The White House

[Purple State]

As I have expressed in private already, congratulations on your victory. I look forward to working with you on a progressive and reform-minded agenda for Atlasia.

[Purple State]

I will be away for the weekend. Please don't go to war with other countries while I'm gone.

No promises. Honduras seems really open right now. Just saying.

[Purple State]

(sigh)

Reading the Constitution, this type of move could lead to interesting litigation down the road.

How so, Justice Sam?

I believe Sam and Peter are hinting to the question of, "Where does the President derive his power to pardon?"

As far as I can tell, I can't find the executive power to pardon in the Constitution.

[Purple State]

Does the health care bill replace Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP?

If not, I have a few concerns.

I don't know about SCHIP but I did author an amendment that phased out Medicare and Medicaid and transfers the funding and personnel from those programs to the new health care program.

Was it passed?

c. Funding for this proposal shall be drawn from the following sources:
•   Cost reductions in other federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, as a result of administrative and cost savings and shifts in funding priorities
•   Taxes levied on health insurance benefits as follows: 0.5% for incomes below 250% the poverty level; 2% for incomes between 250% the poverty level and $250,000; 3.5% for incomes between $250,001 and $1,000,000; and 5% for incomes above $1,000,000.

Coulda sworn that was my amendment. Or was I only the second clause there?

[Purple State]

As this part of the stimulus is ambiguous:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

It is up to the executive branch to determine how much goes to each region.

It would also greatly help me, as I plan to release some sort of stimulus funds release data next week.

[Purple State]

I am always supportive of incorporating news faces into the upper echelons of the game. I am hopeful that Nik can bring a much needed boost and legitimacy to this newly created office and hit the ground running.

[Purple State]

New Mexico is an indissoluble part of this country and acts of terrorism will not be tolerated. I have ordered elements of the Atlasian military to prepare for an invasion of New Mexico if necessary. Amnesty is offered to all members of the "Revolutionary Army of New Mexico" that have not been directly involved with acts of violence. This offer is open for the next forty-eight hours. While I am very hesitant to use force against my fellow Atlasians I will do whatever is necessary to preserve our Union.

-Acting President Bacon King


In an entirely different note, I am upset with GM Purple State for creating such a silly plot line. It's crazy stories like this that ruined the GM office in the first place and I'd hate to see history repeat itself. I would strongly prefer we keep matters at least somewhat realistic. However, that said, as long as you're still writing it I'll still be responding to this threat with the best of my ability. Just my two cents.

As I have said before, I am open to outside suggestions. As such, I was approached by an Atlasian and saw no problem with the story being presented. I am more than happy to take into account actions you, as acting President, may enact to address the matter (e.g. commando strikes, requesting top-secret information, covert operations/infiltrations, etc.)

What ruins the GM office is criticism of legitimate story lines because they don't match preconceived notions of "proper" news.

[Purple State]

You have been an efficient and clear-minded Chief Justice. It is sad to see you go.

[Purple State]

Sought of assumed that this Court would last forever. Oh well - sad to see you go.

A little change every now and then is good, besides, I won't be disappearing, just attacking new challenges.

Are you running for President in February?

[Purple State]

Sought of assumed that this Court would last forever. Oh well - sad to see you go.

A little change every now and then is good, besides, I won't be disappearing, just attacking new challenges.

Are you running for President in February?

Wasn't planning on it at this time.  My interests remain in the legal realm, just in a different capacity.

Wanna trade jobs?

Damnit, you got to it first.

[Purple State]

I'm sorry to hear of your resignation Bullmoose. I will begin looking for a replacement immediately. If anyone is interested, feel free to PM me.

I have three thoughts in mind as to who I assume it will be. Two have already been on the Court though, so not sure what the likelihood of that is.

[Purple State]

I will be traveling to Europe after Christmas to meet with European heads of state and the new EU President Herman Van Rompuy.

Winkey-face of the day goes to you, Mr. President.

[Purple State]

Question. Do I need to open confirmations for both Spade's promotion and Marokai Blue for AJ, or just the latter?

Both.

Really?

Wouldn't the hearing on Maro have to wait until after a hypothetical confirmation of the man whose opinion in a certain case I'm still waiting for?

That situation can be rectified quite quickly if I wished... 

And if I were voting on the issue, I would demand you to if you wanted my vote.

But seriously... why would both hearings open at the same time?

Because a hearing doesn't actually involve anything about actually filling the seat. I believe the vote for J. Spade would have to come first though.

[Purple State]

Deputy SoFA must be appointed by the SoFA and approved by the President. So no go on a deputy unless Earl makes a brief appearance.

In the event of a confirmation hearing, the Senate could vote to temporarily waive the OSPR, but that would take an extra vote, which could take too long.

[Purple State]

So any Cabinet member can open the booth at Lief's say-so.

[Purple State]

IMO, the President may designate the SoEA, SoIA, AG, VP or himself to administer the election (or at least to open the booth).

An option that may be open to the President is to seek a confirmation of a SoFA in time to take over from the above designated officer in time to close, tally and certify the results.

It's not just your opinion. The law is clear that Lief can do this. He just needs to do it.

[Purple State]

okay, I'll try and do this as fast as I can, but I've never done it before, so don't bitch if it takes a while. thank you.

For formatting you can copy Earl's format from pervious and just replace the names of the candidates.

[Purple State]

Bravo Mista P.

[Purple State]

Congrats Franzl!

And the DA dominance of the Cabinet continues...

[Purple State]

I hereby appoint the following distinguished Atlasians to the HAEV:

Governor Meeker
Frmr Assembleyman Peter
Lt. Governor Barnes

Thank you.

I applaud these selections. A bunch of honorable individuals from three different regions, parties, perspectives and levels of experience. A very diverse body to get this body started.

[Purple State]

BK needs to take control of the Senate. They are down another PPT (and only have 7 Senators! Wow!).

[Purple State]

Thats been tried before, and he can't do it.

President have no right to give commutation nor clemency? Seriously?

That court has said such, yes.

What is the purpouse of having President who can't do anything beside singing or vetoing the bills?

The President in Atlasia has a bully pulpit. He can choose only to sign/veto laws, appoint officers, etc., but he can also support certain things, call for others.

[Purple State]

And so HAEV claims it's first victim without even actually doing anything yet.

Agents of Chaos: 1
Game Reformers: 0

Eh, I think getting GM reform, voter reform, SoEA reform, regional reform, the beginnings of zombie reform, etc. was pretty good over the half of a year or so.

Let's not lose sight of things. There will always be a loud and forceful opposition to progress and reform, but in the scheme of things they don't win. Keep your eyes on the war, not the battle, Marokai.