Probably still not perfect for reading, but thanks to Hy for doing this. 
Sopo Let's go over the rules
Mousebumples and someone is planning to save/post a transcript?
Sopo Firstly, only participants and the moderator are allowed/able to post in this chat
Sopo yes
Sopo I'll save it
Sopo If anyone has any questions, feel free to send them to me on skype/IRC pm/ or forum pm, though I'm more likely to notice quickly the former two
Sopo The debate will consist of foreign policy and navy questions first, followed by a brief intermission (if needed) and then domestic questions
Sopo each candidate will have an opportunity to answer each question. once your answer is complete, please follow it with (done)
Sopo once all candidates have answered, there will be time for discussion among the candidates, structured as need be
Sopo any questions?
Mousebumples are we answering the questions in any particular order, or - to save time - is it something of a free for all?
SevenDeaths Negative bossman.
Mousebumples (i.e. SD, Noto, then Mouse, or vice versa, etc.)
Sopo there will be an order, otherwise answers could be jumbled
Notolecta Can I be last or first.
Sopo would you prefer for the order to stay the same the whole time or changed per question?
* Mousebumples doesn't care
SevenDeaths I've no hard feelings either way
Sopo for the sake of simplicity then, for the first section, we'll go Noto-Mouse-SD
Sopo fair?
Notolecta that works
Mousebumples works for me
Mousebumples order of standing
SevenDeaths Aye, tis fair
Sopo ok
Sopo unless anyone has any further qualms, we can begin
* Mousebumples approves
Sopo ok
Sopo let's begin!
Sopo Firstly, thank you all for being here. Good luck.
Sopo I'm going to start with a question from the gallery.
Sopo The GAP has been a, rather, large controversy in previous elections about whether it "drains our resources" or whether "our resources are put to good use". What will you do with the GAP, and why do you feel this is the best course of action?
Sopo again, the response order is Noto-Mouse-SD. Please include (done) at the end of your answer so the next candidate knows to begin
Notolecta As I've stated previously I plan to remove the GAP name and move away from the focus on region building the GAP has while continuing to nuture and build relationships with younger or smaller regions. I like to think of this as deformalizing the GAP, and believe this will allow us to continue getting the benefits of relations with young regions without the negitives of a region building project.
Notolecta Done.
Sopo Mouse is next.
Mousebumples I talked about this some in my platform, but I'll happily recap it here. I think the GAP is appropriate where it currently is - within Foreign Affairs. I view the GAP (and the assigning of an architect to a region) as a slight off-shoot of current procedure for regions that we send ambassadors to. Just, in this case, we're sending a specially qualified ambassador to the region to help them get things off the ground,
Mousebumples so to speak. I don't plan to specially seek out any new GAP regions during my term, but I am open to discussing possible GAP agreements if they arise through other methods. (i.e. a region contacts me, my MoFA, an ambassador, etc., about possibly having some help with that sort of thing) I don't know that this method would use much of our "resources," so I think saying that it "drains our resources" is an
Mousebumples overstatement. I feel that serving as an architect for a region is a good way to be friendly and helpful to the outside (NationStates) world and build up our reputation abroad. (done)
Sopo and now SD.
SevenDeaths GAPs are meant to be filled and my tenure as President would see just that. When the GAP first popped up, it received mixed reactions, but had been able to show everyone it's usefulness. At least for the time being. I believe that usefulness has long since passed. Yes, we reached an agreement recently with a fledgling Empire, but that is by no means a rationale for something that has seen no real success other than that. I wil
SevenDeaths (done)
Mousebumples (your message was cut off - are you really done?)
SevenDeaths Where did it cut off at? It shows the whole thing for me.
Mousebumples "I wil"
Sopo (I wil...)
SevenDeaths I will close the GAP and shelf it.
SevenDeaths (done)
Sopo ok
Sopo If anyone would like to rebut, go ahead, in the same order for now
Sopo so Noto first
Mousebumples can i ask noto to clarify? or is that a "rebut" thing?
Notolecta I would assume we can ask questions of one another during our own turns.
Mousebumples ok
* Mousebumples will wait for her turn then
Sopo Noto is correct
Notolecta I don't believe me and mouse are that far apart, both of us are willing to continue aiding smaller regions, but I have a feeling that interactions with smaller regions will remain focused on the region building aspect. She can clarify otherwise now if she wishes before I touch on SD.
Mousebumples that was more my question for you
Mousebumples Noto, what do you view as the difference between “region building” and “nurturing and building relationships with younger or smaller regions” ? What do we do now that we wouldn't do under your plan?
Mousebumples to me, it seems like you'd continue everything, except you maybe wouldn't call it "GAP"
Mousebumples so if there's anything in particular that you were planning to discontinue, i wanted to clarify that
Notolecta To me region building is more focused on helping that region grow and on internal matters. I would simply treat them more like other regions(of course they are still going to get treated individually as we would with any region).
Notolecta Ultimately none of the current practices would be off the table, but they would be set aside for regions that request them rather than approaching regions for the purpose of helping them in such ways.
Mousebumples okay, and the big difference i see there is that so many smaller regions don't know what to do and how to conduct matters to grow their region. that's why i think the GAP is useful, even if we call it something else. if a smaller region comes to us and wants to establish forum relations, if their forum/region goes poof in 2 months, why did we not try to help them succeed rather than avoiding the region building
Mousebumples aspect on principle?
Mousebumples and, yes, we're the same in that regard - i'm not planning to actively seek out any such relationships, but if someone comes to us and asks for help (not that they have to say GAP ME, PLZ), that's when i would look to establish a new GAP agreement
Notolecta Because of a certian attitude that what I am calling region building presents.
Mousebumples but then you said that you would do said region building if approached to help with that?
Mousebumples or is it all a "term" thing? you just wouldn't call it region building because the terms we use make that much of a difference?
Notolecta When that is our main intent in our dealings it causes us to target regions that are in bad shape.
Notolecta I trhink you are misunderstanding.
Mousebumples but if we're not _targeting_ regions - they're coming to us - why does it matter whether it's called "region building" or something else?
Notolecta I am talking about when that becomes the focus of our relationship with the region, when the relationship itself should be the focus.
Mousebumples do you not build a relationship through helping a region build themselves up?
Notolecta I don't think we are far off from one another, but we are off from what is current.
Mousebumples yes
Mousebumples okay, let's focus on SD's response so he doesn't feel ignored?
Sopo go ahead
SevenDeaths Yes, hit me.
Mousebumples SD, do you mean that you will void or not honor the agreement with the latest GAP region? If yes, how do you think such an action will reflect on our region internationally?
Sopo but let's try to wrap this up quickly so we can move on
Notolecta So for SD my concern is why should we not keep the option open?
SevenDeaths @Mouse. I mean that I will, from the day I win, cease making GAP Agreements. Any made before me shall still be considered valid.
Mousebumples ok
SevenDeaths @Noto. GAP as an institution hasn't been all that effective. If there were such a great call for it, perhaps we'd be rolling around in GAP agreements, but we aren't. If someone asks us for help and we think, as an Administration we can provide it, then why not do so because we can and no because there's a GAP.
Mousebumples so you're not opposed to providing architect-like guidance from your administration - you just wouldn't call it GAP and wouldn't reach out to regions yourself? (i.e. as an administration)
SevenDeaths Any follow ups?
Mousebumples if that's the case, i really don't think we're far off at all
Sopo SD, do you have anything for them? if not, we'll move on
SevenDeaths Yeah, basically. But only if they ask and if they ask, we'll handle it. But GAP is just not working.
SevenDeaths I'm set
Sopo Ok, next question
SevenDeaths Nothing from me.
Sopo President Malashaan recently pulled away from the idea of an "international paper" in favor of focusing on EON to distribute media abroad. Would developing an international paper be a focus during your term? How do you plan to develop EON?
Sopo again, Noto-Mouse-SD
Notolecta I feel Malashaan made the right call. We do not have enough authors familar with internationally revelevent matters at this time to run an international paper.
Sopo finished, Noto?
Notolecta For the EON my main focus at least early on would be reaching out to potential authors foreign and domestic that either already are familar with international matters or are willing to take a shot at keeping up with such matters.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples I was obviously involved in that decision making, as a part of Mal's administration, and while I would like Euro to have an international paper, this next term (for me, if elected), will be about setting the groundwork for an international paper in 2015. Whether I run for a second term, or only have one term and someone else follows me, I think we need to do work before we can successfully produce an international
Mousebumples paper.
Mousebumples We haven't produced a Foreign Update in _months_. That's not to say that a Foreign Update is the same as an International Paper, but if we can step up our Foreign Update frequency in the coming term, that will help. I also hope that the continued development of EON will benefit our foreign newswriting staff, to help us develop the skills and talents of writers that would contribute to an International Paper.
Mousebumples I want to see an International Paper, and I hope that we can make strides in the coming term to come closer to being able to successfully produce such an endeavor in the future. A large part of this depends on how responsive the Europeian public is to producing articles with an international flavor. In Europeia, we tend to be very focused on regional matters on the Europeian forums and the like. That's great for our
Mousebumples internal affairs, but less helpful when we're trying to make a splash on the international stage.
Mousebumples If elected, I plan to challenge the editors of Private Media (and citizens without newspapers) to cover both national, regional, and international matters to help us better develop our skills regarding foreign affairs moving forward.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths Rach and I have talked. We've decided that we'll tempt Unibot over to our side with bacon and syrup and have him work together with Rach to create an International paper that not only rivals TRT, but beats it in the number of bikini pics it contains.
SevenDeaths (done)
Sopo anyone wish to rebuttal?
Notolecta I would like to adress rachel's comments on foreign updates.
Mousebumples i wonder if SD has a serious answer he wishes to put forth?
Sopo Noto, go ahead
Sopo then we can address SD
Notolecta Foreign updates are a seperate matter from an international paper due to the focus of content being on internal matters rather than external matters, The two are not really comperable for that reason.
Mousebumples And to clarify, on my end, the reason i referenced foreign updates is because i don't think that we can be expected to publish frequently re: international issues if we can't even write about ourselves more than every 3-4 months
Notolecta We can now move on to SD, who I would also like a serious response from.
SevenDeaths In all seriousness, I don't see much difference between the International Paper and EON. If we can't do one, how can we do the other? Both would put major focus on International news over regional so if the only difference is that the EAAC has to play committee for a paper, leave the EAAC out of it and go with the paper.
SevenDeaths Sorry, that was all I had.
Sopo any more for rebuttals? I will address foreign updates in the next question
Sopo Hi prometheus
Sopo Let's take a quick break so I can explain the rules to him
prometheus3 Hello, huys.
Sopo OK, welcome to the preisdential debate. We've already covered a few foreign policy issues, and we'll continue once I explain the rules.
Sopo Only candidates and the moderator (me) are allowed to post in this chatroom. commentary occurs in #euro
Sopo we are first covering foreign policy questions, and then domestic questions
Sopo each candidate has an opportunity to answer in the order of Notolecta-Mouse-SD-prometheus
Sopo once your answer is complete, please include (done) so we know
Sopo after all answers are given, I will provide an opportunity for rebuttal
Sopo any questions?
prometheus3 No.
Notolecta do we want to give prometheus a chance to answe the two questions already covered?
prometheus3 How?
Sopo That sounds fair
Mousebumples why don't we send him the questions via PM
Mousebumples and then they can be edited into the transcript
Mousebumples just to move things along more so SD can get to work on time
Sopo I don't really want to hold up the debate though
Sopo yeah, he can answer them afterwards
prometheus3 SOunds good to me.
Sopo OK
Sopo next question!
Mousebumples is prometheus3 going at the end of the line?
Notolecta Yes he mentioned that above.
Sopo There's just been some discussion of foreign updates in the peanut gallery. We've had issues putting them out consistently. How often can we expect you to put out a foreign update during your term? What is the importance/significance of the foreign update? Are there any changes you would make to how we currently draft and deliver them?
Sopo Noto-Mouse-SD-prometheus
Notolecta As mentioned in my platform unde my administration the Foreign Update would be under the lead of comm which I expect will increase the quality of the content snce my Comm minister will be someone specializing in writing.
Notolecta Further I intend to have a specific or multiple specific AM's assigned to work on the Update since I believe a large factor that contributed to the lack of updates recently was the fact that it was not properly delegated to other individuals.
Notolecta My hope is that if individuals are assigned certain articles it will be easier to produce content on a regular basis than having one person do it, especially when that person has recently also had a lot of other matters to tend to.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples I plan to aim to have at least one Foreign Update a month, at minimum. Optimally, I'd like to have more, but I also don't want to make promises that my MoFA will then have to keep.
Mousebumples One of the big changes that I plan to make is to also publish the foreign update via Dispatch, to allow us to notify regions that we're not currently affiliated with of what's all going on. Further, a lot of the materials that we currently dispatch (through MinComm) are appropriate for the foreign update … just perhaps with a bit less GIF'ing or inside jokes about Taylor Swift. (sorry Calvin and Haley) If w
Mousebumples e repurpose content that we're already producing at a steady basis, we have the base content for our Foreign Updates already.
Mousebumples Additionally, we don't need to have super-long Foreign Updates. I'd be happy to distribute a Foreign Updates that contains maybe a good account of one or two important events. Similar to the international paper, by the time we get enough “stuff” ready to publish, a lot of it may already be out of date. We also have a number of ambassadors in the FA program that could be tasked with writing articles or profi
Mousebumples les or … whatever other content that could also be used in the Foreign Update.
Mousebumples As to “what is the importance/significance” - it's a good way to distribute information about the opportunities and events on-going in Europeia. I'd hope that there is some feedback and commentary in the regions we post the updates in (although, I'll admit, that may be too much to hope for), and that more frequent updates give our ambassadors more opportunities to engage and interact with the natives in whate
Mousebumples ver region(s) they're assigned to.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths FA Updates are more of a token gesture of activity. You'll get the rare person or three who actually reads them, but for the most part they go unnoticed. For instance, I'm looking at the last Euro FA update from the sixth of this month and it's nothing but Senate election and a list of raids.
SevenDeaths Stuff that is already known by anyone who cares. FA Updates can be a useful recruitment tool if used correctly. So, I'd aim to get one out at least once a month(that's been a good time frame that's always worked for Albion) and focus more on things that would be of interest instead of making an entire update out of raids and elections
SevenDeaths I should mention the small bit about EPR at the bottom of it, which should have been center stage
SevenDeaths That's what I'd focus on. (done_
Sopo now prometheus
prometheus3 The FA Updates are good updates to have on FA's. Unfortunately, most people won't read them much.
Mousebumples (when you're done, remember to say (done))
prometheus3 What I aim to do is to put them in a format that catches the interests of the majority, and write down the important points in the dispatch.
prometheus3 I will post at least one update a month (done).
Sopo any rebuttals? starting with Noto
Notolecta For both SD and prometheus, how do you intend to increases frequency. I agree with SD that a better variety of topics would be good, but it doesn't adress the problem we've actually been having which is freqeuncy.
SevenDeaths Writing a Foreign update isn't hard. If you make it out to be something it is, than it will fail. One person can write an update over a period of a few days with little stress.
Sopo Prometheus?
SevenDeaths Also, short on topics? Make up some funny stuff. Drop some Faux News in there
Notolecta Then why haven't we been getting them out? If there is nothing wrong with how we are doing it now, why isn't it working?
SevenDeaths Clearly there is something wrong with what we're doing now. If it's a lack of leadership on the Minister's side, I don't know. I'm not an Ambassador at the moment and not privy to that.
SevenDeaths It's also possible that the lines between Dispatch and FA Update is blurred and we're possibly spending a bit too much time on Dispatches.
Mousebumples But they're done by different areas. Right now FU is under FA, and Dispatches are Comm. Why would one affect the other?
SevenDeaths I'd answer by asking how much overlap there is between the two ministries? Is it easier to write for a Dispatch than for an Update? People will choose the easier path every time.
Sopo quickly wrap up any rebuttals so we can move on
Mousebumples i think dispatch content can easily be repurposed to FU content and used for both, as i stated above
SevenDeaths Great. Then do it.
Sopo Ok, let's move on
Sopo The Navy has seen an uptick in recruitment and actual raids this term. How do you plan to utilize the Navy during your term? What plans do you have for training and recruitment?
Notolecta My main goal for the Navy is to see an increase in cooperative operations if possible, especially one's with us in the lead role. I would also like to greatly bolster our volunteer numbers to allow for us to participate in holds and have active operations at the time.
Notolecta I have multiple plans for increased recruitment efforts, however making them clear may allow for easier infiltration, so I will avoid specifics for now.
Notolecta Continued efforts to train sailors to lead operations are definitely needed and I believe that our current course, which has produced two new sailors with those abilities is the right one in that effect.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples I'd like to see multiple commanders within our Navy leading missions, continuing to reinforce the skills they've already learned and ensuring that we will not be dependent on a single commander in the near future. I've also talked with my GA nominee about continuing the training that Kraken has started this term.
Mousebumples We will also work on refining our liberation skills as well as the more raiding-focused skills. Yes, most of our allies tend to engage in raid-style efforts, but we are an independent region and should not be limited in what sort of missions we can engage in by our limitations in skills and training regarding defender-related skills. I don't plan to make liberations our primary focus, but I would like to see some
Mousebumples further development in this area. Of course, we would not work to liberate regions that are held by our allies, but we need to ensure that we have a military force that is capable of acting with defenders or raiders, depending on which side best serves our interests, internationally.
Mousebumples So far as recruitment goes, I'd like to see a Navy-related portion added to the current dispatch re: WA FAQ that's pinned below our WFE. I'd also like to see more dispatches published about the Navy, similar to the posts posted in the Octagon after a successful raid. We've also had a number of nations in the region respond positively when asked about the Navy in various MousePolls conducted gameside, and I believe
Mousebumples further gameside recruitment will be beneficial.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths I'd rewrite everything that the two above me said, but that'd just be ridiculous. I want what has been wanted of the navy every term since Raiding existed. More leaders capable of triggering and more joint operations. I'd only want more tags
SevenDeaths as far as they're needed. When it comes right down to it, tag raids are nothing more than training exercises for the bigger fish. The holds of larger more storied regions. Like Canada.
SevenDeaths (done)
Sopo and finally, prometheus
prometheus3 I would like to see a few branches of the Navy specializing in Spec Ops. That way, when we need to liberate regions not held by our allies, they can go in and potentially weaken the grasp the larger region has on the smaller region. I would also like to see more joint operations and better formations to defend and attack, when the need arises.
Sopo done?
prometheus3 As for recruitment, we will want to say something along the lines of, "if you join the ERN, you will be with the x-number of regions taking the fight to make the world free." We need a gimmick to bring in new recruits. Why not have some slight special priviliage for the people in the Navy?
prometheus3 (done)
Sopo Free for all on rebuttals.
Sopo Just go for it.
SevenDeaths Prometheus, could you explain your experience with actual R/D gameplay?
Mousebumples SD: you seem very raiding focussed. do you plan to change our FA focus from being an independent region to being a raiding region, if elected?
prometheus3 I have little R/D gameplay, unfortunately.
prometheus3 ALso, SD, why do you lean more on raiding?
SevenDeaths @Mouse: That's an interesting prospect, but I believe such a step coming off the heels of the Independent Conference would be a horrible idea. Independence works for Euro and my experience lies with raiding so yeah, I'm raiding focused.
Mousebumples okay, that makes sense
prometheus3 Good point.
Mousebumples next question?
Sopo Ok.
SevenDeaths @Prom: I've never been anything else. I started R/D in Euro which, while being Independent, never taught me anything other than raiding. My only other experience comes from being in the UIAF which is obviously Imperialist. Plus, raiding is just more fun.
Sopo quick poll of the candidates, would you like another FA/Navy question, or move on to domestic?
prometheus3 Domestic.
Mousebumples i have no preference, but i think SD needs to go in a little over an hour
Sopo probably best to move on then
Notolecta If we have any other significant FA/navy qeustions go with that
SevenDeaths Aye, an hour and seven minutes to be exact. I'm good with either
Sopo ok.
Notolecta FA/Navy is far more varying than domestic affairs and a stronger topic of importance in elections.
Mousebumples we can always continue some domestic questions after SD leaves and ask him those over PM, i suppose
prometheus3 Yeah, I agree.
Sopo Final FA question from the gallery: With Sopo recently publishing an article on our foreign affairs, what will you do to ensure more foreign information is public, and discussed as a community? What do you make of his proposals?
* Mousebumples goes to find sopo's official proposals
Sopo http://s6.zetaboards.com/Europeia/topic/8923497/2/
Sopo for reference if you need it
Sopo and the question was from WL. Feel free to focus on the broader first part of the question rather than my specific proposals
Notolecta I fully intend to have the EAAC release some public statements, largely in the vein of making sure our positions on matters of Foriegn Affairs are clearly understood. I also have long agreed with the concept of expanding the variety of veiws in the EAAC, and fully intend for that to occur.
Notolecta Other points of the proposal specifically having a member of the EBC on the EAAC and having the grand hall go private so we can discuss more sensitive FA matters sound good, but aren't entirely practical.
Notolecta If there is an EBC member that has value as a FA adviser he should be on the EAAC of course, but I don't believe we should put a member of the EBC on there out of a rule of some sort.
Notolecta On expanding some more sensitive matters to the GH, the problem is citizenship is not hard to obtain, so the risk of leaks would be great.(done)
Mousebumples I would like to see more discussions in public, and I would hope that the publishing of EON articles (with a decidedly more international flavor) in the region will help, to a point. However, I like the recent FA-related discussions that we've had in both Sopo's paper and in the Grand Hall. I can understand that the individuals in charge at that time don't appreciate being questioned on such decisions in public, but
Mousebumples I think that the discussions as a whole will be moving things forward FA knowledge within the region.
Mousebumples I'd like to see similar discussions in the future – although, I'd obviously love to hope that my term, if elected, won't have any controversies of that nature that need to be brought to light. Still, I think it would be useful to have discussions about the historical nature of some of our relationships with regions to give the average citizen more insight into _why_ we have a close relationship with Region-A.
Mousebumples I hope to add a new voice or two to EAAC, if elected, and I'm open to sharing more information (re: public statements) as well. Similar to Noto, I don't believe in appointing MinComm to EAAC because he's MinComm. However, I would work with the members of EAAC to perhaps nominate an individual in EAAC to be in charge of determining what can be disseminated publicly – or, what should have a Canada-style threa
Mousebumples d started on it within the Grand Hall.
Mousebumples I also plan to start a thread regarding “where should public FA discussions happen?” in the Grand Hall, if elected. I would be open to creating a new subforum in the Oval Room – with masking to allow citizen posting and viewing only – if that's the preference of the region. Of course, it's not difficult to get citizenship, so it's possible we could also have some external infiltration in such discussio
Mousebumples ns. As such, I don't expect to do away with the EAAC entirely by any means and would strenuously resist such attempts during my administration.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths Having relied on the EAAC in the past, I was incredibly grateful for the wealth of knowledge and insight that we had all in one group. I believe that there are some FA aspects should be discussed more openly however. These would include
SevenDeaths such items that affect the entire region as a whole. Public items such as the Canada thing that are easily picked up on through FA Updates from other regions or a brief perusal through GP.
SevenDeaths That's not to say everything should be made public but the MoFA and EAAC should be able to figure out what exactly can be made public and what can't, like the release back in July. As for appointing someone to the EAAC to "represent" the EBC, I'm torn.
SevenDeaths On one hand, it isn't a terrible idea, but on the other, if their only motivation is to dispense approved FA topics to the region at large, the EAAC with the Prez can handle that already. (done)
prometheus3 I won't expect to dissolve the EAAC or EBC. They both are beneficial to our region.
prometheus3 First of all, there will be discussions that will be public. I will make sure that the FA discussions that should be under wraps remain under wraps.
Sopo done?
Sopo As a follow-up to all candidates?
prometheus3 As for the issue with the citizenship being a way for leaks to occur on more sensitive FA discussions, the way to obtain citizenship should be slightly more difficult to obtain. Before new nations become citizens, they should take an oath saying that they will not leak any info on sensitive FA issues (if they
Sopo oh. uh. sorry. that's not a question
prometheus3 I actuallly wasn't finished.
Sopo sorry about that
prometheus3 In conclusion, nations that leak sensitive information should lose citizenship for a month or two.
prometheus3 (done)
Sopo As a follow up to all candidates, does the controversy surrounding TSP and the Independence Convention fall into "EAAC-only" or "public discussion?" If another such issue arose, how would you handle it?
Mousebumples in order again?
Sopo yes
Notolecta I think handling the matter is largely up to the EAAC, but the REgion should have been better breifed so it could have had discussions if it wished. I'm not going to say how I'd handle a similar situation because even small detials could affect how such a matter needs to be handled.
Notolecta I also was not directly involved and do not have a perfect picutre of eactly what went down since it's unclear what all infromation that is floating around is accurate and what hasn't come out.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples Agreed with Noto. It's hard to say how I'd handle a “similar situation” because in NS FA affairs, no two situations are alike. I understand why Kraken didn't broach the issue with the region when the Convention was on-going, and it's possible that there were more factors in play that I was not (and am not) privy to, as I was not President at that time.
Mousebumples As stated above, I'd like to have more regional discussions on FA, and if a similar event of some nature were to happen, I would hope that there would be some material that I could disseminate, publicly. (done)
SevenDeaths I'm going to be entirely honest, I have no idea what the controversy was surrounding, aside from the brief details I received after the question was asked. However, I'd echo Mouse's comments and say that I hope there would be something to give to the the rest of the region to mull over.
SevenDeaths But, I'd definitely try to keep the situation from boiling over as much as possible. (done)
prometheus3 Agreed with Mouse. However, if another issue arose, and the EAAC is unable to decide on an issue, it should be the public's decision. But, the situation should be taken care of in the most peaceful way and use violence as a last resort (done)
Mousebumples i have no rebuttals or followups, btw
Sopo Let's go over the rules
Mousebumples and someone is planning to save/post a transcript?
Sopo Firstly, only participants and the moderator are allowed/able to post in this chat
Sopo yes
Sopo I'll save it
Sopo If anyone has any questions, feel free to send them to me on skype/IRC pm/ or forum pm, though I'm more likely to notice quickly the former two
Sopo The debate will consist of foreign policy and navy questions first, followed by a brief intermission (if needed) and then domestic questions
Sopo each candidate will have an opportunity to answer each question. once your answer is complete, please follow it with (done)
Sopo once all candidates have answered, there will be time for discussion among the candidates, structured as need be
Sopo any questions?
Mousebumples are we answering the questions in any particular order, or - to save time - is it something of a free for all?
SevenDeaths Negative bossman.
Mousebumples (i.e. SD, Noto, then Mouse, or vice versa, etc.)
Sopo there will be an order, otherwise answers could be jumbled
Notolecta Can I be last or first.
Sopo would you prefer for the order to stay the same the whole time or changed per question?
* Mousebumples doesn't care
SevenDeaths I've no hard feelings either way
Sopo for the sake of simplicity then, for the first section, we'll go Noto-Mouse-SD
Sopo fair?
Notolecta that works
Mousebumples works for me
Mousebumples order of standing
SevenDeaths Aye, tis fair
Sopo ok
Sopo unless anyone has any further qualms, we can begin
* Mousebumples approves
Sopo ok
Sopo let's begin!
Sopo Firstly, thank you all for being here. Good luck.
Sopo I'm going to start with a question from the gallery.
Sopo The GAP has been a, rather, large controversy in previous elections about whether it "drains our resources" or whether "our resources are put to good use". What will you do with the GAP, and why do you feel this is the best course of action?
Sopo again, the response order is Noto-Mouse-SD. Please include (done) at the end of your answer so the next candidate knows to begin
Notolecta As I've stated previously I plan to remove the GAP name and move away from the focus on region building the GAP has while continuing to nuture and build relationships with younger or smaller regions. I like to think of this as deformalizing the GAP, and believe this will allow us to continue getting the benefits of relations with young regions without the negitives of a region building project.
Notolecta Done.
Sopo Mouse is next.
Mousebumples I talked about this some in my platform, but I'll happily recap it here. I think the GAP is appropriate where it currently is - within Foreign Affairs. I view the GAP (and the assigning of an architect to a region) as a slight off-shoot of current procedure for regions that we send ambassadors to. Just, in this case, we're sending a specially qualified ambassador to the region to help them get things off the ground,
Mousebumples so to speak. I don't plan to specially seek out any new GAP regions during my term, but I am open to discussing possible GAP agreements if they arise through other methods. (i.e. a region contacts me, my MoFA, an ambassador, etc., about possibly having some help with that sort of thing) I don't know that this method would use much of our "resources," so I think saying that it "drains our resources" is an
Mousebumples overstatement. I feel that serving as an architect for a region is a good way to be friendly and helpful to the outside (NationStates) world and build up our reputation abroad. (done)
Sopo and now SD.
SevenDeaths GAPs are meant to be filled and my tenure as President would see just that. When the GAP first popped up, it received mixed reactions, but had been able to show everyone it's usefulness. At least for the time being. I believe that usefulness has long since passed. Yes, we reached an agreement recently with a fledgling Empire, but that is by no means a rationale for something that has seen no real success other than that. I wil
SevenDeaths (done)
Mousebumples (your message was cut off - are you really done?)
SevenDeaths Where did it cut off at? It shows the whole thing for me.
Mousebumples "I wil"
Sopo (I wil...)
SevenDeaths I will close the GAP and shelf it.
SevenDeaths (done)
Sopo ok
Sopo If anyone would like to rebut, go ahead, in the same order for now
Sopo so Noto first
Mousebumples can i ask noto to clarify? or is that a "rebut" thing?
Notolecta I would assume we can ask questions of one another during our own turns.
Mousebumples ok
* Mousebumples will wait for her turn then
Sopo Noto is correct
Notolecta I don't believe me and mouse are that far apart, both of us are willing to continue aiding smaller regions, but I have a feeling that interactions with smaller regions will remain focused on the region building aspect. She can clarify otherwise now if she wishes before I touch on SD.
Mousebumples that was more my question for you
Mousebumples Noto, what do you view as the difference between “region building” and “nurturing and building relationships with younger or smaller regions” ? What do we do now that we wouldn't do under your plan?
Mousebumples to me, it seems like you'd continue everything, except you maybe wouldn't call it "GAP"
Mousebumples so if there's anything in particular that you were planning to discontinue, i wanted to clarify that
Notolecta To me region building is more focused on helping that region grow and on internal matters. I would simply treat them more like other regions(of course they are still going to get treated individually as we would with any region).
Notolecta Ultimately none of the current practices would be off the table, but they would be set aside for regions that request them rather than approaching regions for the purpose of helping them in such ways.
Mousebumples okay, and the big difference i see there is that so many smaller regions don't know what to do and how to conduct matters to grow their region. that's why i think the GAP is useful, even if we call it something else. if a smaller region comes to us and wants to establish forum relations, if their forum/region goes poof in 2 months, why did we not try to help them succeed rather than avoiding the region building
Mousebumples aspect on principle?
Mousebumples and, yes, we're the same in that regard - i'm not planning to actively seek out any such relationships, but if someone comes to us and asks for help (not that they have to say GAP ME, PLZ), that's when i would look to establish a new GAP agreement
Notolecta Because of a certian attitude that what I am calling region building presents.
Mousebumples but then you said that you would do said region building if approached to help with that?
Mousebumples or is it all a "term" thing? you just wouldn't call it region building because the terms we use make that much of a difference?
Notolecta When that is our main intent in our dealings it causes us to target regions that are in bad shape.
Notolecta I trhink you are misunderstanding.
Mousebumples but if we're not _targeting_ regions - they're coming to us - why does it matter whether it's called "region building" or something else?
Notolecta I am talking about when that becomes the focus of our relationship with the region, when the relationship itself should be the focus.
Mousebumples do you not build a relationship through helping a region build themselves up?
Notolecta I don't think we are far off from one another, but we are off from what is current.
Mousebumples yes
Mousebumples okay, let's focus on SD's response so he doesn't feel ignored?
Sopo go ahead
SevenDeaths Yes, hit me.
Mousebumples SD, do you mean that you will void or not honor the agreement with the latest GAP region? If yes, how do you think such an action will reflect on our region internationally?
Sopo but let's try to wrap this up quickly so we can move on
Notolecta So for SD my concern is why should we not keep the option open?
SevenDeaths @Mouse. I mean that I will, from the day I win, cease making GAP Agreements. Any made before me shall still be considered valid.
Mousebumples ok
SevenDeaths @Noto. GAP as an institution hasn't been all that effective. If there were such a great call for it, perhaps we'd be rolling around in GAP agreements, but we aren't. If someone asks us for help and we think, as an Administration we can provide it, then why not do so because we can and no because there's a GAP.
Mousebumples so you're not opposed to providing architect-like guidance from your administration - you just wouldn't call it GAP and wouldn't reach out to regions yourself? (i.e. as an administration)
SevenDeaths Any follow ups?
Mousebumples if that's the case, i really don't think we're far off at all
Sopo SD, do you have anything for them? if not, we'll move on
SevenDeaths Yeah, basically. But only if they ask and if they ask, we'll handle it. But GAP is just not working.
SevenDeaths I'm set
Sopo Ok, next question
SevenDeaths Nothing from me.
Sopo President Malashaan recently pulled away from the idea of an "international paper" in favor of focusing on EON to distribute media abroad. Would developing an international paper be a focus during your term? How do you plan to develop EON?
Sopo again, Noto-Mouse-SD
Notolecta I feel Malashaan made the right call. We do not have enough authors familar with internationally revelevent matters at this time to run an international paper.
Sopo finished, Noto?
Notolecta For the EON my main focus at least early on would be reaching out to potential authors foreign and domestic that either already are familar with international matters or are willing to take a shot at keeping up with such matters.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples I was obviously involved in that decision making, as a part of Mal's administration, and while I would like Euro to have an international paper, this next term (for me, if elected), will be about setting the groundwork for an international paper in 2015. Whether I run for a second term, or only have one term and someone else follows me, I think we need to do work before we can successfully produce an international
Mousebumples paper.
Mousebumples We haven't produced a Foreign Update in _months_. That's not to say that a Foreign Update is the same as an International Paper, but if we can step up our Foreign Update frequency in the coming term, that will help. I also hope that the continued development of EON will benefit our foreign newswriting staff, to help us develop the skills and talents of writers that would contribute to an International Paper.
Mousebumples I want to see an International Paper, and I hope that we can make strides in the coming term to come closer to being able to successfully produce such an endeavor in the future. A large part of this depends on how responsive the Europeian public is to producing articles with an international flavor. In Europeia, we tend to be very focused on regional matters on the Europeian forums and the like. That's great for our
Mousebumples internal affairs, but less helpful when we're trying to make a splash on the international stage.
Mousebumples If elected, I plan to challenge the editors of Private Media (and citizens without newspapers) to cover both national, regional, and international matters to help us better develop our skills regarding foreign affairs moving forward.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths Rach and I have talked. We've decided that we'll tempt Unibot over to our side with bacon and syrup and have him work together with Rach to create an International paper that not only rivals TRT, but beats it in the number of bikini pics it contains.
SevenDeaths (done)
Sopo anyone wish to rebuttal?
Notolecta I would like to adress rachel's comments on foreign updates.
Mousebumples i wonder if SD has a serious answer he wishes to put forth?
Sopo Noto, go ahead
Sopo then we can address SD
Notolecta Foreign updates are a seperate matter from an international paper due to the focus of content being on internal matters rather than external matters, The two are not really comperable for that reason.
Mousebumples And to clarify, on my end, the reason i referenced foreign updates is because i don't think that we can be expected to publish frequently re: international issues if we can't even write about ourselves more than every 3-4 months
Notolecta We can now move on to SD, who I would also like a serious response from.
SevenDeaths In all seriousness, I don't see much difference between the International Paper and EON. If we can't do one, how can we do the other? Both would put major focus on International news over regional so if the only difference is that the EAAC has to play committee for a paper, leave the EAAC out of it and go with the paper.
SevenDeaths Sorry, that was all I had.
Sopo any more for rebuttals? I will address foreign updates in the next question
Sopo Hi prometheus
Sopo Let's take a quick break so I can explain the rules to him
prometheus3 Hello, huys.
Sopo OK, welcome to the preisdential debate. We've already covered a few foreign policy issues, and we'll continue once I explain the rules.
Sopo Only candidates and the moderator (me) are allowed to post in this chatroom. commentary occurs in #euro
Sopo we are first covering foreign policy questions, and then domestic questions
Sopo each candidate has an opportunity to answer in the order of Notolecta-Mouse-SD-prometheus
Sopo once your answer is complete, please include (done) so we know
Sopo after all answers are given, I will provide an opportunity for rebuttal
Sopo any questions?
prometheus3 No.
Notolecta do we want to give prometheus a chance to answe the two questions already covered?
prometheus3 How?
Sopo That sounds fair
Mousebumples why don't we send him the questions via PM
Mousebumples and then they can be edited into the transcript
Mousebumples just to move things along more so SD can get to work on time
Sopo I don't really want to hold up the debate though
Sopo yeah, he can answer them afterwards
prometheus3 SOunds good to me.
Sopo OK
Sopo next question!
Mousebumples is prometheus3 going at the end of the line?
Notolecta Yes he mentioned that above.
Sopo There's just been some discussion of foreign updates in the peanut gallery. We've had issues putting them out consistently. How often can we expect you to put out a foreign update during your term? What is the importance/significance of the foreign update? Are there any changes you would make to how we currently draft and deliver them?
Sopo Noto-Mouse-SD-prometheus
Notolecta As mentioned in my platform unde my administration the Foreign Update would be under the lead of comm which I expect will increase the quality of the content snce my Comm minister will be someone specializing in writing.
Notolecta Further I intend to have a specific or multiple specific AM's assigned to work on the Update since I believe a large factor that contributed to the lack of updates recently was the fact that it was not properly delegated to other individuals.
Notolecta My hope is that if individuals are assigned certain articles it will be easier to produce content on a regular basis than having one person do it, especially when that person has recently also had a lot of other matters to tend to.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples I plan to aim to have at least one Foreign Update a month, at minimum. Optimally, I'd like to have more, but I also don't want to make promises that my MoFA will then have to keep.
Mousebumples One of the big changes that I plan to make is to also publish the foreign update via Dispatch, to allow us to notify regions that we're not currently affiliated with of what's all going on. Further, a lot of the materials that we currently dispatch (through MinComm) are appropriate for the foreign update … just perhaps with a bit less GIF'ing or inside jokes about Taylor Swift. (sorry Calvin and Haley) If w
Mousebumples e repurpose content that we're already producing at a steady basis, we have the base content for our Foreign Updates already.
Mousebumples Additionally, we don't need to have super-long Foreign Updates. I'd be happy to distribute a Foreign Updates that contains maybe a good account of one or two important events. Similar to the international paper, by the time we get enough “stuff” ready to publish, a lot of it may already be out of date. We also have a number of ambassadors in the FA program that could be tasked with writing articles or profi
Mousebumples les or … whatever other content that could also be used in the Foreign Update.
Mousebumples As to “what is the importance/significance” - it's a good way to distribute information about the opportunities and events on-going in Europeia. I'd hope that there is some feedback and commentary in the regions we post the updates in (although, I'll admit, that may be too much to hope for), and that more frequent updates give our ambassadors more opportunities to engage and interact with the natives in whate
Mousebumples ver region(s) they're assigned to.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths FA Updates are more of a token gesture of activity. You'll get the rare person or three who actually reads them, but for the most part they go unnoticed. For instance, I'm looking at the last Euro FA update from the sixth of this month and it's nothing but Senate election and a list of raids.
SevenDeaths Stuff that is already known by anyone who cares. FA Updates can be a useful recruitment tool if used correctly. So, I'd aim to get one out at least once a month(that's been a good time frame that's always worked for Albion) and focus more on things that would be of interest instead of making an entire update out of raids and elections
SevenDeaths I should mention the small bit about EPR at the bottom of it, which should have been center stage
SevenDeaths That's what I'd focus on. (done_
Sopo now prometheus
prometheus3 The FA Updates are good updates to have on FA's. Unfortunately, most people won't read them much.
Mousebumples (when you're done, remember to say (done))
prometheus3 What I aim to do is to put them in a format that catches the interests of the majority, and write down the important points in the dispatch.
prometheus3 I will post at least one update a month (done).
Sopo any rebuttals? starting with Noto
Notolecta For both SD and prometheus, how do you intend to increases frequency. I agree with SD that a better variety of topics would be good, but it doesn't adress the problem we've actually been having which is freqeuncy.
SevenDeaths Writing a Foreign update isn't hard. If you make it out to be something it is, than it will fail. One person can write an update over a period of a few days with little stress.
Sopo Prometheus?
SevenDeaths Also, short on topics? Make up some funny stuff. Drop some Faux News in there
Notolecta Then why haven't we been getting them out? If there is nothing wrong with how we are doing it now, why isn't it working?
SevenDeaths Clearly there is something wrong with what we're doing now. If it's a lack of leadership on the Minister's side, I don't know. I'm not an Ambassador at the moment and not privy to that.
SevenDeaths It's also possible that the lines between Dispatch and FA Update is blurred and we're possibly spending a bit too much time on Dispatches.
Mousebumples But they're done by different areas. Right now FU is under FA, and Dispatches are Comm. Why would one affect the other?
SevenDeaths I'd answer by asking how much overlap there is between the two ministries? Is it easier to write for a Dispatch than for an Update? People will choose the easier path every time.
Sopo quickly wrap up any rebuttals so we can move on
Mousebumples i think dispatch content can easily be repurposed to FU content and used for both, as i stated above
SevenDeaths Great. Then do it.
Sopo Ok, let's move on
Sopo The Navy has seen an uptick in recruitment and actual raids this term. How do you plan to utilize the Navy during your term? What plans do you have for training and recruitment?
Notolecta My main goal for the Navy is to see an increase in cooperative operations if possible, especially one's with us in the lead role. I would also like to greatly bolster our volunteer numbers to allow for us to participate in holds and have active operations at the time.
Notolecta I have multiple plans for increased recruitment efforts, however making them clear may allow for easier infiltration, so I will avoid specifics for now.
Notolecta Continued efforts to train sailors to lead operations are definitely needed and I believe that our current course, which has produced two new sailors with those abilities is the right one in that effect.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples I'd like to see multiple commanders within our Navy leading missions, continuing to reinforce the skills they've already learned and ensuring that we will not be dependent on a single commander in the near future. I've also talked with my GA nominee about continuing the training that Kraken has started this term.
Mousebumples We will also work on refining our liberation skills as well as the more raiding-focused skills. Yes, most of our allies tend to engage in raid-style efforts, but we are an independent region and should not be limited in what sort of missions we can engage in by our limitations in skills and training regarding defender-related skills. I don't plan to make liberations our primary focus, but I would like to see some
Mousebumples further development in this area. Of course, we would not work to liberate regions that are held by our allies, but we need to ensure that we have a military force that is capable of acting with defenders or raiders, depending on which side best serves our interests, internationally.
Mousebumples So far as recruitment goes, I'd like to see a Navy-related portion added to the current dispatch re: WA FAQ that's pinned below our WFE. I'd also like to see more dispatches published about the Navy, similar to the posts posted in the Octagon after a successful raid. We've also had a number of nations in the region respond positively when asked about the Navy in various MousePolls conducted gameside, and I believe
Mousebumples further gameside recruitment will be beneficial.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths I'd rewrite everything that the two above me said, but that'd just be ridiculous. I want what has been wanted of the navy every term since Raiding existed. More leaders capable of triggering and more joint operations. I'd only want more tags
SevenDeaths as far as they're needed. When it comes right down to it, tag raids are nothing more than training exercises for the bigger fish. The holds of larger more storied regions. Like Canada.
SevenDeaths (done)
Sopo and finally, prometheus
prometheus3 I would like to see a few branches of the Navy specializing in Spec Ops. That way, when we need to liberate regions not held by our allies, they can go in and potentially weaken the grasp the larger region has on the smaller region. I would also like to see more joint operations and better formations to defend and attack, when the need arises.
Sopo done?
prometheus3 As for recruitment, we will want to say something along the lines of, "if you join the ERN, you will be with the x-number of regions taking the fight to make the world free." We need a gimmick to bring in new recruits. Why not have some slight special priviliage for the people in the Navy?
prometheus3 (done)
Sopo Free for all on rebuttals.
Sopo Just go for it.
SevenDeaths Prometheus, could you explain your experience with actual R/D gameplay?
Mousebumples SD: you seem very raiding focussed. do you plan to change our FA focus from being an independent region to being a raiding region, if elected?
prometheus3 I have little R/D gameplay, unfortunately.
prometheus3 ALso, SD, why do you lean more on raiding?
SevenDeaths @Mouse: That's an interesting prospect, but I believe such a step coming off the heels of the Independent Conference would be a horrible idea. Independence works for Euro and my experience lies with raiding so yeah, I'm raiding focused.
Mousebumples okay, that makes sense
prometheus3 Good point.
Mousebumples next question?
Sopo Ok.
SevenDeaths @Prom: I've never been anything else. I started R/D in Euro which, while being Independent, never taught me anything other than raiding. My only other experience comes from being in the UIAF which is obviously Imperialist. Plus, raiding is just more fun.
Sopo quick poll of the candidates, would you like another FA/Navy question, or move on to domestic?
prometheus3 Domestic.
Mousebumples i have no preference, but i think SD needs to go in a little over an hour
Sopo probably best to move on then
Notolecta If we have any other significant FA/navy qeustions go with that
SevenDeaths Aye, an hour and seven minutes to be exact. I'm good with either
Sopo ok.
Notolecta FA/Navy is far more varying than domestic affairs and a stronger topic of importance in elections.
Mousebumples we can always continue some domestic questions after SD leaves and ask him those over PM, i suppose
prometheus3 Yeah, I agree.
Sopo Final FA question from the gallery: With Sopo recently publishing an article on our foreign affairs, what will you do to ensure more foreign information is public, and discussed as a community? What do you make of his proposals?
* Mousebumples goes to find sopo's official proposals
Sopo http://s6.zetaboards.com/Europeia/topic/8923497/2/
Sopo for reference if you need it
Sopo and the question was from WL. Feel free to focus on the broader first part of the question rather than my specific proposals
Notolecta I fully intend to have the EAAC release some public statements, largely in the vein of making sure our positions on matters of Foriegn Affairs are clearly understood. I also have long agreed with the concept of expanding the variety of veiws in the EAAC, and fully intend for that to occur.
Notolecta Other points of the proposal specifically having a member of the EBC on the EAAC and having the grand hall go private so we can discuss more sensitive FA matters sound good, but aren't entirely practical.
Notolecta If there is an EBC member that has value as a FA adviser he should be on the EAAC of course, but I don't believe we should put a member of the EBC on there out of a rule of some sort.
Notolecta On expanding some more sensitive matters to the GH, the problem is citizenship is not hard to obtain, so the risk of leaks would be great.(done)
Mousebumples I would like to see more discussions in public, and I would hope that the publishing of EON articles (with a decidedly more international flavor) in the region will help, to a point. However, I like the recent FA-related discussions that we've had in both Sopo's paper and in the Grand Hall. I can understand that the individuals in charge at that time don't appreciate being questioned on such decisions in public, but
Mousebumples I think that the discussions as a whole will be moving things forward FA knowledge within the region.
Mousebumples I'd like to see similar discussions in the future – although, I'd obviously love to hope that my term, if elected, won't have any controversies of that nature that need to be brought to light. Still, I think it would be useful to have discussions about the historical nature of some of our relationships with regions to give the average citizen more insight into _why_ we have a close relationship with Region-A.
Mousebumples I hope to add a new voice or two to EAAC, if elected, and I'm open to sharing more information (re: public statements) as well. Similar to Noto, I don't believe in appointing MinComm to EAAC because he's MinComm. However, I would work with the members of EAAC to perhaps nominate an individual in EAAC to be in charge of determining what can be disseminated publicly – or, what should have a Canada-style threa
Mousebumples d started on it within the Grand Hall.
Mousebumples I also plan to start a thread regarding “where should public FA discussions happen?” in the Grand Hall, if elected. I would be open to creating a new subforum in the Oval Room – with masking to allow citizen posting and viewing only – if that's the preference of the region. Of course, it's not difficult to get citizenship, so it's possible we could also have some external infiltration in such discussio
Mousebumples ns. As such, I don't expect to do away with the EAAC entirely by any means and would strenuously resist such attempts during my administration.
Mousebumples (done)
SevenDeaths Having relied on the EAAC in the past, I was incredibly grateful for the wealth of knowledge and insight that we had all in one group. I believe that there are some FA aspects should be discussed more openly however. These would include
SevenDeaths such items that affect the entire region as a whole. Public items such as the Canada thing that are easily picked up on through FA Updates from other regions or a brief perusal through GP.
SevenDeaths That's not to say everything should be made public but the MoFA and EAAC should be able to figure out what exactly can be made public and what can't, like the release back in July. As for appointing someone to the EAAC to "represent" the EBC, I'm torn.
SevenDeaths On one hand, it isn't a terrible idea, but on the other, if their only motivation is to dispense approved FA topics to the region at large, the EAAC with the Prez can handle that already. (done)
prometheus3 I won't expect to dissolve the EAAC or EBC. They both are beneficial to our region.
prometheus3 First of all, there will be discussions that will be public. I will make sure that the FA discussions that should be under wraps remain under wraps.
Sopo done?
Sopo As a follow-up to all candidates?
prometheus3 As for the issue with the citizenship being a way for leaks to occur on more sensitive FA discussions, the way to obtain citizenship should be slightly more difficult to obtain. Before new nations become citizens, they should take an oath saying that they will not leak any info on sensitive FA issues (if they
Sopo oh. uh. sorry. that's not a question
prometheus3 I actuallly wasn't finished.
Sopo sorry about that
prometheus3 In conclusion, nations that leak sensitive information should lose citizenship for a month or two.
prometheus3 (done)
Sopo As a follow up to all candidates, does the controversy surrounding TSP and the Independence Convention fall into "EAAC-only" or "public discussion?" If another such issue arose, how would you handle it?
Mousebumples in order again?
Sopo yes
Notolecta I think handling the matter is largely up to the EAAC, but the REgion should have been better breifed so it could have had discussions if it wished. I'm not going to say how I'd handle a similar situation because even small detials could affect how such a matter needs to be handled.
Notolecta I also was not directly involved and do not have a perfect picutre of eactly what went down since it's unclear what all infromation that is floating around is accurate and what hasn't come out.
Notolecta (done)
Mousebumples Agreed with Noto. It's hard to say how I'd handle a “similar situation” because in NS FA affairs, no two situations are alike. I understand why Kraken didn't broach the issue with the region when the Convention was on-going, and it's possible that there were more factors in play that I was not (and am not) privy to, as I was not President at that time.
Mousebumples As stated above, I'd like to have more regional discussions on FA, and if a similar event of some nature were to happen, I would hope that there would be some material that I could disseminate, publicly. (done)
SevenDeaths I'm going to be entirely honest, I have no idea what the controversy was surrounding, aside from the brief details I received after the question was asked. However, I'd echo Mouse's comments and say that I hope there would be something to give to the the rest of the region to mull over.
SevenDeaths But, I'd definitely try to keep the situation from boiling over as much as possible. (done)
prometheus3 Agreed with Mouse. However, if another issue arose, and the EAAC is unable to decide on an issue, it should be the public's decision. But, the situation should be taken care of in the most peaceful way and use violence as a last resort (done)
Mousebumples i have no rebuttals or followups, btw
