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by Hope and rationality. . 61 reads.

Journalist Entries

New and Old Business

21 October 2017

After an historic hiatus, the CoSSmopolitan Scoop is back, and with an unreasonably large set of topics to cover in a finite space. This entry primarily will engage with a recent Executive Authority debate. It can be reasonably said that the three-month period has been one of mixed gradual, nonexistent, and sporadic change.

The last election for the office of Prime Minister, if it can be called as such, saw the incumbent office holder Sacred Stars replaced by Latanst - their forth time to enter the role. The question of whether this ought to be considered an election comes in that no votes were cast, as no opposition presented itself. Latanst was presented in the then oncoming election as the face of a return to old order, and a means of securing continued progression in addressing regional issues - such as Latanst's own question of whether the two potential holders of executive Authority within the CSS should at all times be separate Member States.

NationStates makes use of seven varieties of 'Authority', by which regional officers and other Authority holders may exercise power over/for their region. The CSS and its four Ministers each have assigned Authorities granted to them on election. Executive Authority is one of the most important of the seven, as it grants the ability to assign others with Authorities, or take them away, potentially exercising domination over a region. Unlike all other Authorities (apart from World Assembly Authority, which allows WA Delegates - our Prime Minister - to vote on WA proposals) Executive Authority cannot itself be appointed traditionally. Executive Authority may be gained in two ways, founding a region (and not at that point choosing to be free of Executive Authority) or being elected as the WA Delegate which, again, is in the CSS referred to as the Prime Minister. It has been the concern of Latanst that a single holder of both these positions risks immense danger to the CSS if they cease to be active, as region raiders may then become a threat. Within Council of Minister discussions, however, an alternate suggestion from H&R has competed with this concept . This alternative advocated the creation of a 'Deputy Prime Minister' responsibility to be assigned to one of the 'non-Prime' Ministers at the Prime Minister's discretion. Importantly, draft legislation for this suggestion included a definition for an inattentive Prime Minister, whereby fitting such criteria prompted the replacement of the Prime Minister, in this case by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Replacement of Prime Ministers through what currently is acceptable within the CSS may be conducted either through fixed elections, which are held once every two months, stepping down from the position, which hasn't happened, or through impeachment, which has never formally been put into action. Concern over an inactive Prime Minister is legitimate, as two months is a long time. Current legislation states that the Founder may assume vacant positions, but if they are the inattentive Prime Minister, or also are absent, then the Council of Ministers is responsible for either assuming the role together or appointing a new Member State into the position themselves. Theoretically this should ensure legal precedent for ensuring an active Prime Minister in the CSS... yet this hasn't carried through in reality. It seems the key issue is the specific cutoff point for when replacement is needed. Justifying impeachment is a difficult process, as the small and tightly-knit community of the CSS generally is conscious of actions which may jeopardise relationships which have, in many cases, existed for years. The proposed points in the Council of Ministers have failed to see necessary interest to succeed, but potentially the most important creation may yet prevail. That is, specific legislation defining inactivity, and as such, the circumstance to necessitate a guilt-free replacement of a failing Prime Minister. Of course, one issue eternally persists, an inactive Prime Minister is dangerous, an inactive Founder is disastrous.

In completely different news, calls to action have echoed across the Regional Message Board through the new Member State Glorious Flame who, in several days, issued a stunning thirteen petitions to the Council of Ministers. In essence, these may be condensed to: major revisions to our current embassies, greater interaction with other regions - such as through allowing their access to our Regional Message Board and creating a formalised alliance with a like-minded region, to detail specifically what constitutes unacceptable behaviour in the CSS in the Constitution itself, to make use of non-NationStates activities - such as Steam, and to engage in various roleplay or roleplay-like activities. These, seemingly inundating the Council of Ministers, should be covered over the coming weeks. It seems, as such, continued recruitment efforts by the veteran Minister of Foreign Affairs Grezantime have continued to be successful, as to see the entrance of this petitioner. These recruitment efforts eighty-nine days ago (coincidentally, the date of the previous CoSSmopolitan Scoop) saw Latanst create (and since maintain) the 'CSS Registry', documenting the puppet/Member State status of all occupants of the region. This, originally created in their most recent tenure as Minister of Internal of Affairs, has been continued as their duty due to admittance from H&R, the incumbent Minister of Internal Affairs, that they have been occupied outside of NationStates, prompting the choice to forgo several such minor duties. A different document which has seen recent activity is the CSS Militia.

The annual zombie event of NationStates, due to arrive with Halloween, has been anticipated by such veterans of these apocalyptic scenarios. One such case is our Minister of Defence, Tayner, who will be leading the CSS Militia during this troubling time. Specific plans for the event have not yet been established, but one has been said to be in the works from Tayner, who is "planning a strategy for effectively combating the living dead". More generally, it should be assumed that those seeking to do the CSS proud should join the CSS Militia and read the CSS Militia document.

~ Hope and Rationality, Regional Journalist.

Of the New and the Dead

23 July 2017

Relatively recent trends by Grezantime, Minister of Foreign Affairs, have seen a resulting inflow of new Member States. A cascade of Regional Message Board activity, particularly over the last few days, has seen the Minister’s success become apparent, with the inclusion of new voices in the discussion. Currently standing at twenty four, the region is at its approximate average, but growing, having been a little over a month ago at an all-time low of eight. Tayner, the Minister of Defence, seems hopeful for new Member States to join the Confederation of Sovereign States Militia, whilst just yesterday the Minister of Internal Affairs sent a 'welcome letter' to recent arrivals, with encouragement to join the World Assembly and Tayner’s details. This Council of Ministers discussion seems bursting thanks to the much enjoyed influx of fresh flags. Yet, Latanst has a question, where is Sacred Stars, the Prime Minister, in all of this? It may be framed through regional leadership analysis.

A widespread model for understanding separate governmental ‘styles’ can be found in the model of transformational, transactional and laissez-faire leadership. Transformational leaders are said to espouse vision, with prominent placing of moral reasoning in decision-making. Transactional leaders make use of existing organisational culture and are managerial in their processes, operating often in negotiation. Laissez-Faire leaders delegate control among their cohorts or followers, adjudicating as necessary. It seems the Confederation of Sovereign States, to some degree, has adopted its own variation on these categories, but with noteworthy differences.

The transformational leader has become what can be called the Senate Chair, whilst the transactional leader now is the CoMmadere. The first leads through the Senate with discussion and polls, forging vision, using the Council of Ministers in compliment with this, or for less important duties. The latter works primarily through the Council of Ministers, articulating and transacting detailed policy, whilst using the Senate in a separate sense, such as when needing direction. What then has become of laissez-faire leadership? It has become the Phantom, showing little delegating ability, not intentionally at least, and no adjudicating capability either.

In actual exemplification the categories may be hard to fill specifically, as rarely do actual leaders fit perfectly one way or another, and they change as necessary. Still, it could be said that Hope and Rationality has fit better into the Senate Chair category, whilst Latanst has closer aligned to the CoMmadere. The Phantom category, true to its name, works in a ghostly graveyard of other Confederation of Sovereign States Prime Ministers. This first was observed with the April 2016 election with the success of New Confederate Ramenia, the now inactive Phantom. It reappeared after the March 2017 election of Abasinde, the regretful Phantom. Sacred Stars now has made the tripartite, but it is very much hoped they will change paths soon, and conquer whatever troubles are holding them from their duties. It begs the question, who will be the first Phantom to see resurrection, Sacred Stars in their term, or perhaps even Abasinde somewhere in the future. In practical terms, does this indicate a need for policies surrounding the inactivity of our leadership?

In other news, the region is five days away from the two-year anniversary of its re-founding. This could be a time of celebration, or a largely unnoticed novelty. We will soon see which comes to pass, hopefully with joy worth reporting on in the next entry here. Until next time, this is the Regional Journalist signing off.

~ Hope and Rationality, Journalist

History at Work

8 July 2017

Welcome to The Scoop Optima Forma,

Newsflash! The conclusion of polling has finalised what seemed apparent throughout the second half of this three-day voting period. The fifth new individual to be elected into the highest office of the Confederation of Sovereign States, in its eleventh election, is Sacred Stars.

Latanst, nominated by Abasinde, and Sacred Stars, self-nominated, were the candidates for this election. Latanst had nominated Hope and Rationality, though this subsequently was turned down. Sacred Stars had initially been sceptical as to whether they should proceed as planned with their candidacy, stating “I don't want rehash of my last election face off of competing with Latan fwa,” referring to their unsuccessful campaign in the January 2017 election. The following graph is a reconstruction of the voting within this recent election, but at some points has had to make use of extrapolation rather than specific documentation.

When questioned about the outcome, Latanst stated they expect "that the results might have been quite different had the candidates debated or been asked to make statements.” Indeed, Latanst is a veteran combatant in regional debate. “Another factor, and an embarrassment for the Region, was the lack of any curiosity expressed by the Member States, many of whom could not even be bothered to vote." It is true that the total quantity of votes was lower than normal at five, where the mean total prior to this election had been 6.375. The three elections spanning from November 2016 to March 2017 had a mean vote total of eight, though the May 2017 also had five. A factor in the low turnout for these last two elections may be the recent downturn in regional activity, which seems to have permanently claimed three established Member States.

In what has predominantly been a two-horse race between H&R and Latanst, alternatives have demonstrated limited success. However, recent CSS election developments express a change in Member State voting behaviour, wherein the last two elections with alternative candidates have concluded with the defeat of their competitor Latanst. Of the three successful alternative candidates, two have occurred within the last three of our eleven elections. This could be coincidence, or perhaps this is an expression of dissatisfaction with regional direction. How will SS now fair as the incumbent Prime Minister?

Will this be a new period of inexperienced (and unexperienced) government like that of Abasinde after the March 2017 election? SS has in fact experienced firsthand WA Delegate-ship, having been a prevalent figure thereof after the departure of the CSS’s first Founder Garrior and before the development of an election process. As well, SS has served on numerous occasions on the Council of Ministers, and has shown passion for policy with Grezantime in the relatively recent past. This, in fact, marks the entrance into the first period where these close individuals hold a majority in the Council of Ministers, due to the Prime Minister’s tie-breaking capability. What has been prominently discussed, however, is the interaction of SS’s permanent position as Founder with the office of Prime Minister.

Having been topical during the January 2017 election, criticism has been aired over the potential danger in a Member State holding both the position of Founder and Prime Minister. This, it has been said, places too much power in a single individual. However, others have expressed their solidarity with the Constitution as it stands on this matter, where no restriction is in place, as has been made the case with the belief that the expectations of the Founder are narrow enough not to warrant concern. Indeed, the position of Founder may be viewed as holding some responsibilities, yet with no decision-making capability. This debate, which has been dormant recently, nevertheless risks resurfacing during this two-month period in office; some are likely to watch the direction of the Prime Minister closely in regards to this.

Whilst direction, as always, is a matter for potential concern for any Prime Minister, an additional issue is lack of direction. Both prior successful alternative candidates, New Confederate Ramenia and Abasinde, practiced little action during their periods in office, and SS only recently had a month-long period of inactivity within the region. As such, some concern is present. This seems to be a strong opportunity for SS to become distinguished, where the directing of the Council of Ministers, and engagement with the Member State body at large, could leave very positive impressions.

~ Hope and Rationality, Journalist

Landslide Victories in June Council of Ministers Elections!

10 June 2017

7 June 2017 will live forever in the annals of Confederation of Sovereign States history as yet another happy day. Ministers of Internal Affairs, of Foreign Affairs, and of Defence were elected without opposition and with all votes registered being in support of the government-sanctioned list of candidates.

The Prime Minister's office in comments to this journalist has repeated its position that "All news should be good news".

The CoSSmopolitan Scoop, as a proud representative of the free press, supports the government's views on this journal's proper role and will continue its efforts to share the Council's views with the Region at large.

In other news, tomorrow's weather will be sunny and warm with zero percent probability of unpleasantness of any kind.

--End-- (c) 2017 The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

Ennui!

7 May 2017

A pandemic is quietly sweeping the Region.

Doctors began noticing symptoms several months ago with the still unexplained disappearance of the "Founder". That disappearance went unreported for several weeks though the news, when made public, was met with a general feeling of relieved apathy.

However, and as previously reported, the inactivity and silence of the March Council stretched into April with little if any news emanating from those hallowed halls.

It can now be reported that the contagion has spread to the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the rumoured Minister seemingly unavailable to call or administer the election of a new Prime Minister for the May Council. The out-going Prime Minister himself is now thought to be the latest victim of this insidious plague.

The disease is feared to have entered the general population with what would normally be an alarming total of lack of interest in the ongoing election poll: as of this editing deadline no one in the Region has bothered to even place a vote.

The implications of this vile disorder can not be dismissed. If the spread continues unchecked the Region itself may be in danger. Reached by this journal, one of the few Ministers as yet unaffected by this rapidly spreading epidemic commented, "meh"

--End-- (c) 2017 The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

Region Rudderless?

28 March 2017

20 Days into the March Council and nothing but a deafening silence emanates from the Council chamber. Dust is gathering on the Council table. Cobwebs are now frighteningly large in the chamber's corners. Nothing but a great stillness holds court within.

Fears are spreading throughout the Region that our small size and absent Founder make the CoSS a delectable target for raiders and other misbegotten.

Woe is us, we lie weak and unprotected!

Gentle Readers, we implore you! In the unlikely event that you catch sight of a Minister, remind them of their duties and responsibilities.

--End-- (c) 2017 The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

All Quiet in the Council Chamber

19 March 2017

The March Council session is now ten days into its one-month term. A recent man-in-the-street poll conducted throughout the Region's member states reveals that opinions regarding the Council's relative inactivity are roughly split between two camps. Roughly 40% of those surveyed express strong concerns that the Council is ignoring the many needs of the Region, chief among them our shrinking population. However, 45% express relief that the newly-elected Prime Minister seems to be resisting his more extreme impulses (despite some worrying comments made in public over recent days). The remaining 15% of the population polled express opinions ranging from total indifference regarding the Council's existence to open antipathy toward its members.

Despite an almost total lack of conversation within the Council and a seeming disinterest in setting an agenda, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has shown some small initiative by issuing a poll (seemingly without sanction) regarding possible changes in the Region's election procedures. The Council has reacted to the results of this poll with what can only be described as a cold and stony silence.

Not to be overlooked, in one brief spurt of activity, the Prime Minister (and, it is rumoured, current acting Foreign Minister) managed to gather the absolute minimum quorum vote needed in support of the acceptance of an Embassy request from a neighbouring region. As has been the case for most of the last two months, the Council continues to operate with only three active members.

The Scoop will continue to monitor the Council and will be sure to report if it ever deigns to convene.

--End-- (c) 2017The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

Region Looks Toward a New Horizon

8 March 2017

First, Brexit! Then, President Trump!! Now, Prime Minister Abasinde!?!

The worlds are awash with change as electorates far and wide reject the old and the expected in favour of the new and untried. The Region has joined this universal trend and is all aquiver as a new Prime Minister takes the reigns. Exciting days ahead are all but guaranteed!

Coming soon, 'Goodbye Frau Merkel, Hello Mme Le Pen!'

--End-- (c) 2017 The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

Hello CoSS,

1-17
Yet one more paper for me to write and hopefully more, sorry for the delay the printers fell aslee-I mean broke and had to be repaired. Anyway on to the article, the council has been busily at work on the Judicial bill/system. I have received a few quotes from, one from our MoD and one from our MoIA, on the progress and steps they have seen and think they will see. Here is your MoD “I don't think the bill is at a stage where it can even be proposed...” while he was straight to the point, our MoIA had an extended opinion on the future of the bill. Here he is now, “I'm really against kicking people from the Region. I'm more for rehabilitation like temporary loss of voting power. At this point a don't think we really have a bill. However my bill is always there if people want it changed. I don't expect this administration to push much legislature so expect this conversation to last until late February and then get tossed.” both have the same views essentially, that the bill is not yet ready to be presented. The future of the bill is still unknown but as for us here at the CoSS hope to see the bill reach it's full potential.
Your friendly neighborhood writer
Jabakowski

Crisis in the region‽!!‽ Special issue

January 9, 2017

Brace for impending war?
A recent war region The Black Hawks have sent (what is seemed as) scouts into our region, Both the MoD and MoIA have acted with swift determination and prepare as they have gone into alert status, Both have agreed in saying that as of now there is no need for border closure, but suspicions of sleeper agents have been aroused. We must remain strong and Together for the sake of our great region, We shall endure this imposing crisis together.
Your hopeful writer
Jabakowski

Goooooood morning CoSS (reference to good morning Vietnam w/ Robin Williams)
This is Jabakowski here bringing you the latest news, we just went through an election for Prime Minister, Journalist, Libretist, and Artist. Tensions rose between the two fore running candidates for PM, Sacred Stars and Latanst, both had very compelling campaignes and ideas as to where the region should go. With a victory of 6-3 Latanst scraped up the PM position and got straight to work, here is there take “The Council of Ministers will be a very busy place over the next few weeks as we move forward to better define important plans and activities for the Region. It is our intent to appeal to the wide range of interests of our Member States, to increase member engagement, and to attract the best and brightest to join us in the Senate.” In the midst of the election our MoFA had resigned due to unknown reasons up to this point, So our founder Sacred Stars stepped up and took the mantle for the interim position. The other winners of the election include our MoD Abasinde becoming our Artist and recent PM vet H&R becoming Libretist
Singing out until next time your newly elected journalist
Jabakowski

REGION PREPARES FOR FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF CONSTITUTION

26 December 2016

The Region is busily preparing to celebrate its official re-founding as a constitutionally-bound collection of Member States. Building on the ashes and lessons learned from several ultimately unsuccessful attempts to build a working region, a small band of surviving states drafted a new document that was adopted near the beginning of the current (‘Western’ calendar) year.

The year has seen a series of administrations guide the Region. Soon after adoption of the founding document it became clear to many that the original rules for citizenship needed to be simplified and more welcoming. Likewise, the election process needed shortening and the agreed dates proved to be difficult to remember. In a series of Amendments, the Constitution was updated to address these shortcomings. Late in the year, the concept of ‘Community Roles’ was discussed and ultimately created by way of Amendment to the Constitution. These elected positions are still being tested and may be the focus of discussion in the coming year.

While the year has been vibrant with lively discussions and activities (not least a quick resolution to the annual zombie crisis and a visit by a mysterious band of—luckily friendly—travelers) a number of goals have been left pending (regional anthem, regional flag, etc.). To the satisfaction of most, the Region has managed to avoid invasions, raids, and coups. The year ahead promises to be one of opportunity.

Capitals throughout the Region will be celebrating this grand anniversary according to local taste and with their own individual flair. Citizens and tourists are reminded that left-leaning states in the Region may see celebrations turn violent.

--End-- (c) 2016The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

*****

REGION BEGINS EXPANSION DRIVE

25 November 2016

Spearheaded by The Grand Duchy of An kernewek pobel, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Region is beginning an aggressive outreach programme in an attempt to attract new members. Sources close to the Council of Ministers report that a new recruitment letter has been drafted and that hopes are running high within the Council for a positive response.

While past campaigns have resulted in increased traffic into the Region, retention rates have been low. The Senate is looking to the Council for ideas and guidance regarding this all-important component of any expansionist strategy.

In other news today, the share price of The CoSSmopolitan Scoop hit an all-time high on expectations of increased circulation.

--End-- (c) 2016The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

*****

NEWS FLASH! CONCERNS MOUNT OVER MISSING MINISTER

18 November 2016

Well-known for the inconsistent capitalization used in its name, the Minister of Internal Affairs ‘New confederate ramenia’ (sic) seems to have gone missing.

Unease began to be felt when many noticed that the new Minister of Foreign Affairs is not yet listed as an Officer of the Region even though it is one of the missing Minister’s few duties to quickly update the list when changes occur. It is now being reported that the Minister has not been taking part in the current round of important discussions within the Council of Ministers.

Further investigations reveal that ramenia’s flag has been changed to a design with no discernible connection to the country itself (example: a mysterious ‘T’ has appeared on the flag). Rumours are spreading that an internal coup may be to blame for the deafening silence emanating from the Grand Duchy.

When questioned, an anonymous source with knowledge of the internal workings of the Council commented “I dunno, but I bet the Defence Minister done ‘im in. Geez, that country gives me the willies.”

Examination of the Minister of Internal Affairs' chair at the Council’s table revealed a thick layer of dust and, interestingly, a pile of petals.

Investigations continue.

--End-- (c) 2016 The CoSSmopolitan Scoop

Hope and rationality

Edited:

RawReport