Blue Wolf Marches Forth

[Blue Wolf II]

Glorious Opening Speech
It is my greatest pleasure to be here running for perhaps to two most important positions that our region has to offer, the honorable office of Prime Minister and Security Council. Each position carries with it the greatest of responsibilities, the Prime Minister is paramount to guiding The North Pacific in the direction which she or he sees best and the SC is our last line of legal defense against those who wish to corrupt our fine region either externally or internally. It was my decision to run for the position of Prime Minister in order to, if elected, give The North Pacific a much needed twist in direction and a new out look on how the rest of Nationstates is perceived. On the flip side, I run for Security Council in order to uphold time honored behaviors and to make sure that TNP never again falls into the hands of tyranny. With that being said, I will carry on to some more relevant information about myself and my viewpoints.

Extensively Diverse Background

I have been a member of The North Pacific’s Regional Assembly for about a year now and have served 4 consecutive terms as Deputy Minister of Culture and Education.

Many North Pacifiers are aware of my out of region actives. In The West Pacific I go by the name of Anarchy Wolf and I am quite active in their Senate. In Lazarus I go by the name Killer Kitty. Lazarus is something of my pride and joy; I originally invaded it after the delegate at that time reviled himself to be a member of the self-explanatory group Invaders and then stepped down. However, after doing so I helped restore order there, ridding Lazarus of a great number of invaders and helping to rewrite their Constitution. I step down to a native delegate and became the regions Security Minister for several months, fowling a raid attempt by the group New Folsom in the course of performing my duties. I was quite recently appointed delegate again by then delegate North Harm and served for 3 months. In that time I sought to reform the military, entered Lazarus into the BOSS alliance with TRR and The Pacific, and unsuccessfully campaigned for ejection rights in Lazarus. I stepped down to North Harm after losing a delegate election but still sever as a member of their government and military.

I am most famous as the raider Evil Wolf, second founder and current Commander-in-Chief of the Lone Wolves United. I have led that region to over 100 successful raids with hopefully many more to come.

Rabid Crazy Raider?

As many of you are probably wondering to yourselves right now, "Why should I vote for a raider?” well you shouldn't, let me explain. I never came to The North Pacific as a raider; I came as just another player. I have no intentions to use TNP as a military ground or as a platform for raider power. No, I am loyal to The North Pacific to the end and will gladly fight to defend if from any threat even if it happens to be one of my raider allies. And even though I am not happy with the fact that TNP hosts a defender army I understand why that is so and I recognize the need for it. My experiences as a raider should not be a reason to vote against me but a reason to vote for me, for I have a different perspective on how this game in run and I believe than gives me an advantage.

Heavily Propagandized Views and Opinions

Internal Security

It is of my belief that The North Pacific is in the most danger of being overtaken by a hostile force that it’s ever been in years. The "war" with Lexicon exposed the fact that we are very good with dealing with the usual external threats such as unendorsement campaigns, enemy lies and propaganda, and endoswapping. At the same time the Limitless Events Scandal exposed a very raw and exploitable avenue for our enemies. Internal betrayal should be our largest worry, the way that delegate elections are currently set up leaves us open to infiltration by the enemy and a potentially disastrous overthrow by so called "legal means". This problem must be addressed and if elected as either Prime Minister or Security Council I plan to do just that with new legislation designed to narrow the field as to who can run for delegate and vice-delegate.

Foreign Affairs

I think we need to make a real a concerted effort to really get to know the regions whom we have embassies and consulates with. As of right now we are just going though the motions, we're not really communicating with there regions at all. We need to open up new channels of talk and form stronger bonds with potential allies. If elected as Prime Minister I will work with the Minister of External Affairs to insure that, when The North Pacific falls on dark time, we have people which we can look to provide a helping hand.

Absurdly Long Trials

On of the reason why we need the Security Council is because our justice system moves entirely too slowly. We have to cut through the red tape and speed up the way which we handle, process and maintain trials. It’s as simple as that.

Sweet Merciful Conclusion

We need more direction in The North Pacific; we need better security, a reformed trail system and stronger ties with outside friends. I believe that if we have these things we will become stronger as a region and, if allowed, I can provide just that. I would like to thank you, the voter, for reading this, I know it was long and I strongly encourage you to vote in the upcoming election.

I wish all candidates the best of luck!

 

[mental imagination]

Mr. Raider, Does this sound alot like something The real prez would promise?


Just joking...

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Hmmm, I didn't know the real President actually had goals

 

[mental imagination]

QUOTE
You're scared of mice and spiders, but oh-so-much greater is your fear that one day the two species will cross-breed to form an all-powerful race of mice-spiders who will immobilize human beings in giant webs in order to steal cheese.

You get my vote if

is under your command.

 

[Blue Wolf II]

It not under my command but it does attack on orders

 

[mr_sniffles]

The title alone conjurs up the tune of the Emperor from Star Wars, dum dum dum dum dum dum...

Anyways, complaining about the legal system is an age old NP tradition like saying the Constitution is too long or Springfield's burning tire pit. What real reforms can you lead us through when so many have come and gone?

 

[Great Bights Mum]

Your various roles in the NS world demonstrate a talent for practicing duality adroitly, and I applaud you for that. Have you ever found yourself at cross-purposes with yourself? What was the biggest challenge you have faced in maintaining separate identities? Have you ever had to pretend one of your nations "didn't know" something another did?

TNP's PM has oversight of the NPIA. Procedurally, we may move to a system whereby the SC approves NPA missions. What assurances do the nations of TNP have that sensitive information will remain confidential? Suppose there were a direct conflict. Can we trust Evil Wolf to act as if he didn't know the things Blue Wolf learns?

 

[Upper Kirby]

If you pour salt on garden slugs, do they shrivel up and scream?

 

[Zemnaya Svoboda]

What kind of restrictions do you have in mind for the Delegacy?

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Anyways, complaining about the legal system is an age old NP tradition like saying the Constitution is too long or Springfield's burning tire pit. What real reforms can you lead us through when so many have come and gone?

Without going into a long rant, I want to make it so that the court system has a panel of elected judges rather than a jury. I feel it will be able to speed along the judicial process greatly.

TNP's PM has oversight of the NPIA. Procedurally, we may move to a system whereby the SC approves NPA missions. What assurances do the nations of TNP have that sensitive information will remain confidential?

If elected as Prime Minister I plan to stay as far away from the NPIA as humanly possible. I am fairly confident in Hersfold's ability to run the agency and it practically runs itself.

It’s my opinion that the NPA should be able to run its own missions without SC approval so if I was to be elected to the SC I would approve just about any mission, whether its a defensive one or raider one. It would have to be something absurd like, raiding The Pacific, for me to vote it down.

Outside of that, I don't think there is a whole lot of sensitive information that would be of much use to Evil Wolf anyways.

What kind of restrictions do you have in mind for the Delegacy?

Mainly, a time table for how long they have to be on the off-site forums, how long the players UN has been in the region, and a background investigation into the players past by both the NPIA and SC.

If you pour salt on garden slugs, do they shrivel up and scream?

Actually, when I do it they burn and call the cops on me for animal abuse, sneaky little devils.

 

[Great Bights Mum]

Outside of that, I don't think there is a whole lot of sensitive information that would be of much use to Evil Wolf anyways.

But not having been on those forums, you really can't say with certainty, can you?

Thank you for answering one of my 5 questions. Can I assume you are still mulling over your responses to the rest?

 

[Southwest Asia]

How many cows will you give out?

 

[Blue Wolf II]

But not having been on those forums, you really can't say with certainty, can you?

Nope I can only guess

Reassuring isn't it? But I am telling you, unless somehow NPIA has 50 spies in Lone Wolves United there shouldn't be much of a conflict.

Thank you for answering one of my 5 questions. Can I assume you are still mulling over your responses to the rest?

Woops, I guess I miss those questions, let me answer them now

]Have you ever found yourself at cross-purposes with yourself?

Not as of yet...still waiting for it...I'll let you know when it happens

]What was the biggest challenge you have faced in maintaining separate identities?

I couldn't say I had many challenges I'm just so flawless when it come to multiple-personalities, I think that could be a sign of diminishing metal health and I should see a doctor immediately......Umm, I'm sorry where we're we?

Have you ever had to pretend one of your nations "didn't know" something another did?

Nope, never, even when TPC put me on trail for treason (I was found innocent because being an admitted raider alone doesn't constitute treason in TPC) I owned up to who I am.

How many cows will you give out?

Seven.

 

[Great Bights Mum]

Thank you. I appreciate your forthright answers.

 

[Blue Wolf II]

I do my very best

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Any other questions? I still have time on my hands here

 

[Great Bights Mum]

Since you asked... if you are elected Prime Minister, will you stop recruiting for LWU off TNP's forum?

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Well, in the region of The North Pacific I am afraid I will keep recruiting under my recruiting nation's banner. On this site, well, I don't recruit much for LWU anyways here but I suppose I could get off my lazy ass and assign an ambassador for LWU’s consulate.

 

[Great Bights Mum]

I think there is an expectation that the PM, the Cabinet members, the Delegate and the Vice-Del will all do their share of recruiting for THIS region. After all, these are the government leaders in the region. How would you respond to the criticism that your recruiting efforts for LWU work against the goal of increasing the number of active nations participating in TNP?

 

[Haor Chall]

I think there is an expectation that the PM, the Cabinet members, the Delegate and the Vice-Del will all do their share of recruiting for THIS region. After all, these are the government leaders in the region. How would you respond to the criticism that your recruiting efforts for LWU work against the goal of increasing the number of active nations participating in TNP?

GBM, the secret Francoist...

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Good call HC

Well, as you know GBM, LWU caters to a slightly "different" ideology than TNP, in fact you could say that we are giving those who would feel out of place in TNP a home. Of course I would still be happy to recruit for this region, I feel that sometimes its needed to put our region into perspective for some of the newer players who might view TNP as not a community but just a really large region.

 

[Great Bights Mum]

Thank you, Blue Wolf.

 

[OPArsenal]

we need <snip> a reformed trail system

Why? I quite like our trails.

Non-smartass Response: You promise a reform of our trial system. I promise you my vote. People standing for office have promised reforms before and nothing has come of it. If you are elected and do nothing about our trial system, I will find you. I will flay you. Understand?

 

[Zemnaya Svoboda]

If you are elected and do nothing about our trial system, I will find you. I will flay you. Understand?

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Why? I quite like our trails.

Damn, I always mess up on something as trivial as misplacing the A and the I

If you are elected and do nothing about our trial system, I will find you. I will flay you. Understand?

*Goes to attention and salutes* Sir, Yes, Sir! *drops salute*

Really though, if you support the changes I want to bring then change will be a-coming.

 

[Upper Kirby]

Non-smartass Response:

No!

 

[Blue Wolf II]

No?

 

[Grosseschnauzer]

Blue Wolf, have you considered the negative effects of your idea that would use only judges, and not juries in trials?
How would appeals be handled? Or would you just take away not only the right to a jury trial and the right to a judicial review of the rulings and judgment of a trial? If that isn't your intent, how would you propose to remedy these concerns without diluting the Declaration of Rights?
You are aware that hft made the same proposal during Flemingovia's most recent term as Prime Minister, and that the Regional Assembl voted it down, that is a clear majority of the voters voted against the proposal.
I would also add, that the length of the onging trial of Fulhead Land,makes clear that the jury selection was not and is nor the problem.

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Blue Wolf, have you considered the negative effects of your idea that would use only judges, and not juries in trials?

I'm sure one could argue that it’s not fair; it's prone to bias and so forth. I don't see it like that, I see it like the Supreme Court of the United States, that has no jury and it's the highest court in America and those judges are not even voted in, they are appointed. No, I am not saying that just because it works for the USA it will work for TNP, but I am headed in that direction if you know what I mean.

How would appeals be handled? Or would you just take away not only the right to a jury trial and the right to a judicial review of the rulings and judgment of a trial?

If an appeal is requested then I really see no choice but to go to a jury trial or perhaps a specially assembled Review Counsel. The important part of having the trial but judges only is that a decision can be passed with speed and efficiency, so the problem is addressed quickly. Appeals always take a while anyways, and are usually a more in-depth review of the case, I would expect them to take longer, but again, a least the problem has been initially addressed. If this process becomes efficient enough it is my belief that perhaps we could abolish the Security Counsel entirely in favor of quick and well-organized trials by judges.

You are aware that hft made the same proposal during Flemingovia's most recent term as Prime Minister, and that the Regional Assembl voted it down, that is a clear majority of the voters voted against the proposal.

Nope, can't say I was aware of that fact until right now, but just how similar was this proposal? I'm highly skeptical that it was exactly the same and, keep in mind, the political view point on this matter has changed since that time.

I would also add, that the length of the onging trial of Fulhead Land,makes clear that the jury selection was not and is nor the problem.

Ah, but it is, the jury is not allowed to actively ask questions of either the defendant or the prosecution, and that greatly hinders the speed of the trial.

 

[Fulhead Land]

Hmm suppose we'll see about that by the end of my trial. The jury is still out on that one, as they say! *drum roll*

 

[OPArsenal]

I'm sure one could argue that it’s not fair; it's prone to bias and so forth. I don't see it like that, I see it like the Supreme Court of the United States, that has no jury and it's the highest court in America and those judges are not even voted in, they are appointed. No, I am not saying that just because it works for the USA it will work for TNP, but I am headed in that direction if you know what I mean.

*OPArsenal approves of this statement.

IMHO, in the instance of our trial system, we have always treated expediency and equity as if one was exclusive of the other. This is by no means the case.

In reality, we have had little need for trials (since the days days of TNPG) and I honestly believe that a strong, trustworthy regional delegate working hand-in-hand with the Security Council and in cooperation with the Administration staff of the forums will be able to handle any risks to the region.

A "Law Council" to protect our unnessecary Constitution is an excellent idea.

 

[Grosseschnauzer]

No, I am not saying that just because it works for the USA it will work for TNP,

You making a poor analogy. If anything, the RL has juries for trials, and a multi-member Court for appeals. The whole object of a jury trial is to let the peers of a defendant, the fellow citizens determine the facts based upon the evidence presented to them. The trial judge makes the initial decision about the law, and makes sure the law is explained to the jury in deciding the facts, and what punishment should be imposed if conviced.

The full court hears any appeal, to review the case to be sure there was evidence to support the jury's decision, and to review the trial judge;s application of the law in the trial.

To try to flip-flop the process makes no sense whatiever. It wouldn't work at all.
Having a Review Council (not Counsel -- that;s something totally different) who would make it up? And how would they be chosen?

If the concern is speedy trials, then I must point out that I've yet to figure out how he procedure for this trial was settled upon, Not only does the Constitution and TNP Law 5 spell out procedures that don't seem to be followed in this particular case, the Interim Court Rules aren'y being foollowed either.

So my point is that the procedure in this particular trial has been ad hoc, and that is more the reason for the problems in this trial that anything else. There are things that can be enacted that would preserve the trial by jury, and speed up the process; but it would be unrealistic to expect to changentrial rules in the middle of the trial, which argued for waiting until this trial ended.
Why the prosecution and the defense did not record testimony in advance for posting at the trial, I'll never understand given that the law is very clear that both sides are to prepare their evidence and testimony before trial and exchange it with the other side before trial, and then at the trial each side would just post their evidence, and the jury could review it and deliberate.

That has not happened in this case, although it should have and that is the primary reason why this trial is taking so long. The jury sysem has nothing to do with the problem, and to the extent jury selection can be speeded up, I've already offered suggestions on how to accomplish it with sacraficing a way to protecting the judicial system from abuse..

 

[Blue Wolf II]

The whole object of a jury trial is to let the peers of a defendant, the fellow citizens determine the facts based upon the evidence presented to them. The trial judge makes the initial decision about the law, and makes sure the law is explained to the jury in deciding the facts, and what punishment should be imposed if conviced.

A trial by judges is a trial by peers, they still must abide by the Constitution, under threat of impeachment too, and they are more involved in the trial, activity asking questions which brings both better insight into the facts and a better trial. The Review Council, or whatever you would like to call the not yet fully formulated idea, is just back up.

To try to flip-flop the process makes no sense whatiever. It wouldn't work at all.
Having a Review Council (not Counsel -- that;s something totally different) who would make it up? And how would they be chosen?

It's not flip-flopping, it’s compromising. Like I said, the review council would be similar to the jury in our current system in most respects; they are allowed to review the case but can only reverse the decision if a clear violation of law was carried out by one of the judges in their sentencing.

So my point is that the procedure in this particular trial has been ad hoc, and that is more the reason for the problems in this trial that anything else

I disagree, it took forever just for the trial to get started and plus the trial has not be processed in a speedy fashion, the prosecution has been shaky and at some times completely absent. Now, we always need a prosecution, to keep judges impartial for one part but I think there are certain aspects that could have been greatly quickened had we had this system in place.

Fact is it’s a step in the right direction and the idea has not even been full formulated yet so you’re trying to shoot down a liquid idea and not a concrete concept.

 

[Grosseschnauzer]

May I suggest that you take a look at the Criminal Procedure Law, as well as the Interim Court Rules?

I think you would discover that the trial Court did not follow either the Criminal Procedure Law (which is obligatory on the Court) nor the interim Court Rules, which the Court is supposed to be using as a test before final rules are adopted. The Court clearly failed to enforce the gag rule prohibiting public comment from parties or counsel to the court proceeding while the case is ongoing outside the actual court proceeding. That particular provisions has been part of TNP Law ever since the Constitution was first approved sometime in 2003 (and predates my presence in the game, in fact.)

Now, let's talk a minute about the jury selection process. The problem the Court has in finding jurors was in large measure due to the fact that the information it was using was out of date. (The MIIA advised me after we took office that the RA list had not been verified and checkd for current eligiblility since at least June, and the indictment came down in August. An out of date RA list meand that the juror selection list would also be out of date, and as a consequence time would be spent trying to contact no-longer-eligible potential jurors (who have left the region, CTE's or changed their TNP nation without notice.)
We've already address this problem by the amendment to Article III Section 2 of the Constitution, and the Court now has authority, with the PM, MIIA, and the Speaker, to oversee the continuous verification of RA eligibility. There are still other areas that need to be addressed, but I am satisfied that most of these problems can be addressed by tweaks to the process. Your desire to remove the citizrenry from the judicial process goes against the democratic principles we cherish in The North Pacific.
The other major cause has been the complete failure on both sides to have prepared their evidence and testimony for posting prior to trial. Currently the law requires this to be completed within 14 days ar most. For example, Hersfold's testimony and Fulhead Land's testimony should have been taken and recorded off of IRC or IM, and the transcript should have been review to rule on any objections, and then ready to be posted once the trial began. There is no question that has not been done in this case. This trial would have been over in September at the latest, had that process been followed. The jury would have received and decided the case long ago.

 

[Blue Wolf II]

So what you’re saying is that the trial would be over if both sides had just followed the rules governing the court, and yet they didn't and no action was taken against either side for such a gross abuse of the law. Whose fault is that exactly?


There really is something wrong with TNP's trial system however, and I am not talking just about the Fulhead trial, in the past other cases have taken large amounts of time and effort with little results. I myself was once selected for an impeachment trial only to be dismissed later because the trial set up took so long that a new election had started and impeachment had become a null point.

 

[Fulhead Land]

@ OPA; there really was never any need for trials during the TNPG days was there. I mean we commited no crimes and even when we were suspected of doing so the government went right on and hung us anywhere. Right Tres?

On topic, I agree with BW. At least you have something to shoot down rather than the simple promise of court reform

 

[Tresville]

if elected, give The North Pacific a much needed twist in direction and a new out look on how the rest of Nationstates is perceived.

Can we get an example of this "new Direction"?

No, I am loyal to The North Pacific to the end and will gladly fight to defend if from any threat even if it happens to be one of my raider allies.

What about our allies? Will you defend them as well?

And even though I am not happy with the fact that TNP hosts a defender army I understand why that is so and I recognize the need for it. My experiences as a raider should not be a reason to vote against me but a reason to vote for me, for I have a different perspective on how this game in run and I believe than gives me an advantage.

Are you saying we should host an invader army? What are invader morals like..if any? How can you be unhappy about us having a army that defends regions?

Internal betrayal should be our largest worry, the way that delegate elections are currently set up leaves us open to infiltration by the enemy and a potentially disastrous overthrow by so called "legal means". This problem must be addressed and if elected as either Prime Minister or Security Council I plan to do just that with new legislation designed to narrow the field as to who can run for delegate and vice-delegate.

I agree with you on this. I have tried to secure these positions as much as possible. However it is difficult to do so without alienating new members to the region. We have to have some trust in our voters and hope that they take the time to read the campaign threads, get info on the candidates and vote for the most trusted and best person for the job.

 

[Haor Chall]

Are you saying we should host an invader army? What are invader morals like..if any? How can you be unhappy about us having a army that defends regions?

Defenders have no more (or less) "morals" than invaders.

 

[Blue Wolf II]

Can we get an example of this "new Direction"?

Sure, read "Heavily Propagandized Views and Opinions" in my fist post for several.

What about our allies? Will you defend them as well?

Well, Mr. Invader Murderer, Sir, as a member of TNP, perhaps, more than likely no, as I am not in the NPA. If you’re asking that from a "if you were voted in as SC or PM" point of view I believe then I would be obligated to proved help. Clearly you’re trying to out a response that goes along the line of "No, I am a raider and I raid everything including them! ARRR!" so feel free to remove the quotation marks around my words and act like I wasn't using them sarcastically.

Are you saying we should host an invader army? 

No, in fact I am not saying we should host an invader army, that would be what I like to call "a bad idea" for this region seeing as a majority of it favor a defender army over an invader one and going against public opinion usually leads to deep shit (See "Pixiedance").

What are invader morals like..if any?

Well, invaders love puppies, we are anti-global warming, we like beer for the most part and we think there should be more action on late night television but only when combined with fewer commercials, preferably none.

How can you be unhappy about us having a army that defends regions?

Personal bias

I am unhappy with the past, shall we say, elitism that arose from the having of a defender army more than anything else. My question to you Tres is why do you feel a feeder region should pick sides and not remain neutral on the issue or go beyond having just a simple defense force that protects its allies and home region and nothing else?

 

[Tresville]

Are you saying we should host an invader army?  What are invader morals like..if any?  How can you be unhappy about us having a army that defends regions?

Defenders have no more (or less) "morals" than invaders.

Thanks for your opinion.....thank God it is just that!!