I still insist on my (mis)use of the Greek term National Schism to describe the era of the separate existence of the Republic.

@Xheralt Del'Encradeir's categorization of Sir Tamorán dal Nava as a "jock" strikes me as weird. He's just as nerdy as the rest of us. But he's also very combative (or was so), and during the period when he was Seneschál and I was a leading figure in Penguinea we absolutely despised each other. Then, during the Republican era, we became very close political allies, and I keep trying to persuade him to become active again. I've found that that happens to me again and again in Talossa - my closest political allies seem to be my firm political opponents of 5 years ago. I like to think of that as the Hegelian dialectic.

Also of historical interest to Xheralt might be this - entent2.pdf - a newssheet which was my attempt (in my usual overheated style of the time) to intervene in the post-Ben Kingdom. I beg Xheralt's forgiveness for the personalised tone. What we were aiming for above all was to try to counter Ben's lies and propaganda, to reach out to whichever Kingdom citizens might be prepared to treat us fairly, to repair the National Schism. Sadly, that door closed when John Woolley became King and didn't open up again for 5 years or so.

No comments? No alternative suggestions? No edits? We're 6 days out from voting on this

Estimat Túischac'h, in accordance with the 61st Cosa Budget, I would like to give two weeks notice to the Burgermeister of Internal Revenue to disburse $US75 to Baron A. Davinescu for provision of three Talossan-language lessons.

Senator Carbonel actually wrote to me to ask me about the facts of the case a few months ago, so it's not as if he's unwillingly ignorant

It's just that AD seems to be complaining about the Immigration form at the same time he is voting against an actual Government proposal to simplify that form.

Estimat Tuischac'h, my Ministry has authorised the release of $US75 to Baron A. Davinescù for the provision of three more Teach Yourself Talossan lessons.

@þerxh Sant-Enogat , is the Baron speaking for your party with this new manifesto he seems to have worked out?

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on July 02, 2025, 06:08:10 PMI would be open to that. The trick will be defining it in a way that doesn't threaten civil liberties.

Perhaps the model should be El Lexh A.7.2.4., the existing Contempt of Court provisions? Witt moderators are the analogy of peace officers.

BTW, you guys may be amused to learn that an ¡Avant! legislator who's a less regular Witt follower asked me what in blazes "this word salad" was supposed to mean, referring to 61RZ17 :D

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on July 01, 2025, 10:50:28 PMPerhaps the fourth offense should be criminalized somehow?

My first impulse would be to create an offence of "disturbing the peace", which would - among other things - include wilful disregard of Wittiquette and defiance of Witt moderators

I would just like to tag on here a reminder that this isn't over, not by a long shot. While we are rightfully prioritizing the issue of sexual harassment, Brenéir has most recently bullied the Túischac'h of the Cosa into taking an extended leave of absence. We're not through with Toxicity and Destructiveness unless we address it as a political phenomenon as well as a personal one.

Quote from: Sir Lüc on June 30, 2025, 05:34:29 PMI'm not sure what precedent looks like here

The precedent to this point has *always* been "2 members of the CRL read and offer their comments" is enough for passing the CRL. You can ask your predecessor in this role about that.

Quote from: Tric'hard Lenxheir on June 30, 2025, 08:34:58 AMThen I see our leadership attempt to impose the very same things. Essays and tests to prove you will be "useful" citizens.

The bill which I just proposed to the Ziu *removes* the need for a new citizen to write an essay. The Baron has sworn to *oppose* that bill, to require every citizen to keep writing an essay, no matter if it's ChatGPT. You might want to ask him why he's doing that.

The problem comes when people use rhetoric which says one thing as an excuse for action to do the opposite.

Quote from: Sir Lüc on June 30, 2025, 02:27:51 AM

Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC on June 28, 2025, 05:38:39 PMPlease to be Clarking:

the Terpleziuns Reform Bill
the Immigration Reform (Antispam) Bill

It doesn't seem like either bill has currently passed the CRL; you're probably aware of this but just making sure.

Edit: the first bill has now passed the CRL and has been added to the queue (https://database.talossa.com/ziu/bills/unclarked)

Both bills have been commented on by 2 members of the CRL, what's the problem?

I just realised that this debate is happening on your Party's forum. Sorry, I didn't realise, I usually wouldn't go into someone's house and tell them they're talking nonsense. I'm going to respond, but feel free to tell me to move it elsewhere if it's not appropriate.

But the central point remains: you know perfectly well, though you are using rhetorical trickery to bury it, that Talossa is getting more than enough citizenship applications. If we acknowledge that Government policy is currently suceeding in this regard, the next question is twofold:

- how to turn applicants into citizens?
- how to attract good quality applicants, who are actually interested in becoming active citizens?

It's clear that you actually understand the real problem, in that you're talking about reaching out to specific communities who might be interested in participating Talossan life. You give the example of heraldry nerds. So you agree that there are a specific *kind* of person we should be looking for. Fine. The Government has its own ideas on that regard. Opening the Landing Pier to broad micronational society is part of that.

The Government's interest in putting an end to spam applications which use ChatGPT essays is entirely of a piece with that. Face facts - no-one, not never who has produced an essay written with ChatGPT or whatever has ever gone on to successfully become a citizen. Not one. Because use of ChatGPT shows that they're not really interested in becoming part of our Talossan community. You really seem to think that we should let all kinds of spam entries through because spammers might decide to become citizens after participating. I disagree.