Diana Melo publishes new book

[Princess Luna]

-snip-

I think you also missed the part where almost all people (soldiers, police officers, prison wardens) were humans and the only ponies in the book were Luna and his guards.

OOC: His? His?

But yeah. This is, unless it's full of lies, a book where humans hold someone prisoner, smack them about a bit and ponies then come and save them.

[Hippostania]

I think you also missed the part where almost all people (soldiers, police officers, prison wardens) were humans and the only ponies in the book were Luna and his guards.

OOC: His? His?

But yeah. This is, unless it's full of lies, a book where humans hold someone prisoner, smack them about a bit and ponies then come and save them.

..her.
Goddamn gender pronouns, Finnish doesn't have them so I subconsciously think that English doesn't have them either even though I know that it does have 'em! D:

[TurtleShroom]

OOC: I think you've missed the part where ponies are shown in positive light in the book.

OOC: Meh, live and learn. The shipment will continue under the IC guise that the folks of TurtleShroom only know what they can get on a fax machine, send through word of mouth, broadcast by telegraph, hear over the radio, or be contacted by phone with, so they only know that Diana Melo was held hostage by Hippostania.
They automatically assume there are ponies.

OOC: Also, Hippostania, I have to tolerate cursing on NationStates and I usually can, but please... dear Lord, PLEASE, don't use the GD-phrase. In my religion, the GD-phrase puts the F-bomb to shame and is the absolute worst thing any man can ever POSSIBLY say. I ask you humbly to take that word down...

[TurtleShroom]

Jorall finds it outrageous and disrespectful to Hippostania that certain nations (especially the so-called "Holy Republic" of TurtleShroom) would actively finance and assist a known rebel and terrorist! On behalf of Hippostania we demand an explanation!

HOLY REPUBLIC OF TURTLESHROOM
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
VILLANIOUS OVERSIGHT DIVISION
BUREAUCRAT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, JORALL:

Current TurtleShroom policy regarding the dark land of Hippostania is to arm and finance anything with a pulse that willing to stage a counterrevolution and give Hippostania back to the human government that was toppled by the surge of iron-fisted ponies that came from nowhere and overrun the realm. This policy literally means ANYTHING, no matter what its ideology. Heck, we'd even give AK-47s to a ragtag band of sorcerers, spellcasters, and witches of they could overthrow this equestrian monstrosity.

We have said and will maintain the stance that every election in Hippostania since then, despite having few cases of genuine electoral fraud, are nonetheless fraudulent because of their simultaneous enfranchisement of the invader ponies and a massive disenfranchisement scheme that leaves only a minority of all citizens actually qualified to cast their ballots.

Lyra's race to Chancellor was unclean as well. There were no humans, no moderates, and did we mention NO HUMANS up for the seat, the thing entirely consisting of sentient ponies. De jure, to the knowledge of TurtleShroom, the Constitution of Hippostania permits all sentient creatures to run for that office. Why, then, are the ballot access laws so tricky that only deep-pocketed ponies can vie for the seat?

Now, as for our opinion of Miss Melo, allow us to give the official press release we refer all who ask about it to:

TurtleShroom is not very familiar with the work and acts of Diana Melo, except for what the contacts abroad can tell us by radio, phone, writing, faxes, word of mouth, television, and telegraph. We believe that she was captured during the process of reporting and eventually escaped or was released. She, at some point, leaked extremely sensitive, classified documents and was apprehended and ready to stand trial for acts of terror and treason, with the punishment of death looming. She got away and escaped to the Iglesian Archipelago, where this book was penned.

What is our stance on Miss Melo?
To understand, first understand TurtleShroom's "leaking" policy. There are two forms of leaks: military and civillian. On a case by case basis, the government will assess and determine, with the burden of proof upon the government's shoulders, the nature and class/form of the document.

Civillian leakers and whistleblowers are protected by law and permitted to perform such a deed. The Constitution demands a "pure, transparent government", and the courts have long given whistleblowers that right in this sector. There is no punishment for dumping civillian information to the Masses.
(OOC: As a RL example, the diplomatic cables of WikiLeaks.)

Military leaks and whistleblowing is extremely dangerous to the national security, operations, agenda, and efficiency of TurtleShroom, both in government and in the armed forces. Disclosing ANYTHING military is also putting the lives of TurtleShroom's Finest in danger, and leaking military documents, but not civillian documents, is a capital crime that has the maximum penalty of death (this being said, civillian judges usually show mercy and give ten to fifty years of prison instead, but courts-martial have historically done nothing but death).
Military leakage has been extended by the courts to include leaking actions by any clandestine operation (spies), undercover missions in the police or Inquisition, and weapons secrets, even if though the Arms Manufacturing sector is privatized.
(OOC: As a RL example, the military and Iraqi conducts from WikiLeaks.)

In TurtleShroom, Miss Melo, if our sources are correct, did not leak documents pertaining to the military or the operations that involved militaristic or clandestine actions. Neither did she leak anything that would damage an undercover police or spy operation (under TurtleShroomer law). -and there were no weapons schematics involved.

Therefore, no matter how ticked the government was, Miss Melo could not have been tried under TurtleShroomer law.

TurtleShroom society would have been divided in praising her for furthering purity (whether the government wants it or not), and hated for daring to mess with the government's actions when no action was needed to puirify them.
In the court of public opinion, many would be quick to label Miss Melo as a "twerp", "un-TurtleShroomian", "a no-good meddling kid", "a radicalized spawn of the ivory towers", and "annoying", but there would be no action against her, simply because the law can't nail her for a true crime. (Expect older TurtleShroomers to whine about "judicial activism" here.)


Our opposition to Hippostania was ceased for a brief time between the months of July 2011 and October (specifically All Hallows Eve), 2011, because of issues pertaining to the agenda of TurtleShroom that needed their assistance. Congress gave their illegitimate government a short term recognition so that the entire TurtleShroomer government may assist them without being charged with criminal acts or ethics violations.

Before and after that, we have continued to arm, finance, and support anything with a pulse that wants to stage a counterrevolution against the Hippostanian pony menace.


Hopefully, friend, this answers your question. Thank you for contacting the Holy Republic of TurtleShroom's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this very pressing, hot-button issue.


God bless,
-BUREAUCRAT ON BEHALF OF THE HOLY REPUBLIC OF TURTLESHROOM'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

[Urmanian]

OOC: Diana Melo leaked the details of a military intervention if I'm not mistaken.

[TurtleShroom]

OOC: Diana Melo leaked the details of a military intervention if I'm not mistaken.

OOC: TurtleShroom doesn't know that, but they probably will after they read the book.

OOC: Oh snap. That's not going to be pretty. (Should have abnned the book...)

[Urmanian]

OOC: TurtleShroom doesn't know that.

OOC: But that's widely accessible information by now. Does TurtleShroom know anything?

[Vorshka]

People's Parliament-Vorshka

"What the FUCK?Kolya said as he read the book."That will make our people search for similar things here and they will eventually realize that we have gulags!I want this book banned and burned in 24 hours!" he continued.

24 hours later.........

People's News

"Today, the fascism promoting book of Diana Melo,Revelation was banned from Vorshka.The 324 copies of the book that entered Vorshka before the ban were publicly burned today.

In other news,our Premier legalized private enterprise in Vorshka after.................

[Medeland]

-
"Today, the fascism promoting book of Diana Melo,Revelation was banned from Vorshka.The 324 copies of the book that entered Vorshka before the ban were publicly burned today.

OOC: Apparently Fascism is freedom

Journalist Al-Hassan-Al-Ahmed ibn Ismail, has nominated Diana Melo's book in the Ubiq Book Awards in Medeland.

[Saurisisia]

-
"Today, the fascism promoting book of Diana Melo,Revelation was banned from Vorshka.The 324 copies of the book that entered Vorshka before the ban were publicly burned today.

OOC: Apparently tyranny is freedom

Journalist Al-Hassan-Al-Ahmed ibn Ismail, has nominated Diana Melo's book in the Ubiq Book Awards in Medeland.

OOC: Fixed.

[Jorall]

You let the commie bitch still run free and now write bad and embarrassing things about the free land of Hippostania? How dare you! This is an outrage! We've been too kind to you. From now on, all Iglesian products that
are exported to Hippostania will have an 80% freedom tax. This includes ALL products, including foodstuffs. We may reconsider out stance if you ban the book and extradite Melo back to Hippostania.

As a gesture of respect to Hippostania, and to fight communism at all costs, Jorall will do the same. In other news, THE REAL TRUTH OF DIANA MELO has become a best seller.

[Iglesian Archipelago]

(Image)
From: Lyra, Parliamentary Chancellor of the Pony Republic of Hippostania
To: Representative of Iglesian Archipelago

---

You let the commie bitch still run free and now write bad and embarrassing things about the free land of Hippostania? How dare you! This is an outrage! We've been too kind to you. From now on, all Iglesian products that
are exported to Hippostania will have an 80% freedom tax. This includes ALL products, including foodstuffs. We may reconsider out stance if you ban the book and extradite Melo back to Hippostania.

---

Signed by
(Image)
Lyra, Parliamentary Chancellor of the Pony Republic of Hippostania

---

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
156 Strava Arvyn Arvesa
Los Vientos 21012
Iglesiantis

---

To those whom it may concern,

It is not surprising to us Iglesians that Hippostania, while it claims to be a peaceful, freedom-loving democracy, persecutes everybody who is not in line with the Hippostanian government. It is not surprising to us Iglesians that Hippostania, while it claims to be a paradise for freedom, censors works made by those who oppose the government. It is not surprising to us Iglesians that Hippostania, while it claims to be a liberal democracy, outlaws ideologies such as communism and socialism. And finally, it is not surprising to us Iglesians that Hippostania, while it claims to accept other people's ideologies, attempts to take people such as Diana Melo back to Hippostania without her consent, in other words, by force, if we aren't going to ban her new book.

Given the latest events going around Hippostania during these last months, we do not consider the Pony Republic of Hippostania to be a democratic regime. If Hippostania was a democratic regime, it would not ban extremist ideologies, it would not arrest people for leaking and it would not censor the Internet; we believe that the latest actions taken by the Hippostanian government constitute a violation to what the country claims to be. The Iglesian Archipelago strongly condemns these actions by the Hippostanian government, and suggests that if the country wants to take a step forward for freedom and democracy, it should repeal these laws.

Also, the fact that Hippostania is doing these laws as a form to protect national security is, in the point of view of the Iglesians in general, authoritarian and do not protect the freedom Hippostania claims to love. In fact, our feelings about the Hippostanians is that they are being forced to agree with the ideologies of Hippostania's current government. We are not surprised about the new laws which, for us, are a way to turn Hippostania into a single-party dictatorship.

We hope that Hippostania will take a step forward for actual freedom and democracy soon as we have been concerned about the lack of rights of the Hippostanian people, natives and immigrants.

Adriana Pereira, President of Iglesiantis

[TurtleShroom]

OOC: TurtleShroom doesn't know that.

OOC: But that's widely accessible information by now. Does TurtleShroom know anything?

OOC: No. TurtleShroom is slow to learn. (What do you THINK happens when your agrarian nation has hundreds of millions of turtles in it?

OOC: TurtleShroom is a rather isolated state with fewer friends than enemies, and its "Internet" is of its own design and used for file-sharing and business communications, not unlike the original RL Arpanet. (The real Internet was pulled because the government didn't want to deal with having to censor it.)

OOC: Further, TurtleShroom almost universally learns everything slower than everyone else. The books are long sold out by now, and the government can't legally seize them back unless a crime is committed that requires a raid authorized by warrant..

OOC: TurtleShroom's government didn't really follow Melo's quest of tyranny and didn't really know- or care -what she leaked.

[Luziyca]

IC: As the Revelation by a Communist Spy, or the Real Truth of Diana Melo is exported, it now is a bestseller in two countries. However, the government was soon to do a plan, to kill Diana Melo...

SIC: Meanwhile, a General of the Nazareth Regiment of the Luziycan Armed Forces, Krazei Myro was glad. After reading that, he saw a bomb that can explode if it is opened. Chuckling, he then read a note beside it. It read, "Use it against Public Enemy #1." That, was Diana Melo. In either case, he wrote a quick note, placed the bomb in and hoped to see Diana Melo killed.

IC: Finally, the mail bomb was sent, attached to the note.

To: Diana Melo
From: Luziyca and Hippostania

See you in hell.

[Super Bwitain]

Dear the publishers of the book "Revelations",

We are very interested in tis book and as of now we would like topurchase all known copies in your nation. This includes the original. We will be willing to pay a high price for this shipment. We hope you reply soon, as our nation is most interested in this stunning tale from Diana Melo.

-High Lord Jasper Delemond.

[Iglesian Archipelago]

Dear the publishers of the book "Revelations",

We are very interested in tis book and as of now we would like topurchase all known copies in your nation. This includes the original. We will be willing to pay a high price for this shipment. We hope you reply soon, as our nation is most interested in this stunning tale from Diana Melo.

-High Lord Jasper Delemond.

You can.

[Longfort]

Revelation will be banned in Longfort due to the communist propaganda seen there. We hope Diana Melo suffers a slow and painful death. She's a disgrace to the glorious nation of Hippostania and she will be executed as soon as she enters the Glorious Empire of Longfort. That hippie should be immediately killed!

[Super Bwitain]

Dear the publishers of the book "Revelations",

We are very interested in tis book and as of now we would like topurchase all known copies in your nation. This includes the original. We will be willing to pay a high price for this shipment. We hope you reply soon, as our nation is most interested in this stunning tale from Diana Melo.

-High Lord Jasper Delemond.

You can.

Thank you, when will they be shipped?

[Aethrys]

To: The Democratic Republic of Iglesian Archipelago, cc the publishers of Revelation, cc representatives of Diana Melo
From: Nikolev Suvorov, Aetherian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Encryption: None
Translated from: Aetherian, Formal

On behalf of the Proletarian council of Aetherian ministers, and by extension the Aetherian people, I formally congratulate miss Melo on her recent publication. The Aetherian people have long been outraged by the numerous abuses of basic human rights rampant within Hippostania. Their nation's rampant anti-socialist policies have been of great concern to our socialist republic. Therefore, the council has unanimously voted in favor of securing an agreement to translate this literary work into our native language, as well as a print run of these Aetherian language editions. Premier Bolanov has demanded that this book reach the shelves of every party bookstore, and there are plans to incorporate it into foreign studies classes. PNN is currently preparing a segment to promote this book, and would be pleased if miss Melo could sit for an interview. (Interpreters would be provided should this proposal be accepted.)

In order to make this a reality, The Aetherian Academy of Higher Thought has put forward several linguists to aid in the book's translation, and the Council has approved up to $25 million Aethers from the discretionary spending budget to cover the costs of the initial print run.

Eagerly awaiting your reply,


Aetherian Minister of Foreign Affairs

[ArghNeedAName]

To: The Government of Hippostania
From: PENCO International Book Wholesalers Ltd., Pony Lands Branch

We would like to inquire to find out why our website just got censored in Hippostania. This is a matter of importance because we get tens of thousands of book orders every day from Hippostania via the website, and our employees need to have access to the website for communication purposes.

Signed
Jim Weineck
Regional Director for the Pony Lands Branch, Book Wholesales

Proud member of the PENCO group - Shipping, Storage, Wholesale and Book Publishing

[Saurisisia]

Saurisian National News

Ms. Diana Melo's book Revelation still continues to struggle to sell well in Saurisia, having sold only 2,000 copies since it first came out, a stark contrast to the hundreds of thousands sold overseas. This illustrates the continued indifferent stance the nation has on the arrest of the controversial journalist by Hippostanian authorities earlier this year. It also shows how hated the ideology of Communism is in Saurisia considering the country suffered nearly ninety years of bloodshed at the hands of Communist revolutionaries and activists considering the book talks about Hippostania's ban on Communism.

Some have even called for an outright national ban on the book, including former President Arthur Moore. There have been several reported cases in Jurassicville, Raptorpolis, and Orcus. A Senator has even proposed a bill that would ban the book nationwide, citing it as pro-Communist propaganda and arguing that since the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution prohibits the creation and distribution of National Socialist, Communist, and Human Supremacist propaganda, the book should be banned under the Fifteenth Amendment. Congress is still currently debating on whether or not to ban the book and it would doubtlessly take some some time before it's decided whether to ban the book or not.

Of course, another reason for the book not selling well is the fact that it faces stiff competition from Commander-in-Chief Santorez's new book Answering the Call: The Story of a Young Rex's Career in the Saurisian Army which talks about his service in the Army, including the well-known story about how he had bitten a Human Communist's head off when he was 24.

[Jorall]

IC: As the Revelation by a Communist Spy, or the Real Truth of Diana Melo is exported, it now is a bestseller in two countries. However, the government was soon to do a plan, to kill Diana Melo...

Make that three. THE REAL TRUTH OF DIANA MELO has become a best seller in Jorall with the people clambering to buy it. Some paranoid millionaires have begun to hoard it as currency, much like gold or gasoline.

Meanwhile, the Jorall Government has hatched its plan to eliminate Diana Melo and continue the fight against communism. An assassin by the name of Xarl Yumunumun has been sent to Iglesian Archipelago with a fake ID, low quality assault rifle and a mission. He has gone through the hardest and most difficult endurance training the world, including having his eyes and tongue removed to test his resistance against interrogation as well as having his hands cut off to see if he can still fire a gun with at least 50% accuracy.

TO: The United "Dinosaur" States of Saurisisia
FROM: The Republic of Jorall
Jorall would like to express support for former President Author Moore's campaign to have Revelation banned. Its communist propaganda. The Jorall Government conducted a study that shows that people are 0.000393% less likely to gag at the sight of communism if they read this book.

[Aethrys]

Meanwhile, the Jorall Government has hatched its plan to eliminate Diana Melo and continue the fight against communism. An assassin by the name of Xarl Yumunumun has been sent to Iglesian Archipelago with a fake ID, low quality assault rifle and a mission. He has gone through the hardest and most difficult endurance training the world, including having his eyes and tongue removed to test his resistance against interrogation as well as having his hands cut off to see if he can still fire a gun with at least 50% accuracy.

You sent a blind assassin with no tongue or hands to kill a journalist who is likely under maximum police protection to guard against Hippostania pulling an assassination attempt, in a foreign country he's probably never been to?

[Whairtia]

Saurisian National News

Ms. Diana Melo's book Revelation still continues to struggle to sell well in Saurisia, having sold only 2,000 copies since it first came out, a stark contrast to the hundreds of thousands sold overseas. This illustrates the continued indifferent stance the nation has on the arrest of the controversial journalist by Hippostanian authorities earlier this year. It also shows how hated the ideology of Communism is in Saurisia considering the country suffered nearly ninety years of bloodshed at the hands of Communist revolutionaries and activists considering the book talks about Hippostania's ban on Communism.

Some have even called for an outright national ban on the book, including former President Arthur Moore. There have been several reported cases in Jurassicville, Raptorpolis, and Orcus. A Senator has even proposed a bill that would ban the book nationwide, citing it as pro-Communist propaganda and arguing that since the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution prohibits the creation and distribution of National Socialist, Communist, and Human Supremacist propaganda, the book should be banned under the Fifteenth Amendment. Congress is still currently debating on whether or not to ban the book and it would doubtlessly take some some time before it's decided whether to ban the book or not.

Whairtian National Update

"Hello, as you may know the Whairtian country has always shared some strange alliance with it's northern oceanic freind Saursia, however recentpolls show that might be dropping.

87% of the polls show that the populace prefers fellow UEF member Crystal Spires and sees it as a good ally, the rest see Saursia as a good nation and the a smaller part of it wants to open up ties with the Raptor Empire to the north.

When asked about these three nations, this is what we heard.

Pro

"Saursia is a lot like us, they have a large population of dinosaurs, we do as well, I say we keep the emassy and continue legislation to be better freind swith them."

"Crystal Spires is a fellow liberal nation if I recall, I think it would be better to help them, plus our leaders both have a knack for getting shot."

"The Raptor Empire derserve sit, after their sucessful founding and their war against us, which they loss, I say help them as best as well can."

Sour

"Saursians are a bunch of stupid primatives that can't get a good opinion and are afraid of liberal veiws, I bet they think were communist as well, I say this, make us have relations with the Raptor Empire of Crystal Spires, at least they have opinions on the world around them."

"Crystal Spires seems to weird and Maven is a little weird, I think he is a sissy nanny, plus he disgraces the desgin plan of humans birds and other similar beings, those wings haunt me so."

"F**K the Raptor Empire, do I have to state what happened when they tired to form in Whairtia."


This is said to be a respons edue to how their populace acted with in the short amount of time, Government officials just say that they are taking it out on the wrong group, liberals are sill calling for a blockade of Hippostnaia however.

*Translated by the WTS*

[West Feliciana]

IC:

Letter to Diana Melo, delivered by the Felician State Department via the Iglesian Government

Ms. Melo,

You do not know me, but I have heard of you. My name is Edward Francis Winslow, and I am Chairman and CEO of Book Ends, Inc. We are a company which deals in books, games, and movies in the Republic.

I am writing to you through the good offices of your nation's government, first to congratulate you on escaping what passes for justice in Hippostania, and secondly to inquire as to the book you have recently published, Revelation, and ask if it might be possible to secure a marketing deal for our stores.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Signed by,
E. Francis Winslow