Cormac
TNPer
- TNP Nation
- Cormactopia III
- Discord
- Cormac#0804
I'm really not entirely sure how someone campaigns to be an Associate Justice. I mean, I suppose I could promise that on my first day in office I will rule that all RA members have a right to government provided cookies -- but I would be lying. 
I don't bring to the table a long record of judicial experience; if elected, this will be the first time I've held judicial office in NationStates. I also don't bring the real life legal experience that, for example, Justice Gaspo has brought to the Court. What I do bring, however, is a solid knowledge and understanding of TNP law from my time in the Regional Assembly. I also bring a record of respect for TNP law and a consistent history of seeking to change the law through the appropriate institution, the Regional Assembly, rather than turning to the Court at every turn. I would add that I believe I've shown throughout my time in TNP that I am not interested in running for office just for the sake of holding office -- I have rarely run for office and have done so only when I believe I can make a positive contribution to our regional community, and not simply at every opportunity that comes my way.
What can I promise if elected? To be honest, not much. I'm not going to promise a campaign of judicially mandated reforms because reform of The North Pacific is the responsibility of the Regional Assembly, not the Court. I'm not going to talk about how I would rule in such and such a scenario because it would be inappropriate to prejudge circumstances that could come to me in an actual case based on a hypothetical scenario in a campaign thread. What I can promise is that I will interpret the law of The North Pacific according to the plain meaning of legislation. I don't believe it's the job of the Court to make the law say what we wish it would say but to interpret the law as it actually is. I can promise that I will only take legislative intent into account when the meaning behind legislation is unclear, because at the end of the day it's what is actually written in the law passed by the Regional Assembly as an institution that matters rather than the intent of the individual author.
Perhaps most importantly, given the reason for this special election, I can promise that my consistent respect for TNP law will not only continue but will be enhanced during my time on the Court. Being tasked with interpreting the law and deciding penalties for violations, it is extremely important that Justices set an example by having the utmost respect for the law at all times while in office. I will not use my position as a Justice to grandstand, I will not use the Court to make political or even legal points, I will always comply with the law of The North Pacific, and I will always be sure to avoid even the hint of legal or ethical impropriety. These guarantees are at minimum what every voter should be able to expect from a Justice.
I'm happy to take any questions anyone may have, although I will say again that I will not prejudge issues that could become actual cases based on hypothetical scenarios. Thank you for your consideration.
I don't bring to the table a long record of judicial experience; if elected, this will be the first time I've held judicial office in NationStates. I also don't bring the real life legal experience that, for example, Justice Gaspo has brought to the Court. What I do bring, however, is a solid knowledge and understanding of TNP law from my time in the Regional Assembly. I also bring a record of respect for TNP law and a consistent history of seeking to change the law through the appropriate institution, the Regional Assembly, rather than turning to the Court at every turn. I would add that I believe I've shown throughout my time in TNP that I am not interested in running for office just for the sake of holding office -- I have rarely run for office and have done so only when I believe I can make a positive contribution to our regional community, and not simply at every opportunity that comes my way.
What can I promise if elected? To be honest, not much. I'm not going to promise a campaign of judicially mandated reforms because reform of The North Pacific is the responsibility of the Regional Assembly, not the Court. I'm not going to talk about how I would rule in such and such a scenario because it would be inappropriate to prejudge circumstances that could come to me in an actual case based on a hypothetical scenario in a campaign thread. What I can promise is that I will interpret the law of The North Pacific according to the plain meaning of legislation. I don't believe it's the job of the Court to make the law say what we wish it would say but to interpret the law as it actually is. I can promise that I will only take legislative intent into account when the meaning behind legislation is unclear, because at the end of the day it's what is actually written in the law passed by the Regional Assembly as an institution that matters rather than the intent of the individual author.
Perhaps most importantly, given the reason for this special election, I can promise that my consistent respect for TNP law will not only continue but will be enhanced during my time on the Court. Being tasked with interpreting the law and deciding penalties for violations, it is extremely important that Justices set an example by having the utmost respect for the law at all times while in office. I will not use my position as a Justice to grandstand, I will not use the Court to make political or even legal points, I will always comply with the law of The North Pacific, and I will always be sure to avoid even the hint of legal or ethical impropriety. These guarantees are at minimum what every voter should be able to expect from a Justice.
I'm happy to take any questions anyone may have, although I will say again that I will not prejudge issues that could become actual cases based on hypothetical scenarios. Thank you for your consideration.
