The National Hero Act Proposal

[Grays Harbor]

There are many countries which achieved independence and sovereignty peacefully, through political agitation. Look north for an example. Combat also wasn't necessary for many countries today. Switzerland, for instance, seems to be doing pretty well.

But isn't their 'national hero' William Tell, from their early fight for freedom from Hapsburg control?

Switzerland for many centuries was home to some of the finest and most efficient mercenary units in Europe. Most every nation had Swiss Mercenary Regiments as part of their Guards. Napoleon, for example, had over 16,000 Swiss in 4 Regiments as part of his Guards. I believe (I may be recalling incorrectly on this. Just off the top of my head.) they were considered part of either The Old Guard or the Middle Guard.

The Vatican Swiss Guards are the last remaining Swiss Mercenary regiment, point in fact.

[The Most Glorious Hack]

I think we have enough real world examples now...

[Flibbleites]

*snip smilie spam*

Knock off the spamming.

[A-Stan and The Yoro]

Even though we are just an "observing nation" and WA law doesn't affect us...allow us to chime in:

Nationalism should not be forced by any international organization. Also we believe that a hero is some one who has integrity. So would we have to teach a lesson on every person in our nation with integrity. There are about 3.49 million of them.

Also, what if a nation decided that Advanced Quantum Physics was their national hero. would they have to teach that to kindergartners?

Sure in our nation it's taught in Year Four (9-10 year olds)

[Southron Nation]

the Southron Nation will not support such legislation. acknowledging one individual above and beyond all the other individuals is not within the authority granted the gov't of the Southron Nation by our citizens.

[Guanzhong]

I fail to see the point of this resolution

[Windica]

OK. To answer the comments you guys have given me, here is the second draft for the proposal. Once again, you are free to comment constructively, and please give tips to clean it up. Thanks.

The World Assembly:

RECOGNIZING the need for every nation to have a role model for their citizens, especially the children;

REALIZING that a national hero can and will provide a sense of national integrity and unity; and

PROMOTING the notion of a national hero in every country to further the nationalistic feelings in every citizen.

Therefore, this act proposes that:

1. A vote be taken by every nation to decide whether to install a national hero or not, or if nation is under military junta, monarchy, anarchy or any other government than a democracy, the leader will decide;

2. The national hero must be able to embody the ideal citizen of the state, has a record of good morals and right conduct in the eyes of the nation, stands for the ideals and values of the state, and above all, be a patriotic, nationalistic citizen of the nation.

3. The national hero must also be:
-a native citizen of his/her nation (not naturalized)
-has done something very heroic for his/her country. This might be fighting in the freedom forces, encouraging the populace to revolt against a tyrant by writing, etc.
-is dead to prevent abuse of status
-any other criterion the country might add

4. The national hero will be chosen by the national legislature of the country, or by popular vote, whichever is available.

5. All schools in the country shall be required to teach the life and works (if any) of the national hero, preferably in a separate course for one year. All colleges will also be required to do the same as a subject in every course, for one year, preferably in the last year. However, if a student feels that the works of the hero might be injurous to his faith, he may, at the request of the teacher, get an affidavit, stating his brittle faith.

6. Above all, the purpose of the national hero should be served; he/she must be the standard of moral excellence of the nation. He/she will also be the role model for the children of the nation for them to grow up as patriotic citizens of the nation in a local, national, and global scene.

Proposed this 4th of November, A.D. 2009

Some notes:
1. No. 5 is proposed to be a guide for the students. Because this was met by disapproval, I decided to change it, and added the loophole you can see now.

2. I changed No. 1, because it seems to imply a FORCED choosing. Therefore, nations can now choose whether to put a hero in place.

3. I added the "additional criterion" for those who wanted a different kind of hero.

So, there. Any more comments?

[Windica]

OK, If any of you'd like to change or add something, tell me how to. Please.

[Enn]

3. The national hero must also be:
-a native citizen of his/her nation (not naturalized)

What's wrong with immigrants?

-has done something very heroic for his/her country. This might be fighting in the freedom forces, encouraging the populace to revolt against a tyrant by writing, etc.

By writing, eh? Well that helps with our Patriotic Letter Writers. Unless you meant 'rioting'?

4. The national hero will be chosen by the national legislature of the country, or by popular vote, whichever is available.

And if a nation has neither? What if a monarch rules by decree? That's not really the same as a legislature.

5. All schools in the country shall be required to teach the life and works (if any) of the national hero, preferably in a separate course for one year. All colleges will also be required to do the same as a subject in every course, for one year, preferably in the last year. However, if a student feels that the works of the hero might be injurous to his faith, he may, at the request of the teacher, get an affidavit, stating his brittle faith.

Un. What? Brittle faith? What do you even mean?

[Windica]

OK.

First, immigrants CANNOT be national heroes. They do not have necessary patriotic feelings for the nation. They knew another nation as motherland; they may betray the nation. It will also encourage the thinking that if -hero here- was a citizen of -other nation here- the all citizens of the said nation are like him, encouraging further immigration to other countries.

Writing can be a form of dissidence against a foreign invader. For example, the Filipino hero Jose Rizal wrote the novels Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismoto show the atrocities the invaders have done to Filipinos.

Hmm... yes, I agree with you about the monarch thingy. I'll edit it at once.

Brittle faith... if you see that his works or happenings in his life may compel you to change faith, you may skip reading his/her works or reading about his life, whichever is needed.

Is everything clear?

[Enn]

OK.

First, immigrants CANNOT be national heroes. They do not have necessary patriotic feelings for the nation. They knew another nation as motherland; they may betray the nation. It will also encourage the thinking that if -hero here- was a citizen of -other nation here- the all citizens of the said nation are like him, encouraging further immigration to other countries.

I call bullshit. If someone immigrates to a particular country, if they go through the (often strenuous) process of becoming a citizen, then how can they not be called patriot?

Brittle faith... if you see that his works or happenings in his life may compel you to change faith, you may skip reading his/her works or reading about his life, whichever is needed.

It was the terminology that confused me more than anything else. And still confuses me. And really gets on me nerves. Are you suggesting that a person's faith might just snap if they listen to too much nationalisation speech? Also, what about people who aren't religious? Are they to be indoctrinated with no chance of saying no?

[The Magic Spirit]

OK.

First, immigrants CANNOT be national heroes. They do not have necessary patriotic feelings for the nation. They knew another nation as motherland; they may betray the nation. It will also encourage the thinking that if -hero here- was a citizen of -other nation here- the all citizens of the said nation are like him, encouraging further immigration to other countries.

I call bullshit. If someone immigrates to a particular country, if they go through the (often strenuous) process of becoming a citizen, then how can they not be called patriot?

What's the point of discussing this as long as one of the requirements says the person should be dead?

I was about to oppose one of the points which I wish to mention in case it is brought back. Being involved in a criminal case as mentioned in the original draft is not neccesarily a bad thing. As already mentioned, they could've been tried because they tried to make the country independent and technically when you're a witness in a trial showing good morals as the act requires, you are still "involved" in the case.

3. The national hero must also be:
-a native citizen of his/her nation (not naturalized)
-has done something very heroic for his/her country. This might be fighting in the freedom forces, encouraging the populace to revolt against a tyrant by writing, etc.
-is dead to prevent abuse of status
-any other criterion the country might add

One of our national heroes ensured the independence of our country, before it was actually the nation of The Magic Spirit, technically they're not a native citizen because our country didn't yet exist. We would be seriously offended if our hero can't be included based on that technicality.

Secondly, the definition of heroic leaves something to be desired. Most of our national heroes are performers and academics who had nothing to do with war or revolt. We can add criteria all we want, but the second dash is hindering our choices severely.

Thirdly, while the Magic Spirit has no wish to brand living citizens heroes for the purpose of this Act, we can think of a few dictator nations that would like to consider their leader for this position. Your proposal doesn't give them this freedom.

. All schools in the country shall be required to teach the life and works (if any) of the national hero, preferably in a separate course for one year.

We already cover all our heroes in the appropriate history, performance and science lessons and feel it is unneccesary for the WA to decide such technicalities as how lessons are scheduled. They are already given the weight they deserve, so it's not neccesary to teach about the heroes in a separate course.

All colleges will also be required to do the same as a subject in every course, for one year, preferably in the last year. However, if a student feels that the works of the hero might be injurous to his faith, he may, at the request of the teacher, get an affidavit, stating his brittle faith.

I'm afraid we do not understand the first line of this quotation. Also, we feel affidavits are something a nation should decide on our own. While our nation allows for a lot of freedoms when it comes to religion, we do require all students to follow all lessons regardless of faith to foster a sense of understanding among the different religions. Allowing them to see only their preferred view is something that would not fit our nation.

[The Most Glorious Hack]

First, immigrants CANNOT be national heroes. They do not have necessary patriotic feelings for the nation.

This is a strange position, and greatly undermines the people most likely to be branded as "national heroes".

The Hack, like many nations, was born out of rebellion and the overthrowing of the previous government. While we weren't a colony, I wager that many modern nations were once colonies of another power. Many of the people that the Hack considers to be National Heroes were men and women who fought, bled, and in some cases, died during the Corporate Rebellion.

These men and women were natural-born citizens of the Socialist Union of Mhu Thulan. Since the Hack didn't even exist when they did their brave deeds, they could hardly be considered native citizens of the Hack. Your law (and jingoism) would prevent them from being honored as is their due.

Or so the Oligarchy would say. Personally, I think they're all immigrants to my home, but I've mellowed with age.



Vermithrax Pejorative
WA Observer
The Federated Technocratic Oligarchy of the Most Glorious Hack

[New Olwe]

3. The national hero must also be:
-a native citizen of his/her nation (not naturalized)

The issues with this one have already been raised by others, but they would prevent us from voting on this resolution. And what about all the noble souls from within our home region, 10000 Islands, who fought off the Empire of Power? Are they not heroes to New Olwe, since they prevented New Olwe from being enslaved and subjugated?

-has done something very heroic for his/her country. This might be fighting in the freedom forces, encouraging the populace to revolt against a tyrant by writing, etc.

This we can get behind, up to a point. We're still not sure that one national hero is enough, especially for a nation like New Olwe that sees a lot of military action.

-is dead to prevent abuse of status

It takes a long time for some people to die in New Olwe. I, the ambassador, just turned 51 and look like this. Our national leader is 3,000 and could pass for younger than me. The hero having to be dead thing is a dealbreaker for us, I'm afraid.

-any other criterion the country might add

Any other criteria? Then we can override the criteria set by the resolution. That's good to know.

4. The national hero will be chosen by the national legislature of the country, or by popular vote, whichever is available.

The issues with this have already been mentioned as well. New Olwe is not a dictatorship and would be happy to allow the people to appoint their own hero in a popular vote, but other nations might not be willing or able to meet the requirements of this particular clause.

5. All schools in the country shall be required to teach the life and works (if any) of the national hero, preferably in a separate course for one year.

Unacceptable. Under the "Let Kids Be Kids" policy, we've gone to great lengths to shorten the term that inmates are forced to serve in schools (yes, school = prison is the official government stance). We will not force our people to sit through an extra year of school just to teach them propaganda.

Alyssa Locke, Olwean Ambassador to the WA

[Charlotte Ryberg]

OK.

First, immigrants CANNOT be national heroes. They do not have necessary patriotic feelings for the nation. They knew another nation as motherland; they may betray the nation. It will also encourage the thinking that if -hero here- was a citizen of -other nation here- the all citizens of the said nation are like him, encouraging further immigration to other countries.

Writing can be a form of dissidence against a foreign invader. For example, the Filipino hero Jose Rizal wrote the novels Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismoto show the atrocities the invaders have done to Filipinos.

Hmm... yes, I agree with you about the monarch thingy. I'll edit it at once.

Brittle faith... if you see that his works or happenings in his life may compel you to change faith, you may skip reading his/her works or reading about his life, whichever is needed.

Is everything clear?

Honoured ambassador, what about potential heroes that switched sides to one country's favour? It should be allowed that that country be allowed to give them respect.

[Murray the Evil Skull]

This one hasn't been killed yet?

[Philimbesi]

Keeps coming back like a furry zombie.

[Murray the Evil Skull]

Keeps coming back like a furry zombie.

More like a very virulent outbreak of a 'social desease', Mortal.

[Grays Harbor]

Our only comment remains as before; Why is this even neccessary? We, nor any other Nation, do not require the WA to dictate to us who, how and why we may honour those who have performed vital services to our nation. There is no need for this.

[Tanaara]

The UnDelegate looks at Murry and says "Furry? Never seen a furry Zombie, but I guess it's possible, I was thinking plain ole necrophilia, or perhaps the eternal flagellation of the necrotic equine?"

"This proposal is, or should be, as dead as said equine. No, NO, and Hell No!...Teaching about one person from a shcool year? Stupid on top of encouraging the WA to stick it's nose even further into where it's not wanted or warrented"

[Philimbesi]

Furry? Never seen a furry Zombie

Stranger's Bar... go... then come back and say that...

[Tsukasa-chan]

RECOGNIZING the need for every nation to have a role model for their citizens, especially the children;

REALIZING that a national hero can and will provide a sense of national integrity and unity;

I disagree with both these statements, at least pertaining to the citizens of The Incorporated States of Tsukasa-chan. Why is it required for every nation to have a role model? How can you definitively say that enshrining a person will "provide a sense of national integrity and unity"?

This view is diametrically opposed to the philosophy taken up by the majority of citizens in our Incorporated States. No person is perfect or deserves to be followed blindly, and the education system here reflects this. Citizens should strive to demonstrate worthy qualities, not simply emulate another person.

In addition, the explicit goal of this Act is to increase patriotism; as others have noted, blind loyalty has caused problems in the past, especially when what is 'best for the people' is ignorantly or wilfully misunderstood to drive an agenda.

Other flaws have been pointed out by previous debaters. In light of the numerous flaws in this Act, I must declare myself opposed to it becoming international law.

Regards,

Rin 4
International Ambassador
The Incorporated States of Tsukasa-chan
“Mochi goes whee!”

[Nazi-Like Zombies]

We approve of this act dying.

[Burninati0n]

This proposal is NOT a valid piece of international affairs. How I treat my NATIONAL heroes has absolutely nothing to do with an international body. In other words, I agree with all the previous posters who have stated, in one way or another, that this resolution is pointless.

Furthermore, since when were national heroes elected like politicians? If the people of the United States voted that Eli Manning was a national hero, that wouldn't make him a national hero, not by a long shot. By allowing people to vote who they want to be their national heroes to be, you definitely end up with a bunch of people who are sports players and horrible musical artists as your national heroes.

[Enn]

Furthermore, since when were national heroes elected like politicians? If the people of the United States voted that Eli Manning was a national hero, that wouldn't make him a national hero, not by a long shot. By allowing people to vote who they want to be their national heroes to be, you definitely end up with a bunch of people who are sports players and horrible musical artists as your national heroes.

Hey, if this were in place in Australia it'd be a tough battle between Ned Kelly and Donald Bradman for our National Hero.