Mideast Assembly Thread

[Badger]

Although I would have wished for the veto to be overridden, I think it's time to move on to other questions. I feel strongly for this bill, but we've been discussing it for almost half this term now, and I think it might be time to give way for other proposals.

I might bring this up again some other time, as I believe the citizens of the Mideast would benefit greatly from a Freedom to Roam law, but as it is now, there are other questions that need to be discussed and debated, and since my proposal fails to attract support from the Governor, the Speaker, and much of the population of this region, I see no reason to occupy the Assembly with this for any more weeks.
     

In light of Assemblyman Sweedish Cheese's position, I withdraw the amendment.

[Badger]

The Mideast Equal Rights Under the Law for All Act.

"All Mideastern statutes and regulations which prohibit discrimination or disparate treatment under the law on the basis of, or guarantee legal rights or privileges regardless of, a subject's race, national origin, religion, or gender, shall henceforth be amended to include "sexual orientation" as a similarly illegal basis of discrimination or denial of legal rights."

The aim of this proposal is simple: That anywhere Mideastern law currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, etc., that the law likewise prohibit such discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Other than possible culture war arguments against granting gays and lesbians "special rights", I anticipate some might initially object to this law as redundant with other state and federal statutes. I respectfully disagree.

Article V, Paragraphs 21 and 22 of the Mideast Constitution prohibit denial of the right to vote, run for office, or other specific rights under the Mideast Bill of Rights on the basis of "sexuality". But these guaranteed rights are quite specific and restricted. For example, there is no guaranteed constitutional right to employment. Thus, the Mideast further banned employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation:
https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Mideast_Gay_Discrimination_in_the_Workplace_Ban_Statute
These are excellent starts, but presently there are numerous areas of Mideastern law where discrimination is still not prohibited on the basis of sexual orientation--such as housing, and education--even though such discrimination is rightly prohibited on the basis of race, gender, etc.

Second, I realize that federal Atlasian law largely prohibits discrimination in most arenas based on sexual orientation. https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Equal_Rights_Act_of_2007
But--and this is key--because there is a federal cause of action for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation does not mean for an instant that Mideastern law should not ban such discrimination as well.

Even though the 1965 Civil Rights Law banned discrimination in public facilities and employment on the basis of race, religion, and national origin, every single state in the country also has similar anti-discrimination statutes on its books, and in many states were only passed after 1965. These state statues are used in conjunction with federal laws every day by people who have been discriminated against. There are variations between state and federal laws on statute of limitations, causes of action, damages, etc. A state court action can be filed in any county where the defendant resides or where the discrimination tool place; federal courthouses are limited to only the 3 or 4 largest cities in a state. For all of these reasons, it is imperative that Mideastern citizens who have been discriminated against have access to our regional court system for redress under the law.

Very simply, if discrimination is prohibited anywhere by Mideastern law on the basis of race, national origin, religion, or gender, then the law should likewise prohibit such discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

[Badger]

Wow!  Thanks for all the love guys. I'm feelin' you. Now let's see if I can actually get this bill passed. ;-)

And hopefully soon, as the Assembly session is half over and I have a tenative list more bills I'd like to submit.

[Badger]

Badger with this and your acceptance of my dog bill I think you have won my vote for reelection.  Saving yourself for the debacle of that smoking bill.

Very much obliged, Hap!

[Badger]

Badger, I can't wait for the day you enter the national Senate, great work here.

Run, Badger!

Move to the Mideast and maybe I will. ;-)

(Just kidding of course--I greatly dislike strategic registration. But thanks for the encouragement!)

[Badger]

The Mideast Equal Rights Under the Law for All Act.

"All Mideastern statutes and regulations which prohibit discrimination or disparate treatment under the law on the basis of, or guarantee legal rights or privileges regardless of, a subject's race, national origin, religion, or gender, shall henceforth be amended to include "sexual orientation" as a similarly illegal basis of discrimination or denial of legal rights."

The above bill is on the table.

I support the bil, but I would note the following things - the equal protection clause arguably provides a sturdy defense against all discrimination by government on grounds of sexual orientation. Obviously this does not impede private actors, and so I am willing to support this bill.

As Swedish Cheese  has also publically declared his support for the bill, Mr. Speaker, may the Chair please consider calling for a vote at this time?

[Badger]

The vote is on the bill that I quoted above. Please vote now.

Aye.

[Badger]

I oppose the bill that Peter proposed, and urge the Governor to veto it in the event that it passes.

Goodness me, why?

I support the bill. There are few better ways to reduce abortions than reducing unintended pregnancies. Not to mention STDs.

[Badger]

Stockholm Cheddar spoke my thoughts quite well. A few additional thoughts:

Peter's choice of subsidized barrier birth control is rationally related to reasonable societal goals and perfectly acceptable for regional government to promote as opposed to other methods. While other methods such as the pill combat unintended pregnancies, only barrier protection such as condoms prevents the spread of STDs. Also, other more sophisticated methods such as the pill require more oversight/monitoring (and thus time and money) from health care staff.

SC correctly pointed out the considerable potential health care savings by proactively reducing the spread of STDs. Think also about the potential savings of the welfare and health care system by reducing the number of unintended pregnancies. A disproportionate number of unintended pregnancies, especially among teenagers, result in increased costs to social services like AFDC, Head Start, SCHIP and Medicaid. A proactive reduction in such unintended teen pregnancies can save the taxpayers FAR more than the costs of free condoms and sponges. As the old saying goes: "An ounce of prevention......

I join Swede's crusade: "Skin lotion for all!" ;-)

All this said, Fab, I think its important for Mideast voters to add their two cents to the Assembly's debate and strongly encourage you continue speaking your mind.

[Badger]

(not that I am a candidate for election at any rate).

You're not running for re-election to the Assembly? >:-(

[Badger]

Mr. Speaker, as there's clearly unanimity in the Assembly on this measure, may the matter be called for a vote please?

[Badger]

There has been no substantive debate in 24 hours. A vote is hereby opened.

Oh I totally missed this due to the STV debating.

  Aye

AYE.

[Badger]

(Submitted for que in the Assembly's docket after resolution of Peter's birth control bill currently being voted on.)

The Mideast Dog Breed Equity Under the Law Act

1) All Mideast regional statutes and regulations which currently place additional legal restrictions, duties, penalties, or legal presumptions upon the keeper, owner or harborer of dogs based solely upon the breed of said dog, including but not limited to the breed of dogs known as "American Pit Bull Terriers", "Staffordshire Terriers", or "Pit Bulls", are hereby repealed.

2) Nothing in this act shall be construed to remove legal restrictions, duties, penalties, or legal presumptions upon the keeper, owner or harborer of any dog based on prior misconduct of that particular dog or owner.

The rational behind this law is straightforward: Current legal restrictions or requirements for a dog owner's control of their dog(s) based on the conduct or misbehavior of a dog are legitimate, but imposing such legal duties and restrictions on the owner of a perfectly well-behaved dog solely based on that dog's breed is both irrational and unfair.

In Ohio, by way of brief example, all dog owners are legally required to keep their dog(s) under reasonable control rather than running loose unsupervised throughout the community, and face a fine for a first violation, larger fines and potential (non-mandatory) 30 days jail for repeat convictions. Any dog that has menaced another person while running loose (e.g. chased and snapped at a person on the street without provocation, but did not successfully bite the person) is a "Dangerous Dog" subject to increased legal requirements of restraint and control and the owner may face up to 30 days jail (again, not mandatory) on a first offense. A dog that has killed or injured another person, or killed another dog, is a "Vicious Dog" subject to even more stringent restraint requirements, and owners must carry a liability policy of at least $100,000 on any such dog. A violation of such requirements, even without the dog causing death or serious injury, carries up to 6 months jail on a first offense and subsequent offenses are felonies.

By law, Pit Bulls are legally presumed "Vicious Dogs". Let me repeat that: ANY Pit Bull regardless of however docile and nonthreatening its temperament is presumed "Vicious". One can decide not to carry the liability insurance or adhere to the ultra-stringent restraint requirements, get charged with violating the law, then hope one can produce enough evidence of your pit bull's passive peaceful nature to overcome the legal presumption of viciousness. If not, you're screwed; if you do, you get to enjoy the stress and legal bills of taking your case to trial. And no, proof of a dog being a purebred pit bull is not necessary for conviction; basically if a reasonably qualified witness can testify the dog looks like a pit bull, a judge's or jury's guilty finding will probably be affirmed on appeal.

This law does NOT stand for the proposition that dogs should be allowed to run wild to cause havoc in their neighborhood. Rather it simply requires that ALL breeds of dog and their owners be treated equally under the law based on that particular dog or owner's behavior rather than based upon a dog's breed.

[Badger]

I have little to add beyond what I and Swedish Cheese have already stated.

[Badger]

I'll end by reiterating, think of the owner who has to post a $100k liability insurance policy for ANY Pit Bull Terrier, right down to a well-behaved and gentle pup, even if that dog may have some pit bull in it somewhere, because the alternative is prosecution and potential jail. It's not a minor inconvenience "feel good" issue by any means.

Mr. Speaker, as the bill has been posted for over 72 hours without negative comment, and the members of the Assembly have given their opinions, may we move for a vote on the bill?

[Badger]

Indeed, a vote on the bill in my last post is hereby opened.

AYE.

[Badger]

I object to the vote currently taking place.

May I ask why, and on what grounds? If you have an objection to the bill please feel free to state it, as is your right as a Mideastern citizen.

[Badger]

After a few days of consideration, I have decided to veto the bill.  I just don't think we should be spending government money on it.

<sigh> Very disappointing.

I move to override the grubenatorial veto of the Atlasian Public Health Bill (or whatever the official name of Peter's bill is).

There should be NO doubt whatsoever this bill will save government money.

[Badger]

Aye.

[Badger]

This will be a great loss to Atlasia, and especially this region.

It has been great working with you in the Assembly, and I have learned a lot just by watching you. I wish you the best of luck, and hope that sometime in the future you'll make a come back, to the forum and to Atlasia.

I couldn't put it better. It's been a real pleasure working with you and I hope you'll return before long.

[Badger]

I wonder who will be elected as the new speaker.   To follow in the proud footsteps of myself, Franzl, PS, and Peter.

and Inks he was speaker for a whike as well.

Judging by those names, whoever is selected will most likely have a very successful political carer to look forward to.

I don't think Inks ever was.  In fact I don't think he was ever an Assemblyman.

I wasn't here back then so I can't say for sure, but according to the wiki he was a member during the 3rd Assembly, and for a short while after Franzl's promotion, Speaker as well.

That's correct.

I'd appreciate if the Assembly could come up with some bill honoring Peter.  I can draft it if yall would like, but we really need something to honor his service.

An excellent suggestion, Governor.

I submit the following for the Assembly's approval:

"WHEREAS:

Peter has been an active and distinguished member of the Atlasia community since its inception, making him one of the Forum's true founding fathers; and

In that time Peter has distinguished himself throughout Atlasia serving in countless roles in the Senate, Forum Affairs, the Supreme Court, as Attorney General, and Vice-President; and

Peter has further well-served the Mideast Region in particular serving with distinction as Governor and Speaker of the Assembly; and

In all of these many roles and offices Peter has deservedly earned a reputation for leadership, impartiality and good judgment thus earning him respect across all Atlasia and party lines:

Be it hereby RESOLVED that the Mideast Region does honor and deeply thank Peter for his many years of fine service to our region and nation on this, the occasion of his retirement from public life.

Be it further RESOLVED that the Mideast does award as retirement gifts to Peter this golden watch:


Appropriately inscribed: "To Peter from the Mideast ";



and this pony:



SO RESOLVED."

[Badger]

I'm 100% behind a bill honouring Peter.

Maybe we could be inspired by the Midwest and rename the region's capital to Peter's Park instead of College Park.

Also Badger, a pony? In the middle of a huge economic recession? May I suggest we consider the less expensive possibility of a mule

 

A MULE?!? Zounds, Sir! Would you denigrate this fine man's accomplishments with non-breeding stock? And less adorable stock at that! (Besides, consider it a tiny stimulus to the region's horse ranching industry) ;-)

[Badger]

Perhaps the Mideast senator can secure an earmark to fund the pony?

Cuddliest. Earmark. Ever.

[Badger]

Mr. Speaker. In light of the apparent lack of debate on the resolution placed on the Assembly floor almost 36 hours ago, may we ignore your modesty on the matter and please call it to a vote?

[Badger]

I'd like to add the following bill in addition to the one proposed by Badger.

State Capital Renaming Act

The City of College Park, Maryland, shall henceforth be known by the name Peter’s Park, Maryland, in honour of the Mideast citizen Peter, former Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Attorney General, Secretary of Forum Affairs, Chief Justice, Vice President, and co-author of Atlasia’s second constitution.   

I accept this amendment as friendly.