Independent Progressive Statement on the 63rd GE

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I confess I was genuinely surprised that neither the URL nor PA achieved a majority this time around. And I am glad that I made no bets on it. The option that appears obvious but may also present some difficulty is a grand coalition between the URL and the PA. This represents the best option for a stable government that with such a commanding majority might be able to take action on big issues and have a government that it is not propped up largely by one person. It is conceivable because they both largely cooperated during the last term informally. Perhaps that was a dry run for such a formal grand coalition this time.

As I mentioned in my party statement I stand ready to serve should folks have the courage to look forward. I stepped away from the Green Party so they could do so. I hope others will do the same.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

One short additional remark: The number of present votes seems unusually high. I am wondering what can be gleaned from it. Besides the two royal abstentions per tradition does this mean higher than normal "none of the above" constituency.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

If a grand coalition between the PA and URL or a Government of National Unity including major and minor parties can make headway on the issues facing Talossa then please get to work. The major parties spent considerable energy during the last term on issues unrelated to what has been an ongoing (years, not months or weeks) activity issue. I am glad that this issue can be used as a basis for the formation of a truly productive government. The Independent Progressive party, assuming that the boycott continues, pledges its assistance as a member of the Opposition in ensuring that this Coalition is held responsible for its results not slogans or branding.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

During the 57th or 58th GE one of the benefits I saw in a TNC-FreeDems grand coalition was that it would make it easier to fill and maintain an active cabinet. I say this to express my surprise that with the two largest parties with large Cosa lists they still have people doubling up on portfolios. Three people with two portfolios.

I am thankful they've stepped up to serve but hope we will consider, in our inevitable next round of reforms, that maybe the government is larger than necessary or feasibility.

I also look forward to the Royal Commission or other initiative to address the ongoing activity crisis. I await the King's Speech for details on government action on the matter. Particularly with a focus on retaining new citizens through identifying and cultivating their interests. The work of TalossAssistants must continue with new citizens beyond their initial immigration. Because we have a problem keeping citizens not recruiting them.

All hands on deck, indeed. Or this ship is headed for very rocky shores.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

After the Seneschal's recent vote, I posted the following notes on my own votes:

Also, why are people still voting against legislation due to my sponsorship? I have apologized to Luc, refrained from repeated instances of what was problematic, and have been gracious with others. What is the current purpose of the social boycott?

What is the new purpose (or adapted old purpose) of this continuing social boycott? Was my second apology viewed as insincere? Have I offended additional people? Or is it being done until I leave?

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Of this sponsor's three bills this month, this imho comes the closest to being one I could actually vote for.  However, given the sponsor's history of the past year or more, imho an AUS vote this time is fully-warranted. 

GV, Fiova

I guess I'll post this here with a repeat of the question. What have I done in the past year to warrant a continuation of a social boycott even after apologizing and change behavior. If the goal is to run me out of Talossa then be explicit about that goal.

[Crement Itravilatx]

Of this sponsor's three bills this month, this imho comes the closest to being one I could actually vote for.  However, given the sponsor's history of the past year or more, imho an AUS vote this time is fully-warranted. 

GV, Fiova

I guess I'll post this here with a repeat of the question. What have I done in the past year to warrant a continuation of a social boycott even after apologizing and change behavior. If the goal is to run me out of Talossa then be explicit about that goal.

Whatever their goal just keep being the person you are. Remember, you can't control the behavior of others only your own.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

After the Seneschal's recent vote, I posted the following notes on my own votes:

Also, why are people still voting against legislation due to my sponsorship? I have apologized to Luc, refrained from repeated instances of what was problematic, and have been gracious with others. What is the current purpose of the social boycott?

What is the new purpose (or adapted old purpose) of this continuing social boycott? Was my second apology viewed as insincere? Have I offended additional people? Or is it being done until I leave?

I felt this was a reasonable question.  There should be a path to redemption for anyone.  You apologized  -- after an incredible amount of public pressure, but you did eventually do it.  But I think in combination with a lot of your other behavior, it makes it seem harder to work with you in any capacity.

I mean, you've become famous for your nagging... when you lodge a request with someone, you nag them over and over in public until they oblige or answer you.  It's effective, but it's rude, and you don't seem to care how it looks.  Similarly, throwing your husband under the bus with the party switch was a pretty callous thing to do.  I don't know how your apology would have landed after so much time and pressure in any case, but your behavior hasn't helped one bit.

Still, this situation represents an opportunity for growth, and the status quo probably can't continue.  So after some discussion, here's the deal:

We'd like to see a gesture of remorse to show that you regret your actions, and we'd like to be sure this doesn't happen again to anyone else.  Accordingly, I think people would be prepared to normalize things and move on if two things happened:

1.  You should resign from the Cosa for the remainder of this term.  Being an MZ is something that you seem to value, and if you were to resign from the Cosa it would be something material you could do to show contrition.  You'd be voluntarily paying a price for your past mistakes in a way that everyone could see and believe.  Under the current circumstances, it wouldn't materially affect national politics much.

2.  Second, we would like you to undertake an educational course in how to understand and prevent sexual harassment of all kinds.  This course specifically is well-reviewed and offers a graduation certificate that can be verified by outsiders as genuine.

I sincerely hope you will choose to take these steps, painful and awkward as it might be for you, and then we can maybe all begin to move past this.  You will have paid a price and worked towards rehabilitation, and that will be something worthwhile.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

After the Seneschal's recent vote, I posted the following notes on my own votes:

Also, why are people still voting against legislation due to my sponsorship? I have apologized to Luc, refrained from repeated instances of what was problematic, and have been gracious with others. What is the current purpose of the social boycott?

What is the new purpose (or adapted old purpose) of this continuing social boycott? Was my second apology viewed as insincere? Have I offended additional people? Or is it being done until I leave?

I felt this was a reasonable question.  There should be a path to redemption for anyone.  You apologized  -- after an incredible amount of public pressure, but you did eventually do it.  But I think in combination with a lot of your other behavior, it makes it seem harder to work with you in any capacity.

I mean, you've become famous for your nagging... when you lodge a request with someone, you nag them over and over in public until they oblige or answer you.  It's effective, but it's rude, and you don't seem to care how it looks.  Similarly, throwing your husband under the bus with the party switch was a pretty callous thing to do.  I don't know how your apology would have landed after so much time and pressure in any case, but your behavior hasn't helped one bit.

Still, this situation represents an opportunity for growth, and the status quo probably can't continue.  So after some discussion, here's the deal:

We'd like to see a gesture of remorse to show that you regret your actions, and we'd like to be sure this doesn't happen again to anyone else.  Accordingly, I think people would be prepared to normalize things and move on if two things happened:

1.  You should resign from the Cosa for the remainder of this term.  Being an MZ is something that you seem to value, and if you were to resign from the Cosa it would be something material you could do to show contrition.  You'd be voluntarily paying a price for your past mistakes in a way that everyone could see and believe.  Under the current circumstances, it wouldn't materially affect national politics much.

2.  Second, we would like you to undertake an educational course in how to understand and prevent sexual harassment of all kinds.  This course specifically is well-reviewed and offers a graduation certificate that can be verified by outsiders as genuine.

I sincerely hope you will choose to take these steps, painful and awkward as it might be for you, and then we can maybe all begin to move past this.  You will have paid a price and worked towards rehabilitation, and that will be something worthwhile.

There we go. True concrete steps. I see two requirements for me. On your side, as the enforcers of the boycott, what actions do you agree to take to note its end?

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

I'll check the certificate to ensure it's real and that you satisfactorily completed the course, and I'll confirm as much to others.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I'll check the certificate to ensure it's real and that you satisfactorily completed the course, and I'll confirm as much to others.

What actions will you and Miestra take publicly to confirm the end of the boycott?

I mean public statements, etc.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

I'll say something along the lines of, "We asked him to take these concrete steps to show his remorse and begin to educate himself.  He has successfully done this."

I'm not sure what else you want.  We're not bartering here.  These are specific and concrete things you can do to show remorse and begin to rehabilitate yourself.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I'll say something along the lines of, "We asked him to take these concrete steps to show his remorse and begin to educate himself.  He has successfully done this."

I'm not sure what else you want.  We're not bartering here.  These are specific and concrete things you can do to show remorse and begin to rehabilitate yourself.

I want an actual statement saying that the boycott against me and my husband has ended. Please list the specific aspects of the boycott that have ended for clarity. There is no deal without it being posted here.

Both you and Miestra stated that if I apologized that would be sufficient. I apologized once and was told it was insincere and insufficient. I apologized again and two months later am now told it took too long. Now I want rock-solid, public commitments that this third time is it.

I do not trust either of you so please help end this by showing that if your two conditions are met you will treat my husband respectfully and that we are clear of this terrible period in history.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

Just to reiterate, we are not bartering here. We're not striking a deal. You asked what you needed to do to move on, and I told you something that we had all discussed and that seemed like it would actually show both real remorse and a desire to learn. We're not negotiating about what you get in exchange, because this is not an exchange.

Personally, I don't think you will agree to these steps, because I don't think you actually feel sorry or think you did anything wrong. But it felt unfair and like a bad precedent to leave you in perpetual limbo. Just about everybody has the capacity to change and grow, and you deserve a chance to demonstrate that. You can do that or not.

Just as it has always been, the choice is yours.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Just to reiterate, we are not bartering here. We're not striking a deal. You asked what you needed to do to move on, and I told you something that we had all discussed and that seemed like it would actually show both real remorse and a desire to learn. We're not negotiating about what you get in exchange, because this is not an exchange.

Personally, I don't think you will agree to these steps, because I don't think you actually feel sorry or think you did anything wrong. But it felt unfair and like a bad precedent to leave you in perpetual limbo. Just about everybody has the capacity to change and grow, and you deserve a chance to demonstrate that. You can do that or not.

Just as it has always been, the choice is yours.

Actually it is not the steps that concern me it is your commitment to follow through with ending the boycott once the steps are completed.

I asked for a public commitment, via the statement to be released announcing the end of the boycott, as a sign that you will actually do what you have not done twice before.

Please show me that the boycott will end if I resign from the Ziu and complete the course by posting the joint statement (from you and Miestra) here.

This is not an unreasonable ask.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

I hear you. But I'm not sure you hear me when I tell you that you don't get any "ask" because we're not making a bargain.

If you would like to show that you are actually remorseful and have learned something, these are two things you can do that no one could reasonably shrug aside.

You really like being in the legislature, and it's going to hurt for you to resign at the start of the term. You will not like undergoing training on how do avoid sexual harassment, because it will be a little challenging.

I am sure you would love an excuse to avoid both of these things, because you're not actually sorry for your past choices. But if you were sorry and wanted to show that, I'm telling you on behalf of a majority: here's how you could do it.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I hear you. But I'm not sure you hear me when I tell you that you don't get any "ask" because we're not making a bargain.

If you would like to show that you are actually remorseful and have learned something, these are two things you can do that no one could reasonably shrug aside.

You really like being in the legislature, and it's going to hurt for you to resign at the start of the term. You will not like undergoing training on how do avoid sexual harassment, because it will be a little challenging.

I am sure you would love an excuse to avoid both of these things, because you're not actually sorry for your past choices. But if you were sorry and wanted to show that, I'm telling you on behalf of a majority: here's how you could do it.

I don't think you do hear, Alexandreu. I am disappointed. Please let me know when you are able to show that this will really end. Trust is a two-way street.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

This is not a two-way street. You hurt another person.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

This is not a two-way street. You hurt another person.

Trust is a two-way street and will need to be rebuilt.
I am simply asking you and Miestra to post the joint statement you plan to make unsigned announcing the end of the boycott. I am happy to take the course and resign from the Ziu. Neither of those things bother me but I am concerned that you will invent new reasons or start talking about Dien or Braneu.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

Let's discuss what "the end of the boycott" means.

Firstly, there is no boycott on Crement. It is just that you don't even try to hide that you are cooperating closely politically, and that your apparent "split" from the Greens was a sham in the hope that you could use Crement to get around the boycott. If you abide by the terms AD is proposing, there will no longer be a reason for us to treat Crement differently from the other non-government parties.

Secondly, let us talk about what "boycott" means in this context. It means a refusal from the Progs and from the URL to deal with you politically unless you apologized to Lüc in a way in which he accepted. The fact that Lüc has not accepted this apology and that there has been no reconciliation is why this extra step is needed.

I agree with AD's suggestion of a couple of concrete ways that you can prove that you really meant the apology for sexual harassment, and fine, if you do that, you show willingness to engage, and I will no longer object to the Government dealing with you politically, giving you jobs to do etc.

However, this doesn't change all the other ways you have acted. Your hardball approach to politics drove both @Bråneu and @Munditenens out; and your reaction to being boycotted has been to pretend it's not happening, to "keep bopping along" in AD's terms, to recruit your husband to Talossa so you'll have someone to tell you you've done nothing wrong. You clearly think there is nothing wrong with how you behave in Talossa, and you are going to keep doing it. Well, there is something simple here to end the formal boycott, but changing the opinion of most Talossans who're not your husband that you're a vesneir, a verpă, and a bragartac'h, and to feel like co-operating with you, will be much harder. Look, don't be discouraged - if AD and I can build a working relationship, anything is possible.

Thirdly, the "boycott" refers to a refusal of political engagement on a policy level. This is distinct from voting on your Senses of the Ziu, which I consider to be glurge. Even if you were to be personally rehabilitated, I don't think I will ever vote Per on them, no matter how much I agree with them "on paper", because I don't think that's what the Ziu is for. I will argue for this position within my party too. There is a difference between a "boycott" and "not supporting something you support because we think it's foolish".

Questions? Comments?