Over the past 48 hours I have received 17 immigration applications. This is more than I usually receive in an entire month.

One has to think that we got a big boost of publicity from somewhere, but I can't tell from where. I have combed through the applications to see if there is any commonality but I didn't find one. Perhaps we will find out once I approve all of their accounts.

All this to say, all hands on deck! Please welcome them as best you can.

All,

Under Lex.F.40, the Government of the Kingdom of Talossa is entitled to award various Honors to worthy citizens. At the Living Cosa on November 20th, I was pleased to announce that several Talossans were receiving such Honors. While @King John will make the official announcement as soon as he is able, I wanted to let everyone know who is receiving what.

Order of the Flag to @Dr. Txec dal Nordselvă, GST
Order of the Flag to @Lüc da Schir
Order of the Purple Tongue to @Marcel Eðo Pairescu Tafial
Seneschal's Medal of Culture to @Glüc da Dhi S.H.  (for years of work running the TMT20)
Seneschal's Medal of Science to @Ián Tamorán S.H. (for many contributions to Talossan academia)
Seneschal's Medal of Merit to @Viteu Marcianüs (for establishing a working Talossan Bar Exam)

Congratulations to all the recipients!

I hereby declare December 2022 a month of recess.

Ian Plätschisch
Seneschal

Azul all,

The Google Ad campaign promoting immigration to Talossa has spent the budgeted amount of $50 (in fact, it spent a total of $53.97, but I will spot the unauthorized $3.97). It was running for just over a month, from the beginning of October until when I paused it a few minutes ago.

The campaign had 1,690 impressions (that is, it was shown 1,690 times), which resulted in 54 clicks. This means we are paying just about $1 per click. The ad looked like this:


For 49 of the 54 people who clicked the ad, Google is showing me the term they were searching for when they saw the ad. 18 of them had just searched "micronation" and the rest included a term specifically about Talossa. Advertising to the latter group obviously wouldn't be as impactful (since they were searching for Talossa already), although the cost per click for that group was lower.
-Average cost per click for the 18 people who searched "micronation" = $1.25
-Average cost per click for the 31 people who were searching for Talossa = $0.70

However, the most important metric is, of course, how many more applications we got because of the ads. During the campaign period, there was one applicant that indicated he had heard about Talossa via Google Ad (Emmanuel Olusan).

Perhaps the sample size is still too small, but spending $50 to get one application is not exactly a great return on investment.

Azul all,

This is notice that a Living Cosa will be held Sunday, November 20th. Additional details about time and method to come.

Azul all,

The logic of my Prime Dictate to hold the Living Cosa for the November Clark in December (during a month of recess) went like this:
-Org.IV.11 states "The Cosa may set and hold Living Cosas (live parliamentary meetings) to coincide with a Clark as described by law." This seems to indicate that there is some legislative leeway as to what it means for a Living Cosa session to "coincide" with a Clark, and that it could include times outside of the traditional window for a Clark.
-Lex.H.20 seems to expand on this, saying "The Seneschál may, if events warrant, issue a PD authorizing a Living Cosâ in the following calendar month." Note that this provision does not state that the PD must authorize a Living Cosa for the following Clark.
-With regard to holding a Living Cosa during a month of recess, Org.IV.9 describes a month of recess as a month "in which no Clark is published." If we held the Living Cosa in December, there would still have been no Clark published in December, because it would have been published in November.

I realize there are a few issues with this reasoning, but I was hoping it was good enough that we could all agree to go with it. Apparently not. In the immortal words of Justice Lauriéir, "[P]ractice, in the Talossan context, is all too frequently defined by what one can get away with without triggering any objections." I did not get away with it.

I have no interest in litigating this, so I have withdrawn my Prime Dictate. Given the circumstances I believe it best not to have a Living Cosa this term. I have been reliably informed that, because the bill enabling the Living Cosa was a Sense of the Ziu, it is not technically binding.

There has been some grumbling that I did not start planning the Living Cosa soon enough. I thought it would be inappropriate to begin the process before the enabling legislation passed (on October 21st), although I now admit that wasn't a good idea.

WHEREAS A Living Cosa has been declared for November, and

WHEREAS Lex.H.20 requires me to provide at least two weeks notice of the exact date of the Living Cosa, and even if I had been able to coordinate everything within a few days of October 21st, the entire first week of November still would have been precluded, and

WHEREAS There are various scheduling difficulties in getting enough people together in November, and

WHEREAS LEx.H.20 authorizes me to issue a Prime Dictate to push the session to the next month if appropriate

THEREFORE the Living Cosa session for the November 2022 Clark shall be held during December 2022, with the exact date to be determined in consultation with the relevant parties.

Signed,
Ian Plätschisch
Seneschal

Azul everyone,

I am currently working with the relevant parties to get the Living Cosa for November scheduled.

I am also intending to declare a month of recess in December. I imagine no one wants to have to deal with an election over the holidays. This will make the election period January 15 - February 1, 2023.

Minister @Antaglha Xhenerös Somelieir has informed the cabinet that she is traveling to Finland and will be mostly unavailable until November 12th. She will catch up on her duties upon her return.

@Dr. Txec dal Nordselvă, GST has served with great distinction as Scribe of Abbaville. He now seeks to be relieved of this duty, and thankfully @Breneir Tzaracomprada has volunteered.

I recommend that @King John appoint S:reu Tzaracomprada as Scribe of Abbaville.

Azul all,

I have activated the Google Ad campaign that is authorized by the budget. I will report back later to report how it goes.

WHEREAS it has been more than a fortnight since @Erisson Marques da Silva first posted on Wittenberg, following his introduction to the citizens of the Kingdom by officers of the Immigration Ministry, and

WHEREAS he has, in that time, demonstrated an active, genuine, and continuing interest in Talossan life, culture, and language, and

WHEREAS he desires citizenship in the Kingdom of Talossa, and

WHEREAS by all indications it appears that he would be a loyal and dedicated citizen, and a credit to this nation if he obtains the grant of citizenship he requests, and

THEREFORE I, Ian Plätschisch, a citizen in good standing of the Province of Maritiimi-Maxhestic and of the Kingdom of Talossa, do by the present petition the Secretary of State @Dr. Txec Róibeard dal Nordselvă, Esq., O.SPM, SMM to issue a grant of citizenship to @Erisson Marques da Silva , as specified by law.

WHEREAS @Mic'haglh Autófil, MC EiP has made 20 edits to TalossaWiki and is thus entitled to a Day of Observance of his choosing, and

WHEREAS September 24th, 2022 is the 74th anniversary of the foundation of the Honda Motor Company, as well as the 113th birthday of influential automotive designer Virgil Exner, Sr.

THEREFORE I hereby declare September 24th, 2022 to be the Day of the Automobile, which Talossans who enjoy driving, maintaining, repairing, observing, or doing any other activity with their vehicles, motorcycles, or virtual vehicles may celebrate with their fellow enthusiasts.

I hereby appoint @Bråneu Excelsio as Minister of Defence. S:reu Nouacastra-Läxhirescu has an extremely demanding career which has kept him away from Talossa, but he will stay on as Deputy Minister.

Signed,
Ian Plätschisch
Seneschal

I am glad the King has committed to being more active. If he sticks to it, it will be one of the best things to happen to Talossa for a long time.

That doesn't alleviate the need for Monarchy reform. Talossa needs an active Monarch, and it is just too easy to slip into inactivity when there is no accountability. His Majesty has pledged before to engage more frequently, only to fall short of expectations.

Quote from: King John on December 26, 2021, 06:10:44 PM
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.

This is but one example. Had he been successful before, his latest post would not have been necessary.

To be clear, if a Convocation to select a new King were held today, I would support King John. I am confident his activity could only be improved if he were subject to the oversight that a Convocation once every several years would provide.

Finally, if you expect any ideas from the TNC on this front, forget about it. Their platform includes this gem:

QuoteThe TNC is engaged in intra-party discussions on reform of the institution of the Monarchy. Potential areas of reform include the re-establishment of a succession procedure, length of the term of office, and the structure of current monarchical powers, but this discussion and policy drive will not come at the expense of the effective day-to-day administration of the Kingdom's government. However, reform simply for the pleasure of tinkering is an exercise in vanity not public service. The Ziu must focus on the real needs of the country, not satisfying the crusades of a few.

This is a not so subtle way of saying that they will ignore the issue for as long as possible (maybe forever), and if you ever ask them about it, they will claim to be too busy with "effective day-to-day administration." One would think that a Monarchist party would understand that the structure of the Monarchy is critical to our Kingdom and can't be brushed aside as "tinkering." The "real needs of the country" include an active Monarch, and they have no ideas when it comes to ensuring we have one.

I come now before the King to request that he relieve Sir Cresti Siervicül and Ma la Mha, Conta Thord and Baron Hooligan, of their roles of Squirrel King of Arms and Squirrel Viceroy of Arms, respectively. They have both served the Kingdom very honorably and have my utmost thanks and gratitude. I congratulate them on behalf of Talossa for their work.

I also request that the King appoint Béneditsch Ardpresteir as Squirrel King of Arms.

Signed,
Ian Plätschisch,
Seneschal

I hereby appoint @C.d.I. Nouacastra-Läxhirescu, MSC as Minister of Defense, with @Mic'haglh Autófil, MoFA serving as his deputy. The outgoing Minister is relieved with thanks for his service.

Signed,
Ian Plätschisch
Seneschal

Boycotting the TNC legislation over their failure to make any statement on promised Monarchy reform was not the right thing to do.

Not because it didn't produce any results, or that I've been convinced it's not an appropriate tactic. We knew going in that the TNC might not respond, and I stand by ethics of our decision.

It wasn't the right thing to do because it has made participating in Talossa way less enjoyable for everyone. I expected everyone to get spirited, instead everyone got downright pissed at each other and it's made Wittenberg a real drag. I've gotten several reports from my Ministers that it's more and more difficult to get motivated to be engaged, and I don't imagine that having to read through lots of people yelling at each other is fun for anyone. I can see my own posts getting snarkier and angrier and I don't like it; that's not the person I want to be.

It's my duty as Seneschal to make people want to be Talossans; all that the boycott has accomplished is make people want to flee for the hills. It's not healthy, and so it's ending now.

Based on their willingness to agree to the joint statement here, I believe that the TNC will accept this olive branch. I hope they recognize that a lot of their discourse has come off as either plainly contemptuous or slyly calculated to push the FreeDem's buttons. I know this gets said a lot, but everyone (including me) needs to remember that there are real people behind the screen. Talossa is not a role playing game; being a jerk has consequences.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." -Matthew 5:9

Long live Talossa! Long live the King!

Ian Plätschisch,
Seneschal

The FreeDems, PdR, and TNC recognize that all parties have at times failed to treat each other with respect and kindness, and that Talossa is less fun for us all as a result. We commit to raising the level of political discourse as we continually seek to grow and improve the Kingdom.

Signed,
Free Democrats of Talossa
Partì da Reformaziun
Talossan National Congress

WHEREAS The Talossan Music Top 20 is one of Talossa's oldest continually operating cultural institutions, being held every year since 2015, and

WHEREAS The Song "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones has achieved a nearly unparalleled level of success in these contests, bring the only song to place in the Top 3 four consecutive times, and one of only two songs to win more than once, most recently this year, and

WHEREAS "Gimme Shelter" has a strong claim to the unofficial title of "Talossa's favorite song", and

WHEREAS The budget for the 57th Cosa authorizes a $25 donation in John Eiffler's (Art Verbotten's) name to a "fitting organization"

THEREFORE I hereby declare July 24th, 2022 to be "National Gimme Shelter Day"

FURTHERMORE, upon the King's assent to the budget, I authorize the Burgermeister of Inland Revenue to make a $25 donation to the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in memory of Art Verbotten.

Ian Plätschisch,
Seneschal