Bootsie's Return To The Office - May 2017

[bootsie]

Bootsie for Speaker - May 2017​

Hello all! Thanks for taking a second to read my campaign! I honestly was considering to return to the office this term as a Deputy Speaker, as it has been one of my favorite roles in The North Pacific's government, but since the incumbent has decided to run for Delegate, and no one has really stepped up, I thought now would be the chance to serve in the Speaker's Office again.

I've served as Deputy Speaker for many terms, and have even been Speaker, believe it or not! Unlike my last term as Speaker, I really want to focus less about changing the office from what works, and more on being effective.

Like Zyvetskistaahn and Pallaith before me, I want to focus on the keeping an active office with two or three deputies and keeping the procedures like they are now.

The Digest will be released as often as we can, as I've found that it does help keep citizens involved in the Regional Assembly.

I know it's quite a short campaign, but I hope you have some awesome questions for me!

And stay tuned for a campaign button!

Spoiler: Bootsie's Button

 

[Darcania]

What's your opinion on the Acceptable Words List?

 

[bootsie]

What's your opinion on the Acceptable Words List?

That is one of the things I'll be leaving in my previous term. Since everyone has their own ideas of what is and isn't acceptable, it's easier to stick to "aye", "nay", and "abstain" instead of trying to decide why "nein" is acceptable, but "oui" isn't.

So, sorry if you enjoyed that. It's not coming back.

 

[abc]

I have one question for now:

Would you like to institute any new programs in the Speaker's Office or consider having a Speaker's Staff (kind of like ministries)?

 

[plembobria]

I refuse to endorse Bootsie unless he changes his position on the acceptable words list.

But probs I'll vote for him anyway. Probs you should to.

 

[Pallaith]

I have one question for now:

Would you like to institute any new programs in the Speaker's Office or consider having a Speaker's Staff (kind of like ministries)?

I also want to know this, mostly because there already is a Speaker staff. I know it didn't get a ton of publicity, but what do you think of the idea in general? Is there an approach you would take to make it work (better), or is it one of those things that just wouldn't work?

Also, Discord masking still is lagging behind everything else. It's tricky, we've discussed everything from putting a Discord reference in the application thread to putting it in the oath, but haven't come to a consensus on the most efficient way to do it. Thoughts?

Also thank you so much for jumping in this race, I think this is just what the office needs right now and you can count on my vote.

 

[bootsie]

I have one question for now:

Would you like to institute any new programs in the Speaker's Office or consider having a Speaker's Staff (kind of like ministries)?

So, one of my favorite things about the Speaker's Office is that for a well-oiled machine, it's not terribly complex as say, the executive is. I definitely plan to continue with the staff, as I think the Speaker's Office is one of the best places to begin your government time in. I think I myself am a good testament to that, as is SillyString, as I remember us both serving as Deputy Speakers, and both of us have served in numerous places in TNP's government.

I refuse to endorse Bootsie unless he changes his position on the acceptable words list.

But probs I'll vote for him anyway. Probs you should to.

You should probs vote for me.

I have one question for now:

Would you like to institute any new programs in the Speaker's Office or consider having a Speaker's Staff (kind of like ministries)?

I also want to know this, mostly because there already is a Speaker staff. I know it didn't get a ton of publicity, but what do you think of the idea in general? Is there an approach you would take to make it work (better), or is it one of those things that just wouldn't work?

Also, Discord masking still is lagging behind everything else. It's tricky, we've discussed everything from putting a Discord reference in the application thread to putting it in the oath, but haven't come to a consensus on the most efficient way to do it. Thoughts?

Also thank you so much for jumping in this race, I think this is just what the office needs right now and you can count on my vote.

Like I said above, I'm definitely open to using the Speaker's Staff idea! I think it's awesome to open up the office to new people!

What's complex about the citizenship application and Discord is that the oath is written into our law. Honestly, Discord has kinda taken our system and flipped it on its head. IRC had no masking system, just voice and op. I'm open to working with the Discord admin and the Regional Assembly to find a way to make things as seamless as possible. I'm on Discord a ton, so whatever method we go with, I'll be able to help on.

 

[Zyvetskistaahn]

I've had some trouble with deciding on what questions I wish to ask in relation to the Speakership, so I've decided to focus on some of the more obscure duties of the Speaker which have either not came up during my time in the Speakership or have came up rarely.

First, when there are vacancies, an absences, and/or a COIs affecting all of the members of the Court, it falls to the Delegate to make the appointment of Temporary Hearing Officers, with the agreement of the Speaker. What considerations might be borne in mind in determining whether or not to agree to an appointment? In what sort of scenarios might you decide to withhold agreement?

Second, when either or both of the Delegate and Vice Delegate are unable to commission a special election, that duty falls to the Speaker (and whichever of them is able, or, if neither of them, the Attorney General). What experience and knowledge do you have in relation to the commissioning of elections?

Third, the Assembly may override deployments of the NPA (where they have not previously been approved), the Codified Law states that, in relation to such motions, "[t]he Speaker shall accept motions to override for voting on an expedited basis." What does this provision require the Speaker to do?
EDIT: In relation to the last question, to give some matters which might be considered: does the provision require that such motions be voted on; is there any means by which a vote on them can be stopped, either before or after starting; and what is "an expedited basis".

 

[bootsie]

I've had some trouble with deciding on what questions I wish to ask in relation to the Speakership, so I've decided to focus on some of the more obscure duties of the Speaker which have either not came up during my time in the Speakership or have came up rarely.

First, when there are vacancies, an absences, and/or a COIs affecting all of the members of the Court, it falls to the Delegate to make the appointment of Temporary Hearing Officers, with the agreement of the Speaker. What considerations might be borne in mind in determining whether or not to agree to an appointment? In what sort of scenarios might you decide to withhold agreement?

Second, when either or both of the Delegate and Vice Delegate are unable to commission a special election, that duty falls to the Speaker (and whichever of them is able, or, if neither of them, the Attorney General). What experience and knowledge do you have in relation to the commissioning of elections?

Third, the Assembly may override deployments of the NPA (where they have not previously been approved), the Codified Law states that, in relation to such motions, "[t]he Speaker shall accept motions to override for voting on an expedited basis." What does this provision require the Speaker to do?
EDIT: In relation to the last question, to give some matters which might be considered: does the provision require that such motions be voted on; is there any means by which a vote on them can be stopped, either before or after starting; and what is "an expedited basis".

In regards to selecting Temporary Hearing Officers, I've actually had to agree to the appointments of Temporary Hearing Officers in March of 2015 as Speaker. When deciding whether or not to agree to their appointment, I took into account experience as well as any conflict of interests in relation to the case. Since THOs are only appointed for one case, it is easy to decide whether or not they could have a COI. I would definitely withhold agreement if I know they do not have a good understanding of the law or if they have a conflict of interest themselves.

I've also commissioned elections, either by volunteering or as Speaker! While most find all that spreadsheet stuff to be quite annoying, I actually find it very easy, and at times fun. It must be the inner Speaker coming out of me.

So, in regards to your last question, since I must accept the motion to vote, logically it should go to vote as quickly as allowed, which I can do via my discretion per the RA procedure. However, the law doesn't explicitly disallow the ways of which votes can and could be delayed. So, yes, I believe that also per the RA procedures, citizens can object to the motion and slow that process down.

 

[abc]

Thank you for your answer Bootsie.

I have another question: why of all positions do you wish to become speaker (again)?

 

[bootsie]

Thank you for your answer Bootsie.

I have another question: why of all positions do you wish to become speaker (again)?

Good question! So, of all the positions that I've held, my two favorite have been Deputy Speaker, and Vice Delegate.

While I'd love another four or eight months in the Vice Delegacy, I do not believe this term is necessarily the one for that run. Maybe later, who knows?

Anyway, I just enjoyed being in the Speaker's Office and hope to do the opposite of what I did last time I was in here. (For the record, that was making everyone angry.)

 

[Flemingovia]

1. Given your job title, would you consider supporting legislation to change your job title from Speaker to Squeaker?

2. (more serious) Do you believe that the speaker ought to be politically neutral? On what occasions would you speak out in favour or against legisaltion?

3. (even more serious) Should the delegate veto have limits put on it? Should the delegate be able to overturn the clearly and decisively expressed will of the Regional Assembly?

 

[bootsie]

1. Given your job title, would you consider supporting legislation to change your job title from Speaker to Squeaker?

2. (more serious) Do you believe that the speaker ought to be politically neutral? On what occasions would you speak out in favour or against legisaltion?

3. (even more serious) Should the delegate veto have limits put on it? Should the delegate be able to overturn the clearly and decisively expressed will of the Regional Assembly?

1. I would not support legislation to change my job title to Squeaker. If you'd like to call me that informally shall I be elected, you may though.

2. I do believe that the Speaker should be politically neutral. I will be abstaining on all votes during my term as Speaker.

3. I believe that the Delegate should have the right of veto. Removing it would lessen the power that the Regional Assembly gives them. However, misusing the veto can become an issue. Honestly, I'm not sure how you could limit the veto, while also ensuring the the Delegate's power to veto remains. I'd definitely turn to the Regional Assembly to see how these two things would balance each other, as both are important to the way the government works.

 

[abc]

After reading your replies to both mine and others questions, you have my support Bootsie!