Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on Yesterday at 07:49:23 PMWell, you can't really be a centrist party if there's no "Right wing".

I'm not sure I agree with this -- there is no real right-wing party in Talossan terms, but they have existed in the past.  A right-wing party would presumably fight to return to hereditary succession, restore some of the royal powers, restrict immigration or otherwise try to create more hierarchy, and... hm, probably some other things.  It's possible that one of the newer parties will take that tack, although it doesn't seem very likely.  I do agree that the TNC was center-right in that sense, so it's a good point.

Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on Yesterday at 07:49:23 PMOne of the failures of the Free Democrats this term have been that we were so focused on getting a solution to the constitutional issue that we slacked off on Duty One of any opposition, holding the Government to account.

Probably Duty One is always going to be ensuring the survival of the country, right?  Probably that just goes without saying -- maybe Duty Zero?  And I think we've been struggling around a crisis point for a while, and resolving it with an all-round compromise was the higher calling.  I having nothing but respect for the recent forbearance and integrity of the Free Democrats over the past term.  That's thanks in large part to your leadership, I'm sure.

On a personal note, for that matter, I will never forget the grace and support I have experienced from so many Talossans, both in public and in private.

Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on Yesterday at 07:49:23 PM(I mean, in the last FreeDems government, I remember one oppositionist being quite persistent asking about what we were doing to the Zouaves. Fair play to him; but I would have never thought of just saying "shut up and go away, it's a state secret".)

Saying that it's just not a priority is always going to be a fair answer, but it's an answer that you might pay for during a campaign.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, SMC EiP on Yesterday at 07:44:57 PM

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on Yesterday at 07:40:38 PM

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, SMC EiP on Yesterday at 07:38:36 PMThat provision is criminally underutilized. Would be a lot of fun to see newer citizens taking advantage of it in the future!

For sure -- we've had a couple people do it, but it probably needs promotion again.  Maybe we need a quickstart guide for them added to the What's Going On page?

May also be worth the MinImm -- whether the incumbent or their successor -- making a note of alerting them to its existence once they've been naturalized.

Yes, I agree.  That was done for a couple of months, and it had great success.  We should get back to it.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, SMC EiP on Yesterday at 07:38:36 PMThat provision is criminally underutilized. Would be a lot of fun to see newer citizens taking advantage of it in the future!

For sure -- we've had a couple people do it, but it probably needs promotion again.  Maybe we need a quickstart guide for them added to the What's Going On page?

Well, the TNC has mostly dissolved because of the start of the last term.  During the last negotiations, there was an inter-party debate and discussion about what we should do.  It was pretty freewheeling and intense, with some hard bargaining, but the majority came down in support of Braneu's wishes.  He's an awesome guy, kind and enthusiastic, and we mostly backed him in his wishes to move in a productive way.  But once the debate was over, Breneir left the party and started his own rival party -- I forget what it was called.  And almost at the same time, I had to become inactive for months at a time (RIP my mom).

So Braneu is a gifted leader and a great guy, but now he was hung out to dry -- he suddenly lacked the institutional support he needed from long-time Talossans.  There's a lot of bits and bobs to running things, even with things set up to be mostly automated.  It was a completely unfair position for him to be in, way too stressful and not anything like what he'd wanted.  So he quit and renounced, not unreasonably.  (I'm just glad he's back.)

But that was pretty much the beginning of the end.  Another talented and kind newcomer, Therxh, was pressed into service, and Breneir eventually rejoined.  And while he rose to the occasion, he obviously was going to have a hard time keeping things going while also recruiting and maintaining (even though the opposition was being kind and put the good of the nation ahead of partisan advantage).

Therxh has asked me to join his new party, and while I'm not a huge fan of the name, I'm a huge fan of him.  I said yes immediately.  I hope others join, too.  I hope to work with Braneu again closely.

The Greens (?) do carry on a lot of the TNC spirit -- kindness, comradery, centrism.  As a centrist project, it's probably never going to satisfy someone who yearns for a crusade.  And that's why I hope we will be as successful as the TNC -- sometimes things need to be improved in Talossa, but there's also a lot to just promote and celebrate.  The Reds (?) are not the crusaders at the gates -- we're the people sipping coffee inside (presumably alongside our caffeinated comrade).

It's going to be interesting times ahead, as yet another giant change crests the horizon.  I'm glad to be shoulder-to-shoulder with Therxh once more as the new dawn arises.

I have the cards and they look good, so I will be shipping them out sometime in the next couple of weeks.

I got a shipping notice this morning, so the cards are on their way to me.

Quote from: Barclamïu da Miéletz on May 08, 2024, 05:37:35 AM

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on May 07, 2024, 05:33:22 AM

Quote from: Barclamïu da Miéletz on May 07, 2024, 02:48:50 AM

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on May 01, 2024, 06:39:47 AMJust an update: still waiting on the cards to return from the printer.  When they ship, I'll post an update.

Any progress?

No. I'm still waiting on the cards. There is nothing I can do to speed things up. We do not pay a premium for fast processing, since I just want to keep the price as low as possible. As soon as I get them, I'll post an update.

How long on average does it take for a batch of cards to be printed though?
(Please excuse me being so impatient, I just really want something to put in me wallet.)

Well, I don't really have an average, but my understanding is that typically it takes a few days for the order to be processed into their queue, and then somewhere between two or three weeks before they're produced, and then a few days in the mail.  After that, it will take me somewhere between a week or two to get them out in the mail.  (I could hypothetically do it in a day, but I'm just being realistic here since I have a full-time job and three small children and I help lead a group of political activists, outside of Talossa.)

When I get a shipping notification, I will let you know.  I understand the enthusiasm -- these cards are indeed really cool, and they look and feel very professional.  They're a great thing to show your friends.

Quote from: Barclamïu da Miéletz on May 07, 2024, 02:48:50 AM

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on May 01, 2024, 06:39:47 AMJust an update: still waiting on the cards to return from the printer.  When they ship, I'll post an update.

Any progress?

No. I'm still waiting on the cards. There is nothing I can do to speed things up. We do not pay a premium for fast processing, since I just want to keep the price as low as possible. As soon as I get them, I'll post an update.

Just an update: still waiting on the cards to return from the printer.  When they ship, I'll post an update.

If the CRL is retained, in the ideal this would be handled in the same way most legislature do: custom and majority rule.  The CRL wouldn't be in the law at all, but instead would be part of a package of rules adopted at the start of a term.  I don't know if this is practical at this time, though, since we would have a hard time with legislative motions or votes outside of the Clark system.

So for now, I think it should be left to discretion and norms.  People should absolutely be permitted to submit a shell bill to the CRL for review and approval, and then replace it with entirely different legislative text without submitting it for approval again.  But the CRL is allowed to be annoyed and point this out as a problem with the legislation, and that would be a flaw that might justify voting against the bill.

This allows leadership and time-sensitive things to be pushed through, while at the same time upholding a norm that legislation should be reviewed for form and function before going to a vote.  Most legislatures operate in this way.

Quote from: Sir Lüc on April 28, 2024, 09:32:09 AM(I would honestly be even more radical and get rid of the CRL entirely,)

Indeed, this would also be my recommendation.  If you care so little about a bill that you refuse to check it over carefully or seek out others to do so, then it's probably not a necessary piece of legislation.  We're not big enough to need a CRL at this time.  There's like a small handful who ever write complex bills: you, Gluc, me, Miestra, Txecand Breneir.  Do we need a committee of three to monitor the work of a group of five or six people?

Quote from: Sir Lüc on April 30, 2024, 09:53:17 AMMy current idea is putting Lex.C.1.3.2-5 into practice and having the Scribery manage a pool of "proofreaders" (call them whatever you want) that can suggest amendments about form at any point between Hoppering and Clarking.

An enhanced Scribery might make sense in the future, but not right now, IMO. It's a fun idea for a busier future.

Quote from: Sir Lüc on April 30, 2024, 10:30:28 AM...get a CRL review and get it Clarked with no opportunity for a debate on merit. I was simply trying to avoid setting bad precedent.

It was the right call to point this out as a violation of norms, even if it might have been inconvenient.

Sounds fine to me.

Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on April 29, 2024, 03:47:59 PMSo: we worry that the succession will become a political struggle that will go on forever.

Well, you guys are wrong.  This is not where he's at.  He isn't signaling a fight, he's just agreeing to the offer on the table.  I can't speak for him, but I'm pretty sure.

I'm glad that sense has prevailed.  As we move forward with the Succession Act, please remember to take out the conditional clause before Clarking.

¡Vivetz els legeux, el Regeu, es els pleps!

I think you misunderstand.  In that quote, "inactive" refers to a lack of activity generally in Talossa, not the level of power assigned to the role.  His Majesty has not been able to devote much time to the country, regardless of what form that time takes.

I admit that I don't quite understand your point, honestly.  His Majesty specifically endorsed the process being considered right now and said he would abdicate as soon as a successor was chosen.  It seems quite backwards to suggest that a candidate must be named before the process can be established, so I assume that wasn't what you meant?

Look, as I understand it, the major point of contention was that republicans were generally in favor of an entirely inactive monarchy rather than an invigorated one, since an inactive monarchy would continue to lead to a decline in support for monarchy in general.  Likewise, monarchists were generally in favor of supporting the king, since lending any support to change meant helping destroy one of Talossa's oldest and most valuable traditions.  But both sides have agreed to give way, with monarchists accepting a pretty dramatic and historic shift in norms, while republicans are accepting the continuation of the monarchy for at least the near future.  The king appears to be endorsing the resulting deal, offering his own abdication once it has been accomplished.  It would be a shame to scorn that healing gesture!

What is the fear?  That His Majesty will renege?  No one thinks that King John I is going to do that.  Ask Dama Miestra if she thinks that the man can stick to a deal, and she will confirm.  Hell, my own principles are known to be made of cold iron.  And if the question is delay -- well, I don't think that's realistic.  Alea iacta est, and that can't be undone.

A hard and painful bargain has been struck, so let it abide.