And here's an update!
NEW YEAR BUMPER ISSUE
Gatesville Stats
Founder: Gates the God
Regional UN Delegate: Nevadar
Gatesville Forum: Antiun.cjb.net
Gatesville Population: 831 Nations
Gatesville Power: Extremely High
From the Desk of the Foreign Affairs Advocate
Good evening respected regions of Nationstates!I am aware that there has been a large delay in this issue of the Gatesville Foreign Report, but do not fret because it has arrived at last! Sometimes if Equilism misses a week of news, they will have a special issue detailing the various happenings of two weeks, so now I am very worried as to how I can fit three months of news into this little report. So, here is the first New Year Bumper Issue, brought to you by myself and the Gatesville Gazette team of writers. Enjoy.
Interview With Pope Lexus X
Today, Gatesville Gazette reporter James Bovill interviews Gatesville Foreign Affairs Advocate His Holiness Pope Lexus X (aka Lexinium) about his possibly unholy past, present and future.
JB: Hi Lexus. How are you today?
PL: I'm great James! Glad to be here.
JB: Before we get too far into the Gatesville aspects of the interview, let's take a look at your past. When did you start?
PL: I began NS in November 2002. However I didn't do anything here. I returned in April 2005 and soon joined Gatesville but I only became active in July 2005 after becoming the delegate in one of the franchise regions, known as NERV.
JB: I remember knowing you in Jethnea - and that does seem fairly recent in overall terms. How did you become Gatesville's FAA in such a short time? Or am I missing something here?
PL: You're missing a lot! I began as a franchise clerk in Gatesville, looking after our franchises, and moved up until I was the Franchise Director. I also had become an intelligence agent for the region, and eventually became the Intelligence Advocate, however I left in June 2006 to found my own region, Cingeta. Eventually I started branching out and became the Defense Minister of Jethnea, but I left NS in April 07, only to return in August and take up the position of FAA here.
JB: Can you remember which region your nation was 'born' in? I was a South Pacifican.
PL: My first nation was North Pacifican, but Pope Lexus X was born in the South Pacific too I believe!
JB: Being Gatesville's foreign affairs advocate, would you care to (or are you allowed to) speculate on what might be next for Gatesville?
PL: Gatesville's future is unknown as always. Anything could happen here, but I can say is that it's going to be a lot of fun, and if I am right, the whole of NS will see lots of fun in the coming year.
JB: What are you like RL? What with your Evil Pope pictures and all, I'm sort of imagining you as the Pope from
the Papal rendition of 'Come My Minions Rise'.
PL: My IC character is similar to my OOC personage, only with some added extras thrown in. I was an actor at one stage (a bad one at that), so originally when I joined here it was as research for a part I played, so I try to experiment with different attributes as I go, though my own beliefs reflect the Pope Lexus X character generally..*heads off to the bar*
JB: Well, thank you for your time.
PL: Thank you for giving me the opportunity! Now go find me a drink.
Written by Kostemensia
The Gatesville People's Choice Awards
Hosted by the wonderful Pope Lexus X, the People's Choice Awards returned to Gatesville last December, seeing several members of the region scoop up a popie of their own. The awards and winners are listed below:
A) Best High Council Member - Gates The God
B) Best Moment - The Ancelt Bar&Grill Ball of Drunks
C) Best Role-Player - Kraut Killers
D) Best Member - Kraut Killers
E) Best Newcomer - Aisli
F) Best Drunk - Ancelt
G) Most Random - Sonya
H) Least Sane - Ancelt
I) Best Hair - Nevadar
J) Most Humourous - Gorrillapigs
K) Best Dressed - Dar-Zarruk
L) Best Contribution to Gatesville - Nevadar
M) Life-Time Achievement Award - Dante
On top of winning the Life-Time Achievement Award, Dante was also entered into the Gatesville Hall of Fame, an honour that no non-High Council member has ever been given before.
Interview With Darkesia
Today, Gatesville Gazette Internal Affairs reporter James Bovill interviews in/famous Security Advocate Darkesia about life, the universe, and everything.
JB: Hi Darkesia! How are you today?
D: I'm quite well. Thank you for asking, James.
JB: Can we take a short look at the history of your nation?
D: Much of The Chocolate Loving Paradise of Darkesia's history is clouded in shadow. But a few mile posts along the way help keep it in focus.
Darkesia was born into TNP and first became aware of it's surroundings in the world at the beginning of "The Pixiedance affair."
Chocolate operations were sporadic because of the instability of the region and the Darkesian people were in a constant state of confusion. Never knowing who was in charge from one minute to the next became too much for the people and a satellite nation "The Darkesian State of Complete Confusion" was created in order to help the people learn more of what drove the world. Complete Confusion took up residence in Lemuria and remains there today.
The nation Darkesia drifted from region to region, learning more and more of the world around us. Darkesian chocolate factories have operated out of many regions, from TNP refugee camps to Security regions across the world to the jackbooted lands of the Gatesville allies, The Pacific.
The Darkesian people are honored to be opening a chocolate factory or two here in Gatesville. The people are quite nice and the alcohol is lovely here.
JB: You're the High Council's security advocate - what exactly does that involve?
D: My job is to assist Gates in any way I can to assure that the region remains Secure against all threats. In real terms it just means another pair of hands to help with the work load already being handled most effectively by existing groups within Gatesville.
JB: What are your interests in real life?
D: In RL I have a great many interests. I have a degree in Physics and love to learn about what makes our world tick. I love books... it's a fetish actually. hehe
Chocolate of course! Politics and world events fascinate and frustrate me on a regular basis. I like hiking and camping more than I like staying in fancy hotels. I hate shopping. Let me repeat: I hate shopping! even for shoes.
JB: I've noticed your nation is a Chocolate Loving Paradise. What sort of chocolate?
D: All kinds of chocolate, darling
JB: Any profound words for the people of Gatesville?
D: I like the word "flavorful." It rolls off the tongue and is easy to type.
JB: Thanks for taking some time out to speak to us.
D: Thank you for having me, dear.
Written by Kostemensia
Interregional Affairs
Several interesting developments have occured over the last while involving Gatesville, and the interregional community. Primarily there is the Interregional Conference held on the Neutral Territory forum, which was started by Pope Lexus X, hosted by Darkesia, and aided by several notable members of the NS community from Kandarin of The Rejected Realms, TAO of The West Pacific, Westwind of The North Pacific & Equilism, Gates the God of Gatesville and several others.
The Conference has been running since the 7th of January, and has seen many issues raised, resolved, and sadly also unresolved. Originally started to deal with the question of activity in NS, the conference has been successful in making these issues known to the wider community, and also has paved the way for a very interesting future. What will happen as a result of this conference is yet to be seen, but perhaps more will be reported next issue.
Secondly on the interregional stage is the resumption of relations between The North Pacific and Gatesville with the recent appointment of Lewis and Clark to the Delegate position of TNP. We here in Gatesville look forward to better times with TNP, and hope to resolve the issues that shadow us from relations in a darker past.
Interview With Westwind (aka Lewis and Clark)
Nidrama: We are here tonight with Westwind aka Lewis and Clark. Monarch of Equilism and Delegate-Elect of The North Pacific. Good to meet you. How are you this evening?
Westwind: Well, my knee aches, my daughter is sick, but other than that....oh...sorry. Fine thank you !
Nidrama: So, is the Monarch the equivalent of the Delegate or is that the Founder position?
Westwind: The Monarch is the Keeper of the Founder nation, Equility. Our delegate has the title of Chancellor of the Realm, and Ambassador to the UN.
Westwind: The Monarch in Equilism is Head of State, but not Head of Government. That role is served by the Lord Chancellor, currently Tarricoe.
Nidrama: So Equility is controlled by you and Tarricoe is UN Delegate?
Westwind: Yes, I control Equility, however, Tarricoe is not the delegate. The Delegate is a separate office and is only involved in handling our UN votes.
Westwind: Our delegate, Chancellor of the Realm, is currently Garneska
Nidrama: Where did you get the name Equility from?
Westwind: Equility was our original founder. He later named Ostendt and myself as co-founders. Ostendt retired, and then Equility become overwhelmed with RL, leaving me as the last remaining co-founder.
Westwind: To keep the concept of three co-founders, we now have the Triumvirate of Guardians, which consists of the Monarch, The Lord High Advocate, and the Governor General positions. The LHA is Chaucerin, the GG is Neo Conservatism. The Guardians hold emergency powers in the region.
Nidrama: what is their role?
Nidrama: what is the role of the LHA and GG?
Westwind: The Lord High Advocate leads the Judicial branch, while the Governor General represents The College - our Legislative branch. The Triumvirate of Guardians are empowered to ensure the health of the region, and take emergencies actions when needed. It takes two Guardians to take an emergency action, to ensure that one person cannot make decisions for the whole region.
Westwind: The Guardians took emergency actions during the last election cycle to process College applicants so that they could vote, and to appoint a new Delegate, as there were no candidates.
Nidrama: ah
Nidrama: What got you involved in The North Pacific?
Westwind: I first became interested in TNP in the early days of Equilism. They were one of the first regions that we established an alliance with, and were also allied with TNP as a member of ADN. Those were the days of Magicality. Wilkshear was ambassador to Equilism.
Westwind: The E-Army often participated in missions with the NPA, and worked closely with TNP's Defense Ministers. For a time, Ananke was given secure access on Equilism's forums.
Westwind: Later, Equilism was also allied to TNP through the A.L.L., and then came the time of UPS Rail and Great Bight.
Westwind: We fought to remove Great Bight, and finally succeeded in the Puppetmaster attack. I lead the E-Army in the attack, which was the largest defender army participating in the action.
Nidrama: What is the ALL ?
Westwind: Allied Liberation League
Westwind: A.L.L. was a much less political defender organization than ADN was.
Nidrama: How was the ALL different than the ADN? Are they inactive ?
Westwind: A.L.L. has been gone for some time now, sadly. A.L.L. was a mutual defense and intelligence sharing alliance. And any missions that came up for defense, were purely voluntary. A.L.L. did not have a governmental structure as did ADN.
Nidrama: How is it that people support Great Bight's Mum now vs. then during the Puppetmaster War ?
Westwind: Two different nations. Great Bight, and Great Bights Mum.
Westwind: Great Bights Mum fought against Great Bight as well.
Westwind: I still have a telegram over 1000 days old from Great Bights Mum. *chuckles*
Nidrama: Why were both having similar names? Was one actually the Mum of the other?
Westwind: No, it was a joke on Great Bight's name.
Nidrama: What made you decide to run for delegate of TNP?
Westwind: Just think....your mum has come to scold you for taking TNP.
Westwind: I had been thinking of running for Vice Delegate under the previous constitution. At that time, I knew I wasn't active enough to fill the role of Delegate, but could help out in time of need. But my activity has returned, and I believed that I could help bring a return of activity in the region.
Westwind: While many who have left the region into inactivity discouraged me, saying that it was a waste of effort, I still beleive in TNP.
Nidrama: Why did those inactive people try to discourage you?
Westwind: How can I best put it ? They feel that TNP is a lost cause. The region having tied itself up in beauracracy, among other things. They put their efforts in with hopes to make a great region once again, and were frustrated.
Westwind: But we have, after a glacier 5 month process, acheived a new Constitution that reinvests authority in the Delegate, and gives the opportunity for leadership to give direction to the region again.
Westwind: We have a new chance to make The North Pacific a vital and active region once again.
Nidrama: What could you offer as delegate
Nidrama: that the other candidates cannot?
Westwind: Primarily, I offer a deep and wide ranging experience. I have served in all capacities in Equilism, as a Delegate, Prime Minister, President, Senator, Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, Interior Minister, Intelligence Minister and now Monarch. I served in ADN as Deputy and Acting Director, Secretary of Defense, Intel Board of Directors, Prosecutor General, and Director of Public Affairs.
Westwind: I have a knowledge and experience of the History of The North Pacific, and have administered multiple large NS forums.
Westwind: I have successfully taken a region that has fallen into inactivity, and revived it to be a vital and successful region once again.
Westwind: That's a long resume way of to simply show a history of experience and success in NS, and a true concern for the welfare of TNP.
Nidrama: Aside from your history and experience, what did your platform offer, that the other candidates did not?
Westwind: It was not so much a platform that I offered, other than proactive action against our problems of inactivity.
Westwind: We cannot afford to let inactivity lead to the creeping death of our communities, or to the long slow death of NationStates.
Westwind: We must be willing to do what is required to spur activity, and get our members interested and involved.
Westwind: Sometimes that means taking controversial actions, which takes a strong will to do at times.
Nidrama: Controversial actions? What do you mean?
Westwind: An example would be my appointment of Dalimbar to lead Defense and Security for the region. He was the 'rogue delegate' of our summer slump. And here I've gone and appointed him to my cabinet.
Westwind: Dalimbar though, has my complete confidence. He has proven experience and abilities, and a willingness to be creative and inventive. Those are the kinds of qualities I want in my cabinet.
Westwind: When he became a 'rogue delegate', he did so out of concern for the region. He saw the inactivity, and the inability of the region to move forward due to the beauracracy filled with inactive officials. He wanted to save the region's community from it's death.
Nidrama: What other plans do you have for The North Pacific?
Westwind: Right now, the plan is to work to get the new government into place, and help develop the new policies, procedures, and laws that our new Constitution does not take care of. That in itself presents much work for us in the coming weeks. O
Westwind: Some things will be welcomed, and some may bring controversy, but time will tell.
Nidrama: would you mind elaborating on your plans?
Westwind: Ah, but that would ruin the suspense of : "what will he do next ?"
Nidrama: I'm sure our readers are curious of what you have in store though, your Highness
Westwind: For now, I am focused on our new RMB recruitment ad policies, our new SpamBusters, the reorganization of the NPA and NPIA, and a reevaluation of our foreign policies.
Nidrama: You mention foreign policy
Nidrama: How can you ensure it will not conflict with your roles in Equilism?
Westwind: That's an interesting question, but not difficult to answer. As Delegate, I have executive authority over our foreign policy in TNP, though I must present any signed agreements or treaties to the Regional Assembly. As Monarch in Equilism, the role is rather reversed. The Equilism government has the executive role over foreign policy. Should a treaty be passed by The College...
Westwind: ...it requires my signature to be ratified.
Westwind: The policy of a feeder region is different from that of a UCR.
Westwind: There are different security concerns that have to be considered. Different communities to defend.
Nidrama: Do TNP has strong ties with Equilism?
Westwind: I think that is a fair assesment. We no longer have any agreements or alliance between the regions. But TNP has not been a region to persue much in that line for a long time. Equilism has defended TNP though, numerous times. UPS Rail, Great Bight, Pixiedance, Chodean Kal, Emperor Matthius. Equilism defended TNP against all of those, supporting the recognized government.
Nidrama: so how do you feel it may not be a conflict of interests?
Westwind: Equilism and TNP share many commonalities. Both having had a history of defending for example. Also, The North Pacific recognizes the concept of duality. So one persona does not neccessarily equal the other. I work in each individually, for the benefit of each individually.
Nidrama: Do you feel people will find conflict with your roles in both areas?
Westwind: It's always possible that some might, but I don't think it is an issue. There have often been TNP leaders that have strong involvement in other regions.
Nidrama: Do you wish to have stronger ties with Gatesville?
Westwind: It has been unfortunate that The North Pacific has been at odds with Gatesville. Equilism also expressed it's concern over Gatesville's support of Emperor Matthius. But in many ways we need to move forward, and I beleive that this is one of those. It is not healthy for us to have no relations with Gatesville. I do hope to reopen relations between our regions.
Nidrama: Do you believe Gatesville will support such ties?
Westwind: I hope that they will. I've always had an appreciation for Gatesville, and I think that it's been a failing on my part that I have not gotten to know the region better than I do. That probably goes back to my days in the ADN however, as they were concerned over the support given to The Pacific in those days.
Nidrama: Do you have any advice for those not sure about staying in NS in these times?
Westwind: That's a tough one. I'm really concerned that the next summer slump may be the last. Each year, the slump lasts longer.
Westwind: We may have come to that last chance that we've all feared would come. We have a good five months now, to bring life and hope to NationStates. I hope to be a part of that, and give what I can of myself and my efforts to give us hope for the future.
Westwind: Give it that one more chance. Put in a little effort. I've heard all the arguements - and that it's all been done before. Maybe so. But why are you still here, if you're so pessimistic ? With a little effort, we can make a game of it again.
Nidrama: How would you suggest people put in effort?
Westwind: Just simply get involved again. Post something on your forum, post on your RMB. Yes, it's the same things you've already done, but the game has fallen back to that point again. It's regressed and it will require effort if you want the game to come back. Recruit for your region, make it someplace inviting. Welcome the new nations, make them want to stick around. Give them something to do....
Westwind: and don't make them wait forever to do something
Westwind: Our regions became too security minded, so that we block people from participating in our foreign ministries, legislatures and militaries. We need more openess. Regions need to re-engage each other.
Westwind: Just participate.
Nidrama: How open do you mean? What about reconciliation for those who have been forced out of regions?
Westwind: By open, I mean that regions need to make it easy for new nations to get involved. And don't make them wait. Some regions first make new players wait just to get validated to post on their forum. If the administrators aren't active regularly, then those players won't stick around - you've lost a potential gem ! Some make new members wait an inordiante amount of time before they can join any...
Westwind: of their ministries. Move them along as quickly as you can. New blood brings new ideas and new vitality.
Westwind: As to the second part of your question, I'm more hesitant on that. There is usually good reason for people having been forced out of a region. Only three have been permanently banned from Equilism in it's four year history. And the bans remain in effect.
Westwind: But that is something that is up to each region to consider.
Nidrama: Fair enough. Good luck Westwind. Thank you for your time
Westwind: Thank you for your time as well.
Written by Nidrama
In Other News..
The PD have been dealing successfully with more spammers recently including the removal of Sir Nukes-a-lot from the region. While Sir Nukes has been a good contributor to the RMB activity, it was decided that several of his comments were too offensive, and having ignored several PD warnings, the PD decided to request his banning from the region.
Respected PD, and GG member, Kostemensia is currently considering the creation of a Feeder News Service. We eagerly await further news on this.
Long-time member, Pysker Bearzekers has returned to the region, and should hopefully be resuming the Editing of the Gatesville Gazette soon!
Top Quote
Nevadar(concerning the deployment to Lazarus):
This edition of the Gatesville Foreign Report was brought to you by Pope Lexus X, with thanks to Nidrama, Kostemensia, Darkesia, Westwind, Deus Ex Pecunia & Dante.
You stay classy Nationstates.