The Atlasian Sentinel

[Purple State]

I'd like to point out that I didn't criticize PS, just the idea that more regional elections (or even retaining them at all) is the solution.

And I thank you for the sentiment. I would urge you (and anyone else, delegate or not) to propose broad visions or specific ideas in my thread in the ConCon so we can start working out the best way to move forward.

So even non delegates can propose ideas on the convention, on government systems and so on?

Absolutely. Everyone and anyone is welcome to post their ideas in the Convention. Only delegates will ultimately be able to vote on whatever proposals are created, but you are certainly able to contribute to the process.

Sounds good. Where are propositions to be posted?

I plan on using this thread for discussing and compiling ideas for proposals. That would be the best place to start. And you can read up on what others are proposing as well.

[Purple State]

I agree with Hash. We definitely should remove unnecessary regional positions, just as we did in the Mideast Constitution. Also, if progress is made on the Council of Governors idea, I think allowing the Senate to redistrict once a year by a four-fifths majority, with majority approval by the Governors, would provide a good balance and maintain relatively equal regions.

[Purple State]

I agree with Hash. We definitely should remove unnecessary regional positions, just as we did in the Mideast Constitution. Also, if progress is made on the Council of Governors idea, I think allowing the Senate to redistrict once a year by a four-fifths majority, with majority approval by the Governors, would provide a good balance and maintain relatively equal regions.

I would prefer they remain static so regional identity remains. However, I guess we could put something like that in there so we don't get a new Pacific-esque region

Redistricting wouldn't drastically change the regions. It would simply move one or two states to even out the number of residents in each.

[Purple State]

I agree with Senator-elect on the SoEA, and I would like to see more interaction between the cabinet members and the Senate.

As for unnecessary regions I would disagree that the Judicial officer ensures that all three branches are represented in the Regions, and since this is an American simulation I would prefer to keep that. I also think that risks weakening the regions. The Lt. Governor serves no purpose except make daily inquires on the health of the Governor. LOL . As such I think it is not the end of the world if isn't filled yet keeping the position around can be a good opportunity to allow a newbie to get good feel for running for, and holding, an officer before becoming Governor, or Senator.

Finally the idea of redistricting every year by the Senate without the consent of the regions would number one violate my principles of regionalism and more importantly sets a precedent whereby the Senate could gerrymander them to preserve the majority in power at the time. It sets a very bad precedent.

Which is why I proposed the CoG must confirm any changes to the regions that are passed by a supermajority of the Senate. And regional legislatures would replace the Lt. Gov. as the training ground for new members.

[Purple State]

The Fair Interest Rates Bill is a good example of legislation written by kids who can't do math and who don't understand how lending works.

Which is not terribly surprising.

So comment when we are debating these things and help us out. I know you have a better understanding of economics than most people on the forum. Don't just wait for us to pass stuff and then criticize it. Play an active role in shaping policy.

If you propose something better I will gladly propose it next session.

[Purple State]

I definitely agree that I should be President

I don't see why not. Conflict of interest is not cited (nor should it be) as a reason to ignore the line of succession. As the SoFA will likely always be at the center of such conflicts, it was then silly to place it at such a high place in the order if it would just be ignored.

I have also proposed a new line of succession legislation to ensure that it is clear from now on who is in charge.

[Purple State]

As no one has sworn in as acting President, which would also require them to resign from any current positions they may hold, I recognize no presidential authority in Atlasia at the moment. Hopefully the court's decision will fix that soon enough.

[Purple State]

As no one has sworn in as acting President, which would also require them to resign from any current positions they may hold, I recognize no presidential authority in Atlasia at the moment. Hopefully the court's decision will fix that soon enough.

Actually Phil did, but it got deleted.  He didn't resign as AG though.

In which case his assumption of the presidency would be invalid. In addition, as SoFA EarlAW would be the appropriate next in line to assume the presidency, he would have to indicate he did not want the position for Phil to have such authority. Since Earl indicated he would be open to serving as acting President, I see no reason for Phil to have acted so hastily.

[Purple State]

I would urge all Atlasians to accept this rulling for the good of the country and to not hold any bitterness, anger, or resentement over this rulling.

Accepted. Was there a fear that we wouldn't?

I totally missed all the excitement today. Too bad. Well, I congratulate Lief and BK on a well run, clean campaign and I look forward to working with them in the next term.

[Purple State]

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it is better than nothing.

True, but not better than a French or (fingers crossed) new American system.

[Purple State]

It will be amended and worked on in the Senate. Look what we did to DWTL's Free Palestine Bill a few Senates ago.

[Purple State]

Are we going to finish the whole debate before it even hits the Senate floor?

[Purple State]

Just a few fixes, Vepres. The title says "Interview with Fritz." Also, the vote can't be tied 8-8 (only 10 Senators) and the clause being repealed is clause i. of that section, not a.

[Purple State]

Haha, I am glad my "cherry" comment was newsworthy.

One more piece of news, the Convention officially closed on Friday. Not sure if you are working on a piece for that. It was easy to miss with the vote lasting two weeks.

[Purple State]

I also have been updating Atlasian foreign policy.

Yea but no one cares about the DoEA

Hopefully an active GM will change that. Some foreign events would be nice.

[Purple State]

Why are you all up so late just to fuss about me?

Marokai, I am one of the most active members in Atlasia. That I make headlines often is no surprise and it really doesn't take much. Also, while we may have policy disagreements, I don't generally piss many people off. Perhaps key members of the JCP dislike me which is why I'm not counting on the JCP machine to turn out many votes for me, but I am generally liked overall.

On a related note, Vepres hasn't even interviewed me yet, so I'm not really sure how you want to explain away that one...

EDIT: I also want to thank ilikeverin for taking it easy on me.

[Purple State]

Ebowed, not Meeker, is challenging Hamilton. It's okay, it's late.

[Purple State]

The whole "which machine is less ethical?" debate really boils down to the nature of each party.

The JCP has been around for a long time and was founded, presumably (as it was way before my time), on the basis of a different time in Atlasia. So its zombies are members from a different era of the game that just fell away. This has pros (they are proven contributing members) and cons (they are less likely to get back into the game).

The RPP has not been around very long and was founded out of some sort of attempt at a shaking up of the game. It's zombies tend to be new members that have never played the game and know little about the forum, oftentimes being recruited right at the legal point. This has pros as well (new blood in the game can lead to some good things) and cons (it whiffs of attempting to rig an election and could lead to trolls, etc.).

I'm not going to judge which one is worse. Each one certainly frustrates me at certain times, but I'm not going to pretend that it's not an integral part of this game. I guess the goal now is to find some way, whether by statute or sheer effort, to simultaneously weaken the machines so no one is advantaged unduly. Perhaps a combination of Hashemite's proposal to clean up inactive members and Marokai's initiative to raise the registration requirements. Just my two cents.

[Purple State]

     Also, preferential voting means that splits in each wing don't mean too much. They only really matter when party bosses start micromanaging the vote, like when Purple State got elected at the expense of Lief.

Yeah, I'll be the first to admit that together with SPC's dive to get DWTL in was the purest example of what is wrong with the preferential method. But it adds a level of excitement that far outweighs the issues.

[Purple State]

There is a strong chance that the RPP will see all 3 elected. What counts more than anything are 1st and 2nd prefs. With the JCP and the RPP likely to preference their own (understandably) 1, 2 and in the case of the RPP, 3 then it leaves myself and Franzl in a difficult position.

I will certainly be rooting for you and Franzl to get re-elected. I will probably hold my vote for Sunday to help out whichever one of you could use the bigger boost. I figure if everyone else can vote strategically, why not me? It would be a disservice to lose one of you in the Senate.

[Purple State]

The Atlasian Sentinel

Duke Enters the At-Large Senate Race
By Vepres

Former Dirty South Governor AHDuke has entered the at-large Senate election as a write-in candidate. He is the third RPP member to enter the race, a risky move because the party managed only to win one seat in the last regular at-large election. Interestingly, he seems to have more support from DA and JCP voters than either SPC or RowanBrandon.

It appears the RPP is trying to pull of three seats, much like the DA did in April 2009. In that election, Purple State and afleitch both narrowly defeated SDP candidate Lief. If the RPP could pull off the same feat, they would have five seats, just one shy of a majority. However, the odds are slim that this will happen, despite the recent recruitment the RPP has conducted.

Duke may prove to be a formidable candidate, as he is more moderate than SPC and RowanBrandon.

Actually we would have six seats if Duke won, our first majority ever.

Right. Fixed.

By the way, if we achieve a majority, do we select a majority leader? And will there be a minority leader among the JCP and DA? That would be interesting to say the least.

Well you can bet that the PPT will be a member of the RPP and I imagine DWTL will be a lot more active in influencing the Senate. You can also count on Lief exercising his veto right quite a bit, as well as long forgotten cloture votes to prevent final votes on legislation.

[Purple State]

Whoa, I leave for a day and I get assaulted with analogies. Calm yourself Yank. It's been less than a week since I got the job. I have so many pieces waiting in the wings and more demands than should be accommodated in a day. I could post all ten things I have ready to go tomorrow, but then where would we be the next day?

You will get your economic numbers, just as Vepres will get his education stats and everyone will get their employment info in due time.

[Purple State]

Well, it looks that we will save ouselves from the debacle. The DA will probably be the most hurt by these results.

Yeah, we don't have enough zombies.

Also, according to Fritz's tracker, it seems that Rowanbrandon will be the only RPPer elected, so that DA could keep its two seats. Therefore, the change is not as dramatic as expected.

There is a long way to go. As of last count that is true, but afleitch received a bunch of votes last night and I believe the quota has also increased, meaning all the current counts are incorrect. There is also the questions of the LNF votes.

This will likely come down to Earl's totals, as there is also confusion on exactly how to divide the votes.

[Purple State]

What? For real? How did this happen? I'm away for a few hours and Franzl and afleitch both get re-elected? I hope you're not screwing with me Vepres.

[Purple State]

Despite the fact that this obviously could have gone better, a solid showing (someone has to lose) we'll just get more members active for next time.  Still the RPP holds the most seats

Our greatest chances to change that will be the next regional Senate elections, when we could manage to oust one of your three senators.

One of us could be removed, but it won't be by a JCP member thank God.

We'll see..

Well I doubt they'll elect SewerSocialist against me and everyone else is either LNF or RPP and Fritz is in office. And are there even JCP members in the Mideast?

opebo? Lol and KyleGordon and badger.

Badger could probably beat Tmth. The Mideast will likely be the most vulnerable seat in October.