Though if we simply reduce provinces to affinity groups, how do they then differ from, say, political parties?  I'm actually somewhat fascinated with the idea of sorting everybody by seniority, and then apportioning provinces based on percentile of the system.  That way, there's at least some form of "connected interest" in them.  But they certainly don't need to be geographical.

Hey all!  Don't forget.  Only about 11 days left to get your caption in!

Seeing none, let it carry that Eiric S. Bornatfiglheu will continue as head of the NPW.  He will retain the title of "Chisleu Bruno" for the next term as well.

Excellent!  Thank you for placing your trust in me for another term.

Let's now look at refining our manifesto.  There seems to be pretty widespread support for continuing with these four points (or something like them).  But let's see if we cannot maybe expand it a little bit.  So, I'd like to place point one on the floor for discussion:

Quote1.) TOO @#$%& MANY PROVINCES- Any is too many. The provinces are a largely dead system that don't reflect anything in particular. They should be abolished. Or, failing that, be distributed in order of seniority on a percentile system.

What discussion is there on this point?

Alright.  Since there is but one nomination, we can handle this by consensus.  Is there any opposition to Eiric S. Bornatfiglheu continuing as head of the NPW party?

I accept said nomination.

Are there any other nominations?

Alrighty!  Do we have any nominations for party leader?

Quote from: Béneditsch Ardpresteir on June 23, 2020, 01:09:47 PM
I don't know if many sentences can be written about Ctx. M... but definitely she and her coterie are responsible for the non-participation of quite a few otherwise well-meaning citizens. It's not that they don't want to, it's only that - they can't.

Why can't they?

I serve with humility.

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.

Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 23, 2020, 12:32:51 AM
Fashion show, or "Talossa's Most Wanted Desperadoes"?

Perqet non embù?!

Though I must admit that we do make quite a rogue's gallery.

Also entries from our Cjovani friends!  They said to say "Azul!"

Estimats Talossans,

It is an interesting situation to find yourself in opposition to a platform you mostly agree with.  Or at least, if not mostly agree with, are willing to settle for if you can't get your own way.  Occasionally yelling "Yes, this.. but more!" doesn't make for a solid alternative to governance, especially when you know you've got la escasençă dal neuaßadeu in gec'hednă of governing should the coalition falter.

Which is to say the New Peculiar Way tried with limited success.

I wanted to take this moment to echo the Seneschal's call to activity for Talossans of all political stripes and alignments.  There is an old adage that 90 percent of politics is showing up.  And, most certainly, the decisions are not made by those who opted to stay home.  The philosophy of "things aren't going my way so I'm going to take my ball and go home" is not only self-fulfilling, it is also downright corrosive.

There's a lot of room for excitement.  There's a lot of room for an energetic opposition as well as a vibrant civil society.  We hope you'll join us.

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!!

Someone once quipped that Talossa is never quite so active as when it is trying to decide what it is going to be.  Or something along those lines.  But let's beware of simply talking past one another for the purposes of talking past one another.

I cannot help but think about the metaphysical structure of the Dragonlance Universe as laid out by Weiss and Hickman.  In their conception of the nature of good and evil, both are necessary and the "final victory" of either one or the other is not something to be desired.  There's got to be pushback.

The NPW hasn't been great at Opposition, I'll readily admit that.  But where are the royalists?  Why aren't they here making their own fun?  Is the real answer that they were just driven off by big meanies?