Hear, hear!  <sound of light clapping>  If I can be of any assistance here, I'd be glad to ... although there are those the quality of whose Talossan has passed mine by a long shot.  I always treated the language from the angle of a linguistics geek, rather than actually learning to speak it very well.  <hangs head in shame>

Maybe Lord Hooligan could be lured back to take part in an effort like this one ...

-- John R

This is a very cool idea.  Many thanks to those who are working on this.  Would it be reasonable/appropriate/desirable for me to make a jpg of my most scruciatingly royal signature to put on these cards?

-- John R

We JOHN by the Grace of God King of Talossa and of all its Realms and Regions, King of Cézembre, Sovereign Lord and Protector of Pengöpäts and the New Falklands, Defender of the Faith, Leader of the Armed Forces, Viceroy of Hoxha and Vicar of Atatürk, having been informed by Our Seneschal of his nomination to the office, do hereby appoint as Clerk of Courts of the Kingdom of Talossa the Baron Davinescu del Vilatx Freiric del Vilatx Freiric, Alexandreu Davinescu.

Given under Our hand Royal at the city of Centennial in Colorado this Independence Day in the year of salvation 2021, of the independence of Talossa the forty-third, and of Our reign the seventeenth.

—  John Regeu

On this, the day of Talossa's independence, we celebrate our nation.  No one could ever have predicted this outcome in 1979/I.  The quirky dream of an American boy has led to a rich and long heritage which is embraced by people all over the world.  Who knows what the future might yet bring?

During these past forty-three years, we have seen enormous changes.  We have transitioned from demagogue to democracy; we have moved from a small conclave of Wisconsinites to a global community; we have turned from clumsy copying to cultural innovation.  Talossa has faced schism after schism, and yet we have emerged as a united nation.  So whatever does lie ahead, I am confident we can handle it if we hold fast to our strengths.

These things remain true when we consider our current difficulties.  We must work hard to preserve this country that we love.  We must do this not for ourselves, but for the countless others out there, yet anonymous: those people who are Talossan in their heart, though they might not yet know it.

I have worked at resuming a healthy level of activity, and I will redouble my efforts in the new year.  I can report personally that I have retired from my often-demanding work only recently, which will afford me the leisure time to devote myself more vigorously to my duties (as well as to the delightful demands of being a grandfather).   I call on all Talossans to do the same.

—  John Regeu

To our colleagues in the Senate and the Members of the Cosă, greetings.

It is with the greatest pleasure we open the 56th Cosa of the Kingdom of Talossa. We would like to first commend all incoming Members of the Ziu on their election as well as those returning after absence or joining the body for the first time. As we look ahead to the term before us, we are confident that the incoming Government has the very best intentions for the growth and success of Talossa at heart.

We congratulate General Txoteu Davinescù on being elected to the office of Seneschal for the first time by the Cosă. Though a new face in the role as the Kingdom's Head of Government, Gen. Davinescù has proven a dedicated champion for Talossa since becoming a citizen of the Kingdom just over five years ago. Having a strong working relationship with the outgoing Seneschal, Gen. Davinescú has named Dama Miestra as both Distain and Attorney-General for the coming term, and we look forward to building a solid relationship of cooperation and respect.

We also congratulate the members of the incoming Cabinet: S:reux Valcádac'h, Plätschisch, Rôibeardescù, S:reux Grischün, and Lux, and of course, Dama Miestra. It gives us great pleasure to formally appoint them to the posts chosen for them by the Seneschal, and to thank them in advance for their service.

Seneschal Davinescù, as both the incoming Head of Government and a Minister in the outgoing Government, has asked me to express his particular satisfaction in he and his colleagues' achievements over the last term, including:

The successful passage of the Ranked Choice Referendum, which was followed by the Historic Compromise passed by Senate and Cosa toward the end of last term.

The successful campaign for "voluntary taxation" (stamp and coin sales), which netted $US65, doubling the income from such sources over last year.

A Talossan digital art show.

A successful legal reform programme, in which almost all the laws pertaining to the various Government Ministries were updated, streamlined, stripped of obsolescence and made fit for purpose.

A successful National Honours Investiture, in which We issued the recipients of honours professional Letters Patent, at no cost to the Government

We specifically wish to commend returning Minister of STUFF, S:reu Grischün, for not only his outstanding work on the Second National Activity Survey, which an increased number of citizens gave their honest, anonymous opinions as to the way forward for our nation but also the complete revamping of the National Webspace and the creation of talossa.net, our very own social network.

This term, our Government will enact a vibrant Cultural platform including the creation of new language learning materials, organizing entertaining and interest-driven cultural events to strengthen the Kingdom's cultural depth, and coordinating and facilitating regular meetups to further connect our citizens beyond the text-based medium of the Witt. Additionally, work will resume on one of our nation's most important cultural works... the New Talossan History Project. We will work with the Government to develop, formalize and approve the physical forms of the trappings of monarchy and chivalry including Letters Patent and official State Awards. By doing this, it will enable the Government to further expand use of the Talossan Honours System.

This term, our Government will further expand the current programme of the Royal Zuavs in rewarding the use and learning of the Talossan language. Additionally, we will work with the Government in the enactment of a formal military awards structure and incorporating those awards into a new Talosssan 'Order of Precedence' within El Lexhatx F.

This term, our Government will re-run the already successful "Patriot Points" programme in an effort to encourage voluntary taxation and the purchase of Talossan coins and stamps, while also working with the Royal Bank and Post on the commissioning of a special stamp commemorating the life and passing of former UC Justice John Carl Eiffler. Deputy Minister of Finance Munditenens Tresplet will lead the efforts to continue investigating naming a Registered Agent for Talossa in the State of Wisconsin, to enable Talossa to own online and other property as an Unincorporated Association under Wisconsin law. Additionally, research more lucrative investment destinations for the Kingdom's reserves, in collaboration with the Burgermeister of Internal Revenue.

This term, our Government will work to return to active engagement with the Micronational world, including active fostering of diplomatic relationships and exploring implementing dual citizenships. As part of this effort, the Government will return to actively appointing ambassadors, with a special emphasis of Ambassadorial appointments to friendly Micronational allies. Additionally, in furthering our return to active participation in the greater Micronational community, they will seek to have a presence at MicroCon 2022... the upcoming micronational summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. To compliment those efforts and the likely increased interest from the greater Micronational community, our Government will set up a Landing Pier on Wittenberg where non-citizens will be free to participate along with Talossans, as so long as they maintain appropriate behaviour.

This term, our Government will work with the appropriate Ministries to raise funds for charity through games, tournaments and quizzes, paying particular attention to the Cestoûr population of the Greater Talossan Area and the nearby Milwaukee region. Our Government will again prioritize the exciting concept of "Talossa you can hold in your hands", starting with new a national ID card program and also including other patriotic items, such as flags of various sizes and apparel. Our Government will revive the monthly Government newsletter in an effort to keep all citizens informed of recent Talossan events and issues facing the nation. Efforts will also be expanded in support of Talossa's newest citizens through the creation of a packet of information which will allow new citizens to quickly and effectively understand what it means to be a citizen of Talossa. These new citizens will be further aided with the restart of the TalossAssistant Programme. And, in an effort to continue cultural growth, our Government will introduce legislation to transform the Council of Governors into a body designed to promote provincial cultural peculiarities and inter-provincial cultural and sporting competition.

This term, our Government will work with the Uppermost Cort to revive the Talossan Bar. Our Government will continue to work to improve the process of lawmaking to create greater scrutiny and wider input, with the top priority being to ensure the CRL (Legislative Review Committee) functions properly, with other possible reforms to include having each bill go through multiple readings in the Ziu, and for the Cosă and the Senäts to consider bills separately. Our Government will ensure that any further fundamental Organic Law reforms, including the question of a unicameral Ziu or a "Real Cosa", will be referred to a Standing Committee of the Ziu representing all elected parties. Furthermore, efforts will proceed with the removal of Wisconsin law from El Lexhatx and its replacement by indigenous Talossan equivalents.

This term, our Government will continue updating Talossa's online presence with the next step being to fully integrate the Chancery Database with the National Webspace, thereby making it easier and more transparent to administer. Our Government will work with Ministry of Culture to promote live video and Instant-Messaging interactions between Talossans, and to promote the talossa.net social media site. Additionally, our Government will investigate technological ways to alert existing citizens to new prospectives, including ways to encourage prospectives to "introduce themselves" in a way which improves citizen engagement. Furthermore, our Government will use the Talossan Job Centre to fill vacancies in the Talossan governing apparatus, and to fit interested citizens to appropriate jobs.

In closing, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to all Talossans whose lives have been touched by the global COVID-19 pandemic and join the Heads of State throughout the world calling on cooperation and support in defeating this enemy of humanity together as one people. We applaud the Government for continuing to stand ready to enact a Solidarity Fund to support any Talossans placed in financial peril due to COVID-19. The collective health & safety of the people of our great nation remains the primary concern of the Talossan government.

We once more offer our best wishes to all Talossans, and we hope for nothing less than that the 56th Cosă be even more productive than the last; opening the door to a bright and productive future for our beloved Nation.

¡Så vivadra Talossa!

Estimescu Dama Miestra --

I wasn't the least bit annoyed at GV for calling.  As I remember, I was busy working that day, and didn't have much time to chat; but I certainly wasn't annoyed.  Nor am I annoyed at you or anyone else for NOT calling.  That last is just silliness.

Usually we don't inquire closely, when a public figure makes a speech or releases a paper, exactly who might have had a hand in the writing; and we certainly wouldn't accept the excuse of a President or Prime Minister who said, "Hey, don't blame me, it was my speechwriter who wrote that bit."  If Tom, Dick, or Mary writes something, and I post it, it's I who am responsible for the content.

I don't recall doing anything, ever, in Talossa out of "sheer spite".  Nor am I inclined to tantrums.  (Tantra?)  Of course if you'd called me you would have received a courteous answer -- whenever have I been anything but courteous to you, Dama Miestra?  We disagree a lot, maybe, but I've always tried to be civil about it.  Whether you would have considered my answers "satisfying" I can't say; you usually don't.

In brief answer to your two questions, I absented myself, as the Organic Law permits me to do, because for some time I hadn't been able to find time to handle Talossan responsibilities very well, because you and others had pointed out fairly forcefully that I wasn't holding up my end, and because I didn't want people's enjoyment of the country to be short-circuited by my ridiculously busy schedule.  I appointed a Regent, not in order to infuriate anyone, but because he was the most active of the citizens with whom I thought I share something of a "high" view of the Crown's constitutional role.

That's all.  Nothing sinister.   And as far as I can tell, most people weren't "infuriated".  You usually seem to be, but in general folks manage to get along without much in the way of fury.

Restéu voastra,

John Regeu

The Distain said it.  "Silly and paranoid."  If she had any *actual* doubts about my existence (instead of this silliness she's trying to foist off on wavering MCs), she would have sent me a text message (as she has done a number of times -- she has my phone number) to ask what's going on.  Instead, we're treated to a patently ridiculous conspiracy theory.

Heck, you all have my phone number.  It's not like I've ever concealed it.  303.877.2763.  And my personal email -- JohnWWoolley AT comcast DOT net.

Sure, I've accepted some help preparing various posts.  No, nobody else has posted in my name, or using my account.  Yes, I'm alive and still at least marginally competent.  No, you're right, D:na, I probably shouldn't have trusted you with my GoDaddy logins.

-- John Regeu

Noi IAN, Gräts à Díeu Regeu da Talossa es da toct sieux Reic'hs es Cuntradas, Regeu da Cézembre, Avötz da Pengöpäts es las Nouas Falklands, Zefençadeir del Feitz, Duceu dallas Forziuns Armeschti, Vice-Regeu da Hoxha es Vicar d'Atatürk, tiind estescu informescu par Noastra Secretar d'Estat, es actind in acurd cün Org.VI.9, apüntent perventüră sa el Seneschal del Regipäts Talossa el Pü Þonoresc Txoteu É. Davinescu.

Tiind reçeitescu del aðviçéu da Noastra Seneschal dels individuais q'o volt servar in Noastra Governmaintsch, Noi façent ocså acestilor apüntamaintschen, es lor comandent à servar el Legeu Orgänic es sieu Regeu àl miglhor da sieux capacitaes.

[li$i][ul]Dama Miestra Schiva sa Distain es Avocat-Xheneral[/ul]
[ul]Sir Gödafrïeu Valcádac'h sa Ministreu dal Cúltură es Ministreu dal Zefençù[/ul]
[ul]Ian Plätschisch sa Ministreu dal Finançù[/ul]
[ul]Txosuè Éiric Rôibeardescù sa Ministreu dels Afaes Utphätseschti[/ul]
[ul]Eðo Grischün sa Ministreu à Savanar da Talossa àls Ultra-Fiovaes Folăs[/ul]
[ul]Françal I. Lux sa Ministreu del Interiör[/ul][/li][/list]

Zonescu sub Noastra mha Rexhital à la Cità da Centennial in Colorado li ziua vaintsch-secund dal Juliă, in l'ár 2021 dal salvaziun, el qareinçe-secund dal independençù da Talossa, es el sedeschlaiset d'Ár röin.

              —  Ian Regeu

---

We JOHN by the Grace of God King of Talossa and of all its Realms and Regions, King of Cézembre, Sovereign Lord and Protector of Pengöpäts and the New Falklands, Defender of the Faith, Leader of the Armed Forces, Viceroy of Hoxha and Vicar of Atatürk, having been informed by Our Secretary of State of the election of a new Seneschal by Our Cosa, and acting in accordance with Org.VI.9, do hereby appoint as Seneschal of the Kingdom of Talossa the Most Honourable Txoteu É. Davinescu.

Having received advice from Our Seneschal of those individuals that he wishes to serve in Our Government, We further make the following appointments, and enjoin them to serve the Organic Law and their King to the best of their abilities:

[li$i][ul]Miestra Schiva as Distain and Attorney-General[/ul]
[ul]Gödafrïeu Valcádac'h as Minister of Culture and Defence Minister[/ul]
[ul]Ian Plätschisch as Minister of Finance[/ul]
[ul]Txosuè Éiric Rôibeardescù as Foreign Minister[/ul]
[ul]Senator Eðo Grischün as Minister of STUFF[/ul]
[ul]Françal I. Lux as Interior Minister[/ul][/li][/list]

Given under Our hand Royal at the city of Centennial in Colorado this twenty-second day of July in the year of salvation 2021, of the independence of Talossa the forty-second, and of Our reign the sixteenth.

              —  John Regeu

Everything here seems to be congenial, but crossing Ts and dotting Is ...

I'm King John, and I approve this proclamation.  :-)

-- John R

Per els Talossaes oxhi, non c'e nútemp simplămint ünă ziuă da celevraziun. Üc, noi restent þonourind els Cestours qi þavitent da din noschtri grentzăs, es els esforçen cortösen da noastra Grült Voiçì à lor asigürar cün ünă untă dals serviçuns tităs: el infrastrütür, dals utensilitaes, el drïo es dals altrăs cosăs similaes. Noi voi ament, oh, voi, ár Cestours, es voi þonourent.

Mas más q'acest, oxhi isch ocså ünă ziuă dal sentzintità. Noastra þroneu isch sür del terts utphätsesc, es presca toct i Talossaes com'acest þavitent oxhi com'iens utphätsüt. Noastra ånéxüs naziunal àl terts actual es l'apă dal Mar Talossan zependa sür noschtri esforçen à guardar acest þeritatx vivind. In acest vej ünícmint Talossan, acest ånéxüs isch es seltsam es seriös. Es qétsevol sint tu cresençăs, ça fost noi reméindar ingencosă q'isch vräts per cadascu citaxhién: Talossa non isch simplămint ün c'hlub sür el inter·riet. Talossa isch ünă naziun.

Sà vivadrent els Cestours, es sà vivadra Talossa!

              —  Ian Regeu

---

It is Cestour Day.  For Talossans today, that is no longer just a day of celebration.  Yes, we still take the time to honour the Cestours who dwell within our borders, as well as the gracious efforts of our Big Neighbor to supply them with a handful of small services: infrastructure, utilities, policing, and other such things.  We love you, oh you our Cestours, and we honour you.

But more than this, today is also a day of awareness.  Our throne is on foreign soil, and likewise nearly every Talossan lives today as an expatriate.  Our national connection with the very soil of our country and the waters of the Mar Talossan depends on our efforts to keep alive this heritage.  In that uniquely Talossan way, this connection is equal parts silly and serious.  And whatever your beliefs, it should remind us of something that is true for every citizen: Talossa is not just an internet club.  Talossa is a nation.

Long live the Cestours, and long live Talossa!

              —  John Regeu

PRESENT

-- John R

For Eid al-Fitr, 12 May


Oxhi'sch la ziua dal caßaziun dal åservaziun per belacops da Islamici, marchind el fim da Ramadan. Dr. Iftekhar Khan dal Società Islamic da Milvoc'ht, el cuntravelesc Talossan premieir per dels Islamici, zïa qe c'e'n temp à focüsiçar på la carità es dels dideux bens. "Ramadan isch ün temp à performar l'autuapraiçaziun," scriua. "Focüsiçetz på çaobén noi povent profrar, perf — els valentéux, els þiarfas. Zemandent-noi, 'Qet da phü put-éu façar per va comunità?'" Acestilor mocts sint cordats per toct i noi.

Assalamu Alaikum!

              —  Ian Regeu

---

Today is the festival of breaking the fast for many Muslims, marking the end of Ramadan.  Dr. Iftekhar Khan of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, the premier Talossan organization for Muslims, says that it is a time to focus on charity and good deeds.  "Ramadan is a time to perform self-evaluation," he writes. "Please focus on how much we can offer to others — the deserving, the needy. Let us ask ourselves, 'What more can I do for my community?'" These are wise words for us all.

Assalamu Alaikum!

              —  John Regeu

Yesterday for Orthodox Christians was Easter Sunday, or Pascha, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day -- the holiest day of the year. Today is called Bright Monday, the first weekday of Bright Week; the celebration of the great Feast continues through the next seven weeks.  We greet each other through this entire season with the words "Christ is risen!" and the response "Indeed he is risen!", in whatever languages we can handle. Very commonly, Greek "Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!", Russian "Khristos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!", Romanian "Hristos a inviat! Adevărat a înviat!"; less common maybe are Old Talossan "Christus surrexit! Vere surrexit", or modern Talossan "C'hríost alçeva! Vrätsmint alçeva!"


Here, for anyone interested, is the Nicene Creed, a statement of belief for Christians, translated (by me) from the original 4th-century Greek into Talossan:

Créu in viens Díeu, el Patreu Omnipotenteu, Createir del çéu es dal tzara es da toct i cosas vidavais es inviduvais;

Es in viens Domnul Iesu-C'hríost, Díeu sè Fighleu viensxhenerat, ut del Patreu nascat avant toct i ageux, Díeu da Díeu, Lux del Lux, Díeu vräts da Díeu vräts, xhenerat non façat, cunsubstantíu al Patreu, par qi toct i cosas füvent façadas;

Qi per üns vürs es per la noastra salvaziun descendeva del çéu es füt incarnat del Spritz Sant ut da María Vierxha, es füt façat Vür;

Es ocsà per üns füt stavrat sub Póntiüs Pilátüs, es aucidat, es sepültat; es sür la tierça ziua levitat, d'osprei las Scribtüras Sants; es ainciün el Çéu ascendeva, al drept del Patreu asseteva, es cün gloria revenarha per xhuxharh els vivinds es morteschti; da qissen Regipäts hi non serà ün fim;

Es in el Spritz Sant, Domnul es Vivifichind, qi ut del Patreu proceda, qi cün el Patreu es el Fighleu isch ensembla venerat es glorifiat, qi par els prófets tent parlat;

Es in viensa Glischt Sant Cáþolic es Apostolic.

Professéu viensa Baptiçaziun per la remissiun dels pecs, es ascheptéu la levada dels morteschti es la vida del ageu vienind.


May this lovely festival be a blessing to you and yours.

              —  John Regeu

Would someone be so kind as to tell me how to get my coat of arms to display here?

And, how do you type diacriticals and other special characters here?  I've cut-n-pasted, but I'd gotten so used to typing things like &mdash; and &eacute; on the other forum, and I miss it.  What's the secret?

-- John R