[Draft] Commend Eastern Islands of Dharma

[Connopolis]

Commend Eastern Islands of Dharma

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The Security Council,

Acknowledges that the residents of the Eastern Islands of Dharma (henceforth referred to as Dharma) have authored approximately 60 resolutions within both the General Assembly and Security Council, or approximately 24% of all resolutions passed to date,

Cognizant of the wide variety of topics covered by residents of Dharma, which include the handling of nuclear weapons, ethics and standards in medical research, disability welfare, and famine prevention; such a vast array of topics demonstrates the affect that the inhabitants of Dharma have on the World Assembly as a whole,

Praising that Dharma serves as the home of two commendation recipients - Glen-Rhodes and Bergnovinaia - commended for their impact on the World Assembly, and their endeavors concerning the responsible use of nuclear weapon use, as well as their work to ban biological weaponry, respectively,

Appreciating Dharma's conduct in diplomacy, as evidenced by its treaty with the Capitalist Paradise, which persuades members of the Capitalist Paradise to vote certain ways on WA resolutions;

Further appreciating Dharma's neutral policy on raiding/defending, despite the tremendous defender bias of its inhabitants, and that in its history, it has been home to several raiders, as well as raider advocates,

Overlooking the fact that Dharma provides refuge to some of the most bizarre ambassadors the World Assembly has ever seen, inclusive of Eduard Heir, who currently acts on behalf of the non-existent nation of Unibot, Dr. Bradford Castro, whose bluntness could be used as a murder weapon, and Zakath of Mallorea and Riva, who neglects his duties as head of government by debating in the hallowed halls of this very assembly,

Believing that any region that displays such commitment to the betterment of the world deserves ample recognition,

Hereby commends the Eastern Islands of Dharma.

And with that, Dr. Forshaw put on his hat, and retired to his office, preparing for his inevitable sabbatical.

[Mallorea and Riva]

Zakath leaned forward in his chair to comment
While technically I was born in Mallorea, I neglect Mallorea AND Riva... Hey wait a minute...

[Unibot II]

Ambassador Jasper Whitaker stood up from his desk to represent the Second Unibotian WA Mission; he was a snarling man with a ribbon of silver hair dribbling down his forehead who was posturing himself with his hands on his side and expanding his chest with pillows of air which had the effect of disturbing his otherwise elegant grey three-piece.

"The nation of Unibot II is OPPOSED to this bill," shouted Jasper.

A murmur filled the Council's assembly.

"This delegation finds that the commendation is unwarranted and at other times misleading. To begin with, the purpose of Eastern Islands of Dharma is for a residence of WA Authoring member-nations therefore it is not impressive that the bulk of the World Assembly's resolutions have been passed by Dharmarians anymore than it would be impressive to say the majority of award-winning model-cars have been made within a well respected model-car-making club in comparison to the average public which may not have any interest in model-car-making whatsoever. The fact that authoring-nations have grouped together is not particularly outstanding; so has most of NationStates when it comes to social factions. Furthermore, the diversity of Dharma's resolutions only reflects the diversity of the General Assembly; if the only thing the General Assembly resolved were disputes over ocean salinity *then* maybe topic diversity would be an outstanding note," said Jasper, taking a swing of water.

"Furthermore, the fact that two member-nations in the region were commended is not justification for further commendation .. or else we're simply establishing a feedback loop. Additionally, Bernoviniaia was commended for the reduction, nay the *prohibition* of *biological* weapons; Bernoviniaia's campaign within the Nuclear Arms Assembly was concerned with the responsible use of nuclear weapons more so than the simple reduction of nuclear weapons. Personally I do not see why the reduction of nuclear weapons would be preferable; nuclear weaponry provides a strong deterrence force or a balance of terror -- if you will -- which has brought an end to the escalation of many conflicts. Heir Industries itself provides nuclear technology at a fair price for all member-nations that may be interested, by the way. Of course, all purchasers are required by GA#10 to use their *right* hand to sign the bill and the nuclear weapon has to be upright during the purchase," said Jasper.

"Where was I?" asked Jasper, "as yes, Dharma's diplomatic conduct is not 'outstanding'; it has one treaty and forty-one embassies -- many regions have forty-one embassies. Furthermore, we're curious as to why this World Assembly, the pillar-stone of interregional peace and goodwill, would appreciate regions that openly invite interregional aggressors that advocate interregional aggression and further, why this Assembly should denote the strong belief in regional sovereignty and peace as 'defender bias'. Lastly, we must protest the inclusion of Eduard Heir in this resolution; Mr Heir is a loose cannon who was soundly removed from his post as CEO of Heir Industries as of two days ago and has been replaced by me. His conduct has been dishonorable in regards to this 'Condemn Automagfreek' business and his utterly frivolous attitude to the potential threats on his nation that he so recklessly gave cause to warrant. All of these mistakes, along with obvious troubles with alcoholism and substance abuse and various sexual assault allegations makes him a poor choice to be mentioned in any commendation; furthermore, Glen-Rhodes, the nation that is currently employing this international menace as a 'personal consultant', should have its commendation revoked for such an outrage."

Jasper sat down at his seat and was patted on the back by his Vice Ambassador.

Jasper spoke to Wilkins, his Vice, with a whisper of a voice, "did I mention that a commendation would be bad for business? Commendations are like garlic for warmongers, Unibot wants as many warmongering nations as neighbors as possible. The more, the merrier."

Wilkins and Jasper chuckled in a subtly sinister manner.

[Paper Flowers]

Acknowledges that the residents of the Eastern Islands of Dharma (henceforth referred to as Dharma) have authored approximately 60 resolutions within both the General Assembly and Security Council, or approximately 24% of all resolutions passed to date,

Quantity of resolutions does not automatically mean quality of resolution. Further I would suggest that some of those resolutions are ones that we would like to see repealed and as such would not seek to commend the author(s) or their region for their work on them.

It would also be interesting to note how many of these 60 resolutions have withstood the test of time and not been repealed (OOC: I am genuinely curious on that one but right now don't have the time/motivation to sit and count.) If the figure of 60 does include those which the GA/SC have seen fit to strike from the books, then why should we recognise those works as a reason for commendation?

Cognizant of the wide variety of topics covered by residents of Dharma, which include the handling of nuclear weapons, ethics and standards in medical research, disability welfare, and famine prevention; such a vast array of topics demonstrates the affect that the inhabitants of Dharma have on the World Assembly as a whole,

See above, not all of the topics that the residents have chosen to cover are ones that we agree should be covered, or were covered in an acceptable way.

Praising that Dharma serves as the home of two commendation recipients - Glen-Rhodes and Bergnovinaia - commended for their impact on the World Assembly, and their endeavors concerning the reduction of nuclear weapon use, respectively,

Did their commendations have anything to do with their residency within the region? If not I do not see why this should be a reason to commend the Region itself.

Appreciating Dharma's conduct in diplomacy, as evidenced by its treaty with the Capitalist Paradise, along with its 41 existing embassies,

It would be interesting to hear how many of those 41 embassies represent any genuine level of relationship between Eastern Islands of Dharma and their partners, many regions can lay claim to numerous embassies but no actual partnership behind them.

[Drop Your Pants]

Further appreciating Dharma's neutral policy on raiding/defending, despite the tremendous defender bias of its inhabitants, and that in its history, it has been home to several raiders, as well as raider advocates,

Its never been known as a raider hangout to be fair. You might have a few ex raiders there but i wouldn't call anything founded by Uni neutral .

Believing that any region that displays such commitment to the betterment of the world deserves ample recognition,

Half that stuff doesn't help the world.The only thing i see that helps others is the GA/SC, the rest is just filler.

[Celestial Sphere]

Acknowledges that the residents of the Eastern Islands of Dharma (henceforth referred to as Dharma) have authored approximately 60 resolutions within both the General Assembly and Security Council, or approximately 24% of all resolutions passed to date,

How many of these were written by nations before they joined Dharma? How many of these are actually the result of co-operation by members of Dharma, as against the work of individual authors? How many of these have since been repealed? How good were these resolutions? We can think of several resolutions authored by members of Dharma that had to be repealed shortly after passing, due to their shoddy writing and glaring loopholes - not to mention the ones that were completely unnecessary.

Cognizant of the wide variety of topics covered by residents of Dharma, which include the handling of nuclear weapons, ethics and standards in medical research, disability welfare, and famine prevention; such a vast array of topics demonstrates the affect that the inhabitants of Dharma have on the World Assembly as a whole,

Or that they just want to pass resolutions for the same of passing them, and that the region lacks any kind of identity. Why is covering a wide variety of topics commendable?

Praising that Dharma serves as the home of two commendation recipients - Glen-Rhodes and Bergnovinaia - commended for their impact on the World Assembly, and their endeavors concerning the reduction of nuclear weapon use, respectively,

So they've already been recognised. Why do it again?

Appreciating Dharma's conduct in diplomacy, as evidenced by its treaty with the Capitalist Paradise, along with its 41 existing embassies,

Why are these worthy of commendation? There are plenty of regions with hundreds of embassies - there comes a point when they mean nothing to a region. Dharma has also had its fair share of diplomatic blunders, such as supporting Durkadurkiranistan II in The North Pacific.

Further appreciating Dharma's neutral policy on raiding/defending, despite the tremendous defender bias of its inhabitants, and that in its history, it has been home to several raiders, as well as raider advocates,

Why is a neutral policy commendable?

Overlooking the fact that Dharma provides refuge to some of the most bizarre ambassadors the World Assembly has ever seen, inclusive of Eduard Heir, who currently acts on behalf of the non-existent nation of Unibot, Dr. Bradford Castro, whose bluntness could be used as a murder weapon, and Zakath of Mallorea and Riva, who neglects his duties as head of government by debating in the hallowed halls of this very assembly,

So we commend a region for having ambassadors that are deluded, rude, and negligent? Why?

Believing that any region that displays such commitment to the betterment of the world deserves ample recognition,

Betterment of the world? How?

Hereby commends the Eastern Islands of Dharma.

No thanks. All we see here is a list of midleading statements on Dharma, that are declared to be "worthy of commendation" with no attempt to explain why.

[Connopolis]

How many of these were written by nations before they joined Dharma? How many of these are actually the result of co-operation by members of Dharma, as against the work of individual authors? How many of these have since been repealed? How good were these resolutions? We can think of several resolutions authored by members of Dharma that had to be repealed shortly after passing, due to their shoddy writing and glaring loopholes - not to mention the ones that were completely unnecessary.

5 out of Dharma's 60 have been repealed, however, 2 were Security Council Liberation, so in terms of quality, 3 have been repealed. Also, might I ask which resolutions you are referring to when you say "We can think of several resolutions authored by members of Dharma that had to be repealed shortly after passing, due to shoddy writing and glaring loopholes?"

Or that they just want to pass resolutions for the same of passing them, and that the region lacks any kind of identity. Why is covering a wide variety of topics commendable?

Ambassador, Dharma as a conglomerate has passed a variety of resolutions, however, each member tends to have an area in which they specialize in. Covering a wide variety of topics is commendable because it demonstrates the heterogeneity of Dharma in the sense that their resolutions affect most, if not all WA members.

So they've already been recognised. Why do it again?

We aren't recognizing them again. We're recognizing the quality of Dharmarian nations; some of which have been acknowledged in the form of a SC commendation, as a result of their contributions.

Why is a neutral policy commendable?

A neutral policy is commendable because Dharma's tremendous defender bias does not affect its policies. This simply reinforces the fact that Dharma is a region intent on writing WA resolutions, and that the bias of its members won't affect its internal policies in regards to military gameplay.

So we commend a region for having ambassadors that are deluded, rude, and negligent? Why?

That clause was attributed to those with a sense of humor; each of those ambassadors are known by GA regulars for their individual characteristics, and the clause simply served as a comedic element.

Betterment of the world? How?

*cough*

No thanks. All we see here is a list of midleading statements on Dharma, that are declared to be "worthy of commendation" with no attempt to explain why.

Non-sequitur. Your conclusion argues that you're opposed because the proposal is unclear or misleading, while your argument attacked the merits of the proposal itself. Forgive me if I'm not in my right mind to do so, but would you mind being less misleading?

Yours truly,

[Celestial Sphere]

Also, might I ask which resolutions you are referring to when you say "We can think of several resolutions authored by members of Dharma that had to be repealed shortly after passing, due to shoddy writing and glaring loopholes?"

"Missing Minors Act" and "In Regards to Cloning" - or are Mahaj's resolutions no longer counted amongst Dharma's? They were previously.

So they've already been recognised. Why do it again?

We aren't recognizing them again. We're recognizing the quality of Dharmarian nations; some of which have been acknowledged in the form of a SC commendation, as a result of their contributions.

Our point is that said "quality" has already been recognized. If this passes, we will probably end up seeing a proposal commending Unibot for founding a commended region. Dharma will end up one big commend-fest.

Why is a neutral policy commendable?

A neutral policy is commendable because Dharma's tremendous defender bias does not affect its policies. This simply reinforces the fact that Dharma is a region intent on writing WA resolutions, and that the bias of its members won't affect its internal policies in regards to military gameplay.

Explain that in your proposal.

So we commend a region for having ambassadors that are deluded, rude, and negligent? Why?

That clause was attributed to those with a sense of humor; each of those ambassadors are known by GA regulars for their individual characteristics, and the clause simply served as a comedic element.

And our reply was for those with an alternative sense of humor.

Betterment of the world? How?

*cough*

One cannot assume that passing resolutions improves the world. You have failed to explain how they have done so.

No thanks. All we see here is a list of midleading statements on Dharma, that are declared to be "worthy of commendation" with no attempt to explain why.

Non-sequitur. Your conclusion argues that you're opposed because the proposal is unclear or misleading, while your argument attacked the merits of the proposal itself. Forgive me if I'm not in my right mind to do so, but would you mind being less misleading?

We are opposed both because the proposal fails to explain why its claims are commendable, and because our view of those claims is that they are not. By questioning the statements in your proposal, we are hoping that you will take the time to develop the arguments you make in it.

[Connopolis]

"Missing Minors Act" and "In Regards to Cloning" - or are Mahaj's resolutions no longer counted amongst Dharma's? They were previously.

Mahaj, while he is a proponent of Dharma, isn't necessarily a Dharmarian. If he was, at some point, an inhabitant of Dharma, I apologize for not including his repealed resolution in the proposal.

Our point is that said "quality" has already been recognized. If this passes, we will probably end up seeing a proposal commending Unibot for founding a commended region. Dharma will end up one big commend-fest.

That's a valid concern, however, considering Unibot's tremendous achievements in other fields, I'm not so sure that would fit in his commendation. Although in all candor, I don't think founding a successful region is inherently commendable, and I don't think any commendation of a nation could ride on the commendation of the region they founded.

Explain that in your proposal.

Will do.

One cannot assume that passing resolutions improves the world. You have failed to explain how they have done so.

I'll clarify the proposal to ensure that your concerns are adequately addressed.

We are opposed both because the proposal fails to explain why its claims are commendable, and because our view of those claims is that they are not. By questioning the statements in your proposal, we are hoping that you will take the time to develop the arguments you make in it.

Fair enough; although my blunt rebuttal to your initial argument was a bit uncalled for, so I apologize for that. In the future, I'll carefully consider your criticism, as well as those of other critics.

Yours,

[Astro-Malsitari WA Seat]

"Missing Minors Act" and "In Regards to Cloning" - or are Mahaj's resolutions no longer counted amongst Dharma's? They were previously.

Mahaj, while he is a proponent of Dharma, isn't necessarily a Dharmarian. If he was, at some point, an inhabitant of Dharma, I apologize for not including his repealed resolution in the proposal.

Mahaj is a The Southron.

[Tim-Opolis]

Sorry Conn. But I have to side with Unibot on this.

Nope

[Going Postal]

Gen. Corp refuses to let such a resolution pass.

[Mahaj]

Mahaj, while he is a proponent of Dharma, isn't necessarily a Dharmarian. If he was, at some point, an inhabitant of Dharma, I apologize for not including his repealed resolution in the proposal.

Mahaj is a The Southron.

All hail.

For the record, my Dharma nation is Onzio. As one can see, I haven't been srslyactive in Dharma.

[SunRawr]

Further appreciating Dharma's neutral policy on raiding/defending, despite the tremendous defender bias of its inhabitants, and that in its history, it has been home to several raiders, as well as raider advocates,

Its never been known as a raider hangout to be fair. You might have a few ex raiders there but i wouldn't call anything founded by Uni neutral .

This leaves out the fact that some raider natives were basically chased out for being raiders. I was the recruiter for the region, a member of government, and tried my hardest to get activity up on the regional forums. If anything like this is in the proposal, I will work very hard to kill it.

[Mahaj]

Its never been known as a raider hangout to be fair. You might have a few ex raiders there but i wouldn't call anything founded by Uni neutral .

This leaves out the fact that some raider natives were basically chased out for being raiders. I was the recruiter for the region, a member of government, and tried my hardest to get activity up on the regional forums. If anything like this is in the proposal, I will work very hard to kill it.

Oh joy, this will fail by two votes and then he'll remove the clause and all will be happy. Here we go!

[SunRawr]

This leaves out the fact that some raider natives were basically chased out for being raiders. I was the recruiter for the region, a member of government, and tried my hardest to get activity up on the regional forums. If anything like this is in the proposal, I will work very hard to kill it.

Oh joy, this will fail by two votes and then he'll remove the clause and all will be happy. Here we go!

I only campaigned against that one for like 4 hours. I will work against this one from the beginning.

[Tim-Opolis]

Oh joy, this will fail by two votes and then he'll remove the clause and all will be happy. Here we go!

I only campaigned against that one for like 4 hours. I will work against this one from the beginning.

I'm with Rawr on this

[Mahaj]

Oh joy, this will fail by two votes and then he'll remove the clause and all will be happy. Here we go!

I only campaigned against that one for like 4 hours. I will work against this one from the beginning.

Yeah but I didn't campaign for most of it and I was the only one campaigning for it.

[SunRawr]

I only campaigned against that one for like 4 hours. I will work against this one from the beginning.

Yeah but I didn't campaign for most of it and I was the only one campaigning for it.

Were not. I got TGs from multiple people myself. But this argument has no place here. I still love most of Dharma (especially Darenjo and Quelesh!) and would like to see the region commended, but not with that line.


EDIT: That whole section is inaccurate anyways. EID identifies as being defender. Not only is it discussed on the forum, but the region even has a defender tag..

[Drop Your Pants]

They even have the defender tag on the region

[Crushing Our Enemies]

in its history, it has been home to several raiders, as well as raider advocates,

...who have since been chased out with torches and pitchforks. Yeah, no.

[Ossitania]

Yeah, honestly, if you're going to commend the whole region, you should probably commend us for something we did co-operatively like defending. You're presenting us like a giant think tank on resolutions who help each other along and give each other pats on the back at every milestone we pass, despite the fact that we often vote and even campaign against each other.

[Mahaj]

in its history, it has been home to several raiders, as well as raider advocates,

...who have since been chased out with torches and pitchforks. Yeah, no.

Not by the entire region. Though, still...

[SunRawr]

...who have since been chased out with torches and pitchforks. Yeah, no.

Not by the entire region. Though, still...

You are correct. But the charge was lead by a member who is listed in the proposal, so that isn't good.

But yes. The region is officially defender. Hopefully the author does more research in his other proposals..?

[Belschaft]

Not by the entire region. Though, still...

You are correct. But the charge was lead by a member who is listed in the proposal, so that isn't good.

But yes. The region is officially defender. Hopefully the author does more research in his other proposals..?

*cough*

I believe some of us left in solidarity, if only for a short period of time.