NSG Senate House of Representatives: Shutdown Dilemma

[Galendia]

"The obvious intent of the proposed flag is to disassociate our people from our ancestral homeland, Hellas in the name of pro-European liberalism. Labeling turquoise as blue in the obvious attempt to make distinctions between the one and sovereign Hellenic peoples. Does the author of this legislation believe that such distinctions would go unnoticed by the public? While distinctions are made between the Hellenic and proposed flag, no distinction is proposed between the Italian and proposed flag.

The proposed flag appears to be no more than a modified flag of the Italo-Fascists who compelled our separation from Hellas by force, the intent of the author is clear, to align ourselves with the interests of Italo-Fascism against the name of Freedom, Liberty, and our true Homeland."

''Here, here!'' Maronis replied, ''I change my vote to nay!''

[Tectonix]

"Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the red colour scheme. Although an undoubtedly patriotic and symbolic addition, its location on the flag is reminiscent of many West African flags, such as Guinea-Bissau. The bizarre association of a European flag with an African-esque design does nothing to aid the clash of the tricolour bands and the left red band. As such, I move to strike Section 1, Subsection G of the National Symbols Act, and have the Honourable author edit the flag accordingly. To address the point raised by the honourable Senator [Kam], I see no immediate issue with the blue colouring, though would not be opposed to — what is essentially — darkening the color a tad."

Annoyed at his AfC colleague, he added, "Madam Speaker, I request my honourable colleague, Senator Antonis, be called to order."

[Collatis]

“The obvious intent of the proposed flag is to disassociate our people from our ancestral homeland, Hellas in the name of pro-European liberalism. Labeling turquoise as blue in the obvious attempt to make distinctions between the one and sovereign Hellenic peoples. Does the author of this legislation believe that such distinctions would go unnoticed by the public? While distinctions are made between the Hellenic and proposed flag, no distinction is proposed between the Italian and proposed flag.

The proposed flag appears to be no more than a modified flag of the Italo-Fascists who compelled our separation from Hellas by force, the intent of the author is clear, to align ourselves with the interests of Italo-Fascism against the name of Freedom, Liberty, and our true Homeland.”

“Madam Speaker, the Honorable Member is full of shit.”

[Galendia]

''Here, here! Remove him!''

[Malgrave]

"Madam Speaker, I believe that the proposed flag design is respectful of all aspects of our long history, including our connection to Greece. I also admire the fact that it pays respect to all of those that worked together to bring democracy, justice and freedom to Galatea. I urge all of my fellow Senators to vote for the bill when the time comes to vote."

[Dytarma]

Alstervaïld Daunen, arriving a little late to the Senate, walks in and says these words about the legislation.

"I am for the anthem and flag, though I feel we should make the anthem a tad bit longer, sure it's simplistic and easy to remember, but it doesn't have enough oompf to get it catchy, you know? It doesn't have to be changed, just a recommendation, but I officially support the legislation."

[Collatis]

Alstervaïld Daunen, arriving a little late to the Senate, walks in and votes yes for the flag and anthem, though wishes for the motto to be a bit longer.

OOC: We are currently debating the proposed legislation. The vote will occur afterwards.

[Roosevetania]

Withdrawn

[Dytarma]

Alstervaïld Daunen, arriving a little late to the Senate, walks in and votes yes for the flag and anthem, though wishes for the motto to be a bit longer.

OOC: We are currently debating the proposed legislation. The vote will occur afterwards.

(OOC: Woops, let me make some changes.)

[Galendia]

Antonis slips a note back to Fallaci,
''Oh right.''

[Ikania]

"First thing's first," says Kostas Basilopoulos, rising from his seat. "I'd like to welcome my colleagues to the Senate of Galatea. I hope we can all come together for the benefit of our nation and its people; all its people, to get things done.

"As for the matter at hands, honourable Speaker, I must voice my opposition to this bill based on the misplaced intents and effects of its text. The flag, to put it short, is an eyesore. I have nothing but respect for the patriots who sewed it from their own love of country, but it does not do Galatea justice. It would be best to wait and consider more options for a banner of our people than to hoist something so aesthetically displeasing. It looks more fit for a newly-sovereign African nation than a European people with such a rich and diverse history, culture and background. More importantly, the anthem is meaningless wish-wash. The Epitaph of Seikilos, may I remind members of the chamber, is the oldest complete song yet found in the world. It is an important piece of musical and archaeological history, and a work of ancient Greek art. Greek, Madam Speaker. I am a Greek speaker from a Greek family, but even I can recognize that this culturally exclusive hymn has neither any significant bearing on the history of our nation, nor any connection with the vast majority of the Galatean people. Each nation across the world has seen fit to compose a song displaying and exalting their splendour and glory; our most prized piece of music shouldn't have our identity playing second fiddle to the whims of historians and philosophers. I would support putting the melody, which is quite beautiful, to words befitting and honouring the Galatean nation and people. But, as for now, I cannot, in good conscience, support this bill."

He pauses for a moment.

"Also, I gladly second the motion made by my honourable colleague concerning Section 1. My opposition stands, but I'd rather have a bad finished product than a horrible finished product."

[Collatis]

“Madam Speaker, I move to strike section 3, subsection a from the bill and amend to be the following: a. The national motto of Galatea shall be “Workers of the world, unite!””

[The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism]

Speaker Samaras stands and indicates that she is temporarily assuming her position as a partisan senator to make a case in the debate. "There is not a single African flag that is a tricolour emblazoned with a hoistwards bar. In any case, opposing a flag because it might appear to share basic design principles with flags from a different continent is not only very ignorant, it is blatantly racist. There are almost two hundred nations on Earth and if you refuse to share any basic design principles with most of them, your flag will either become to difficult to differentiate from others, or too detailed to fit the rubric of a good flag. There are reasonable arguments that can be made against any flag, but the claim, false as it is, that the flag is "too African" is ridiculous. As for the National Anthem, at the time of the writing of the Epitaph of Seikilos, Galatea was of the same culture as the person who wrote it. Nonetheless, I will not oppose if the member wishes to author new lyrics and propose an amendment." Samaras then retakes her seat and prepares to reassume a non-partisan role.

[Collatis]

Speaker Samaras stands and indicates that she is temporarily assuming her position as a partisan senator to make a case in the debate. “There is not a single African flag that is a tricolour emblazoned with a hoistwards bar. In any case, opposing a flag because it might appear to share basic design principles with flags from a different continent is not only very ignorant, it is blatantly racist. There are almost two hundred nations on Earth and if you refuse to share any basic design principles with most of them, your flag will either become to difficult to differentiate from others, or too detailed to fit the rubric of a good flag. There are reasonable arguments that can be made against any flag, but the claim, false as it is, that the flag is “too African” is ridiculous. As for the National Anthem, at the time of the writing of the Epitaph of Seikilos, Galatea was of the same culture as the person who wrote it. Nonetheless, I will not oppose if the member wishes to author new lyrics and propose an amendment.” Samaras then retakes her seat and prepares to reassume a non-partisan role.

“Hear, hear! Let racist ignorance be ended!”

[Malgrave]

Speaker Samaras stands and indicates that she is temporarily assuming her position as a partisan senator to make a case in the debate. "There is not a single African flag that is a tricolour emblazoned with a hoistwards bar. In any case, opposing a flag because it might appear to share basic design principles with flags from a different continent is not only very ignorant, it is blatantly racist. There are almost two hundred nations on Earth and if you refuse to share any basic design principles with most of them, your flag will either become to difficult to differentiate from others, or too detailed to fit the rubric of a good flag. There are reasonable arguments that can be made against any flag, but the claim, false as it is, that the flag is "too African" is ridiculous. As for the National Anthem, at the time of the writing of the Epitaph of Seikilos, Galatea was of the same culture as the person who wrote it. Nonetheless, I will not oppose if the member wishes to author new lyrics and propose an amendment." Samaras then retakes her seat and prepares to reassume a non-partisan role.

"Hear, hear!"

[Ikania]

"I must say firstly that this is an intolerable breach of parliamentary decorum for the Speaker to make such blindingly partisan attacks on the people she is supposed to be overseeing. She cannot pick and choose when to be the Speaker or not. I will leave it up to the Galatean people to laugh off her ridiculous claims of racism. Madam Speaker, if half our European brothers had the same bar on the sides of their flags, I would be making the same argument. What is truly racist is to assume that white people finding faults in an unpleasant tarp's likeness to foreign designs is automatically a personal attack on the colour of skin of Africans. Regressive rhetoric from a regressive politician that will go no ways towards uniting our country.

Furthermore, esteemed colleagues, all of Anatolia was once Greek too. Should we make the Seikilos Epitaph the national anthem of the Turks as well?"

[Roosevetania]

Speaker Samaras stands and indicates that she is temporarily assuming her position as a partisan senator to make a case in the debate. "There is not a single African flag that is a tricolour emblazoned with a hoistwards bar. In any case, opposing a flag because it might appear to share basic design principles with flags from a different continent is not only very ignorant, it is blatantly racist. There are almost two hundred nations on Earth and if you refuse to share any basic design principles with most of them, your flag will either become to difficult to differentiate from others, or too detailed to fit the rubric of a good flag. There are reasonable arguments that can be made against any flag, but the claim, false as it is, that the flag is "too African" is ridiculous. As for the National Anthem, at the time of the writing of the Epitaph of Seikilos, Galatea was of the same culture as the person who wrote it. Nonetheless, I will not oppose if the member wishes to author new lyrics and propose an amendment." Samaras then retakes her seat and prepares to reassume a non-partisan role.

"Madam Speaker, you are right. I did not mean any racism by my comments, and I think this was known by others, but I realize this now and take full responsibility. I withdraw my previous remarks, though still second the motion to redesign the flag for better colors. Once again, I apologize profusely for my previous comments and I am sorry if anyone was offended."

“Madam Speaker, I move to strike section 3, subsection a from the bill and amend to be the following: a. The national motto of Galatea shall be “Workers of the world, unite!””

"Madam Speaker, I wholly object to the motion. We would not want our people who love economic prosperity and opportunity represented by a motto of restrictive socialists!"

[The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism]

"I must remind the member that our chamber has no standing rules set down whatsoever, so whatever decorum the member believes was violated is in fact non-existent. Nonetheless, I do not intend to continue participation in this debate. After the 24 hour period for debate has been completed, we will vote on all proposed amendments which received three or more seconds. This amendment voting period will last for another 24 hours, after which we will vote on the bill proper."

[Ikania]

Basilopoulos rises.

"Good to know. Madam Speaker, in short, this bill does not do justice to spirit of the great Galatean people. The flag is unimaginative; the anthem is unoriginal; the motto rides on the coattails of a culture that isn't ours. I urge my colleagues to reject this half-assed bill and commit more time to finding better representatives of our wonderful culture, that does right by Galatea."

[Costa Fierro]

"Madam Speaker, I rise to point out that neither the proposed flag nor the proposed anthem reflect any of the qualities, values and beliefs of this republic, nor do they reflect it's heritage and history. National symbols must be reflective of the nation they represent and I cannot for one agree that it represents myself, or any other person present in this Chamber."

[Paketo]

"Madam Speaker, I rise to point out that neither the proposed flag nor the proposed anthem reflect any of the qualities, values and beliefs of this republic, nor do they reflect it's heritage and history. National symbols must be reflective of the nation they represent and I cannot for one agree that it represents myself, or any other person present in this Chamber."

"Madam Speaker, I agree with Senator Pallis but I would go further to say the motto does not reflect any the qualities, values and beliefs of the republic as well. While the thinking behind "Eureka!" is admirable, it does not pay homage to the foundations of our nation and our history."

[Ikania]

"If it should please the chamber, I would propose the formation of a multi-party committee to study the issue of national symbols and come to a conclusion that works for all our citizens instead of passing this poorly-made, seemingly partisan bill. It isn't that the proposed subjects are entirely unsuitable for our nation. But the issue clearly needs more time and effort."

[Tectonix]

"Madam Speaker, I rise to remind the present Senators of your remark that "[t]his amendment voting period will last for another 24 hours," which appears to have gone unnoticed. On the proposed amendment to strike Section 1, Subsection G of the National Symbols Act, I vote AYE."

[The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism]

"Madam Speaker, I rise to remind the present Senators of your remark that "[t]his amendment voting period will last for another 24 hours," which appears to have gone unnoticed. On the proposed amendment to strike Section 1, Subsection G of the National Symbols Act, I vote AYE."

"My apologies, to clarify to the member, voting on amendments will begin after the 24 hour debating period, which is still ongoing."

[Tectonix]

"Madam Speaker, I rise to remind the present Senators of your remark that "[t]his amendment voting period will last for another 24 hours," which appears to have gone unnoticed. On the proposed amendment to strike Section 1, Subsection G of the National Symbols Act, I vote AYE."

"My apologies, to clarify to the member, voting on amendments will begin after the 24 hour debating period, which is still ongoing."

Galatis nodded. "I considered that to be the case — I retract my vote, and maintain my position on the bill and proposed amendment."