Secretariat's Council (MEMBERS ANNOUNCED)

[Glen-Rhodes]

I chose to use this nation for these purposes because of the history connected to it. It's much easier to search for my past resolutions and posts, particularly arguments about legality, by using this nation. Additionally, it allows an easier separation for when I draft proposals. Sandaoguo is my WA nation, in part because of the influence and endorsements it had accumulated in my home region. But also because it allows me to draft proposals without the appearance of elitism or bias coming from the usergroup and styling board members have been given.

[Mousebumples]

Because CD has a history of intertwining into abortion arguments regardless of forum (be it GA or General or elsewhere), and there are more evidence about bias than not.

What does it say when more than 10% of CD's posts on the NationStates forum have to do with abortion? We're not taking about 10, nor 50. It's almost a thousand.

Why does it matter? We all bring some element of political bias. Our decisions are ultimately shaped by our worldview. CD's worldview diverges on this topic. That doesn't make him biased, it makes us diverse.

For the record - from a personal account - it was the diverse opinions (even if I often disagree with them, on a personal level ) that made me support the nomination of CD on the Council. As others have said above, having people that agree with me/all the mods/each other ... isn't helpful. I wanted to put together a group of diverse histories and backgrounds, of people that weren't afraid to stand up and say, "You're missing something" if something was off. In addition to CD, I think it's well known (at least by those that have been around the GA for eons) that GR and I haven't always gotten along all that well. (<-- which might be a slight understatement )

I suspect that if anyone shows bias or the inability to look at ruling questions outside of their preferred worldview, it will become apparent as we work towards making this Council an effective one. I don't expect that to be the case for any of the Councillors - else I wouldn't have supported their inclusion within the Council.

[Bananaistan]

I think these issues must be dealt with - else we'll only have the GAS start on a compromised position that will only perpetuate the same distrust certain regular GA/SC members have on the modly team and a belief that the GAS members are just part of an expanded "elite" of people that do not listen (or so I get from the vibes from a certain few). It is not in anyone's benefit for such to happen.

While I wish the councillors the best of luck in this venture, I am deeply concerned that the whole thing is starting off on a compromised position due to the word of god which said that all further discussion on how it will work will be conducted in private, nevermind the actual deliberations which a majority of GA regulars wanted done in public. We appear to have merely replaced one super sekrit lair with another with slightly expanded super sekrit lair.

[Excidium Planetis]

While I wish the councillors the best of luck in this venture, I am deeply concerned that the whole thing is starting off on a compromised position due to the word of god which said that all further discussion on how it will work will be conducted in private, nevermind the actual deliberations which a majority of GA regulars wanted done in public. We appear to have merely replaced one super sekrit lair with another with slightly expanded super sekrit lair.

Would it be okay for Council members to post quotes here from what was said in the GAS chamber? I mean, even if the forum is private, they could repeat what was said here to not keep us in the dark.

[The Blaatschapen]

Can we please not call it the gas chamber?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_chamber

[Excidium Planetis]

Can we please not call it the gas chamber?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_chamber

>Implying that it is not where proposals go to die.

I would rather that it not be called GAS, honestly. But as it is seemingly too late for that, we have to make due with what we have.

[Mousebumples]

While I wish the councillors the best of luck in this venture, I am deeply concerned that the whole thing is starting off on a compromised position due to the word of god which said that all further discussion on how it will work will be conducted in private, nevermind the actual deliberations which a majority of GA regulars wanted done in public. We appear to have merely replaced one super sekrit lair with another with slightly expanded super sekrit lair.

Would it be okay for Council members to post quotes here from what was said in the GAS chamber? I mean, even if the forum is private, they could repeat what was said here to not keep us in the dark.

Can we at least wait 24 hours before bemoaning the fact that things are private right now ? One of the threads you may see occasionally in the Latest Forum Topics list is one called "Forum Access/Visibility." As promised, the details of transparency are being discussed and - when something is determined - those details will be shared.

[Sciongrad]

Can we please not call it the gas chamber?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_chamber

>Implying that it is not where proposals go to die.

I would rather that it not be called GAS, honestly. But as it is seemingly too late for that, we have to make due with what we have.

What? I don't understand this. Who decided it's called GAS?

[Excidium Planetis]

What? I don't understand this. Who decided it's called GAS?

It's clearly called the GA Secretariat. I don't know who decided on that, but it was most likely the mods.

As for GAS... well, that is the obvious abbreviation.

[Mousebumples]

What? I don't understand this. Who decided it's called GAS?

It's clearly called the GA Secretariat. I don't know who decided on that, but it was most likely the mods.

As for GAS... well, that is the obvious abbreviation.

We're considering a name change as well, for the record.

[World Dissembly]

It's clearly called the GA Secretariat. I don't know who decided on that, but it was most likely the mods.

As for GAS... well, that is the obvious abbreviation.

We're considering a name change as well, for the record.

Secretariat of the General Assembly? (And that will get confused with the Secretary General)

[Omigodtheykilledkenny]

It's clearly called the GA Secretariat. I don't know who decided on that, but it was most likely the mods.

As for GAS... well, that is the obvious abbreviation.

We're considering a name change as well, for the record.

Just abbreviate it differently - "GenSec" or something. Not everything has to be an acronym.

[Separatist Peoples]

I do agree that everyone has an opinion on anything and everything. That's a given.

How will each member actually make sure that they don't show their bias, or cancel the bias? Don't vote at all? That doesn't make sense.

Anyway, I still do believe there's a conflict of interest with CD's appointment, even without regard of his stance on abortion. As a delegate of a region, how is he expected to vote? Vote according to the region's wishes? Don't vote because of conflict of interest? Don't be on GAS?

Why isn't Sciongrad being given this level of grilling for his delegacy? Would I be getting it if I was still delegate of Monkey Island? This seems to be a poorly shaded attack on CD the player, which is incredibly unfair.

[Gruenberg]

Can we at least wait 24 hours before bemoaning the fact that things are private right now ?

no

Why isn't Sciongrad being given this level of grilling for his delegacy? Would I be getting it if I was still delegate of Monkey Island? This seems to be a poorly shaded attack on CD the player, which is incredibly unfair.

It's worth noting the nomination period stretched on several weeks, and several players' nominations were critiqued: there was ample time for anyone who was actually invested in the project and not simply harbouring a petty animus to speak up before.

My scepticism about the project notwithstanding, congrats etc. blah.

[Christian Democrats]

A quick announcement - the following people have been appointed as the six Secretariat members:

Bears Armed
Christian Democrats
Glen-Rhodes
Sciongrad
Separatist Peoples
Sierra Lyricalia

I'm honored. Thank you for the appointment.

So will he or won't he? Given that it's a big topic and agenda for CD, it's a question that probably requires resolving with answers at this point before things happen. CD actively works himself and promotes on abortion topics and works with a hardline stance against it and has the active agenda to repeal OA/RP when the chance comes with members such as Ovybia.

1. Should all black judges recuse themselves from cases that involve racial discrimination claims?
2. Should all Hispanics be disqualified from serving as immigration judges?
3. Should all female judges recuse themselves from cases that deal with sexual assault?
4. Should all gay judges recuse themselves from cases that touch on marriage issues?
5. Should all Jewish judges recuse themselves from free speech cases where one of the parties is a Nazi?
6. Should all Southern judges recuse themselves from Voting Rights Act cases?
7. Should all Christian judges recuse themselves from Establishment Clause cases?

Etc. etc. etc.

[We Are Not the NSA]

I haven't really been paying attention to this, does the Secretariat's Council have any authority in the Security Council? Also can we please change that name.

Congratulations to those appointed to the Council. o7

[The Blaatschapen]

I haven't really been paying attention to this, does the Secretariat's Council have any authority in the Security Council?

No.

[Tinhampton]

Can we at least wait 24 hours before bemoaning the fact that things are private right now ? One of the threads you may see occasionally in the Latest Forum Topics list is one called "Forum Access/Visibility." As promised, the details of transparency are being discussed and - when something is determined - those details will be shared.

I have also noticed topics under the titles of "World Assembly Stranger's Bar: The VIP Lounge" and "Welcome Council Members!" in the LFT sidebar, and both private.

---

It's clearly called the GA Secretariat. I don't know who decided on that, but it was most likely the mods.

As for GAS... well, that is the obvious abbreviation.

We're considering a name change as well, for the record.

Why the name change? Or was that sparked into motion when Blaat pointed out the inappropriateness of talking about the "GAS chamber"?

[Araraukar]

*fires up the grill to roast all council members equally, and starts basting SP*

[The Blaatschapen]

Can we at least wait 24 hours before bemoaning the fact that things are private right now ? One of the threads you may see occasionally in the Latest Forum Topics list is one called "Forum Access/Visibility." As promised, the details of transparency are being discussed and - when something is determined - those details will be shared.

I have also noticed topics under the titles of "World Assembly Stranger's Bar: The VIP Lounge" and "Welcome Council Members!" in the LFT sidebar, and both private.

---

We're considering a name change as well, for the record.

Why the name change? Or was that sparked into motion when Blaat pointed out the inappropriateness of talking about the "GAS chamber"?

No, it wasn't triggered by my remark.

[Araraukar]

So, how do we submit legality issues for the council's review?

[Excidium Planetis]

I have also noticed topics under the titles of "World Assembly Stranger's Bar: The VIP Lounge"

*gasp*
They didn't...

[We Are Not the NSA]

I haven't really been paying attention to this, does the Secretariat's Council have any authority in the Security Council?

No.

Thanks Blaat. o7

[Araraukar]

I have also noticed topics under the titles of "World Assembly Stranger's Bar: The VIP Lounge"

*gasp*
They didn't...

I'm guessing that's just the chill thread for the council, where they don't have to be all formal and can freely complain about the rest of us giving them a hard time.

[Excidium Planetis]

*gasp*
They didn't...

I'm guessing that's just the chill thread for the council, where they don't have to be all formal and can freely complain about the rest of us giving them a hard time.

Now we absolutely need to make the forum publicly viewable. I can't miss out on all the hijinks they get up to in the VIP Lounge.