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Dispatch → Bulletin → Campaign
by 
The Penguinite Kleptocracy of Volaworand.
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43 reads.
Re-elect Volaworand: Media
With polls now open, I humbly ask for your vote. I will:
maintain a mostly hands off approach to moderation, keeping the RMB welcoming, fun and safe.
lower the inactivity exception for multi-posting from 60 minutes to 20 minutes.
up my game on posting fun and frivolous polls (since Auphelia will be out of office due to term limits).
continue maintaining a level head and use good judgement.
Re-elect Volaworand 2020 - Media
Our campaign in the news!
Media Interview:
In the interest of transparency and openness I granted an interview to Purple Hyacinth News to discuss the upcoming election and accepting my nominations.
this form.Interview with Beepee
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
I think its important to undertake your civic duties and I think I can bring experience and fun to the role. I really love the RMB its still one of the funnest places of NS for me.
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
I've been an LC before, about a year ago, and it was a lot of fun (I was with Zessie and Concrete Slabbie), we implemented some changes to allow people some more freedoms on the board. I did a lot of the admin type stuff, changing and updating dispatches, etc. That's really where my strength lies... I was also big on the greetings and being the conduit between our discord and TSPForums and the RMB family. (Which, by the way, if you aren't on these things yet... go join) I feel we could do more of that and working with the new
Ministers for fun.
My biggest weakness is that I dont post on the board as often as I used to, and thats a biggie.... But I still lurk there every day. I really enjoy all of the interactions and the friendliness that people have. (And I have a tiny crush on Vola so that always helps - he just looks so darn cute in that penguin outfit)
3) What is your history in NationStates?
I've been on NS for about 3 years. I have been a real staunch supporter of the South Pacific and the RMB. I have been both (what was then called) Minister for Regional Affairs, what I like to call the Minister for Fun, and LC before and I'm currently part of the Coral Guard.
Recently, I've been more active on the NS forums doing RP and spreading the good word of TSP (and Aupheliaism - everyone should know about that right??)
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
What i like most about the RMB right now is the people that are there. Theyre all really wonderful, smart, sexy and handsome.
What I miss or dislike about the board is that Auphelia won't be its supreme overlord for the next little while, and that means we need a good and dedicated henchman to take her place. As a trusted Auphelian henchman it would be my honour to be a placeholder for our supreme overlord.
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
The rules or pretty fine... they've been honed over a number of LCs so I wouldn't propose any significant changes. But if there was something someone wanted, a citizen or another LC, if be happy to hear it.
But I would like to bring back my smurf army, I mean welcoming committee, they've been a little wanting recently. And maybe some more fun games and things and general whackiness. Also my ficus would look so good back in the Local Councillor halls.
6) Any other thoughts?
Yes. Many thoughts. I have thoughts almost daily. Like is gingerbread actually bread? and if so would a cheese and pickle sandwich with gingerbread be nice?
Interview with Drystar
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
3) What is your history in NationStates?
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
6) Any other thoughts?
It’s kind of funny, I didn’t think I was going to run again, but I honestly enjoy keeping the rmb flowing. I’ve managed along with my fellow LC’s, to keep the drama in the rmb to a minimum this term, and I’d like to continue for a second term if possible.
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
Same reason I ran in the July elections - I'm an active RMBer, and I actually want to suppress rule-breaking posts after telling the rule-breaker about their offense, instead of having to wait for the LC to suppress it.
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
I would make a good LCer because I regularly check and post on the RMB, and I like to help new TSPers. I do not see any weakness as an LCer, but in most situations (not on the RMB, though), you never know when I cannot tell the difference between a bad joke and something offensive.
3) What is your history in NationStates?
See this dispatch: page=dispatch/id=1445260
Additionally, I have been an active RMBer from mid-April to early August, and from early October onwards.
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
I like the happy small talk and roleplay that goes on in the RMB. I dislike excessive roleplay that is not taken Knowhere or Psomewhere else.
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
Nothing major, but I plan to create weird and interesting polls while our great tentacle goddess Auphelia cannot.
6) Any other thoughts?
Ice cream is better than cake or pie.
Interview with Saint Cinder
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
My supporters said I have to get a job or they’ll stop giving me money. I'm running and ultimately going to lose the LC for them and only them. I am being unfairly pushed onto a podium against my will. Please send help my supporters haven't given me any food or water in days-. By the gods they can hear us! You told me this interview would be anonymous! OW! Don't you hit me! What kind of interviewer hits their news source! Well I have been nominated and will do my best to validate these crazy heathens choice. Really no need to read on I'm sure they get the gist.
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
I know without a doubt I can be fair and honest, if there's one thing i'm good at it's two things: forgiveness and oppression. Ultimately I believe that all people are good at heart and should be given second chances, but if someone is not respectful to either you or the community, I will not hesitate to stomp them into a Drystar's my woodchopper. I don't like promises, because they can be broken so let's make a deal. If I get elected I will do everything in my power to be fair and respectful to all parties and I'll leave LC in a better place then when I found it. My greatest weakness I believe is time. While being your Pontiff has been easy, my biggest worry is that irl events will keep me busy.
Now give me the mic.
Our RMB is in serious trouble. We don't have victories any more. We used to have victories but [now] we don't have them. When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let's say, TEP, in a RMB? They kill us. Fi-hami is a disaster. I beat TNP all the time. All the time. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing us double posters. They're bringing crime. They're spammers. And some, I assume, are good people. I'm the most LC person ever to run for the LC, by far. Nobody's ever been more successful than me. I'm the most successful person ever to run. Amerion isn't successful like me. Amerion - I have a Chapel store that's worth more than Amerion! Now I have seen, the concept of my political opponents poll ideas, and [I] must say they are absolutely terrible, and statistically I've been proven right. Sorry losers and haters, but my IQ is one of the highest - and you all know it! Please don't feel so stupid or insecure, it's not your fault. I'm intelligent. Some people would say I'm very, very, very intelligent. Nobody has better respect for intelligence than Saint Cinder. I don't ever let them use the word smart around me. I say, not in a braggadocios way, I've made billions and billions of souls dealing with people all around nationstates. I’m a negotiator, like you folks. To be blunt, people would vote for me. They just would. Why? Maybe because I'm so good looking. I mean what a crowd, what a turnout! Purple Oompa Loompa, I tell you we are going to have the greatest turnout in TSP history. I would bet if you took a poll in the South Pacific, I would win that poll by more than anybody’s won a poll. When I lose this election it will be election fraud. Penniless-Panda and Sloppypie-Penguin are trying to steal this election! We need to build a great wall and keep them locked down.
3) What is your history in NationStates?
No comment.
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
I believe the RMB is in a good spot right now, it's a beautiful day outside. birds are singing, flowers are blooming... on days like these, kids like you... Should be enjoying some SPIT Ad time. But for newcomers/foriegners to often they are not well accustomed to tsp life, I would like to give them more of a grace period or easier easing into.
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
I believe that it is round-dundent to reinvent the wheel. However I am open to the idea of a perhaps a group poll every once and a while which we take the communities advice and create a poll by tsp for tsp.
6) Any other thoughts?
Is Dirt Dirty? Why are buildings not called builts? If stitious is characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading, but if I'm Superstitious why does everyone look at me like i'm crazy? Why did the world plagiarize barnie? The phrase “best thing since sliced bread” suggests that there was a time when you had to eat the entire loaf in one go. if money grows on trees why does banks have branches? If your friend Jim says to a you, "Everything I say is a lie." This mean that Jim is really someone else.. Is writing just role-play talking?
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
To keep the gameside fun and active
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
I think I'd be a good LCer mainly due to my activity in NS. However, I do tend to overlook things sometimes
3) What is your history in NationStates?
I don't have much of a history to be honest
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
I don't really like or dislike anything about the current state of the RMB, which is exactly what I like about it. Except for the occasional spammer, the RMB is pretty relaxed
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
Not anything comes to mind that I would change
6) Any other thoughts?
While some people think the LC is just about clearing the RMB of spam, it's not. It's about the whole of TSP's gameside. It also has a lot of untapped potential, that when released, would guarantee that TSP has the best gameside community in all of NS.
Interview with The cordian empire
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
Because I think the LC is a great way to give back to this community, and that I am capable of being a plus for the LC.
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
I think I would be a good LCer because two of my main traits are my sense of fairness and my ability to be objective when calm, allowing me to make unbiased decisions. Another thing that would make me a good LCer is that I trend towards helpful, which could help me in dealing with rule-breakers. The current LC tends to make snarky comments as opposed to trying to be more positive in dealing with rule-breakers, which makes them less likely to actually abide by the rules. That being said, I am fully capable of mercilessly dealing with rule-breakers once they cross a line.
3) What is your history in NationStates?
I think I would be a good LCer because two of my main traits are my sense of fairness and my ability to be objective when calm, allowing me to make unbiased decisions. Another thing that would make me a good LCer is that I trend towards helpful, which could help me in dealing with rule-breakers. The current LC tends to make snarky comments as opposed to trying to be more positive in dealing with rule-breakers, which makes them less likely to actually abide by the rules. That being said, I am fully capable of mercilessly dealing with rule-breakers once they cross a line.
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
I like how the RMB is really a place where people can discuss the vast majority of topics without risk of being flamed or personally attacked, and knowing that if that does happen, justice will be swift. If I had to say I dislike something, it would be the spammers we get occasionally, but in all honestly, I enjoy laughing at those more than I hate them, so perhaps that isn't so much of a bad thing to me.
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
I tend to be the kind of person to come up with a ton of different ideas, and I have a few. My main idea is to have regular RMB events, be they competitions, RMB parties, or something else, and I have a few more ideas that I'm developing at the moment.
6) Any other thoughts?
I don't really have much to say other than stay safe during these times, and go vote in the LC elections, regardless of who you vote for. It is important that the LC represents the whole of the South Pacific, and if the will of the region is for me not to be elected, then so be it.
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
I want to run for local council because the nations of The South Pacific deserve to have a candidate like me who will carry out the will of all nations. I don’t care if a nation is a dictatorship or a democracy, every nations’ voice will be heard if I am elected into the local council. In addition, I want to run for local council because I want every nation to have an enjoyable and fun gaming experience and so they feel comfortable with joking around every so often.
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
I think I would be a good LCer because I always keep an open mind and am willing to listen to the opinions of other nations and I know how to react appropriately to criticism. I also think I would be a good LCer because I work hard at making this game a better place as an active player whether it be in the RMB or the World Assembly. Additionally, I think weakness as an LCer would be my lack of experience in regional government but I realize that everyone has to start from somewhere and having experience as an LCer will make me a stronger player.
3) What is your history in NationStates?
I have a short history in NationStates as I just started playing a month or so ago and I joined the World Assembly and became a legislator early on. In addition to my current nation, I made a nation called Trasteria when I first started playing but I no longer play with that nation.
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
I like that many nations are active in the RMB every day. I dislike that sometimes when I ask an immediate question in the RMB, other nations ignore my message and keep messaging about something else.
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
I would like to implement an annual survey every month where nations will have the opportunity to answer questions about how good of a job they think the local council is doing and what they believe should be changed.
6) Any other thoughts?
I would just like to point out that since I'm relatively new to the game, I may need some guidance at times from other nations if I am elected.
Interview with Volaworand
1) Why do you want to run for LC?
I feel the current LC has done a good job of standing back and letting the RMB be the RMB. We must keep the all powerful TSP Post-It Note of Suppression from falling into the wrong hands.
2) Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
I'm wrapping up my second time serving a term on the LC, and I've demonstrated good judgement and restraint to keep the RMB active, fun and safe. I've not reached the Auphelian levels of greatness in poll idea's, so would I would like to up my game in that area.
3) What is your history in NationStates?
I've been on Nationstates just over three years, all of it in TSP. I've done roleplays, nation building dispatches, issues fun, card collecting, a bit of store front stuff in Global Economics and Treade forum and been a legislator in TSP for most of that time. I love our community in TSP and check in every day.
4) What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
I like the balance we have now between serious and silly conversations. I'm particularly fond of dispatch publishing and so am quite enjoying seeing the work people are sharing about their history and cultures. There's not really anything I dislike in the RMB right now: I've always been a pretty laid back "Embrace the Entropy" kind of player.
5) Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?I'm thinking that we could use a few contests now and then, or just silly contests now and then. The spontaneous riddles or brain teasers are always quite enjoyable. I might not be the best person at them, but i would like to support more of that on a regular basis in the RMB. I would like to have the LC develop a closer relationship with Cabinet, particularly Culture and Engagement. Internal to the LC I would like to add some more information to the LC dispatches, specifically fleshing out the FAQ's on what the LC can and can't do so members have a better idea of who does what. I think we need to flesh out our process and administration policies related to the RMB guidelines so there's a clearer appeal or grievance process. It hasn't been an issue for quite a while, but it's best to have he process clearly fleshed out so if it becomes an issue everyone understands how to proceed in a clear and transparent way.
6) Any other thoughts?
The flurry of nations greeting and welcoming new nations has been heartwarming and i would love for us to run a "Welcoming dispatch" contest where members can create thier own greeting dispatch for new members and the winner's dispatch would become the "official greeting" for a month or something.
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I will be reporting on the LC elections throughout the duration of the election. You can find all of the reports I will be making and have made here.
Purple Hyacinth Interview with 
VolaworandPH: Why do you want to run for LC?
V: I feel the current LC has done a good job of standing back and letting the RMB be the RMB. We must keep the all powerful TSP Post-It Note of Suppression from falling into the wrong hands.
PH: Why do you think you would be a good LCer? What would be your weakness as an LCer?
V: I'm wrapping up my second time serving a term on the LC, and I've demonstrated good judgement and restraint to keep the RMB active, fun and safe. I've not reached the Auphelian levels of greatness in poll idea's, so would I would like to up my game in that area.
PH: What is your history in NationStates?
V: I've been on Nationstates just over three years, all of it in TSP. I've done roleplays, nation building dispatches, issues fun, card collecting, a bit of store front stuff in Global Economics and Trade forum and been a legislator in TSP for most of that time. I love our community in TSP and check in every day.
PH: What do you like and what do you dislike about the RMB right now?
V: I like the balance we have now between serious and silly conversations. I'm particularly fond of dispatch publishing and so am quite enjoying seeing the work people are sharing about their history and cultures. There's not really anything I dislike in the RMB right now: I've always been a pretty laid back "Embrace the Entropy" kind of player.
PH: Are there any changes you would like to implement as an LCer?
V: I'm thinking that we could use a few contests now and then, or just silly contests now and then. The spontaneous riddles or brain teasers are always quite enjoyable. I might not be the best person at them, but I would like to support more of that on a regular basis in the RMB. I would like to have the LC develop a closer relationship with Cabinet, particularly Culture and Engagement. Internal to the LC I would like to add some more information to the LC dispatches, specifically fleshing out the FAQ's on what the LC can and can't do so members have a better idea of who does what. I think we need to flesh out our process and administration policies related to the RMB guidelines so there's a clearer appeal or grievance process. It hasn't been an issue for quite a while, but it's best to have he process clearly fleshed out so if it becomes an issue everyone understands how to proceed in a clear and transparent way.
PH: Any other thoughts?
V: The flurry of nations greeting and welcoming new nations has been heartwarming and i would love for us to run a "Welcoming dispatch" contest where members can create thier own greeting dispatch for new members and the winner's dispatch would become the "official greeting" for a month or something.
Interviews from past campaigns | |
Hi Poppy (073 039 109 032 080 111 112 112 121). Thanks for such well thought out, insightful questions. This a quick rough draft of my initial thoughts. Give me a day or so to tweak this and I'll have a final set of responses soon. UPDATE: Just go ahead and use it, this is fine. 1. So, you've had a fantastic run in office, but it looks like your term is coming to a close. First, the big question, will you be seeking re-election now or in the future? I haven't decided if I have another term in me right now. I have more I'd like to see done: reviving the SlowNews, getting our laws codified and standardized, and documenting more of our gameside history, and possibly pushing for an expansion and reinvention of the LC itself... but alas LC duties already eat into those other activities I'd like to keep up on. My knowhere national roleplay has withered and I yearn to pick that up again. My poor Prime Minister has been languishing a coma for over 6 months now and I think it's time she either made a fantastic recovery, or just died... either way, there are stories to tell there and I've neglected them. 2. Alright, we’ll start with some general questions about the job. What is the job of the Local Councilor, in your own words? And, on that same note, in your opinion, what’s the most important thing about being Local Councilor? The Local Council is essentially the gameside equivalent of the assembly, and so in theory it is the lower house in the TSP government structure. The Charter sets out 4 broad directives:
To me, in practice, the LC operates more like a Neighborhood Association in a small city. It does what it can to make the neighborhood better by running a crime watch program, a welcome wagon, maybe a small community library, promotes community events, and meets to set the rules on how often people should mow their lawns and how big their front deck can be. The LC is given a lot of power legally that it has never really exercised, given that it in theory it is an equivalent to the forumside assembly. Given that it's always been three people it hasn't needed to form the same kind of support structures that the forumside Assembly has developed over the years. By design there just broad directions in the Charter, leaving a lot of the day to day up to each Local Council to determine it's own goals and priorities. I would note that that the Charter stipulates at least three Local Councilors and requires that at least one be appointed a Regional Officer, which means we could, as gameside, alter the LC within the charters broad directives. But more on that later. I would think the job right now is to foster and promote the gameside community. We do this by being present and active, running polls, being helpful to new nations, knowing where to direct people to accurate information, safeguarding the RMB by watching out for inappropriate content, and making decisions in the best interest of the region. And yes, sometimes we have to put a post-it up over an RMB post now and then, meaning people don't have to see it unless they choose to lift the little post-it note. So essentially the job of being a LCer is that of a cheerleader, with a stack of post-its. And now I'm thinking of Aumeltopia and Auphelia as two rival cheerleaders, and makes me smile. A lot. I'm sure they are both very cute when they shake their pompoms. 3. So, we have an audience question here, how are potential new policies decided upon by the Local Council? Do you just conduct majority wins votes? It's a mixture. Everything starts with one Local Councilor making a suggestions or asking to discuss a topic. We always strive for unanimity, and have some excellent collegial discussion on discord or telegrams, but ultimately policies can be adopted by a majority. We had had some serious and some fun meetings. Someday I'll have to see if I can find the LC meeting conducted only by Meme Posts. So when we've revised the RMB guidelines we have always started off with what do we currently have, and opened up each section for input from each of the three of us. If no one wants changes then we close off that section and debate the sections where an LCer wants changes, section by section. We debate and strive for unanimity, but yes, if it comes down to a point where we can't have agreement, then a majority vote proceeds on that section. When two LCers realize they just can't agree on a section, they ask the third for a vote. Once it's done we close that and continue on to the next section. I think we've been a very cooperative Council. When we developed the new LC election act I wrote an entire Act as an initial "starting point" proposal and then we spit balled idea's in a discord chat, and I would suggest language to incorporate those ideas, without votes at that point, just making a really really big document, and then we started reading through what we had, trimming, combining and amending as we went. When the High Court removed Concrete Slab from Council over his illegal suppression of posts during his prior term there was a section where Auphelia and I were not able to agree and sought the input of the RMB to help us end the deadlock. We did this via a non-binding regional poll. Auphelia and I jointly asked for the removal of Concrete Slab's Regional Officer powers, leaving him voting in council but without Officer powers, which we did by a two person joint proposal to Cabinet, without him. I think this process could be more formalized into a gameside law setting out recalls and removal from office, but the current legal structures simply required a majority. It was a pretty new situation, but I think it cold be used when there are nations that go "dormant" during their LC term, which has been common. When Aumeltopia joined the LC we started using Goggle docs in addition to Discord and Telegrams, which made everything a lot easier and I recommend whole heartedly that all future LC's make use of this, just to keep on top of everything. 4. Another question from the audience, do you think it's a problem that the rule set the Local Council operates under can be somewhat arbitrary and solely based on the current Local Councilor’s whims and opinions? If so, how do you think this problem can be addressed, if not, why? No, I don't think that is the case. The LC is elected to debate and make exactly these decisions. No one wants an RMB where every decision is debated ad naseum in the RMB. I do agree that there may be that perception, and that has been stoked and exploited by some residents, and that this perception could be addressed by expanding the Local Council to say, 7 or 9 people, to include more voices in decisions, and that the Local Council selects three of it's own number to serve essentially as an "LC cabinet" to hold the Regional Officer Powers, but that the decision and debates include more people. The LC could also then rotate office positions amoungst this body to handle vacations or times when people need to deal with real life. However, I can't imagine the nightmare of an LC election selecting 9 people that would take weeks to complete. I would leave such legal reforms to future Local Councils and the full RMB to debate. I think having regularly scheduled public meetings on TSP Discord where citizens could present proposals directly to the LC for votes would also help with transparency within the Council and give nations an ongoing voice in the region. 5. On a lighter note, is there any little secret about the job that people don't tell you until after you're elected? Any secret little exclusive chat, special procedure, or extra job you have to do that you were never informed of beforehand? OMG Legal Battles! Defending the RMB guidelines in court wasn't completely unexpected, given that NHC has challenged every new LC within the first month of their election for the past what, year and a half? Him making a court complaint within 18 hours challenging the very validity of the guidelines itself meant I spent many, many more hours writing High Court Briefs than I would have liked. After a well documented series of RMB outbursts, we ultimately had to exercise our authority to ask that he receive a short ban to cool off. When I felt his constant attacks crossed the line from political disagreement to defamation I filed my own complaint, and while it was ultimately dismissed I feel he got the point. So I guess the secret is you need to brush up on the High Court Archives. Oh you said lighter note... um... yeah the amount of telegrams can really get out of hand. I finally broke down and just paid for a post-master general upgrade to my account. 6. Do you think the Local Council should base their laws around what the populace wants or what the Local Council thinks is best for the populace? The LC is a representive body, so the LC should reflect the wishes of the region. I think it is the job of every WA nation in the region to question candidates carefully about exactly what they want to do if elected. So yes the council should base laws around what the populace wants, however, as the laws are currently written, the LC could agree jointly to become bullies, subject to the checks and balances of the Delegate, CRS, and judicial oversight. If people aren't careful they could end up with a many tentacled tyrant in office, with only a quiet little penguin and raccoon to defend them! Oh my goodness, could you imagine??? Thankfully, the LC isn't empowered to do anything that could permanently harm the region. However, I would hate to get to the point that we expect a three day regional poll every time we want to suppress a spammer, or ask the CRS or delegate to boot a troll. Maybe one day the region will elect a slate of people that will operate that way, though I would miss the silly polls and such if all the region did was debate the day to day workings of the region. 7. Time for some questions about your term in office specifically, of your term what are you most proud of? Do you believe you accomplished what you set out to? What’s one thing you wish you could have done differently in your term? I'm proud we have all reached the end of the term without being burnt out or lapsing into dormancy. Specificy I'm most proud of The LC Election Act reform, which curtails some of the powers of the LC and requires in game polls to change. What do I wish I had done differently? Honestly, I wish I had pushed the CRS for a permanent ban on NHC: In my opinion he thrives on stirring up toxic drama and we simply don't need it. At the time felt a five day ban was reasonable, but on reflection I wish I had pushed for an outright ban. While I appreciate that he has cooled his heels a bit, I just wish I had done more to closed the door on that petty drama permanently. Well, I guess if I do run again I won't get that vote. 8. Aumeltopia and Auphelia, I see you’ve both served a previous term as LC, what do you see that’s different about being a Local Councilor now versus then? This question isn't for me, so I'll just hang out over here with my crayons and pebble bedazzler. 9. Related to the previous question, for all three of you, in previous years of Local Councils it could just be impressive if you didn’t completely ghost off after being elected, nowdays things are a bit different, people actually seem to be for the most part keeping their campaign promises and maintaining a high, or at least higher, level of activity, what do you think caused this shift? Do you think TSP is changing for the better? I think all of us ran for LC because we wanted to make the region better, and were able to support each other even when we disagreed with each other. I love my council mates and all of TSP, and think that part of our greatness as a region is that we are always changing and evolving. Always Embrace the Entropy. 10. Some audience questions I’ve clumped together, your term has seen TSP’s Local Council laws through some interesting changes, what’s your personal stance on role play, personal displays of affection, and double posting on the rmb and why? If you could change one thing about the current Local Councilor policies without having to consult your compatriots in council what would it be? When I returned last fall after a 6 month hiatius I found TSP had become a magical floofland of animal based roleplay so I adapted. I didn't love it but I got used to it and developed my own penguin persona. I could do without the star struck love fest, but it's fine right now. Of course, I'm looking at you Auphelia and Drystar. I love and miss realistic, ongoing nation based roleplay (I'm gonna miss Midand a lot in that regard), and would love to see national roleplay's revived, in Knowhere ideally so it doesn't annoy the folks who aren't interested. If I could wave a wand and just change something unilaterally then TSP Radio would reflect the lyrics of Madonna's Music/Disco Inferno Mashup from the groundbreaking Confession Tour of 2006: "Alright boys and girls
32 years of back cataloge! I bet we could even get Drystar dancing! 11. Back when Auphelia, Vola, and Concrete were elected and then again when Aumel was elected in the special election there was push back against the law changes you made during those times and even considerable and disruptive protest, if memory serves the first time mainly regarding double posting, the right to protest, and the right to debate suppression on the rmb, and the second time around on the restriction of roleplay. Looking back at those times, is there anything you wish you could have done differently to prevent or lessen those problems? Well the prior LC had basicly thrown in the towel on trying to moderate anything on the RMB, other than Concrete Slab, who was re-elected, along with both Auphelia and I who both included increasing moderation of the RMB in our campaigns. I really didn't feel strongly one way or the other on double posting but Auphelia was passionate about it and so I relented. Now I think it's a godsend since it means there are less emotional outbusts since folks need to take a moment when posting multiple replies and hopefully it's ultimately lead to a less drama filled RMB, even though the adjustment period was jarring for some people. We went from almost zero suppressions to maybe 1% of posts being subject to having a post-it note placed on top of them in order to be seen. Clearly, some folks felt this was over the top... but you can't please everyone. What could I have done differently? I suppose I should have pushed to ban NHC permanently when he crossed the lines repeatedly and willfully in what I felt was clearly an attempt to bait emotional responses from the LC. I felt the personal attacks and constant sniping made it next to impossible to carry on an actual conversation within the region. 12. Alright, we’re close to the end, I promise, just one more section of questions, it’s time to look to the future, to the next Local Council very soon to come. What would you personally look for in a Local Council candidate? Patience. 13. Aumeltopia in particular has talked many times of a 'LC Records' spreadsheet that you three use to communicate who's covering which timeblocks of the rmb and what suppressions you're enacting there and for what reasons, do you plan on providing this useful tool to the next generation of Local Councilors ? Yes it's been a fantastic tool I would love to see future LC's continue to make use of. I really think we should open it up access to it by the Delegate, and possibly the CRS members as well. 14. Who would you like to encourage to run for Local Council, either in this next election or in the ones to come? Feel free to drop a few names and elaborate why, or even give a short list. Any player that previously served in the LC would be great. As far as new faces go Lily Pad Nation, Zess and Hanguk-Nippon would be great LCer's because of their great patience and kindness, especially to new nations. You (Poppy) and Kerlodia would bring a lot of energy and fun to the region, and stay with me here... NHC: If he's gonna snipe and complain about everything then he might as well have a turn putting in the work. (Also, I did like his RMB triva games and the RMB news dispatches.) Drystar and North Prarie would bring a lot to the LC. And of course, once the ban is served, I really felt Concrete Slab was good and served the region well, and had learned his lesson and should be re-elected at somepoint down the road. There's not really one secret sauce to success on the LC... the more we all put into the region the better we become! I say we remain willing to experiment and try new things... if they work, well great, and if they don't work then we move on and try something else. Maybe it's time for an All Penguin LC? I say it's worth a try, what's the worst that could happen? PenguinPies, Antarctic Empires, are you busy the next 4 months? 15. Now, to wrap up, what advice would you like to give to the next batch of Local Councilors? Know why you are running, is there something you want to accomplish, or is this a vanity run? Always listen and seek common ground. Keep Calm and Embrace the Entropy. When all else fails, log off the Forums and Discord and just focus on the RMB. Gameside might be a crowded mass of people but sometimes the torch wielding mob can be right. Take a break and sleep now and then. | Up first we have a guest who needs no introduction! Aw heck, I'll give him one anyway! Give it up for Aidenfieeld, the owlish LC runner! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4.Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there any aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never come back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? Next up is the walking meme and wall dropping superstar of The South Pacific, New Haudenosaunee Confederacy! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5: Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6: Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? 11) Bribery shall be defined as the receiving or offering of undue support by or to any individual in order to influence behavior that the recipient would otherwise not alter. ... (3) If found guilty of any other crime listed above, the Judiciary will determine a sentence. The sentence must be proportionate to the offense. Now give a warm welcome to the man, the myth, the penguin, Volaworand! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? I suppose becoming our regions first nation to endorse 1000 nations in September 2018 would be my proudest moment. I love that our region is getting serious about endorsements and I think that the SWAN program will lay a lot of important groundwork in TSP's role in the wider Nationstates community. Our Southern World Assembly iNitiative can really lay the groundwork for our regions future: we stay safe and secure, grow the influence of our Delegate's vote in the Assembly, support our regions proposal authors, and make our enemies quake with fear at the mere whisper of our name... all these things become possible with a strong SWAN. I think winning 2017 Christmas writing competition in the advent calendar that year was an important early milestone for me. I was still a relatively new nation and it was the first time I'd really tried anything like that, and the encouragement from my region-mates was very gratifying. I've recently been playing around with graphics programs, and so when my humble creation won the Holiday flag last December, it gave me another confidence boost. Those moments are very special to me because I was able to learn and try new things. 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? While it's not really gone, I really want to get some sort of new geopolitical knowhere storyline going again. The "SPIT wars" economic roleplay we did in 2017 (modelled on the 1980's Coke/Pepsi Cola wars) and the months long "Hermit Dominion" roleplay (allowing me to flesh out the rise of Russian-style corruption in my lovely little Westminster parliamentary democracy) that we did in knowhere were so much fun and really lead to huge amount of nation and world building for so many players involved. I'd like to work with the amazing roleplayers in our region and support new folks interested in trying their hand at roleplays that feature collaborative storytelling. 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? Up next, you all know them, the the floating sword and tea enthusiast, Hanguk-Nippon! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? After that we have someone you may not know, but boy have they got heart! It's the newbie with ambition, Islas tualua! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? Rolling right into the next candidate we have a very special guest, The sakhalinsk empire, the only one who actually gave me a coffee! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? Now put you hands together for the solid cyborg with a heart of stone, Concrete Slab! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? You know her, you fear and/or love her, it's the beautiful, tentacled abomination, Auphelia! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? Making their way into spot number eight is the serial endorser, Saciu! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? I prioritise my positions and what I plan to do to help TSP over the flashy formatting used by many others. I also will also specifically help with WA endorsements - I feel that this is very important. 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? And last but certainly not least is Tamil cholan, the blank slate waiting to represent you! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? No. No. I'm not adding RON in. Why? I hate that guy! Wait, how much coffee? Alright, fine. Fine! Ugh... I suppose I'll throw them in for good measure, RON, the collection of all that is evil in the world! 1. What sets you apart from just another generic candidate? 2. What is your proudest moment on NS? 3. What is your least proudest moment on NS? 4. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like brought back? If so, why? 5. Is there an aspect of TSP that is gone that you would like to never be brought back? If so, why? 6. Will you buy Zess a coffee for providing you with free advertisement? |
