Mençéi del Senäts 2/08

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

The Senators from Maritiimi-Maxhestic rises unsteadily, but unleashes yet another fantastic flow of words to stagger the public.

Esteemed Senators, it comes upon us once more to choose a Mençéi to guide this body's proceedings. Given our usual speed of operation, it well behooves us to start this as soon as possible.

I would like to immediately nominate the Right Honourable Sir Trotxâ Betiñéir, l'Urðëri dal Naziun, the Squirrel King of Arms and our Minister of Defense. He has led this body ably during his previous service, and it well behooves us to ask him to do so once more. The floor is also open to other nominations, should they be necessary.

Alexander Davis
Minister of Stuff
Senator of Maritiimi-Maxhestic

[Nic Casálmac'h]

I second this wholeheartedly.

[Trotxâ]

agbdavis said:

I would like to immediately nominate the Right Honourable Sir Trotxâ Betiñéir, l'Urðëri dal Naziun, the Squirrel King of Arms and our Minister of Defense. He has led this body ably during his previous service, and it well behooves us to ask him to do so once more.

The senator from Vuode rises, a series of deep coughs resonating from his chest. He speaks in a congested bass voice much different than his usual squeaky tenor.

Fellow Senators -

During the recent unpleasantness known as The War Between the States, my paternal great-great-grandfather Edgar served in the Army of the Tennessee under General William Tecumseh Sherman. During the Battle of Atlanta, Edgar's regiment from Iowa lined up against a regiment from Texas. It is a good thing that the martial abilities of the Iowans was equally as poor as the martial abilities of the Texas regiment in which my maternal great-great-grandfather James served, or I would not be with you today.

He coughs several times.

When pressed to run for office, General Sherman said something that I've admired:

"If nominated, I will not accept; if drafted, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."

With grateful thanks to the Esteemed Senator from Maritiimi-Maxhestic, I have need to quote the good General in response to the generous nominations from my fellow Senators. In short, I must decline.

I have previously informed His Majesty of my decision to decline the burden of the office of Mençéi in light of the other pressing duties and service I feel I must offer my King. More than you will know, I am touched by the kind gesture made by the Senators from M-M and Mussolini. I hope I have served my fellow Senators well as Mençéi, but I am comforted that other brilliant talents sitting in this chamber could serve as well.

He coughs again.

agbdavis said:

The floor is also open to other nominations, should they be necessary.

Indeed, they are necessary. It is my pleasure to place the name of the Right Honourable Nicola Casálmac'h, Senator from Mussolini before you as a candidate for Mençéi. I hope she will accept.

I promise to support whomever is selected as Mençéi. My staff will turn over the keys to the Senate Stores (and a complete inventory of the depleted stock therein) as soon as a new Mençéi is selected.

Again, I thank the Senate for the kind thoughts.

I yield.

Sir Trotxa

He sits and chugs a glass of a fizzing greenish-orange liquid that has no alcohol in it.

[Nic Casálmac'h]

The senator from Mussolini rises, regarding the chamber coolly.

My good sir, you astonish me exceedingly. Here I enter honestly and innocently to second this nomination, and I find the nomination thrust upon me.

I suppose I ought to know better after this, and perhaps ought to have already. (After all, last year I added my voice to Lord Hooligan's nomination for Seneschal and was made Minister of Culture.)

Though honored, at this point I do not feel ready to accept such a--to put it in the words of the esteemed Senator from Vuode--burden; yet neither will I decline. First let us hear from the rest of the Senate, as the majority still remains silent, and may in fact require prodding. It may well be that they will desire to elect one more qualified than I.

I yield the floor.

Nic Casálmac'h

[Trotxâ]

captainblaknar said:

First let us hear from the rest of the Senate, as the majority still remains silent, and may in fact require prodding.

Yes, let us hear.

prod

prod

prod prod

prodity prodity prod...

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Rising once more, the Senator from Maritiimi-Maxhestic tries to stay polite.

Senator Casalmach, I believe you are more than capable of fulfilling such an office, and I have absolutely no wish to insinuate otherwise. But this past term, I had to go to some lengths to spur you to activity in your office of Senator, as you perhaps recall. I had hoped someone else would speak up and urge Senator Betineir to reconsider. But in light of the silence that so often characterizes this chamber, I feel obliged to ask: Senator Casalmach, will you be active this term, as befits the head of this chamber?

Senator Betineir, I once more urge you to accept this duty as head of the Senats, and hereby nominate you for that position once more. You are the most qualified among us, widely respected for your efforts in the Kingdom, and an able legislator. I had good reason to nominate you for this office: I believe you are by far the best suited for this duty. This chamber serves as the direct representatives of the people by which we are elected, and has great power in governing the country. Its good functioning is essential to the operation of government and the nation. You have been, in turn, essential to the operation of this chamber in this past term (and again already this term). Please reconsider.

Reseating himself, the Senator hopes he has urged with enough passion.

[Nic Casálmac'h]

Senator Davis, you have every right to ask such a question, and it was for that very reason that I was reluctant to accept. I too had hoped that someone else would urge Senator Betiñéir to reconsider, but we seem to constitute the majority of the chamber at this time. I know I have not been as active as I should have been and this was because--I offer this as explanation and not excuse--I was overwhelmed by many things, both Talossan and otherwise, and found it hard to sort the important from the less important.

If it were the wish of the whole chamber that I serve in said office, my duty would require that I be active. (Perhaps that was the good Senator Betiñéir's motive in nominating me.) Already I am trying to return to that state recognized as active. However, I do not think it would be in the best interest of this chamber to select me as Mençéi. Therefore, I cannot accept the nomination.

Instead I must once again reflect that there is one among us more suited to the task than any other, and for this reason must join Senator Davis in his request.

If this chamber is to function as a chamber and not get mixed up with the lower chamber, as seems to have begun to happen, we need one who is expert in such matters. Senator Betiñéir, do please reconsider. Without your guidance, I would dare to suggest that we could be likened to a bunch of flopping fish.

I yield the floor.

[Prince Patrick]

I regret to accept Sir Trotxâ's refusal to accept. If the Senator truly thinks that he ought not undertake the burden he has so kindly undertook heretofore, I must accept his judgment.
The very reasons that we all (selfishly perhaps) wish Sir Trotxâ to continue leading our august body, are reasons that we should now yield to his superior wisdom. Sir Trotxâ wears many hats in Talossa, and the devotion he has shown the Kingdom assures me that if he feels the weight of those hats precludes him from exercising the duties of the office he now refuses, I, for one, must accept that such is in the best interests of the Kingdom.
We are left then, to discuss and choose another.
I nominate Senator Davis. The efforts and enthusiasm he has shown for the Kingdom speak for him.

-Prince Patrick

[Trotxâ]

captainblaknar said:

Senator Betiñéir, do please reconsider. Without your guidance, I would dare to suggest that we could be likened to a bunch of flopping fish.

The senator from Vuode rises, looking drawn and sleepless. He speaks, but in a normal tenor voice this time.

I thank Maritiimi-Maxhestic, Mussolini and Florencia for their kind words. Indeed, Florencia has nailed the issue - death by many hats is not my choice.

I shall be happy to assist whomever this august body chooses as Mençéi. I pledge to do all I can to make the transition go smoothly.

Again, I thank the Senate for their kind thoughts. But I am resolved to decline.

I do urge haste, as this Clark is almost complete.

I yield.

Sir Trotxa

He sits.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Maritiimi-Maxhestic rises once again, swatting away those rushing at the podium, and shouts over the cries of protest.

In light of Dom Trotxa's continued refusal to die for us, I accept the nomination to the office on the condition that Senator Casalmach also be in the running, and that a vote decide which will be best-suited to lead the chamber. I am uncomfortable with the notion at first blush, and feel this will indicate who would be respected and listened to by this body.

Given that there will probably be no further nominations in any reasonable time period, I move that nominations be closed and the vote begun, and the four excellent members of this body who have thus far replied start harassing the three who have not to air their thoughts.

Having adeptly ducked projectiles, the Senator from Maritiimi-Maxhestic flees.

[Nic Casálmac'h]

The senator for Mussolini rises, reflecting sadly upon those apparently missing from the chamber.

The Prince speaks wisely. I would in fact have nominated Senator Davis myself, but he has beat me to it. Therefore, I am left with one choice: I hereby nominate Prince Patrick for Mençéi. (Whether or not he shall wish to accept the nomination what with law school and all I do not know, but there it stands.)

In light of Dom Trotxa's continued refusal to die for us, I accept the nomination to the office on the condition that Senator Casalmach also be in the running, and that a vote decide which will be best-suited to lead the chamber. I am uncomfortable with the notion at first blush, and feel this will indicate who would be respected and listened to by this body.

If this is what is necessary for Senator Davis to agree to be considered for the position, I suppose I must agree, but only because I am certain my fellow senators are wise enough to choose the one more qualified than I. I do not have any doubts that he would make an excellent Mençéi. Furthermore, it would be entirely in keeping with our tradition of rewarding those who speak first.

Now let us hear from the rest of the senators. I yield.

[Brad Holmes]

The Junior Senator from Atatürk rises, but not to replenish his stores of projectiles, he still has plenty since he did not feel it necessary nor appropriate to open fire on the Senator from M-M.

Are we voting? Are the nominees Senator Casálmac'h, Senator Davis, and Prince Patch?

If so, I cast my vote for the good Cap'n, Senator Casálmac'h.

Drink up!

Follows own charge and proceeds to the bar.

[Nikϋ]

I vote for Senator Davis.

I do not for a moment doubt the good captain's ability to see the job through. At this juncture, however, I believe Senator Davis constitutes the best choice. His determination and passion for Talossa are second to none.

[Nic Casálmac'h]

The Senator from Mussolini rises yet again, glad to see the other senators convening, and hoping that the Senäts will function as a smoother body under the new Mençéi.

It seems to me desirable that someone oversee the vote so that it may progress as swiftly and smoothly as possible. Perhaps, Senator Betiñéir, since you are not a candidate, you would be willing to do this?

I yield the floor.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Pops back up momentarily.

In the meantime, I vote for Senator Casalmac'h.