Office of Chairman TNF: Red Army takes NM, UT, ID, AZ

[Lumine]

I quote:

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I find it hard to consider that self-defense, not to mention your blatant disregard of the law enforcement and the judicial system of the Republic.

I should point out that the Most Serene Republic of the Midwest does not allow for militias in its Constitution like the Mideast does, and your statement can be considered as going against items 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Checklist of Approved Social Tasking in the Midwest Constitution. It's also important to remember that in the Atlasian Constitution the Senate is the one with the powers to call and create militias, the regions only having the power to appoint officers and lead training.

Furthermore, I personally believe the idea of putting conditions to the regional executive to relinquish control of a militia is ludicrous and it sets a horrible precedent, (not to mention the fact that it undermines the regional goverment), so I would encourage the Senator to submit the NTB to Governor Gass and end this problem.

[TNF]

Again, a self-defense measure to prevent any further attempts by these scoundrels. I am in the process of hammering out a deal with the Governor over the matter, rest assured.

[TNF]

Comrades,

I am addressing you today in the interest of making known my intentions for the future. I was lucky enough to be elected to a record sixth term to the Senate last month, and now am (with the recent defeat of North Carolina Yankee by Hagrid) the most senior member of the Senate. As such, I have been acting as the administrator of that body until we can elect a new Speaker. I want to give a ringing endorsement for that position to my good friend and colleague, Senator windjammer of the Mideast. I have no doubt that he will do a superb job as speaker, and entrust him with all the power due such an office, having occupied such an office myself not too long ago (when I was elected the first non-Yankee President Pro Tempore in some time, shortly before the election of Lumine to the Presidency).

I have also recently retired from any official leadership capacity within the Labor Party. Since my joining the game in May 2013, I have served as Vice Chairman of the Politburo and as Chairman of the Politburo, and I am happy to leave the leadership of the party in the capable hands of comrades Barnes and Lief. I am sure that they will carry on the undying commitment of the Labor Party to the Atlasian worker, even in the face of right-wing counterattack. I am proud to say that in my tenure as Labor Party chair that we reversed the downward trend in party membership and won both effective control of the Senate and the Presidency once more. I am sure that President bore will do as fine a job in that capacity as he did when the both of us entered the Senate two years ago.

Today, I am making one more announcement: I will not seek another term as the Regional Senator for the Midwest. I will continue to serve out my current term and will continue my unblemished record of activity in the Senate, of that you can be assured. For the past two years I'd like to think that I've been one of the driving forces in the game, pushing the limits of debate and forcing through legislation that is probably the closest thing this game has ever gotten to really progressive (hell, socialist) politics. There are no illegal drugs at this point, we've legalized group marriage in one region, and unions are now probably as powerful as right-wingers pretend they are in real life. I'm proud of my record and the record of the Labor Party over the past two years.

But I think that the time has come to allow new leaders to push the envelope further. We have a great crop of promising young legislators (Blair and SomebodyWhoExists come to mind immediately) and older members getting involved again (Gass3268, Adam Griffin, Lief) that continue to make this game as exciting as ever. I am confident that my legacy will live on beyond me, in the form of the modern Labor Party and the social legislation that we have so crafted. This game has helped me forge friendships with many on this forum and helped me test out and craft policy ideas. For that I am grateful, and you guys know who you are. It's been a lot of fun.

Another reason I'm going to retire from active politics has to do with developments in my personal life, which are moving in a positive direction. I'm currently working on a union organizing campaign and couldn't be more excited to be involved in that. I'm not sure how far my Atlasian politicking skills will get me in the workplace, but I'm sure they'll be some experiences I can draw on, especially when it comes to backroom scheming, secret IRC plots, and writing songs about my opponents.


In solidarity,


Senator TNF

[Lief 🗽]

I am incredibly saddened to hear this news, Comrade. There has been no greater champion for the Atlasian Worker and the progressive policies we all hold dear over these past few years. You will surely go down in Atlasia's history as one of the Left's great champions. I think I speak for everyone, when I say I hope you continue to play whatever part in Atlasia that you are able to.

[Maxwell]

As much as I disagree with you on just about everything, I salute your 2 years (wow, time flies by) of playing this game in a top notch fashion.

This will leave the Midwest in an exciting place in June, I can say that much.

[free my dawg]

RIP the trot

[Blair]

For the short time that I've been here you've been one of the most consistent and active players, so few people have managed to hold onto a senate seat for 6 terms, and for that you should be truly proud. When I joined the game you provided invaluable advice and help, for that I'm truly grateful.

As Lief said there has been no one who has embraced the working people of Atlasia as you have, you've been a continued voice of progress over the last two years. Not only that, but you're sense of humour also reminds us that we should always be able to have a crack at ourselves, or our opponents.

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You've been a great servant for Atlasia, and I hope that one day you return. Good luck in RL with union management, it's a truly worthy cause.

Solidarity Forever

[Barnes]

You are a great friend and Labor comrade, TNF.  You have done a marvelous deal of work for Atlasia and I can only second the praise of those that have commented before me.

We do not agree on every piece of economic policy, but we both share the same hope and goal of creating a better world where the Atlasian worker can enjoy the true fruits of his labor.  Even on areas where you have disagreed with other Labor members, you led our party professionally and effectively - allowing for a dynamic and vibrant party.

In solidarity, dearest Comrade and friend.

[windjammer]

Thank you for your service my friend. You have done so many things for the workers and this is sad to see someone with a such committment to promote his political ideas to retire.

[Cranberry]

It are obviously still four months, but on that day Atlasia will suffer a big loss. We have often disagreed on many points, but it has been (and will be in the two Senates to come) an absolute pleasure to work with you, for you are an extremely active, encouraged and knowledgeable Senator.

A spectre is haunting Atlasia...

[Gass3268]

Thank you for your service Comrade!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Thanks for your service and your sparring.

[bore]

You are certain to go down in the game's history as one of the greats.

It's been an honour working with you over the past 5 terms, and hopefully this last one will be just as successful.

[Adam Griffin]

It's a shame and a travesty that you're leaving the Senate, but I have no idea how you managed to stay in that chamber so long in the first place.

Godspeed, Comrade.

[TNF]

St. Patrick's Day!

Comrades,

I'm proud to be spending my St. Patty's Day in a cooperative, worker-owned and managed Irish Pub. This is a day that we recognize the contributions that Irish-Atlasians have made to our nation, our game, and our history. There's something special in the bond between the people of Ireland and those of the Republic. We have been long a safe-haven for those fleeing the tyranny of the British crown, from Ireland to India, from Africa to Australia. The Irish struggle for liberty, equality, and brotherhood is our struggle.

One day, I believe, we shall see a united, socialist republic of Ireland. I will never cease in my support of the republican cause, for the cause of Ireland is the cause of the world. Let us lift our voices and hands in support of our brothers and sisters across the sea. Let us encourage the smashing of all monarchies everywhere, the destruction of imperialism, and the full fledged embrace of republican liberty. Let us create a socialist world.

Tiocfaidh ár lá!

[TNF]

SEN. TNF TO MAKE MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING FUTURE IN ATLASIAN POLITICS

Stay tuned for a forthcoming announcement from Midwest Regional Senator TNF on his future plans in Atlasian politics.

[TNF]

SEN. TNF LAUNCHES GUBERNATORIAL BID

Comrades,

Today I would like to make it known publicly that I am going to pursue the Governorship in the Midwest this June. I want to highlight a few of the reasons why this is the case below.

First and foremost, I have enjoyed my years in the Senate and am glad that much has been accomplished in the two years I have served in that capacity. I am proud of my work and am proud that I can say that the Labor Party has more often than not been able to deliver to the people of Atlasia a lot of progressive legislation that I can directly lay claim a role in crafting and developing. However, I think that, at this juncture, constitutional questions concerning these kinds of legislative acts and intransigence from certain quarters has made further progress impossible, at least for the time being, at the federal level. Take for example the recent debate concerning a bill to reign in police violence in Atlasia. The original bill, while lacking in some aspects, was more or less dismissed out of hand by the coalition of moderate heroes that holds the balance of power in the Senate at the moment, thus condemning the Republic to a half-assed, watered-down alternative that, as of this posting, is still being debated and leaves much to be desired.

I think that the time has come for me to shift my focus to my own back yard. For the past two years, I have called the Midwest home and have been glad to represent it in Nyman. But there's no denying that there's been a lot of unfortunate or half-assed activity here, as well. I don't condemn the actions of our legislature or our Governors harshly in that regard, but I do condemn the fact that as of yet the Althing has been unable to enact much of anything beyond the kind of cosmetic legislation that was once the hallmark of the Senate before June 2013 and the upsurge of legislative activity we had with the election of Averroes Nix as President. As I played a role in making that upsurge possible, I want to do the same in Cheesewhiz, and do what cannot be done at this juncture in Nyman.

The fact is, we may have hit our limit in terms of welfare state legislation. And while there's still some work to be done in those areas, the bigger questions shall now be those of power and control in society. After all, with powerful labor unions and a strong welfare state, the disparities of wealth become all the more unbearable. We seemingly have a control over a great deal of what our wealth creates, but at the end of the day, the bulk of it is still going to a parasite in a three piece suit. As Governor, I want to see the Midwest embark upon a new direction. We have pioneered legislation on workers' rights and the welfare state in the past; let us now pioneer legislation that will neuter capitalist domination of our society and empower workers to run society themselves.

I will reveal my campaign platform in the coming days, but rest assured, you can bet it will be as controversial and as direct as anything I have proposed in the past. I am ready to fight for the legalization of hard drugs, workers' control of policing, group marriage legalization, and the reconstitution of our schools so as to promote life-long learning and critical thinking. I want to make these things all clear, and furthermore, I want you to know that I will be just as critical, combative, and some might say abrasive in Cheesewhiz as I was in Nyman.

I will take no prisoners and take not take no for an answer.

Comrades, let's begin a new chapter in the Midwest. The chapter of Workers' and Farmers' Government. The chapter of Governor TNF.

[SWE]

ENDORSED!

[Blair]

Endorsed friend

[DemPGH]

Endorsed unequivocally! Good to see you continuing the good, hard fight.

[Barnes]

Very happily endorsed!  Good luck, friend and comrade.

[TNF]

TOWARD A WORKERS' AND FARMERS' GOVERNMENT
A political program for the Midwest

Part One: Criminal Justice

What would a Workers' and Farmers' Government mean for the Midwest? In the realm of criminal justice reform, a TNF administration would advocate for the following measures:

☭ The immediate release from prison of all nonviolent offenders, excepting white collar criminals.

☭ The repeal of all statutes criminalizing behavior in which the participant is the only person likely to suffer adverse consequences.

☭ Legalization of any and all drugs prohibited within the bounds of the Most Serene Republic of the Midwest and the money saved on law enforcement to be put to use helping addicts kick the habit. The socialization of the entire pharmaceutical sector under the control of democratically elected workers' and farmers' committees and the sale of any such products in committee-owned and operated stores.

☭ Moratorium on prison construction.

☭ Workers' and farmers' control of policing. Establish democratic, community militias to patrol our streets and keep our children safe. Elect all militia commanders by public vote and allow for internal, democratic decision making. Disarm and dissolve all existing police forces within the Midwest.

☭ Major prison reform. Give prisoners the right to form unions and collectively bargain for better conditions. Ban the use of prison labor in the Midwest outright. No incarceration for non-violent offenses. Reintegrate offenders with the communities they have wronged and allow communities to supervise those who have committed offenses against them. Restitution-oriented policies rather than retribution-oriented policies. Cap all prison sentences at 25 years, at which point the imprisoned must be legally released. Expand parole and furlough programs and allow for prisoners to visit their families on holidays and other special occasions.

☭ Take an aggressive stance on white collar and organized crime. No quarter given for social parasites.

☭ Repeal of existing gun control statutes and devolve all questions of gun control policy to workers' and farmers' committees.

☭ Release all incarcerated persons suffering from mental illness to treatment centers.

☭ Automatically release any and all persons in prison who have reached the age of 65, unless he or she can be proven to be a significant threat to community safety.

☭ Respect the democratic rights of prisoners to speak with the public, publish their works (so long as they do not profit from doing so), and have access to adequate shelter, food, recreation, and other basic human needs.

[Lief 🗽]

Endorsed!

[Arturo Belano]

 Enthusiastically endorsed! Best of wishes, comrade.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Not endorsed.

You're way too good to be some lame Governor. We need you to serve the workers where you are: in the Senate