Cross-Party Joint Statement

[Tric'hard Lenxheir]

Yeah -- it's more like a statement than a law.

Well in that case it is simply a waste of time

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

No, I don't think it's a waste of time to call out someone for their misbehavior.  He hasn't apologized or admitted to what he's done.  He's gotten away with it in part because the Witt admins are hesitant to punish him since he's the head of a political party and he holds grudges for years.  He's going to keep getting away with it unless we show him that we're all opposed to him preying on other Talossans.

I mean, just check out his commentary thread -- if we don't take a stand, he's going to say, "Aha, I was just giving a compliment and I didn't do anything wrong... otherwise they would have said so.  I can get right back to it."  It'll be permission that he can get away with it.

Also, I think this is a first step.  We also are going to be working out a proposed law, too, which would have some real teeth and which wouldn't single anyone out (since I do agree that would be inappropriate in a law).

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

As @Iac Marscheir has rightly said in the Shoutbox, this is a motion of censure. You have to name the person you're censuring.

Hmmm, maybe we should make the title to something like: "Sense of the Ziu: Motion of Censure and Condemnation of Toxicity and Destructiveness"? The first seven words, at least

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

As @Iac Marscheir has rightly said in the Shoutbox, this is a motion of censure. You have to name the person you're censuring.

Hmmm, maybe we should make the title to something like: "Sense of the Ziu: Motion of Censure and Condemnation of Toxicity and Destructiveness"? The first seven words, at least

Makes sense to me.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

WHEREAS on October 17th, Breneir Tzaracomprada told another citizen he was cute amidst an aggressive policy dispute.  This made the other citizen uncomfortable, but when told that he was being rude, he reiterated that he thought the target of his affections was cute.  Several people again reminded him that was inappropriate behavior, but S:reu Tzaracomprada took it further, saying he thought his target was handsome and that he'd tell anyone who asked.  He said he'd keep saying whatever he wanted.

Some weeks later, S:reu Tzaracomprada followed up these incidents by saying that he thought the same young man was "suave and debonair."  He repeated it again when asked to stop.  And he loudly proclaimed that he would continue to engage in this behavior, even when told very clearly that his target was deeply unhappy with his attentions, and

WHEREAS this treatment of another Talossan was unacceptable.  Behavior must be considered in context: there's nothing wrong with the word "cute" in many other situations, nor is it unreasonable to compliment someone's physical beauty at times.  However, this behavior was situationally inappropriate: (a) the "compliments" were combined with antagonism, (b) they were directed by an older person to a much younger person with no real existing relationship, and (c) S:reu Tzaracomprada was made aware that his target was very uncomfortable with the behavior.  It is clear in context, then, that S:reu Tzaracomprada was engaging in sexual harassment and

WHEREAS S:reu Tzaracomprada has made it clear that he does not regret his behavior, suggesting that it might happen again, and

WHEREAS it is awkward for the administrators of Wittenberg to act to limit this sexual harassment, considering S:reu Tzaracomprada is the sole vocal legislator for a political party, and this hesitance is understandable but not sustainable, and

WHEREAS it materially harms the Kingdom of Talossa to permit it to become a place where one citizen can sexually harass another with impunity,

THEREFORE be it known that it is the sense of the Ziu that any further misbehavior by S:reu Tzaracomprada must not be tolerated by the administrators of Wittenberg and the Chancery.

Similarly, anyone else acting in such a way must meet firm consequences in a timely manner.  We encourage the administrator(s) of Wittenberg to be more proactive in general in their efforts to curtail personal or sexual harassment by other citizens.  Heated debate is wonderful, sharp words might be necessary, but persistent and unapologetic harassment needs to be addressed.

The Chancery is hereby further encouraged to appoint an official to whom this power is delegated, considering that the Secretary of State might feel conflicted if they are the personally the target of harassment.

No one deserves to be treated this way.

I plan on proposing this.  I know that some people like His Majesty and Tric'hard think we should go further, so consider this a first and minimal step.  We can immediately get to work on the next step of writing an applicable law to make sure there's some teeth to this thing.  But for this first step, does anyone have any suggested changes or requests -- and would anyone like to cosponsor it?

[Tric'hard Lenxheir]

Okay, as a censure I can get behind this but when we actually create a law, with teeth, regarding harassment, sexual or otherwise, I feel that all reference to the person being censured here should be removed. This is something that should apply to all individuals here in Talossa and should not reference any single individual. Furthermore I would suggest striking this part and reserving this for the future law as it really has no place in a censure

*Similarly, anyone else acting in such a way must meet firm consequences in a timely manner.  We encourage the administrator(s) of Wittenberg to be more proactive in general in their efforts to curtail personal or sexual harassment by other citizens.  Heated debate is wonderful, sharp words might be necessary, but persistent and unapologetic harassment needs to be addressed.

The Chancery is hereby further encouraged to appoint an official to whom this power is delegated, considering that the Secretary of State might feel conflicted if they are the personally the target of harassment.*