Embassy of the South Pacific

[The South Polish Union]

Congrats! Discourse is a good choice.

Not sure if you've seen tried it already but migrating accounts is also possible, but takes a bit of effort:

https://meta.discourse.org/t/importing-migrating-mybb-to-discourse/130789
And someone who updated the script you have to edit the email in: https://meta.discourse.org/t/importing- ... /130789/13

Though if you are going afresh entirely can do that too I guess.

Migrating our MyBB forum over to Discourse posed a major challenge due to how we had set up our forum hierarchy. Discourse only has 2 levels of hierarchy: categories and sub-categories. Our MyBB forum, at its deepest, has 4-5 levels. In the move to Discourse, we’ve completely revamped our hierarchies. We’re also making a conscious shift to using tags as our primary organization, so it’s really an entirely different paradigm. Overall it’s just simpler to start fresh.

If any other region admins want to chat about migrating to Discourse, I learned a lot setting it up and customizing it for our needs. Would be happy to share and exchange knowledge

I take it this means you're still root admin for the new forum? In that case, we all look forward to another decade of Glen!

[HumanSanity]

As a heads up, registrations are now open on the new forum! There's SPIT waiting for you all

[TSP Foreign Office]

(NOTE: The below is an in-character RP-based format for foreign updates. Something new versus the usual stodgy dispatch from the MoFA. Editorialized content (e.g. newspaper/magazine article) shouldn't be taken as an official stance of the government. Interview formats can be taken as official words. Actual Cabinet statements, orders, etc. will be posted alongside any roleplay content!)

Assembly Elects New Cabinet, Minus Defense Minister

COALITION PROMENADE, The South Pacific – Purple Hyacinth was elected Prime Minister of The South Pacific on Sunday, October 9, running unopposed and ushering in a new Cabinet. The campaign featured a renewed focus on domestic affairs, honing in on a promise to increase the visibility and active of the Culture and Engagement ministries. She ran unopposed and sailed to victory with 100% of the vote.

Joining the new Prime Minister is a returning face to the Cabinet, with Sandaoguo commanding a 39-point win in this cycle’s most contested election. Maluhia and Webs contested the election for Minister of Foreign Affairs. Maintaining the status quo was the common thread through all campaigns. The Assembly rewarded a combination of experience and safety (knowing what they would get), though it remains to be seen what the second longest-serving Foreign Minister has planned for the next four months.

ProfessorHenn made a return to South Pacifican politics this month, cinching an unopposed win to helm the Ministry of Culture. He has his work cut out for him, if the Assembly’s recent skepticism of the ministry’s value continues. ProfessorHenn campaigned on leveraging the region’s new infrastructure to drive success for the ministry’s upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebration.

In a close upset, incumbent Minister Griffindor lost their re-election big for the Ministry of Engagement to long-time staffer Waffle. In the closest race of the cycle, Waffle maintained just under a 10-point lead to win a slight majority against the incumbent. 6.45% of the Assembly would have preferred re-opening nominations, the highest number for any ministry. Minister Griffindor faced heated questions about the ministry’s activity, a point of contention Waffle raised in their campaign as well.

In a last unexpected turn of events for the October 2022 election cycle, the new Cabinet finds itself without a Minister of Defense. There were no nominations for the office, a first for The South Pacific in recent memory. With a hollowed-out General Corps and no civilian leadership, experts are left wondering what the plan is to maintain the South Pacific Special Forces. An anonymous source within the capitol reports that the Cabinet-elect has already zeroed in on an appointment.

The full election results graphics are below:

---

“Here First” – 10/14/22 - Minister-elect Sandaoguo Interview Transcript
Sandaoguo made an appearance Friday morning on SPINN’s Here First morning show, hosted by Laura Hunt, following his election as Minister of Foreign Affairs. A transcript of the interview can be read here:

LAURA: A new Cabinet prepares to take office in the backdrop of the Great Council, without a Defense Minister, and amid a government facing criticism for lack of visibility. Minister-elect Sandaoguo joins us this morning to discuss the election and what’s in store for The South Pacific’s government. Welcome to the show!

SANDAOGUO: It’s great to be back, thank you Laura -

L: This is your 7th, maybe 8th – we’ve all lost count by now – on the show as a Minister-elect. You know the drill, let’s get into the meat of the politics here. We have no Defense Minister, the General Corps has seen retirement after retirement… What’s the Cabinet’s plan?

S: Yes, it’s very serious it—it was the top item on the agenda during the first planning session. I assure you, and the Prime Minister would assure you as well, the military won’t be without civilian leadership for long.

L: You have a name?

S: Well, we have a name. We will have a name to announce very soon. Watch this space. But I want to get back –

L: Will Pronoun serve another term?

S: The Prime Minister will have an announcement on that soon. But no, the Minister isn’t returning. Now, one of our top priorities is ensuring the Special Forces are led well, are active. We will be there for our defender allies, no matter who leads. And our Prime Minister is an accomplished veteran herself. We have talented officers, no shortage of talent and strength.

L: Certainly, the Special Forces are crucial to the government’s ability to defend and be an influential force.

S: Yes, and that remains the same now. We will be there for our allies, in Aegis and beyond. I have the utmost faith in our Prime Minister, our military officers, and the incoming minister.

L: Right, let’s shift gears here. The Great Council. It’s still ongoing, the longest constitutional convention in our history. What role will the Cabinet play moving forward?

S: I don’t think the Cabinet plays a role itself. All of us are individual members of the Assembly, of the Great Council. There are certainly proposals I wish to see pass.

L: Abolishing the Local Council.

S: Right, yes, among others like citizenship reform and redefining Cabinet responsibilities. But these aren’t Cabinet programs. It’s not our agenda.

L: Are you hoping for a quick end?

S: No, no, definitely not. Look, you have some complaining about the length, even wanting to stop it now. But I see a healthy process here and still a chance for new generations to shape our government. It would be a mistake to end prematurely. I believe we’re seeing more debate and ideas come to fruition, now we’ve added more participants. But it really comes down to whether or not we operate under democratic rules, and not a tyranny of the minority.

L: That’s a hot-button topic we will be covering in our segment later today. But for now, that’s all the time we have this morning. Thank you for joining us. And you at home, don’t change that channel! We’ll be back with Great Council coverage after this break. Make sure you’re Here First!

[The Web of Life and Destiny]

Dang are the cool vote tally graphics courtesy of the new forum?

[Talk]

Congratulations to the new Cabinet!

[Spiderman]

Congrats to new Cabinet members (thanks as well to previous officeholders), good luck to all

[Sandaoguo]

Dang are the cool vote tally graphics courtesy of the new forum?

Discourse has really nice poll visualization, but nah I made those basic graphics on https://www.datawrapper.de/

[The Web of Life and Destiny]

Dang are the cool vote tally graphics courtesy of the new forum?

Discourse has really nice poll visualization, but nah I made those basic graphics on https://www.datawrapper.de/

Cool!! New resources :3

[Esfalsa]

SPSF Report | Major 2022-11-05

Beneath the headquarters of the South Pacific Special Forces, buried deep underground, lies a little-known network of secret rooms and passageways. Among the recent additions to these rooms, located at the end of a long hallway, is a door with an inconspicuous label: the Pée Room.

Officially, the room is considered an ‘experimental kitchen,’ one of several where the SPSF develops field rations for its service members. This particular room is where the world’s most technologically advanced purée is developed. Shelves line the walls, stock-full of bottles of every ingredient imaginable — whether mashed, pressed, or blended. And in the corner, locked within a safe, lies the latest secret recipe for the creamy mixture released to the public. Somehow, somewhere, this delectable delicacy is being put to use identifying the regions scarred by raider vandalism; and each day, the scientists and researchers working in the Pée Room make it their mission to make it even easier to find these regions. (Unfortunately, the work of these scientists is denigrated each time they step through the door by the SPSF's unfortunate decision to outsource responsibility for abbreviations to Discord, which decided to shorten "Purée" to "Pée." Oh well.)

Today, however, the room is bustling with activity. In the middle of the room, Pronoun is desperately trying to explain how his newest purée recipe is magical and wonderful and perfect and why he really needs to get better at naming stuff. Hya stands off to one side, furiously sketching something on a piece of paper. And today, they’re joined by some of their friends from the League Defense Forces: Quebecshire, Makasta, Danni, Raziel, and New San Antonio. Tonight, the SPSF and LDF have united for a special taste-testing session.

As each of the taste testers take a spoonful of the purée, they close their eyes and savor its rich flavor, aromatic scent, and creamy texture. It’s the wonderful taste of, uh, purée — unfortunately, further elaboration is impossible due to reasons of operational security and definitely not due to any lack of creative writing skills. Perhaps Pronoun was even right to suggest that the purée carries some magical qualities, because our group of taste testers finds themselves suddenly transported to various regions to detag.

---

A big thank you goes out to our friends from the League. As always, it was a great time detagging with them, and their feedback on the world’s best purée was invaluable. A big thank you also goes out to Discord for shortening the "Purée" in the server name to just "Pée" in the server icon for some reason. If it wasn’t for this, not only would I be all out of ideas for this report, but Hya also would not have been inspired to create this wonderful Purée logo:

---

Taste Testers
[SPSF] Pronoun
[SPSF] Purple Hyacinth
[LDF] DinoNet
[LDF] New Makasta
[LDF] New San Antonio
[LDF] Quebecshire
[LDF] Raziel

Occidentales
Turntable
Treeland
Coalition Of The Willing
Confederacy Of Progressive Nations
European Union Of Romanian Communists
The New Federation
Warzone Singapore
The Graecus
Prostancia
Little Pauperville
Ultimate Environmentalists Club
The Realm Of Hoi
Kyorgia Puppet Storage
The Breadlands
The Protectorate Of Emperor Sean 1511
Jj Mccullough Fan Club
Verkhovyna
Ibova
Hermitland
Abrogates
Summer Sun
The Flying Spaghetti Monster Lands
Sovietunion
Abracadabra
The Sheikhdom Of Alsaba
Kronos
Extreme Atheist Alliance
Thunder Road
Eursia

[Quebecshire]

I’m repealing the treaty

[New Rogernomics]

Pée can mean pea in French. Fortunately for this report I was imagining a room full of peas.

[Reventus Koth]

Well, that post is gonna live rent-free in the back of my head, possibly indefinitely.

[HumanSanity]

Presenting Commander Pronoun

It is my incredible pleasure to announce the promotion of Pronoun (Esfalsa) to the rank of Commander of the South Pacific Special Forces by unanimous vote of the General Corps, having satisfied the rank requirements, made substantial contributions to the infrastructure and culture of the SPSF, and demonstrated excellence in operational leadership.

Since joining the SPSF in January after participating as a civilian in our liberation efforts, Pronoun has consistently grown as a soldier. Pronoun's particular strengths have been in the area of technical and infrastructure development for the SPSF, as well as an exacting precision in understanding and taking advantage of game mechanics. Tools like the Data Portal developed while Minister of Defense will keep records organized for years to come. Pronoun has also been active in tools development for defending more broadly, through the development of new tools for endorsements, keeping archives of Spyglass update ordering sheets, and most prominently Purée, which allows defenders to automatically create lists of detags to deploy at update. These accomplishments made Pronoun an honorable mention in the Defender Awards for the "Eluvatar Award" for tech development. Beyond this, Pronoun has taken an active role in integrating and training new members of the SPSF and battle leadership at updates, and has also acquired the dry wit and work ethic characteristic of contemporary defenders.

With that, please join me in congratulating Commander Pronoun.

[Grea Kriopia]

Congrats Pronoun!

[Minskiev]

Blue hair and blue waters

(congrats pronoun!)

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

Well-earned.

[HumanSanity]

Greetings,

The South Pacific Special Forces (SPSF) have had steady activity over the past several months, continuously deploying for the defense of innocent regions across NationStates. Our most significant deployment in the last several months has been the liberation of New Westphalia, which we were pleased to liberate alongside many of our treatied allies. However, we have also been regularly active in detagging and defensive operations, with Commander Pronoun playing an active role in update leadership and several new SPSF members getting their feet wet at updates. Given this group of new members, I am happy to announce several promotions from our introductory rank of Trainee to the rank of Soldier. As fully fledged members of the SPSF, Soldiers are considered trained on the basics of our core update operations (liberating, defending tags and occupations, and detagging) and have begun to integrate themselves into our force of regular updaters.

First is Lila (Celestial Starlight). Having joined the SPSF in late November, Lila has maintained consistent activity in the SPSF despite a restrictive real life schedule, always answering the call when they are able. As a result, Lila has gained some of the most consistent experience of all of our newer members in a variety of operations, as well as providing an eager and friendly presence in our barracks. In recognition of these contributions, I am pleased to promote Lila to the rank of Solider.

Next is effok (Sjorve Ned). Effok has been a part of the SPSF for far longer, having joined in a civilian siege effort in April 2022. Since that time, Effok has been one of our most consistent minor update liberators, participating in 22 different liberation or siege efforts, always ready to answer the call to protect innocent regions for destruction. Effok has demonstrated consistence and persistence, and over time has also gained the requisite knowledge and skills such that I am pleased to announce their promotion to Soldier.

Finally is one of our newest SPSF members, Concrete Slab. Slab is a familiar face to many in the South Pacific, having previously served in the Local Council, as Director of the Office of WA Legislation, and in the Coral Guard. Internationally, many will recognized Slab for his accomplishments as an 8 time WA author. Recently, Slab decided to take the plunge of resigning WA membership on his main nation to join the SPSF, and we've been delighted with his participation ever since. Enthusiastic in any task he puts his mind to, Slab quickly learned the basics and is ready to be promoted to Soldier. We look forward to seeing Slab refine his skills and benefiting from the energy he brings to the forces.

Please join me in congratulating our three newest Soldiers!

HumanSanity
General of the South Pacific Special Forces

[Quebecshire]

Congrats to those promoted!

[TSP Foreign Office]

Greetings,

Elections have recently concluded in the South Pacific, with a Cabinet of new and returning faces being elected to enact the Prime Minister's agenda. The new Cabinet consists of the following members

Prime Minister: ProfessorHenn/Sporaltryus
Minister of Culture: Maluhia/Lile Ulie Islands
Minister of Defense: Concrete Slab
Minister of Engagement: Gryffindor/Ebonhand
Minister of Foreign Affairs: HumanSanity

This term's goals have focused largely on simplifying the Coalition's government in order to accomplish our core goals: a strong internal community which supports TSP's democratic institutions, the defense of innocent regions abroad, and the promotion of llamas and SPIT.

Important projects include our forthcoming participation in The Potato Alliance for N-Day, opening a formal mentor program and finishing the project to simplify our on-site Dispatches, hosting a series of game nights with The North and East Pacifics, and revitalizing the Aegis Accords through cultural and military cooperation.

The Prime Minister's opening address can be found here and is also reproduced below for reference.

Hello, everybody.

I’m pleased to report that the new Cabinet has finally taken office. Many thanks to our predecessors, Purple Hyacinth, Sandaoguo, and Pronoun, for their dedication to the Coalition!

There’s a lot of stuff we have planned for this term, on all fronts. On the whole, we’re aiming to rework integration and breathe life into our community again, especially in aspects that have been neglected and laid to the side. Concrete Slab has plans for both our WA community, in building a strong one capable of writing excellent resolutions and recommendations, as well as recruiting for and promoting activity within the SPSF.

Maluhia, returning Minister of Culture, is working on culture calendars detailing events throughout the month, as well as several larger culture events. We’re cooking up some more inter-regional events as well, and I’m hoping we can make an announcement for one very soon. Griffindor and I are also continuing the work that Pronoun began with the Welcome Dispatch, as well as revamping how we handle integration into our community. A new mentorship program is in the works, and we’re hoping to see some more experienced South Pacificans engage with it to help guide our newer players.

HumanSanity is continuing their great work in Foreign Affairs, and is seeking MoFA Advisors to join them in the ministry. Some of their duties are to be engaged and active consumers of foreign affairs information, debaters of relevant NS current events, and to have both a high level of discretion with potentially sensitive information and limited-to-no foreign entanglements. Experience is not a requirement, just interest. Please reach out to them on Discord (HumanSanity#9270) if you are interested.

Concurrently with this address, I will also be issuing several Cabinet Orders. C.O. 25, concerning the abolition of the staffer system, might come as a surprise. I want to clarify that my intent is not to shut out any others from participating in executive work, but instead in restructuring how we go about introducing others to working in the executive, and in mentoring eager TSPers to be able to take over from the current generation in time. There will be other changes I will request be made, so that we can implement this more fully.

Our community has been in a slump recently, but our unique status in NationStates gives us an excellent opportunity to restore activity and engagement with our politics and culture. It’s our intention to take it.

Yours Truly,
ProfessorHenn / Sporaltryus
Prime Minister of the South Pacific

[Grea Kriopia]

Congrats to the new cabinet, best of luck for the coming term

[Southern Bellz]

Congratulations and best of luck to the new cabinet

[Concrete Slab]

A cliff.

A beautiful sky dotted by clouds.

We zoom in until we see a lone figure on the cliff.

The figure is revealed to be HumanSanity, looking through a lampshade at the expanse below. Dark tendrils loom.

A cloud of dust appears behind HS as a llama comes into view, traveling at a high speed. The llama comes to a quick stop a few feet from HS, who continues his reconnaissance.

Someone dismounts from the llama, giving it a few quick soothes as they walk up to HS, the figure is revealed to be Concrete Slab.

CS: *panting* Hey boss, I came as soon as you called. *CS bends over, hands on his knees in exhaustion* What you got for me?

*HS silently hands over a second lampshade, not breaking his view*

*CS looks through before doing a double take*

CS: Woah… invasion?

HS: Big one.

CS: All hands on deck?

*HS gives a nod*

CS: Leave it to me boss.

*CS swings back on his llama, giving it a swig of water*

HS: Hey Slab. *HS turns slightly with a sly grin* Get enough soldiers, and I’ll let you change my profile…

*CS’s eyes widen*

CS: Yes sir!

*CS rides off, leaving HS to finish his scouting trip*

The South Pacific Special Forces showed up on the 2023-02-20 Major update, contributing TWELVE soldiers to the siege of League of Christian Nations. The raiders began to pull out under its weight, and by the Minor update, the region was returned into native hands. HumanSanity made good on his promise, and every SPSF member who participated gets to choose their Discord profile picture for a day! Special thanks to:

Eshialand
Adam Never Lack
Concrete Slab
Gordon Freeman
HumanSanity
Lila_77
Lirozonia
Not an austrian
Osheiga
Pronoun
Purple Hyacinth
Qawe

For lending your strength to a pile of around 80 endorsements!

If this looks like fun, it could be you next time! Check out this dispatch for details on joining the SPSF.

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1188941

[HumanSanity]

Being Caboozled has never been so great an honor.

Congratulations to Minister Slab on a fantastic turnout for his first liberation of the term. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish

[Sporaltryus]

Great work to the SPSF, and I look forward to seeing HumanSanity’s parade of flags!

[Reventus Koth]

Look, I don't care what you tell your people internally. Doesn't bother me a smidge if you lie to your folks and tell them that your 12 brave soldiers made the raiders run in fear, do whatever it takes to keep morale up.

But don't come onto the Gameplay forum and say with a straight face that you had anything to do with raiders voluntarily leaving LCN. The Founder came back, orders were canceled long before any of you assembled. "The raiders began to pull out under its weight" is a line that should really be taken out of this report if you want to be taken seriously at all.