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Topics - Eiric S. Bornatfiglheu

#1
Estimats Senators,

Our colleague from Florencia has objected to and requested a vote upon my ruling in re: the election of the Lord President currently being conducted.  The text of my ruling can be found here: https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?msg=23421

The request, as I understand it, is that the election of the presiding officer shall be suspended until such a time as Maricopa's senator is seated.  I have already offered to push back the deadline by 48 hours (barring objection to such) to allow mediation time requested by Justice Cjantscheir. (Found here: https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=2804.0)

I feel like this falls (sort of) under Standing Rules 3.1, where the Mençei is empowered to make rulings on Senatorial eligibility, but that this can be overturned by a vote from the body.  Structurally speaking, it is the closest thing that we have in law, even if it is not a perfect fit.

This vote will run for a period of 1 week from this posting, to conclude on 10/23/23 @ 3pm Talossan time.  An affirmative vote shall suspend the election for presiding officer.  A negative will allow it to continue.  Should a majority of the body agree in one direction beforehand, this vote will conclude immediately.

@Ian Plätschisch
@mximo
@Tric'hard Lenxheir
@Glüc da Dhi S.H.
@mpf
@GV
#2
El Senäts/The Senate / Mençei for 59th Cosa
October 06, 2023, 09:09:14 AM
Estimats Senators

In accordance with the standing rules of the Senate, the Mençei is chosen at the beginning of each term.  It says in the absence of a Mençei, the Dean of the Senate shall conduct the election.  However, there is a sitting Mençei (me), so I believe it falls to me to conduct the election.

Thus, pursuant to Standing Rules 2.3, "The Acting Mençei shall allow for nominations to be lodged for a period of at least a week from the beginning of a term. Should a Senator receive nominations from a majority of Senators, the nomination period shall end and the Senator be considered duly elected; otherwise, a ballot shall be held using Instant Runoff Voting. Seniority shall resolve any ties that may occur during any stage of elimination."

I would like to open nominations from this date (10/6/23) for a period of 1 week (concluding 10/13/23) to allow our newly and re-elected colleagues an opportunity to pay their fees.  Should a Senator receive nominations from a majority of the body, that shall conclude the election immediately.  Otherwise, we shall proceed to a formal election.  Please make your nominations in this thread.
#3
Wittenberg / NPW Endorsement of FreeDem Platform
September 17, 2023, 03:26:05 PM
Not a lot that needs to be said aside from the title, I guess.  The NPW endorses the platform of the FreeDems and encourages everyone with Peculiarist thoughts to vote accordingly.  Just look at the results of this last govt.  Does more need to be said?
#4
Estimats Senators,

Evidently this got past me somehow.  Please lodge your votes here.
#5
Are any Senators not up for re-election interested in serving on the electoral commission for this election?
#6
Estimats Senators,

Please lodge your votes here for the 5th Clark of the 58th Cosa.
#7
Estimats Senators,

Please lodge your votes here or elsewhere in accordance with the standing rules and traditions of this body.
#8
Estimats Senators,

Please lodge your votes here or elsewhere as established by the standing rules and customs of the Senate.
#9
Estimats Senators,

Please log your votes here or elsewhere as established by Senats tradition and rules.
#10
Estimats Senators,

As per the standing rules and traditions of The Senate, please lodge your votes here or elsewhere as appropriate.
#11
El Senäts/The Senate / Mencei for 58th Cosa
February 06, 2023, 04:07:04 PM
Estimats Senators

In accordance with the standing rules of the Senate, the Mençei is chosen at the beginning of each term.  It says in the absence of a Mençei, the Dean of the Senate shall conduct the election.  However, there is a sitting Mençei (me), so I believe it falls to me to conduct the election.

Thus, pursuant to Standing Rules 2.3, "The Acting Mençei shall allow for nominations to be lodged for a period of at least a week from the beginning of a term. Should a Senator receive nominations from a majority of Senators, the nomination period shall end and the Senator be considered duly elected; otherwise, a ballot shall be held using Instant Runoff Voting. Seniority shall resolve any ties that may occur during any stage of elimination."

I would like to open nominations from this date (2/6, also coinciding with the Secretary of State's certification of the election) for a period of 2 weeks (concluding 2/20) to allow our newly and re-elected colleagues an opportunity to pay their fees.  Should a Senator receive nominations from a majority of the body, that shall conclude the election immediately.  Otherwise, we shall proceed to a formal election on 2/20.  Please make your nominations in this thread.
#12
Wittenberg / Peculiar Thoughts inn Re: The Monarchy
January 21, 2023, 07:30:17 PM
Much of the digital ink being spilled around the question of the monarchy seems to fall into two basic areas.  The question of the monarchy ITSELF (ie, monarch v. republican) and the second but related question of THIS monarch (ie, The Wolf v. someone else).  And I think, though they can be discussed separately, it might behoove us to think structurally about potential reform.

Why do monarchs go inactive?  The Wolf isn't the only one to really do so in Talossan history, Robert II and Florence also had their quiet stints (though in the fast-paced micronational world of 20+ years ago, things were different).  But I would suggest, at least given our current constitutional order, that they do so out of boredom.  Forced into apolitical roles, they are the ostensible guardian of Talossanity but also somewhat removed from it.  The rollicking debates, such as they are, are theirs no more.  Theirs is a job that is cutting ribbons, shaking hands, and being an attractive but useless gewgaw.  At their most active, such as threatening citizens, their involvement at least raises eyebrows if not hackles.

And, in an open and democratic system, that is as it should be.  For the health of the society, an unfair thumb on the scale is not good.  But I can imagine that it makes the view from the throne at least somewhat boring.  Having attained the highest office there is, and guaranteed it IN PERPETUITY, there are no more worlds left to conquer.  I would be unsurprised if Alexander wept.

I cannot speak to the motivations of the current rump on the seat.  But I can speak to his actions, or lack thereof.  They don't speak of an engaged or interested person.

I think this is essentially built into the Talossan monarchy, down to the studs.

Opposition to limited-term monarchy is that this simply makes the individual a "president," and that's no fun... because having a monarchy is fun.  But how much good is a dead rump on the seat really doing?  Who is having fun here?  I'm not even convinced the monarch is.

If you want a dedicated monarch, you need to incentivize activity for someone to fill the role well.  And without limited terms/potential reelection to stimulate responsiveness, what is a self-respecting people to do? 

I would like to bring back up an idea the NPW had floated before, that of the fragile throne.  What if the durability of the institution was flipped from the default?  Let's make the sitting monarch almost impossible to remove, but the INSTITUTION of the monarchy easy to abolish.  The sitting monarch is incentivized to protect the institution, as opposed to ride the security of their own seat.  A failure of the individual becomes a failure of the institution.

It would also be interesting to create a bifurcated constitution.  A greater constitution guaranteeing rights, freedoms, and certain responsibilities would run as a relative constant in Talossan life, but with the accession of each new monarch, a lesser constitution is negotiated between the monarch and the people that spells out the operations of the government for the time.  Talossa is NEVER more active than when it is debating its own makeup, afterall.
#13
As the New Peculiar Way will not be fielding a list for the Cosa this election, we have opted to formally endorse the FreeDem ticket for the Cosa and encourage all Peculiaristas and Talossans to vote the FreeDems.

Why?

  • The status quo on the monarchy (including and especially the current rump in the seat) simply isn't working.
  • Cutting the red-and-green tape can help every Talossan find and ride their hobby-horse to victory.
  • Greater democratization is the path to greater Talossanity.  The rhetoric surrounding "real Talossans" that often is tied to stultifying monarchism and blaming others for "ruining the fun," attempts to corner the market on what is and isn't Talossa.  Enough clubbiness.

Votez FreeDem for Cosa!  Bornatfiglheu for Benito Senats!  NPW for Benito!
#14
This piece combines sci-fi, noir, and comedy in an almost pitch-perfect way.  Also has a cameo by Ivan Stand and J.R. "Bob" Dobbs, for those Subgenii out there.
#15
El Senäts/The Senate / CONSULT: Electoral Commission
October 25, 2022, 04:54:46 PM
Estimats Senators,

Is anyone who's not

A.)  A party officer
-AND-
B.)  Not having their term expire this Cosa

interested in serving on the Electoral Commission?
#16
Wittenberg / The NPW Rides Again
October 23, 2022, 06:33:56 PM
Estimats Talossans,

The NPW, Talossa's only Peculiarist Party, has been quiet for far too long.  As you know, we did not stand for the previous Cosa, and the only current Peculiarist in office is your Mencei, yours truly.  That simply will not do.

For those playing at home, Peculiarism is one of Talossa's oldest distinct ideologies.  The definition provided by Talossawiki, is that "Peculiarismeu is the belief that Talossa is not a country like other countries, but is instead its own special sort of entity. It is a genuine and unique Talossan ideology. According to this way of thinking, as Talossa is unique, it does not have to imitate other nations and their habits."

That's pretty fair.  My own attitudes, as a singular example, are that Talossa COULD explore the political possibilities presented by Heinlein's Lunar Govt. in "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress," or elements of governance from "A Canticle for Leibowitz."  Other historical examples include some of the thought of Danihel R. Lauriéir and Dieter Vercáriâ.

The current NPW does have a strong Republican attitude, at least partially driven by the personal attitudes of the current active membership.  It is something that could change (though I hope it doesn't!).  As such, Peculiarists of ALL Repub/Monarch stripes could find a home here.  If you're interested in joining, or would like to know more, please reach out!
#17
Esteemed Senators,

Please vote here or elsewhere as established by law and custom.
#18
Estimats Senators,

In accordance with tradition, statute, and the rules of business, please post your votes and debate for this Clark here or elsewhere (you know the places).
#19
Wittenberg / The Finest Talossan Speeches/Writing
August 27, 2022, 07:52:07 PM
Every nation has its major speeches.  Those addresses that help to define or redirect a culture.  The US might have the Eulogy for the Crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger from Reagan, The Four Freedoms by Roosevelt, and I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King.  Or perhaps the Cornerstone Speech by Alexander Stephens or the Mission Accomplished Speech of Bush.

What are these speeches for Talossa?  Given the great majority of our interchange is written on fora, that would extend to writing, I imagine.
#20
Estimats Senators,

Please register votes and debating over the current Clark here, or elsewhere as established by Law and Custom.