|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 25, 2014 12:31:17 GMT -6
Maritiimi-Maxhestic Senatorial Debate Let me first say how honoured we at Beric'ht Talossan are to be able to present this debate between Maritiimi-Maxhestic's two Senatorial candidates, incumbent Sir Mick Preston, UrN, and challenger Magniloqueu Épiqeu da Lhiun. Both of these fine politicans are looking for your vote, Maritiimi-Maxhestic - and it's our privilege to help them speak right to you. I will be your moderator today. And remember, Maritiimi-Maxhestic, if you email us at BerichtTalossan@gmail.com and become a subscriber, then you get to read your special election coverage - including coverage of this race! - just a little bit earlier than everyone else, as it's delivered right to your inbox! I'll review the approach we'll be taking, first. The format will be familiar to observers of past Talossan Senatorial debates. There will be an opening statement, given by a candidate chosen at random and with a maximum length of 600 words. Then their opponent will get to give a reply of the same length. If I think it's worthwhile to have a bit of further discussion, or if candidates particularly demand it, a round of rebuttal and counter-rebuttal will follow, both of 300 words. I may permit an additional second round of rebuttals if I think it would help clarify the points, but we're not going to go back and forth on any one topic for a long time. Candidates may address myself, the fine province of Martiimi-Maxhestic, or each other, as they please. Whomever you speak to, please be courteous. This debate is not to solve any issues, just to illuminate your positions on them. We'll keep it brisk and readable for the voters of your province. The questions have been written and certified by a multi-party panel of Beric'ht Talossan staff, and I hope they will be enlightening. The flipping of a coin has randomly chosen Sir Preston to go first. We will begin with a simple enough question - and one you might already be prepared to answer. Sir Mick, please introduce yourself to the citizens of Maritiimi-Maxhestic, and tell us why you have been a good Senator, taking care to name your accomplishments and qualifications. Please remember to keep your answer at a brief 600 words or fewer.
|
|
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
|
Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jul 25, 2014 13:32:19 GMT -6
Thank you Sir Alexandreu.
My fellow citizens of Maritimi-Maxhestic - greetings! I welcome the ability to be able to address all of you. If you aren't familiar with my service to our Province, I will try to be brief. I have been your Senator for M-M many times. First as a replacement Senator in the 40th and 41st Cosa. I did not stand for re-election for the 42rd. I felt that our citizens deserved to have an elected Senator represent them. For that election, I moderated a debate between the 2 candidates. While one of them was elected, that Senator later resigned. So I was again asked to fill out the term. I have been your Senator since that 42nd Cosa, having been elected in the last General Election. I have also been elected as Mençei (Lord President) for 2 successive Cosas by my fellow Senators.
In those Cosa's, I have yet to miss a single Clark when it has come to voting on Bills. That's the bulk of 7 Cosas that I voted as your Senator. I written or co-written many Bills that are now Acts or Amendments. (I was also the Secretary of State for over 3 years. In doing so, I have became acutely aware of what the OrgLaw is, and the interpretations of the OrgLaw, in both meaning and practice.) I bring 8 years of commitment to both the Kingdom and our Province.
During my time as both a Secretary of State, a MC, and your Senator, I have represented our Province with unwavering devotion to King and Country. I have also asked for your opinions on how I should vote on issues that have come up. I have asked you, the citizens of M-M how you want to be heard. After my votes, I have come back to you and explained why I voted the way I voted. I have heard your voices. I have often gone against my party on some issues. ( I also hold no official position in my Party, except as bartender now and then.)
I am also an avowed Monarchist. I don't think there is any doubt about this. This is, and always should be, the KINGDOM of Talossa. It has been a Kingdom since 1979. King John was elected by the citizens 7 years ago, and he has been a fair and honest Monarch. As a Senator, I have fought long and hard against any change when it comes to this. This is not a Republic. It is not a Caliphate. It is not an Oligarchy. It is a Kingdom, and should stay that way.
Some of my peers in the Senate and Cosa disagree with me about this, and other issues. They want to change things, because they can. They want to ignore procedure and protocols, because they don't know or understand the OrgLaw. I am not against change. I am against changing things that aren't broken. Some of the Members of the Ziu rail against a perceived "Fortress Senate", because they write Bills that don't get passed by the Senate. It's not that the Senate dislikes change. Instead, the Senate is the guardian against poorly written and poorly thought out Bills. If reelected, I intend to continue being a guardian against both poorly written Bills, and any change to destroy the Monarchy.
In summation - I intend to use my many years of service to our Kingdom to continue to do what is right for you, the Citizens of Maritiimi-Maxhestic, and the Kingdom of Talossa.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 25, 2014 13:49:15 GMT -6
Thank you, Sir Mick.
MC da Lhiun, please introduce yourself to the citizens of Maritiimi-Maxhestic, and tell us why you would be a good Senator, taking care to name your accomplishments and qualifications. Please remember to keep your answer at a brief 600 words or fewer.
|
|
|
Post by Magniloqueu Épiqeu da Lhiun on Jul 25, 2014 17:58:24 GMT -6
Méirçi, Domnul Davinescu, and herewith, I greet the people of Maritiimi-Maxhestic, and wish all of them, including my opponent Senator Preston, a good (German) night! I have been a citizen for a mere eleven months and a week, and in that time, I have grown fond of our little family with its quarrels and troubles! I came to this Kingdom initially due to my love for languages, and as I once stated in my column (which can be read in Beric'ht Talossan!), I specifically looked for such nationettes with their own language. National politics is something in which I became interested shortly before the last Elections. I registered with the MRPT early enough to be enlisted as a Cosa candidate, and have received seats after an interestingly different election - at least, that was the overall consensus. During my time as a Member of the Cosa, then, I have authored six bills, four of which are now Statutes. Rather unsuccessfully, I tried to introduce a bill, coupled with a very lengthy discussion in the Cosa chambers, which would ask the citizens to ratify a change to the Covenant of Rights, so that these might apply not only to Talossan citizens, but to every non-Erteier under our jurisdiction as well, in order to ensure that human rights are not denied to anyone. I took it upon me to review our judicial system as I was honoured with the position as an Attorney-General, around which the multitude of my bills did revolve. I established that any citizen, not getting a fair trial, may lodge a complaint against any Court officer with the Ministry of Justice, upon which the Minister will submit his - or her - investigations to the Ziu's consideration. I am proud to say that, in my yet brief time as an MC, I have never missed one vote, and have not shied away from speaking up my mind, or voting contrary to party discipline, if I felt that the bill was detrimental to the nation. I furthermore believe that an elected Monarch is indeed right for Talossa! We have one absolute constant that does not change, and stands to guide us in troubled times, and the MRPT is indeed supportive of the Monarchy. A plus side: we get to be noble about our country! As a Deputy Minister of Culture, I have worked towards promoting Ár Glheþ es ár gCúltura, in part by a recipe and linguistic column in Beric'ht! I am a rigorous Ladîntsch-promoter, and wish for our citizens to be able to speak Ár Glheþ, and I demand that all institutions primarily use Ár Glheþ! But I also want mutations to happen... (They're so nice!) To round this rather long summary up: Should you honour me to serve as a Senator unto you, I will not disappoint you. I promise to ask your opinion on any bill that I should vote upon (as I have already done many times as a Member of the Cosa, when introducing a bill), and I promise to be truly worthy of the trust that you bestow upon me. Long live the King! Long live Talossa!
|
|
|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 25, 2014 21:09:51 GMT -6
Thank you - very well spoken, both of you! I don't think we need rebuttals here, so we'll move on.
MC da Lhiun, what is a key issue for you - what will be a specific issue you will be fighting for (or fighting against) if you are elected?
|
|
|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 26, 2014 21:38:38 GMT -6
It's been a day since I asked the question, and our time is limited, MC da Lhiun. I know that you're a busy man, so I apologize for rushing you, but another day might be the most we can give you.
|
|
|
Post by Magniloqueu Épiqeu da Lhiun on Jul 27, 2014 4:35:47 GMT -6
Another day will not be necessary, but since yesterday *was* in fact Saturday, *and* the Gay Pride Parade, I was hindered from being online all too long.
Luckily, I can say that there are not many things "wrong" or "missing" in our nationette, so I don't have any major issues. However, here are some points, which I feel strong about:
One key issue for me, is - as I have already stated - the Amendment to the Covenant of Rights. I will fight for tourists, who may be just so unlucky to be accused of a crime while being under our Kingdom's jurisdiction, to have equal protection and rights under the law, as a Talossan citizen - this is not currently true. As a proud human rights' activist, I see a huge, leaking gap in our Organic Law. Of course, I see that a person committing a crime under our jurisdiction, will, at the moment, be doing the same under U.S. jurisdiction, and it would be very hard to make the U.S. surrender the Accused into our custody, so this probably won't be a "real" issue any time soon. However, it's the humanitarian principle, about which I also care!
Another matter is, that I would like to introduce our own code of labour laws. This is currently not such a big issue with anyone, since there are only a few employments outside of the Crown or the Government; however, I feel that this is about to change, and workplace protection might be something the people need with more and more businesses that may be registered in the Kingdom.
Of course, what is most important to me, is to be the voice of the people of the Province of Maritiimi-Maxhestic! With whatever issue you may come to me, I promise that I will look into it, and act as wisely as possible, making sure to represent you to the utmost of my abilities.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 27, 2014 8:25:53 GMT -6
Thank you very much. I didn't mean to rush you, but we only have a limited time.
Sir Mick, what is a key issue for you - what will be a specific issue you will be fighting for (or fighting against) if you are elected?
|
|
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
|
Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jul 27, 2014 10:51:48 GMT -6
Thank you, Thank you Sir Alexandreu.
In my career, I have stood for the rights and protection of the Citizens of Talossa. I have always been committed to those that commit to the Kingdom. Those citizens, both residents of M-M and other Provinces, are of my utmost concerns.
I am 100% against altering our OrgLaw, and especially the Covenant of Rights to protect those that are not Citizens of the Kingdom. Visitors our nation are just that- visitors. They have no commitment to our Kingdom, do not wish to become citizens, and may only be around for a fortnight or less. Why extend to them the same rights and privileges we guarantee to those dedicated individuals that have committed to being citizens to those that don't care enough about our Kingdom to join it as a citizen? Why protect people that have no intention of protecting the Kingdom? If a person wants to have the same protections as citizen of the Kingdom, then they should become a Citizen.
I remain against the creation of laws where there is no need for that Law. If there isn't a current concern, a current wrong that needs to be righted, or a issue that has arisen that needs to be addressed - then let's create an unneeded Law? I have found that most poorly written or in-Organic bills are just that - Bills attempting to address an issue that doesn't exist. I will continue to do so if I am re-elected Senator of our Province.
As for what specific issue I will be "fighting for " in the future? Keeping the OrgLaw and Statutory Laws clean, concise, and relevant to the Kingdom of Talossa and the Citizens of Talossa.
Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 27, 2014 11:27:31 GMT -6
Rebuttal, MC da Lhiun? 300 words or fewer, please.
|
|
|
Post by Magniloqueu Épiqeu da Lhiun on Jul 27, 2014 12:23:29 GMT -6
I am 100% against altering our OrgLaw, and especially the Covenant of Rights to protect those that are not Citizens of the Kingdom. Visitors our nation are just that- visitors. They have no commitment to our Kingdom, do not wish to become citizens, and may only be around for a fortnight or less. Why extend to them the same rights and privileges we guarantee to those dedicated individuals that have committed to being citizens to those that don't care enough about our Kingdom to join it as a citizen? Why protect people that have no intention of protecting the Kingdom? If a person wants to have the same protections as citizen of the Kingdom, then they should become a Citizen. Senator Preston, I must say that I cannot possibly understand this sentiment. Visitors to our nation come hither, wishing to admire us. And here you stand, saying that if these admirors do not wish to become citizens, they should be quashed like ants? Their rights, and their humanity disregarded, just because they do not bear the title of citaxhien? I must say that this point of view strikes me as very barbaric: "He is not one of our tribe. Kill him!" You say that visitors have no commitment to our Kingdom, thus they deserve to be treated like a pack of rats when it comes to their rights. Or, like how the U.S. treats terrorists, and those it deems to be such persons. But we also have citizens - inactive ones - that have no commitment to our Kingdom, yet they still get the same protection as those, who are active! I say, deprive the inactive citizens of those rights! Or introduce more equality to active citizens! After all, activity shows commitment, and only through commitment to the Kingdom do people gain the right to human rights, isn't that correct? But, let's not get ahead of ourselves: Would it hurt anybody in the nation, if foreigners under our jurisdiction enjoyed equal protection under the law, in what is internationally viewed as the basic human rights? How would you feel, if I said this one truth about our Kingdom, as it currently stands, then? "Equal protection under law? Yes, sure! Talossan citizens are just more equal than non-citizens."
|
|
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
|
Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jul 27, 2014 12:29:46 GMT -6
I am 100% against altering our OrgLaw, and especially the Covenant of Rights to protect those that are not Citizens of the Kingdom. Visitors our nation are just that- visitors. They have no commitment to our Kingdom, do not wish to become citizens, and may only be around for a fortnight or less. Why extend to them the same rights and privileges we guarantee to those dedicated individuals that have committed to being citizens to those that don't care enough about our Kingdom to join it as a citizen? Why protect people that have no intention of protecting the Kingdom? If a person wants to have the same protections as citizen of the Kingdom, then they should become a Citizen. Senator Preston, I must say that I cannot possibly understand this sentiment. Visitors to our nation come hither, wishing to admire us. And here you stand, saying that if these admirors do not wish to become citizens, they should be quashed like ants? Their rights, and their humanity disregarded, just because they do not bear the title of citaxhien? I must say that this point of view strikes me as very barbaric: "He is not one of our tribe. Kill him!" You say that visitors have no commitment to our Kingdom, thus they deserve to be treated like a pack of rats when it comes to their rights. Or, like how the U.S. treats terrorists, and those it deems to be such persons. But we also have citizens - inactive ones - that have no commitment to our Kingdom, yet they still get the same protection as those, who are active! I say, deprive the inactive citizens of those rights! Or introduce more equality to active citizens! After all, activity shows commitment, and only through commitment to the Kingdom do people gain the right to human rights, isn't that correct? But, let's not get ahead of ourselves: Would it hurt anybody in the nation, if foreigners under our jurisdiction enjoyed equal protection under the law, in what is internationally viewed as the basic human rights? How would you feel, if I said this one truth about our Kingdom, as it currently stands, then? "Equal protection under law? Yes, sure! Talossan citizens are just more equal than non-citizens." Nice Rhetoric. But that's not what I said. Please don't insult me by accusing me of making statements I didn't.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 27, 2014 14:18:42 GMT -6
Sir Mick, please wait until prompted. I know that's kind of a hassle, but it will keep things moving smoothly and without dissolving into chat. You may make a reply rebuttal to MC da Lhiun.
|
|
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
|
Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Jul 27, 2014 15:50:48 GMT -6
My Apologies.
Apparently, my opponent cannot understand my comments, so he makes assumptions that are false and misleading. It's sad that he has to stoop to this level of rhetoric. I was hoping we could keep this debate civil.
I'll be clear. If a person is NOT a citizen of the Kingdom of Talossa, they do not automatically receive the rights and privileges of a Citizen. We don't and shouldn't treat those rights and privileges as if they were door prizes for finding the Talossa Witt.
Once a person becomes a Citizen, then they keep those rights and privileges until the day they renounce. It doesn't matter how active or inactive they are.
Unless my opponent can provide one incident of where a non-citizen had their "basic human rights" violated by anyone in Talossa, then I do not see the need to alter our Covenant of Rights. This is another example of fixing something that isn't broken.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on Jul 27, 2014 17:17:04 GMT -6
MC da Lhiun, I think we can have another round of rebuttals, if you would care to reply?
|
|