The Imperial Dominion of the South's Legislature

[Adam Griffin]

And ownership of a firearms license doesn't mean that one must exercise the license by going hunting. Same with ownership of a driver's license.

The issue isn't government regulation, the issue is unnecessary government regulation. Clearly your bill as worded is unnecessarily intrusive.

Regulation of licensed individual behavior is not commensurate to what we are discussing here, which is regulation of licensed business behavior. Corporations are not people.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Businesses are likewise free to shut their doors during select hours if they disagree with the regulation of said license they requested or can voluntarily relinquish said license. Surely that's not inconvenient, either? I will also reiterate - since your example pertains to it - that any business is free to close its doors during whatever hours it wishes. There is no regulation pertaining this. The subject up for debate is that business must serve alcohol during the hours in which they are open that overlap the proposed hours.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I'm beginning to become legitimately worried that you have not read this bill. Again, no business is forced to maintain hours that it otherwise would not. If Susie's Casa de Crucificion wishes to close at 7 PM, they are perfectly able to do so. They are, however, required to offer alcohol during their hours of operation that overlap with the proposed time period.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

That's obviously a proposed change, now isn't it?

[Adam Griffin]

1. Atlasia law differs with your opinion on this matter.

Care to cite where Atlasian law backs up your assumption?

And the rest of your content is dealing with semantics and arguing the scenario. I am discussing the law as it would be applied - in theoretical sense - so in that case the tenses that I used would be valid in a hypothetical situation. This is why everybody finds you to be so abrasive. You seriously just spent time correcting that and saying, "na na na na boo boo", when you could have otherwise offered up an amendment that is more amicable than the original one you provided.

Sans Legislator Kenobi's nearly-assured back and forth - if there are no other amendments, questions or concerns, this will be brought to the floor for a vote later tonight.

[Adam Griffin]

Mr. Speaker:

In response to the honourable member from Georgia:

I suggest that when he issues the assertion that 'corporations are not people', that the honourable member himself cite the law that provides evidence for his own position.

Corporations are separate legal entities under Atlasian law. There is no amendment or law on the books that dictate otherwise, therefore the proof of burden is on you.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

An amendment that was completely antithetical to the proposal's intent. Had your amendment been accepted, it would have been the same as not bringing the bill to the floor in the first place.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

That is not the way governing works. No one Legislator introduces a bill that another Legislator likes in order for that other Legislator to offer an amendment that completely changes the bill in question.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

And there's been one week in which the bill has been on the floor for discussion - much more time than the average bill. Based on your prior comments: "If you wish to defend the bill in it's entirety, then it shall stand or fall as is", it would seem that we should bring this to an up or down vote.

That is unless someone else has any concerns, questions or proposed amendments.

[Adam Griffin]

Okay. I didn't read all the dribble Drabble but I'd like to know if the current bill allows for local governments to set their own times - like if an urban area wants to stay open later than 2am they can, etc. If that's allowable then I am supportive of the bill. I'm on my phone now but I can somewhat read posts.

From what I gather, this sets a baseline regulation for the sale of alcohol and forbids dry counties, correct? If so, lets vote. My biggest wish here is to allow for more leeway for local governments and I'm fine with the rest. We need a uniform system merely because the government already controls licenses for selling alcohol and its distribution to customers.

Yes, Duke, these are minimum standards. Urban areas (or any area, for that matter) are allowed to expand upon that - as outlined in section 4:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I have concerns, but I doubt they are addressable.

Try me.

[Adam Griffin]

     Just saying, I'm not interested in creating a minimum hours requirement, though I suppose that is a lesser problem than that presented by the existence of dry counties. Any chance we can strike the minimum from the bill?

I would argue that without a minimum, any jurisdiction could bypass the requirement of no longer being dry by implementing an alcohol sales period of one hour or so per day. That would effectively keep such jurisdictions "dry" in actuality.

[Adam Griffin]

     Just saying, I'm not interested in creating a minimum hours requirement, though I suppose that is a lesser problem than that presented by the existence of dry counties. Any chance we can strike the minimum from the bill?

I would argue that without a minimum, any jurisdiction could bypass the requirement of no longer being dry by implementing an alcohol sales period of one hour or so per day. That would effectively keep such jurisdictions "dry" in actuality.

     But we could say then that jurisdictions cannot legislate hours of legal sales. My problem is that the bill as written requires a restaurant with a bar to sell alcohol during these hours. Perhaps they want to start selling alcohol at 9 PM instead of 8 PM. Well, they don't get to do that unless they want to shut down for the hour of 8-9 PM. That just isn't cool, if you ask me.

Can I interpret this to mean that you wish to allow an alcohol sales time-frame that is not regulated by local, state or regional government - rather, determined by private entities?

Furthermore, does this get us into amendment territory?

[Adam Griffin]

     Pretty much. I think that such decisions as the circumstances of selling a certain product to legal buyers thereof should be left to the sellers. I'm not sure why that would require an amendment, though.

You should have just said so!

I offer a heavily-amended version of my initial proposal:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Adam Griffin]

Seeing as how it appears a supermajority of Legislators' wishes have been considered, I bring the amended version to the floor for a vote.


Please cast your ballots in the affirmative, negative or an abstention.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Adam Griffin]

AYE

[Adam Griffin]

By a vote of 3-1-1, the Blue Law Cessation and Alcohol Standardization Act passes the Imperial Legislature and awaits the Emperor's decision.

[Adam Griffin]

Based on the previously agreed-upon queue, the next order of business pertains to the Tips and Commission Independence Act.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Let debate commence.

[Adam Griffin]

Does the Co-Speaker have any opinions on this legislation?

[Adam Griffin]

I agree with Sjoyce, but I don't see how this bill raises the minimum wage. If we are going to have a minimum wage then it should apply to all the workers, not just some. If we have an exemption for a certain class of workers, ie, servers, then aren't we effectively saying that there should be no minimum wage whatesoever? Why should we exempt tips, and not, say a certain percentage of the wage of everyone?

More or less I agree with the Legislator here. This bill is attempting to close a loophole that has existed in the region due to no clarification on our part. Under current law, employees who earn tips or commission can be effectively stiffed by their employers if their tips and commission are higher than their required minimum wage.

I think the argument for eliminating "variable" minimum wages that usually impact waiters and the like can and should be looked at too, but we're running short on time left in this legislative session.

[Adam Griffin]

The bill is brought to the floor for a vote.


Please cast your ballots in the affirmative, negative or an abstention.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Adam Griffin]

Aye

[Adam Griffin]

By a vote of 3-2, the Tips and Commission Independence Act passes the Imperial Legislature and awaits the Emperor's decision.


In lieu of the ongoing election, the end of my term quickly approaching and the end of the world upon us, I hereby step down as IDS Co-Speaker. It's all yours, SJoyce.

[Adam Griffin]

I accept Bacon King's nomination.

[Adam Griffin]

Wow. I had no idea the accelerator was capable of going from 0 to crazy in such a short period of time.

[Adam Griffin]

I call for new speaker election between duke and griffin

In light of the Speaker's resignation as both Speaker and Legislator, I'll be happy to seek the Speakership once the Legislature convenes on the matter.

[Adam Griffin]

I feel that despite my partisan connections, I operated the Legislature's business in conjunction with SJoyce in a non-partisan manner throughout November and December. We always brought forth proposed legislation in the order in which it was proposed (with the exception of emergency affairs).

I also believe there is added benefit in selecting a Speaker that is not elected to the Legislature as it will allow the individual in question to remain somewhat above the fray whenever there is deliberation or tension between rivaling factions.

I can't help but notice that activity in the Legislature plummeted (and has yet to really recover) upon my departure. If given this opportunity to serve, I am sure I will be able to reverse the trend - just as I did once before.

[Adam Griffin]

This is what a resignation for a particular job duty looks like:

In lieu of the ongoing election, the end of my term quickly approaching and the end of the world upon us, I hereby step down as IDS Co-Speaker. It's all yours, SJoyce.

This is what an all-encompassing resignation looks like:

Then I resign.

When you make such statements, they are serious and they are final. Seeing as how no clarification was made in regards to the matter, I recommend the Legislature treat former Speaker and Legislator Ben Kenobi's initial resignation as what it was: a resignation through and through.

No doubt, someone must have sent the former Speaker and Legislator a message after his umpteenth time lashing out at not getting what he wanted in order to convince him to retract his statement. Unfortunately, such a statement is binding.

In addition, I will remind the Legislature that there is no stipulation in the IDS Constitution or statutes that give a Speaker the ability to hold his or her title indefinitely without any challenge from the Legislature, nor is there any stipulation that states any other branch of the government is eligible to call such an election for this body.

[Adam Griffin]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

And all now know your true character.

I'm not the one who resigned, nor am I the one intimidating other Legislators behind the scenes into voting the way I want them to or else threaten to not bring up their proposed legislation. Are you sure you wish to proceed?

[Adam Griffin]

I'm not the one telling self-serving lies about others. No doubt what? I'm amused that you can hardly contain yourself to rush into my seat.

I hope that works out for you. You've done yourself and your reputation far more damage by what you have said than I ever could have hoped to do. 

...

I call for new speaker election between duke and griffin

Let's be clear: I was under no obligation to resign my Speakership in December despite not running for re-election to the Legislature. I was under the impression that SJoyce would continue to remain Speaker, but his immediate appointment to SoEA left a vacuum.

Had I known the likes of you would ultimately wind up with the reigns of power, I would have never relinquished my Speakership. I had planned on taking a temporary break from being directly involved in regional affairs, but your sheer ineptitude - combined with your blatant polarization of even the most basic motions of government - leaves me with no other choice than to re-involve myself.

I didn't nominate myself the first time (Bacon King did and I didn't even see it until PiT had mentioned it) and this time, well, I didn't bring it up but after learning of your actions, I feel suddenly motivated. I challenge you to prove that anything I have said is a lie.

[Adam Griffin]

Let's also be clear - you were imputing motive where none existed. I was under no obligation to resign. I chose to resign - after winning both elections fair and square. I've given my reasons. I've said my piece.

When you say, "I resign", it's pretty straightforward. From that point forward, neither context nor motive really matter; you've relinquished your office.

Why did you say that "Someone tried to win me over to return"? You were imputing motive that I intended to stay in as speaker, after resigning my seat, when there was zero evidence of such.

I never said that. Freudian slip?

As always, self-serving lies. You were shocked when you lost. To me of all people.

I wasn't shocked - barely aware would have been a better term. I did know that Bacon King had went MIA though, so it's simple math, really.

I challenge you to prove your lies about 'me being forced out'.

I never said that. Freudian slip?

[Adam Griffin]

What a jumbled concoction this Legislature is!

DOCKET A:
-Annexation of the states of Coahila and Tamaulipas

Please, lordships, if you are going to discuss that ridiculous motion, at least write the name of the Mexican state correctly. It's Coahuila, not Coahila. Thank you.

It was my understanding that any piece of legislation that is proposed and not brought to the floor prior to a Legislator's departure is removed from the queue - unless another Legislature and/or two citizens sponsor it.

Also - assuming a healthy amount of activity can be maintained - I fully support Zanas' bid for Speaker. He currently is the second most senior Legislator (with the exception of The People, of course) and has as much legislative time served as I did upon becoming Co-Speaker.