Wrong target?

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Why is conservative opposition opinion in Talossa - from official RUMP leaderships to the Berich't Talossán cartoonist Trotxâ the Thin-Skinned and Bitter E.S.M. - obsessed with attacking me in particular and the ZRT in general - a minority party in the current government? Meanwhile, the Seneschál, who is currently in a head-on fight with the King over the Clerk of Courts issue, is just ignored.

No, seriously, I've really been convinced that RUMP politics for ages has been obsessed with attacks on the ZRT, and completely oblivious to the moderate monarchist parties whose opinion of the RUMP is not much better than my own. I'm beginning to think it's personal, or perhaps even misogynistic. We've had cxhn. Canún, among others, openly state that the existence of republicans in Talossa is something like a rat dropping in the soup that spoils the whole Talossan experience.

So I don't know how much of this really is opposition to republican politics, and how much - as in the case of Trotxâ Mildew - it's personal spite against yours truly. But it doesn't serve Talossan politics. Imagine if the Labour Opposition in the British House of Commons completely gave David Cameron a free pass, and focused their spite on the apparent personality problems of Nick Clegg.

I fear it's become a bit of a collective psychosis. And it doesn't serve Talossan politics that some people in the RUMP seem to think that RUMP vs ZRT (or indeed, "Miestrâ versus an old-boys club of pompous asses who hate having their pretentions mocked") is what it's all about.

[Glüc da Dhi]

While it's certainly true that ESM seems obsessed with attacking you,
I strongly disagree with your statement about most or all or the average (not clearly defined) moderate monarchist(s) having the same opinion of the RUMP as you seem to have.

[E.S. Bornatfiglheu]

Mayhaps you're an easier target for said acrimony, right or wrong? It does seem a touch lazy, at the very least, but what else is to be expected from someone who hides behind assumed identity for fear of being held responsible for what it is they have to say.

Though there is a certain cogency in my namesake's assessment of the timbre of Talossan politics. There is an awful lot of "flopping" in the hopes of a foul being called, a la football or basketball. Though I have done much to harm Talossans' mutual trust in my time, I cannot help but wonder if we cannot trust in each other's good intentions.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Hm. Okay, there's probably three points to be made here.

1. We've spoken before about how ESM in particular seems to target you, Miestra, and nothing really has changed about why. You're by far the most outspoken proponent of Republicanism, you regularly make inflammatory statements and conjure unpleasant conspiracies, and you're extremely active and visible on Witt. Until recently, you were by far the most active member of the Government, as well (and that may still be true, when you look at the Hopper). You are both a leader and a figurehead for a set of ideals, a party, and a Government. There's no mystery about why a cartoonist might choose to speak of you individually at times. It might be unfair, but it's very understandable - one of the hazards of being the most visible is that you're a clear target for satirists.

Incidentally, I thought I was ESM? And before that, you were certain it was JP. And there was another name there, too. Are you just running down a list to try to find the cartoonist so you can exact revenge on them for their opinion?

2. I know you've been trying to start a new meme, which is that everyone secretly hates the RUMP and is just too afraid to say so. You worked at it pretty hard during the election period. I guess it makes sense as some sort of tactic, but it's just not credible. The problem is that none of the leadership of the MRPT, PP, or the Libs is cowardly. When they have a problem or viewpoint, people like Owen, CCX, or Gluc aren't afraid to speak up. Gluc's reply, above, is a good example.

For all that there are strong political rivalries and opinions, there just isn't as much nastiness between different parties as you are trying to create. I am very grateful for that. It's the reason why CCX and I were able to work out a compromise on the Electoral Commission, and why Gluc could work with Cresti and others to hammer out a working catchment bill. Neither these leaders, nor others in Talossa, are filled with secret loathing - they're not afraid to speak out. It's a very good thing.

3. I very much agree that Talossan politics is not "Miestra versus the evil conspiracies," but big posts on Witt that try to create a narrative of personal persecution probably aren't going to help. You know who else used to make posts on Witt that implied a conspiracy of hatred against them? Robert Mugabe!

Haha! But seriously, you and I spend a lot of time talking back and forth and that's mostly because we're two of the most active posters, we're on the opposite end of a particular political spectrum, and we've both got tempers. There's no mystery here.

[Lüc da Schir]

Oct 13, 2014 1:06:55 GMT -6 Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN said:

Meanwhile, the Seneschál, who is currently in a head-on fight with the King over the Clerk of Courts issue, is just ignored.

Because I'm a nice guy Because I wouldn't be angry as much as you would. I don't read Beric'ht.

[Iustì Carlüs Canun]

Oct 13, 2014 9:51:59 GMT -6 Lüc da Schir said:

Oct 13, 2014 1:06:55 GMT -6 Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN said:

Meanwhile, the Seneschál, who is currently in a head-on fight with the King over the Clerk of Courts issue, is just ignored.

Because I'm a nice guy Because I wouldn't be angry as much as you would. I don't read Beric'ht.

This, in all honesty, is probably it: It's no fun to poke someone with a stick if they don't react to being poked with the stick. El rint pispind becoma l'ünt, as it were.

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

But if the point of "political journalism" is just to personally troll me, then it's valueless as political journalism.

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

I don't really care for ESM's work, it really has little grasp of reality and seems almost always high on delusion. I do like the articles in BT though, even if I don't always agree 100%

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

I must say I'm interested to know that Nick Kovac has gone onto elected office, just like Antonio Riley and I believe a certain member of the House of Commons who doesn't like his name spoken aloud. However, Nick still has to live down handing over the Liberal Party to Davron in 1994.

[Moritz Fernaodescu]

I really enjoy reading Berich't Talossan and I will continue to do so but I have to agree with Miestra here.
I am all against censorship and I do not wish to censor the artist or bring any limitations to his 'creativity' but it would be nice to skip at least the ridiculing of Miestra in the cartoons.
If the artist has some special and psychologically unexplained fetish for our Goat then I will not stop him from drawing our marvelous and proud animal. But let's at least have the decency to stop ridiculing individuals week after week; really, it's getting old.

For the rest, keep up the good work people of Berich't Talossan and I can't wait to read he next issue.