The Rejected Times

by **Glen-Rhodes** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:28 pm

NoblePhnx wrote:I think things are deliberately murky right about now, but of course no way to tell due to the aforementioned murkiness.

Yes, Rachel is being purposefully opaque in her intentions. I am returning in kind. I have no interest in falling for her pretty weak attempt at baiting me into confirming a secret evil defenderist agenda in TSP.

by **Solorni** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:35 pm

I'm pretty sure Syl can see I am simply asking questions...

by **RiderSyl** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 7:32 pm

I can't speak for why the questions are being asked, but your questions do make me curious as to what the answers would be if someone with no relative background to the situation asked them.

So, on that note...

Glen, do you feel like defender influence is healthier for TSP than the other kinds of influence that could exist in the region?

by **Glen-Rhodes** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:21 pm

Ridersyl wrote:Glen, do you feel like defender influence is healthier for TSP than the other kinds of influence that could exist in the region?

Yes. Before defender influence, our players suffered from severe deficiencies in government. Disease was rampant. Hospitals were overcrowded and underfunded. This is what happens when you let Independents control everything. They don't stand for anything. They don't care about the sick and dying. Defenders care, and our regions has been better off under their stewardship. You see, it's not an evil defenderist plot. It's humanitarian aid.

by **Valrifell** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:23 pm

Glen-Rhodes wrote:
Ridersyl wrote:Glen, do you feel like defender influence is healthier for TSP than the other kinds of influence that could exist in the region?

Yes. Before defender influence, our players suffered from severe deficiencies in government. Disease was rampant. Hospitals were overcrowded and underfunded. This is what happens when you let Independents control everything. They don't stand for anything. They don't care about the sick and dying. Defenders care, and our regions has been better off under their stewardship. You see, it's not an evil defenderist plot. It's humanitarian aid.

Oh god, when did this turn into the American Midterm elections?

by **RiderSyl** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:43 pm

Glen-Rhodes wrote:
Ridersyl wrote:Glen, do you feel like defender influence is healthier for TSP than the other kinds of influence that could exist in the region?

<snip>

At least you made the second question-dodge hilarious. Wait, does that mean the more questions you dodge, the more hilarious you are? Like some sort of awesome political dodgeball player? MORE!

Glen, if you could pick an influence to dominate TSP, would you choose defender influence over the other kinds of influence that could exist in the region?

by **Glen-Rhodes** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:01 pm

I would choose my own influence. I don't care for a lot of the leading defenders out there.

But I guess defender influence would be better than demonic influence. I think we can all agree on that.

by **Topid** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:15 pm

The Stalker probably doesn't.

Valrifell wrote:Oh god, when did this turn into the American Midterm elections?

When people realized that a lot of the big shots advocating for being independent see it more like Greg Orman style independence than truly unaffiliated independence?

by **The Rejected Times** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 11:33 pm

A Smooth Rejectmas For Everyone!
COMMENTARY | TRR STAFF

As dawn approaches, custodians sweep broken glass from the floors of the empty, decrepit shopping malls. Today is the morning after Rejectmas in The Rejected Realms. A familiar tune echoes through the halls…

♫ ♪ “Are you hannnnnging up a caroller on your wall?
It's the time that every child has a ball!
Does he tell you his greatest fear?
Look to the stars and the moon,
Colour the house – purple, black and dramoon!” ♫ ♪

♪ ♫ “So here it is… Hairy Rejectmas!
Everybody's having fun
Turn the clock to three now,
It’s only just begunnnnnnnnnn!” ♬ ♪ ♫

♫ “Are you waiting for the family to arrive?
Are you sure you got a cupboard to spare inside?
Does your granny always tell ya,
That tangerines are the best?
Before mum puts her back in the cupboard, with the rest!” ♪ ♬ ♩

♫ ♩ ♬ “So here it is… Hairy Rejectmas!
Everybody's having fun
Turn the clock to three now,
It’s only just begunnnnnnnnnn!” ♩ ♫ ♪

… like always, Rejectmas has devastated the local shopping centres and authorities suggest that this year, in particular, there were even higher recorded incidences of violence targeting carolers than last year.

As the collective hangover passes, the Foreign Affairs department is expected to return to work shortly and sign the paperwork for The Rejected Realms’ eighteen new embassies, which had been approved spontaneously and without due consideration. The new embassies include, Union of States, Advanta, The Federation of Micro States, The Region for Christians, 786 Main St Deathland, The Red Raiders, The Social Quarters, Coalition of Allied Nations, War Weary, Swingsack, Eternal Silence, The World Alliance, The Republic Nations, The Order of Disorder, Brightport, Right to Life, An Escape, Sangreal and Thomasmoria.

When asked whether he felt the festivities had been, perhaps, too enthusiastic, the delegate, Unibot scoffed. “Get off it! It’s Rejectmas!”

How did the Reject’s delegate spend his Rejectmas, you might ask? Although slightly pained by a recent operation (wisdom teeth), the delegate had been bombarded with candy from citizens and appeared to be in good spirits as he gave the Christmas Lecture at the NationStates World Fair; “Speaking Truth to Power” describes itself as a comparative analysis of freedom of speech in Game-Created Regions.

“I spent Rejectmas like any good Reject should!” says Unibot, wearing the most god-awful jumper. “Eating tangerines and drinking coffee. Looted some fine presents in the morning. Watched some Doctor Who. Erm, watched a lot of Doctor Who. And of course, seafood. My aunt and I make it a tradition to eat seafood every Rejectmas. Not sure why, but it's good.”

His favourite ~~present~~ looted item?

“Actually, it might be a bit boring, but I got a couple of jumpers which I actually think are quite nice,” says Unibot, adding with a wink, “- think the gals might agree.”

As for what is in store for The Rejected Realms next year, Unibot insists you’ll have to wait and see.

“All I can say is: I was cooking up a storm in my kitchen for one of the region’s next projects,” explains Unibot, “smoke was everywhere. Haven’t nailed it yet, but I think it’ll turn out beautiful when I get it right!”

In the meantime, we here at The Rejected Times hope you all had a very Hairy Rejectmas!

by **RiderSyl** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:43 am

If the doctors find out at my next checkup that my cancer has come back, I'm going to tell them that it was because I read that article.

by **The Rejected Times** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 11:10 am

Ridersyl wrote:If the doctors find out at my next checkup that my cancer has come back, I'm going to tell them that it was because I read that article.

The Rejected Times: Giving you worse news than your oncologist since forever.

That's us!

by **Kazmr** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:39 pm

Ridersyl wrote:If the doctors find out at my next checkup that my cancer has come back, I'm going to tell them that it was because I read that article.

Wow, ur so kool dood. U get that dat from 4chan?

by **RiderSyl** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:08 pm

Kazmr wrote:
Ridersyl wrote:If the doctors find out at my next checkup that my cancer has come back, I'm going to tell them that it was because I read that article.

Wow, ur so kool dood. U get that dat from 4chan?

No, I came up with that joke when I was watching a terrible TV commercial during one of my chemotherapy sessions over the summer.
I modified it for this occasion, of course.

by **The Rejected Times** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 8:01 pm

The Office of Internal Affairs has decided to re-open the cold case on the murder of Kandarin. After reviewing and interviewing old suspects, collecting evidence, and analyzing the case file, The Office of Internal Affairs has decided there are six notable suspects.

Since The Rejected Realms has no court system, this case will be decided in the court of public opinion. The Office of Internal Affairs will hold a vote at the end of the month to decide who "the people" think was the killer.

Feel free to participate by voting in this thread's current poll.

INTERROGATIONS:

by **Klaus Devestatorie** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 8:07 pm

Crazygirl and Naivetry got really mad at each other on TRR's forums when Kandarin left over who was going to take control of the region. As I recall it, it was not an election that decided the next delegate, but Kandarin's will. It's almost certainly one of those two.

by **Unibot III** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:59 am

Klaus Devestatorie wrote:Crazygirl and Naivetry got really mad at each other on TRR's forums when Kandarin left over who was going to take control of the region. As I recall it, it was not an election that decided the next delegate, but Kandarin's will. It's almost certainly one of those two.

And you would think I wouldn't approve of a reopening of a case that implicated me....

by **Sovreignry** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:27 pm

Unibot III wrote:
Klaus Devestatorie wrote:Crazygirl and Naivetry got really mad at each other on TRR's forums when Kandarin left over who was going to take control of the region. As I recall it, it was not an election that decided the next delegate, but Kandarin's will. It's almost certainly one of those two.

And you would think I wouldn't approve of a reopening of a case that implicated me....

Ah ha! But you would say that to throw suspicion off yourself to get us to think that it wasn't you!

by **Ever-Wandering Souls** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:42 pm

"Sedgehammer," in the Library, with Blaat's Ban-sickle. *nods*

by **The Blaatschapen** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:47 pm

Ever-Wandering Souls wrote:"Sedgehammer," in the Library, with Blaat's Ban-sickle. *nods*

Keep me out of this.

My account on the TRR forums has not been used in about a decade (2005). I have nothing to do with this!

I also don't have a bansicle, I'm not a communist moderator

by **Pestarzt the Traveller** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:02 pm

The Blaatschapen wrote:
Ever-Wandering Souls wrote:"Sedgehammer," in the Library, with Blaat's Ban-sickle. *nods*

Keep me out of this.

My account on the TRR forums has not been used in about a decade (2005). I have nothing to do with this!

I also don't have a bansicle, I'm not a communist moderator

Maybe you should be.

by **Unibot III** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 12:18 pm

The Blaatschapen wrote:My account on the TRR forums has not been used in about a decade (2005). I have nothing to do with this!

You thought we'd fall for that?

by **The Rejected Times** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:49 pm

Issue XXXI | January 04, 2015.

Index

"Tim and Ridersyl Neck-And-Neck in Osiris Pharaoh Elections," by Unibot.
"The Revolution Will Not Be Revolutionized," by Cormac Stark.
"'2015 is The Year of the Reject,' says Unibot," by TRR Staff.
"An Eye for An Eye Makes The Whole World Blind," by The Church of Satan.
"A Good Old Fashioned Whodunit," by Unibot.
"NationStates Economic Model Overhauled," by Gruenberg.
"World Assembly “Warms Up” to Nuclear Arms Reform," by Unibot.
"Pivotal “Voting Rights Act” Passes in TNP," by Unibot.

Tim and Ridersyl Neck-And-Neck in Osiris Pharaoh Elections
“First Past The Post” Proves Problematic.
COMMENTARY | UNIBOT

What began as an open field in Osiris has become a very tight and exciting election for Pharaoh, who, of course, serves as the head of state and head of government in Osiris.

The race has narrowed between the two lead frontrunners, Tim Stark and Ridersyl, with Abacathea, Andrew and Vaculatestar trailing albeit closely. With an unusually large number of abstentions among the electorate and the opportunity to cast a decisive late vote, this election has proved to be a helter-skelter affair for its contenders, who have no doubt been anxious for the past few days for the election’s final results.

This election, the First-Past-The-Post system used in Osiris has also been found to be problematic. With so many candidates running in this particular election, the electorate has naturally been divided – vote splitting can favour candidates whose base of support is less divided than those whose base is divided between a number of candidates. In a region like Osiris where the region has some apparent divisions – undercurrents of imperialism, invaderism and independentism – the First-Past-The-Post system exacerbates underlying tensions by emphasising the need for mobilisation and unity among each Osiran faction to support “their” candidate. An alternative voting system such as Condorcet or Instant-Runoff Vote could more easily accommodate the preferences of voters and engrain the principle of majority rule into Osiran politics, which has long sought consensus and togetherness.

The unlikely frontrunner of the race has been Tim Stark, whose platform, like Ridersyl and his other fellow candidates, emphasises the need for a drastic effort to revitalise Osiris’s internal infrastructure. However, Tim has set himself apart from the pack by being the only candidate to emphasise a need for change in terms of Osiran foreign policy especially with regards to how Osiris should interact with other Game-Created Regions – standing behind the principle of feeder and sinker unity, Tim argued that supporting coups of other Game-Created Regions in the past had set Osiris back in terms of diplomatic prowess more than it benefited Osiris.

The Rejected Times was fortunate enough to speak with Tim about his campaign. He found that internal activity was the most pressing issue facing Osiris.

“As important as image, or military prowess might be, we can't cultivate those successfully without a strong, active citizen base to build off of,” says Tim. “I wish to focus on the Internal Affairs of Osiris, and increase the amount of citizen involvement within the region. This means providing more opportunities for our current citizens to get involved, and find new and effective ways to integrate potential citizens so that they may join our community. Once we fix our Internal Affairs, there can be a stronger focus on the other fronts, but this should for sure be the priority and key issue to deal with.”

Although, Tim has a reputation for running “joke campaigns” in Game-Created Regions, this campaign has been a serious attempt on his part.

“I've built up a reputation for joke campaigns and generally taking NationStates without even the lightest trace of seriousness,” admits Tim. “To have people actually supporting one of the few serious campaigns I've made in the past few years has been more than surprising, especially in a region like Osiris where I might not be the most well regarded person presently. I'd, of course, like to thank each and every person who has supported me or even gave my campaign thread a few minutes of time, as it does make me feel like I'm making a worthwhile campaign regardless of if I win or not.”

Tim also believes that Ridersyl and Tim’s different backgrounds set them apart as candidates.

“I think the biggest contrast, quite obviously, is the difference in R/D factions,” says Tim. “I'm a pretty staunch Defender, and he's a pretty staunch Raider. I guess I also offered free pizza where he didn't, but I'm more than happy to provide him some free pizza to give out as well. If there are other major contrasts, I don't know. I'd rather leave that up to the voters to decide.”

Ridersyl has presented him as the (self-described) “bright-eyed, inexperienced candidate”; naturally, in politics, inexperience is not necessarily a weakness. I would suggest that Osiris has some fault-lines starting to show within its community – especially between invaders and imperialists – and it appears as though Ridersyl has positioned himself as the invader’s candidate (awful terminology), given his background in The Black Riders and his recent comments with regards to the “unintentional toxicity” between Osiris and its imperialist allies. Ridersyl even went on to suggest in his campaign thread that he would be more likely to support a coup of The Rejected Realms perpetrated by The Black Hawks than one led by the United Imperial Armed Forces (UIAF), despite the fact The Black Hawks are not treaty allies of Osiris. Nonetheless, Ridersyl, like Tim, is majorly concerned with improving the internal health and activity of Osiris.

“We need to boost activity,” says Ridersyl, “and we need to do it while also ensuring we don't lead ourselves into a situation that could be toxic for the region. That's the most important issue of the election for me, and nothing else comes close to it.”

While Tim emphasised his differences with Ridersyl in terms of ideology, Ridersyl emphasised to The Rejected Times that their differences lay more in terms of leadership style.

“Tim and I have run on very similar campaign platforms,” says Ridersyl, “but where I and him contrast is that he's pretty much set on certain principles, whereas I'm more liable to take the approach that best makes sense for the situation and then adapt my position based on changing tides or new information. Another very obvious contrast is Tim's political experience, compared to my lack of it." Although Ridersyl does add, "Then, there's our opposite R/D alignments. He leans defender and I'm very much on the raider side.”

Regardless, Ridersyl was surprised by the strong showing of support he received in Osiris and complimented this election's civility and healthy debate.

“I have been a social and community-minded citizen of Osiris since I joined the region, so I knew that a lot of those eligible to vote were people that liked me as a player and a person,” explains Ridersyl. “However, liking someone as a candidate is a different matter, so when I put forth a very serious campaign despite my lack of political experience, I wasn't expecting much solid support. I have definitely been surprised in that regard, and I'm happy that voters have shown confidence in my proclaimed ability to adapt to a new role, as well as my other strong qualities.”

“The politics surrounding the election have been very active, and yet, free of any toxicity,” adds Ridersyl “Since all of us in the region want to see Osiris restored under the next Pharaoh, back into a healthy and active GCR, seeing a healthy and active election is an excellent start for us.”

Voting is expected to close this afternoon at 5:30 pm EST.

Tim is currently leading the race, 8-4, against Ridersyl, while Andrew and Vaculatestar are trailing with two votes each.

The Revolution Will Not Be Revolutionized
COMMENTARY | CORMAC STARK

"You say you want a revolution... wellllll, I guess..."

Earlier this week, the West Pacific Post, maintained by Pestarzt the Traveller, announced the formation of the Revolutionary Party of The West Pacific. Pestarzt is a nation maintained by the player behind Milograd, largely responsible for the successful launch of the People's Republic of Lazarus in 2013 that brought an activity boom to a region that had long looked like a Sinker retirement home for inactive, veteran imperialists. Pestarzt promised that the revolution in The West Pacific wouldn't be an anti-government revolution, "but rather a revolution against the cultural complacency and deference of proactivity towards the current leadership."

"The leadership is not at fault for our activity," the announcement went on to say. "[W]e are, because we haven't been the change we want to see."

Unfortunately, hopes that this revolutionary rhetoric might translate into actual, concrete change in The West Pacific were quickly dashed the following day, when Pestarzt announced that Cascadia had been invaded by The West Pacific Armed Forces and The Association of Imperialism. This invasion marked a continuation of the imperialist policy pursued by Delegate All Good People and continued by his successor, Darkesia. It was a random invasion to project The West Pacific's power, straight out of the playbook of the United Imperial Armed Forces, except that the invasion was so poorly conducted that it was liberated by a coalition of defender forces just one update later. So much for the projection of power; the invasion, like most other initiatives undertaken by the elite oligarchy of The West Pacific in recent years, was a failure that attracted little enthusiasm and participation from natives of The West Pacific.

Expressions of disappointment by Delegate Unibot of The Rejected Realms and former Lazarene Chairman Funkadelia following announcement of the invasion were, if anything, understated. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the player behind Milograd was recognizing that the same tired policy of so-called independence, and a foreign policy beholden to imperialists, would not rejuvenate the failed state that preceded the People's Republic of Lazarus. He recognized that a bolder approach was needed. Now, as Pestarzt, he is trying to launch a revolution with more of the same. He is trying to fight cultural complacency with cultural complacency. He is trying to break a pattern of deference to leadership by deferring to the failed policies of that same leadership.

It is no doubt disappointing for his former defender colleagues to see the player who was once the former Chairman of the People's Republic of Lazarus, a former Chief Lieutenant of the United Defenders League and former Arch Chancellor of the Founderless Regions Alliance, involved in invasions. But it should be far more disappointing for anyone interested in seeing an active and functional West Pacifican society and government. This revolution is not a revolution at all; if anything, it is counter-revolutionary in nature, reinforcing the reactionary imperialist policies of The West Pacific elite by dressing it up in the rhetoric of revolution.

The policies of oligarchy and imperialism have utterly failed to capture the imagination and inspire the participation of the natives of The West Pacific. While other Feeders thrive, it continues to wither. It is a shame for the people of The West Pacific that they do not have Milograd to challenge their tired status quo. Instead, they are stuck with Pestarzt the Traveller, a counter-revolutionary masquerading as the vanguard of change. It appears that if the natives of The West Pacific want to see actual change in their region, they will, as Pestarzt so aptly said, have to be the change they want to see.

"2015 is The Year of the Reject," says Unibot
Polling shows strong support for the government
COMMENTARY | TRR STAFF

"If we resolve, nothing can stop us." - Unibot.

Unibot, Delegate of The Rejected Realms gave a rousing speech in The Rejected Realms on New Years Day. The speech, titled “All Systems Go” showed a renewed government with an ambitious set of objectives for the coming months.

“I think we have something really progressing here,” writes Unibot, “a community that shares mutual ties as rejects and elevating what it means to be a region in terms of cultural development. What we need to do now though is to hold onto what we have that is … so very special for a community and expand on it - and quickly. Grow in terms of numbers. Grow in terms of reach and reception. Grow in terms of community spirit, participation and initiative.”

Unibot enthusiastically announced that he had planned cultural initiatives for the next twelve months – the first of which would be announced soon from the Office of Internal Affairs. The future of The Rejected Realms appears to be in safe hands with the Office of Foreign Affairs considering an ambitious foreign affairs campaign and the Office of Human Resources setting a new recruitment objective for The Rejected Realms: fifty new citizens and fifty new soldiers for The Rejected Realms Army (RRA). Furthermore, Unibot also hinted that during the month of March, The Rejected Realms might also be considering constitutional reform although he was vague on the specifics of the reform other than to say that it might involve greater democratisation and a Bill of Rights.

Polling in November showed a strong improvement for the Office of Internal Affairs whose support rose from 53.8% disapproval to 80% approval between the months of July and November. Support for the Office of the World Assembly and the delegacy stayed at a relative constant.

Officer Guy also would retire from the Office of Foreign Affairs with a career high – full support from the polled electorate. The delegate would later award Guy, The Order of the Greymarshes, for his years of civil service to The Rejected Realms.

“Guy has served diligently, by my side, as my Officer of Foreign Affairs for two terms,” writes Unibot in his letter of commendation. “He was always someone I could trust to perform admirably. Under his hard work, we've seen the drafting of The XYZ Treaty and Pan-Sinker Security Pact, alongside our most recent treaties with The South Pacific, Wintreath and Taijitu.”

Unibot announced in his speech that this year’s “new years resolution” for The Rejected Realms was, indeed, to grow stronger than ever both culturally and institutionally – proclaiming this year, “the year of the reject”.

An Eye for An Eye Makes The Whole World Blind
Association of Imperialism Forum Destroyed
COMMENTARY | THE CHURCH OF SATAN

"A Tragic Setback for The Association of Imperialism"

Shadoke, ex-chancellor, has destroyed the forum of his former region, The Association of Imperialism. When Rifty, co-founder of the Association, logged on, he was bombarded with messages from Severisen, Ever-Wandering Souls and Noblephnx, among others, asking if he was the one responsible. Rifty was, suffice to say, blindsided by this reception.

Flabbergasted, Rifty notes that he thought to himself,"Destroying my own forum?!? For what reason?!? What would I possibly gain?!?"

As we all know, forum destruction is widely condemned. Committing such an act reduces the status of anyone, no matter how much they have done prior, no matter how decorated or distinguished they might be, into a pariah. Rightfully so, of course, as the devastation caused is perhaps the one universal taboo we have. No military ideology, no political stance and no government dares sanction forum destruction officially or otherwise. So what would drive someone to do such a thing? Shadoke himself, after much scrutiny from his peers, admitted to his crime on the official NationStates forum after Rifty, Founder of The Association of Imperialism, posted an official statement on the matter as well as evidence clearly proving Shadoke's guilt.

Shadoke did express remorse for his actions. "I made a mistake. I am truly sorry," writes Shadoke. "Whether you believe me or not. Whether you believe me or not. After [Rifty's] comments towards Festavo I did the one thing I thought could hurt Rifty, without looking at the full scope of what it would do to AOI." However it is believed that he was insincere in that statement. Especially, after he responded to his critics, noting "[he] would not fix it if this was an attack against Rifty, and only he got hurt [...]. Eye for an Eye for what he said [emphasis added]."

Despite the fact that Shadoke confessed, he did not do so without a fight. Excuses were made, lies were told, but to no avail. First, he tried to play the blame game, passing the blame to NEO Rome Republic, claiming he had given the password to the ROOT admin account to him. NEO Rome Republic and Rifty had an uneasy history one year ago, but Rome held no grudge. When that failed, he put together a false screenshot that was intended to back up a claim of his account being hacked. Unfortunately for him, the rush job showed "hack_tool.exe" in the downloads section of his screen. If he'd simply closed it before taking the screenshot, maybe he could have delayed it, but he would be found guilty sooner or later, nonetheless. As Rifty interrogated him for the truth over Skype, Shadoke eventually buckled. Shadoke had also confessed to Cormac of his actions prior to this news becoming public knowledge. It's unclear if that particular confession was before or after Rifty recovered his final admission of guilt.

Some people, new players in particular, are unaware of the etiquette around NationStates and how much we all despise forum destruction. The effects of this act are usually more than just losing a forum. Forums contain a region's history, its culture, its very government. Without any of those, what is a region really worth? Clearly Shadoke was not thinking straight, but regardless, it is an inexcusable act committed for petty reasons.

The consequences of forum destruction are grave. Numerous regions are now "blacklisting" Shadoke from their regions in part to attempt to protect their forums, but moreover, to ostracize those who perpetrate forum destruction -- most notably this includes The Association of Imperialism, Osiris and Lazarus. No doubt other regions will soon follow suit. One thing is for sure, however, this will haunt Shadoke's NationStates career forevermore, just as it did for 94 Block, who even today still is being banned from regions because of the forum destruction he committed in the past. This may very well mark the end of his career, but at the very least, Shadoke will no longer be anything but a marginal player if he does stick around.

A Good Old Fashioned Whodunit
Sedgistan Implicated in the Murder of Kandarin
COMMENTARY | UNIBOT

Voters in The Rejected Realms and abroad have found Sedgistan to be the most likely suspect in the mysterious murder of Kandarin. Sedgistan captured a decisive 36% of the vote over his competition, including frontrunner, Naivetry (27%) – proving that, when in doubt, regardless of the sheer size or magnitude of a crisis, The Rejected Realms sticks to its old, yet surprisingly reliable tradition: “Blame Sedge”.

The Office of Internal Affairs had decided to reopen the case last year, noting irregularities in the original police report – after reviewing old suspects and interrogating them, the cold case was subject to public opinion. After all, The Rejected Realms has no criminal court, besides the court of public opinion. The Office of Internal Affairs decided there were six notable suspects: Crazygirl, Unibot, Dalimbar, Naivetry, Darkesia and, of course, Sedgistan.

Even Agatha Christie, renowned murder mystery author, made a surprise appearance on the Fisher Flannigan Show, an embarrassingly cheesy RBC3 talk show programme (hosted by David Frost’s second cousin twice removed), to discuss her theories regarding the case and how and why she believed Kandarin was murdered. Christie admitted that although the case had initially “stumped” her, she eventually concluded that Kandarin’s murder was a part of a misguided plot to inherit The Rejected Realms from Kandarin’s death and pin his murder on Naivetry, which later developed into a full-fledged political conspiracy to silence witnesses and 'manage' the region's democratic process.

Sedgistan, upon indictment, appeared surprisingly elated with the vote’s results.

“Well it looks like TRR citizens made the right decision as to who was guilty for Kandarin's death,” writes Sedgistan, while being escorted from the premises by two rather cross-looking officers.

No word yet on whether Sedgistan believes he would have “gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for [those] meddling kids and that damn dog!”

NationStates Economic Model Overhauled
"Refactor" Previews Changes To Game Engine
COMMENTARY | GRUENBERG

The NationStates economic system is to undergo changes to better reflect the long term consequences of issue choices. Game admin [violet] announced the overhaul - dubbed "refactor" - and has created a page where the effect of the change to the system on individual nations can be reviewed.

Refactor is an attempt to address problems with how NationStates respond to divergent issue choices over time. The economic model used by NationStates reflects the original belief that nations would not last long, and was not created with a view towards nations answering issues for years and reaching populations in the the tens of billions. For example, nations facing repeat issues may cut spending from departments that they have already abolished, or strongly support specific industries while otherwise restricting industry in general.

The balance of the game engine was previously skewed by the presence of impossible negative values. A nation that continually chose to cut Welfare spending might end up with negative levels of government expenditure on Welfare. This negative value could then eat into positive values from other, favoured, areas of spending, allowing nations to amass vast Defence budgets without ever seeing their income taxes rise.

The changes appear to affect such factors as government size, public vs. private sector share of the economy, and income tax rate, and will be reflected in changes on the national description, government, and economy pages, and World Censuses for government and public sector size. Although many of these changes are cosmetic, the impact on government expenditure and tax rate will also have consequences for unofficial "calculators" used to work out more meaningful economic statistics.

While NationStates has never been intended to be a completely realistic simulation, the hope will be that the refactor will force players to confront difficult choices: no doubt many real world politicians wish they could pay for government expenditure by cutting non-existent departments rather than having to increase taxes.

World Assembly “Warms Up” to Nuclear Arms Reform
Nuclear Arms Protocol Passes 7,805 votes to 2,897
COMMENTARY | UNIBOT

"Hiroshima No More."

During my time in the General Assembly as a young, budding and (often) misguided author, there were a few unwritten rules that every author knew: (1) avoid religion, (2) don’t mess with guns, (3) don’t touch pot, (4) don’t discuss climate change, (5) committees are bad, not sure why, and, (6) a proposal regulating nuclear technology will never pass – i.e., “we like our nukes”. Every author, however, also knows that the rules are meant to be broken (or at the very least, cleverly overcome) and no more so than Chester Pearson, who has tirelessly pursued the topic of nuclear weapons in the World Assembly.

Things were, by no means, looking positive for the intrepid author and his cause. The General Assembly has rejected several attempts to repeal the “Nuclear Arms Possession Act”, in addition to Sionis Prioratus’ “Defense from External Menaces”, plus numerous attempts to discuss the subject of nuclear proliferation, including Sciongrad’s “Responsible Armaments Trading” and several proposals from Chester Pearson himself, including “Nuclear Proliferation Accords”, “Strategic Arms Reduction” and previously this year, “Nuclear Arms Protocol” – all of which were widely defeated with maximum prejudice. The original “Nuclear Arms Protocol”, for example, was defeated 6,161 votes to 3,473.

However, during the past year, the General Assembly appears to have turned a slightly different corner on the subject, with resolutions passing with regards to international regulation of nuclear technology although nothing concerned, in particular, with conventional nuclear weapon delivery. Chester Pearson’s “Nuclear Security Convention” passed on the subject of nuclear energy and Sciongrad’s “Radiological Terrorism” took a tough stance against the possession and proliferation of radiological weapons (due to the threat of terrorism). Radiological weapons and nuclear weapons differ in only one respect: a radiological weapon produces radiation without a nuclear device; the resolution itself was quick to disclaimer that nothing in the resolution should be “be construed as placing any limitations on the possession, development, or use of nuclear weapons.”

Despite this conventional reluctance on the part of the World Assembly to pursue regulation with regards to nuclear weapons, Chester Pearson’s work appears to have paid off with the surprising passage of “Nuclear Arms Protocol” (Mk. II).

The Rejected Times managed to sneak in an interview with Chester shortly after the passage of the “Nuclear Arm Protocol” who admitted he was “shocked” by its passage. He was very grateful for the support he received from other member-nations.

“I sincerely did not expect this to pass on this go,” he says, “To see its success has filled me with a great sense of pride, and encouragement that the World Assembly is not just a club of warmongers, and that they are willing to accept restrictions on how they engage in international conflict. When I passed the Nuclear Security Convention, it became clear to me that the attitude of the WA was changing. Member nations were willing to take the stance that nuclear weapons technology should be protected. What I did not expect is that they would be willing to place restrictions on how those weapons were used.”

The proposal itself is a rather modest affair (perhaps accounting for its passage altogether), although it most certainly will encourage anti-nuclear and peace activists within the World Assembly to pursue even greater reform and regulation. The “Nuclear Arms Protocol” requires that member-nations limit their use of nuclear weapons to target military personnel only and thus, adequately assess deployments to ensure that the delivery of nuclear weapons will not endanger civilians unnecessarily.

“This resolution simply denies member nations the right to indiscriminately target civilians. Nothing more, nothing less,” explains Chester. “Critics argue that this will open the door to more sustained nuclear conflicts, and that nations will now be more willing to use their nuclear weapons. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Deterrence theory, and mutually assured destruction are still maintained even while this resolution is in force, stronger even. The fact that nations can now no longer target civilians, makes them have to choose their targets more carefully, and nations can finally move towards decommissioning high yield warheads, as they will no longer be needed.”

So, what’s next for Chester Pearson, you might ask? It appears as though he’s far from done yet.

“Now that we have solid legislation covering all facets of weapons of mass destruction, we can focus on more thoroughly enforcing those regulations,” says Chester. “To that end, I have had a war crimes tribunal on the back burner. Ever since the repeal of the International Criminal Court, the prosecution of war criminals has become increasingly difficult. We seek to end that with comprehensive legislation ensuring that nations who commit atrocities will be held accountable for those actions. I also have peacekeeping legislation that I am working on, and expect that to be a major point of contention.”

A replacement for the International Criminal Court stands as a very ambitious goal, but in the meantime, Chester Pearson can celebrate the success of his “Nuclear Arms Protocol”— introduced as legislation on January 03, 2015, 7,805 votes to 2,897.

Pivotal “Voting Rights Act” Passes in TNP
COMMENTARY | UNIBOT

"New legislation reshapes The North Pacific's citizenship policies..."

A critical part of r3naissanc3r’s legislative agenda has passed in The North Pacific – becoming a law on December 26, 2014 with the delegate’s signature. As per constitutional practice, the delegate can either elect to approve or veto legislation (otherwise the legislation would have automatically have come into effect on January 02, 2014). Naturally, since it was r3naissanc3r who proposed the law, he chose to approve the legislation in short order.

“I consider this by far the most important bill I have written here in TNP,” writes r3naissnc3r. “Considering that, ever since I joined the RA, I have been the region's most prolific legislator, introducing a wide range of innovations and far-reaching reforms, this should be telling. I also consider this bill a very important aspect of the campaign on which I ran for delegate, both times, which was a campaign that emphasized expansion of our community and integration of new members.”

Previously in The North Pacific, membership in the Regional Assembly was an additional extension of residency – this is to say that residents, “person(s) with an account on the regional forum and a nation in The North Pacific” could join the Regional Assembly which would grant them voting rights as both members of the electorate and the legislature. There were “citizens” too, but this was an administrative practice that had been ill-defined in law – residents could request a citizenship masking. This system proved particularly problematic because members, some of whom were not necessarily as interested in the ongoing activities of the Regional Assembly, would be disenfranchised during elections because they had failed to meet the strict activity restrictions imposed on legislators – despite being active, contributing members in The North Pacific elsewhere (as soldiers and roleplayers, for example).

The new system, which the “Voting Rights Act” has created, eliminates the need for residents to join the Regional Assembly since the Regional Assembly now automatically includes all citizens. Citizens will not be expected to meet the Regional Assembly’s standards of legislative activity, although the new quorum rate will distinguish active legislators and those who have missed three consecutive votes, or otherwise voted in the past twenty days.

The Voting Rights Act was passed 28-8 in the Regional Assembly on December 26, 2014, with thirteen abstentions – meeting the two-thirds majority required.

by **The Blaatschapen** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:59 pm

Unibot III wrote:
The Blaatschapen wrote:My account on the TRR forums has not been used in about a decade (2005). I have nothing to do with this!

You thought we'd fall for that?

Yes

by **Valrifell** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:01 pm

You make it seem the loss of the AoI forum was a crushing blow to the morale of the citizens. Which it was not, they were in the process of shifting forums anyway and, to my knowledge, nothing of importance was stored there.

by **The Church of Satan** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:16 pm

That wasn't really the point of the article...

The Rejected Times

Re: The Rejected Times: Issue XXX!

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