Thank you for your service, and we appreciate you very much.  I hope that we'll see more of you socially, if less out of obligation!

The first rule of the cort:

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on March 18, 2022, 05:23:08 PMPROCESS FOR FILING LEGAL BUSINESS

1. Petitions for any business shall be filed by posting a single message containing your petition or by using private messages to send your petition to the Clerk of Corts.

I remain the Clerk, I guess -- although depending on the nature of the petition, I might ask His Majesty to do the assignment.  I'd still love to be replaced as Clerk, but it's probably not an emergency.

It might be a good idea to get representation.

Oh, don't worry -- we're going to keep bugging the Ladintsch Naziunal very regularly.  But he's not our supervisor, and I think it's entirely possible for me to undertake some translation efforts or to ask someone else to do something like that, and then check with him as necessary for accuracy.

I mean, just the other day I dared to translate the Prime Minister's Patriotic Award to "Pretz Pätriotic del Seneschal" all by my lonesome, and then double-checked with him for accuracy.  I don't think that was wrong of me, even though I didn't tell him about my plans to do that ahead of time.

Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC on Yesterday at 02:03:23 PM

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on January 27, 2026, 07:20:14 AMCould you give an example of legislation that's truly vital that we've been unable to pass thanks to the Senäts?

The most recent example was the Public Process Act Mark 1!

I think that's a great example to bring up, yes.  It didn't pass, and then it featured as a huge election issue, and now a revised version (a better version!) just passed unanimously.

I don't think it would have particularly been better if the Cosa could have just forced it through anyway.

Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC on Yesterday at 02:03:23 PMA few years ago, a Free Democrat Senäts majority simply refused to pass *any* TNC government legislation for a time. Regardless of the wisdom of that political tactic*, there was no talk at the time of needing to get the majority of provincial representatives onside. The talk at the time was that this was an illegitimate use of power. Are we to infer that the Senäts' power to thwart the Cosa's will is good only when the Baron considers it for good ends?

I'd be very surprised if you could find that I demanded a reduction of Senäts power at the time.  Sometimes a principle is a good thing, even if it doesn't benefit your agenda at the moment.

Congrats!

Just to step in here on behalf of my minister, since I think I'm thus far the only one who's done this: we certainly plan on consulting you when the time comes to ensure that everything is done to the highest standard.  But I don't think it's particularly fair for us to treat you like the language servant, with every stage of el glheþ Talossan use by anyone shoved onto your plate.

It is my ardent hope that we will continue to develop our community of ladintschen to where we have multiple people using it in a real way, with you as one of many experts (undoubtedly likely still the foremost!)  But again, we are grateful for your expertise and for now we plan to consult you on final release of any work.

The title is dictated by the law in Lexh.L.6.  I actually think a Prog has some legislation they're working on to eliminate this bit of the title.  I don't know how His Majesty feels about it.

That's the traditional title.  I don't know that Talossa's sovereigns have ever cared to specify.

The Ministry of STUFF was eliminated during the last government, and its duties were parceled out to a new Directorate of STUFF civil service position under the Ministry of Finance, as well as two new ministry positions with the Ministry of Public Records and the Ministry of Propaganda.

I love the idea of a Berber symbol specifically -- that's better than any of my suggestions.  We'd probably need to research the Tifinagh before we settle on that, and find out if it has any other meaning or accidental implication.

-SVA

When I first wrote the original Public Process Act back in August, I wanted to end the Government's power to reject immigration applications in secret.  I believed that it probably wasn't being abused, but I found it incredible that the government held that capability at all.  Unfortunately, my bill was rejected.  I started a new draft, amended it based on bipartisan feedback so that it had real teeth, and started to campaign on the issue.  We stood on principle, and we didn't back down.

This month, we won that hard-fought battle.  After the election of a reformist government, including a plurality of the Cosa and every contested Senate election, the new bipartisan Public Process Act Redux passed unanimously!

This victory doesn't belong to the Progressive Alliance or to me, but instead to an electorate that reacted overwhelmingly to reject the status quo.  This victory belongs to you, the people of Talossa who insisted on this reform.

The status quo is a comfortable and familiar place, and we're often inclined to simply trust our leaders.  It is a credit to our citizens that they insisted on this reform, turning out to the polls in huge numbers that rival some of our highest turnout.  They demanded change, and the entire Ziu deserves credit for giving it to them.

Demand transparency and demand positivity... and let's keep these reforms going!

I'd just like to bump this again: do you have any interest in journalism -- something you thought might be fun, but were afraid to try?  This is the opportunity for you!

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 26, 2026, 12:47:44 AM

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on January 17, 2026, 04:48:21 PMI note that this bill would make the first sentence of the modified clause a lie.  "The Senäts shall have equal powers with the Cosa in respect of all proposed laws" will no longer be true.  There will only be two categories of bills for which the Senäts will be equal to the Cosa.  That might be something you want to fix.

Under your interpretation, the first sentence of the modified clause is already a lie -- the clause goes on to describe a class of bills in which the Senäts is already unequal to the Cosă. I'm interested in hearing what others think about the wording, though.

Those are exceptions to the general principle of equality, but now we'd be moving to a new principle where the Senäts is subordinate to the Cosa.  I think it could cause problems if we simultaneously say that two entities are equal in power, but also one of them is subordinate to the other when it comes to their core function.  It makes more sense to be honest about the new arrangement, especially when we think about corts interpreting this down the road.

Could you give an example of legislation that's truly vital that we've been unable to pass thanks to the Senäts?

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 26, 2026, 12:47:44 AMThere are a few reasons:
- One, it does not allow truly vital legislation to be hung up forever on the Senäts. Since, of course, bills addressing a given issue can only be considered once per term, this allows the Senäts to effectively kick the can down the road on any issue they wish to obstruct the government on.

An identical bill can't be attempted in the same term, but a given issue can be considered every single Clark.  Indeed, that'd be good procedure: if your bill on an important issue fails, compromise enough to get a different version passed the next month -- or campaign on it and get sufficient power to pass it.

If half the country's provincial representatives don't want to pass something, then it probably shouldn't pass until it's in a form they can tolerate, or until an election has shown the will of the electorate.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 26, 2026, 12:47:44 AM- The more overarching, "philosophical" reason is that Talossa is not a federal nation. I know we've compared our constitutional structure to Australia before -- and in fact I believe @Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC has stated that similarities are intentional -- but the reality is that we are more like Spain than Australia: a unitary state, divided into provinces that may legislate on certain areas on their own. A "strong" upper house (or at least one as strong as the Senäts) is incompatible with the concept of responsible government in a unitary state.

I don't find the aesthetic argument very persuasive.  We shouldn't change something that serves an important purpose just so we can mimic other countries, unless there's good practical reasoning to do so.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 26, 2026, 12:47:44 AM- This change will also likely lead to a "de-politicization" of Senäts elections, which is healthy if we're trying to make Talossa a more tolerable place for people to spend their time.

Why would it do this?

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 26, 2026, 12:47:44 AM- I know you personally have expressed several points of opposition to unicameralism before, chief among those being a safeguard on excessive Organic amendments. Please note that the requirement of the Senäts' consent is not affected in cases of Organic amendment.

This is an important point... subordinating the Senäts to the Cosa does seem like a prelude to getting rid of the Senäts itself.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 27, 2026, 12:27:42 AMMy first thought here was some kind of megaphone as a charge, but actually -- and by happy accident aligning with the arms of the incumbent -- what about a trumpet or horn?

I believe our own badge already features two horns.  Not sure if that's a significant problem, but my first instinct is that we might want to see if we can think of alternatives.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 27, 2026, 12:27:42 AMI actually have two concepts for this one drawn up some time ago:

Love it.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 27, 2026, 12:27:42 AMMy question here is what would we replace it with? Not opposed to replacing something insensitive in the slightest, but if we're going to change something, let's make it a good one so people don't have second thoughts down the line. (First thought was some interlocking rings, a stylized chain of sorts? Shared culture is ultimately what binds any group like Talossa together, after all.

I don't have a lot to pitch, but some ideas that come to mind: counterchanging the language flag, a lyre, or theatre masks.

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on January 27, 2026, 12:27:42 AMAdding an item to the list (sorry not sorry) to merge in this discussion and point out that I do have a few other SVGs (Seneschal, Finance, Foreign) I've made to tie everything together with the ARD's recommended shades of green and red. Haven't done the entire Cabinet yet though.

Great!  Put them on the wiki or attach them here, and let's get them updated.

-SVA

PUBLIC NOTICE
The Prime Ministry wishes to announce that all postings within the Government will only be available to citizens of good character.  Serious allegations of wrongdoing must be addressed before anyone will be considered for a position representing their fellow citizens or wielding government authority.

This and other postings will continue to be available on this page, and any significant changes will be accompanied by a public announcement.

To help make this happen, as well as some edits on TalossaWiki, I'll be re-introducing Days of Observance.  These are special one-off holidays, and they may be requested by citizens who have made a certain number of wiki improvements.  Upon request, I will attempt to celebrate each one in some appropriate way (or as suggested by the citizen).

Now that there is going to be a permanent secretary for advising the Government on humanitarian aid, I'd think the appropriate thing would be to contact the secretary, who will be using their expertise to advise us on the appropriate destination for the designated funds set aside for this purpose in our budget.

Worth a try!

Yeah, I'm still updating -- I guess probably just the board is the place to go.

I'm sure there's stuff I missed, since we've seen a big swell of activity lately.  Some stuff I wasn't sure whether or not to include, since it was announced and nothing happened, but anyone should feel free to post for requested changes.

This thread continues the efforts of @Ian Plätschisch @Breneir Tzaracomprada, and @þerxh Sant-Enogat.  If you want something added or removed, just post a reply.  The last list was 2/3 inactive, so I started over mostly.


The easiest way to get involved is probably to join the Zouaves of the Royal Bodyguard, which will recognize your achievements and encourage you in your activity.

Academics

• Talossan Book Club with His Majesty @King Txec
  

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Fora

• Chatzy
  
• Discord
  
• Instagram
  
• Facebook: Kingdom of Talossa Since 1979
  
• Facebook: Talossa
  
• Facebook: Wittenberg
  
• https://bsky.app/profile/tgerxh.bsky.social/]Bluesky
  
• Threads
  
• Reddit
  
• Twitter/X
  
• LinkedIn The Kingdom of Talossa
  
• Strava Talossa Desports C'hlub
  

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Gaming Interests

• Maricopan Poker Tournament - contact @Bråneu Excelsio
  
• Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) - contact @Baron Alexandreu Davinescu
  
• Diplomacy http://ukdp.diplomatic-pouch.com/ - contact @xpb
  

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Heraldry

• Royal College of Arms - see the Coletx d'Armeux Rexhital board
  

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Language Activities

• La Società per l'Ilesnaziun del Glheþ Naziunal (SIGN) - contact @Marcel Eðo Pairescu Tafial , see the El Glheþ Talossan board.
  

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Military

• Royal Talossan Navy - contact @Iason Taiwos
  
• Zouaves of the Royal Bodyguard
  

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Music

• Currently Listening to... (music recommendations)
  
• Talossan Music Top 20 - contact @Ian Plätschisch, held every summer
  

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News Outlets

• els Temps da Jahnlähle - contact @Marcel Eðo Pairescu Tafial
  
• La Tascaragnă Nouă - contact @Mic'haglh Autófil
  
• Fora Talossa - contact @Breneir Tzaracomprada
  

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Politics

• Request a seat in the Ziu.  New citizens are eligible to request a seat in the Cosa, after which they can participate in legislation and voting.
  
• Join a political party.
  
• General Election Predictions - contact @Glüc da Dhi S.H., held at the beginning of each general election
  
• Live Turnout Prediction - contact @Glüc da Dhi S.H., held during each general election
  

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Religion

• Talossan Brothers and Sisters in Christ Church - contact @Antaglha Xhenerös Somelieir
  

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Sports

• Talossan Cycling Association Tour - contact @Glüc da Dhi S.H. 
  
• Fantasy Hockey League
  
• TalossaChess
  

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Physical Stuff

• Recruit someone else and win Pretz Pätriotic del Seneschal
  
• National ID Cards
• TalossaWare
  

[/list]

Okay, I think this has a good nautical theme and looks good.  All of the colors are on their own level, so it will only require one color change and won't waste much filament, and I can print them in bulk, twenty or thirty at a time (I haven't worked it out exactly).  I can fairly easily print out two or three hundred and take care of our needs for the foreseeable future.



I have designed a press-fit channel underneath that should print well to hold a 2mm nylon cord.  The current design is here: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/lFna6xfoiuf-pretz-patriotic-del-seneschal



The cord can be easily cut and then melted on an iron to seal the end neatly, and it should hold any kind of bead we care to get for this purpose.  I already ordered it.

I'll print out a prototype soon.  It's too cold for my printer to work properly where I am right now, but once the temperature goes back over 20 or 30, it should work okay.

All of this is going to total up like $20 worth of materials, so I'm just going to make it my donation.

-SVA