Lazarus Free Press: "Funk is losing," says long-time native

[Kylia Quilor]

Looks like you're missing a whole week on there

Everytime I see you post, I keep thinking you're MadJack, then I remember no, he's DoS. But that name...

[Unibot III]

I question how this Resistance will gain 78 more supporters.

Errrrrrrrrr - once they shed 30+ more off the margin, they're in Liberation City, mate. It's go-time, the moment that the margin hits anywhere near forty. That two week estimate that people laughed a week ago appears to have been a good estimate...

[Deadeye Jack]

Looks like you're missing a whole week on there

Everytime I see you post, I keep thinking you're MadJack, then I remember no, he's DoS. But that name...

You're not the first and you won't be the last I'm sure. Never knew the fellow though

[Big Bad Badger]

I question how this Resistance will gain 78 more supporters.

Errrrrrrrrr - once they shed 30+ more off the margin, they're in Liberation City, mate. It's go-time, the moment that the margin hits anywhere near forty. That two week estimate that people laughed a week ago appears to have been a good estimate...

At what point do you think other regions will jump in to increase Funk's margin? Or do you think that the greater NSverse that supports Lazarus sovereignty will stay out?

[Thalheim]

At what point do you think other regions will jump in to increase Funk's margin? Or do you think that the greater NSverse that supports Lazarus sovereignty will stay out?

How long are raiders willing to stay waiting in Lazarus?

[Unibot III]

Errrrrrrrrr - once they shed 30+ more off the margin, they're in Liberation City, mate. It's go-time, the moment that the margin hits anywhere near forty. That two week estimate that people laughed a week ago appears to have been a good estimate...

At what point do you think other regions will jump in to increase Funk's margin? Or do you think that the greater NSverse that supports Lazarus sovereignty will stay out?

I think there's probably a lot of folks already in there.

If, say, TBH gets involved (like PRSP) and piles, it'll delay a liberation but it won't be 'the end of the line' since TBH can only pile for so long and piling the region would be a dramatic end to the regime's attempts to claim autonomy and legitimacy - it would be politically damaging for sure with the people that Funk and LWU are hoping to keep neutral.

To answer your question, pure desperation will probably set in around a thirty margin. Forty is a tough margin to win with. I would expect the regime to do weird and desperate things at thirty, though.

(It's a good question.)

[Kylia Quilor]

I'm sure Funk and company could spin a narrative as to why TBH is helping them. The people that don't like him won't buy it, but enough people who aggressively don't care will buy it if its on sale

[The North Polish Union]

At what point do you think other regions will jump in to increase Funk's margin? Or do you think that the greater NSverse that supports Lazarus sovereignty will stay out?

How long are raiders willing to stay waiting in Lazarus?

I'm willing to wait forever.

Also I'm not in any other active GP orgs right now so I have nowhere else to put my WA, but whatever...

[Ikania]

Or do you think that the greater NSverse that supports Lazarus sovereignty will stay out?

Well, we're kind of hoping that they'll join in for precisely that reason.

[Reventus Koth]

The Black Hawks are still neutral in this conflict, which I feel I have to reiterate since we keep coming up in discussion about Lazarus.

[Lazarus Free Press (Ancient)]

NATIVES SPEAK OUT: "LAZARUS DID NOT ASK FOR THIS, NOR DO WE DESERVE IT"

This is the first installment of a series of interviews, "Natives Speak Out", we've conducted with native Lazarenes.

Uniterra, Lazarus - Speaking to native residents on condition of anonymity, Lazarus Free Press found that although many natives are "very optimistic" about the chances of liberation, others feel intimidated by the Gang of Three's rule and their use of force. In some cases, natives spoke to us only reluctantly under anonymity, fearing banejection for speaking out against the current regime. What we heard from residents were their frustration with Funkadelia and the rest of the Gang of Three - which one native described as a "corrupt oligarchy, trying to suppress dissent".

We spoke to one anxious native who had initially complied with Funkadelia's order to endorse him before later unendorsing him...

1. How long have you been a native resident of Lazarus? Until now, what's been your impression of Lazarus?

Ever since I refounded my nation and decided I didn't want to seclude myself in a password-protected region of one like I had before, that I would be among others. I refounded early (maybe March) of this year.

2. In a word, how would you describe the situation facing Lazarus - and why?

Illegitimate. It not only describes the current government, but the situation as a whole. It feels like it isn't real, like it shouldn't be happening. Lazarus didn't deserve this repressive behavior from our government, we didn't invite this in- -we were a democracy, with a constitution, and rule of law. Now, we're stuck with the Rule of Three.

3. What led to your decision to unendorse Funkadelia?

The first I heard of the political tumult was the alarmist telegram sent out by Funk begging me to endorse him and unendorse those he felt threatened by. I initially complied, but as I followed the situation on the RMB, I realized through the overt suppression of post after post speaking out against Funk & Friends, as well as the fanaticism with which newbies were defending the regime, that Funk was the couper. I unendorsed Scum, and then Funk immediately after. A second after unendorsing Funk, Killer Kitty unendorsed me, meaning they were watching intently, trying to defend their fragile illegitimate power. It freaked me out.

4. Were you afraid of retaliation from Funkadelia and the rest of Gang of Three?

I still worry about retaliation, which is why I don't post my opinions on the RMB, or reply to telegrams from Funk or other leaders with my true feelings. I only agreed to do this interview because it's anonymous. When Killer Kitty unendorsed me, as I said up above, and then I watched a string of banjections occur shortly thereafter, I was worried about being booted. But they haven't booted me for continuing to refuse to endorse them yet.

5. Are you optimistic that Funkadelia's regime will fall?

It pleases me to see that the endorsement gap between Funk and Courlany continues to decrease, but I fear that when their power is really and truly threatened they will just banject-massacre until they are safe again.

6. The whole of NationStates is listening. If you have a final plea for them, this is the time to share. Thanks again.

I don't participate in off-site citizens' affairs, but I know the regime pushed through a new constitution that greatly increased their power illegitimately. Every single day I log back on and see a notification that someone has endorsed me. I click their name to endorse them back, only to find they're in the Rejected Realms as Scum or Funk banjected them.

I rarely go to the RMB because I know it will be full of suppressed posts. I'm weary of checking my telegrams because I know it's probably another telegram from Funk asking for my endorsement, one I can't answer for fear of banjection. This is not normal or acceptable government behavior. Lazarus did not ask for this, nor do we deserve it. Thank you, if you acknowledge these 3 simple truths, and thank you if you work to see the end of this regime.

- 30 -

(If you would like to subscribe to receive a notice of new Lazarus Free Press articles, please contact Lazarus Free Press!)

[Kylia Quilor]

Natives who don't participate in the off-site government can't really speak to the legitimacy or illegitimacy of factions drawn from the offsite government with anything but hearsay.

Come on man, you can do better than this.

[Killer Kitty]

When Killer Kitty unendorsed me, as I said up above, and then I watched a string of banjections occur shortly thereafter, I was worried about being booted. But they haven't booted me for continuing to refuse to endorse them yet.

...Wut?

The only reason why I would have unendorsed someone is because they unendorsed me first. There is literally only one exception to this statement, and he knows exactly who he is.

This is paranoia levels of strange.

[Consular]

If, say, TBH gets involved (like PRSP) and piles, it'll delay a liberation but it won't be 'the end of the line' since TBH can only pile for so long and piling the region would be a dramatic end to the regime's attempts to claim autonomy and legitimacy - it would be politically damaging for sure with the people that Funk and LWU are hoping to keep neutral.

Aren't we already there? This is a reminder to readers that Funk's regime is propped up by The Invaders. You've probably heard of them -- they're that invader group that is so bad that even other invaders generally won't work with them. I think that says a lot about the legitimacy, or lack thereof, of Funk's regime. At the least it shows said regime has extremely poor judgment.

Edit: Bloody rogue quote tags causing chaos

[Ikania]

Natives who don't participate in the off-site government can't really speak to the legitimacy or illegitimacy of factions drawn from the offsite government with anything but hearsay.

Come on man, you can do better than this.

I believe the natives who do participate in the off-site government have made their opinion exceedingly clear.

If, say, TBH gets involved (like PRSP) and piles, it'll delay a liberation but it won't be 'the end of the line' since TBH can only pile for so long and piling the region would be a dramatic end to the regime's attempts to claim autonomy and legitimacy - it would be politically damaging for sure with the people that Funk and LWU are hoping to keep neutral.

Aren't we already there? This is a reminder to readers that Funk's regime is propped up by The Invaders. You've probably heard of them -- they're that invader group that is so bad that even other invaders generally won't work with them. I think that says a lot about the legitimacy, or lack thereof, of Funk's regime. At the least it shows said regime has extremely poor judgment.

Edit: Bloody rogue quote tags causing chaos

To be fair, as reprehensible as TI support is, it doesn't make up nearly the bulk of their support. What we're seeing is a lot of natives, at a steadily increasing rate, looking into the situation, thinking critically, and getting the facts. Credit to our wonderful telegram writers for spurring the populace to take an active role in fighting for their region.

[Unibot III]

If, say, TBH gets involved (like PRSP) and piles, it'll delay a liberation but it won't be 'the end of the line' since TBH can only pile for so long and piling the region would be a dramatic end to the regime's attempts to claim autonomy and legitimacy - it would be politically damaging for sure with the people that Funk and LWU are hoping to keep neutral.

Aren't we already there?

I think there's probably a lot of folks already in there.

[Lands of Anarchy]

I'm curious as to what posts actually got suppressed that weren't something like spam.

[Kylia Quilor]

Natives who don't participate in the off-site government can't really speak to the legitimacy or illegitimacy of factions drawn from the offsite government with anything but hearsay.

Come on man, you can do better than this.

I believe the natives who do participate in the off-site government have made their opinion exceedingly clear.

But the native that was interviewed by their own words said they didn't involve themselves in off-site government. This isn't a war of facts, just a war of both sides trying to polish their particular turds best for a mass of players that really have no stake in who the delegate is.

[Fauxia]

When Killer Kitty unendorsed me, as I said up above, and then I watched a string of banjections occur shortly thereafter, I was worried about being booted. But they haven't booted me for continuing to refuse to endorse them yet.

...Wut?

The only reason why I would have unendorsed someone is because they unendorsed me first. There is literally only one exception to this statement, and he knows exactly who he is.

This is paranoia levels of strange.

So...? The native unendorsed you presumably.

[Consular]

To be fair, as reprehensible as TI support is, it doesn't make up nearly the bulk of their support. What we're seeing is a lot of natives, at a steadily increasing rate, looking into the situation, thinking critically, and getting the facts. Credit to our wonderful telegram writers for spurring the populace to take an active role in fighting for their region.

You're not very good at this are you.

[Cormactopia Prime]

If, say, TBH gets involved (like PRSP) and piles, it'll delay a liberation but it won't be 'the end of the line' since TBH can only pile for so long and piling the region would be a dramatic end to the regime's attempts to claim autonomy and legitimacy - it would be politically damaging for sure with the people that Funk and LWU are hoping to keep neutral.

Aren't we already there? This is a reminder to readers that Funk's regime is propped up by The Invaders. You've probably heard of them -- they're that invader group that is so bad that even other invaders generally won't work with them. I think that says a lot about the legitimacy, or lack thereof, of Funk's regime. At the least it shows said regime has extremely poor judgment.

The Invaders showed up uninvited and have since left. Lazarus hasn't had their support for quite a while now, and never asked for it. Try again.

And no, we're nowhere near the maximum limit of support Lazarus could have, as I expect you will soon discover. That's all I'm saying.

[Killer Kitty]

It's pretty obvious that the whole interview is a fabrication. There is no one being interviewed, the "Press" just made up some likely responses for their own benefit.

If there really was a nation, they'd have stated their nation's name. The whole "scared person" thing is a convenient lie, but really only serves to show that the "Press" couldn't actually find a neutral person to interview.

So this is what the Revolt has been reduced to. Making up people and interviews to advance their talking points. For shame.

[Fauxia]

It's pretty obvious that the whole interview is a fabrication. There is no one being interviewed, the "Press" just made up some likely responses for their own benefit.

If there really was a nation, they'd have stated their nation's name. The whole "scared person" thing is a convenient lie, but really only serves to show that the "Press" couldn't actually find a neutral person to interview.

So this is what the Revolt has been reduced to. Making up people and interviews to advance their talking points. For shame.

That's what I thought originally. I also don't think they really get an opinion if they didn't even join the forum.

(I still support the resistance, but this is a little low)

[Tinhampton]

There is no one being interviewed, the "Press" just made up some likely responses for their own benefit.

And besides, the following hardly looks realistic, doesn't it?:

A second after unendorsing Funk, Killer Kitty unendorsed me

[Fauxia]

There is no one being interviewed, the "Press" just made up some likely responses for their own benefit.

And besides, the following hardly looks realistic, doesn't it?:

A second after unendorsing Funk, Killer Kitty unendorsed me

Taht couldn't be an exaggeration