Northeast Assembly Thread

[tpfkaw]

So our standards of law are China?

While the 'RAH RAH SCREW YOU CHINA, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT EVEN MORE OPPRESSIVE THAN YOURS!  THAT'LL SHOW YOU CHINESE ASSHOLES!' argument is no doubt a convincing one, I fail to see how it's relevant.

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Well, if you look at the actual evidence, the aforementioned country of Portugal (since you seem not to like China) has a much higher rate of alcohol consumption among adults, due to cultural differences, yet a much lower rate of alcohol consumption among minors.  The reason is obvious - if you tell a teenager not to do something, then it becomes an irresistable urge for them to do just that.  Teenagers will always get their hands on alcohol, and are far more likely to abuse it when it is made a forbidden fruit.  It is far more reasonable simply to allow them to learn how to be casual, social drinkers who drink in moderation, rather than giving them the temptation to go to binge drinking parties.

[Free Palestine]

I agree with wormyguy.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I agree in the sense that this is why I wanted to ask earlier if we could please clarify whether or not we mean this to imply any sort of restriction on consumption of alcohol by people younger than the minimum age of purchase. Again, I don't think this should be the case.

[Napoleon]

I made sure when I wrote this bill that it was to apply only to purchasing alcohol. Wormyguy is throwing this entire debate off the tracks, whether deliberately or due to a misreading of this bill.

[Lincoln Republican]

I would remind the honorable gentleman from Massadhusetts, Wormyguy, that the use of any type of profane or objectionable language is completely unacceptable in the Northeast Assembly.

The member is to withdraw his objectionable language and apologize to the Assembly.

[Lincoln Republican]

Do I have any support in this Assembly to have the legal age whereby anyone can purchase alcohol from any establishment that sells alcohol is to be 21 years of age?

   

[Cincinnatus]

You don't.  Nor do you have the authority to demand wormyguy withdraw his statement and apologize to this assembly. 

Let me make this clear, I want the age to buy alcohol at 18.  Whether consumption becomes an issue means little to me.  To wormyguy; China became relevant through your reference. 

[Napoleon]

The Governor doesn't need authorization to request civility during debate. Instead, we should all strive to meet the standards that Governor Winfield expects, regardless of our position.

[Lincoln Republican]

Nor do you have the authority to demand wormyguy withdraw his statement and apologize to this assembly. 

Then the Speaker should act on this completely unacceptable behavior.  It's a little something called parliamentary procedure.  No objectionable language is acceptable in any law making body, ever. Period.

I ask the Speaker to deal with this situation.  It is certainly within his authority to address this matter and correct it.

[Lincoln Republican]

Let me make this clear, I want the age to buy alcohol at 18.  Whether consumption becomes an issue means little to me.    

Then I leave my amendment at age 18.  I trust that compromise will find a concensus in the Assembly.

The age of 18 applies to any sale of any alcohol from any estblishment that sells alcohol, liquor stores, restaurants, lounges, bars, etc.

[Lincoln Republican]

The Governor doesn't need authorization to request civility during debate. Instead, we should all strive to meet the standards that Governor Winfield expects, regardless of our position.

Thank you Senator Napoleon.  Your statement is common sense.

[Cincinnatus]

Nor do you have the authority to demand wormyguy withdraw his statement and apologize to this assembly. 

Then the Speaker should act on this completely unacceptable behavior.  It's a little something called parliamentary procedure.  No objectionable language is acceptable in any law making body, ever. Period.

I ask the Speaker to deal with this situation.  It is certainly within his authority to address this matter and correct it.

I completely agree with you.  I just wasn't aware whether or not you assumed you could make such a demand.  Though, if it were a request (I can't hear tone), you're completely able to do so.

The remark about my intention for 18 was towards Napoleon, who already said that he didn't intend for this to be about consumption.  Debate was somewhat sidetracked, and we've basically come to an agreement that this bill deserves support, minus the age question.  When it's time to vote on the amendment, I will vote Aye for age 18.  It seems to me with this amendment, this bill is quite passable.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

While I still maintain that I would be more enthusiastic about this bill if there was a stated opening time included and an earlier closing time for weeknights, I will gladly vote Aye if the amendment to change the figure 16 to 18 in section 1 is carried.

[Napoleon]

I suggested 6 AM for opening as I had forgot to include that. I suggest offering an amendment, as you are right about it being a necessary change.

[homelycooking]

The Chair does not recognize the unparliamentary language of the honorable member from Massachusetts, Mr Wormyguy. If the gentleman wishes his opinions to be considered by this house, he will phrase them in a way which upholds a certain respect for the opinions of others.

The Speaker notes that the following bill and two amendments to it have been submitted:

Original text as proposed by Napoleon/Dallasfan

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Amended text as proposed by Assemblyman Nathan

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Amended text as proposed by Assemblyman FallenMorgan

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The Chair does not recognize amendments made to this bill from Governor Winfield, since he is not a member of the Assembly. Please note Section 3b of SOAP:

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If a member wishes to offer amendments in the Governor's stead, he is welcome to do so, but let it be clear that the Assembly will only consider the above two amendments at this point.

Debate will last until roughly 11 AM tomorrow morning, at which time a 24 hour vote on amendments to the bill under consideration will commence.

[Lincoln Republican]

Nathan or Cincinnatus, or anyone else who supports my amendments, would you be willing to put forward my two amendments to this bill so they can be voted on?

Thank you.

[homelycooking]

I would be happy to introduce your amendments, Winfield - even though I don't necessarily agree with them, they contain ideas which deserve to be considered.

Amendment:

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[Napoleon]

They should be introduced separately IMO.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I would like to put forward a version of the bill that contains 18 as a minimum age but keeps 8-2 as the hours of operation for all days of the week. While I agree with the Governor's proposals, I would like there to be a version that contains the age amendment (which I view as both more important and more likely to pass) without the weekday night amendment (which I support but which I do not want to sink the age amendment).

Amendment:

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[Lincoln Republican]

Thank you Nathan.

I agree, the age amendment is the most important of the two.

As I have said earlier, if both amendments pass, I would be happy with that, but if just the age 18 amendment passes, I would as well be happy with that.

One cannot always expect to win everything one would like.  That is what compromise is all about. 

[Free Palestine]

So...amendment with the most votes wins, or...?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Should we vote on age (16 or 18) and time (12/2 or 2) separately? That's how I'd do it.

[homelycooking]

To be clear, we have four amendments to vote on. Nathan's first sets an 8AM opening time but does not change the age or closing time. His second sets an 8AM opening time and increases the age to 18. Homelycooking's amendment changes the hours to 8AM-12PM on weekdays and increases the age to 18. FallenMorgan's amendment does away with the original bill's section 1 entirely.

Original text as proposed by Napoleon/Dallasfan

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Amended text as proposed by Assemblyman Nathan (first amendment)

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Amended text as proposed by Assemblyman FallenMorgan

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Amended text as proposed by Assemblyman homelycooking

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Amended text as proposed by Assemblyman Nathan (second amendment)

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[Free Palestine]

It would be reasonable to vote on age and time and my amendment separately.  So, I agree with Representative Nathan.

[homelycooking]

Time for debate has expired. Members will vote on the following:

1. whether to (a) set store hours to 8AM to 2AM on all days (Nathan #1), (b) set them to 8AM to 2AM on Saturday and Friday and from 8 AM to 12 PM on all other days (Homelycooking), or (c) keep the original hours of "until 2AM" (no amendment) - vote for a, b, or c.
2. whether to increase purchasing age to 18 (Nathan #2, Homelycooking)- vote aye or nay.
3. whether to eliminate section 1 of the original bill in its entirety (FallenMorgan) - vote aye or nay.

This will be a 24 hour vote.