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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jan 23, 2010 20:01:44 GMT -6
Senator Preston has been great. He is considerate and careful, and extremely unwilling to assume the office on a more permanent basis by running in this election. It's for the latter that I'm particularly grateful, because I think I would then have to step out of the race. He has been and would be a superb Senator, so I wouldn't be able to run against him in good conscience - after all, I'd just be voting for him myself!
Note his care when reviewing legislation. He knows the law very well, and so he often will point out inconsistencies in language or problems with organicity. And his time as Secretary of State (a job he's done well!) has given him valuable experience in legislating.
I think Senator Preston has been a great Senator.
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You appear to be misunderstanding my repeated question.
I know that you called me out, and think it was right of you. That's part of the whole "circumstances leading to this special election." Those circumstances include your calling me out, your decision to act as Grand General Secretary for the first time and decide to whom to give the seat, your graceful acceptance of your actual powerlessness this term when reminded by myself and S:reu Lorentzescu of the State of Emergency, your campaign, and this debate. I understand you really want this seat, so I'm not asking about those actions you've taken to get it.
Honest. When I say I'm not asking about the circumstances leading to this special election, I actually and seriously mean I'm not asking about those circumstances. It's not some sort of trick where I mean the opposite of my words, like someone sponsoring a bill they oppose.
I want to know what else[/i][/u] you have done for your province.
So yet again, aside[/i][/u] from your role in the development of our constitution and the circumstances leading to this special election, what have you done for Maritiimi-Maxhestic specifically?
EDIT: Minor addendum.
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Jan 24, 2010 20:22:46 GMT -6
Thank you S:reu Davis. I am glad that we agree on the excellent performance of Senator Preston in the midst of your sudden departure. And I wish that he would run too as he would most certainly have my vote as well as he has done a tremendously better job than his predecessor in increasing provincial activity. Thanks again, Senator Preston.
Folks, I recognize the political framing that is being attempted by my honorable colleague but it doesn't hold up under scrutiny nor does it comport to the real choice that you have between the former Senator and I.
S:reu Davis, I do not believe that I have misunderstood your question rather I think that you are failing to accept my answer and failing to understand the gravity of the events of which you were at the center of. Therefore, I can but repeat my first...and second answer as I believe it more than sufficient. Further, I am glad that you are glad that I called you out. I believe that the voters will be glad too and judge me accordingly. They will also judge whether I have not accomplished enough and they will judge whether I know enough about provincial history. They will also judge whether I would be prone to the same mistakes that you made. I am confident and welcome and trust each and every one of the people's forthcoming judgments. ++++++++ S:reu Davis, since German is a co-official language of our province I wanted to submit my latest question in the form of a German proverb: “Aus Schaden wird man klug” or “From damage one becomes intelligent” meaning “One learns from one’s mistakes”. What have you learned from your past mistakes?
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Capt. Sir Mick Preston
Capitán of the Zouaves
Posts: 6,511
Talossan Since: 9-21-2006
Knight Since: 10-12-2010
Motto: Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho'n d'thainig sibh
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Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jan 24, 2010 21:28:27 GMT -6
If you two don't mind, I'd like to allow for two more questions each, and then I'll start another round of mutual questions.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jan 24, 2010 21:33:01 GMT -6
Ah, a difficult question. What can change the nature of a man?
When I was in the third grade, I was a poor student. I preferred to read in class rather than do my work. I was so uninterested in certain classes, such as Religion, that I would seek to avoid even the rudiments of study.
And so it was that when we had a test on the Ten Commandments - pretty standard fare for that age in my school - that I had no interest in sitting down and doing the work necessary to learn them by heart and what they meant. It is ludicrous to think about it, but I actually decided to cheat on a test on the Ten Commandments! I had never cheated before, and had no idea how to do it. But it seemed like everyone else was cheating, so why not me?
I secreted a small piece of paper in my palm, and when the test came, I unfolded it and tried to read from it as I took the test. In only a moment, the teacher caught me. My mother had to choke back laughter when told about it, although she certainly punished me hard enough. She told me later that my teacher said that I was so entirely incompetent at cheating, she had no doubt it was my first time. And it would also be my last flirtation with academic dishonesty. I learned a lesson: you have to put in the work.
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I'm not sure how I have to phrase this question to get you to answer it. When I ask what you did aside from A, you answer A. I say, "Okay, but aside from A, what have you done?" You answer... A!
You were head of the Constitutional Convention (until you disappeared). I know that. The voters know it. You confronted me when I screwed up recently. I know that. The voters know it. What I'm asking is if you've ever done anything else[/i][/u]. When all you can do is repeat the two things I asked you to exclude, it makes it seem like you've never done anything for Maritiimi-Maxhestic. Is that the case?
Aside[/i][/b] from those things (i.e. not including them), have you ever done anything for your province?
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Capt. Sir Mick Preston
Capitán of the Zouaves
Posts: 6,511
Talossan Since: 9-21-2006
Knight Since: 10-12-2010
Motto: Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho'n d'thainig sibh
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Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jan 24, 2010 23:24:29 GMT -6
(as a side note - I thank the two debaters on their kind words about my actions. Go figure, one of the few things you both agree on is that you are relieved I am not running....)
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Jan 25, 2010 14:28:32 GMT -6
S:reu Davis, I understand your frustration with not getting the answer that you want. But the answer that I have given twice now stands on its merits and can be reviewed by the people of M-M for as long as Witt exists. Trust me it will be OK as I was just as annoyed by the answer that you gave in your last reply which didn't even touch on your most recent mistake. I thank you for your persistence in educating the people of M-M on my involvement in protecting the integrity of the Office of Senator from your threats of political retaliation. ++++++++ S:reu Davis, what comments can you provide concerning your views on efforts to reform the Senats?
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jan 25, 2010 16:19:37 GMT -6
There seem to be two schools of thought on the Senate. On the one hand, some people oppose almost any reforms to the institution. They think it is fine and need not be changed. But I think that this group is mostly just reacting to the harshness of the extreme views of some reformers, who wish to make it far too easy to remove a Senator. This latter position seems to spring from the notion that the Senate has been "obstructionist," particularly in blocking efforts by some legislators to reform itself.
So I think that everyone has a pretty reasonable position in the debate, but it leads to a vicious cycle. The reformers use escalating rhetoric every time they're frustrated at their attempts to enact provincial recall or abuse impeachment. And in response, the blockers become even more determined not to give an inch to such hostility.
Personally I have always supported limited reform, and said so often. I believe the Senate needs to be held to the same standards of action as the Cosa - which it is not, through a minor oversight with the Organic language - while also believing that any provincial recall must be handled extremely carefully to maintain the Senate's independence and distance.
The best path, I think, is the one to which I have always thus far adhered in the debate: the calm middle one of limited reform.
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My intentions had been to ask MC Tzaracomprada what he had done for his province, then I was going to compare my record with his. But he has no intention of ever answering that question beyond chastising me over and over, and doesn't seem to understand that I was hoping for some small morsel of accomplishment beyond that. So I cede my question, and will just let MC Tzaracomprada take another round and ask me the last question of this phase.
MC Tzaracomprada, I apologize I did not give you the answer you wanted. If you would like to ask me specifically about my most recent mistake, I will of course answer. Just like I did before. Please go ahead.
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Jan 25, 2010 19:58:53 GMT -6
S:reu Davis, that is an excellent answer on Senate reform. I appreciate your answer on this important issue that will probably be considered by either of us in the 41st Cosa. It does not seem fair to ask you an additional question as you withheld from asking me a question this round.
Therefore, I yield to our moderator.
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Capt. Sir Mick Preston
Capitán of the Zouaves
Posts: 6,511
Talossan Since: 9-21-2006
Knight Since: 10-12-2010
Motto: Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho'n d'thainig sibh
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Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jan 25, 2010 21:21:20 GMT -6
Thank you gentlemen.
I do believe that exchange will be very enlightening to our Citizens.
===============================================
This round, I would like to alter this a bit.
I will pose a question.
You both will answer , independent of each other. I will pose a follow up question (hopefully sent to me by one of our citizens).
So, the first question is:
What piece of NEW legislation would you like to propose this next Cosa - that you want to have voted into Law?
Please keep your answers to 500 words.
You can answer at your own pace - whomever wants to go first, can.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jan 25, 2010 23:16:14 GMT -6
Rather than talk about it, I'll just post my initial draft. The "whereases" explain its intentions and justification well enough, I think. It will solve an immediate problem with practical means, cut away dead wood, and revitalize a section of the nation. The Justice Act Whereas the Cort pü Inalt is invested with all the judicial power of the Kingdom of Talossa, and yet remains for the most part inert and unreachable, and Whereas the Cort pü Inalt is peopled only with people of the highest dignity and proven knowledge of all manner of law, and since such people will often have numerous other demands on their time, and Whereas the previous attempt to remedy this, 39RZ18 or the "Creation of a Magistracy Act," tried to solve these problems by circumventing the Cort pü Inalt and establishing a lower court, but only resulted in an additional number of Talossans of distinction being sucked straight out of the talent pool and into a job of singular dedication but narrowing focus and still accomplishing zilch, nada, and bupkus, and Whereas at least one of the two seated justices is regularly active in our nation, and Whereas there is a vacancy and two active justices makes a functioning Cort, Therefore 39RZ18 is hereby repealed, the Magistracy is dissolved, and Owen Edwards and Sir Samuhel Tecladeir are discharged with the thanks of the nation. The Ziu further requests with humble loyalty and strict seriousness that his Royal Majesty, King John, appoint a new Justice to the Cort pü Inalt. The Ziu implores his Majesty to select an active but knowledgeable member of the Kingdom of Talossa so that the King's justice may be given to the guilty and those who wait in limbo. His Majesty is advised that continued delay makes a mockery of the office and of any hope of legal remedy in the Kingdom.
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Post by Breneir Itravilatx on Jan 27, 2010 20:25:29 GMT -6
S:reu Davis, in one word: excellent. The following words may surprise you. I apologize for the significant time in responding as this required a great deal of thought on my part. I do not have any written legislation to proffer rather I had planned on seeking passage of current legislation that is under review in the Hopper or has been rejected by a Senats possessing a different perspective on the priorities of our Realm. Though I must confess that initially, I had wanted to follow the route of Vuode, upon the popular approval of the Constitution that S:reu Davis drafted and which was approved by the Convention. I thought this would be an ideal first act as Senator that might unite and activate the people of M-M, but after seeing the King’s veto, I reconsidered. And after some more consideration, I was led to my current stance. It may not be politically expedient but I am going to be frank and say that S:reu Davis’ “The Justice Act” attempts to address an important problem: the inactivity of the Kingdom’s judicial process. After over a year of anxious waiting, the Kingdom still awaits judgment on the pending case of Government v. Chancery. This is an issue that has worried me for some time. If you will bear with me, I have a case in point. In July of 2009, King John nominated Sir Samuhel Tecladeir to the Uppermost Cort and I submitted some questions to the nominee. And in two months those short and simple questions about the nominee’s views concerning his own fitness for the Cort and for the future of the Cort were not answered. So, when it came time to vote I was the first to step up and vote NON as we had not even heard from the nominee. And one after another my fellow Progressives joined me and even some members of the RUMP either changed their vote or joined the chorus asking for answers from the King’s nominee. In the end, the nomination was soundly rejected and in October of 2009, the search began anew for a replacement for the honorable Duke. It was one of the proudest moments of my time in the Cosa. Therefore, I would seek to collaborate (should I win or lose this great contest with my honorable colleague, S:reu Davis) on addressing this issue through a revised version of the former Senator’s suggested bill above or completely new legislation. I believe that it is a great starting point and upon legislative review in the Hopper would be ready to tackle this troubling problem. Edit: Spelling. I am finicky about my spelling.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jan 27, 2010 21:20:03 GMT -6
This may be breaking the rules with a little aside here, but I'm edgy and cool like that. Let me say that I welcome your help with my bill, and will be glad to have your support - whichever one of us is Senator. It'll get done.
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Capt. Sir Mick Preston
Capitán of the Zouaves
Posts: 6,511
Talossan Since: 9-21-2006
Knight Since: 10-12-2010
Motto: Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho'n d'thainig sibh
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Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jan 27, 2010 23:00:11 GMT -6
You two quit hugging, ok?
No need for follow-up questions there.
==============================================
So, to throw a curve ball to the Candidates:
"Designated Hitter Rule. Pro or Con. Why? "
You have 250 words to convince me.
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Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jan 27, 2010 23:23:26 GMT -6
I have corresponded with kings, both fallen and reigning. I have written sweeping new laws which mandate changes, and repealed ancient ones which offered nothing but uselessness. I have delved deep into the depths of the tradition and history of my nation and province, emerging enlightened and awestruck. I have served in many cabinets and advised three Seneschals. I have led the Senate in spirit, in fact, and in office. I have served my country for years with all of my creativity, talent, and strength.
I have done all of these things.
But never will I dare argue with Mick Preston about baseball.
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Capt. Sir Mick Preston
Capitán of the Zouaves
Posts: 6,511
Talossan Since: 9-21-2006
Knight Since: 10-12-2010
Motto: Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho'n d'thainig sibh
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Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jan 28, 2010 0:53:30 GMT -6
Oh now, S:reu Davis...
Step up to the plate, and take a swing at this one. You might connect, and take this one downtown...
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