The Imperial Herald-Tribune

[Donerail]

The Imperial Herald-Tribune
The South's Finest Newspaper
Offices: Atlanta, Charleston, Columbia, Jackson, Jacksonville, Mobile, Montgomery, Nashville, New Orleans, and Wilmington.

Welcome to my new project. Although we have a good number of newspapers, we don't have one focusing on regional matters - this one's different. We intend to provide high-quality journalism with a special focus on the government and people of the Imperial Dominion.

[Donerail]

The Imperial Herald-Tribune
The South's Finest Newspaper


Legislature Becomes Pit of Inactivity

Over the last 10 days, the IDS Legislature has been largely empty. I'd like to single out Legislators Dereich and Velasco - although I almost never agree with the latter, he at least has been contributing to the debate in the Legislature and has remained active. Legislature Jerry offered some input as well, 6 days ago. Legislature Zanas has not spoken on the legislation for the last several days (although his behavior is at least somewhat excusable - he has declared his intentions to not run for re-election and will presumably leave the legislature following the current election). As for Legislator Hashemite, he has not spoken in the Legislature for the last 13 days.

But yet, despite this inactivity, he still is a heavy favorite to win re-election - the current election is for three legislators... and there are three candidates running. What does this speak to? Does the Legislature need something more interesting to debate? That can be solved by bills being introduced, but the current legislation is extremely important and is worthy of a good debate. Do Labor's claims that their strategic registration caused an increase in activity still hold water? More importantly: will anything of note get passed this Legislative session? There are big things on the table - rules of procedure, constitutional changes, education reforms... but will the Legislature ever act on them? We need more active people in our Legislature, and if any of you IDS citizens not currently holding office want a swing at it, please, jump right in.

[Donerail]

IDS Legislative Election Tracker

Quota: 3

First count:

Alfred F. Jones: 3
Dereich: 3
Pingvin99: 1
Hashemite: 1

Alfred F. Jones and Dereich are elected. Hashemite has 4 2nd preferences to Pingvin's 0, so he is elected.

[Donerail]

I'm still waiting for SJoyce. Honestly, given that Constitutional reform was in SJoyce agenda in the last campaign, I though that it was the first issue to deal with and not because I'm waiting proposals from our Gov, but because I think it's a gubernatorial prerogative to open the debate in a specific thread of his election (we talked something about this issue before).

I have already issued a proposal for some Constitutional changes I would like to see made in both my office and the introduction thread. If anybody would like to sponsor them then go right ahead.

The debate should be open to all the citizens of the South, which should be encouraged to submit their proposals like legislators and any Southerner official.

All citizens are welcome to give input.

[Donerail]

As for Legislator Hashemite, he has not spoken in the Legislature for the last 13 days.

I don't spend my entire life on this forum and I have lots of other stuff to do in my life, which might not be the case for you. Over the past 10 or so days, I needed to read 5 books, write a 10-page essay, prepare a presentation and do regular weekly assignments all for the same class. So I hope you will excuse me for not dedicating my whole free time (what was left of it) to the legislature. On the other hand, it would have been nice if you had been intellectually honest enough to point out that I was the one who introduced the very long procedural bill which, when it will pass, will hopefully increase activity significantly. Nobody else proposed anything to counter inactivity, but I did. I also introduced an education bill which is next in the queue. So at least have the intellectual honesty to point that out. Jesus Christ.

I'm not demanding nor expecting that you dedicate your entire free time to this legislature, but, under the procedural bill that you introduced (which I thank you for writing - I believe I mentioned in my office how its passage is one of my priorities for this session) your legislative seat would be vacated automatically by 9 PM tomorrow night if you didn't post on legislative business. When people go missing from the Legislature, it's a problem.

[Donerail]

I'm still waiting for SJoyce. Honestly, given that Constitutional reform was in SJoyce agenda in the last campaign, I though that it was the first issue to deal with and not because I'm waiting proposals from our Gov, but because I think it's a gubernatorial prerogative to open the debate in a specific thread of his election (we talked something about this issue before).

I have already issued a proposal for some Constitutional changes I would like to see made in both my office and the introduction thread. If anybody would like to sponsor them then go right ahead.

The debate should be open to all the citizens of the South, which should be encouraged to submit their proposals like legislators and any Southerner official.

All citizens are welcome to give input.

Your proposals are welcome but I was talking about opening the debate in a specific thread, as we talked in the Legislature. You are the one who has the duty and the prerogative. Use the Imperial Almanac or a new thread, but open the debate giving a public announcement in order that every citizen in the South is informed.

Ah, that makes sense. Well, if we pass the legislation that's currently under debate in the Legislature and someone sponsors my amendment, then the amendment would be opened in a new thread anyways - if it does get sponsored, when it comes up for debate I'll remember to put up a notification post in my office on the AFE board so that everyone sees it.

[Donerail]

The Imperial Herald-Tribune
The South's Finest Newspaper


Legislative Outlook

Currently on the floor of the Legislature is a proposal by Legislator Hashemite to attempt to combat bullying in schools. This legislation, although it has attracted some debate as to proper units of measurement and reporting periods, is largely uncontroversial. It has attracted the Emperor's support and, despite the author only being barely re-elected, is expected to pass fairly easily.

Additionally there is a proposal by Legislator Dereich to lower the minimum wage, taking advantage of a federal law that let regions set their own wages. This legislation, however, has an uncertain future in a Legislature that is presently largely dominated by left-wing interests.

The only other piece of legislation officially introduced (the Emperor does not have the power to introduce legislation into the legislature) is by Legislator Alfred F. Jones, a newly-elected legislator who previously served in several posts in Northeast regional government before deciding to move down here for some nefarious purpose. His legislation, named after some random dead Senator with no connection whatsoever to this region outside of a war, would index traffic fines to income - a policy that can be found in a variety of European countries, as well as the Northeast region. However, the legislation does not include a cap on fine amount, which could result in cartoonishly large fines being assessed - a cap, say at $25,000 (around ten times the current maximum) would make the legislation still achieve much of its goals without making people pay $200,000 for a traffic ticket.

[Donerail]

Election Update

Although it's early, election returns so far suggest that this will be an easy race for Sen. Yankee. He currently leads IDS Legislator Hashemite 7 to 5, with Sen. Hagridofthedeep, current Legislative candidate Jbrase, Legislator JerryAR, Legislator Alfred F. Jones, Justice Opebo, former SoIA Snowguy, and legal genius Bacon King casting their ballots in support of the PPT, while Labor Party chairman Adam Griffin, Mr. Sawx, Legislator Velasco, former Speaker Zanas, and Hashemite (obviously) supported the challenger.

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Election Tracker

Presently an election for Emperor is occurring in the IDS, between current Speaker Dereich (Fed), former Senator Bacon King (Lab), and Legislator Velasco (independent). With around 55% of votes already cast and Dereich jumping out to a strong 16-6-1 lead over his nearest competitor Bacon King, the Herald-Tribune projects that Dereich will be the next Emperor of the Imperial Dominion of the South.

In the election to two seats in the Imperial Legislature, incumbent Federalist Supersonic leads with 10 votes, compared to 7 for former Legislator JerryArkansas and 6 for former Speaker Zanas46. At this time, the race is too close to call - however, with the votes in so far, Supersonic and JerryAR would win election, with all Supersonic voters second-preferencing JerryAR.

[Donerail]

The Imperial Herald-Tribune
The South's Finest Newspaper


Unpleasant But Necessary: The Atlasia-Israel Alliance

The Republic of Atlasia is currently undergoing a period of turmoil in our relations with the State of Israel, with the current administration proposing a foreign policy review placing stringent military sanctions on Israel, demanding an end to persecution and a commitment to negotiations.

An Atlasia-Israel alliance is undesirable and certainly unpleasant. Israel has a lot of problems, a lot of issues that reflect poorly on it and its allies, and it's understandable that the Atlasian government would want to distance themselves from such. Israeli policies in Palestine, in particular, are the brutal crime of apartheid and should be strongly condemned. The West Bank is full of horror stories from the occupation that should horrify anyone even remotely concerned about human rights, and things aren't getting better (just look at Israel's recent decision to construct even more settlements). The regime is morally bankrupt.

Yet, perhaps disappointingly, such an alliance is also necessary. For all its faults, and they are manyfold, a close relationship with Israel is the best way to achieve Atlasian human rights goals. The best way to achieve a settlement freeze and an end to the Gaza blockade, and an eventual peace settlement, is not through isolation but through engagement. A real solution to the conflict will require us to continue to maintain our role as a key ally of Israel. The answer is not broad sanctions on what we can sell them, and it's not over-the-top rhetoric, but maintaining our stance as a key ally of Israel while applying pressure through direct negotiations with the Israelis, emphasizing both our moral goals and what we're willing to offer if Israel meets them. To that end, the negotiations must begin immediately, and be conducted by someone with a good handle on Israeli internal politics, and that understands what in a particular deal may offend what specific segments of the governing coalition; what Hatnuah wants may make the Jewish Home leave government - and what we do to attempt to isolate them may simply empower hardliners like Bennet. Diplomacy - immediate, specific, and focused diplomacy that fully engages all sides of the conflict in good faith rather than isolating them - is the only way to achieve a lasting solution to the conflict.


I hope you enjoyed the first of what will be an occasional series, as this paper broadens its focus to address some national issues, while still keeping our focus on providing quality journalism on Southern regional issues. Being out of a political job soon, I have more time to devote to such ventures.

SJoyce served in the South's Legislature and is currently its Emperor. He also served as Secretary of External Affairs under the Polnut and Napoleon administrations. As always, all responses and letters to the editor are welcomed.

[Donerail]

The Imperial Herald-Tribune
The South's Finest Newspaper


Presidential Possibilities, Part I: Federalists

Declared


Former Governor Spamage of the Pacific

Fmr. Gov. Spamage arrived in the Pacific when it was a dead region and put in months of work to attempt to reform it into one with at least a little bit of activity. As Governor he was responsible for managing the region during and after the events of the 'Final Constitution' involving a court case and actions by the NM'AM' group. He also served for a brief while as an at-large Senator before resigning due to low activity, though not before passing legislation regarding forestry. He's one of the more liberal members of the Federalist Party.

Potential


Speaker Inks.LWC of the Mideast

Although he does not have a high national profile, Speaker Inks.LWC has been mentioned as a possible candidate; he has solid conservative credentials and a record of competent administration in the Mideast, and could at the very least make a primary interesting.


Senator North Carolina Yankee of the IDS

A talented manager, it's difficult to remember a time before when Yankee ran the Senate. Though seemingly pretty conservative based on PM scores and posts elsewhere on the forum, in Atlasia he is best known for his work with the Senate and governance in general, including running the Government Oversight and Reform Committee. It's unknown whether a Presidential bid is a future aspiration.


Senator Sbane of the Pacific

Sbane, a recent convert to the Federalists from the Liberal Party, is accordingly one of their more liberal members; recent polling by this newspaper suggests that would make him able to be a bit more electorally successful over a possible more conservative Federalist option.

Declined


Governor ZuWo of the Mideast

Fairly popular though sometime controversial conservative Governor ZuWo of the Mideast has flatly stated that "[He's] not going to be a candidate for president".


Senator-Elect Maxwell of the Midwest

Popular Governor and Senator-Elect Maxwell of the Midwest, Vice Presidential candidate last cycle, would probably be the Federalist's most formidable candidate. Despite this, he has publicly declared that he "would not run for President and instead complete office as Senator".


Senator HagridoftheDeep of the IDS

Though not turning down a future run for the office, Senator Hagrid declined to run in October, saying "pretty emphatically that I'm not running".


Emperor-Elect Dereich of the IDS

Citing "things to do in the IDS", Emperor-elect Dereich will not be running, and has endorsed Spamage.


SJoyce served in the South's Legislature and is currently its Emperor. He also served as Secretary of External Affairs under the Polnut and Napoleon administrations. As always, all responses and letters to the editor are welcomed.

[Donerail]

The Imperial Herald-Tribune
The South's Finest Newspaper

Where'd The Election Go?

[/b]



We have no voting booth. We've elected a speaker (on a 3-0 vote) and voted on one bill (tied 2-2 as of this writing). We are, for all intents and purposes, operating with only 4 legislators - Zanas hasn't showed up. There has been no meaningful legislation considered this session - but we can't even hold anybody accountable for that. Hash is really the only one to have done anything more than vote this session. Jesus, guys. Get it together. This region is Atlasia's best but you couldn't tell that from the legislature. Do something!


SJoyce served in the South's Legislature, as said Legislature's Speaker, and as the region's Emperor. He is currently Game Moderator. He also served as Secretary of External Affairs under the Polnut and Napoleon administrations. As always, all responses and letters to the editor are welcomed.

[Donerail]

The election's already happened/happening. We will be providing an electoral tracker, however, and plan to run features on the upcoming November election.

The quota for the Legislative election is 5.

Round 1

Hagrid: 4
Griffin: 2
Enderman: 6
Hash: 4
Scott: 2
Jbrase: 1

Enderman is elected

Round 2: Distribution of Enderman surplus.

Hagrid: 4.5
Griffin: 2
Enderman: 5 (elected)
Hash: 4
Scott: 2
Jbrase: 1.16
Exhausted: 0.3

Round 3: Elimination of Jbrase (all flow to Scott)

Hagrid: 4.5
Griffin: 2
Enderman: 5 (elected)
Hash: 4
Scott: 3.16
Exhausted: 0.3

Round 4: Elimination of Griffin (all flow to Hashemite)

Hagrid: 4.5
Enderman: 5 (elected)
Hash: 6 (elected)
Scott: 3.16
Exhausted: 0.3

Round 6: Distribution of Hash surplus.

Hagrid: 4.5
Enderman: 5 (elected)
Hash: 5 (elected)
Scott: 4
Exhausted: 0.5

Hagrid is elected without a quota.