Estimats Peculiarists,

As the 54th Cosa wraps up, the time comes to look toward crafting our manifesto for the 55th.  There is some business that needs attending to as well, like the choosing of a new party leader. So here is my suggestion for a course of action:

• 6/24-6/27: Nominations for the leader
• 6/28:  Vote on nominations
• <New leader takes over chairing convention>
• 6/29-7/10: Work on the new manifesto

Does this work for everyone?  We can make changes if not.

Also, just to get people's ideas bubbling for when we set to work on the manifesto, I've copied the 4 points of the last one below.

Quote
1.) TOO @#$%& MANY PROVINCES- Any is too many. The provinces are a largely dead system that don't reflect anythng in particular. They should be abolished. Or, failing that, be distributed in order of seniority on a percentile system.

2.) NO @#$%& LAND!- You know what claim land they dont control? Bug nations. Land claims to Milwaukee deny reality and are holding Talossa back. It is behavior that is unbecoming of the greatest experimental polity known to humanity.

3.) NO @#$%& THRONE!- Nobody has the corner on Talossanity. Down with the Monarchy.

4.) FAILING THAT... @#$%& IT AND RENAME TALOSSA BENLAND- If Talossa is so moribund and tied to its past that it can no longer move, we'll just face facts and rename the nation Benland.

Because everybody knows that Peculiarism is on the cutting edge of everything, this includes the world of fashion.  And what is the most Pecuiar of all garments?  The tin-foil hat, of course!  So Peculiarists (and those who are Peculiar in their soul)... let's see your tin-foil hats!!

So, it's pretty simple.  Each Month, when L'Chronica is published, we will also publish an image.  People interested in participating will have until the 10th of the following month to submit a caption for said photo.  The winner will be chosen and published in the following L'Chronica.

So, without further ado, here is the inaugural image for the contest:


Private Message Eiric S. Bornatfiglheu to participate.

MIXED RESULTS IN MAY 2020 CLARK
54RZ23, 54RZ25, & 54Z26 Passed and will move to referendum for Orglaw Amendment.  54RZ24 passed the Cosa but Failed in the Senate.  The governmental Vote of Confidence was passed 149-15.
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=289.0

INTEREST RATE ON NATIONAL TREASURY DROPS
The Interest rate on the National Treasury has fallen to 1.10% APY.

VINTAGE TALOSSAN PUBLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Oracla Magazine and müc'häps are now available in the Royal Archives.
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=314.0
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=310.0

CAFE TALOSSA ZOOM MEETING SCHEDULED
Live Talossan meetup via Zoom at 8pm Talossan Local Time on Tuesday 6/16.  Contact GV for the Link!
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=312.0

TALOSSAN MUSIC TOP 2020 UP IN THE AIR
The organizers of Talossan Music Top 20 for this round are on the fence as to whether to do it or not.  Interested parties should contact Glüc da Dhi.
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=305.0

TALOSSAN CORRESPONDENCE CHESS TOURNAMENT A SUCCESS, MORE TO COME
Glüc da Dhi has clinched the championship in the 2020 Chess tournament.  The battle for second place hangs in the balance.
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=254.15

Hey there cool cats and kittens!  Wanna be awesome?  Wanna learn how to teach a yak to dance, or run down a dik dik?  Wanna help steer Talossa's oldest ideology into a bright future and make a difference in how things go?  Wanna let your freak flag fly from the top of the Mitchell Building?

Then maybe you should join the New Peculiar Way!

What's this all about you ask, in shock and forbidden curiosity?  Well:

1.)  We are Peculiarist- That means we don't think Talossa should have to run like all the other nations of the world.  Maybe it's a zenlike afterglow?  Or a pot-pie blob?  Or really should function akin to a fraternal lodge?  We're always open to new ideas, and would love to hear yours.

2.)  We are Republicans- We don't think that anybody should hold the corner on Talossanity.  As a monarchh once said, "I am the state."  Monarchy plays into a terribly "more Talossan than thou" culture that has plagued us since the very foundation.  Let's strangle that weed.  Failing that, we are open to considering Peculiar takes on a diminished monarchy.

3.)  We're really fun folks- It's not all business over at NPW headquarters, oh no.  We also engage in cultural and societal development, as well as keeping an open communication channel between members.

4.)  We're the oldest, but we're still young- Now is the time you can get involved on the ground floor of the party.  As Talossa's oldest Peculiarist party, we carry a proud standard, but we're still new enough that even newcomers to the party can make a difference.

5.)  We have cookies!

Interested?  You know you are!  Drop E.S. Bornatfiglheu a message if you're interested in getting involved.

So since I've been closed up (and even a little before), I took up the hobby of painting.  Most of your know that I work in the theatre industry, and I was, essentially, looking for a creative outlet that I could do on my own.  So, I would like to offer the following Talossan art (based on the theory that, if it's art... and a Talossan has done it, it is Talossan art) for the enjoyment of my compatriots.

The forum link on the main page of Talossa.com still directs to Proboards

MIXED RESULTS IN MARCH CLARK
The "This Aint it, Chief Act" and "The There's No Such Thing as a Free Senats Seat" Amendment passed both houses of the Ziu.  "The Seneschal Election Amendment" and "Abolition of Compulsary Voting and Determination of Legal or Actual Decease Bill" passed the Cosa but failed in the Senats.

SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS
Talossan publication "La S'chinteia" is still looking for writers.  Interested journalists should contact Editor Ian Platschisch for more details.  https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=235.0

SENESCHAL SCHIVA INTERVIEWED FOR NEWSWEEK
In an article in Newsweek about the topic of Micronations and COVID-19, The Talossan Seneschal was interviewed and reported that community transmission of the disease was zero.  She offered the advice: "Voastra soleu ispéu da sürvivonçă, c'è despasar acest malignh crisomileu din la Casă Biancă."
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=225.0

GOVERNMENT AIMS TO SET UP COVID-19 RELIEF FUND
Seneschal Schiva announced intentions in the Cabinet to set up a benevolent relief fund in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.  More details will be forthcoming as logistics are decided upon.
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=230.0

CIVIL SERVICE SEEKS DEPUTY CABINET SECRETARY
Seeking to train a successor and spread the workload, applications are being sought for a Deputy Cabinet Secretary.  Interested parties should contact the current Cabinet Secretary.
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=218.0

Greetings All,

Your do-nothing Maestro is making a valiant attempt at doing a thing.

So, to begin, how many have managed to make the jump?  Might you be willing to check in?

Azul to Ya,
Eiric Bornatfiglheu

I don't know if this is possible, but what about a tag in the Hopper to mark bill threads as having been Clarked?  In the same way there is a "liked" tag, maybe the SS or the sponsor can hit it once the bill is in the digest.  Is something like that possible?

Estimat Túischac'h,

I direct this question to the Seneschal.  With the Coalition's impressive beginning record of achievement (Orglaw Reform, Wittenberg Migration), I would like to begin by raising a glass in toast.

However, one of the underlying issues Talossa faces (that of immigration and activity amongst citizens) still seems to be falling behind.  Much of what I see in the Hopper continues to change the paint on the wagon.  What is the government doing (or hope to do) to stimulate greater activity?  That was, after all, your rallying cry.

Respectfully,
Eiric S. Bornatfiglheu, Tanáischteu


Eiric S. Bornatfiglheu, Tanáischteu

Estimat Túischac'h,

I was wondering whether either the Seneschal or Minister of the Interior would update this august body on the progress of their Council of Governors project.  Am I correct in my assessment that it has stalled out?  If the primary purpose is to explore Provincial mergers, is a structure requiring busy-work of an already moribund system really the best answer?

What steps is the govt. taking to try and accomplish these goals?

Respectfully,
Eiric S. Bornatfiglheu, Tanáischteu

IMMIGRATION FORM REVAMPED
THe Ministry of the Interior has conducted a major overhaul to the citizenship application to give it a modern look and feel, as well as a declaration section to ensure compliance with the Pete Townsend Act.
https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=181.0

SENESCHAL ADDRESSES FREEDEM CONVENTION
Seneschal urges the Freedems to build a cultural legacy alongside political ones.
https://freedems.proboards.com/post/686

NEW JUSTICE CONFIRMED TO UPPERMOST CORT
Following public hearings and substantial vetting, Viteu Marcianus is confirmed as a Justice for the Uppermost Cort.

In the great survey of what people are looking for in Talossa, one of the major requested elements was Contests, Quizzes, and Games.  Given this, we here at the Office of Cultural Development have cooked up a few ideas to see if they strike the public as a fun idea.  So any feedback you provide will be heeded.  So without further ado:

1.)  Archery Competition- The Ministry partners with the Toxophilite Club for a Talossan archery competition.  Rules forthcoming, but it would most likely involve using the "Archery King" game app.

2.)  Royal Riddle Bee- A riddling competition performed in a bracket-type setting.  Opponents will challenge one another with riddles until one is unable to answer.  If their opponent is then able to answer the next riddle, they are the winner.  Winner earns the title of Riddle-Master and the right to add an owl rampant as a supporter (pending college of arms and royal approval).  Neck-riddles prohibited, of course.

3.)  Bilingual Poetry Competition- Competitors compose a poem in Talossan (or English), which they then translate to English (or Talossan).  Prizes for best English and best Talossan.  Related competition for recitation in English and Talossan.

4.)  Obscure Talossan Word of the Month- Competitors must guess a word, sending in their guesses individually with a Jeopardy-style bid.  Throughout the month, hints will be issued which limits ROI on bids issued afterward.

These were the first four that came to mind when I was asked to put together some ideas.  Are these the sorts of competitions that people are interested in?  OR is there something else?  We'd love to hear your ideas.  And if people are interested, the Ministry can probably help with things like prizes and logistics.