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Kalistani-Yeudi Director of the AYIC and his wife enjoy extended tour of the Holy Land
Tel Bira - January 5690
https://forum.prtcy.com/thread-3-post-10...l#pid10733
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La Moda Interviews Empress In Waiting
Young Monarch ready to step into the World
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 20, 5690
Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor at home in Kaliburg
La Moda was welcomed to Cliff House in Kaliburg to speak with Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor in her first official interview. The young Monarch, who is represented by Her Highness, the Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins in all official government activities while she remains a minor, is a vibrant, intellectually curious young woman, and is very excited to learn about the world. Her Highness the Princess Regent was required to be present during the interview, but she assured our interviewer that Her Imperial Majesty was free to answer whatever questions we put to her. And now, here is the first official, and exclusive interview with Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress in Waiting.
Quote:(La Moda's) C(assandra) N(orthern): First before we begin, Her Highness, Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins, who is here with us at Cliff House, has suspended most of the House Law regarding addressing Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor directly, as well as other rules relating to the Empress' age.
(Her Highness, The Princess Regent) N(icolette) A(nanto-Collins): This is correct. She will retain the pronouns protocol during this interview. You may speak freely with Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress in Waiting.
CN: Thank you, Your Highness. For my first question, would Her Imperial Majesty like the opportunity to introduce herself to our readers, and to the Kalistani public?
(Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting) C(arolina-Katherine Michelle) A(nanto-Connor): It would be our pleasure. Our name is Carolina. We are from Kaliburg, and have lived here most of our life. We did stay with our aunt, the Princess Regent in Luxon for a while after we lost our parents and brothers in a plane crash. We have learned to surf, we love playing Go with our friends in the School Club, we read philosophy and are part of the Philosophy society in school, and love studying and learning about new languages. Etymology is a particular subject we like to learn about- As our languages here in Kalistan, Vrassan and Egelian are descended from Dundorfian, Canrillaise and ultimately Selucian, it is very exciting to learn about the origins of the words we use and don't even think about, to discover what we actually mean when we select one word over the other when they both commonly mean the same thing.
CN: How many languages does Her Imperial Majesty speak?
CA: We speak Vrassan and Egelian at the native level, of course. We began learning Canrillaise in the 5th Grade, and have continued studying that. We are fluent in that. We had to learn some Kalopian and Selucian to read philosophy, but we would not say we were conversant in that. We know the jargon related to science and philosophy. We took some Tukarese, but ultimately did not continue this, because we have not had a lot of support for that language: it was offered when we lived in Luxon, but not here in the capital. And in these last few years, we have been studying Valruzian- We hope that will lead to studies in other languages, like Skittian. Someday, our desire is to learn Lurrian as well. But that language is so different from any of the Selucian based, Dundorfic or Delic languages. It's pretty much its own thing, and we do not know if we will have time to do that and be the Empress at the same time.
CN: Is Her Imperial Majesty looking forward to her semester abroad?
CA: Absolutely. We have never been out of the Empire, unless you count Athosia. This will be our first trip abroad, and so it will be very exciting for us. A little scary, we think: Valruzia is a very different culture from ours here in Kalistan. Different food, different music, very different language, different politics. Its a little intimidating, but we had the chance to speak with the President of Valruzia when she visited us in April, and she, and everyone else, assured us that Valruzia will do all they can to make us welcomed, and make us feel safe, secure, and at liberty. We believe they will.
CN: When will Her Imperial Majesty travel to Nowagard?
CA: We will depart Ananto in early August, soon after our 17th Birthday. Our Chancellor is sending a governess with us who will act as a chaperone and assistant. Lady Donahue has also retained a full staff for us in Valruzia. We of course, do not need a babysitter, but the Government would not approve the trip if we had refused the Governess, so we figured we would lodge an official objection. It was 'noted' and they decided to send a governess anyway. And a whole staff.
CN: Who was named governess?
CA: It's Lady Marian Kinzer from Dana. She is the daughter of the Count there.
CN: Does she get along well with Her Imperial Majesty?
CA: I think they had 'Big sister' in mind...
NA (from the couch): Your Majesty, mind your pronouns, please.
CA: Please excuse us: We think they had 'big sister' in mind when they selected her. She's thirty, likes terrible music, and doesn't speak a word of Valruzian. We wish they would have picked a different person. But we suppose if this is the only way we are going to get to study in Valruzia, it is not a hill we care to die on.
CN: What sort of music does Her Imperial Majesty enjoy?
CA: We like .350 Legend. We know there is a FOMAT coming up. It is our hope that they go to represent Kalistan. We believe they can actually win for once. Kalistan has had some bad luck in the last few contests, but of course, the good side is, there is a ton of good music in the world now. Kind of a double edged sword, if we're being honest. On the one had, Kalistan never wins anymore, but on the other hand, it means that lots of nations around the world have caught up and are producing excellent and very popular music, so that is really positive. We shouldn't be upset about it: We should see it as being lucky to live in an era with such awesome talent all over the world.
CN: Speaking of the world, Her Imperial Majesty is on the record as being interested in world languages, world cultures, classical philosophy, and travel and new experiences. That is a very cosmopolitan worldview.
CA: Well thank you.
CN: My pleasure. But I just have to ask Her Imperial Majesty: Does this suggest a return to a more international policy when she assumes her Throne?
CA: How do you mean, Madame?
CN: Her Imperial Majesty is clearly interested in other nations. Will this lead to a more cooperative position with other nations in the future?
CA: We do not fully understand what you are asking us. Do you mean to suggest that we don't cooperate with other nations right now?
CN: Well, we know that, for example, Lady Donahue tends to support a strong Kalistan First, very nationalist policy, while the Foreign Minister seems to adopt a more conciliatory tone in his relations.
CA: We should expect so, they are different people.
CN: Where will Her Imperial Majesty fall on the range from the Foreign Minister to the Chancellor in terms of her foreign policy?
CA: (After some thought,) We think you have perhaps a different idea than we do. We believe you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar. Does that mean we are not in the bee catching business anymore? No. As we have learned, the entire reason our monarchy exists is to provide unified and continuous policy, both here in Kalistan and toward the world. Our policy toward other nations is exactly what it is and has always been. If it serves Kalistan, we shall do it. Until it stops serving our nation. We make friends with those nations who wish, sincerely to be friends with us. And those nations who are either ambivalent or hostile may as well not even exist in this country. Its very easy to understand: it is one of the first things we learned about Kalistani history in school. There is no daylight between Madame Donahue and Sir Harney: their disagreements are, we believe the correct terms is, tactical, not strategic. Did we explain that well?
CN: We believe Her Imperial Majesty did.
CA: Ms. Northern, Kalistan remembers its debts, and it remembers its compliments. The best way for other nations to show that they like Kalistan is for them to just show that they like us. It's very straight forward. We hate disingenuity and subterfuge in Kalistan, as a rule, especially when it is directed at us. Honesty and straightforwardness is the best policy. Take, for example, our friends in Valruzia. It doesn't even need to be a big thing that they did. But Valruzia showed that they sincerely wanted to be our friends by offering to help our nation recover the lost bodies of our family. That was a personal favor and kindness to our grieving family, and it meant everything to our aunt and ourself.
Compare that to the visit by Luthori. We don't have an issue with anything that happened while the Luthorian Foreign Secretary visited our nation. The conversation, to our understanding went ok, as would be expected. But we also read that they concluding major trade deals with places like Egelion and Nadiya. They signal who their friends are by the things they do. We understand what they are doing: Their foreign policy is self-focused as ours is, and Kalistan doesn't have a lot to offer Luthori that Luthori can use to turn into influence for itself and its people in our region. Egelion and Trigunia are more attractive in that sense. Valruzia vs. Luthori, its a different relationship, we suppose, and there is a reason we will be much happier to work with Valruzia in the future: they demonstrate that they want Kalistani friendship much more effectively, even if they really get not a lot out of it themselves. We like our friends: there might not be anything materially secured for Kalistan or Valruzia in our interaction, but this is how you lay a solid foundation for long term cooperation, which is something that seems to elude those nations who believe their whole purpose is to expand their influence in the world, and Kalistan is just supposed to be a part of that plan.
CN: Are there any other nations that Her Imperial Majesty is looking at who is doing things right in her view?
CA: We are impressed with the efforts that Xsampa and Istalia are making to reach out to our nation. We read that Xsampa has just opened an embassy in our capital, and this pleases us greatly. We have heard stories from our Aunt about her adventures surfing and modelling in Xsampa. It is our desire at some point to visit Xsampa. It will likely await until after our coronation, but we also know that Kalistan is taking its initial steps to rebuild our own diplomatic presence in Xsampa. They demonstrate that they are interested in building a solid and lasting relationship with us in doing so, and it will make it easier for us in the future to overlook any differences in policies our two nations may have.
Istalia is another example. Our Foreign Minister attended the funeral for the late Emperor and then was back in the nation for the Coronation. He went because the Istalians took the time to invite us. We believe that there will be a lot of opportunities for Kalistan and Istalia to cooperate in the future. We are also encouraged by the attitude Tel Bira maintains toward our nation. They recently hosted Mr. Maxwell, the leader of the Yeudi Community here in Kalistan, and his wife, and allowed him to see much of the holy sights for his people and his religion. That was generous of them, and we believe it will satisfy Mr. Maxwell, who recently disagreed over the decision we made to send the Hulanevek to safety in Hutori. We appreciate Tel Bira's hospitality of Kalistani nationals in their homeland, because this shows that Kalistanis are welcome to visit. it also is an example of policy that bodes well for future cooperation.
See? Simple.
CN: How about enemies?
CA: Kalistan has no enemies. We only have those who disagree that we should exist.
CN: But surely Her Imperial Majesty can identify nations that Kalistan has had long disagreements with.
CA: We do not see those nations as enemies. We can resolve differences of policy. That's easy. There is only one issue that we can never seem to resolve, an outstanding issue as old as our Empire. That is the issue of Athosia. But since we can't seem to resolve it, it doesn't keep us up at night: There is nothing we can do about it, so worrying about the fact that another nation continues to illegally and illegitimately possess our property and our rightful national patrimony is as pointless as worrying that we can't flap our arms and fly to Athosia. Someday we will obtain what is ours. Today will not be that day.
CN: Does Her Imperial Majesty have a strategy for doing something about Egelian expansion?
CA: It's not an issue for us.
CN: Is Her Imperial Majesty not concerned at all about Egelion eclipsing Kalistan?
CA: Not really. Kalistan found hemispheric defense to be incredibly expensive. It got us into wars that we didn't want to be in. Egelion seems to have infinite resources to do that: let them do it. We are on good terms with Egelion. They seem to be popular with other nations in Terra. Let them put their blood and treasure on the line to defend a world order. Kalistan is focused on Seleya, which is where our focus should be. If Egelion wants to be a global power, how does that affect the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan in any way?
CN: I suppose it doesn't.
CA: Ms. Northern. Are you sure you aren't from The Republic rather than La Moda? These hardly seem like fashion and cultural questions.
CN: Her Imperial Majesty has a point. I guess these are questions that Kalistanis are asking, I just happen to get to ask them to Her Imperial Majesty.
CA: Fair enough. Props for your bravery. And thank you for your honesty.
CN: Going back to fashion, then. Has Her Imperial Majesty had the opportunity to tour the Gem Vault?
CA: Of course. Many times.
CN: Is it as lavish as we are all led to believe?
CA: It is difficult to say: We are not sure what it is you are led to believe.
CN: Well, that it is filled with thousands upon thousands of precious stones, gold, silver and other rare and expensive treasures.
CA: If that is the case, then I'll say! There is so much stuff in there, I can't even believe it.
NA: Caroline! Pronouns. Using that word is illegal.
CA: (rolls her eyes at her aunt) Our aunt is right. We need to keep practicing. Forgive us once again.
CN: Her Imperial Majesty hasn't hurt me any by it.
CA: We do not wish to violate the law, especially on the record.
CN: Shall I edit that part out of the transcript?
CA: No, absolutely not. We shouldn't pretend to be perfect. It might be a good thing for our people to be able to see us as a human, so they don't expect us to never make a mistake.
CN: Will Her Imperial Majesty be bound by House Law when she is in Valruzia?
CA: When in Auroria, we must do as the Aurorians do. Even though we will have a governess, who is there to represent the Chancellor and our Aunt, and she may be directed to try to maintain the Protocol, nobody can force the Valruzians to follow our laws. We sure will not expect them to. And then when we enter National Service, we will have obtained our majority and can suspend the Protocol as we please, and there is nothing anyone can do about that.
NA: We'll talk about that later, Your Majesty.
CA: We are sure we will. At any rate... To answer your original question, yes there are more gems in the Vault than we could ever count. Tons and tons of them, and more gold and silver than exists anywhere else in this nation, or probably the whole continent. House Ananto has been collecting their horde for centuries.
CN: Does your collection miss the Hulanevek Diamond?
CA: Not at all. Our Aunt believes that that stone had something wrong with it. We don't need to go into it. It has caused our family nothing but hardship and grief. We are glad it is gone.
CN: Well, I am out of questions for Her Imperial Majesty. Does she have any question for me?
CA: Our Duke in Nevaras is named Northern. Are you related to the Duke, Ms. Northern?
CN: I don't believe so. I am from Kaliburg, and lived her all my life.
CA: We are similar then. (the Empress smiled)
CN: I want to thank Her Imperial Majesty so much for giving me so much time to speak with her today, and it was a pleasure to meet you as well, Your Highness.
CA: This was a lot of fun, Ms. Northern. Thank you so much for coming to visit us. If you happen to be in Valruzia after August this year, and want to come see us again, we could do this again, less formally.
CN: I'll see if they give me an assignment.
CA: Indeed. There's a little bit of some formal stuff we have to do now. If you would like to stay for another cup of tea, you would be welcomed to do so, but we believe that we are due at the National Assembly this afternoon.
CN: I thank Her Imperial Majesty for the offer but I'm afraid I am driving home and don't want to be too impaired.
CA: Very well, then, we will wish you a fantastic rest of your day.
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The National Officially Calls for Annexation
Paper reflects mounting pressure to consider annexation
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 20, 5690
The National publishes propaganda designed to whip Kalistanis for annexation
The editorial board of Kalistan's primary conservative newspaper The National has come out for annexation of Athosia. "It is the pressing National and Foreign Policy issue of our time," Editor Michael Winters wrote in his Op-Ed. "We are prepared to put significant pressure and money behind this cause to settle our border issues with Baltusia once and for all, and it is our hope that Her Imperial Majesty, when she attains her Majority, takes this issue up as her first agenda item."
The discussions around Athosia have been swirling in Kalistan for Generations, which the issue being huge especially for nationalists, who maintain that Athosia was stolen from Kalistan by a coalition of Luthorian backed puppets in Northern Seleya in the 19th Century, and was forcibly attached to the Luthorian dominated kingdom of Baltusia. "The Baltusian state at the time had no legitimacy: they were entirely controlled as a direct colony by Luthori as it was building its empire in Seleya and it was used as a vehicle to strip Kalistani lands from Suldanor. Athosia was taken during the Plateau Wars to provide Luthori with a port on the Anantonese Ocean, and at that point, it was lost, for centuries, to Kalistan."
Winters' somewhat romanticized history about summary oppression of Kalistani citizens, ethnic cleansing following the seizure of the territory and Athosia's role in Suldanoran and Kalistani history nonetheless rings true with many irredentists in Kalistan, including Nationalist politicians and often the Ruling Family themselves. The subject is a sore spot for generations of Kalistani monarchs who re-formalized their claims to the strip of land on the Anantonese coast 136 years ago under Emperor Fredrick II Ananto. The claims were informal before that point, but were made periodically over history for centuries.
This push for renewed attention on Athosia comes as Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor nears her 17th birthday and will soon after travel to Valruzia to study language and philosophy in Nowagard. "We need to make sure she is aware of this issue," said Winters. "It is important to Kalistanis across the political spectrum. Kalistani national pride dictates that we do what we need to take back what is ours, and frankly Kalistani Nationalists are tired of waiting. It's time to settle the disputed border stuff, in a way that sees Athosia return home once and for all time."
The issue, which is percolating in the National Assembly seems to be giving Her Imperial Majesty's Government a bit of a headache. Chancellor of the Empire Lady Ericka Donahue has reportedly held private meetings with Winters and his staff. According to sources close to the Chancellor, she reportedly told him to cool it on the Athosia talk because Her Imperial Majesty cannot legally create policy one way or another, and pushing the issue now puts the Government in an awkward position of getting ahead of Imperial policy, which is not something she will do.
Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Sir Thomas Harney, was a bit less discrete when talking about the issue. "Kalistan would love to see Athosia be reannexed. All of us would. Every single last Kalistani believes this. But are we willing to go to war over the matter? I don't think there is any appetite for that. Are we willing to face becoming international pariahs? I am fairly certain that the Princess Regent instructed me to do exactly NOT that. We know this Duchy belongs to Kalistan. But in the current framework and under the current national law, we can't just go take it. That's illegal, and unless that law is overturned, I think our friends at The National are wasting their breath."
Others actively support the campaign by the Paper, and have agreed to plaster the posters in Kalistani Cities. "We really think its time that Kalistan stood up for itself and stopped getting pushed around by the world, who for some ridiculous reason, always seems to have Baltusia's back in this struggle," said Carl Paulson, of Lucid, Kalistan's border crossing with Athosia. "I'm sick to death of looking just across this river and seeing the Baltusian flag. That land is Kalistani, and we hope to make it clear that we will support going and getting it back.
Others are helping to fund "Back to Athosia" campaigns, where well-to-do Kalistanis are funding emmigre agencies specifically aimed at repopulating Athosia with Kalistani Nationals. "The Government in Baltusia is currently moribund, and Athosia is a land of opportunity for many Kalistani workers who would like to, you know, buy a plot of land, grow food, and make a killing selling it to the locals and back to Kalistan," said Martin Hernandez-Uvalle, who runs the non-profit organization known as "Reclaim Athosia" in Yoshimi. "Our organization aims to provide them with seed funds, all provided by donations, of course, to do just that. If our government isn't going to do it, maybe its time we did it ourselves." Hernandez claims that more than 400 Kalistani farmers have already moved to Athosia and have bought land to clear and farm. Most of the land, according to Hernandez, is between Playa de Paz and San Luis City. "It's about filling things in," he said.
Her Highness, Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins has not issued a public statement on The National's call, but she also has not condemned it either. The National's Editorial Board stands by its Op-Ed and it's public calls for annexation.
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Editorial: Kalistan must not fall for Cryptocurrency
Market based "solutions" only ever just create problems
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
August 15, 5690
The math of cryptocurrency, like all other market-based ideas, doesn't add up
Note from the Editor: This article was inspired by news of a new environmentally based cryptocurrency issued by the Empire of Istalia. We wish to preface the article by stating that this is not contra to that idea specifically, but is being written against cryptocurrencies in general. We sincerely wish Istalia well with their experiments, though, as economic nationalists, we cannot say we have much optimism.
Kalistan must not fall for Cryptocurrency
In light of world developments, and in my position of Editor of The National, I'd like to take this opportunity to compose a brief paper arguing that Kalistan should not adopt Cryptocurrency. I would like to immediately dispel any notion that this is an unbiased, balance academic paper that presents the results of scientific investigation. As editor of the Paper, I am more of a technician than anything. I am certainly not an academic, nor am I an economist. However, I am an ardent Kalistani Nationalist and I think this position reflects the position of my magazine's readers, and should resemble a position familiar to economic nationalists world wide.
Kalistan ought to avoid Cryptocurrency schemes because it puts the value of the currency into the market and outside of the control of the Central Government. So-Called market based solutions only ever create problems when vital state operations, like backing a medium of exchange, are subjected to the forces of interested individuals making individually rational calculations. This undermines all manner of the state's ability to utilize its national institutions to resolve social problems, like poverty, hunger and un- and under employment. It further puts both the national currency and the investment community at the mercy of foreign investors. It opens the system to corruption and lack of transparency, and ultimately undermines National Interests. Therefore, Kalistan should not fall for Cryptocurrency schemes: In fact, we would take the additional step of advocating that the National Government to fully ban all cryptocurrency in Kalistan.
Before we get into this argument, allow me to present an analogy. We are all familiar with the trope of a crowded theater on fire. I'm changing the analogy because I am fairly confident that people do not simply yell "fire" in a crowded theater, and so that event is quite beyond belief and is obviously dangerous to public order. But lets suppose the theater is actually on fire, a far more realistic scenario. This situation introduces a logical paradox: In the attempt to save one's life, the most rational thing to do is to rush as fast as you possibly can to the exit to escape roasting to death in a theater. Problem is: there are several thousand other people all thinking the same thing at the same time and the result is only a handful ever actually escape while the vast majority, prevented from escape by the individuals in front of them who are clogging the doorway.
This paradox, in doing the individually rational thing, we often create collective irrationality, is magnified at the National level, where we see individual actors, always acting in their own interests to serve their own individual needs and wants, ultimately destroying the systems that provided them the means to pursue their own ends in the first place. At the national level we call it the tragedy of the Commons, and it explains why an unregulated system, under the sway of rational egoism, will always contain within itself the seeds of its own demise. The Capitalists themselves know this as well as the nationalists. Liberal economists and philosophers alike have warned since the beginning of their theoretical perspective about how, despite their desire to remove the government because it acts as a brake on rational self interest, it was nonetheless still important to have a neutral judge overseeing the entire system to prevent individuals from abusing the system to everyone's detriment.
And yet, its liberals also that call the market "self-regulating": they argue that individual rational self interests cancel each other in the system, but this is premised on the assumption that all individual rational self interest is a) identical in weight in the calculus, and 2) identical to one another. What is rational and beneficial to me is what any reasonable person would also see as rational and beneficial to themselves, because there is only one "rationality". And further more, my rational self interest as a CEO of a major corporation holds the same exact weight in any discussion about wages as the rational self interest of any one worker, or any 3000 workers. "We all want the same thing and we are all equally able to pursue that in a correctly ordered economy," argues the liberal. Any worker who has ever been on strike, or any individual priced out of their home by a bunch of gentrifying yuppies in a suddenly trendy neighborhood will tell you that is a lie.
And yet, these same deeply flawed assumptions lie at the heart of the cryptocurrency concept. We can say its a scheme, for sure, or it has become one, because while the idea is extremely democratic at its core: All investors who have the ability to understand blockchain can see just how much of a cryptocurrency has been "mined" or published or released or however you would like to describe it, how much is outstanding and how much is in the possession of investors at any given time, and therefore can know the value of any one cryptocurrency, and should be able to easily make sound investment decisions based on that public ledger. Sure, wonderful. Democracy. Yay. In Istalia's plan, its supply will be based on compliance with environmental goals, but really, it could be just based on math really. Nothing against Istalia's scheme, but you could arrive at the same place by not tying it to environmental goals, but ironically linking it to environmentally destructive practices instead like building massive data centers that waste huge amounts of energy and resources just to mine the token.
But that's not exactly how valuation is determined, is it? Let's be completely honest about this. Crypto valuation is based on speculation: Not how much its worth now, but how much it will be worth soon. If we bet it will be worth more soon, we invest in it. Supply and demand being what it is, the valuation goes up. If we feel its not going up as fast as we want it too, we'll pull our investment out and put it else where. Supply and demand etc, and the value drops. It has nothing to do really with how much of it is there. And at any rate, who cares how much is there? It doesn't have any inherent value in and of itself: The market determines its value. It's not even a real thing: it's just a token in an online public ledger somewhere.
Cryptocurrency therefore reveals itself to be just another market based commodity, only valuable because others want it, or not because they don't. Like Gold, or oil, whose valuations are also based on speculative tendencies, rather than on anything real. Except unlike gold and oil, which have practical uses other than "just buying stuff" crypto itself is not even something you can change into anything other than just other forms of wealth. It is a wealth carrying commodity in this sense, but with very little practical fungibility.
Which, surprisingly enough is exactly like fiat currency at the end of the day. That then begs the question then: if fiat currency already is a thing, why would we need a cryptocurrency that does exactly the same thing? The answer is in who controls the currency. The crypto folks will say that this is democracy wresting the power of value away from the evil state, which is horribly opaque and ruins lives by using currency as an instrument of foreign policy. Just another restatement is "State Bad because me not state..." Cryptocurrency is founded as a direct competitor of the State in one of its most basic functions, which is to back and ensure the value of a common medium of exchange. It takes very specific aim at the concept of sovereignty.
But who backs Cryptocurrency, if not the evil state? In theory its the block chain, but lets be real again: its actually just the same people who determine the value of the cryptocurrency in the market. We're not talking about the mom and pops out there who are like "Hmmm, I have a few extra Rubles this month, I think I'll buy a Cryptocoin." No, the value of the currency is not set by that couple, or a million couples just like them. The value is set by the huge institutional investors, who move billions of rubles around in trades every day, from one commodity or another. If that investor says that they think Crypto is worth an investment, their act of investing will drive up the value of that commodity. Just like every other commodity out there. Not that we are saying there is anything particularly wrong with that: We just want the crypto people to be honest about it. And by claiming its the democracy of the market, they certainly are not, which undermines any theoretical justification for establishing an alternative to the status quo of the State-based currency.
Crypto then is shown to be a tool that the wealthy use to aggrandize their wealth. Do you think if Miramar invests in something in the KalSiE, it won't make other institutional investors follow suit, if for no other reason, than for fear of missing out? And do you think that if Miramar divests in something, others won't follow it? That would be insane if you did. Since the wealthy therefore are the primary beneficiaries of crypto, we see then who its really for. Of course the wealthy would be interested in something that acts just like fiat currency and is valued exactly like market based currency, but isn't controlled by the State. Of course they would. Because they use it to get wealthy. And since its market based, the liberals will argue that there is nothing anyone can or should do to stop wealthy institutional investors from being able to invest or divest in things, regardless of what that does to the miniscule life savings of mom and pop who also invested trying to secure a nest egg for the future, but were wiped out one day because Miramar was losing a fraction of a cent on each cryptocoin and decided to put its money elsewhere. Miramar will be fine, while millions of small timers will be wiped out. And Miramar isn't exactly establishing a "survivors fund" for the people whose lives are ruined by their financial decisions.
This sets investors up as competitors against the State. And serves to undermine national interests. If I am investor and have a choice of investing in some thing, or some thing else, both identical in function and action, and one has less restrictions on it and I can more directly control it, of course I will choose the one I can control over the one I don't control. As a rational individual. Because that's what a reasonable person with my same capacity for action and same desire for individual autonomy would do in that case. However, in most societies, especially liberal nations, political power is denominated in units of wealth. Kalistan has thankfully striven to undermine this connection between wealth and power, but most nations of the world still denominate their political influence in terms of dollars, or pounds, or fleurs or dinar or whatever. And if I control a system that theoretically allows me to print money, as successful cryptocurrency schemes do, I am basically also printing political power, and substituting what is good for society with what is good for me.
Ergo: I get out of the theater while everyone else dies. What do I care? I survived.
I find myself less willing to support things that are considered social goods, because I don't benefit from them myself. Things like poverty prevention, housing for all, food for all, peace, medical treatment, and in an especially ironic twist, environmental regulations, because they undermine my profitability, and I don't specifically benefit from them. And since I am printing my own political power by manipulating markets, my vote will almost always outvote the masses who need all of these things. I don't care: I don't need the state to provide these things, when I can get them myself and not even put a dent in my vast wealth. And the state listens to me when I tell them I want my taxes lowered, the nation's defense budget increased, and some rinky dink developing nation without a military invaded to make it easier for me to do business there, whether or not that benefits the people of the country at all. And whether that is even in the National Interest in any way.
I also get the government to prefer trade policies that benefit me, including financial liberalism policies that allow me to move my money beyond the reach of the greedy state who just wants to take my money to give to poor people. The issue with that of course is that liberalization works both ways: It opens the door for others to come into this country and do shady things as well, like buying thriving domestic industries, laying off most of the work force and parting the company out for profit maximization and then writing off whatever is left. To keep those investments here, the State will ultimately make policies beneficial to others which seek to exploit our openness, including those that undermine environmental sustainability. We sacrifice our sovereignty with every demand from a foreign nation that we capitulate to so they will keep their investments here. And after a while, we aren't a state anymore, but a colony. But I never had a reason to defend my nation from that happening, because my money is in a separate system called Cryptocoin, which I can move all over the place. Until a bigger fish gets into the market and ruins me the way I ruined the moms and pops before. And then I am without a fortune, and without a sovereign nation.
You may object that all of this is also possible with fiat currency. We know because this is how companies act in actual liberal economies. Like voracious vampires that prey upon the life blood of countless millions. Yes, that is true: Capitalists do this. But, the one thing a national currency has over crypto (remember, I said they were basically the same thing) is that there is a Central Bank which is, at least in theory, governed by institutional rules and oversight which can actually control a lot of this sort of excess if they starts undermining the public good. To be clear, capitalism is corrosive to the public good, the same way that putting 2000 people into an auditorium with only four exits and then deliberately lighting the theater on fire is corrosive to the public good. But in a state based currency, at least, in the presence of political will, we can control the excesses, and limit and channel the damage the destructive tendencies of liberal capitalism has. Or, in our analogy, at least the theater has its own fire department in case the place starts on fire. In crypto currency, it merely trusts the panicking theater goers to go fight the fire.
This is a grim scenario, but what is more grim is that most cryptocurrencies fail, and by fail, I mean catastrophically. Few Crypto-schemes end up with a long profitable career. So what happens to most of the wealth that was locked up in the multitudes of failed ones? Well, you guessed it: It goes right into the pockets of the large institutional investors that had the ability to get out before the whole thing collapsed. They took the payout, and in doing so, ensured that everyone else would be left holding the bag of sewage. Most schemes end up being nothing but a transfer of wealth upwards. Institutional investors know this, the little guys don't.
At the end of the day, crypto currency, which trusts the market to regulate it, when the market is a concept rather than an actual institution, with institutional actors, who possess and wield institutional power to prevent abuse and corruption, opens itself up to and fully encourages the worst impulses of economic actors and then ties the hands of anyone who would do anything about it. It's undermines the political demands for social goods in the society, it encourages the state to create policy for the benefit of institutional investors, and it causes the state to go to war, destroy the environment, and open itself up to malicious entities who themselves have no problem using state power to weaken and harm other nations. It does this by creating a competing legitimacy that takes aim at the foundations of state sovereignty itself, and it only benefits the wealthy and powerful, at the expense of everyone else.
We cannot support the proliferation of crypto-currency in Kalistan, and we encourage our government to flat out outlaw it, because it is harmful to the National Interest and the public good. Kalistan must not fall for the false promises of Cryptocurrency: these market based "solutions" only create problems for everyone.
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Despite Security Questions, Empress in Waiting enjoying Valruzia
She is "making friends and learning a lot"
Nowagard, Valruzia
September 20, 5690
Her Imperial Majesty at home Kowalski home in Nowagard
Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor is settling in to her studies in the Valruzian capital. She has enrolled in Studies at the University of Nowagard, where she is learning Valruzian, as well as general education studies.
"Her Imperial Majesty is doing very well in her classes," said Lady Ursula Gattlin, personal spokeswoman for Her Highness, Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins. "She was enrolled at the university level, even though in Kalistan she is only a senior in High School because it was agreed between the Valruzian government and the Royal Family that the University would be both the most rewarding experience for Her Imperial Majesty and would also provide the Empress in Waiting with a challenge which would certainly keep her occupied and out of trouble."
Lady Gattlin said that the young Monarch is making friends among her peers who view her as a curiosity, but otherwise pay no attention to Kalistani Protocol. "Her Highness the Princess Regent has ordered Lady Marian Kinzer, who is serving as the Empress in Waiting's chaperone to relax the protocol, especially in regard to Valruzians who are not used to dealing on a day to day basis with foreign monarchs. Her Highness said she wants Her Imperial Majesty to have a full experience and let things happen organically, without a bunch of social rules about who talks to whom, or whatever. Her Imperial Majesty has already got the opportunity to attend a few age appropriate social events with the friends she is making."
There were initial concerns about security for the visiting monarch. "The Royal Family would like to congratulate the city government for getting the security concerns they had worked out. The Princess Regent has said there have been no known security issues, much to her relief, and the Valruzians are doing a lot of work to keep the Sovereign safe and also to remain as transparent and non-intrusive as possible." Lady Gattlin said that the Kowalsi Estate, where Her Imperial Majesty is lodging this semester, is private and secure, and Kalistani security patrols inside the walls.
"The public curiosity around the Empress in Waiting seems to have calmed down as she began going to school," said Lady Gattlin. "When Her Imperial Majesty initially landed, there was significant interest among the people, who turned up when it was discovered that she was out and about. But The Regent allowed her to give some interviews to the both the press and had some public meet and greets in August, and it turns out that Valruzians for the most part got their fill." The Empress in Waiting doesn't exactly have a lot of media training: Many people reported to the press around her public appearances that she was kind of awkward like a lot of kids her age, rather boring and tended to speak too long in broken and slow Valruzian to answer fairly simple questions.
"Many Valruzians said that they felt she was a good kid, but a bit of a nerd. But, let's not forget, she is only 17 years old" said Lady Gattlin, "and has lived a very sheltered life thus far. While that news about Valruzia's early verdict of the Empress in Waiting's personality greatly pleased both the Princess Regent and the Chancellor of the Empire, most of the Valruzians were for the most part disappointed, and eventually stopped trying to see her." The paparazzi feeding frenzy has so far not materialized.
This has freed the Empress in Waiting to actually attend classes with minimal disruption for her fellow students. "Her Imperial Majesty is big news in Kalistan, but its not the person as much as the institution that people in this nation revere. That institution doesn't exist there. Her Imperial Majesty is therefore just another kid in a class whose strength is more her curiosity and inquisitiveness rather than her brilliance. She has enough of the command of the Valruzian language to understand much of what is being taught, and has asked her professors only speak Valruzian in class so she can learn the language, that she feels that she can keep up with the level of instruction, but only just. Some of her classmates are attempting to take her under their wing to help her study, which is quite a different response than was expected, based on student protests this summer."
In the evenings, when the Empress in Waiting is not studying, is getting to experience Valruzian society, including local music, food venues and even political events. "The Empress in Waiting had the opportunity to attend a political debate sponsored by youth leaders from the three leading parties, Sovereign Valruzia, Forward Valruzia and the Communist Party of Valruzia. The event's purpose was to encourage the college students to get active in politics of the Voivodeship and the nation. The Empress in Waiting was impressed by the program of all three speakers and was able to ask the representative of the Communist Party, who graciously indulged her, a lot of questions about the basics of Communism."
Her Imperial Majesty also has an excellent mentor in President Urszula Pawlik, who she has had the opportunity to shadow weekly since she has been in the country." Gattlin added that Her Imperial Majesty is in no danger of becoming a republican or a communist. "She's a curious girl, and it is natural that she is going to want to learn directly from the people who know best."
Overall, The Royal Family and Her Imperial Majesty's government are very pleased with the experience Her Imperial Majesty is having in Valruzia so far. "It is Her Highness, the Princess Regent's hope that, in addition to the Empress in Waiting's getting the opportunity to do this fun and educational thing which she has wanted to do for a while, and worked very hard to get ready to fully take advantage of this trip, she also gains some confidence and skills that will help her deal with all kinds of people when she is finally crowned. But most of all, the Royal Family feels that this trip is building and strengthening a very strong personal affinity for the people and nation of Valruzia in the Empress in Waiting. This partnership will be crucial as the Empress takes the Throne, and is a key alliance in Northern Seleya.
"The Princess Regent is confident that Her Imperial Majesty can improve people's personal impression of her later," said Gattlin. "But right now, what is most important was that Her Imperial Majesty just be herself, so that she can focus in school and enjoy her time in Valruzia and not worry about what people think of her personality. She is not going to have this kind of opportunity ever again, so the Royal Family is certainly hoping that she is able to get the absolute most out of it."
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Chancellor speaks on Corruption in Bank Probe
Warns of rise of possible organized criminality associated with Bookmakers' Association
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 30, 5690
Chancellor of the Empire announces results of Banking probe at National Assembly
"The bottom line here is that there appears to be a fairly large group of entities involved in widespread corruption and criminality in Suldanor, and we aren't even at the end of it yet," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue on the floor of the National Assembly. She was releasing the report of the Commission to investigate banking irregularities linked to the Sulari Bookmaking Association, which oversees most gambling in the Empire. "It appears that the corruption touches several legitimate institutions and suggests that we have a much larger problem in Kalistan than just accounting errors."
The summary of findings shows that the Bookmaking Association had "over reported" more than ₭70 million Imperial Rubles over just the last three years to the Imperial Republican Bank for tax purposes. "What this means is that they told Kalistani revenue agents that they earned 70 million more Imperial Rubles than they actually deposited. It would seem absurd that a company would pay more in taxes than they actually earned, which was the thing that tipped us off to this activity in the first place." The Chancellor said the report implicates the Bookmakers' Association of diverting profits and earnings into the hands of outside individuals, causing discrepancies between bank deposits and tax reports.
"Normally, tax cheats underreport their earnings, to pay lower taxes than they were legally required to," said the Chancellor. "But overpayment of taxes suggests money laundering activities, not tax evasion. But, why would the Bookmakers' Association, who does, by the way, fabulously well, need to launder their money, when they are the agency that holds the public trust for overseeing both on and off track betting and parimutuel betting, as well as online betting and most table games in casinos, unless one or both of two things was true: a) the money they were paying taxes on was not their money, and/or b) the money they were paying taxes on was illicitly obtained, came in dirty and needed to be cleaned. The investigation suggests that there is a possibility that some organization outside of the Bookmakers Association was being used by another organization to clean money, and at that sum, the suggestion leads to organized crime."
The Chancellor said that the investigation into the bank discrepancies, which was due to present a final report this month, has been turned into a more formal probe of the connection between the Bookmakers and organized crime. "We are not pointing any fingers right now, but we have people and organizations of interest that we are beginning to look into," said the Chancellor, who did not want to reveal many details. Some Party insiders suggest that the targets are foreign mafia who are using Kalistan to clean money, both others insist that the targets are domestic.
"I feel confident that they are investigating the Bank of Suldanor as a part of this, as they were the primary holders of the Bookmakers' Association's accounts," said one source familiar with the report who spoke on condition of anonymity. "There are also ties to some civil society organizations in Kalistan Proper that are involved in low level racketeering in Sulari, but it is really unlikely that the amount of criminality in some of those illegal sectors would generate the kinds of revenue we are seeing the Bookemaker's Association probe investigating. The Justice Ministry has a huge job ahead of it as it expands the probe, and I do not think the results will be flattering to anyone touched by this."
The Chancellor stressed that the Bookmakers' Association has not been formally charged as an entity, nor have any of its members or regulators. "We still do have the presumption of innocence in this Empire," said Lady Donahue, "and this probe is only pointing out that concerns about irregularities are founded in fact. We still aren't sure about why there is the discrepancy, if the Association is directly involved or was involved without its knowledge, or what the motive force for these discrepancies could be. More importantly, we also do not know who this investigation touches. So it is premature to make any assertions along those lines at this early time. Just rest assured, Her Imperial Majesty's Justice Minister has been given full authority and whatever resources she needs to adequately investigate this issue, and if she brings indictment after that, we will deal with that issue when we get there."
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Car Explosion in Sulari kills 4
Justice Minister believed to be target
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
January 12, 5691
Sedan owned by Justice Minister is destroyed in downtown Sulari, Justice Minister is unharmed
A deadly car blast claimed the lives of four people in Sulari this afternoon. The automobile, registered to Her Imperial Majesty's Justice Minister, the Honorable Gale Wilson was travelling from her house to the mechanic for annual maintenance. It was being driven by Wilson's normal driver, Miguel Buckingham when it exploded on the 2300 block of Santa Barbara, killing Buckingham immediately. A car passing in the other lane, driven by Dianne Pritchard collided with the vehicle which was out of control. Pritchard and her passenger Vera Thomas were killed in the collision. The blast also killed Orlando Galloway, who was a pedestrian on the sidewalk, while injuring 10 others. All families of the diseased had been notified before press time by local authority.
The injured were taken immediately to the local hospital, while Buckingham and the others were declared dead on the scene. The blast was serious enough that the resulting shockwave damaged local buildings, shattering picture windows in storefronts, and showering customers inside of the stores with glass. EMTs arrived on the scenes and immediately extinguished any lingering flames, but the wreckage of the Justice Minister's car was far too extensive for it to give any immediate evidence of the type of explosive, where it was located, or how it was detonated. The wreckage is being transferred to the Sulari Forensics Bureau, attached to the Free City's Police Department and Crime Investigation unit, for further analysis.
A spokesperson for the National Government said that they believed the Justice Minister was the target of the attack. "Her Imperial Majesty's Justice Minister said that she had intended to drive the car later this week to Eshar to take the ferry to Kaliburg," said Government spokesperson Sydney Moore. "This morning, she had noticed that her battery coolant levels were low, and also wanted her back tires replaced. So, at the last minute, this afternoon, she arranged to have the vehicle dropped off with her regular mechanic, and would pick the car up tomorrow to take it north and then cross over to Kaliburg." Wilson, whose primary home is in Sulari, was to return to the Capital after the new year holiday to resume work on the Bookmakers Association case that she has been tasked with. The Government believes this explosion was an attempt to injure or kill the Justice Minister to intimidate the Government to drop the case.
So far nobody has issued a statement regarding possible suspects. "Her Imperial Majesty's Government, and especially the Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue, is becoming convinced that the financial discrepancies are the result of organized criminality in Sulari, and each day sees more evidence concerning the operations and the reach of at least one major criminal organization operating just below the surface using institutions in Sulari," said Moore. "She's scratching the surface and finding quite a bit of rot, and the Government believes that this explosion was a warning to the Government telling it to back off."
Her Majesty, the Princess Regent is reportedly working directly on this issue with the Chancellor. "Her Highness, Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins has ordered extra security for Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor, who has safely returned from her studies in Valruzia and is completing her senior year at Kaliburg-South High School, where she is enrolled. Meanwhile, the Princess Regent has ordered additional resources to the Bookmakers' investigation, including an additional bevy of lawyers and police investigators who are charged to identify and interrogate witnesses to uncover links, if any exist between the Bookmakers, the Casinos, the Bank of Suldanor and organized crime."
The Justice Minister will be escorted by the Regular Navy to Kaliburg, where she will remain during the investigation that she is believed to be eager to continue. Santa Barbara Dr., between 2200 and 2500 blocks will be closed until road repairs can be made. Businesses on those blocks are to close temporarily, but business owners will be compensated for lost revenues during the time repairs are conducted. The Free City of Sulari has offered to pay for all funeral expenses of those who were killed in the explosion.
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Justice Minister Declares war on Organized Crime following death of two Sulari Judges
"We are almost certain that we are getting close," says Wilson
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 9, 5691
Hon Gale Wilson addresses reporters following gruesome deaths of two judges investigating Crime syndicate
Her Imperial Majesty's Minister of Justice, Hon. Gale Wilson says the National Government has declared war against organized criminality in Sulari following reports of two separate incidents this weekend. Over the weekend, Justices Nathaniel Meier and Sharron Martinez were both found dead in Sulari. Judge Meier was identified near his car which was parked in Port Elga, while Martinez was found in the street outside of her home. Both Judges were reportedly murdered "as if they were executed" and left to be discovered. Both judges were working with the Ministry to investigate ties between organized crime and last year's Bookmakers Scandal.
"We can't live in a society where judges are being executed by criminals for doing their job and investigating crime," said Minister Wilson. "Working with Her Imperial Majesty's Government and the City Government of Sulari, as well as the County and Duchy, I have asked for resources specifically to set up the Task Force on Organized Crime. Once this office is set up, it will investigate and actively prosecute these cases, so no more judges are put at risk. Our judges try our crimes in court and ought not be targets of criminal intimidation campaigns."
The Bookmakers Association, responding to allegations of connection to organized crime, issued the following statement. "The Bookmakers Association has operated cleanly for more than 140 years. We have no ties now, nor have we ever had ties to organized crime. We do, however, have a sterling reputation for regulation of gaming and wagering which we would prefer that the Justice Ministry stop dragging through the mud unless they are prepared to go to trial with allegations. Kalistan still has the presumption of innocence in all matters, and to date, the Justice Ministry has not indicted a single member or associate of the Bookmakers' Association, much less given anyone their day in court. What they do have is claims that they hope to litigate in the press, which does not give our association an adequate opportunity to defend itself, or to even know who is accusing us of impropriety. To that end, we disassociate ourselves with the Justice Ministry's constant attempts to tie us to organized criminality, game rigging, and racketeering, and now, this alleged intimidation effort done by people who we do not associate with."
The Justice Minister was quick to note in comments to the press, that the Bookmakers' Association did not condemn the attacks against her or the two justices that were found dead in Sulari, nor have they denied the initial allegations of money laundering. "We've never even alleged that they were involved in racketeering or the killing of these two honorable and dedicated public servants. Me thinks they doth protest too much, but it definitely also confirms that the people we are looking into are the right ones." She refrained, once more from naming persons of interest in the investigation, saying instead that it was "ongoing."
It is noteworthy that Minister Wilson said that Justice Meier was a public supporter of AYIC. "We do know that he has been a very vocal advocate and donor, in his capacity as a private citizen, of the Anantonese Yeudi Interest Committee," said Wilson. "He has, however, had a semi-public falling out with the organization over what he termed 'capitulation' to foreign influence. It is uncertain whether that event and his recent death had anything to do with one another."
While the task force on Organized Crime is set up in Sulari, the Justice Minister has asked the City Government to increase security for those associated with the case. "As we saw in January and now this month, Sulari is becoming a dangerous place for people who are doing Her Imperial Majesty's work and trying to bring justice to a bunch of organized thugs. But it's unreasonable for me to ask a whole class of people to leave their homes and move to the relative safety of Ananto. The Free City of Sulari needs to step up to ensure that these relatively easy targets are not picked off so easily." The Sulari police say their investigation of the deaths has yielded no clues as of yet, and are asking anyone who knows anything about the case and can provide credible evidence to step forward and speak with the police.
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Kalistani News in Brief: Empire to introduce Civil Service Reform;
First arrests in Organized Crime Cases; Fear of the Unknown to Represent Kalistan
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 30, 5691
Fear of the Unknown release second album for ARC, Lead Single selected for FOMAT
Empire to Introduce Civil Service Reform
As the National Government fights corruption in Sulari, Kaliburg has announced efforts to reduce favoritism in the National and Civil Services of the Empire. Beginning in June of 5692, all Civil and Foreign Service posts at the level of Consular General and below will be assigned based on scores on a new Civil Service General Battery, or CSGB. The battery will include questions about general Kalistani History and Politics, literacy, logic, both formal and deductive, and ethics. Mathematics will be on the test, but will be used to check the systematic reasoning of individuals, rather than the extent of education. Language skills covering Vrassan, Egelian and an optional additional language will also be tested.
"Her Imperial Majesty feels that it is important that Civil Service Posts are determined by competency, rather than station of one's self or one's parentage," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue. "When Her Highness the Princess Regent proposed the topic in the House of Peers to gauge their opinion on the matter, most of the peers strongly opposed, saying it would force their children to compete against commoners for live long positions in the bureaucracy and the foreign service. Her Imperial Majesty proposed, as a compromise, that the requirement be limited to those at GS-15 rank and below, meaning that Ministry Branch General Managers and Consular Generals (FSO-15) and below are subject to the exams for entrance and promotion, but higher ranks remain purely political appointments." The Peers for the most part seemed willing to accept the arguments of the Princess Regent, speaking for the Empress before the peers, and the Civil Service Reform passed through the National Assembly on a vote of 59-19-1.
In National Service, the practice of Recommendation, by which children of the Peerage and other influential people can obtain preferential placement in the NSP has been officially outlawed, effective immediately by fiat of Her Highness the Princess Regent. This too angered not only many Peers, but also many Institutional Party Members, who nearly defeated the enactment bill in the Legislature and most of whom had benefitted from the long standing practice of recommendation. The Chancellor was able to whip enough votes by pointing out that it was Her Imperial Majesty who dictated the new policy, after being shocked to learn of its existence and prevalence. "The National Service is designed to put people where they will be most use to the Empire, based on their natural aptitudes and interests," said Lady Donahue. "Recommendation distorts that system, and denies positions to qualified yet non-connected conscripts. Her Imperial Majesty believes that NSP is service to the Empire, not service to one's self and one's future, and has asked the Princess Regent to order it outlawed immediately." The practice will be phased completely out over the next six months so it is no longer exists by the time Her Imperial Majesty musters in in September.
First arrests in Organized Crime Cases
Sulari Police have arrested three men implicated in the Bookmakers' probe last year. All three men are employed by the Bank of Suldanor, and work as personal bankers. The men indicted are Salvatore Martinez, Henry Caldwell, and Andrew Segal. Each man handled at least fifty accounts, and together they are responsible for accounts where more than ₭4.5 million is missing. Each man's computer was seized following their arrest, and hard drives were searched thoroughly.
"What was telling," said Connie Stewart of Sulari PD's investigation unit, "was not what we found, but what we didn't find. The most damning information is that many of the records were altered after the investigation was announced and the records of several transactions to and from the bank accounts we are looking at were erased, likely by the men we have indicted. A detailed record was supplied to the Bank, who was ordered to provide bank backups for the days we are looking for, and they have 90 days to comply. The three men are in custody now, and have been arraigned, and the Grand Jury has returned a 35 count indictment for the three men."
Though all men have been formally charged with 35 counts of tampering with bank records in an effort to conceal criminal behavior, bank and wire fraud, and money laundering, they have been put back at liberty pending their trial. "We are not in the practice of holding most people in jail while they await trial," said Stewart. "These men are free on their own recognizance, and retain their rights, including the presumption of innocence." All three men are expected to retain legal representation during the pre-trial period, which is expected to be scheduled in mid-June. Asked if more arrests can be expecting in this developing case, the detective answered simply, and with no irony, "Bet on it."
Fear of the Unknown to Represent Kalistan
Mordusian-Kalistani Art rock band Fear of the Unknown's sophomore release Dihydrogen Monoxide only generated a minor buzz among record buyers last month: the album debuted at number 89 on the Hot 100 Albums Chart. Its first single, the synthoart-acid drenched "Why Would I do it," barely cracked the top 200 singles chart, and didn't even make a dent on the Top 40 Singles chart. Where it did make a bit more of a splash was on the Experimental Chart, where it burst into the Top 20. From there, it developed something of a cult following, and spent all of February and early this month climbing to Number 3 on the Experimental Chart, and, surprisingly to Number 38 on the KRTVN Top 40 Singles Chart.
When voting for FOMAT opened last week, the song was entered for the competition by listeners in Sulari, who wanted the Second City represented in the Contest. After that, the fans of the tune launched a major online campaign to secure enough votes for the song to send it and its performers, the Mordusian-Kalistani immigrant trio Fear of the Unknown to FOMAT to represent the Empire. Coming into the last day of voting, FotU was still in fourth place behind two alternative rock songs and a New Wave of the RF song. But it got a major assist on Friday Morning when Her Imperial Majesty was quoted in Kalistani Rock Monthly as saying she thought that Fear of the Unknown was the most interesting band in Kalistan right now. After that, calls from fans from across the nation called into to vote for the song, and by the end of the day, it was sitting at the top of the poll, having beaten out 12 other competitors.
FotU's Junior Sweeney said he was floored by the outpouring of support. "We always loved you guys," he said to Radio 1, who called him and put him on the air to tell him that his band will represent the Empire at FOMAT. "This is so cool. And we'll get to see (Mordusia's contestant) Anne Jones at the contest too. She's great. This country is so awesome. Man, good drugs, good music, cool people. It's all love, brothers and sisters!" Sweeney said his band is about to start a tour of the Empire and will wrap it up just before the band heads to Bianjie to compete in FOMAT. "It's gonna be a lot of work, but we should be total veterans when we perform.
You can check out Fear of the Unknown's single, and now FOMAT 42 Entry "Why Would I Do It?" and the B-Side "I know that I'll be Happier" from their second ARC release Dihydrogen Monoxide right here, or check out the whole record, available at any record store near you.
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Her Imperial Majesty Reaches Majority and is formally retitled
Regent to remain in place as Empress does National Service
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 24, 5691
Chancellor, Empress and Regent take Photograph at Imperial Seat in Kaliburg upon Her Imperial Majesty reaching her Majority
Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto has achieved her majority and has been formally retitled by the National Assembly. The short retitling ceremony took place at the Imperial Seat in Kaliburg, was performed by the Chancellor of the Empire, Lady, Ericka Donahue, and was witnessed by Her Highness, Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins and Her Imperial Majesty's Minister of Justice, the Hon. Gale Wilson. Upon reaching the age of 18, as she did yesterday morning, Her Imperial Majesty may no longer use her hyphenated first name, her middle name or her hyphenated last name. She is instead, titled simply Empress Carolina II Ananto.
"Her Imperial Majesty has asked us to postpone both coronation and full entitlement until she completes her National Service, which she will enter on August 1st of this year," said Chancellor of the Empire, in comments to the press following the Ceremony. "She has also asked the Princess Regent to continue in her position until the coronation, and as expected, the Regent has agreed. In light of the limited role that Her Imperial Majesty will continue to play in the Administration of her Nation, The National Assembly has seen it fit to bestow the following title upon her while the Regent continues to oversee the government in her stead:
Quote:By the Consent of the People, Her Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Empress and Sovereign of The Anantonese Empire, Empress of Ananto, Kalistan and Gaduridos, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Grand Duchess of Isle of Sutton, Duchess of Icehaven, Countess of Davon, Countess of Dah, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Evenstar, Carolina II Ananto.
"Her remaining titles will be presented to her upon her coronation," continues the Chancellor, "after which she will possess solitary fiat over her realms and subjects until such time as she passes those titles to her successor. Meanwhile, Her Highness, the Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins will retain her current title and authority, and her County in Luxon."
Upon reaching her Majority, the Empress would technically have the right to hold her own audiences without the Regent's presence, and may also overrule the Regent in areas of disagreement. In addition, all laws of protocol that were suspended while the Empress was a minor would certainly be re-imposed, including penalties for commoners addressing Her Imperial Majesty directly, proximity rules, and other laws and regulations that dictate the nature of interaction that the Empress may have with commoners. However, Her Imperial Majesty is a special case regarding her station while entering National Service as fully the Empress. The only precedent for anything similar to this is Mary I Ananto's time spent in the last part of her National Service tour when she became Empress, under similar circumstances.
The resulting compromise was that National Service rules about fraternization and rank privilege were allowed to temporarily supersede House Law and Imperial Protocol, so as to not disrupt the National Service. Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto has refused an exemption from National Service, and has instead accepted this compromise to allow her to do her National Service while not distracting from the mission. While in National Service then, her title, to all active members of the NSP, shall be Conscript, though the Regent has insisted that Lese-Majestie will still be strictly enforced and the Empress is not to be placed in harm's way of any kind.
The Chancellor also reports that the NSP has fully done away with the long standing informal practice of Recommendation, meaning that the aptitude batteries Her Imperial Majesty took in High School and will take in the NSP will exclusively determine her work, rather than any sort of request made on her behalf by someone to the Service Monitors. "Her Imperial Majesty was absolutely adamant that this was to be accomplished by the time she entered service, and as she intends to muster in at the first date possible, we had to have it done a month before we had originally planned," said the Chancellor.
While hundreds of families have called the National Government to complain and try to get them to change their minds, the Empress told the Regent to stand firm on the issue, and according to National Service spokespeople, the practice has completely ended. "We have included steep penalties for those who attempt to influence the placement of any member of the National Service in an occupational field through any instrument other than the General Skills Battery, and the General Interests Inventory which conscripts complete after basic training," said the Chancellor. "This puts the onus on the people to not ask, and it also places a burden on the Service Monitors to report any attempt that outsiders make to influence the placement of anyone inside the service. In this way, we will restore aptitude and skill based placement, and get rid of preference and nepotism in our universal National Service."
Her Imperial Majesty is reportedly looking forward to leaving home and mustering into the National Service, and said her hope is perform her National Service well, whatever she is tasked at, for the next four years. Her Highness, the Princess Regent, who is 45 years old this year, said she intends relocate her full time residence back to her bayside home in Luxon where she and her husband, Sir Andrew Rohrbach, have lived since their marriage. "Her Highness said that Kaliburg is too dreary in the wintertime," said Lady Donahue. "The Princess Regent said she intends to commute to Kaliburg at least two days a week, and otherwise will work from her home office in Luxon."
Long live Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina II Ananto!
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