Kalistani Major History

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CQRK, CQRK

THIS IS RADIO KALIBURG, SELEYA'S ONLY ALTERNATIVE

(female voice)

YOU are listening to Radio Kaliburg.

(voice of Wanda Gutierrez)

Good evening, Comrades. This is Wanda Gutierrez. Um... I was elected to lead the media outreach team for the Socialist Party of Kalistan, representing the more than 41,000 voters who supported the Socialist, uh, Party in the last elections. So now I am the new Station Manager here at Radio Kaliburg, and also, a part time DJ, I guess too. At least for a little white.

A little about me... Um, Well, I'm a Sophomore at University of Odufaray in mass communications and with a minor in theater. And yeah, so when Comrade Beloit got control of the Party Headquarters last summer, they also told us that we also have a Radio Station in the Capital... Well, I guess it isn't the capital anymore. Because Lewis had it moved to Luxon... but yeah, still our capital. Anyway... We got a real quick class in Shortwave and FM broadcasting, and after some circuits blew out when we first fired up the transmitters, and we had to replace them, I guess we're operating on 100 Watts of power now, broadcasting all over Kaliburg at 89.1 FM. In the coming weeks, when we get our replacement parts in we will boost that signal up to a 10,000 watt transmission and will rebroadcast on AM for the entire Republic, and then also rebuild and, um... re... at... ten... uate the antenna, whatever that means and will broadcast across the world on Shortwave. But that's for the future.

Um. First I have a request: From Dave in Port Davon. He says, "I voted for the Socialists because really, I think these Democrats are trying to sell out the country." Dave notes that increase of sales tax on essentials while decreasing it on luxury items shifts the tax burden onto the poor in Kalistan. He asked me to dedicate a song by a really old band or something like that... called Prophets of Doom? This is some MOLDY oldies. Anyway, he wants to dedicate this song to the leader of the Democratic Party here in Kalistan. Its called "Hail To the Chief"... Alright... play it... (mic cuts)

(voice of Wanda Gutierrez)

Whoa... that's some serious music... They used to make music like this in Kalistan?

Wow.

Alright. Time for some announcements.

The Socialist Party is beginning to reorganize the militia here in Kaliburg. Anyone who is interested in joining the militia should go to Revolution Mall in Downtown Kaliburg. The Party said there would be free pizza there for all attendees, and they wanted to be clear: Everyone is welcomed, if you are a man or a woman or if you can run a mile or you're crippled... You're welcome there and the Party can find a job for you. In the Militia

Next up- We are organizing a Voter registration drive starting monthly here in the Capital and all across the nation. Did you know that only 6 out of every 10 voters cast a vote in the last election? I know, right? So if you ever want to see socialism in Kalistan, you all need to get out there and vote and it starts by registering. Organizers from the Socialist Party will be on hand to help you sign up and to get your contact information.

Next announcement: Comrade Marguerite Beloit, Speaker of the Socialist Party Will be delivering a speech denouncing the constitutional changes that are going on in this country. This speech will be held on the grounds of Kaliburg Polytechnic Institute, and then Comrades will march over to Kaliburg Republican University and have a rally. The Speech begins at one on Saturday, and the march steps off promptly at 2pm.

Finally, there will be a petition drive to get ODEN to begin sponsoring GanJams again. The people of Kalistan just LOVE their music festivals and their weed. I should know... But anyway, to kick the petition drive off, the SP would like to get more than 100,000 signatures on a petition in one month! Think we can do it? I think we can. To kick off the petition drive, the Party will be having a smokedown on Capital Springs. We'll have food, good herb donated by your friend in the SP, and some music events. Plus, of course, a petition for you to sign. The Party is looking for volunteers to help with that event so if you know anyone who wants to smoke reefer and circulate some petitions, go ahead and volunteer them for this petition drive. Ha ha, Just kidding. I mean yourself. The Smokedown will be held on March 3, which is a Saturday.

And those are your Announcements from Radio Kaliburg. Now for some more music.

The fans asked for it, and so we'll play it. Its a song by our friends in Salgo, who have recently been named to the FOMAT contest in Selucia this summer! Yay! I really like this band, and I am so glad they are releasing new music and representing our country. Here's the song they DIDN'T submit to the Concert, this one's called... 68. Here on Radio Kaliburg.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asbaymF0Txo]

(voice of Wanda Gutierrez)

... I mean, yeah, he really sucks... Yeah, I can't believe they won, for real... Man, what a terrible Presid... Oh... We're back...

Hey... Uh.... This hour of programming on Radio Kaliburg is brought to you by your friends at ODEN. ODEN, the finest National Product since 2382, ODEN ensures that each J you smoke, each tab you drop, each cap you eat, will be of the highest quality, guaranteed everytime. ODEN showcases the finest drugs on the planet, both domestics and imports, for all of your recreational, spiritual and medicinal needs. You can't go wrong with ODEN. The Best since 2382.

Hey, we're gonna get out of here for tonight, and hand the mic to Jay Wild, who is gonna take your through the evening. Someone just told me that I was like the first voice on Radio Kaliburg in like 4 Generations. So I mean, that's pretty awesome, right? Before I leave, there is one more thing I gotta announce: First of all, like I know the elections were a real disappointment. Think of all the work that the kids and the candidates did to get on the ballots, and even then it wasn't enough. But we're just getting started folks. We may have to wait until the next 6 years, but think of where we will be by then! They're letting Comrade Beloit propose bills, and we're finally getting these guys on record as supporting some really wicked stuff besides. Plus, the Democrats are showing their true colors, and the strategy is two fold, you know?

So hang in there, guys. In six years, the oldest Comrades in the Socialist Movement will be in their mid 20s. We are a youth movement in Kalistan right now, and just remember: Every day that goes by there are more of us and less of them.

Alright. I'mma peace out til tomorrow, and I'll be back with a full show and lots of great music. And before Jay takes my place here in the booth, Let's just spin one track, dedicated from me to The Current gang of Democrats who have fled the capital and are probably meeting in a conference room at the Hall of Fame down there in Luxon, because there isn't any adequate meeting space for the operation of a National Assembly. This one is by the Kaliburg Punk Band called Time Smites Old Losers. Called "Abolish Government". And just remember: The Socialist Party of Kalistan is the Silenced Majority. The Democrats just need to recognize that fact!

You're listening to Radio Kaliburg! I'm your girl Wanda Gutierrez. See you tomorrow, Ladies and Ladies!

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SFUTiPoLNY]

(Jay Wild continues the show from here...)

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Beloit Addresses Republic at Rally in Kaliburg
Socialists "Ascendant" says Party Speaker
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 12, 4878


Speaker Marguerite Beloit assesses Party's Potentials in local elections

"We have six years!" said Speaker of the Socialist Party Marguerite Beloit to a rally of more than a thousand Socialist Activists who assembled in front of the shuttered National Assembly last week. "If we can't earn some seats by then and make a serious run at a majority, then we really have no business in politics."

The Speaker outlined her Party's strategy for electoral success. "We are gonna be relentless in the legislature, we are going to get them on record opposing socially progressive legislation, legislation which will help the working people of this nation. We might not have the votes to pass those bills ourselves, but the people need to see the KDP as obstacles to meaningful changes in this country, and at best incrementalists who will give 5 with one hand and take 7 with the other."

The Speaker was particularly critical of recent changes in certain elements of the Constitution. "We have recently seen the Democrats move the capital to Luxon. Luxon of all places. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Luxon. It is a beautiful little town. But can you imagine the imposition that hosting the government in this town even for the two and half years that is will probably be there for will place upon the people of that town? A town which is more suited to vacationing and tourism than it is to the Administration of this Republic? A town which is more suited for hosting concerts than it is to host the Bureaucracy of the Republic?" She also laid into the Democrats for retain the title of "Emperor and Shahanshah" for the Head of State and the abolition of the office of Head of Government. "And now, it appears that they will pass a law criminalizing Blasphemy in the Republic. Against WHAT?"

The Speaker turned then to a discussion of Socialist Priorities. "Our task is to build a new Socialist Movement, one that draws heavily from our deep historical roots in the Republic, and rebuilds the important bridges with our friends among the Brethren in Kalistan. We need also to show the people that the Socialist Party can govern. We will rebuild the Food Bank, and we will work closely with the Unions, and the Growers cooperatives, to help with organization efforts. We will also work on voter engagement throughout the Republic and work with actors and musicians to continue to work on a Kalistani Cultural Renaissance. The Socialist Party has a long history of working with these groups and building bridges between them." Beloit finished by announcing the Socialist Party's Ascendancy in Kalistani Politics and the ultimate aim to replace the KDP once more as the dominant force in Kalistan.

The rally closed with a short concert by Kaliburg shoegaze band Helper, who performed a set of five songs from their new album "Poorly Painted Morons." Helper ended their set by calling on the audience to go out and begin voter outreach, with petitions, voter registration drives and propaganda efforts across the Republic.

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The New Face of Kalistani RF
Retro-Futurism Gets a shot in the Arm by two major releases this month from KMI
Kaliburg, Ananto
August 22, 4878


Christina Shakespeare, Great-granddaughter of Kalistani Pop Legend Madysin Shakespeare releases RF record Wrapped Around You this month

The RF scene in Kalistan has had its ups and downs in past decades. Mostly down, as it is has been overlooked for years by the more pop sounds of Kalistani popular music and the harder edges of Alternative Rock which prevail on Kalistani radio. But all along the RF scene has held on in major night spots like "The Tankard" and "Cybernetixxx" in Kaliburg, and a scattering of other clubs throughout the Republic.

Then late in August, KMI released two separate RF records, both which have the potential of seriously reigniting interest in the RF scene and genre. For those who are not familiar, RF is a 400 year old music subgenre which developed mainly around Kaliburg and came from a broader electronic family. It featured a technology based motif as a topic of the music, as well as discussion about alternate futures and things dealing with outer space. Men in the scene frequently dressed as either robots or intergalactic space travelers, while the women in the scene tended to be scantily clad in clubs, and highly sexualized in their lyrics and music videos. The scene was much more about the experience of going to the club and seeing wild people than the music itself, which was frequently heavy electronic dance beats and almost entirely synthesized instrumentation.

The record industry long abandoned RF as a commercially viable music style, but this month's back to back release of Christina Shakespeare's debut LP Wrapped Around You and a name more often known for rap, Tonya X's fifth studio Album Baddest B---ches, both on KMI, boldly announces RF's return to the airwaves and the record charts in Kalistan.

Both records have, in the two weeks since their back to back release, enjoyed tremendous success in terms of sales, and heavy rotation on the biggest radio stations across the Republic. Critics have called Shakespeare's lyrics "x-rated" and "smut" and a few record stores have pulled the record following protest from parents groups in Vrassa. But the controversy has simply fueled online sales of the Record, which enjoyed the highest sales for a first week release of any record released within the last 45 years. Similarly Tonya X has gotten into controversy with two separate cuts of her video being deemed too suggestive for broadcast until after midnight in both Vrassa and Odufaray.

"I mean, why did Shakespeare have to do that?" demanded Edward Fullerton, of Vrassa City. "I bet her Grandmother would be rolling over in her grave right now! Nothing but filth! I don't want my kids listening to that!"


Tonya X, the veteran MC known more for braggadocio on the mic, switches
up her style to "Music Made for Space Strippers" on her new KMI LP release of Baddest B--ches

The artists have taken the criticism in stride. Tonya X was asked what she thought about the controversy around her video. "I mean: If you're offended by me showing skin in my videos, you know, those videos aren't for you, you know? I have heard nothing but positivity from the kids in the clubs. And you know, if people are making babies with my music playing in the background, so much the better!"

Separately, Shakespeare said "Yeah, those people are all virgins. I'm just talking about something everyone does... I am talking about how we all got here and what we're gonna be doing later on. Its biology." When she was asked about the explicitly pro-autoerotic song "0101 Love" she answered simply "It's digital. What the problem? Look: 95 percent of all people do it and the other 5 percent are lying."

What is for certain is that these two records have sparked a renewed interest in the RF scene and style of music, especially among the Youth. On the normally busy Friday night at The Tankard, for example, the Door reported more than twice its normal receipts, and Cybernetixxx had to postpone their monthly drag show so that they could cater to a crowd clamoring for RF. "Well, its great!" said Tankard Owner John Thompson. "I'm selling more booze in one night than I sold all week before these records drop. We're having to buy all our old RF inventory again, but the new stuff also gets played right in there too. You can really tell the difference between the sounds of the old and the new RF, usually because the newer stuff we are hearing and especially on Shakespeare's new track, draws on WAY older trends and does them with synthesizers and drum machines."

Thompson also noted that clients are wearing fewer clothes than they were even a month ago to the Club. "Yeah, definitely more body paint though, and the guys, they must have had a sale at the sequin store and all these guys went and bought out their inventory."

With the phenomenal reception of these two new albums, it appears that RF has a second life in Kalistan, and if a new movement kicks off around RF in the Republic, Shakespeare and Tonya X will be included in the list of RF greats like Kelli Minelli, Louisie Sue and Dave, and Devon and Waterfall.

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Kalistan in Ferment
Youth abandons Ruling Kalistani Democrats enmasse
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 1, 4879


Thousands of Students gather at Revolution Plaza to hear Socialist Speakers Present Vision for the Future at December's "Party Party"

The Youth are abandoning the Democratic Party as a new spark of interest in Socialist Politics rises on the ruling Party's Left. At recent events in the once and apparently future capital of the Republic, and the center of Kalistani finance, culture and political authority, Socialists have attracted the attention of the thousands of Youth in the region to political events which feature music, drugs, and food. Recently, bands and artists have begun working with the Socialist Party to attract crowds and these political and cultural events appear to be spreading to other cities in the Republic.

"We've had successful rallies, I think we can call them more like Parties than anything else, across Ananto, Suldanor and Neveras, all historically SP strongholds and have even hosted a few events in Odufaray and Vrassa City, though we find support for the Democrats to be a little stronger there and support for the SP to be a bit more reserved," said Party Speaker Marguerite Beloit, who recently hosted four Party Parties in two weeks across the Republic. "The goal of course is to mobilize, to train leaders and organizers and to identify candidates to run against these Democrats."

Beloit explained that in the couple months running up to the previous snap elections, the weakness of the Party's candidate bench was largely the reason that her Party had such a dismal night at the polls. "It's one thing to get people excited about voting, and its quite another to give them someone to get excited about voting for. We won't make that mistake again. We have commitments right now from individuals to run in more than 75% of all member-districts across the Republic, and we are at 100 percent in Ananto and Neveras. We will have years to train these folks and to preview our Party's agenda to the public and I think when the next election rolls around in 84, we'll come in big."

The Party Parties have also started attracting attention from major musicians in the Republic. Recent bands to play at a Party Party have included alternative acts like Alternica from Suldanor and Ghost in Shades from Neveras. These music events have complimented the political speeches on offer during breaks, and bands have written pro-socialist music specifically for the occasion. Members of various bands and recording artists have also been spotted in the crowd on a number of occasions, including RF artist Tonya X, who is said to really enjoy the events and the opportunities to partake in the National Product with friends and fans alike. Said Tonya X: "Here, I'm not just a RF club diva. I'm also a voter and citizen too, and I think it is important to show up and be counted among those who want to see a change in our Government."

The collapse of support among the youth of Kalistan for the Kalistani Democrats accompanies some bizarre and questionable legislative proposals which have been passed entirely over any objection by the KDP. The Government continues to maintain the titles "Shahanshah" and "Wazīr-ē-Āzam" for the names of President of the Republic and Premier of the Republic respectively, despite those terms having no historical or cultural basis in Kalistan. The Moving of the capital was entirely unprecedented, as was the desire of the Democrats to enter Kalistan into several collective security agreements, despite our country's stated and long standing neutrality policy. A number of other policies have been upheld by the Government regarding the replacement of the Dual Economy by a system of social democracy with heavy means testing, ensuring that working and middle classes are left out of the prosperity of Kalistan.

In all, the Socialist Party has said that enough is enough, and has pledged to overturn most of this legislation as soon as it gets the opportunity. Meanwhile, Kalistani Socialists are building parallel organizations across the Republic, including those involved with provision of need in accord with the tenets of Ethical Socialism, which are open to all regardless of income or means. The success of the Party Parties have helped fund many of these organizations: Each Party solicits donations from attendees, the money which goes to supply the nascent Food Bank and Job Corps with funds. "When we are seated in Government, we will push for reauthorization of these institution on a national scale, but right now, we are are beginning to do it ourselves," said Beloit. The Food Bank provides fresh food for consumers free of cost to the consumer, and all food is purchased directly from independent farmers across the Republic. So far, more than 100,000 meals have been served, according to the SP's records. The Job Corps provides out of work Kalistanis job training, resume and interview skills training, and technical training for enrollees, as well as recommendations and placement services. "I've had more luck getting a good job after three months in the Corps than I did in two years of actually working," said Jim Eisenberg, who was just accepted as a plumber's apprentice after three months in the Job Corps.

As Kalistani institutions continue to slide into disrepair out of neglect and incompetence, and as global challenges begin to rise once more beyond Kalistan's boarders, the Socialists are positioning themselves well to begin to reap some of the political benefits of this ferment. Only time and elections will tell whether their strategy will pay off in seats in the National Assembly, but meanwhile, the Socialists are showing that they CAN lead, whether inside or outside of the Government. And leadership is what is desperately needed in Kalistan are this moment.

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Drama in Luxon! KDP Government Liquidates Itself
New Elections called for August as SPoK scrambles to form Interim Government
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 13, 4879


Socialist Party Leader Marguerite Beloit finds herself tasked with organizing Elections in Kalistan following the sudden collapse of LDP Administration

In January, we reported on the abandonment of the KDP by Kalistani Youth, which brooked well for Kalistani General Elections in four and half years from now. But since then, a dramatic shift in the balance of power has occurred which greatly compresses and accelerates that time schedule. Following a series of controversial bills which aim at moving Kalistan into a number of collective security agreements, as well as other inexplicable acts of legislation such as the moving of the Capital to Luxon and the abolition of the office of Prime Minister under a consolidated Head of State which has taken recently to referring to itself as "Shahanshah", other key groups which previously supported the KDP have begun defecting as well.

It started in April with the Government floating a bill establishing the "Royal Airlines". This apparently was a step too far for the business community who, represented by a group of 18 industrialists called the "National Group" began calling on the Government to resign. Spokeswoman Angela Talmadge, who represented AeroKal in the group issued a statement at the time: "These moves to consolidate power under a monarch-apparent directly threaten the interests of our businesses. A number of privately held sporting facilities closely associated with KDP financial interests are also troubling, as they spark of favoritism and create an uneven playing field between the Government's Favorite corporations and everyone else."

The Group approached the Socialist Party with their concerns, asking them to do something about the overreach of the KDP's single Party rule, and Party Speaker Marguerite Beloit, who listened to the industrialists' concerns calmly handed the representatives a copy of the Legislative Journal, showing the hours spent debating the KDP's unilateral actions. "I then calmly informed them that when the SP returns to power, we fully intend to restore the Dual Economy," said Beloit following the meeting. "We have the meeting recorded, and I will enter it into the public record once it has been transcribed by Assembly clerks."

At their June Meeting, the National Group weighed their options. "We could either begin conspiring with elements in the society that, for one reason or another, had an axe to grind, wait for the next election while withholding our support, or move to openly support the Socialist Party's efforts to building a new Opposition and take our chances with Nationalization," said Talmadge. "We chose the third option, given Kalistan's long success with the Dual Economy, and the general prosperity we have historically enjoyed under Socialist Governments." The Group was not unanimous in support for the Socialists: A quarter of those present wanted to follow the first option and build resistance to the Government rather than work with the Socialists. The Party was informed of the decision of the Business and Industry, as was the KDP in early June.

The next group to switch was the Military. "The KDP is moving us into this hostile posture toward the rest of the world," said normally taciturn General William Gordon, who is the appointed spokesman for the Kalistai Regular Force, "promising espionage against other countries and allowing the unfettered use of land mines. Additionally, they are involving us in collective security, which forces Kalistan to become in conflicts which are not of our making and which are not our business, or violate terms of the Treaty. The Socialist Party has consistently spoken up in favor of the Military since its re-inception, and though our Members are supposed to remain outside of Politics, we know, to the man, who has our best interests at heart." The Chiefs of the various services informed the KDP that their bellicose actions were no longer supported by the Military, and that if various laws were ever to be enacted and enforced, the Government would likely face a mutiny and a rebellion.

"Morale is pretty low, as is our troop strength" said Gordon, "and it is our hope that the SP can get the Regular Force back on the right track."

Combined with near complete support from Students and the Culture and Media establishments, and combined with deep support among the Brethren, who have passed several minutes over the last year and a half condemning the forays of the Government into Religious affairs, like encouraging foreign missionaries and criminalizing blasphemy, the last major group of Kalistan to switch support was Labor. Across Kalistan, the Socialists have done significant outreach to organized labor, concluding deals with independent growers unions, both of commodities and staples, as well as of cash crops.

These efforts have been extended in the last half a year to the Mainland as Farmers and Labor unions across Suldanor, Neveras and parts of Odufaray have openly joined the Socialist Party. Hector Gomez, of the Suldanor Rice Association said "We were actually visited by young socialists who met with us one day and asked us two questions: "What do the Rice Growers need from Government, and What can the Socialist Party do for you?' Those are two questions that the Government of Kalistan has never, at least in my lifetime, asked me. They also said that a number of young socialists were planning on going into rice cultivation, and asked if they could apprentice with us for a season so they could understand the things we have to deal with. How is that for you?! These young political kids getting to know us and find out what our lives are about rather than just assuming that since they have some degree they automatically know what I need and want! I've never seen anything like it!"

Similar stories were reported from Miners' locals in Neveras. Jill Calaveras, Shop Steward for Hard Rock Miners Local 87 in High Bong said "We had socialists come out here and volunteer to observe and do labor with us for three months. For no pay! At first we thought they were nuts, but we agreed to host them in our home, and they worked their asses off in the mines. They were fearless, and at the end, they asked us how we think that the life of the miner can be improved by the Socialist Party, if they were ever to get seats in Government. We told them that when they get elected, they should come back and talk to us and let us have a role in decision making too. Three months is a long time to work for nothing, but I think they were sent out here to learn about life outside of the University. Unlike anything the KDP ever did."

Labor joined the other sectors earlier this month, and apparently, this final defection was the last straw for the KDP. The Party resigned enmasse after adjourning indefinitely and have not been seen publicly for several weeks now. Reports that the now-resigned President has returned to his home, and the 750 members of the Legislature have returned to their districts have been supported by anecdotal evidence, but so far, no news paper has gotten any comments on the record regarding the dissolution of the Party.

The sudden Government crisis now looms for Kalistan. With no Government, the Socialist Party's slates have been called to Kaliburg to convene an emergency special session needed to simply hold elections. The Speaker of the Party was hastily named Speaker of the Assembly, though not Prime Minister. The Office of Speaker will serve as Head of Government until such time as a fully compliment of Deputies can be duly elected by the People of Kalistan in August 1 National Elections. The dissolution of the KDP also means that ballots will only be printed with SPoK and the Saira Party's candidates on it, though only the SP will be fielding a national Slate.

Beloit has not issued public comment on the situation she suddenly finds herself in. Nearly 22, Beloit is one of the youngest Politicians to become head of Government in Kalistan, and the task of reforming the Government as a result of such anarchy is difficult for even seasoned veterans. The only public statement that Beloit has made since news of the liquidation of the KDP is to call for Calm across the Republic and ensure the people that elections would be held on August 1st the sat a new Government. Repeated attempts to obtain an interview have been thwarted by the young Speaker's staff who have promised journalists a press conference after the elections. For the moment, the SP enjoys massive goodwill across the society, and reports of violence and disorder have been extremely rare.

The one notable exception was the burning of an effigy of now resigned President Richard Lewis, with a placard that read "Sic Semper Tyrannis" hung around the mannequin's neck. Police cooperated with the demonstration's spokespeople, and the effigy burning was permitted to continue until the leaders of the Demonstration extinguished the remnants of the fire. No arrests were made, and most demonstrations carried on the Party Party vibe which has intensified throughout the Spring.

If this is a revolution, it is the most gentle revolution ever. But Socialist Party Leaders are careful to not refer to it as a revolution. "I think it is more of a plebiscite," said Veronica Alverez of Eshar, who has spent the better part of the last year and a half building her Party's local organization and will likely represent Eshar following the August General Elections. "We have so much support from across the Republic and where are the people we are supposed to be against? They are nowhere to be seen!"

The Interim has issued a general amnesty for all convicts in Kalistan to begin after the new Assembly has been seated and ratifies the move, and along the same lines, KDP has been officially "welcomed back" to Government, provided they should ever reform. But they will be meeting in Kaliburg, and not Luxon, if and when they return.

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Kalistani Students make their way to Liore
Aim to bring Kalistani Knowledge to help Liore in Strategic Mission
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 20, 4879


A groups of more than 50 engineering students travel to Liore in early July to study with the Liore Navy

An article appeared in the newspaper of the distant Republic of Liore a year ago which described the plans of the Government of Liore to begin reverse engineering Deltarian naval vessels for the purpose of using the plans to develop warships of their own.

"I was reading the copy of Mjumbe lent me by my friend," said Engineering Junior Kyle Sutcliffe-Edwardson, of Kaliburg, "and it said these guys were going to take apart these Deltarian ships piece by piece and use the designs to begin to build their own weaponry. I know that the Regular Navy had acquired a lot of valuable ship building knowledge through reverse engineering. My first thought was 'Cool' and my second thought was 'I bet we could learn something from this!'" Sutcliffe said he immediately began contacting everyone he knew to find a way to get in touch with the Liore Arch Ministry of Defense.

"Our goal, because we couldn't go over in any official capacity, was to arrange person to person visits between Kalistani Engineering students and those working in the Reverse Engineering project for their Defense Ministry," said Sutcliffe. "We met with a very welcoming response, and began to make arrangements to travel to Liore." Sutcliffe said he enlisted the brightest 50 engineering students from across the Republic, and also included a handful of professional naval engineers who work for the National Shipyards, and then worked out an informal year long study abroad program between Kalistan and Liore. "Yes, we'll get credit for it, but the knowledge we bring back from studying ship design and construction from the Comrades in Liore will be invaluable!"

Travel and Per Diem for the visitors have been subsidized by the Socialist Party and several small ship contractors from Kaliburg and Sulari. Additionally, sympathetic operators at the National Shipyards have supplied access to the blueprint archives maintained there, which detail, among other things, the reverse engineering done by Kalistan on Vanukean Ships more than four centuries ago. "These designs are so outdated," said Sutcliffe, "that Vanuku has probably completely discontinued them, but for what they were they were pretty good, and besides: reading a blueprint and building a ship from it which sails and actually serves as an asset to the Navy are two totally different things."

Sutcliffe said he plans on returning to the Republic eventually, and getting a job with the National Shipyards. "I started wanting to build bridges, but really, ship design seems so much more interesting to me, and I suppose it will be more important to the Republic as well."

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Socialists replace KDP in Government
Dismal Turnout in August General Elections point to work still to be done
Kaliburg, Ananto
August 12, 4879


The Face of the Unanticipated Leader, Speaker Marguerite Beloit

Marguerite Beloit always believed that she would have the opportunity to serve in the National Assembly as the leader of one of Terra's oldest and most storied Parties, the Socialist Party of Kalistan when she and student activists from all over the Republic reformed the Party two years ago. She had no idea that her time would come so soon, nor that when it did, she would be thrust into the single most powerful and influential position in all of Kalistan, thereby becoming one of the most powerful women in Terra. But that is precisely what happened last Tuesday as the Socialist Party was given an electoral mandate to reform the Government.

In the second General Election in 18 Months, voters overwhelmingly filled the seats in the National Assembly, recently reconvened in Kaliburg, with Deputies from the Socialist Party of Kalistan. The first act of the new Socialist dominated National Assembly was to name a government, with Comrade Marguerite Beloit nominated for Head of Government. She will not become Premier of the Republic for another 9 months, until the constitutional changes occur which will re-create the office. In the meantime, Beloit will be invested with all power necessary to perform caretaker functions, such as restoring the Constitution of the Republic, to include the readoption of the Presidential Prerogative, an ancient tradition which was sacrificed in Kalistan centuries ago and has not been observed recently.

In her extremely short acceptance speech before the new National Assembly, Speaker Beloit said "I humbly accept your nomination to this position. I had no idea that this would happen as quickly as it has, but I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. The Socialist Party's agenda is clear, and the people expect us to carry it out." After these brief comments, the new leader of the Government of Kalistan descended the rostrum and returned to her office, leaving her deputy and incoming Foreign Minister Sharice Mosswell to conduct the proforma business of the afternoon.

What people the soon to be Premier of the Republic was referring to, though is not clear. Snap elections caught many people across the Republic off guard, and turnout was an incredibly low 15.5 percent of the total electorate- A shockingly low number however one spins it. "What can I say," said whip and Party campaign chair Val Armstrong. "There is no real alternative on the ballot, given the liquidation of the KDP electoral ticket. The urgency to get out and fight to ensure that socialists win the election is not there when the election is uncontested, for the most part." Some races were won by a mere handful of voters, and in some cases the vote was close.

"Saira has done pretty good considering the fact that they have never voted or spoke in the rump Assembly of the old Administration," said Armstrong. "They did surprisingly well and almost took two deputies seats in Ananto and one in Vrassa." The low turnout points to the need for the Socialist Party to get busy immediately on a progressive agenda for the people. "Our main strength came from the activist segment of the society," said Armstrong. "These are the people who want to see change, these are the people who want the Socialist Party to undo a lot of the damage of the previous administrations and begin moving forward to a better future for all."

The Party wasted no time doing just that. In a comprehensive Omnibus, the Socialist Party proposed seven constitutional changes, three statutory changes dealing with citizenship, and withdrawal from 13 treaties which violate Kalistani traditions, primarily dealing with collective security, international law and national policy. "The previous government tied us to a treaty that rated movies?" said Armstrong in disbelief. "That, comrade is not Kalistan. Nor is it necessary to require us to adhere to an international censorship effort."

One treaty that the Republic will be withdrawing from is the Declaration of Human Rights. This treaty is an extensive treaty declaring a host of things to be "human rights," and Kalistan traditionally supports practically every plank of the declaration, as does the Socialist Party. But Armstrong's extensive argument for withdrawal deserves to be quoted in full:

"We are leaving the Human Right's treaty because, as the Speaker said when opposing the adoption, this treaty holds private property as inviolable. Not only do we not support the notion of the inviolability of private property as the Socialist Party, we also note that these provisions conflict with other treaty commitments we support, such as the one on slavery which obligates us to confiscate slaves from slave ships. No person reading those two treaties together would have a problem with them: Private Property is inviolable, and slaves can be confiscated. But the key to chattel slavery and just one of its many wicked features is that it involves owning another human as property. If they are not your property, requiring them to be confiscated by force if necessary, then they are not chattel slaves, and if they are not chattel, they cannot be seized. So either one [treaty] must be in force or the other one, but both cannot be at the same time. We choose to reserve our right as a nation to Nationalize property which is being used contrary to the interests of the Republic, as well as the right to confiscate human property which is being held contrary to the interests of humanity. The Declaration of Human rights will be fine without us, and we have other treaties that do not take such an uncompromising stand for private property, which we know liberals care about more than all other rights anyway."

Besides these major changes, the Republican Government has set for itself an ambitious agenda. Not only does it need to reverse decades of neglect and malice on the part of liberal and right-wing administrations, it also needs to restart other important institutions like the Kalistani Republic newspaper and the KRTVN, recharter the National Bank, reopen the National Stock Exchange, look into the status of the (former) national industries, establish peaceful and regular relationships with our neighbors, and pass a slew of socialist legislative proposals. Only then will the Party be able to stand for an election with a solid record of actually working for the people.

The New Speaker, inadvertently and perhaps prematurely thrust into the National Spotlight by the cataclysmic demise of the KDP, has a ton of work ahead of her. Her inexperience with government will certainly not work in her favor.

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Sharice Mosswell Dispatched from the Republic
Unofficial Visits and Initial Meetings planned for new Foreign Minister
Kaliburg, Ananto
August 25, 4879


New Foreign Minister Sharice Mosswell, 23, welcomes role as Chief Diplomat

Playing to her strengths, the new but skilled Foreign Minister of Kalistan, Sharice Mosswell, has been dispatched from the Capital on a fact finding mission to a number of countries in Terra soon after being granted interim credentials pending passage of the Government bill at the beginning of September. Mosswell has already represented the Government of Kalistan at Ramsāhreza Aldegar last month, as Kalistan signed onto a plan for greater cooperation in Seleya. After serving for several sessions as Speaker Protempore in her role as Deputy Party Leader, Mosswell will now continue her diplomatic overture to other nations in Seleya, Dovani and Parts west.

"Most of these visits are informal, of course. Introductions to undersecretaries of undersecretaries and assorted minions," said Provisional FM Mosswell, which is still technically her title.. "We are laying the ground work for a future of good relations between Kalistan and the World."

Mosswell, aged 23, and freshly graduated in a Masters' Program in Foreign Policy at Kaliburg Republican University, has limited travel experience. "It's really kind of scary, if you think about it," Mosswell said. "I am confident that I can shake the right hands and explain the position of the Government of Kalistan. But you know: each country has their weird protocols, and with some of these Emperors and Overlords you have to do the secret handshake, and to be honest, I don't think there is anyone in the Government right now who knows all that protocol, when to bow, when to look at the ruler straight in the eye, when to take your shoes off and all that. So this is a learning trip for me too. Lord knows I don't want to let one go at some huge formal dinner and you know, start a war or some sh..." The Foreign Minister edited herself. "Yeah, guess I gotta watch that too..."

When asked about her itinerary, Mosswell said, "I am headed to, um... Gaduridos, and definitely will be visiting Liore. And I have other countries like Lourenne on the itinerary and Dolgava, and I think Deltaria, though I am not sure about that one. Hutori... And then on my way back, I will be swinging through Lodamun and Baltusia, and probably back down to Aldegar again, and then over to Indrala. Where else... um, I think that's it for this trip. These are people that the Government sees the greatest chance of building friendly relations with right out the gate. They want me to check out the new ODEN branch up in Hutori, definitely, so I am bringing along some ODEN-K folks. I don't know, that seems like a pretty full schedule."

The Provisional Foreign Minister intends to be away for four weeks, and her staff in Kalistan will be busy the entire time following the meetings and setting up new ones. "Well, I mean, if I get to a country, and there is nobody there who wants to talk to me, I guess I am a tourist for a few days. Its good to get out into the world and see how people are living their lives. But I also intend to go hound the Foreign Ministry in their capitals until they send someone down to say hello if I have to. I mean, what's the point of protocol if they ain't even gonna follow it themselves?"

Whatever happens on this trip, the Foreign Minister is certainly in for a rousing dash around the world. When asked if the young Minister looks forward to the trip, she gave a huge smile and took a deep breath, "Well, fu..... I mean, Hell Yeah! I mean, what kid my age wouldn't be excited to go around the world and see all these exotic lands and meet powerful people and also kick it with some chill folks in like a corner bar? Tell you what, they didn't have to ask me twice!"

We wish the new Provisional Foreign Minister Luck as she makes her way around the world and reintroduces the World to Kalistan.

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ARC to distribute FOMAT 9 Concert Album
Excellence in Talent leads many fans to demand Preservation of Event
Sulari, Suldanor
January 2, 4880


Album Cover Draws heavily on Selucian Festival Theme

FOMAT 9 might have been completed a couple of years ago, but due to exceptional performances at the contest and large scale demand among the listening population in Kalistan, ARC Records in Sulari has secured the publishing rights for the live performance of the show from FOMAT.

"It's a fairly cut and dried deal," said ARC spokesman Jacob Holly. "ARC accompanied Kalistan's entry Salgo to the show intending to make a recording of just their performance to use on later records as like a B-Side or something... You know when your star is on the rise, people start scrambling for any and all content. Well, Jan from Salgo asked the engineers if they would just record the whole show, and so ARC worked with the sound crew at the show to tap into the feed to the boards and pull off a direct recording of the show. It ended up turning out phenomenally."

The benefit of the direct feed recording instead of a side stage or pit recording is that in the non-direct recordings rely simply on a two track recording of the concert, and the crowd noises often drown out the performers. "Think of your own experience at huge concerts. The acoustics mess with the sound and there is invariably a superfan standing next to you losing their s--t keeping you from enjoying the concert. That is how every single fan heard the show," said Holly. "With the direct recording, we got to put an eight track recorder onto the sound board and individually mix all channels. We got crowd noises via the mics when the songs went down, but we didn't have to play with acoustics, we got to mix each channel to come out with a pristine recording, and we now get to deliver the songs not as the audience heard them, but as the artists played them. And that is a dramatically different show."

The Record, which contains the recorded live performance of all FOMAT 9 Contestants, without regard to where they eventually placed in the show, will be made available both in the Republic and internationally, and it will be available on all international streaming services, all after the debut of the record on January 20 of this year. "We have worked out deals with all the performers and the show promoters themselves. The FOMAT organization was paid an undisclosed, but significant amount of money for recording and publishing rights, and all revenue that sales of the record and streams of the record generates will be placed in escrow, to be paid out monthly in 13 equal shares, one for each artist or band, and one for the record Company, until costs of ARC are recouped, and then all revenues will be divided equally among all the artists."

This royalties escrow account is aimed to continue to generate residual revenues for artists who performed at FOMAT. "You might say it is the first licensing arrangement for music that I have heard of," said Holly, "to make sure Artists are paid a fair amount for a demanded product, while continuing to honor our commitment to free and open dissemination of music as far and as wide as possible." Holly said that ARC is looking into a way to create licensing deals like this with other artists as well, to ensure that residuals can be paid to artists without the need to enforce monopoly and copyright in the Republic and internationally.

"At ARC, our mission is to make sure those artists who record get the best deal possible. We were started by artists who were getting ripped off by major labels like KMI, and now that we are their chief rival, and operate over an equal market share in Kalistan, we are beginning to explore ways to expand our relationship with our artists while not fundamentally altering our core philosophies of putting Artists first and more importantly making sure they are paid for the things they do."

As Holly said, the ARC recording of FOMAT 9 in Selucia will be released on January 20. Physical media (Vinyl and CD) will hit stores that day both locally and internationally, and streaming will be available as well. In Kalistan, physical media will come with an individual code for electronic download of the album to compliment the physical copy. The full electronic download will also be available for purchase on the Label's website.

[Doc]

KMI makes move to court Gaduri and Egelian-Language Musicians
"Massive Market for Egelian Speaking Population is underserved in Kalistan" says A&R executive
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 30, 4880


Maria "La Mas Mala" Castro releases her debut "La Mala" on KMI this month

As ARC releases the FOMAT IX album which features predominantly music of an international flavor, their chief competitors in the Kalistani Music Industry, KMI seemed to miss a trick. Usually, a deal like FOMAT would go to KMI, given their long history in the Republic and reputation for making music that tends to be more pop and electronic. But late this month, KMI fired back with an LP release "La Mala" by new artist La Mas Mala, which is the name of singer/songwriter Maria Castro, of Yoshimi Suldanor. Her debut record is exclusively in Egelian, making it the first major album in Kalistan to be recorded entirely in Egelian, and the choice to record and release this record with significant industry and promotional support in the Republic points at a marketing switch made in KMI late last year.

"We realize that the massive Egelian speaking market is dramatically underserved," said A&R representative Jose Funtes. "KMI is taking steps to begin to remedy this, and with luck, we may start to see some diversity in Kalistan's music scene."

Fuentes stated that the release of "La Mala" is part of a multi year, multi-million Ruble effort to attract Egelian-speaking artists to the Label. "Included in our strategy is a desire to work with musicians from the booming music scene in Gaduridos," said Fuentes, who noted that Gaduridos sent Los Angeles Rojos to FOMAT IX and is now also promoting pop singer Chaparra across Gaduridos. "Here are two great artists there who are incredibly popular among Gaduri music lovers, and we think that if either or both of these acts even toured up here, they would sell out every single show they put together. Who can imagine who else Gaduridos is going to come out with next?"

Los Angeles Rojos and Chaparra are just the "tip of the ice berg" said Fuentes when it comes to Egelian language music. "We have hundreds of musicians right now who are doing flemenco-influenced hip hop, reggae en Egelian, dance music and so forth, and there is a massive demand for this type of music. KMI wants to be in on the ground floor of this growing scene in Kalistan, and make it possible and attractive for Gaduri Artists to tour Kalistan and vice versa."

So far, La Mas Mala is at the vanguard of the nascent Kalistani Musica Egeliana scene, though without a doubt, commercial success for La Mas Mala will lead to the opening of doors for other artists who perform in Egelian. "All I know is that at the end of the day, 85% of the population speaks Egelian as either a first or second language, and right now there are no Egelian Language songs in the top 10. From a industry standpoint, the math isn't that hard," said Fuentes.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW638CXVu8A]
"La Mala" was released yesterday, January 29, on KMI Records, and her album's first single "El Trato" debuted at number 5 on the Kalistani Hot 100 this week.