Post by Trotxâ on Mar 17, 2006 10:52:20 GMT -6
Your Royal Highness, Regent Dr. Rajala, Mr. Prime Minister, esteemed fellow members of the Ziu, Citizens of Talossa, visitors, and invited guests:
As your newly appointed Minister of Defenxe, I rise to address the state of our nation's defenses. I beg your indulgence for a few moments as I attempt to be brief on this topic.
The Minister Begins With Thanks:
First, I extend my gratitude to our Beloved Senschal, Sir Fritz for appointing me a member of his government.
Second, I wish to apologize to my fellow citizens for all the grief and noise that you had to endure due to my appointment by Sir Fritz.
Third, I wish to thank my predecessor, Joe Clark, for having volunteered to serve our nation. Service to the King is a good thing, a quality in too scarce supply, and all of us must applaud those who volunteer for Talossa. Thank you, S:reu Clark.
The Minister Reports on Threats to the Kingdom:
Records show that Talossa has 3 levels of "DefCon," meaning "Defence Control,". A DefCon is defined as a "warning about possible attacks upon the Kingdom or threat of warfare." DefCon 3 is the lowest, meaning situation is normal, no known or potential threats exist. DefCon 2 means the level is elevated and Talossans should be "guarded, forewarned and forearmed." DefCon 1 means war or attack is "virtually imminent."
Our Kingdom's Internet sites have been under attack for over 10 days, with over 1000 hacks logged in the last week. The perpetrators are known, and all their moves have been thoroughly documented by our crack security forces. While this is more of a law enforcement issue than a military issue, it points out that the Kingdom should be at DefCon 2 status. By the power invested in me as Minster of Defense, I now place the Kingdom at DefCon 2 status. I ask everyone to be guarded, forewarned and forearmed.
The Minister Reviews Our Military Readiness:
Unfortunately, the word is grim. Basically - we do not currently have a military. I have searched the archives and polled several long time citizens, and the only records I have found merely hint at several royal appointments or commissions. I pledge to you that all future commissions will be reported in the Kingdom's Gazette.
The good news is that the Royal Talossan Defense Forces have never lost a war!
The Minster Shares His Vision:
Fellow Talossans, I have been entrusted to execute our government's plans to provide for the common defense. Success in our defense is measured not in dry statistics, but in the peace that flows from our strength and our purpose.
To clarify our vision, I need to clearly state that the defense policy of Talossa is based on a simple premise: The Kingdom of Talossa does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor. We build and maintain our strength in order to deter and defend against aggression, in order to preserve freedom and peace. We must keep up our guard, but we must also continue to work together to lessen and eliminate tension and mistrust.
As I see it, Talossa should have four defensive goals:
1) The Kingdom should not provoke action from the USA. So far we have not suffered due to our proximity to our former country - in fact, our mutual borders are unguarded. We must keep it that way.
2) The Kingdom should be prepared to address threats from other countries in our weight class: Principalities like Monaco, Andorra and Liechtenstein, Republics like San Marino and Malta, and Kingdoms like Bahrain and Sealand.
3) The Kingdom should not neglect to plan how to thwart an invasion from Canada. Failure to plan is planning to fail.
4) Finally, the Kingdom should prepare for the future. We will be guided by our past, but we look to the far horizon for the next threat.
Three areas will be the key to our common defense: Physical Fitness, Teamwork and Training. Every recruit will be asked to improve their fitness. Units will be evaluated on team cohesiveness and their ability to work as a team - not just within their unit, but with brother units. As that great Cestour Vince Lombardi said, "People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society." Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
Finally, we will train our troops to be skilled in all the military arts - specifically, to be skilled in the Talossan national past time of wargaming. The Ministry of Defense will work with the Ministry of Wargames to establish the appropriate tools and evaluations to make sure that our forces are well trained. For example, Marines will be expected to be proficient in games like Doom, Halo and other first person shooters. Naval officers will need proficiency in Wooden Ships and Iron Men, Jutland, Harpoon, and other classics. All volunteers for the Special Sea Service should be expert in America's Army: Special Forces. All officers will be expected to be familiar with Diplomacy. All service personnel will be expected to know how to win at chess.
If we can implement this vision, we will have a smart, well trained, team-oriented defense force.
The Minister Proposes an Agenda:
Now that I've articulated my vision, the next step is for me to propose the agenda to implement this vision.
I propose that the Ziu pass the Navy Reorganization act that Lord Q has proposed. We don't have a Navy. We need one. Lord Q has a great proposal that can take us into the 21st Century. I urge Lord Q to perfect his proposal and I urge the Ziu to make it law.
I call for the Ziu to pass legislation confirming the Navy's traditional right to impress cestours for duty in the Fleet.
I request that the Zui consider how to create a Foreign Legion whereby those who are not citizens can serve the Kingdom by defending our national interests at remote outposts, preferably to the last man.
I ask for legislation which will introduce a purchase system for officer ranks, just like the British Army had up to the mid-1800s. The purchase fee would be paid in Talossan or American Money to the Burgomaster of Inland Revenue. I envision a plan that charges per stripe for Aspirinds, Leftenanteus and Capitans. The Amirál's stripe can't be purchased. This plan would both generate revenue and make people commit by putting their money where their mouth is. Certain credits should be extended for citizens.
I suggest that we need legislation to specify the physical location of the Ministry. We need a building - a "Pentagon" for Talossa. Once located, I ask that this building be named for the late Reggie White, the former "Minister of Defense" for the Florencia Packers. S:reu White was a great man, and an inspiration to many in Talossa. We will honour his memory by referring to the headquarters of the Ministry as "White Hall".
To avoid the appearance that your humble Defense Minister is a tyrant, I will not personally sponsor the above legislation. Instead, I pledge that I will work with all to see that this legislation is sponsored by a combination of members of my party, the RUMP, by members of the party on the other side of the aisle of this chamber, the CLP, and by the other minority parties. The defense of our realm is not and should not be a stone for grinding political axes. We must join together and work together quickly to insure that the most critical of these proposals make it into the next Clark.
The Minister bloviates on Heraldry:
The Broad Arrow is the oldest and most common mark of British government ownership. Britain uses a broad-arrow as a mark of their Ministry of Defense. This hearkens back to the hearty yeomen archers who won the day for Henry V at Agincourt. Talossa needs something similar.
Instead of the Broad Arrow, I propose that the Ministry of Defense should adopt the Caltrop as our badge and mark. The Caltrop is small, is used only for defense, and has the implicit message of "Don't Tread on Me". I pledge to work with the Squirrel Queen and the Fellows of the College of Arms to insure that this can be heraldically registered and used appropriately by all in the Ministry.
I do ask the College of Arms to be ready to help this department. We will need many new insignia, flags and units crests.
The Minister Asks for Volunteers:
Once we have a Navy, I ask our citizens to step forward, join our Navy and defend our country. We need help in the Fleet, the Air Corp, and in the various branches of the Marines. Look for recruiting offices to open in the late spring. I pledge that the youth of our Kingdom will soon have a way to serve in our Boy Seaman program. Talossa expects that every citizen will do their duty.
To fulfill the mission of this Ministry, we will need to form several Offices, like an Office of Strategic Intelligence, an Office of Mapping and Planning, and an Office of Inspections General. I ask for volunteers to step forward to help staff these offices.
The Minister Closes:
In this speech, I've tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from me and from this Ministry. I will never ask for what isn't necessary; I will never fight for what isn't needed. But I need your help. We have much to do, and not much time to do it. Let us demonstrate our national strength and unity, and the purpose that gives us the last best chance for lasting peace. Peace is the finest legacy we could leave behind for our children and for their children.
My fellow Talossans, today we launch an effort which holds the promise of changing the course of history. There will be risks, and results will take time. But I believe we can do it. As we start our trek on this path, I ask for your prayers and your support.
Fellow Talossans, reserving the right to revise and extend my remarks, I yield the floor.
Thank you, good night, and God bless you.
Trotxâ
The Minister will now take questions from the Ziu.
As your newly appointed Minister of Defenxe, I rise to address the state of our nation's defenses. I beg your indulgence for a few moments as I attempt to be brief on this topic.
The Minister Begins With Thanks:
First, I extend my gratitude to our Beloved Senschal, Sir Fritz for appointing me a member of his government.
Second, I wish to apologize to my fellow citizens for all the grief and noise that you had to endure due to my appointment by Sir Fritz.
Third, I wish to thank my predecessor, Joe Clark, for having volunteered to serve our nation. Service to the King is a good thing, a quality in too scarce supply, and all of us must applaud those who volunteer for Talossa. Thank you, S:reu Clark.
The Minister Reports on Threats to the Kingdom:
Records show that Talossa has 3 levels of "DefCon," meaning "Defence Control,". A DefCon is defined as a "warning about possible attacks upon the Kingdom or threat of warfare." DefCon 3 is the lowest, meaning situation is normal, no known or potential threats exist. DefCon 2 means the level is elevated and Talossans should be "guarded, forewarned and forearmed." DefCon 1 means war or attack is "virtually imminent."
Our Kingdom's Internet sites have been under attack for over 10 days, with over 1000 hacks logged in the last week. The perpetrators are known, and all their moves have been thoroughly documented by our crack security forces. While this is more of a law enforcement issue than a military issue, it points out that the Kingdom should be at DefCon 2 status. By the power invested in me as Minster of Defense, I now place the Kingdom at DefCon 2 status. I ask everyone to be guarded, forewarned and forearmed.
The Minister Reviews Our Military Readiness:
Unfortunately, the word is grim. Basically - we do not currently have a military. I have searched the archives and polled several long time citizens, and the only records I have found merely hint at several royal appointments or commissions. I pledge to you that all future commissions will be reported in the Kingdom's Gazette.
The good news is that the Royal Talossan Defense Forces have never lost a war!
The Minster Shares His Vision:
Fellow Talossans, I have been entrusted to execute our government's plans to provide for the common defense. Success in our defense is measured not in dry statistics, but in the peace that flows from our strength and our purpose.
To clarify our vision, I need to clearly state that the defense policy of Talossa is based on a simple premise: The Kingdom of Talossa does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor. We build and maintain our strength in order to deter and defend against aggression, in order to preserve freedom and peace. We must keep up our guard, but we must also continue to work together to lessen and eliminate tension and mistrust.
As I see it, Talossa should have four defensive goals:
1) The Kingdom should not provoke action from the USA. So far we have not suffered due to our proximity to our former country - in fact, our mutual borders are unguarded. We must keep it that way.
2) The Kingdom should be prepared to address threats from other countries in our weight class: Principalities like Monaco, Andorra and Liechtenstein, Republics like San Marino and Malta, and Kingdoms like Bahrain and Sealand.
3) The Kingdom should not neglect to plan how to thwart an invasion from Canada. Failure to plan is planning to fail.
4) Finally, the Kingdom should prepare for the future. We will be guided by our past, but we look to the far horizon for the next threat.
Three areas will be the key to our common defense: Physical Fitness, Teamwork and Training. Every recruit will be asked to improve their fitness. Units will be evaluated on team cohesiveness and their ability to work as a team - not just within their unit, but with brother units. As that great Cestour Vince Lombardi said, "People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society." Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
Finally, we will train our troops to be skilled in all the military arts - specifically, to be skilled in the Talossan national past time of wargaming. The Ministry of Defense will work with the Ministry of Wargames to establish the appropriate tools and evaluations to make sure that our forces are well trained. For example, Marines will be expected to be proficient in games like Doom, Halo and other first person shooters. Naval officers will need proficiency in Wooden Ships and Iron Men, Jutland, Harpoon, and other classics. All volunteers for the Special Sea Service should be expert in America's Army: Special Forces. All officers will be expected to be familiar with Diplomacy. All service personnel will be expected to know how to win at chess.
If we can implement this vision, we will have a smart, well trained, team-oriented defense force.
The Minister Proposes an Agenda:
Now that I've articulated my vision, the next step is for me to propose the agenda to implement this vision.
I propose that the Ziu pass the Navy Reorganization act that Lord Q has proposed. We don't have a Navy. We need one. Lord Q has a great proposal that can take us into the 21st Century. I urge Lord Q to perfect his proposal and I urge the Ziu to make it law.
I call for the Ziu to pass legislation confirming the Navy's traditional right to impress cestours for duty in the Fleet.
I request that the Zui consider how to create a Foreign Legion whereby those who are not citizens can serve the Kingdom by defending our national interests at remote outposts, preferably to the last man.
I ask for legislation which will introduce a purchase system for officer ranks, just like the British Army had up to the mid-1800s. The purchase fee would be paid in Talossan or American Money to the Burgomaster of Inland Revenue. I envision a plan that charges per stripe for Aspirinds, Leftenanteus and Capitans. The Amirál's stripe can't be purchased. This plan would both generate revenue and make people commit by putting their money where their mouth is. Certain credits should be extended for citizens.
I suggest that we need legislation to specify the physical location of the Ministry. We need a building - a "Pentagon" for Talossa. Once located, I ask that this building be named for the late Reggie White, the former "Minister of Defense" for the Florencia Packers. S:reu White was a great man, and an inspiration to many in Talossa. We will honour his memory by referring to the headquarters of the Ministry as "White Hall".
To avoid the appearance that your humble Defense Minister is a tyrant, I will not personally sponsor the above legislation. Instead, I pledge that I will work with all to see that this legislation is sponsored by a combination of members of my party, the RUMP, by members of the party on the other side of the aisle of this chamber, the CLP, and by the other minority parties. The defense of our realm is not and should not be a stone for grinding political axes. We must join together and work together quickly to insure that the most critical of these proposals make it into the next Clark.
The Minister bloviates on Heraldry:
The Broad Arrow is the oldest and most common mark of British government ownership. Britain uses a broad-arrow as a mark of their Ministry of Defense. This hearkens back to the hearty yeomen archers who won the day for Henry V at Agincourt. Talossa needs something similar.
Instead of the Broad Arrow, I propose that the Ministry of Defense should adopt the Caltrop as our badge and mark. The Caltrop is small, is used only for defense, and has the implicit message of "Don't Tread on Me". I pledge to work with the Squirrel Queen and the Fellows of the College of Arms to insure that this can be heraldically registered and used appropriately by all in the Ministry.
I do ask the College of Arms to be ready to help this department. We will need many new insignia, flags and units crests.
The Minister Asks for Volunteers:
Once we have a Navy, I ask our citizens to step forward, join our Navy and defend our country. We need help in the Fleet, the Air Corp, and in the various branches of the Marines. Look for recruiting offices to open in the late spring. I pledge that the youth of our Kingdom will soon have a way to serve in our Boy Seaman program. Talossa expects that every citizen will do their duty.
To fulfill the mission of this Ministry, we will need to form several Offices, like an Office of Strategic Intelligence, an Office of Mapping and Planning, and an Office of Inspections General. I ask for volunteers to step forward to help staff these offices.
The Minister Closes:
In this speech, I've tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from me and from this Ministry. I will never ask for what isn't necessary; I will never fight for what isn't needed. But I need your help. We have much to do, and not much time to do it. Let us demonstrate our national strength and unity, and the purpose that gives us the last best chance for lasting peace. Peace is the finest legacy we could leave behind for our children and for their children.
My fellow Talossans, today we launch an effort which holds the promise of changing the course of history. There will be risks, and results will take time. But I believe we can do it. As we start our trek on this path, I ask for your prayers and your support.
Fellow Talossans, reserving the right to revise and extend my remarks, I yield the floor.
Thank you, good night, and God bless you.
Trotxâ
The Minister will now take questions from the Ziu.
