Witchcraft and Sorcery wrote:As the one who commanded the initial update operation, I am incredibly grateful to my region's government for their full-throated support and continued commitment to the principles of sovereignty and self-determination we fought so hard to implement in 2019.
Quorum raiding is one of the most despicable and anti-democratic practices that exists. I commend the cause of anti-fascism; fascists are a blight and a stain on the world and the institutions of this game. But quorum raiding, especially quorum raiding regions that were not fascist nor known for giving aid and comfort to fascists, sets a dangerous precedent that any and all with the means can simply subvert the World Assembly to their will. I'm especially disappointed in TNP, the region with far and away the most voting power in the World Assembly, for choosing to stoop to this tactic. For a democratic region no less, I hoped they would have some respect for the sanctity of that fundamental right to vote. The resolution would certainly have died on the floor; the fact that they felt it was necessary to do this speaks to insufficient or ineffective campaign efforts toward regional delegates.
So I will say the following as the officer in charge at update: had I seen that the NPA were hitting fascist-tagged or known fascist-sympathizing regions, I would have ordered troops to retreat. But they chose to indiscriminately target regions like North Pacific (one of the three founding members of the Founderless Regions Alliance) and the Renegade Islands Alliance. Further, every defender that participated did so freely, of their own volition, and with full knowledge of the resolution that was being quorum raided. I made sure this was communicated clearly and completely, and that participation was likely to ruffle some feathers.
My stance on quorum raiding remains the same and I will continue, as long as I am active, to fight against it, whatever the proposal or blowback it may cause. The support in this case is encouraging and I thank all the regions and officials who have offered their support and committed to a strong stance against this practice in the last several days.
I agree with W&S here. Approval raiding is completely anti-democratic, and I am fully with TSP on this.