The Mideast Record-Courier (Exclusive Interview with Roy Barnes)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The Mideast Record-Courier
March 14-15, 2015

Despite Controversy, Foucaulf Takes Lead In At-Large Senate Race

With roughly 32 hours left of the voting period, conservative radio personality Foucaulf (TPP-MN) has taken a narrow lead over his Labor opponent, former Senator Adam Griffin of New Brunswick, with current tabulations showing Mr. Foucaulf leading by a single vote. This lead comes in spite of a controversial statement released by the Foucaulf campaign late last night, in which the candidate said urged those who did not feel comfortable voting for him to abstain rather than vote for his opponent. The remark was widely criticized by both progressives and conservatives, leading Mr. Foucaulf to issue a brief apology earlier today.
The outcome of the race will have large ramifications throughout the political system, both in terms of party influence and government policy. If Mr. Griffin manages to surpass Foucaulf's totals in the next twenty-four hours, the Labor Party would control 6 seats in the Senate in addition to the presidency for the first time since September 2013. The fate of the proposed Electoral Reform Amendment is also up for grabs, with Mr. Griffin in favor of the bill and Mr. Foucaulf opposed to it. Voting will end at midnight on March 15.

Governor Announces Nominee To Fill Vacancy

Governor TDAS04 (Lab-VA) announced that he had appointed fellow Laborite Nagas to the Assembly yesterday, filling the vacancy left by the expulsion of former Assemblyman CrabCake (Lab-MO) from the regional legislature. In accordance with the Mideast Constitution, Nagas swore into office at a little before noon this morning. He will serve for the remainder of the current Assembly term, which ends two weeks from yesterday. Nagas has not announced whether he will seek a full term in the March 2015 Regional Elections, which will be held next week.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

March 16, 2015

A Note from the Editor

As I am sure you have noticed, I have made some changes to the layout of this paper. These changes are part of a broader attempt to expand the quality and impact of the Mideast Record-Courier on Atlasia, as well as to make reading (and writing) this publication more enjoyable for all.

Starting today, the average edition of the Mideast Record-Courier will be longer, more informative, and contain more ways of conveying information than those of the past. The number of articles per edition will be increased; evaluation in the form of editorials written by members of the public included; maps, graphs, and other means of conveying information visually added to accompany our written analysis. Because this expanded paper will take longer to prepare, and to give us a wider perspective with which to judge events, this paper will transition from a daily to a weekly publication.

Though a weekly publication cycle will increase our ability to judge how events will play out over time, the need to report events as frequently as possible remains. In order to continue to serve this need, the Record-Courier will begin publishing a semi-regular new bulletin that will provide brief updates on important events occurring throughout Atlasia. This bulletin, which will be titled the Mid-Week Update, will be posted in this thread every few days, and will contain brief reports on activities on the federal, regional, and international stages as well as links to the events in question. Quite often, items featured in the Mid-Week Update will be discussed more thoroughly in the pages of the Mideast Record-Courier.

If you have any questions about our expansion, or would like to submit an editorial for publication, fell free to contact me either by PM or in this thread.
Yours,

Harry S Truman
Editor, Mideast Record-Courier

National

The Senate building in Nyman, D.C.

Developments In The Fight Against PMA

An anonymous source revealed that officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have launched a search for the headquarters of the terrorist group known as "PMA", believed to be located somewhere along the border of Montana and Canada. This action is reportedly the result of a decision made by senior members of the Bore Administration to up the ante in the fight against PMA, which has spanned nearly a month in spite of actions by the federal government to crack down on the militants. According to our sources, Attorney General Al Sibboleth (TD-CA) was the figure directly responsible for launching the search, a move that was likely made with the approval of President Bore (Lab-RI).

As the government seeks to uproot the Idaho-based terrorists, the group's leader, Wayne Derrick, made a bid for freedom yesterday when he escaped the prison where he had been held since his capture on March 3. Derrick's escape was reportedly aided by one of his guard's, to whom Derrick had promised a cash reward in exchange for his help. Twenty-four hours later, Derrick was killed by law enforcement officers while attempting to cross into Elmore County, Idaho. The PMA has not yet responded to Derrick's death, which serves to weaken the organization that he has run since 2012.

Griffin Wins Special Election

After three teeth-grinding days in which multiple candidates gained and lost the lead in preliminary counts, former Senator Adam Griffin (Lab-NB) has been returned to the Senate by a convincing margin, defeating Mideast Assemblyman Johanus Calvinus Libertas (Fed-IN) in the final round by 24 points. Griffin's victory brings the Labor caucus in the Senate up to six seats, giving it an absolute majority in the chamber for the first time since the presidency of Averroes Nix.

Perhaps the most talked-about facet of the election was the stunning defeat of conservative radio personality Foucaulf (TPP-MN), who placed a distant third behind Griffin and JCL. A former Federalist who joined The People's Party just days before the party's primary election, Foucaulf's attempt to unite conservatives behind his candidacy by running a viciously anti-Labor campaign failed miserably when Foucaulf turned his guns on the former Regional Protection Party as well, alienating many Federalists and conservative TPPers. With Labor's Griffin striking a more moderate tone than usual, many members of TPP - including former President and party founder Duke (TPP-TX) and Northeast Governor and TPP Vice Chairman Sawx (TPP-NH) - voted instead for Mr. Griffin, leading Foucaulf to be eliminated in the third round of voting. In response, Pacific Governor Simfan34, who had actively supported Foucaulf's candidacy resigned his membership of The People's Party, while Chairman Oakvale (TPP-TN) announced he would consider tendering his resignation as the party's leader.

By contrast, the response of Laborites to Mr. Griffin's election was euphoric, prompting hearty congratulations once the election's outcome became known. He will take office following the official certification of the results by Secretary of Federal Elections Homelycooking (Ind-CT).

Senate Confirms New Cabinet

In a sweeping victory for the Bore Administration, the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed the president's nominees for vice president (former President Averroes Nix), attorney general (former President Al Sibboleth), and secretary of internal affairs (former Deputy GM Roy Barnes), inaugurating a new cabinet as the government prepares to address issues ranging from electoral reform to combatting domestic terrorism. Secretary of External Affairs Superique (TPP-AK) and Game Moderator Kalwejt (TPP-VT), both nominated by former President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH), have agreed to stay on in the new administration.
The cabinet is a divers array of perspectives and ideologies, including both Labor stalwarts and politicians who voted against Mr. Bore in the February election. Most prominent of these is Vice President Nix (TPP-HI), who agreed to return to Nyman after Vice President-elect Bacon King (formerly TPP-OC) chose to retire from politics rather than assume office. Having previously served four months as president in 2013, Nix was quickly confirmed by the Senate and swore in yesterday along with Barnes and Sibboleth.

Regional

The regional capital of the Mideast in Peter's Park, Maryland

March 2014 Mideast Regional Elections Voters' Guide

The March 2014 regional election begins this Thursday, when voters will choose the five individuals who will represent them in the Mideast Assembly for the next two months. While the governor's office, currently held by TDAS04 (Lab-VA), is not up for election this week, all five seats in the legislature are in play. What follows is a list of those candidates who have declared their candidacy as of this writing, though the possibility for additional candidates or for write-in campaigns remains.

Earl A. "Hatman" Washburn (WSRP) (inc.)
EarlAW is a former Senator and one of five incumbent members of the Assembly. He is a member of the Washburnist Socialist Revolutionary Party, of which he is the founder.

Harry S Truman (TPP)
Truman is the editor of the Mideast Record-Courier and a member of The People's Party.

Johanus Calvinus Libertas (Federalist) (inc.)
JCL was the Federalist candidate for president in February and for the special At-Large Senate election in March. He previously served as an At-Large Senator from August to December of 2014. He is currently serving as a member of the Assembly.

New Canadaland (Labor) (inc.)
New Canadaland is a two-term Assemblyman and is currently serving as Speaker of the regional legislature.

Shua (DR) (inc.)
Shua is an incumbent Assemblyman and a member of the libertarian-leaning Democratic Republican Party. He has previously served as a member of the Senate and was the candidate of his party for vice president in October 2014.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

This section will serve as an outlet for Atlasians who wish to breilfy express their views on matters of public import. If you would like to submit a brief article for publication, please send it via PM to Harry S Truman, Editor.

Map: The Fight Against PMA

While the group known as the "PMA" has launched attacks across the country, reaching so far as the halls of government in Nyman and the streets of Topeka, the fight against terrorism is being carried out mainly in Idaho and Montana, where the PMA is based. FBI agents are currently scouring the Montana-Canada border for the group's headquarters.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Great update, Harry.

[Barnes]

Great update, Harry.

Absolutely. I look forward to every issue.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Mid-Week Update

March 19, 2015

• The Assembly approved an amendment to the Mideast Constitution giving the lt. governor the power to cast tie-breaking votes in the chamber. The amendment is currently being voted on in a public referendum.
• Elections for Mideast Assembly began today. The declared candidates are Speaker New Canadaland (Lab-ON), Assemblymen EarlAW (WSRP-ON), Shua (DR-NU), and JCL (Fed-IN), and Journalist Harry S Truman (TPP-IN). Former Speaker Spiral (DR-MO), Assemblyman Nagas (Lab-VA), and former Senator Franzl (TPP-IL) will accept write-in votes.
• The Affirmative Consent in Post-Secondary Education Act was introduced in the Senate by Senator Talleyrand (Lab-DE). The act is an attempt to combat the rising tide of sexual assault on college campuses.
• Senate Speaker Windjammer (Lab-MI) was attacked while leaving the Capitol yesterday. The identity of the attacker is unknown. Speaker Windjammer is being treated at a hospital in Maryland.
• The Efficient Referenda Amendment has been passed by the Senate and awaits ratification by the regions. The amendment would allow referendums on future Constitutional amendments to be administered by the SoFE, but would allow the regions to conduct unlimited successive votes if said amendments are rejected.
• Pacific Governor Simfan34 (TPP-CA) was appointed Deputy Attorney General by AG Al Sibboleth. To assume office, Mr. Simfan will have to resign as chief executive of the Pacific; Speaker of the Council Turkisblau (TPP-NM) would then assume the office.
• Senator Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) announced his candidacy in the upcoming At-Large Senate election. Mr. Polnut said that this will be his last campaign for Atlasian office.

[Boston Bread]

I greatly approve of having links in news articles. I'm too busy to look for posts in threads I don't follow.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

March 23, 2015

National

President Bore speaks with reporters after the successful assault on PMA's headquarters.

PMA Headquarters Falls, And With It Group's Clout

An assault on the main compound of the terrorist group known as "PMA" planned by the Justice Department and carried out in coordination with National Guard units resulted in the successful seizure of the group's headquarters, with a minimal loss of life on the part of Atlasian officials. The attack on the compound was the culmination of a week-long search for the group'd headquarters, and effort that first came to light when an anonymous source leaked confidential information to the Mideast Record-Courier. With the capture of their national headquarters and the death of the group's leader, Wayne Derrik, the ability of the PMA to carry out attacks on the scale of the Topeka, Kansas killings has been severely reduced, though whether the group has been completely stamped out remains to be seen.

According to Izvestia, the official publication of Game Moderator Kalwejt (TPP-VT), federal officials discovered the compound approximately 30 km from the Canadian border. After a brief skirmish with militants stationed there, FBI officials working alongside federalized units of the National Guard took control of the building. A total of 43 militants were taken prisoner, including 9 wounded, while 11 were killed in the struggle. Four of the Atlasians who participated in the assault lost their lives, in addition to 3 unarmed relatives of the militants. The conflict has claimed the lives of 48 Atlasians and 17 militants since beginning over a month ago.

Act To Create "Official" Constitution Meets With Wide Support

A bill introduced by Speaker Windjammer (Lab-MI) on behalf of the Bore Administration to create an official copy of the Atlasian Constitution has met with positive reception in the Senate, which seems set to pass the proposal by an overwhelming margin. The bill seeks to resolve confusion surrounding the Constitution and the various amendments that have been passed since its ratification by establishing a single copy of the document that would take the place of other versions for the purposes of the federal government.

At present, the nation's federal Constitution - its third since the founding of the Atlasian Republic in 2004 - is compiled in several articles on the national Wikipedia, with each Article and Amendment stored on a separate page. Changes to the original text are noted by strike-throughs and bolded lettering, with footnotes directing the reader to the applicable amendment. In addition to this disorganized format, the Constitution has reportedly not been updated since the Nix Administration nearly two years ago. All this together means that those attempting to interpret the meaning of the various amendments and passages that govern everything from electoral procedure to who can and cannot serve in the president's cabinet are constantly bombarded by contradicting, outdated information, with only the most senior Atlasians possessing the necessary experience to decipher it.

If the bill is passed, this labyrinth would be replaced by a single, easily-edited Wikipedia article maintained by the federal government. This could potentially prevent future conundrums such as the now-muddled confirmation of Adam Griffin as Registar General, which came to a halt when it became clear that the administration and several Senators had misremembered key passages of the Semi-Presidentialism Amendment, mistakenly believing that Mr. Griffin could serve both as a Senator and as head of the Census Bureau. While freshman Southern Senator Hagrid (Ind-SC) has questioned the necessity of an official copy, most other Senators - including Mideast Regional Senator Windjammer and At-Large Senator (and former President) Polnut (TPP-MA) have voiced their approval of the measure. As of this writing, Speaker Windjammer has motioned for a final vote, which will begin if no Senator objects in 24 hours' time.

Regional

Mideast citizens waiting to vote in the March regional elections.

Regional Elections Result In Progressive Assembly, Greater Powers For Lt. Governor

Despite last minute write-in campaigns in support of former President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH) and former Governor Spiral (DR-MO), progressive politicians maintained their majority in the Assembly as a result of last week's elections, with an expected coalition of Labor, TPP, and the WSRP controlling three seats out of five seats in the chamber. Due to the failure of incumbent Assemblyman Nagas (Lab-VA) to declare his candidacy for reelection in time to appear on the ballot, the election was officially uncontested. As no write-in candidate received a first-preference vote, all five declared candidates - Speaker New Canadaland (Lab-ON); Assemblymen Earl A. "Hatman" Washburn (WSRP-ON), Johanus Calvinus Libertas (Fed-IN), and Shua (DR-NU); and Journalist Harry S Truman (TPP-IN) - were elected without opposition, each receiving sufficient votes to be elected without need for a second round. Meanwhile, an amendment to the Mideast Constitution allowing the Lt. Governor to break ties in the Assembly under certain circumstances was adopted without serious opposition, greatly expanding the influence of that office

In terms of partisan influence, the Labor Party - currently the plurality party in the Assembly - came up short, loosing its second seat to TPP. Ideologically, however, the chamber will remain in the hands of progressive thinkers, as TPP's candidate, Mr. Truman, is left of the center on most issues. This is in keeping with the leftward shift of the Mideast, which has gone from being a prohibitively conservative region to one in which progressives had the upper hand in recent months, despite the best efforts of conservatives. Nevertheless, had the right succeeded in fielding a third candidate, and had Mr. Nagas declared his candidacy before the deadline, the election might have had a very different outcome, as evidenced by the competitive election for the Assembly that took place in January.

The result of the election means that Governor TDAS04 (Lab-VA) will have a friendly relationship with the Assembly during the last two months of his term, allowing him to achieve legislative goals that had to be postponed during the last session. It is expected, as well, that Speaker New Canadaland will be returned to office unopposed, as he was two months ago after the left took control of the chamber. New Canadaland has stated that this will be his final term as Speaker.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Citizens who wish to submit editorials for publication should send their submissions to Harry S Truman by PM no later than Sunday, March 29.

Map: March 2015 Mideast Elections

Though no party was able to secure a majority or even a plurality in last week's elections for the Mideast Assembly, left-leaning candidates fared slightly better than conservatives at the ballot box. Of the five members of the new 41st Assembly, three - New Canadaland of the Labor Party, Earl A. "Hatman" Washburn of the WSRP, and Harry S Truman of TPP - can be broadly categorized as to the left of the center, while the remaining two - Shua of the Democratic Republican Party and Johanus Calvinus Libertas of the Federalists - lean rightward. While these are imperfect divisions that encompass large ideological differences, it is along these lines that the election was fought and on which the new legislature will function. In general, progressive candidates fared best in the Great Lakes region and along the Atlantic coast, while conservatives held on to the interior. Interestingly, three states - Wisconsin, Missouri, and Maryland - were evenly split between conservatives and progressives, while Illinois, Indiana, and West Virginia saw ties between candidates of similar persuasions. Both Canadian provinces were carried unanimously by a single coalition: Ontario by the progressives and Nunavut by the conservatives.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

This is in keeping with the leftward shift of the Mideast, which has gone from being a prohibitively conservative region to one in which progressives had the upper hand in recent months, despite the best efforts of conservatives.

Anbody here, seen my old friend Isaac?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He found a lot of people but it seems don't they leave young.
I just looked around and he's gone.

Anbody here, seen my old friend Nathan?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He once made a lot of friends but it seems don't they leave fast.
I just looked around and he's gone.

Anbody here, seen my old friend Bob?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walking up over the hill.

Anbody here objects to this song, can stick it sideways. When I see the Mideast of today I think of Tmth, Inks, A-Bob, MasterJedi, Nik, True Con, Big Bad Fab, and Junkie and hate that they are now gone as well as the party that brought them all together.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Congrats on getting electorated, Harry!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Congrats on getting electorated, Harry!

Thank-you!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Mid-Week Update

March 26, 2015

• Multiple public figures, including former Senator North Carolina Yankee (Fed-NC) and Southern Legislator and former President Duke (TPP-TX), have announced that they will be making "important announcements" in the near future, fueling speculation about the upcoming At-Large Senate Election. Only Senators Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) and Cris (CR-KS) have announced their intention to seek reelection at this point.
• At-Large Senator Somebody Who Exists (Lab-NY) implied that he would not seek reelection in a poll of the upcoming April At-Large Senate race, saying that his colleague, Senator Lief (Lab-VT), would receive his first preference.
• The Efficient Referenda Amendment was rejected by voters in both the Mideast and the Northeast. As the federal Constitution dictates that the consent of four regions is necessary to amend the nation's governing document, the amendment is now officially dead. Had it been adopted, it would have given the SoFE the authority to administer future ratification referendums and required that said referendums be held immediately after the amendment's passage by the Senate.
• Former President Tyrion (Ind-WY) was elected Archduke of the Midwest after a successful write-in campaign.
• Attorney General Al Sibboleth (TD-CA) released a directive stating that his department will no only prosecute Atlasian citizens "when it is clear that an offence has been committed." This announcement comes as the controversial trial of former President Tyrion for voter fraud, which several on the left have labeled a "political witch hunt", draws to a close.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

March 30, 2015

National

Former Senator Yankee announces his first-ever campaign for At-Large Senate.

Two New Candidates Enter At-Large Senate Race

The flurry of special announcements that began last week has resulted in two new candidates for At-Large Senate, while two potential candidates chose to forgo a run in favor of other pursuits. With the addition of former Senator North Carolina Yankee (Fed-NC) and Northeast Speaker Blair (Lab-MA) in recent days, the field now consists of four candidates for the Senate, with incumbent Senator Lief (Lab-VT) expected to officially launch his reelection bid in the coming days.

Of these announcements, Mr. Yankee's was perhaps the most anticipated, preceded by a lengthy publicity campaign that raised speculation about a Senate run. Until his narrow defeat in the February 2015 elections, Mr. Yankee was the most senior member of the nation's legislature, and remains the longest-serving senator in Atlasian history. With his exit, and the decision of At-Large Senator Cris to join Civic Renewal in the days following the election, the Federalist Party lost its last elected member of the federal government, despite being the second-largest party in terms of registration. As the Federalists' national Chairman, Mr. Yankee has been involved with efforts to revive the party's fortunes ever since. Currently, only three Federalists - Southern Legislator PiT (Fed-LA), Midwest Representative Dereich, and Mideast Assemblyman Johanus Calvinus Libertas (Fed-IN) - hold office in Atlasia, while an additional two - Associate Justice TJ (Fed-OH) and Deputy GM Cathcon (Fed-MI) - serve in appointed positions within the federal government.

While there was speculation that Maxwell (Fed-AL) might also make a bid for the Senate, the former Southern chief executive announced earlier today that he would not contest the election. This news came as a not-unexpected but still-disapointing blow for the Federalists, who would have benefitted tremendously from the former Emperor's experience and popularity. As things now stand, the possibility of the Federalists electing a second senator in April seem slim, with most potential candidates having either just concluded campaigns for their Region's legislature or proven in the past to have little to no support amongst the electorate.

Laborites, meanwhile, are rallying around the candidacy of Northeast Speaker Blair2015, a newcomer to Atlasia who was only recently elected to the Regional legislature. Should Mr. Blair be elected next month, quite likely if incumbent Senator SWE (Lab-NY) stands by his earlier suggestions that he will forgo a second term, his rise  will be among the most rapid in recent history, rivaling Mr. Yankee's progression from private citizen to regional senator in the Summer of 2009.

In a bitterly disappointing turn of events for The People's Party, Southern Legislator and former President Duke (TPP-TX) declined to mount a bid for the Senate, instead revealing that the important announcement he had been hinting at was the creating of the Duke Presidential Library. Mr. Duke was seen as an ideal candidate to reclaim the fifth At-Large Senate seat for TPP due to his widespread popularity and general public approval of his tenure as the nation's chief executive. This leaves incumbent Senator Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) as the lone TPPer in the race, Game Moderator Kalwejt (TPP-VT) having retracted his candidacy mere hours after announcing it earlier today. Should TPP seek to run a second candidate, they have a number of potential contenders to choose from, though only a handful possess the ability to unite broad coalitions of voters that is a necessity for members of the centrist party. As Mr. Polnut is generally recognized as a center-left senator, TPP's best bet would be to nominate a center-right candidate. To that end, both Pacific Speaker Turkisblau (TPP-NM) and Pacific Governor Simfan34 (TPP-CA) could potentially receive The People's nomination, though neither has indicated any interest in a Senate bid.

Neither the Democratic-Republican Party nor the Transcendental Democrats have announced an intention to run a candidate in the election, though the absence of a second Federalist could create an opening for the former.

Work On Presidential Library Begins

Refuting rumors that he was planning a bid for the Senate, or else plotting his return as the nation's chief executive, former President AHDuke99 (TPP-TX), known to his supporters simply as "Duke", announced early in the morning on Friday that he had begun work on a project designed to preserve the legacy of his two terms and Atlasia's chief executive. Dubbed the "Duke Presidential Library", the project will compile information on the legislation, struggles, and debates of the Duke Administration, as well as address the South Carolina native's rise to the nation's highest office.

The project was met with much enthusiasm from Mr. Duke's supporters, even inspiring Game Moderator Kalwejt, who briefly served as Acting President in 2011, to launch a presidential library of his own. Among those to laude the endeavor was Northeast Representative and former Governor Winfield (Ind-RI), who said that "this is truly a banner day in the history of this republic." As Mr. Duke is quite possibly the first president to attempt to preserve his legacy in so formal a manner, the library will doubtlessly prove to be an enormous historical asset in an age where the majority of the articles on the national Wikipedia are grossly out of date.

Mr. Duke was first elected president in October 2013. He had previously served several terms in the Senate and as Governor of the Southeast (now the South), in addition to a single term as vice president under President Marokai Blue. Early in his first gubernatorial term, Duke joined a collection of fellow Southerners dissatisfied with the state of federal policy to form the Regional Protection Party, which became one of the foremost Atlasian political parties until voluntarily dissolving in February of 2012. Later that year he became the driving force behind the formation of The People's Party, of which he was the first chairman. As president, he proved unusually capable of building consensus between the left and right, overseeing the bailout of the Pacific Region and the passage of such landmark legislation as the Fair Labor Standards Act. He was reelected by an overwhelming margin in February 2014.

Regional

The Regional Capital in Peter's Park, Maryland, where the Assembly convened on Saturday.

Mideast Assembly Takes Office

With the majority of its members having sworn into office, the 41st Mideast Assembly convened in the regional capital at Peter's Park, Maryland on Saturday. The Assembly's first order of business was to select it's presiding officer; Assemblyman New Canadaland (Lab-ON), who served as Speaker of the Assembly during the last session, was chosen to continue in that roll without opposition. Having assumed the Speakership, Mr. New Canadaland then opened the floor for new legislation. Currently, only one bill is before the chamber: the G.R.E.E.N. Act, proposed by freshman Assemblyman Harry S Truman (TPP-IN), which seeks to provide tax incentives for Renewable Energy production in the Mideast. Bills addressing everything from abortion services to Constitutional reforms are expected to be introduced in the coming days.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Those interested in having their views published in the Mideast Record-Courier should send (brief) submissions to Harry S Truman, editor, by no later than Sunday, April 5.

Pie Chart: Parties In The Federal Government

Currently, the Labor Party claims a majority of elected officeholders (seven, compared with 3 TPPers, 1 CR, and one Independent), while other parties draw their strength mainly from appointed offices, both in the cabinet and on the Supreme Court. Of the heads of the various executive departments, two are members of TPP, two are Laborites, one belongs to the Transcendental Democratic Party (the smallest of the parties considered "major parties" by the Census Bureau), and one is an independent. The Supreme Court, traditionally a nonpartisan body, is composed of one Federalist, one TPPer, and a member of the "Earth Liberation Party". Overall, there are eight Laborites, six TPPers, two Federalists, and one member of each Civic Renewal and the Transcendental Democrats currently serving in Nyman, with three officials either affiliated with smaller parties or serving as Independents.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

March 30, 2015

National

Former Senator Yankee announces his first-ever campaign for At-Large Senate.

Two New Candidates Enter At-Large Senate Race

The flurry of special announcements that began last week has resulted in two new candidates for At-Large Senate, while two potential candidates chose to forgo a run in favor of other pursuits. With the addition of former Senator North Carolina Yankee (Fed-NC) and Northeast Speaker Blair (Lab-MA) in recent days, the field now consists of four candidates for the Senate, with incumbent Senator Lief (Lab-VT) expected to officially launch his reelection bid in the coming days.

Of these announcements, Mr. Yankee's was perhaps the most anticipated, preceded by a lengthy publicity campaign that raised speculation about a Senate run.

 Should Mr. Blair be elected next month, quite likely if incumbent Senator SWE (Lab-NY) stands by his earlier suggestions that he will forgo a second term, his rise  will be among the most rapid in recent history, rivaling Mr. Yankee's progression from private citizen to regional senator in the Summer of 2009.

As far back as 2010 I was being portrayed as an old man.

As for that rise to prominence, I went from being so new that I was invalid in December, to being a VP candidate a month later. That is now illegal I think, but I might be mistaken.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Work On Presidential Library Begins

Refuting rumors that he was planning a bid for the Senate, or else plotting his return as the nation's chief executive, former President AHDuke99 (TPP-TX), known to his supporters simply as "Duke", announced early in the morning on Friday that he had begun work on a project designed to preserve the legacy of his two terms and Atlasia's chief executive. Dubbed the "Duke Presidential Library", the project will compile information on the legislation, struggles, and debates of the Duke Administration, as well as address the South Carolina native's rise to the nation's highest office.

The project was met with much enthusiasm from Mr. Duke's supporters, even inspiring Game Moderator Kalwejt, who briefly served as Acting President in 2011, to launch a presidential library of his own. Among those to laude the endeavor was Northeast Representative and former Governor Winfield (Ind-RI), who said that "this is truly a banner day in the history of this republic." As Mr. Duke is quite possibly the first president to attempt to preserve his legacy in so formal a manner, the library will doubtlessly prove to be an enormous historical asset in an age where the majority of the articles on the national Wikipedia are grossly out of date.

Mr. Duke was first elected president in October 2013. He had previously served several terms in the Senate and as Governor of the Southeast (now the South), in addition to a single term as vice president under President Marokai Blue. Early in his first gubernatorial term, Duke joined a collection of fellow Southerners dissatisfied with the state of federal policy to form the Regional Protection Party, which became one of the foremost Atlasian political parties until voluntarily dissolving in February of 2012. Later that year he became the driving force behind the formation of The People's Party, of which he was the first chairman. As president, he proved unusually capable of building consensus between the left and right, overseeing the bailout of the Pacific Region and the passage of such landmark legislation as the Fair Labor Standards Act. He was reelected by an overwhelming margin in February 2013.

He was reelected in February 2014.

I also object to the word voluntarily dissolved. It was basically more like, "This is the only chance will get to be rid of evil bgwah, don't you dare stand in the way RPP". Forced is more like it and unnecessarily at that. Marokai and a bunch of others joined us because they hated bgwah and they hated Napoleon. They didn't want to join the party found by Hamilton and so they joined the party that had promoted two of Atlasia's most active and most collaborative Senators. They would have left us the minute the JCP dissolved and tried to start another centrist party. Many RPPers left before dissolution even was a done deal.

[Oakvale]

The weird thing this myopic nostalgia for 2011 () fails to touch upon is that RPP was terrible. Not that the entire stagnant duopoly wasn't, but you know. I can't fathom pining for the days when BRTD would win a Senate seat on write-in votes because he had a JCP tag.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The weird thing this myopic nostalgia for 2011 () fails to touch upon is that RPP was terrible. Not that the entire stagnant duopoly wasn't, but you know. I can't fathom pining for the days when BRTD would win a Senate seat on write-in votes because he had a JCP tag.

2010 not 2011.

Because I am proud of what we in the RPP were working for. I am proud of the fact that we worked as a team. Duke, Cincy, PiT, TJ, Junkie, Cathcon, Zuwo and even Marokai as well as so many more. You were never an RPPer, how the hell would you be able to judge our party from the perspective of a willing facilitator of the JCP for so long. Nobody pines for that era because of your party at the time and the way it was run. It was terrible. We never elected a BRTD. We had True Con but he was appointed and didn't run in the election.

And perhaps you as TPP Chair should realize that considering just what Duke had in mind when he created the TPP or perhaps I know more about your party then you do.

I know of no RPPer who joined under my term as chair who left regretting having joined the Party. They loved the RPP that Duke and I had rebuilt from the ashes of 2009. They hated the JCP and its dominance. I never wanted a two-party system. I did everything I could to save the Populares. In hindsight I probably should have just started aggressively seeking to poach their members and kept them in the game instead of letting them slip away like Goldwater who first joined for six months as a Populares in 2010. One vote closer to electing Duke over Snowguy.

I will never accept the dissolution of the RPP because we paid the price for bgwah's exit from the stage since he was too much of a narcissist to not do something like that and no one had the balls to shake things up organically as long as he was around (So like all leftists, the approach to the problem is force ). Also because we ran a party the our members could be proud of. Former RPPers are now found in Labor, TPP and Federalist Parties. The failure to appreciate the RPPs legacy from another whose perspective came from that of the left at that time, helped cost your party a Senate seat recently.

I for one cannot fathom this desire on the part of leftists and former members of the JCP to project the way that the JCP ran onto the RPP and assume they were two sides of the same coin. We operated completely differently.

[Adam Griffin]

#SassyYankee

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

He was reelected in February 2014.

Oops. Fixed.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

The weird thing this myopic nostalgia for 2011 () fails to touch upon is that RPP was terrible. Not that the entire stagnant duopoly wasn't, but you know. I can't fathom pining for the days when BRTD would win a Senate seat on write-in votes because he had a JCP tag.

2010 not 2011.

Because I am proud of what we in the RPP were working for. I am proud of the fact that we worked as a team. Duke, Cincy, PiT, TJ, Junkie, Cathcon, Zuwo and even Marokai as well as so many more. You were never an RPPer, how the hell would you be able to judge our party from the perspective of a willing facilitator of the JCP for so long. Nobody pines for that era because of your party at the time and the way it was run. It was terrible. We never elected a BRTD. We had True Con but he was appointed and didn't run in the election.

And perhaps you as TPP Chair should realize that considering just what Duke had in mind when he created the TPP or perhaps I know more about your party then you do.

I know of no RPPer who joined under my term as chair who left regretting having joined the Party. They loved the RPP that Duke and I had rebuilt from the ashes of 2009. They hated the JCP and its dominance. I never wanted a two-party system. I did everything I could to save the Populares. In hindsight I probably should have just started aggressively seeking to poach their members and kept them in the game instead of letting them slip away like Goldwater who first joined for six months as a Populares in 2010. One vote closer to electing Duke over Snowguy.

I will never accept the dissolution of the RPP because we paid the price for bgwah's exit from the stage since he was too much of a narcissist to not do something like that and no one had the balls to shake things up organically as long as he was around (So like all leftists, the approach to the problem is force ). Also because we ran a party the our members could be proud of. Former RPPers are now found in Labor, TPP and Federalist Parties. The failure to appreciate the RPPs legacy from another whose perspective came from that of the left at that time, helped cost your party a Senate seat recently.

I for one cannot fathom this desire on the part of leftists and former members of the JCP to project the way that the JCP ran onto the RPP and assume they were two sides of the same coin. We operated completely differently.

Which was?

In all that time I never really figured out what it was, aside from being the mainstream conservative party.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Duke must have thought otherwise, otherwise your present party wouldn't exist right now.

Yes we were working to be a reasonable, mainstream conservative Party. However, we also maintained our original founding purpose, that of supporting and preserving Regions and pushing for reforms that improved the game whilst not harming the former. Towards the end we were close but just a little short, of achieving parity with the JCP and without resorting to its style and tactics, something you were hardly thrilled with as I recall. That is what the RPP was about. And if I live to to see the seven wonders, I'll never live to match the glory again (had to throw in an eighties reference somewhere ). I sure as hell plan to try though.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Mid-Week Update

April 2, 2015

• Newly-confirmed head of the Census Bureau Adam Griffin (Lab-NB) launched an ambitious re-conception of the department, expanding the traditional registered voters list to be sortable by party, region, and state to wide popular approval.
• Former Northeast Speaker Blair (Lab-MA) was appointed to the Senate by Labor Party Chairman Lief (Lab-VT), filling a vacancy left by Adam Griffin's confirmation as Registrar General.
• Former President Tyrion (aka Ogis24) was found not guilty by a federal jury. Tyrion had been charged by former Deputy Attorney General Rpryor (CR-NJ) of violating federal law by holding multiple accounts, albeit not simultaneously. The former president's lawyer, Attorney General Al Sibboleth (TD-CA), argued successfully that the blanket pardon issued by Mr. Tyrion during his brief tenure as chief executive exempted him from prosecution.
• A proposed Constitutional Amendment that would limit the president's authority to issue pardons has sparked a debate over whether this power should be eliminated entirely. Among those arguing in favor of this suggestion was former President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH), who refused on principle to issue any pardons during his term.
• A bill that would cut taxes for so-called "Renewable Energy Companies" and raise taxes on those that produce electricity by non-renewable means is currently before the Mideast Assembly. It has been endorsed by Governor TDAS04 (Lab-VA).
• Mideast Lt. Governor Bmotely (DR-IN) announced his candidacy for At-Large Senate yesterday. Mr. Motley briefly campaigned for the Mideast Regional Senate seat last February, but dropped out in favor of former Governor Spiral (DR-MO).
• Southern Governor Flo (TPP-PR) announced that he would seek reelection in the upcoming regional election. Former Legislator DeadPrez (Fed-TX) has filed to challenge the governor.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

April 6, 2015

National

Survivors of the attack on the Atlasian Embassy in Iraq return home.

ISIS Attacks Atlasian Embassy

The details remain shrouded in secrecy and the full implications for the future remain unknown, but reports published by the Game Moderator's office indicate that last Thursday's attack on the Atlasian Embassy in Iraq was the work of militants affiliated with the terrorist organization known as "ISIS", an acronym for " the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria". While federal officials are yet to confirm the group's claim that it was responsible for the deaths of three Atlasians stationed at the Embassy, including Ambassador Dwight L. Sheisskopf IV, though current evidence suggests that the attack was the work of a well-supplied terrorist group, a description met by the so-called "Islamic State".

According to bulletins released by the Game Moderator, the attack took place in the late afternoon of April 2, when an attacking force of unknown size began bombarding the Atlasian Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq with mortar shells. While the attackers are not known to have penetrated the building, Ambassador Sheisskopf and two unnamed colleagues were killed during the fighting. Roughly 24 hours later, ISIS publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks in an undisclosed statement reported by the GM.

As the Atlasian public attempted to digest the horror of the assault, officials in Nyman had already sprung into action to protect the lives of those who remained in Baghdad. Having issued statements extending their condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and vowed swift action to bring those responsible to justice, President Bore (Lab-RI) and Secretary of State Superique (TPP-AK) launched a rescue mission to return the survivors to Atlasian soil. After several tense hours, Mr. Superique announced that all remaining diplomatic personnel were safely back in the Republic and that Ambassador Sheisskopf had been laid to rest.

While Atlasia has been actively attempting to roll back advances by the Islamic State since November 2014, when then-President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH) launched a global coalition to combat the terrorist organization, the attack on the Embassy in Baghdad increases pressure on Nyman to take action to diminish the group's strength.  For security reasons, the Bore Administration has declined to release specifics of the measures it is taking to combat ISIS in the Mideast. It appears that Secretary of State Superique has taken the helm in addressing these measures, with the president having pledged to support the chief diplomat "to the hilt". In a communique released April 3, just hours after ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks, Superique stated that the Administration was "doing our best to stop more tragedies", implying that those measures which have been taken are mainly defensive in nature. President Bore's pledge to do "all that we can" to combat the terrorists, however, suggests that a long-term offensive may be in the works. As of this writing, no request for an Authorization of Force has been put before the Senate.

Regional

Candidate for Southern Governor DeadPrez speaking with supporters.

Southern Gubernatorial Race Begins

In what is already being called one of the most interesting elections in recent months, the April 2014 Southern gubernatorial race is now in full swing, with incumbent Governor Flo (TPP-PR) seeking reelection after a fruitful term as the region's chief executive. Unlike in January, when then-Secretary of the Interior Flo ran unopposed in the general election, the governor has drawn a Federalist challenger in former Legislator DeadPrez (Fed-TX). With Southern Federalists itching to reclaim their influence in the Region after loosing North Carolina Yankee's once-safe Senate seat in February, the race promises to be highly competitive, with much depending on whether Mr. DeadPrez can effectively woo undecided voters who supported Governor Flo in January.

The campaign recently became the center of national attention when Mr. DeadPrez announced that he would support a repeal of the Duke-Glory Days Amendment passed in February, which changed the Region's name from the Imperial Dominion of the South to simply "the South". While the change was heralded by Governor Flo as an important step towards rebuilding the region's reputation as a hospitable place for newcomers and old faces alike, Mr. DeadPrez has attacked the amendment as unnecessary and said that it does not represent the will of the Southern people. This last remark drew particular ire from the governor's supporters, who pointed out that the Amendment was ratified with 80% of the vote, though the former legislator has stood by his statement, arguing that "I just don't understand how 80 percent somehow represents 100 percent."

On other issues, Mr. DeadPrez has cast himself as a classic conservative, championing welfare reform and "pushing individualism by promoting social issues". Governor Flo, meanwhile, has launched an ambitious platform calling for increased energy independence, consumer protection efforts, and measures to crack down on tax evasion. In terms of endorsements, the governor enjoys strong support from his own TPP as well as amongst members of Labor and Civic Renewal, while Mr. DeadPrez's base is predominantly Federalist. Both candidates have agreed to a debate moderated by former President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH). (Note: The Mideast Record-Courier has endorsed Governor Flo.)

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Polnut And Blair Endorsed For At-Large Senate

After a disappointing special election in March, the upcoming election for At-Large Senate has been a refreshing display of capability and ideological diversity. From experienced legislators of the caliber of Polnut and North Carolina Yankee to promising newcomers such as Blair and dedicated reformers such as Poirot, the current field is an impressive array of young and old alike. While Atlasians would not go astray in voting for any of these choices, Senators Polnut (TPP-MA) and Blair (Lab-MA) in particular stand out as excellent candidates to represent the Atlasian people, and we heartily encourage our fellow citizens to grant them your first and second preferences.

Few in Atlasia today can claim to rival the experience and success of Jack Polnut, the most senior senator seeking reelection this month. Having twice served as president in addition to a plethora of other offices (including a stint as Governor of the Mideast), Senator Polnut has proven time and time again to be a competent and thorough representative of the people. Yet Mr. Polnut's most recent campaign is not a tired recitation of his past glories. Rather, the senator - who has pledged not to retire at the end of the next term - has proposed an ambitious agenda covering topics ranging from prison reform to education. His tenure in the Senate has shown him to be both moderate and outspoken, and in a sharp rebuttal of the myth of the "moderate hero", he has proven it possible to build consensus while remaining true to one's principles.

Mr. Blair, meanwhile, has the potential to bring new ideas and energy to a chamber filled with old faces. His campaign has been marked by articulate, bold proposals for Atlasia's future, and his time as Speaker of the Northeast Assembly provides credence to his ability to taking a leading role in debate. While still somewhat rough around the edges, Mr. Blair promises to be a fine senator and public servant. We have no doubt that he will do his country proud.

Flo's Tenure Warrants Second Term

While the Mideast Record-Courier does not often insert itself in the politics of other regions, the remarkable strides that have been made by the South since Governor Flo's election four months ago merit's our full support for his reelection. His term at the helm of the South's executive branch has been marked by landmark achievements for his region: the repeal of regulations prohibiting the use of drones for commercial services, a strengthening of laws against harmful pesticides, and an end to the draconian naming system that once labeled Atlasia's Southernmost Region the "Imperial Dominion", to name a few. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated an ability to work with politicians of all persuasions, from libertarians to conservatives to left-wingers, and his commitment to maintaining the "Introduction to Atlasia" thread provides a real service to new citizens across the country. The good people of the South would do well to return him to his post.

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, April 12.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

April 13, 2015

National

At-Large Senator Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) campaigns for reelection.

Evacuation Leaves Once Man Alone In The Heart of Iraq

On the morning of April 4, following two tense days in which officials in the State Department scrambled to respond to an attack on the nation's Iraq Embassy by the terrorist group ISIS, Secretary of State Superique (TPP-AK) triumphantly announced that the evacuation of the remaining Atlasians in Iraq was complete. "[I am] pleased that the remaining members of our diplomatic team [are] back to their motherland," the chief diplomate stated in the pages of the International Tribune, framing the extraction as an early victory in the fight to degrade, and ultimately defeat, the terrorist organization.

One member of the Atlasian diplomatic team, however, was not among the evacuated personnel greeted by Mr. Superique that morning. Three days after the announced successful return of the Embassy's staff, an anonymous source revealed to the Mideast Record-Courier that one individual, a private contractor named Mark Lawson, remained behind and was "hopelessly unaccounted for." Mr. Lawson, a 33-year-old computer programmer from Atlanta, Georgia, was not on board the State Department plane when it took off for Nyman. His current whereabouts, and indeed whether he is still alive, remain unknown.

It is as yet unclear how soon after the rescue mission Mr. Lawson's absence was noted by State Department officials, or whether any action has been taken to locate him. As of this writing, neither President Bore nor Secretary Superique have publicly acknowledged Mr. Lawson's disappearance.

April 2014 At-Large Senate Voters' Guide

What is possibly to be the final At-Large Senate election in Atlasian history will be held this week, beginning on April 17 and continuing through the weekend. The the withdraw of Democratic-Republican candidate Bmotely to assume the governorship of the Mideast, six candidates remain on the ballot to contest the five available seats. For the convenience of our readers, a complete list of all those candidates who will accept votes in the upcoming election is provided below.

At-Large Senator Blair (Labor-Massachusetts) (inc.)
Blair was recently appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy left by Adam Griffin's resignation. He previously served as Speaker of the Northeast Assembly. Senator Blair has been endorsed by the Mideast Record-Courier.

At-Large Senator Cris (Civic Renewal-Kansas) (inc.)
Cris was first elected to the Senate in the December 2014 At-Large Elections. He was previously Archduke of the Midwest and was a member of the Federalist Party until February 2015.

At-Large Senator Lief (Labor-Vermont) (inc.)
In addition to his current status as Senator At-Large, Lief has served as Governor of the Northeast from July 2008 to January 2009 and President of Atlasia from July 2009 to March 2010, among other offices. His is currently serving as chairman of the Labor Party.

At-Large Senator Jack Polnut (The People's Party-Massachusetts) (inc.)
Polnut is a former Atlasian President and a long-time member of the Senate. He has been endorsed by the Mideast Record-Courier.

Fmr. Northeast Representative Poirot (Independent-Quebec)
Poirot is a perennial candidate and former Northeast Representative from Quebec. He most recently campaigned for At-Large Senate in the March 2015 Special Election, loosing to Adam Griffin (Lab-NB) and the February 2015 Northeast Gubernatorial Election, loosing to Governor Sawx (TPP-NH).

Fmr. Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee (Federalist-North Carolina)
Prior to his defeat in the February 2015 Southern Senate Election, Yankee was the longest-serving senator in Atlasian history, having taken office nearly six years ago. He is currently serving as chairman of the Federalist Party.

Regional

Mideast Governor Bmotely (DR-IN) after swearing in as chief executive of his Region.

TDAS04 Resigns, Elevating Bmotely To The Governorship

After serving nearly two months at the helm of the Mideast, Governor TDAS04 (Lab-VA) announced his resignation Friday morning, saying that real life circumstances would no longer permit him to commit the necessary time to leading the Mideast as its chief executive. With the Governor's resignation, Lt. Governor Bmotely (DR-IN) assumed the office of governor, effecting not only a change of parties, but an ideological shift that is certain to effect the course of the regional government in the coming months.

TDAS04's resignation is not the first time that a Mideast Governor has stepped down in recent months. TDAS04 took office himself after his predecessor, Isaac Tmthforu94 (formerly Fed-VA) deregistered as an Atlasian citizen following a scandal concerning his knowledge that former President Napoleon was a sock of banned poster Alexander Hamilton. Tmthforu94 in turn took office when former Governor TJ resigned to take his seat on the Supreme Court, and TJ became governor upon the resignation of Governor Potus2036 (then known as Riley Keaton). All in all, the last Mideasterner to be elected to and complete a term as Mideast Governor was former Governor Spiral, who served from January to May of 2014.

The ascension of Lt. Governor Bmotley (DR-IN) to the governor's office has large implications for Mideast politics. While the Assembly is currently controlled by a three-man progressive majority, Mr. Motley is a member of the libertarian Democratic-Republican Party, greatly decreasing the ability of progressives to enact their agenda. While the potential for compromise remains, this is nevertheless a marked change from the state of affairs just last week, when progressives could count on having one of their own in the Governor's Mansion. While it is expected that Governor Motley will nominate a center-left lt. governor in the interest of maintaining good relations with his opponents, the governor has yet to make an official appointment.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

President Bore One Of The Best I've Seen So Far

If I could wade back into the waters now after a horrible personal absence, I thought I could offer a comment on the public situation. First of all, Kalwejt has done amazing things as GM, putting the role up on a higher pedestal than even I left it at and I wanted to let everyone know how good I think he's done.

I'd also like to say that in the long periods I've been around here, President Bore, who I worked closely with when we were both Senators, has done a terrific job as President. He may be one of the best Presidents Atlasia has had. The Bore administration has faced over the course of its existence so far, increased terrorism both domestically and internationally, as well as some trouble economically because of the unease. Through all this though, publicly, the administration has come through with flying colors, the best example being the crushing of the PMA.

It's my view that the President and the administration have handled the situation in the best possible fashion. I've been around a long time, and if it isn't one of the best Presidencies we've had when all is said and done, I'd be very surprised.

Dr. Cynic (Pennsylvania)

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, April 19.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Evacuation Leaves Once Man Alone In The Heart of Iraq

to locate him. As of this writing, neither President Bore nor Secretary Superique have publicly acknowledged Mr. Lawson's disappearance.[/justify]

THE PLOT THICKENS

Actually, I'm yet to figure out what to do with this...

[Blair]

Just saw the endorsement, it's much appreciated In-depth newspapers like this keep Atlasia alive