Issue 2.
NewsPresident adresses concerns over appointmentSenate grillings of Cabinet posts continue however the President appears to have done enough to allay concerns over the ideology of his nominated Secretary of Internal Affairs. The
Spectator and Society understands that the Secretary if confirmed will be bound to impliment the President's domestic agenda seeing an end to or constrainment of, the loose autonomy enjoyed by his predecessor.
EDITORIALConstitutional Convention- The task aheadThe main focus of the President's campaign was a plan to engage with the public over a proposed full scale change to the consitution. A full draft was put to the public. The Editor in a previous capacity strongly welcomed the proposal and has been involved in the previous aborted Convention and has been a strong supporter of game reform in the past. This journal also welcomes the campaign.
This is not however the first time a full developed draft has been put before the public as an alternative to the current set up. Previous attempts, including those spearheaded by the much missed Mr Wixted did not meet general approval; such is the peril of putting what can be very personal plans to the test of public opinion. Therefore the administration has a considerable amount of work to do, as will the Convention itself. Any balanced Convention must be a forum of popular and unpopular opinion. However the administration's plan combines robust reform with a continuation of the familiar and this is where it's strength lies. However the Convention itself should not be afraid to turn this plan on it's head after debate and discussion. Secondly it
must report; even to affirm the status quo if it so wishes. Only then can it really close with 'closure.'
Interview with...Antonio VSpectator and Society had the pleasure of interviewing Antonio on his hopes and fears for the future and his comments on current Atlasian politics.
What are your hopes, over the coming months for the new administration?So far, I feel extremely confident about the ability of the new administration to successfully work to improve Atlasia. The main themes of the Purple State/Marokai Blue campaign - game reform, legislative cleanup, competence and pragmatism - give me many reasons to hope.
I hope that the new cabinet appointees, whatever their ideology is, will be able to bring interests and fun to the game. This is particularly the case for Al, who will have the difficult task to succeed to Purple State as Game Moderator.
I also hope that the upcoming Constitutional Convention, moved by the desire to improve and consolidate the Atlasian status more than of getting rid of the entire past, will succeed in its hard work. Every option has to be considered, but the ConCon members will also have to abandon some of their initial position in order to reach a consensus satisfying for everyone.
I hope that the bills that will be introduced by the executive will focus on trying to solve concrete problems, and that a trans-ideological consensus will be found about them. I think the new Senate will have to prove its ability to work for the common wealth by examining, debating, amending if necessary and finally passing the bills which aim to improve Atlasia. Reforming the government intervention will obviously be a priority, in order to make sure that the money Atlasian people pay through taxes are correctly spent to the benefit of all.
I finally hope that the administration, after keeping their promises, won't fall into inactivity, but will instead constantly find new proposals for the improvement of the game throughout their term.
Secondly, what are your fears?The only fear I have about Atlasia in the light of recent events, is the lack of a mature, serene and honest debate. Right after the landslide victory which lead Purple State to the Presidency, I have experienced the disturbing feeling that an strong minority of Atlasian politicians, instead of discussing the administration's proposals and expressing disagreement, were merely interested in causing trouble to the administration as much as they could. So far, I feel worried by the behaviour of prominent politicians, who employ all their energy in trying to weaken the democratically elected leaders. Nobody among them seems remotely interested in discussing about policies, they merely throw void criticism based on any single decision taken by the administration. I find many similarities between this demagogic unrest and the American Tea Party movement, which is undermining debate in the USA.
Therefore, what I fear is that this group of ambitious and dishonest politicians will succeed in their efforts to destabilize the administration. However, this is highly unlikely. Purple State and Marokai blue are two of the most strong-willed Atlasians I know, they are both able to work restlessly for what they think to be the best for Atlasia, and they have the support of a majority of their citizens, who are too intellingent to be fooled by those teabaggers. However, they will probably prevent a real debate to emerge, and I think it's a pity.
Can you see any trends emerging in Atlasian politics?Since I have been almost totally absent of Atlasian politics for the last four months, I would have some difficulties to analyze the short term political trends of this electoral cyle.
On a longer perspective, I however can clearly see deep changes in the Atlasian atmosphere. I had already outlined those trends I noticed
back in January and tried to give a prediction of future trends
one month later. Well, what I said still makes sense to me in July. The influence of Hamilton had a decisive impact on Atlasian politics, even after his ban. To put it simply, the bunch of hateful trolls he brought here have gained influence, they have taken the entire control of a region and they represent now the second political force of Atlasia. The majority of Populares are good people who are interested in a constructive debate. But the party's machine is still in the hands of ideological hacks who are responsible for the current outburst of hatred against the newly elected administration.
This trend is likely to last for a while, as all the means to fight them have revealed to be useless. But now, contrary to what I though back in february, I think it is possible to coexist with them while preventing the to cause too much harms. I am also convinced that once Dave will finally decide to ban a few persons who deserve it, the Populares could beacome a normal and responsible party. thus, while the trend I observed recently is a quite worrying one, we might be coming to an end to the era of hatred we live in since months.
4. Do you have any personal plans for the future?As for now, I don't have the energy and the motivation I had back in the time when I helped to establish the Northeast Assembly and became one of its most active members. The defeat of Barnes for his Senate bid was a major trauma for me, convincing me that I had nothing to do in this region anymore. However, I never fully managed to get interest in Pacific regional politics as I had for Northeast. As of now, I don't see myself running for any election, whether regional or federal. In a few months, though, if I think I can be useful to Atlasia or the Pacific and am motivated enough, I could run for an office. Generally speaking, I tend to prefer legislative offices to executive. However, I can't exclude anything. Whatever I do, I will keep following Atlasian events very closely and commenting them each time it's necessary.
And finally...
Bills That FailedThe Right To Life amendment was tabled back in December 17th 2005 by Senators PBrunsel and Ebowed stating that 'No Atlasian person may be deprived of their right to life under the uses of abortion, euthanasia, or capital punishment.' carrying a 25 year prison sentence. Various amendments were proposed but the amendment ultimately failed with a 4-4
tie Atlasia has moved on significantly in the past five years becoming one the most socially liberal nations in the western world. While the likelyhood of such an amendment being tabled today remains, the chances of it failing either on the Senate floor or if carried, failing at the hands of the voters is significantly greater.
