NSG Senate House of Representatives: Shutdown Dilemma

[Van Hool Islands]

"Madame Speaker, I propose an admendment to the bill brought before this Chamber. I bring forth that we change the flag's design to this new one."
Aides go around passing out printed off images of a new flag proposal. Each Senator is given a copy. The image on it is attached below.

I also move that we change the anthem to the song Serbia Strong.

[Galendia]

"Madame Speaker, one of my aides has made a draft proposal of a new flag that I personally brainstormed. It should be at your desk."

[Collatis]

“Madame Speaker, I propose an admendment to the bill brought before this Chamber. I bring forth that we change the flag’s design to this new one.”
Aides go around passing out printed off images of a new flag proposal. Each Senator is given a copy. The image on it is attached below.

(Image)

“I strongly support and second this amendment.”

[Roosevetania]

I would propose the formation of a multi-party committee to study the issue of national symbols and come to a conclusion

"Madam Speaker, I second this."

"Madame Speaker, I propose an admendment to the bill brought before this Chamber. I bring forth that we change the flag's design to this new one."
Aides go around passing out printed off images of a new flag proposal. Each Senator is given a copy. The image on it is attached below.

(Image)

I also move that we change the anthem to the song Serbia Strong.

Niccolo Fallaci admires the truly beautiful flag proposed.

[Dytarma]

Mr. Daunen stands hastily after seeing and hearing the recommendations from Aides.

"Words and dates on a flag? This looks more like a presidential election poster than a national flag! And even if we were to accept the flag, what do the colors mean?

He then takes a quick breath, and then talks about the song.

"The song you have chosen is not only in Serbian, a language most of us don't know, but its a meme! A meme for the national anthem will surely never do and will bring us, or at least some, great shame and embarrassment."

He then takes his seat as he wipes away dust and eraser bits.

[Martune]

Mr. Daunen stands hastily after seeing and hearing the recommendations from Aides.

"Words and dates on a flag? This looks more like a presidential election poster than a national flag! And even if we were to accept the flag, what do the colors mean?

He then takes a quick breath, and then talks about the song.

"The song you have chosen is not only in Serbian, a language most of us don't know, but its a meme! A meme for the national anthem will surely never do and will bring us, or at least some, great shame and embarrassment."

He then takes his seat as he wipes away dust and eraser bits.

“Here, here! We mustn’t have such things as our symbols.”

[Ainin]

Rood Maan glares at Basilopoulos.

"What a rude man," he thinks to himself.

[MERIZoC]

"Madame Speaker, one of my aides has made a draft proposal of a new flag that I personally brainstormed. It should be at your desk."

(Image)

"This is highly Provocative"

[Tectonix]

Galatis chuckled. "The Senator's jest is certainly entertaining, though staying on topic would be preferable."

[Hakons]

Senator Scotti arrived just in time for the first debate.

Madame Speaker, I have a few objections to this bill.

Please refer to the description of the flag:

[*]The general tricolour shall represent Galatea's liberal republicanism.
[*]The colour of Yellow shall represent the wealth and prosperity of Galatea's nation and people.
[*]The colour of White shall represent both the peaceful nature of Galatea, and it's unity of peoples.
[*]The colour of Blue shall represent Galatea's thalassocratic history and connection via the ocean.
[*]The colour of Red shall represent the sacrifices made by the people of Galatea to secure freedom and liberty.

Is it truly necessary to describe flag symbolism in a law? Flags usually aren't meant for rigid interpertations. They are established by long held tradition or made of national colors. Each element of a flag does not need to expressly represent something, nor does this need to be codified into law. I say: establish this flag, but leave the interpretation to the people it represents, not a small number of senators.

Next, please refer to the section on the proposed motto:

§3 - National Motto
[*]The national motto of Galatea shall be "Eureka!"
[*]The national motto shall represent the innovative and forward-thinking culture of Galatea.

This portion seems to generalize or even misrepresent the people of Galatea. Declaring Galateans possess a "Forward-thinking culture" is a broad claim to make. "Foreward-thinking" has a political connotation that seems to exclude conservatism and traditionalism. Given that a large portion of the population is conservative or traditional, it is unrepresentative to have their government announce what their culture is, and not themselves. Once again, the proposed motto is good, but there is no reason for an interpretation to be codified, especially when that interpretation appears to support a view of left wing culture.

[Tectonix]

Senator Galatis snickered under his breath. "Madam Speaker, I was unaware my honourable centrist colleague considered "forward-thinking" to be mutually exclusive to traditional conservative ideals. I find it very silly to complain about the motto's interpretation, and all the other interpretations, for that matter, when it is clearly just a harmless bit of text."

"With that said, I remain in support of the National Symbols Act, should the proposed amendment of striking Section 1, Subsection G be passed by the august body."

[The Liberated Territories]

Senator Dukakis of the Constitutional Liberal Party takes his seat.

"Madame Speaker I am forced to agree with my colleague that it is unnecessary for the Senate to determine the meaning in the symbolism of the flag, rather we should solidify the popular choice of the people in law and leave the interpretation up to the individual.

I am also not a fan of the motto, less so due to concerns about what the motto may represent and more so that it is somewhat subpar as far as mottos go."

[Natanians and Nosts]

-Ms. Speaker I support the complainings aout our symbols,that flag does not represent a thing of our people,independently of its beauty.The anthem does not make any sense,if it were a song to be bragged about so much,Greece would have established it as its anthem when it re-established as a nation.Ms. Speaker this motto is a cliché,although really inspiring.
-Mr. Speaker I would like to second the anthem change,besides not sharing the exact same faith.

[Nulla Bellum]

Senator Xander Diamantakos of the CLP enters the chamber and takes his seat next to Senator Dukakis.

"Madam Speaker, I am not much of a graphic design artist, or even an art critic for that matter. But I suggest some design that represents what we are, which is three islands in the Ionian Sea... maybe a field of blue with three ivory white Ionian columns at its center? Can someone draw this? As for a motto, that seems to me a fertile ground for contention, be it vainglorious sentiments of class warfare or national pride or a simple 'Employees Must Wash Hands.' Even the United States of America went a good 180 years without settling on to their theistic anticommunist motto. Do we need a motto at this time?

"I would like to enter two motions. The first that we open the matter of national symbols, flag designs in particular, to further submissions until we have a suitable number of options to choose from. My second motion is that the matter of producing a national motto be tabled or discarded altogether."

[Roosevetania]

Senator Xander Diamantakos of the CLP enters the chamber and takes his seat next to Senator Dukakis.

"Madam Speaker, I am not much of a graphic design artist, or even an art critic for that matter. But I suggest some design that represents what we are, which is three islands in the Ionian Sea... maybe a field of blue with three ivory white Ionian columns at its center? Can someone draw this? As for a motto, that seems to me a fertile ground for contention, be it vainglorious sentiments of class warfare or national pride or a simple 'Employees Must Wash Hands.' Even the United States of America went a good 180 years without settling on to their theistic anticommunist motto. Do we need a motto at this time?

"I would like to enter two motions. The first that we open the matter of national symbols, flag designs in particular, to further submissions until we have a suitable number of options to choose from. My second motion is that the matter of producing a national motto be tabled or discarded altogether."

"Madam Speaker, I believe the Honorable Member has a misunderstanding in our vocabulary. He wants to table it in the American sense, though I believe we use the term in the British sense."

[Hakons]

Senator Galatis snickered under his breath. "Madam Speaker, I was unaware my honourable centrist colleague considered "forward-thinking" to be mutually exclusive to traditional conservative ideals. I find it very silly to complain about the motto's interpretation, and all the other interpretations, for that matter, when it is clearly just a harmless bit of text."

"With that said, I remain in support of the National Symbols Act, should the proposed amendment of striking Section 1, Subsection G be passed by the august body."

Madam Speaker, it appears the honorable senator is challenging my assumption that defining Galateans as "forward thinking" is excluding the many conservative or traditional Galateans. Let us refer to the dictionary, since I think we can assume that that is a fair judge on the basic meaning of words. Forward-thinking means "favoring innovation and development; progressive." What was that last word? Progressive. Yes, progressive. While a number of Galateans may find that they identify as progressive, a large number, probably a majority of Galateans, do not identify as progressive. I surely do not identify as progressive. The parties of the general right wing certainly do not identify as progressive. Once again, an enormous number, very like the majority, of Galateans do not identify as progressive. Yet, here we have a proposed law - the first proposed law mind you - stating boldly without any research, without any polling, without any input from Galateans, that Galateans possess a forward-thinking and progressive culture.

I hope that this analysis is adequate for the consideration of my honorable colleagues. However, the honorable senator that objected to my sentiments made it clear that he considers the unnecessary descriptions and interpretations as "a harmless bit of text." With all do respect to my honorable colleague, that is a very careless statement. May I remind my fellow senators that this is the first proposed law of many more proposals and laws to come. We do not have the option of setting a disastrous precedent by filling our laws with "harmless" bits of text. When it comes to national law, there is no such thing as "a harmless bit of text." In everyday speech, words carry meaning. In national law, words carry action that must be met with the full force of the law. While this bill does not force Galateans to be forward-thinking or progressive, it tragically misrepresents the Galatean population and excludes large swaths of the population from the enjoyment and support of our national motto. It is of the utmost importance that we choose our words carefully. Thankyou, Madame Speaker.

[Nulla Bellum]

Senator Xander Diamantakos of the CLP enters the chamber and takes his seat next to Senator Dukakis.

"Madam Speaker, I am not much of a graphic design artist, or even an art critic for that matter. But I suggest some design that represents what we are, which is three islands in the Ionian Sea... maybe a field of blue with three ivory white Ionian columns at its center? Can someone draw this? As for a motto, that seems to me a fertile ground for contention, be it vainglorious sentiments of class warfare or national pride or a simple 'Employees Must Wash Hands.' Even the United States of America went a good 180 years without settling on to their theistic anticommunist motto. Do we need a motto at this time?

"I would like to enter two motions. The first that we open the matter of national symbols, flag designs in particular, to further submissions until we have a suitable number of options to choose from. My second motion is that the matter of producing a national motto be tabled or discarded altogether."

"Madam Speaker, I believe the Honorable Member has a misunderstanding in our vocabulary. He wants to table it in the American sense, though I believe we use the term in the British sense."

Senator Diamantakos sheepishly grins as he thumbs through a dog-eared copy of Robert's Rules of Order.

"I mean I move to strike deciding on a national motto from the agenda. Or just make the motto 'Opa!' and smash our drinking glasses and move on to something more vital to our national interests, like outlawing communism."

[Juniklub]

“Madam speaker, I’ve no ill disposition towards Archimedes, who, as a Syracusan, is no foreigner to Galatea, another daughter of Italy and Greece; but his exclamation, born of discovery’s thrill, is neither exclusive nor representative, for the Californians have already appropriated the expression, which would, in any case, mean very little in our national context. I’ve but one suggestion: Μητρός τε καὶ πατρὸς καὶ τῶν ἄλλων προγόνων ἀπάντων τιμιώτερόν ἐστιν ἡ Πατρὶς.”

[Tectonix]

Senator Galatis snickered under his breath. "Madam Speaker, I was unaware my honourable centrist colleague considered "forward-thinking" to be mutually exclusive to traditional conservative ideals. I find it very silly to complain about the motto's interpretation, and all the other interpretations, for that matter, when it is clearly just a harmless bit of text."

"With that said, I remain in support of the National Symbols Act, should the proposed amendment of striking Section 1, Subsection G be passed by the august body."

Madam Speaker, it appears the honorable senator is challenging my assumption that defining Galateans as "forward thinking" is excluding the many conservative or traditional Galateans. Let us refer to the dictionary, since I think we can assume that that is a fair judge on the basic meaning of words. Forward-thinking means "favoring innovation and development; progressive." What was that last word? Progressive. Yes, progressive. While a number of Galateans may find that they identify as progressive, a large number, probably a majority of Galateans, do not identify as progressive. I surely do not identify as progressive. The parties of the general right wing certainly do not identify as progressive. Once again, an enormous number, very like the majority, of Galateans do not identify as progressive. Yet, here we have a proposed law - the first proposed law mind you - stating boldly without any research, without any polling, without any input from Galateans, that Galateans possess a forward-thinking and progressive culture.

I hope that this analysis is adequate for the consideration of my honorable colleagues. However, the honorable senator that objected to my sentiments made it clear that he considers the unnecessary descriptions and interpretations as "a harmless bit of text." With all do respect to my honorable colleague, that is a very careless statement. May I remind my fellow senators that this is the first proposed law of many more proposals and laws to come. We do not have the option of setting a disastrous precedent by filling our laws with "harmless" bits of text. When it comes to national law, there is no such thing as "a harmless bit of text." In everyday speech, words carry meaning. In national law, words carry action that must be met with the full force of the law. While this bill does not force Galateans to be forward-thinking or progressive, it tragically misrepresents the Galatean population and excludes large swaths of the population from the enjoyment and support of our national motto. It is of the utmost importance that we choose our words carefully. Thankyou, Madame Speaker.

"Madam Speaker, my honourable colleague clearly has no distinction between the adjective progressive and the political label of 'progressive.' By insisting on the dictionary definition of forward-thinking, the Senator has invariably led to the conclusion that the Galatean right-wing does not believe in moving the country forward, which even as a left-wing Senator I find great fault in. Even the notion of even using a dictionary definition to pluck out the word "progressive" is disingenuous on its face. The Cambridge University dictionary defines forward-thinking as "the act of thinking about and planning for the future, not just the present," rendering my honourable colleague's crusade against the word progressive moot. This is a meaningless semantics argument, and forthe Senator to object to the notion of Galateans having a forward-thinking culture is, quite frankly, absurd and offensive."

"As well, Madam Speaker, the bill is merely stating the official interpretation of the presented national symbols. The police won't arrest you for thinking differently, nor is there anything being imposed upon the people of Galatea, aside from the national symbols themselves. With that said, I do believe something meaningful can be discerned from my honourable colleague's speech — this matter is clearly far too contentious at the time, and should be (British sense) taken off the table so as we may deliberate on more important matters. I would presume my constituents would care more about their family's safety and income, and the stability of their government, than whatever fancy tapestry flies over their heads. I second the motions made by Senator Diamantakos, and move to amend the second motion to include tabling the Sovereignty Act."

[The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism]

After careful tallying and conferring with a number of parliamentary aides, Speaker Samaras tapped the gavel on her desk. "This house will come to order. No motions or proposed amendments have gained three seconds. The only amendment which gained two seconds was intended to remove the red bar from the flag, but in fact the motion only proposes striking section 1, subsection g, which establishes the representation of the colour red. The subject of this bill is clearly very divisive, so I will give the members one more chance to enact changes they want to see. I will allow an additional twenty-four hour period for the proposal and seconding of motions and amendments on the subject of national symbols, after which if any motions have enough seconds we will vote on them. In future, I will also ask the members to directly quote what motion they are trying to second rather than leave a generic description."

[Negarakita]

Orhan wandered in from the toilets and sat down. The flag debate meant very little to him and as a consequence he did not pitch in, instead opting to begin eating a baklava.

[Tectonix]

"Point of order, Madam Speaker — I believe you are mistaken in your interpretation of my motion, which states as follows—"

I move to strike Section 1, Subsection G of the National Symbols Act, and have the Honourable author edit the flag accordingly.

"Along with the surrounding statements, this can only be reasonably interpreted as a motion to remove the flag's red bar and its codified section. As well, I raise a second point of order to remind you, Madam Speaker, of your statement to Senator [Kam] that this assembly has no standing procedures, and there is no precedence to require three seconds to enact a vote on a motion."

[Soviet Canuckistan]

"Madame Speaker, I propose an admendment to the bill brought before this Chamber. I bring forth that we change the flag's design to this new one."
Aides go around passing out printed off images of a new flag proposal. Each Senator is given a copy. The image on it is attached below.

(Image)

I also move that we change the anthem to the song Serbia Strong.

Seconded.

[Van Hool Islands]

1. The national flag of Galatea shall be a horizontal tricolour of Yellow (#ffd94a), White (#ffffff) and Blue (#209e9a), each of equal width,
   with a Red (#e9464b) vertical bar along the hoist, of equal length to the width of a horizontal bar.

Senator Michelakos gets up and speaks;
"Madame Speaker, I propose we amend this section, and in specific the sections denoting the inclusion of a red bar on the left. I propose that we remove said red bar, and add a laurel wreath to the centre of the flag, as I've had an intern mock up."
An intern hands each Senator and the Speaker a mockup of the modified flag.

The laurel wreath represents our nation's Greek heritage, as it is a dear symbol to myself and many other Greek Galateans. It also refers to victory, and in this specific case victory over tyranny and the former Galatean dictatorship.

[Ikania]

"It's not... bad," says Senator Basilopoulos. "But not something I would vote for, in my opinion. I would suggest to my colleagues that we refrain from throwing our own flags into this esteemed chamber until the vote is concluded and we figure out the exact process for drafting a new flag."