Newsletter Ranting: Honesty, Delivered Brutally [Mad Marokai!]

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I imagine Andrew's reasoning for voting for Lief was much like mine when I voted for Andree for President. I just felt he'd do a better job regardless of who the RPP had endorsed.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Scheme?

I will say I was sorry to hear that Jedi's ticket was no longer. I'm a big fan and respect both Jedi and Franzl and would have happily supported that ticket.

That said, Jedi has been planning on running for months now and, as far as I know, he still is going to run. He'll have my full support. As for second, Lief hasn't been a bad President and his running mate has been one of my closest allies since I started out in the game. I'll wait and see what happens though.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I've only been chairman for a few weeks now, but it is woefully apparent that we will not be allowed to reform in the eyes of the DA. I made a speech recently and lined out the direction in which I wanted to see the RPP move, and all I received was a bunch of scoffing and quiet ears. While I plan on moving forward with allowing the party to elect a chairman who will then do what the members want, I find the DA's excuse extremely weak on why they backed out on Jedi. It's easy to pile the blame on DWTL, but he's been acting the same way now for a year. The only thing that changed was the zombie voting rumor/speculation that the JCP decided to float to turn focus away from their own zombie voting. I am still waiting on some proof that we are doing outside recruiting, because I have yet to be notified of such practices, and I won't go on a witch hunt and accuse those without that proof.

I find it extremely disrespectful that Jedi was treated in such a manner, and even more insulting that the DA continues to preach "pragmatism," "individuality," and the like when they hardly practice it. Jedi has been one of the most independent members of this party through and through, yet all of a sudden he's a member of the oppressive elite? He deserves far, far better.

I'll be the first to admit that DWTL's antics can be poisonous for our party's chances. The whole "he's mean and we all of a sudden do not want to be associated with him" excuse reeks of a last minute copout. His behavior has not changed. When we see Purple State endorsing him for Senate over Fritz a while ago, we can understand that the only thing that has changed is PS, who no longer needs to RPP to get reelected.

In October when we elect a chairman and become more democratic, we'll hear the same, tired story about how we are oppressive and horrible people with DWTL running the show behind the scenes. It is a shame too, because the RPP is full of people willing and able to work with the DA on their agenda, yet the DA seems more secure with allowing their main opposition to dominate the landscape and ensuring their agenda never gets passed. The game may not be about winning, but what is it about to you all? It must not be about the DA's agenda either. What is it? It seems to me that the DA is more interested in looking good to the populace rather than standing for anything.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I don't believe I understand the mindset of the DA leadership at all. If they expect us to simply disband, they are sorely mistaken. There are a lot of DA members I hold great affection and they've explained to me their plight, but none of it makes sense when the leadership is sending such mixed signals. None of us can change our ways when their list of complains continue to change.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I don't believe I understand the mindset of the DA leadership at all. If they expect us to simply disband, they are sorely mistaken. There are a lot of DA members I hold great affection and they've explained to me their plight, but none of it makes sense when the leadership is sending such mixed signals. None of us can change our ways when their list of complains continue to change.

Well you have two people, Hash and HW, calling the shots who seek affection for those on the forum.  PS seems to also have some say and he changes whichever way the wind blows that day.  The DA seems to think that they can bully the RPP into changes to some sort of effeminate hippie party or something.  The RPP never asked the DA to change anything it did or believed in when forming the ticket, and they shouldn't expect us to change.  I'd like to know what exactly has changed from when this ticket was first discussed other than the person who they apparently hate so much stepping down as chair

I like HappyWarrior and we've had a lot of good discussions about what's going on. I don't consider him to be a problem at all. I'm mainly confused at Purple State's claims and actions. They do not add up except to spell political opportunism. If he has such a distaste for you, then why did he endorse you a while ago for the Senate seat? His argument doesn't hold water when one knows that. It's just really a shame for Jedi.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

How was DWTL different in July, Purple State? I still don't get it.

I'd also like to know that, considering you conveniently ignore that charge. If it was political opportunism, then just admit it and we'll move on.


As for your charges, I'd like to know how I am being a proxy for DWTL because that is a talking point a lot of people like to use without much proof. I am hardly disrespectful to the DA members. I've never engaged in any of the questionable activity or behavior that DWTL engages in. Just because we work together hardly means I am a proxy. If it does, then you are just as guilty as I am. I'm not happy about how you seem to throw out how I'm a proxy, yet I hardly exhibit the same actions he does. Also, don't lecture to me about leading. There was a night not too long ago that the RPP could have collapsed, but I listened to the concerns of our members and have pledged to do what is needed to create a more inclusive RPP where everyone's concerns are met, not just those of the founding members. Your continuing refusal to recognize this says more about yourself than anything else. It's fine if you don't want to work with us, but it's really unbecoming to keep talking like you do when you have no intention of doing so.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

How was DWTL different in July, Purple State? I still don't get it.

I'd also like to know that, considering you conveniently ignore that charge. If it was political opportunism, then just admit it and we'll move on.


As for your charges, I'd like to know how I am being a proxy for DWTL because that is a talking point a lot of people like to use without much proof. I am hardly disrespectful to the DA members. I've never engaged in any of the questionable activity or behavior that DWTL engages in. Just because we work together hardly means I am a proxy. If it does, then you are just as guilty as I am. I'm not happy about how you seem to throw out how I'm a proxy, yet I hardly exhibit the same actions he does. Also, don't lecture to me about leading. There was a night not too long ago that the RPP could have collapsed, but I listened to the concerns of our members and have pledged to do what is needed to create a more inclusive RPP where everyone's concerns are met, not just those of the founding members. Your continuing refusal to recognize this says more about yourself than anything else. It's fine if you don't want to work with us, but it's really unbecoming to keep talking like you do when you have no intention of doing so.

I have already stated that until recently I was driven by personal ambition, rather than a greater party and national vision. Since leaving elected office, my perspective on what is good for the game has changed, as it is no longer singularly about what is good for myself. So yes, my actions in July were personal political opportunism. It is unfortunate, but I have moved past that since.

Fair enough...

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I've stated many times that DWTL's actions have been poisonous for the party. If you haven't read any of them yet, you're either ignoring them or ignoring my posts. I also stated in my statement that you failed to read that the future course of the RPP will not include hitlists, disrespectful tirades or the like. I will not hold a public lynching of DWTL, and I cannot control what he says. He's been told on multiple occasions by party members to tone down his rhetoric. We do not have control over his computer, and holding us accountable for all of his actions is, again, creating an impossible task. One of the charges the RPP gets is not allowing our members to speak freely, and now I'm getting punished for not censoring it. Again, the mixed signals....

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Again, if you were paying attention, I am simply an interim Chairman until our October election in which we will hold elections for the next chairman. I cannot clean up my act until you begin paying attention to what is going on rather than ignoring or whatever the case may be. I'm doing what I can to fix our image, but as long as you and others like you refuse to acknowledge anything is changing, we'll never change in your mind.

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And I have been. As I can't control DWTL, I also can't control what you and others like you wish to believe or see. As I said, if you expect a public humiliation of DWTL, you'll be sorely disappointed. I'm not in the business of doing that. And if that is what it will take before the DA will be willing to work with us again, I'll get ready for a long, long period of JCP dominance.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

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I'll try not to speak for the DA or for Purple State, but I just had a few words to say about this.

After my ascension to the chairmanship of the SDP, our party was stained by the reputation of Xahar. But I didn't just stand by and let him do and say whatever he wanted. We obviously couldn't control him, but we condemned him and his actions and I was very active in trying to reach out to other parties, yourself included, even if we had serious disagreements.

I worked hard to be kind to all other parties and leaders, and even helped the RPP a time or two. Eventually, of course, the party was too weak and stained from Xahar's deeds that we collapsed, and joined the JCP, but the point is, I didn't just stand by and ignore it.

I'm not asking, nor do I think PS is, that you tie DWTL and try to censor him, but you sit by and rarely say anything! You act as if you have no control over the party, or that you have no power whatsoever. You are the leader! DWTL himself proved that leaders can be powerful, and no I'm not asking you to be like him, but simply to exert your influence to prove yourself as a reformer. As of now, you seem like a placeholder to serve only as the RPP's plausible deniability card.

Honestly, perhaps the party collapsing was the best course of action. Afterall, parties do come to an end at some point, and your party has been poisoned by the vicious leadership and undemocratic and unfair tactics of strategic registration and voting, to the point to where your party has become a cancer-ridden body, propped up by machines. Perhaps real leadership is something like what I did, realizing that we were dead, and for our survival, we needed to merge, or create something new.

(Or you could still just open your secret enclave to the public.) That's just my two cents though.

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LOL Yeah, like you're going to get voted out. You guys engaged in funky maneuvering to make sure you got the spot because people were terrified of who else could've gotten the position if you held an open and public election.

Comparing where the SDP was post-Xahar and where the RPP is currently is very inaccurate. While both parties have been hurt my certain episodes, DWTL's conduct has been the same for a year now. What bewilders me is that people are acting as if he's never done this before. We're still strong in numbers, hold 3 Senate seats (4 if you factor in the switch by Brandon), and still represent the second largest voting bloc in Atlasia. The SDP was hardly that by the time of their collapse. In fact, they were never that at their prime.

As for my relationship with DWTL; I've gone out of my way to defend the DA, HappyWarrior and others even today in some threads. There isn't much more I can do. I know what many people within the DA want because they've told me, but I can't do that and I won't do that.

Again, your situation was much different than mine. It was much easier to allow a left leaning SDP party to collapse and just join the JCP than it is to let a right-leaning party collapse. Many of our members would probably join the DA, but the rest would probably scatter or leave Atlasia. That works for you because the JCP becomes the defacto party

Allowing us to collapse was an option, and if it weren't for PiT and tmuforu coming back, I probably would've just let it die. They came back and I think we're poised to turn over a new leaf.

As for the chairmanship, I haven't even decided whether I want a full term of it. I wouldn't laugh at it until you actually see what happens. This is my point. No matter what we do as a party, we'll always be considered corrupt by some segment of the population. I understand that. Many of our members are beginning to understand that as well. We'll never reform in some people's eyes. That's too bad, but we aren't collapsing.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

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Again, I understand the DA's frustrations, but I think if we substituted "DWTL" for "RPP," the statement would be far more accurate. The RPP as a whole does not have any personal beefs with members of the DA.

As for the next election, it would take a miracle from God for Lief/BK not to be reelected since both the RPP and DA will be running their own candidates. The DA does not have to work with us, that's absolutely true, but you're smoking something powerful if you think the DA, or RPP for that matter, has a chance to win a Presidential election unless the JCP splinters which has never happened sans a few defectors.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Oh the irony of Marokai's little shpeal! How much more hypocritical can everyone get, even after the afleitch/franzl debunkle? The same arguments made against the RPP when Vepres/mechman/Rowan left can be used with the DA as well! AndrewCT turned on his family! Oh no! I really, really think the DA needs to quit while they are ahead. It's becoming more apparent that they are the party with the "info and input for the few" problems. At least, in a situation like this, all of our members would be informed. We all knew the Franzl situation, and we were all informed about Andrew. Knock the party all you want, but we keep our members informed. I was more concerned for the future of the RPP a week ago than I am today. It looks like we are all guilty of the same maneuvers, except if this was the RPP, all members would know about what was going on within the party.   

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Andrew isn't a turncoat.  The DA allows our members discretion.  If he wants to run with MJ then that is his perogative.

Even when he's running against the DA's own candidate?? (Franzl)

You can't blame him if he wasn't even included in the discussions. He, much like everyone else, was left out of the loop. The DA unilaterally withdrew from the already agreed upon ticket with Jedi, provided a trivial excuse, and then planned the Franzl ticket with input from a few top DA officials. So much for the party of openness and transparency, huh? What a joke.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Andrew isn't a turncoat.  The DA allows our members discretion.  If he wants to run with MJ then that is his perogative.

Even when he's running against the DA's own candidate?? (Franzl)

Please don't bring me into this

Everyone is, of course, free to run for whatever ticket they wish. I do wish the party had had some advance notice, but I, of course, respect Andrew's decision to do as he sees fit, and best of luck to him.

Don't get me wrong: Of course Andrew has the "right" to do as he sees fit. I'm just surprised that DA rules/bylaws would still permit him to remain in the party. Inclusive and non-dogmatic is one thing, but allowing a member to run on a ticket against the party's own candidate? I mean, why even have a political party at that point?

Again, none of this is intended to judge in anyway Andrew's decision and I'm not saying he necessarily needs to sign up with the RPP as opposed to becoming an independent or the like.  Though come to think of it, would the most appropriate action by Andrew under these circumstances perhaps be to resign from the DA regardless of whether it's "required" under party rules? Just wondering out loud by a guy not even registered with either party. :-)

If that's the case, I hope you weren't one of the ones chastising the RPP a few weeks ago when DWTL was tearing into members who were openly criticizing and campaigning against the RPP during the last election, were you? Because most of Atlasia mocked us for running a mafia family, claiming that we only allowed members to vote the way we wanted and support who we supported. Where is the openness within the DA? Individual over party? Come on, guys!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Where is the openness within the DA? Individual over party? Come on, guys!

I think you'll find that most people within the DA have been supportive of Andrew's right to do what he wishes to do.

As was the majority of RPP members in regards to Vepres. However, all of us were lumped in with DWTL and publicly lynched. Of course, we still are being lumped in with DWTL and rather than listening to what others in the party do and say, we are automatically considered trolls and vengeful people.

Where is the openness within the DA? Individual over party? Come on, guys!

I think you'll find that most people within the DA have been supportive of Andrew's right to do what he wishes to do.

Indeed. Duke's mock anger is amusing to say the least. Andrew is free to do as he wishes. We have never cared when he votes a different way than we endorse (if only the same could be said for the RPP), nor did removing him from the party even cross my mind when I heard he would be MJ's running mate.

In other words, as the famous ilikeverin would say: "*hughughug*"

As for Andrew not being included in any DA notifications/announcements, a while back I included him on just about every party campaign notice that I would send around. These were usually informal things like, "What does everyone think about ______?" Andrew never gave his opinion or responded, so his name faded and was forgotten on a few recent PMs. I'm not sure this is as "scandalous" as many are trying to make it seem, but so it goes.

It's not mock anger, but thanks for being disrespectful in trying to belittle my statements. Of course it isn't a big deal to you that several of your members had no idea what was going on, but it just takes away another lecture topic that you may have wanted to send my way. It's like saying it's okay if the RPP decided to cut off members from our forum because they weren't participating enough. I'm sure that would go over well with all of you and be no bi g deal.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Hamilton, it's quite simple. You or DWDL insult the DA/Marokai/afleitch. Then AHDuke99 comes in and says that he doesn't agree, and he's friends with everyone, and he can't and won't control your speech. Repeat as necessary.

And if you have a method of have to censor people's speech that doesn't involve hacking their account, I'd love to hear it. I agree it's becoming a bit of a broken record, but folks around here seem to think I have some sort of magical power to where I can control the words of DWTL and the like.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Where is the openness within the DA? Individual over party? Come on, guys!

I think you'll find that most people within the DA have been supportive of Andrew's right to do what he wishes to do.

Indeed. Duke's mock anger is amusing to say the least. Andrew is free to do as he wishes. We have never cared when he votes a different way than we endorse (if only the same could be said for the RPP), nor did removing him from the party even cross my mind when I heard he would be MJ's running mate.

In other words, as the famous ilikeverin would say: "*hughughug*"

As for Andrew not being included in any DA notifications/announcements, a while back I included him on just about every party campaign notice that I would send around. These were usually informal things like, "What does everyone think about ______?" Andrew never gave his opinion or responded, so his name faded and was forgotten on a few recent PMs. I'm not sure this is as "scandalous" as many are trying to make it seem, but so it goes.

It's not mock anger, but thanks for being disrespectful in trying to belittle my statements. Of course it isn't a big deal to you that several of your members had no idea what was going on, but it just takes away another lecture topic that you may have wanted to send my way. It's like saying it's okay if the RPP decided to cut off members from our forum because they weren't participating enough. I'm sure that would go over well with all of you and be no bi g deal.

I'm pretty sure it's mock anger. Otherwise you would have noted that I did not "cut off" Andrew. I have sent him most of the big DA PMs on strategy. Occasionally some members slip my mind. I have definitely neglected to send PMs to other members at times as well. Never have I willfully neglected to share information with someone.

You have also invented DA anger about Andrew's position on MJ's ticket. Just look at the first quote, from you, in this post. The honest truth is none of us are angry about Andrew's actions, no matter how much you may want others to believe that we are. It is totally his call and we respect his individual choice.

It would be dishonest to say that there wasn't anger within the DA over Andrew's actions. I never specifically mentioned you, so I fail to see why you've taken such offense to it, or why you expect me to mention you specifically. It's enough to where he left the party, apparently. We'll let the actions speak louder than the words, again. No need to argue over it.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Marokai, I think you make some good points in your most recent column. Either that, or I am just thankful it spared the PCP for once.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

This is another case in which Marokai and I can agree on an issue. The question we now face is what to do about it. If some of these new members come and contribute something of merit to the game, then great, but if they are just here to spew the same talking points and bicker, then it's a wash. I haven't the time to argue with the ARC army, because all of there defenses have become tired and unoriginal. I will say that Einzign seems serious about the game, and actually has proposed some good ideas, so it's not a total loss. But the coalition in the ARC remains the same, and will probably only get bigger and more outspoken - so get ready.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

It's so refreshing to see the myself and RPP out of the news when talking about zombie voting! I think Torie was the only one person accused of being a zombie on my list, and I hold him in very high regard.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

and Xahar isn't stupid enough to fall in this trap, and I'm hopeful he will soon understand Hamilton's real intents.

Xahar knows precisely what he is doing.

Yeah. You certainly have the wrong impression of Xahar if you believe he is oblivious to all of what is going on.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Hell, I'll throw my name out there, although I'm not sure what we can talk about. I could do a co-interview with AndrewCT where we did tag-team comedy!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Part of me is a little upset that my idea of AndrewCT and me giving tag-team interview wasn't taken seriously.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

You make some good points, as always, Marokai, but I do see things a bit differently than you, but in times like these, you and I can agree to disagree. I have no interest in arguing with you.

On to my point.

There are days when I think the Populares are serious about becoming a legitimate force, and serious about furthering the right in Atlasia, and then there are days when I think they are just messing around, creating needless drama, playing petty games, etc. One the one hand, I see this 'no policy' plank as a shot at the status quo, ruffling the feathers, if you will, because they see policy as meaning nothing more than the party by your name. Indeed, many of us have been burned on occasion simply for the party we are in, not the policies, politics or ideas we espouse. I think this is the message they are trying to convey or the game they are trying to play: only party matters. The JCP could run Satan and still win, etc.. Granted, there are some that actually do care about policy, like yourself, but for the majority of voters here, it's all about what party the candidate is in or, as is happening now, who the party bosses tell you to vote for (or what order). There are some that can command outside support, but those are special people and few and far between.

That said, it doesn't do the right any favors to try and parody anyone else. It would be beneficial for SPC and Brandon to come out with some sort of platform or policy planks rather than nothing at all, but it is totally their call. Both men are competent and able to articulate their ideas clearly, I think, so hopefully we'll see more before voting begins. If not, well, that's their call. Far be it from me to give too much advice.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I always felt like something was missing from my life when Marokai's rantings went away. Good to see you back.