementioned unsavoury elements have prompted a review of our nation's legal system, notably the absence of a criminal code, and will no doubt lead to the improvement of law and order in the Commonwealth. I personally hope these reforms are brought swiftly so that we may bring to justice the person or persons responsible for threatening the health and safety of hundreds of citizens participating in a peaceful celebration, myself and my family included.

Now don't let me worry you, friends. Anthony, Polly, and myself are just fine. We're no worse for wear but for a few jangled nerves.

The state of Aurentine freedoms, however, may not have gotten off so lucky.

Yours in service,
Sen. Joshua Burchett

[Osea 767]

Here is an item that the CP is discussing. We would value your imput on the matter

Economic Democratisation Act

Urgency: Significant
Author: Osea (C), Free South Califas (C)
Sponsors:

Description:.

Recognising that the organisation of our economy and the distribution of economic society are just as important in determining whether we can call our society fair, equal or democratic as the distribution of political power is,

Further recognising that this will require new systems which empower the people to control their own affairs,

Therefore declares that the following items shall be passed into law.

• The state will recognise the right of workers to choose to change the nature of their workplace to more democratic forms through free and fair elections.
• The following terms must be strictly enforced in regards to the elections. A firm majority of over 70% in support of a change to the nature of their workplace will be required for the opening up of options for workplace change. 71% shall always be considered more than strictly necessary except in cases where it and one fewer vote in favour would both be equivalent to 70%.
• Two options will be enabled if the vote to change the work place meets the following criteria. One option is to be a negotiated transference of certain assets to the workers, with them free to manage those assets themselves through democratic organisations of their own preferred design and structure. The second option is a negotiated transference of certain powers and responsibilities to the democratic organisations of the workers, which may be improvised if necessary.
• In such cases that workers decide to change the nature of their workplace, the state shall compensate the present owners for any attendant loss in assets. This compensation shall consider only the itemized market value of redistributed assets known at the point in time when the election request was issued.
• The Independent Workplace Ballot Administration (IWBA) shall be created immediately, and tasked with providing fair oversight of any vote by workers to decide on whether to change the nature of their workplace. It shall be expected to act impartially, and shall be empowered to act against any attempt by any group to influence the vote. Such votes shall be conducted in a timely fashion after first being requested.
• In the case that a company or workplace goes bankrupt, the workers can request that possession of the workplace and all assets and legal rights required to resume production be transferred to their own democratic organisation for them to own and control collectively. The IWBA shall be tasked with receiving and acting on these requests in a timely fashion. In such cases, the state shall be obliged to compensate the previous owner(s) according to the itemized market value, at the time when the request is made, of specific known productive assets which transferred to collective possession by the workers.

[Phing Phong]

Below is an opinion piece I have written describing the need for equality legislation, which I am currently in the process of writing and will submit it to the party once it is complete. If anyone is working on something similar, please inform me so that we may collaborate.

---

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending Aurentina's first LGBT pride parade since independence. The occasion should have been one of celebrating diversity and freedom, but some individuals felt the need to disrupt other people's affirmation of their identity. While it would be expected that any event where a minority asserts itself would raise the ire of certain reactionary groups, the involvement of elected officials in disrupting a peaceful pride was shameful and out of order. Senators are elected to represent the people of Aurentina, not just those of whom they personally approve.

In isolation, these condemnable actions would be limited in effect to showing the Aurentine people who not to vote for next election. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is not as simple as that. Many of the senators at the pride who identify as LGBT easily dismissed the bigotry of others. After all, they have the confidence to be open about who they are and have the social status to publicly challenge attempts to demean and silence. As a heterosexual man, it is easy for me to discuss the rights of sexual minorities in academic terms—my fundamental rights are not directly under attack. Many vulnerable people do not have that privilege.

In situations where there is a clear asymmetry of power, the powerful can speak with impunity while the powerless have no way of responding and being heard. Freedom of speech is a valuable and inalienable right, but that does not mean that speech has no consequences. If there were no limits to what I could say, then perjury would not be a crime and I could lie to the police without fear of prosecution. I think it is reasonable to propose that teachers be prevented from using racial slurs against pupils, or that employers be prevented from treating a female employee differently to a male colleague. It is for this reason that I will be introducing a Bill into the Senate which will prevent discrimination in education, the workplace, and the provision of services. Employment and education are not luxuries, and those who provide them should not be able to abuse their position based on personal prejudices.

Inevitably, there will be complaints that I am proposing a draconian assault on freedom, particularly from the individuals for whom the ability to discriminate is personally advantageous. This would be a misrepresentation of what I am proposing. I strongly believe that people have the right to express any view, however repellent, in the public sphere, for it is a level playing field regarding the expression of opinions. However, where there is a clear asymmetry of power—when one individual can shout over another regardless of what is being said, if you like—it is necessary that symmetry be restored. Institutions and hierarchies without checks and balances are not conducive to a free environment. Liberty is more than just absolute freedom: it is an environment in which those freedoms can be enjoyed by all.

If readers have any questions, suggestions or concerns about my legislative proposals, feel free to contact my press office by telegram, and I will be happy to publicly or privately respond.

[Oneracon]

Ambassadors, can we round up one more sponsorship from one of our fellow progressive parties for the Internet Registration Act?

Currently we have two Red-Green sponsors, one Totally Rad sponsor, and one NIFP sponsor.

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR], Potenco [RG], Quebec and Atlantic Canada [RG], Byzantium Imperial [NIFP]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 Directors elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting Director.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    First AurNIC Board
12. The first AurNIC Board shall be appointed by a Senate committee chaired by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
13. Half of the appointed directors, chosen by random drawing, are to be nominated for a one-year term to ensure future elections maintain a combination of rotation and continuity.
    
    AurNIC Services
14. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Maintenance of the Aurentine name database within the Domain Name System
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
15. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
16. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
17. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
18. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
19. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
20. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
21. Applicant for .an domains shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
22. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
23. AurNIC shall maintain a list of restricted domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
24. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
25. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
26. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
27. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
28. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.
    
    AurNIC Autonomy
29. The AurNIC Board shall make regulations covering aspects of ccTLD governance not given in this act.

[Phing Phong]

Ambassadors, can we round up one more sponsorship from one of our fellow progressive parties for the Internet Registration Act?

Currently we have two Red-Green sponsors, one Totally Rad sponsor, and one NIFP sponsor.

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR], Potenco [RG], Quebec and Atlantic Canada [RG], Byzantium Imperial [NIFP]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 Directors elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting Director.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    First AurNIC Board
12. The first AurNIC Board shall be appointed by a Senate committee chaired by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
13. Half of the appointed directors, chosen by random drawing, are to be nominated for a one-year term to ensure future elections maintain a combination of rotation and continuity.
    
    AurNIC Services
14. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Maintenance of the Aurentine name database within the Domain Name System
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
15. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
16. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
17. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
18. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
19. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
20. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
21. Applicant for .an domains shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
22. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
23. AurNIC shall maintain a list of restricted domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
24. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
25. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
26. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
27. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
28. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.
    
    AurNIC Autonomy
29. The AurNIC Board shall make regulations covering aspects of ccTLD governance not given in this act.

If it would help, I will sponsor.

[Oneracon]

Ambassadors, can we round up one more sponsorship from one of our fellow progressive parties for the Internet Registration Act?

Currently we have two Red-Green sponsors, one Totally Rad sponsor, and one NIFP sponsor.

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR], Potenco [RG], Quebec and Atlantic Canada [RG], Byzantium Imperial [NIFP]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

That works too.
ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 Directors elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting Director.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    First AurNIC Board
12. The first AurNIC Board shall be appointed by a Senate committee chaired by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
13. Half of the appointed directors, chosen by random drawing, are to be nominated for a one-year term to ensure future elections maintain a combination of rotation and continuity.
    
    AurNIC Services
14. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Maintenance of the Aurentine name database within the Domain Name System
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
15. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
16. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
17. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
18. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
19. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
20. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
21. Applicant for .an domains shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
22. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
23. AurNIC shall maintain a list of restricted domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
24. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
25. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
26. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
27. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
28. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.
    
    AurNIC Autonomy
29. The AurNIC Board shall make regulations covering aspects of ccTLD governance not given in this act.

If it would help, I will sponsor.

That works too

[Free South Califas]

Ambassadors, can we round up one more sponsorship from one of our fellow progressive parties for the Internet Registration Act?

Currently we have two Red-Green sponsors, one Totally Rad sponsor, and one NIFP sponsor.

I keep trying to sponsor it, throw my name on there already (if you want to.) you can use my nation name, senator name or senator's last name if you want.

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR], Potenco [RG], Quebec and Atlantic Canada [RG], Byzantium Imperial [NIFP]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 Directors elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting Director.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    First AurNIC Board
12. The first AurNIC Board shall be appointed by a Senate committee chaired by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
13. Half of the appointed directors, chosen by random drawing, are to be nominated for a one-year term to ensure future elections maintain a combination of rotation and continuity.
    
    AurNIC Services
14. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Maintenance of the Aurentine name database within the Domain Name System
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
15. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
16. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
17. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
18. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
19. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
20. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
21. Applicant for .an domains shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
22. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
23. AurNIC shall maintain a list of restricted domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
24. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
25. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
26. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
27. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
28. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.
    
    AurNIC Autonomy
29. The AurNIC Board shall make regulations covering aspects of ccTLD governance not given in this act.

Also, I have to wash a lot of dishes and unpack a lot of boxes, but if anyone here agrees with my criticism of the GSCA and would help draft an omnibus amendment, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for your attention, Comrades (Hope that is OK to use here, but do advise if not).

If anyone who agrees with my office's published critique against GSCA would be willing to help draft a tentative version with the changes marked (except for the AEJS which should just be flat out dropped because of conflicts with JA), I would be highly appreciative, since I'll be busy with organizing tasks. (ETA: At home, that is ) I might be able to get it put together, if forced, but that isn't a good solution for my RL situation.

1. Govermental Subdivision Creation Act
-B. National Census Bureau Establishment Act

III. No one should be punished for merely failing to submit information. That is awfully authoritarian. If they decide not to participate in an NCB survey as such, NCB should find some other way to ascertain their information without violating their privacy, i.e. counting homes and vehicles by canvassing, etc. Additionally, NCB surveys may at any given time lack sufficient technology for people with particular speech disorders or cognitive differences to respond. They should hardly be discriminated against. If NCB fails to reach the people, I suspect that is not often enough the people's fault that we ought to make their lives more difficult with special punitive taxation (or as NCBEA says, 'fined').

C. Commerce Ministry Act

"MANDATES that the Ministry will work...
6.) The cooperation between the businesses and the government through the Ministry of Commerce."
Wait, what does this mean? The MoC can generate any work necessary to help the governnment "cooperate" with "the" businesses? How so? Which businesses?

"GRANTING ...
4.) ...2 weeks of paid vacation"
Per what amount of time? Year? Ever? This could be a loophole that keeps people from getting more than 2 weeks of vacation in their entire employment.

"7.) ...businesses can also be free to recognize or deny recognition of such groups, depending on the working environment of the establishment..."
To what end or degree? What does it entail to freely "deny recognition" to worker unions, associations, and cooperatives? Are private businesses considered separate from cooperative busiensses and allowed to in some meaningful sense "deny recognition" to them?

"ESTABLISHES ... the freedom of the free market from government involvement and control..."

I'm afraid this is ideological nonsense. The market is not and cannot be "free", we regulate it and license businesses to exploit the labor, for potentially unlimited profit, of people who have no choice but to sell it at such wages or embrace poverty. Free market? Pablum! Workers are hardly free to improvise their contributions to society, to charge interest for the labor they spend as they delay consumption opportunities for weeks, etc...

[Free South Califas]

Below is an opinion piece I have written describing the need for equality legislation, which I am currently in the process of writing and will submit it to the party once it is complete. If anyone is working on something similar, please inform me so that we may collaborate.

I haven't had a chance to read the piece yet, but you can count on my categorical support for pro-equality legislation in both social and economic terms. I'm working on some economic equality stuff as well as our EDA above; I don't think it is related, but it possibly could be, in that my solo drafts (Collective Benefit Option Act, Free Education for Innovative Self-Management Act, and Public Work Centers Act) could be changed to require strict equality standards, and I'm open to the argument that perhaps they should be. That being said, EDA and GSCA are the priorities for me ATM.

---

(Image)

(Image)

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending Aurentina's first LGBT pride parade since independence. The occasion should have been one of celebrating diversity and freedom, but some individuals felt the need to disrupt other people's affirmation of their identity. While it would be expected that any event where a minority asserts itself would raise the ire of certain reactionary groups, the involvement of elected officials in disrupting a peaceful pride was shameful and out of order. Senators are elected to represent the people of Aurentina, not just those of whom they personally approve.

In isolation, these condemnable actions would be limited in effect to showing the Aurentine people who not to vote for next election. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is not as simple as that. Many of the senators at the pride who identify as LGBT easily dismissed the bigotry of others. After all, they have the confidence to be open about who they are and have the social status to publicly challenge attempts to demean and silence. As a heterosexual man, it is easy for me to discuss the rights of sexual minorities in academic terms—my fundamental rights are not directly under attack. Many vulnerable people do not have that privilege.

In situations where there is a clear asymmetry of power, the powerful can speak with impunity while the powerless have no way of responding and being heard. Freedom of speech is a valuable and inalienable right, but that does not mean that speech has no consequences. If there were no limits to what I could say, then perjury would not be a crime and I could lie to the police without fear of prosecution. I think it is reasonable to propose that teachers be prevented from using racial slurs against pupils, or that employers be prevented from treating a female employee differently to a male colleague. It is for this reason that I will be introducing a Bill into the Senate which will prevent discrimination in education, the workplace, and the provision of services. Employment and education are not luxuries, and those who provide them should not be able to abuse their position based on personal prejudices.

Inevitably, there will be complaints that I am proposing a draconian assault on freedom, particularly from the individuals for whom the ability to discriminate is personally advantageous. This would be a misrepresentation of what I am proposing. I strongly believe that people have the right to express any view, however repellent, in the public sphere, for it is a level playing field regarding the expression of opinions. However, where there is a clear asymmetry of power—when one individual can shout over another regardless of what is being said, if you like—it is necessary that symmetry be restored. Institutions and hierarchies without checks and balances are not conducive to a free environment. Liberty is more than just absolute freedom: it is an environment in which those freedoms can be enjoyed by all.

If readers have any questions, suggestions or concerns about my legislative proposals, feel free to contact my press office by telegram, and I will be happy to publicly or privately respond.

(Image)

[Yanalia]

The left needs a candidate for this upcoming presidential election.

[Maklohi Vai]

The left needs a candidate for this upcoming presidential election.

The Presidential election does not happen for another month. PM appointment is on Thursday.

[Yanalia]

The left needs a candidate for this upcoming presidential election.

The Presidential election does not happen for another month. PM appointment is on Thursday.

Wolfmanne is calling an election, no?

[Yanalia]

Attention all party members: a coalition between the USLP, CP, RG, and possibly the TR, NSP, and LDP is being discussed currently, primarily in the Communist Party HQ for now.

[Polvia]

Attention all party members: a coalition between the USLP, CP, RG, and possibly the TR, NSP, and LDP is being discussed currently, primarily in the Communist Party HQ for now.

I will be present in those talks. Thank you for informing your fellow members.

I also must inform the party that I shall be presenting a number of proposals to better establish our party's positions and organization. Please expect it to be presented in the near future and no later than the eighteenth of June.

[Yanalia]

Coalition talks ongoing here.

[Yanalia]

What do you guys think about the Commerce Ministry Act? On the one hand, it repeatedly emphasizes the disentanglement of business and government and the importance of the free market, but on the other hand it does create a decent minimum wage, as well as establish some other benefits. But back to the first hand, it allows businesses not to recognize unions.

[Free South Califas]

Comrades, I beg you to vote it down. Please, please help me kill it with fire. It is so awfully written from every perspective: grammatically, legislatively, politically, dialectally. It's written in metaphor in the American dialect so it's not clear what it does. Many clauses are circular. Those that have a meaning, can be interpreted so loosely that it's not even positively clear that it establishes the Ministry that it proposes. If/when it does, it enables that Ministry to suck up as much public money as it wants to in the name of "assisting business" in any, undefined, cause.

Essentially, this bill allows complete corporate takeover of bureaucratic policy priorities. I don't reduce myself to begging much, but this bill is a huge embarrassment even before you get into the political problems of it.

Remove the Commerce Ministry Act
Urgency: Very High | Drafted by: Saul Califas (C) | Co-sponsors:


NOTING that the Commerce Ministry Act as originally published was tremendously unclear, i.e. failing to define 'businesses' yet implying some separation between them and workers' associations of productions including "cooperatives";

1. DISTURBED that "businesses" may "be free to...deny recognition of such groups", including presumably all workers' cooperatives, which are also businesses by any sensible definition, e.g.

-A. Worker unions, associations, and cooperatives are freely to be formed/established. However, businesses can also be free to recognize or deny recognition of such groups, depending on the working environment of the establishment, but shall have no right to deny their workers of their duly given rights.

2. AGITATED by its circular clauses stretching the limits of sensible meaning, for example:

-A. REALIZING that businesses must not be overrun nor be accounted as one of the agencies of the government.

-B. MANDATES that the Ministry will work under the following responsibilities: 5.) The gate-keeping of the Ministry in its inert aim to separate the businesses and the government in the state's political affairs 6.) The cooperation between the businesses and the Government through the Ministry of Commerce. 7.) The assurance of the Ministry that such responsibilities are done efficiently and effectively to avoid future problems such as corporatocracies, privatization and business-government rivalries.

-C. MANDATES that the Ministry shall uphold impartial and unbiased service for the NSG in order for the responsibilities to be done in its maximum extent of effectivity.

3. EMBARRASSED by the possibility that such an Act might pass because of being bundled with the important Acts establishing a transportation ministry and census bureau, despite its problematic grammar which makes it even harder to understand, for example:

-A. WHEREAS, businesses have their own rules and regulations and remains uncontrolled by the NSG Government.
-B. MANDATES that the Ministry will work under the following responsibilities:
-C. OBSERVING that there are less or no regulations of the government concerning the rights and welfare of business institutions.

4. ANNOYED at clauses whose verbs seem to contradict their relevant noun phrases, or carry otherwise unclear meanings, such as:

-A. WHEREAS, there is no existing government agency to protect the boundary between businesses and government institutions.
-B. MANDATES that this Ministry must be created to solidify the aim in placing boundaries and bridges between businesses and the government.
-C. MANDATES that the Ministry will work under the following responsibilities: 4.) The cultural and social barrier between the businesses and the government
-D. MANDATES that the Ministry shall spearhead all economic activities by encouraging friendly foreign nations and states to initiate trade and communication with us and helping to facilitate investment in the country.
--i. Noting that this project of the Ministry to "spearhead all economic activities" seems contradictory to earlier passages;which appear to limit government control of business;

5. CONFUSED and annoyed at the prospect of having its time wasted by passing an Act which does not even clearly create the Ministry it proposes, e.g.

-A. PROPOSES that this new Ministry shall be called the "Ministry of Commerce". MANDATES that this Ministry must be created to solidify the aim in placing boundaries and bridges between businesses and the government.
--i. Noting that the above clauses do not follow any mention of such a new Ministry

6. INSISTING on clarity of purpose and mandate in law, and on clarity of law in general, such that all citizens generally know how to comport themselves at most times; thus rejecting metaphorical language with no inherent relevant meaning to the mandate of the Act, some of it bordering on the meaningless and all of it difficult to understand without sharing specific dialectical features with the author, e.g.

-A. WHEREAS, there is no existing government agency to protect the boundary between businesses and government institutions.
-B. MANDATES that this Ministry must be created to solidify the aim in placing boundaries and bridges between businesses and the government.
-C. MANDATES that this Ministry shall be the open ground between the two aforementioned institutions.
-D. MANDATES that the Ministry will work under the following responsibilities: 5.) The gate-keeping of the Ministry in its inert aim to separate the businesses and the government in the state's political affairs
-E. Overtime pay shall be paid as well.
-F. ESTABLISHES the Ministry of Commerce to be in charge of checking the bounds between businesses and the State,

7. INDIGNANT at clauses which are impossible to carry out, to the extent that they have any sensible meaning, and therefore may have been included merely as propaganda or to enable later exploitation of the law, e.g.

-A. MANDATES that this Ministry shall forward the rights and welfare of both the workers and employees, the businesses and the government.
-B. MANDATES that the Ministry will work under the following responsibilities: 6.) The cooperation between the businesses and the Government through the Ministry of Commerce.
-C. All government benefits established at the time being this Act is passed shall be granted to the workers' side of compensation. And these include health discounts, insurances, loan programs and the like.
-D. the freedom of the free market from government involvement and control,
--i.Noting that Aurentina commonly licenses private businesses to: hire employees, pay them less in wages than gained by the product of their labor, wait for up to two weeks to pay such wages without allowing employees to charge interest, provide loans to such businesses, etc.; and, as such, that the concept of a market free from government involvement and control is ideological, utopian and irrelevant at best;

8. DISPLEASED by the Act's sexist assumptions, e.g. "manpower";

9. ANNOYED by the Act's insistence on using two unclear nouns instead of one for emphasis:

-A. GRANTING that the workers' rights must be also upheld by the Ministry with importance and concern through the following privileges and bounds

10. DISMAYED by the possibility that vagueness of language in the Act would mean workers shall be paid at no greater rate for overtime work, and may be denied three weeks of vacation for their entire period of employment, perhaps their entire lives, and that representatives of all businesses could be barred from even publically discussing decisions being made by the government, e.g.
-A. Overtime pay shall be paid as well.
-B. Workers shall be guaranteed 2 weeks of paid vacation
-C. PROHIBITS the businesses to influence government decision-making processes and related affairs of the State.

11. UNCONVINCED that a separate Ministry of Commerce is required to perform such poorly-defined functions when there is already a Ministry of Work;

12. HEREBY REPEALS the Commerce Ministry Act (CMA), strikes it from the record of standing law, renders it and its full text null and void, etc.
-A. Regardless of the language used to strike standing law, Clause 12 is to be interpreted in good faith to the fullest possible extent with regard to removing CMA from consideration.

Thanks for your time,
Sen. Califas, CP

[Mytannion]

Erm, hello, I'm not yet a senator - though I would indeed like to be at some point - mainly because I'm undecided as to which political party I'd like to join. Now, I largely agree with most of the policies the Red-Greens support here, however, I'm probably a bit softer in economic terms than some of you. I'd probably be more in the social democracy box rather than the economic policy you support (I do have some leanings in democratic socialism, but I'm probably not as economically leftist as the majority of the party).

I imagine I'd probably be on the right of the party (economically, as I do believe in some privatised business, socially I'll be far, far, far left I imagine), but I think the choice is between you guys and the Liberal Democratic Party so just wondering what you think really.

[Zokoria]

Ambassadors, can we round up one more sponsorship from one of our fellow progressive parties for the Internet Registration Act?

Currently we have two Red-Green sponsors, one Totally Rad sponsor, and one NIFP sponsor.

Internet Registration Act
Urgency: Moderate

Author: Oneracon [RG]
Co-sponsors: Ainin [TR], Potenco [RG], Quebec and Atlantic Canada [RG], Byzantium Imperial [NIFP]

RECOGNISING that most self-governing entities in the world today have their own Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) within the Domain Name System of the Internet.

ASSERTING that, as an independent nation, Aurentina must offer its citizens and businesses access to a ccTLD.

DECLARING .an to be the ccTLD of the Aurentine Commonwealth.

HEREBY incorporates the Aurentina Network Information Centre (AurNIC) as a non-profit corporation, overseen by the Ministry of Research and Astronomy, charged with the maintenance and registration of Aurentine domain names.

MANDATES the following;

.an ccTLD Registration Requirements

1. AurNIC shall act at all times to preserve the .an domain name as an Aurentine resource operated and managed by citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth.
2. Registrants of .an domains must be:
   • Citizens of the Aurentine Commonwealth; OR
   • Corporations or other entities as defined by Aurentine law that maintain a physical presence in the Aurentine Commonwealth
   AurNIC Membership
3. All registrants of .an domains shall be members of AurNIC, with membership occurring automatically 15 days from the time of registration
4. Registrants have the right to refuse or rescind membership at any time without giving up their registered domain name
   
   AurNIC as an Aurentine Entity
5. AurNIC shall always be an entity defined by Aurentine law and have both a majority of its operations and its primary name server physically located in the Aurentine Commonwealth.
   
   AurNIC Board
6. AurNIC shall be managed by the AurNIC Board, a Board of Directors consisting of 7 Directors elected annually by the members of the corporation and 1 permanent non-voting Director.
7. The Minister of Research and Astronomy, or a designated delegate, shall hold the permanent non-voting seat on the AurNIC Board.
8. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall consist only of Aurentine citizens.
9. Directors on the AurNIC Board shall be elected for two-year terms.
10. There shall be no maximum number of terms for Directors.
11. All decisions of the AurNIC Board shall require a simple majority (51%) to pass.
    
    First AurNIC Board
12. The first AurNIC Board shall be appointed by a Senate committee chaired by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
13. Half of the appointed directors, chosen by random drawing, are to be nominated for a one-year term to ensure future elections maintain a combination of rotation and continuity.
    
    AurNIC Services
14. AurNIC shall provide the following services:
    • Maintenance of the Aurentine name database within the Domain Name System
    • Services for registrars to register and maintain domain names in the AurNIC name database
    • Online electronic query services for said name database
    • Domain name resolution services for .an domains
    Future Representation
15. As the governance of the Internet evolves, it may become necessary for AurNIC to participate in various international forums. If these events occur AurNIC shall be the designated representative of the Aurentine Commonwealth to these forums.
    
    Registrar System
16. Any corporate entity, such as an Internet Service Provider, or individual can be charged with registering .an domain names with AurNIC on behalf of consumers.
17. Registrars must pay an annual fee (to be determined by the AurNIC Board), show adequate financial stability, and demonstrate adequate technical capacity to obtain and maintain AurNIC approved registrar status.
18. There shall be no set limit on the number of registrars.
    
    AurNIC as a Registrar
19. To ensure smooth operation AurNIC shall operate as a registrar for 1 year following its formation.
20. Extending this service beyond the first year of operation shall require approval of the AurNIC Board.
    
    Registrants and Applicants
21. Applicant for .an domains shall be granted any acceptable and available names if they meet appropriate criteria.
22. There shall be no limit to the number of names an applicant may register.
23. AurNIC shall maintain a list of restricted domain names that are not available for public registration. This list shall be updated regularly by the AurNIC Board.
24. Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) shall be reserved by AurNIC and not available for public registration. This includes, but is not limited to: .com.an, .edu.an, .net.an, .org.an
25. The aforementioned domains may be registered as subdomains, such as: example.com.an
    
    Domains for Government Use
26. The following domains are reserved for government use, registration of subdomains on these domains must be approved by the Minister of Research and Astronomy.
    
    • gov.an - Aurentine government
    • sen.an - Aurentine Senate
    • mil.an - National Defense Force
    • npf.an - National Police Force
    Fees
27. AurNIC shall set fees for the registration and renewal of .an domains.
28. AurNIC shall review its fee structure on an annual basis and require approval from the AurNIC Board to implement changes.
    
    AurNIC Autonomy
29. The AurNIC Board shall make regulations covering aspects of ccTLD governance not given in this act.

Count me in as a sponsor.