The Senate Daily Life: Living by Alternative Facts

[Roosevetania]

Leader of Newest Senate Party, MNP, Holds Press Conference

The Maabaran National Party entered the Senate for the first time with one list seat after the midterm elections. Because the MNP has been an obscure party until now, MNP Senator and Parliamentary Leader Ana Ernst held a press conference to educate people about the MNP.

(Every time a reporter speaks, it's a new reporter.)

Ernst: "Good afternoon. We cannot go on without acknowledging what has just happened. Senator Ritesh Bell was shot and killed by a fascist and white nationalist. I, along with the whole of the MNP, send my deepest condolences to Senator Bell's family and friends, and I condemn the Fernao Phalanx Movement. With their simple existence, the FPM makes people like Jimmie Baker feel more comfortable in Fernao and more comfortable acting out like he did. Ritesh Bell was killed because he was a fighter. He was a fighter for workers' rights. He was a fighter for LGBT+ rights. He was a fighter for women's rights. He was a fighter for the poor. He fought for the oppressed, the ones who are too often left out and left behind. People, Ritesh Bell was killed out of hate. You see today humanity in its worst form, and you see, plain and simple, why fascism is dangerous."

Reporter: "Ms. Ernst, congratulations on winning your seat. Could you outline for everyone watching the basic principles of the MNP?"

Ernst: "Yes. The MNP's broad goal is to fight injustice and oppression anywhere of any kind. More specifically, though, we have four main principles. One, Maabaran self-determination; two, a fair, democratic, and efficient government; three, a fair economy that works for everyone; and finally, social equality and the protection of civil liberties."

Reporter: "So the MNP could be classified as a center-left party?"

Ernst: "Yes, you could say that. The MNP is a liberal party."

Reporter: "Is that to say that the MNP won't side with the Civic Union?"

Ernst: "No, not at all. We will be able to work with both sides, similar to when the United Kingdom's Scottish National Party worked with the Conservative Party to plan the Scottish referendum."

Reporter: "And we heard you say earlier that you condemn the Fernao Phalanx Movement?"

Ernst: "Yes. The MNP is firmly opposed to fascism and the FPM. The FPM is dangerous for our democracy."

Reporter: "Will the MNP contest other elections in Maabara?"

Ernst: "Absolutely. In the upcoming elections, we plan to contest the Maabaran gubernatorial election and the Maabaran constituency election."

Reporter: "Speaking of the upcoming elections, who will the MNP support for president? Or will the MNP nominate its own candidate?"

Ernst: "I'm not going say who we will support at this time, it's too early to make promises like that?

Reporter: "Do you plan to appeal to any national audience whatsoever?"

Ernst: "We will only stand candidates in Maabara. having said that, we welcome people from all over Fernao in the MNP. If you live anywhere in Fernao and you support the rights of the Maabaran people, I encourage you to vote for the MNP to help us gain more seats and have a stronger voice."

Reporter: "The MNP's logo is a roaring lion. What does it represent?"

Ernst: "The MNP lion represents strength and a fighting spirit of independence."

Reporter: "Maabara is two-thirds Jewish and one-fifth Muslim. Clearly, Islam is a sizable minority. The MNP is also much more popular among Jews than Muslims. How will the MNP represent both groups when there has been such conflict historically, and how will the MNP prevent both Islamophobia and Antisemitism?

Ernst: "Yes, you make a good point, and religious conflict is a problem we have faced in Maabara in the past. In the MNP, we are opposed to hate and bigotry of any kind. Any MNP official who promotes Antisemitism or Islamophobia will be disciplined and in extreme cases expelled. Also, the MNP is not a religious party. We seek to represent all Maabarans. Last question."

Reporter: "Why should Maabara be specially represented or even independent?"

Ernst: "Maabara is very different from the rest of Fernao. It is unique in that it is a Jewish-majority state, but we also have many Muslims. Maabara is largely ignored on the national stage, and it only has one constituency. We truly are a different people and an ignored people. We demand better."

[Lykens]

IWNBLASAMBTMIWNB shouted a man.

[New World Oceania]

Office of the Governor
State of Maabara

As both Governor of Maabara and Vice Chair of the Maabara chapter of the Coalition of Workers and Farmers, I am pleased to welcome the Maabara National Party to the political environment in Fernão. In our current climate, a greater diversity of opinion — no matter the degree of similarity, or of difference — is something we should all welcome.

Senator Ernst's election on the Maabara list was a surprise, and it is a welcomed development. I look forward to working with her, as well as the many reelected incumbent Senators, in the Senate for the interests of the people of our great state. It is my hope that my party at the national level will be eager to work with her on such developments as rural infrastructure, local devolution, and labor regulations.

At our state level, we will soon greet many new and returning legislators for the regular session of the 3rd Maabara Assembly. Much of my cabinet will be returning to continue on the progress we have made, and my party looks forward to working with the new pluralities in our state Assembly. In my State of the State Address, I will lay out a plan for our ten-day session — a plan that will develop our state, raise our quality of living, and make Maabara even greater.

Vienna Eliot
Governor of Maabara

[Western Pacific Territories]

A man plots to shoot up the Senate but gets arrested thanks to a tip from a neighbor because he was dumb enough to be waving a revolver around in the street and stating what he planned to do. Life continues as normal.

[Roosevetania]

Jimmie Baker, Ritesh Bell's killer, has reportedly been spotted traveling toward the train station. One taxi driver called the police after Baker tried to get in the cab.

[Malgrave]

Office of the Senator Shim
Constiteuncy of Maabara

I would like to start this statement off by saying that I am pleased to hear of the introduction of a new political party in this country. It is my belief that the reasonable diversification of our political spectrum is proof that our hard-fought revolution was worth the years of struggle and sacrifice. I am however disappointed to see that the statement by one Ana Ernst, who I also congratulate on her successful ascension to the Senate, contained several inaccuracies that I feel compelled to correct.

As the current elected representative of the Maabara constituency I can confidently say that we are represented on the national stage, and those that watch the often fiery debates that go on inside the national legislature should recognise that I fight for my fellow Maabaran citizens with every fibre of my being, and so I take any suggestion that we're ignored or misrepresented on the national stage to be a personal insult against myself and the great people that work for me.

In addition I would also like to say that through the Red-Green Alliance and earlier with my work with the pro-democratic forces and the workers unions I have been pushing for social and economic justice, my entire adult, and I am proud to say that as a party we've drafted legislation to improve workers rights, modernise our current infrastructure and provide affordable, efficient and safe homes for purchase and rent.

Of course I understand that Maabara has it's own individual economic concerns to deal with, so on top of the regular jobs that will be provided by the construction and later the maintenance of social housing and infrastructure the RGA have also put forward a tax bill that will greatly benefit small and medium sized businesses in this constituency, and I would like to go one further and say that I will attempt to block any budget put forward by this government that I believe will put the people of Maabara at a disadvantage.

In short, those interested in efficient government, the protection of our civil rights, social, environmental and economic justice don't need to look towards the Maabaran National Party for guidance because they already have an elected representative that has fought for those values for over a decade and will continue to do until her dying breath.

Senator Shim Seo-Yeon
Senator of Maabara

[Tectonix]

Office of Senator Viel
Constiteuncy of Riviera

It is with a heavy heart that I must respond to the death of one of my closest allies in the Senate, Senator Ritesh Bell. Senator Bell was a strong and idealistic figure, capable of taking on the Civic Union and the right-wing with such zeal that I was mightily impressed. I've sent my deepest condolences to his grieving family, and I will be at attendance at his funeral.

Senator Bell's tragic death goes to show that nothing's for granted in this life, especially your elected officials. Politicians may sometimes seem invincible on their stages or podiums — that is, until one rogue person takes it upon themselves to end their lives. Sometimes, when a politician dies, his/her movement dies with them. This will not be the case. We here in the Red-Green Alliance will not allow the memory of Senator Bell to go in vain, and I personally request that all Senators keep this fact in the back of their heads.

I will be hiring private security out of my own pocket from now on when I attend public events, as well as Senator Bell's funeral. This attack could or could not be emblematic of a broader attack on left-wing politicians, and I have far too much good to do for Fernão to let a gunman stop me. I again reiterate my sadness for the death of my fellow Senator, and I bid thee a good day.

Senator Alexios Carlinha Viel
Senator of Riviera

[Ainin]

Jimmie Baker, Ritesh Bell's killer, has reportedly been spotted traveling toward the train station. One taxi driver called the police after Baker tried to get in the cab.

Beeching Avenue
Central Fortaleza

---

As Jimmy made his way down the thoroughfare, his unhinged attitude alarming nearly pedestrians who had the misfortune of sharing a sidewalk with the man, the sounds of the cityscape ― taxi drivers shouting at potential customers to get in, angry drivers honking at mopeds swerving in and out of traffic, street food sellers aggressively hawking their unhygienic goods ― were suddenly drowned out by the strident wail of sirens.

A block ahead of Jimmy, right in front of the railway station, two Honda Civics ― white with a blue stripe ― approached, other vehicles moving out of the way of their blinding blue sirens.

From half a block away, once the constables had spotted Jimmy, one of the officers began speaking through the cruiser's loudspeaker system. "Municipal police! Drop the gun, hands up!"

A man plots to shoot up the Senate but gets arrested thanks to a tip from a neighbor because he was dumb enough to be waving a revolver around in the street and stating what he planned to do. Life continues as normal.

Two Special Branch detectives of the Fortaleza Police Force place him under arrest. Deciding that they didn't meet the burden of proof for a terror case, they charged him with several less-serious felonies instead.

"You are under arrest for possession of a dangerous and unlicensed weapon. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say may be used against you in a court of law."

[Roosevetania]

Jimmie Baker, Ritesh Bell's killer, has reportedly been spotted traveling toward the train station. One taxi driver called the police after Baker tried to get in the cab.

Beeching Avenue
Central Fortaleza

---

As Jimmy made his way down the thoroughfare, his unhinged attitude alarming nearly pedestrians who had the misfortune of sharing a sidewalk with the man, the sounds of the cityscape ― taxi drivers shouting at potential customers to get in, angry drivers honking at mopeds swerving in and out of traffic, street food sellers aggressively hawking their unhygienic goods ― were suddenly drowned out by the strident wail of sirens.

A block ahead of Jimmy, right in front of the railway station, two Honda Civics ― white with a blue stripe ― approached, other vehicles moving out of the way of their blinding blue sirens.

From half a block away, once the constables had spotted Jimmy, one of the officers began speaking through the cruiser's loudspeaker system. "Municipal police! Drop the gun, hands up!"

Baker points a gun at a passing civilian and considers if he should get out of the car. He shouts, "I'll shoot her! I'll shoot her!"

[Ainin]

By then, the police cars had already reached the scene. The two vehicles swerved out of their lanes and came to a screeching halt perpendicular to traffic, 30 metres away from Jimmy's vehicle. Without wasting a single second, the officers got out of the vehicles and took cover behind the open doors, which were reinforced with ballistic materials. With three constables training their service revolvers at Jimmy's unnerved figure, a fourth having run to the trunk to acquire a shotgun to blow out the car's tires if he tried to escape, the senior officer on the scene began shouting at him.

"This can end one of two ways. Come out with your hands in the air!"

Meanwhile, the police dispatcher summoned the Special Branch's intervention unit and a hostage negotiator.

[Ainin]

---

---

Haverkamp Announces "From Fortaleza to the World" Initiative
- Marty Asfour

---

In a busy first week for newly-elected Fortaleza mayor Nick Haverkamp, the mayor's office announced today a new business initiative named From Fortaleza to the World, designed to attract foreign investment and multinational corporations to Fernão's capital city.

The plan, which is expected to pass City Council, proposes investing $250 million of revenue from the municipal sales tax over seven years into an investment fund administered at an arm's reach from City Hall. The fund, to be named the Fortaleza Business Fund, will issue interest-free loans to companies that want to establish offices or branches within the capital region and will work with private partners on infrastructure projects.

In addition, it calls for the process of incorporating companies in Fortaleza to be reduced to a single form with a flat $300 application fee, which would be waived for single-employee businesses. It also calls for tax credits for companies proportional to their contribution to employment in the city.

The plan also calls for $3.5 million to be set aside for a study into the feasibility of a light rail network to connect the urban neighbourhoods of Fortaleza with reliable, elevated trains that would run every 5-10 minutes, and a separate study into the partial privatisation of Fortaleza International Airport.

Speaking to reporters, Haverkamp expounded on the "absolute necessity" of attracting investment to the city as part of the post-war reconstruction, and highlighted that this would both require "proactive business-friendly policies" and "modern infrastructure that companies would expect" from a prospective city to do business in.

The new program comes on the heels of another major mayoral announcement, in which the barely two day-old Haverkamp administration filed suit in federal court to challenge the legality of the federal law establishing the capital city of Fortaleza. The law includes a controversial provision allowing the federal Senate to overrule local laws, which Haverkamp characterised as unconstitutional on the campaign trail. With the judicial benches still vacant, the case remains pending before the courts.

Haverkamp's ambitious legislative agenda is only getting started, as he is expected to make a major announcement on social housing in the coming days.

[Costa Fierro]

By then, the police cars had already reached the scene. The two vehicles swerved out of their lanes and came to a screeching halt perpendicular to traffic, 30 metres away from Jimmy's vehicle. Without wasting a single second, the officers got out of the vehicles and took cover behind the open doors, which were reinforced with ballistic materials. With three constables training their service revolvers at Jimmy's unnerved figure, a fourth having run to the trunk to acquire a shotgun to blow out the car's tires if he tried to escape, the senior officer on the scene began shouting at him.

"This can end one of two ways. Come out with your hands in the air!"

Meanwhile, the police dispatcher summoned the Special Branch's intervention unit and a hostage negotiator.

An unmarked vehicle from the Policia Federal arrives a few hours later, officers aboard blaming the horrible traffic plus a breakdown of communications between various police agencies. A middle aged woman gets out and introduces herself to the supervising officer as the hostage negotiator.

[Roosevetania]

"WHO IS SHE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" shouted Baker, beginning to sound panicked.

[Ainin]

"WHO IS SHE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" shouted Baker, beginning to sound panicked.

At that point he turns around and sees the federal hostage negotiator emerge from her vehicle. "About bloody time!" he thought to himself.

"She's a friend who's come to help everyone here go home safe and sound" the sergeant on scene exclaimed through a newly-acquired bullhorn in a slower, mellower voice. "We just want to talk, please come out of there with your hands in the air and we can all go home."

His fellow constable turned to the negotiator with a sigh, "he's all yours."

Meanwhile, down the block, two black Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, the glare of their blue LED sirens reflecting against the storefront windows, park out of sight of the scene and a dozen and a half heavily-armed Special Branch detectives emerge from the rear compartment armed with submachine guns and carbine rifles.
One particularly well-built officer carried a sniper rifle, still in its case, slung over his bulletproof vest.

They waited around the corner, ready to move in if the situation escalated.

[Roosevetania]

"WHO IS SHE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" shouted Baker, beginning to sound panicked.

At that point he turns around and sees the federal hostage negotiator emerge from her vehicle. "About bloody time!" he thought to himself.

"She's a friend who's come to help everyone here go home safe and sound" the sergeant on scene exclaimed through a newly-acquired bullhorn in a slower, mellower voice. "We just want to talk, please come out of there with your hands in the air and we can all go home."

His fellow constable turned to the negotiator with a sigh, "he's all yours."

Meanwhile, down the block, two black Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, the glare of their blue LED sirens reflecting against the storefront windows, park out of sight of the scene and a dozen and a half heavily-armed Special Branch detectives emerge from the rear compartment armed with submachine guns and carbine rifles.
One particularly well-built officer carried a sniper rifle, still in its case, slung over his bulletproof vest.

They waited around the corner, ready to move in if the situation escalated.

"DON'T KILL ME!" Baker shouted, his voice wavering. "YOU'LL JUST KILL ME! WHY SHOULD I COME OUT?"

[Ainin]

Despite the presence of a professional negotiator and his best judgement, the sergeant hesitated momentarily before trusting his instincts to end the standoff. Slowly and at a deliberate pace, he emerged from behind the car door and walked into the open, where he carefully placed his gun back into the holster. Following his lead, the other officers lowered their weapons, although none followed him out from behind their bulletproof cover.

"We're not here to kill anyone," he then said in an emotional voice. "We just want everyone here to go home tonight safe and sound. Please, help us by coming out and leaving your gun in the car. We'll talk everything over like men."

[Roosevetania]

Despite the presence of a professional negotiator and his best instincts, the sergeant hesitated momentarily before trusting his instincts to end the standoff. Slowly and at a deliberate pace, he emerged from behind the car door and walked into the open, where he carefully placed his gun back into the holster. Following his lead, the other officers lowered their weapons, although none followed him out from behind their bulletproof cover.

"We're not here to kill anyone," he then said in an emotional voice. "We just want everyone here to go home tonight safe and sound. Please, help us by coming out and leaving your gun in the car. We'll talk everything over like men."

Baker, not yet ready to lower the gun said, "WHY? WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? I'LL JUST WASTE AWAY IN JAIL!" Baker raised the gun to shoot himself...

[Ainin]

Despite the presence of a professional negotiator and his best instincts, the sergeant hesitated momentarily before trusting his instincts to end the standoff. Slowly and at a deliberate pace, he emerged from behind the car door and walked into the open, where he carefully placed his gun back into the holster. Following his lead, the other officers lowered their weapons, although none followed him out from behind their bulletproof cover.

"We're not here to kill anyone," he then said in an emotional voice. "We just want everyone here to go home tonight safe and sound. Please, help us by coming out and leaving your gun in the car. We'll talk everything over like men."

Baker, not yet ready to lower the gun said, "WHY? WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? I'LL JUST WASTE AWAY IN JAIL!" Baker raised the gun to shoot himself...

Keeping his cool, despite the suspect in the crime of the century on the verge of ending his own life, Sergeant Bahmani kept up his appeals as his fellow officers finally emerged from behind the cover of the cruisers as well, all unarmed. He began approaching Baker's car, at a slow and non-aggressive pace, while gesturing with his hands for him to put the gun down.

"I promise you, we just want to talk to you. I swear to God, we won't handcuff you, hurt you or ask you any questions that you don't want to answer. We just want you to come with us to the station so that we can have a chat and get to the bottom of everything. Now, put the gun down and everything will be okay."

[Roosevetania]

Baker, not yet ready to lower the gun said, "WHY? WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? I'LL JUST WASTE AWAY IN JAIL!" Baker raised the gun to shoot himself...

Keeping his cool, despite the suspect in the crime of the century on the verge of ending his own life, Sergeant Bahmani kept up his appeals as his fellow officers finally emerged from behind the cover of the cruisers as well, all unarmed. He began approaching Baker's car, at a slow and non-aggressive pace, while gesturing with his hands for him to put the gun down.

"I promise you, we just want to talk to you. I swear to God, we won't handcuff you, hurt you or ask you any questions that you don't want to answer. We just want you to come with us to the station so that we can have a chat and get to the bottom of everything. Now, put the gun down and everything will be okay."

"I give up," he says, weary, exasperated, and dismal. Baker drops the gun and climbs out of the van.

[Ainin]

With a trusting smile and a stroke of the arm, he invited Baker to enter the backseat of his police cruiser. True to his promise, he did not attempt to handcuff the suspected assassin, patiently waiting for him to make his way to the vehicle. Only when he had entered the car, the doors securely locked from the driver's armrest panel and a mesh fence separating him from his backseat passenger, did he read him his charges and rights.

Before speaking, he made sure to turn on an audio recording app on his smartphone.

"I am placing you under arrest on suspicion of aggravated murder and possession of a dangerous weapon. You do not have to say anything, but anything you say could be used against you in a court of law. Do you wish to say anything now, son, or should we wait until we get back to the station?"

[Roosevetania]

With a trusting smile and a stroke of the arm, he invited Baker to enter the backseat of his police cruiser. True to his promise, he did not attempt to handcuff the suspected assassin, patiently waiting for him to make his way to the vehicle. Only when he had entered the car, the doors securely locked from the driver's armrest panel and a mesh fence separating him from his backseat passenger, did he read him his charges and rights.

Before speaking, he made sure to turn on an audio recording app on his smartphone.

"I am placing you under arrest on suspicion of aggravated murder and possession of a dangerous weapon. You do not have to say anything, but anything you say could be used against you in a court of law. Do you wish to say anything now, son, or should we wait until we get back to the station?"

Baker remains silent.

[Ainin]

Barr E. O'Bammer Federal Building
Briefing Room A

---

Instead of the usual sight of Press Secretary Sonia Swaraj at her podium, the journalists attending the special briefing at the BRA were surprised to be faced with Attorney General Mohammad al-Ghamdi in person, flanked by a somber-looking Fortaleza Mayor Nick Haverkamp, his well-built physique towering over the elderly jurist. The mayor spoke first, still dropping his R's and slurring his S's.

"Good evening."

"Earlier today, officers of the Fortaleza and federal police departments apprehended Mr. James Baker, a lifelong resident of Fortaleza, after an armed standoff near the railway station on Beeching Avenue. He is believed to be responsible for the shooting of Senator Ritesh Bell. The officers involved kept their cool in the charged atmosphere of a hostage crisis and diffused the situation with the utmost professionalism."

"We have the suspect in custody and he has confessed to the macabre deed. We therefore believe that the immediate threat to public safety has passed. As we move on from this terrifying day, the people of Fortaleza, no matter their political stripes, are in mourning, and I trust, so is the nation as a whole. This was not an attack against one party or one ideology, but against the foundation of Fernese democracy. We must show ourselves to be stronger than the actions of a demented gunman and not allow this tragic incident to be used in furtherance of hatred or petty politics. The only response stronger than a madman's bullets is to redouble our commitment as a people to the furtherance and promotion of democratic institutions and a sturdy, stable civic tradition."

"We stand united on this horrific day, and the city of Fortaleza will be observing a day of mourning in commemoration of this cowardly assault. I yield to the Attorney General."

The fed followed, his Oxford English masking his childhood in Mandatory Palestine.

"Thank you, Mayor Haverkamp. I believe that you have captured the sombre mood of the nation today. Adding on to what has been said about a need to strengthen our democratic institutions, I must point out two important truths: one, unless both blocs in the Senate act immediately to confirm judges to the federal bench, Mr. Baker will be walking free in 72 hours under a writ of habeas corpus."

"Second, without the Vital Records Act, the Department of Justice is severely handicapped in its ability to properly examine the circumstances surrounding the tragic passing of Senator Bell. I ask the Majority and Minority Leaders to expedite the debate on this bill in order to quickly empower an independent Coroner's Office to investigate this crime."

"If we are to be a nation of laws, we must not handicap the judicial system at such a pivotal moment."

"Thank you, that will be all."

[Collatis]

The Most Trusted Name in News™

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BREAKING NEWS: President will highlight "state of lawless anarchy" in Fernão in reaction to Bell assassination
Wake Snapper, Fernão News Network | June 20 2017

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The late Senator Ritesh Bell

---

- (Fortaleza, Fernão) Yesterday, Fernão was shook to its core when Senator Ritesh Bell was assassinated by Jimmie Baker just outside the Senate building. Bell was a member of the Red-Green Alliance who had served in the Senate since the return of democracy to Fernão. He was 47 years old. Bell was a gay Muslim, and an outspoken supporter of gay rights, especially in the Muslim community. Baker was a support of the far-right Fernão Phalanx Movement, who often criticized the left on social media. Iyasu Isaias Mengistu, Alexios Viel, and Reza Kassem are believed to have been other potential targets of the gunman. Upon shooting Bell, Baker shouted out "COMMIE-ANARCHIST-RGA SCUM!", threw up a fascist salute, and signaled allegiance to Cristovao Matos, the founder and leader of the FPM. This occurs as the FPM has attempted to sue former Ambassador to the United States Allison Ricardo over accusations of anti-semitism.

FNN can report that President Priscilla Krishnan will address Ritesh Bell's assassination in an op-ed piece in the Fortalezan Times today. Bell, a frequent critic of the President and the Civic Union, will reportedly receive a ceremonial funeral, and flags will fly at half-mast. The President will write that the lack of judicial appointees will allow Jimmie Baker to walk free in 72 hours. It is possible that Krishnan will use that as justification for her expected calling of a state of emergency. A state of emergency would prevent the release of Baker and other criminals.

I, and everyone else at FNN, wish Bell's family and friends the best in these troubling times.

[The Sarian]

President Krishnan Op-Ed: A New Republic

As I write this, I am painfully aware of the recent tragedy that has seen Senator Ritesh Bell struck down by a ruthless killer. From where I sit, it looks like a political assassination. In this difficult time, my thoughts are with Senator Bell’s family and friends; flags will fly at half-mast and he will be afforded a ceremonial funeral. However, that is all we can do. I make a point to you now that my advisors have all warned me against making, but in these difficult times we must face difficult truths. Within seventy-two hours of being arrested, Senator Bell’s murderer will walk free.

Every single day, countless other families feel the same way. As you walk down the street, you will no doubt see murders, rapists and paedophiles in a sick array of assorted criminals who are known by the police to have committed a crime, who have been arrested for committing that crime and then have been released without trial.

In some parts of our nation, communities have decided to take justice into their own hands and have created kangaroo courts that order extrajudicial punishments in direct contravention of the aims and values we set out at the rebirth of our young nation. Some - though wrong - do this with honest intentions, filling the vacuum that our system has left. Others do this in an attempt to settle blood feuds, to establish sharia law or to impose their own sick view on how justice should work. Again, I know about this because every day papers come across my desk telling me that the people setting up these extrajudicial ‘justice’ systems have been arrested. Again, they are released after seventy-two hours.

It is time to face the fact that in the view of the outside world, we are living in a state of lawless anarchy.

When faced with situations like this, it is very easy to start pointing fingers. I and my administration are guilty of this, and for that I offer my most heartfelt of apologies. For too long, I have sat in my office and called the Red Green Alliance obstructionists. On the campaign trail, I badgered former President Vig for being a do-nothing President. I said he fiddled whilst the nation burnt.

But the situation we find ourselves in is not a result of the Red-Green Alliance. President Vig has been unfairly slandered. It is not the fault of individual politicians. It is the result of the system itself.

Unknown to a surprisingly large amount of people is that between victory at Yorktown in 1781 and the enactment of it’s now famous constitution in 1789, the United States was ruled by the Congress of the Confederation. It was a failed body led by a failed Constitution, best characterised by the phrase used by its contemporaries ‘not worth a Continental’. Yet today, the United States stands as perhaps the world’s only true superpower, having presided over a period that some refer to as Pax Americana.

Admitting the flaws in the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the first American Constitution, the infant nation showed immense courage and willpower for their project to succeed. It would have been much easier for the Founding Fathers to have tried to continue to work within the Congress of the Confederation. Much easier to blame Connecticut, to blame so-called Red-Green Alliance obstructionism than admit that the visions of Washington, Franklin and King; the visions of Mengistu, Tamboli and countless others were wrong.

A few days ago, I held a meeting of my Cabinet. After that, I planned to make a statement to you all. I believe that Christians have a saying - “when you make a plan, God laughs”. It seems that Allah has the same philosophy, and I was unfortunately struck down by illness before I could do so. I say to you now in writing what I was going to say then.

We need to seize on the same braveness that United States did. We need to admit that we were wrong. That this Constitution doesn’t work.

For too long, we have been paralysed. The poor, the needy, the vulnerable. People living in the shadows. People that feel left behind. President Vig went into politics to help them. I went into politics to help them. Every single Senator went into politics to help them. Yet, they remain unhelped.

That is why today I call for a drastic change in our nation’s history. Tomorrow, I shall submit three names to the newly elected President of the Senate - Emile Dermott, Raj Mishra and Nedungadi Indeevar Nasrani. I will also being asking the Minority Leader to submit two. Hopefully, we can then get five Judge-Presidents who can begin to end the anarchy. Who can bring Senator Bell’s murderer to justice.

Meanwhile, I will be writing to the Department of Elections and asking them to set up elections for a Constitutional Assembly. My preference is that this will contain seven individuals, elected nationwide using the Single Transferable Vote method. Together, these seven individuals will start from the ground up and build the new Republic of Fernao.

My preference is that this new Republic will be formed along the lines of a Parliamentary Democracy. One that - in the best traditions of liberal societies - allows robust debate and scrutiny, the protection of rights enshrined in a Constitution and a strong executive that can govern for all of Fernao.

Whilst this is going on, the Constitution of the Republic of Fernao will still be in place. The Senate will still work, though constrained by it’s flawed founding document. People who genuinely believe that it is the best way forward will be allowed to argue for it. But the Constitutional Assembly will be drafting a new document. A new framework for a new nation.

When they feel that they have finished, it will be presented to the people of our nation in a referendum. And then the people will have the final say. And if the new constitution wins, the Federal Republic of Fernao will cease to exist and the new Republic of Fernao will take it’s place.

As for me, I will continue my term as President of our Federal Republic. If and when we transition into a new Republic, I shall decline to seek any role, to receive any mandate. To my nation, I pledge a chance for it to build a better future for itself and if I can do that, there is nothing more I have to offer.

I will also be resigning from the Civic Union, and completing my term as an Independent. In hindsight, this was a move I should have made upon taking the Presidency. Though symbolic, I believe it gives me more legitimacy in pursuing the bi-partisan consensus needed to push forward in this historic mission. To help prove my seriousness, I will be inviting members of all parties to join my administration including nominating Red-Green Alliance representatives to the Cabinet.

I understand that people may be worried about this change. But we can work together. We can show courage. And we can make this project of ours a fantastic success for the whole world to see.

[Collatis]

A man remarks that that was a "damn good article". He turns to the sports section.