All news stories are submitted by participants in Ill Bethisad, all of whom are welcome to submit stories from their respective parts of Ill Bethisad. Submissions may be edited for clarity, language or style.
26-DEC-2006 -- Interbalkpress -- Zukor Train Derails in Bulgaria!
Timisoara -- Chancellor Ionescu's office confirmed that the train
carrying the man accused of being Ferenc Zukor--former Director
of the
infamous Special Security Department of the Securitate--derailed
Christmas day within the borders of Bulgaria. Officials of that
country, still part of a SNOR-ist regime, are investigating the
cause
of the crash but have informed Oltenia that among the missing is
Ferenc Zukor. Of his official escort, one Xliponian officer is
dead,
another injured with two Oltenian officers also suffering
injury.
This announcement complicates even further what was a tense and
complicated situation in terms of both politics and law. Zukor
was a
government official of the pro-SNOR White Regency when his
alleged
crimes were committed (including a notorious mass murder of
Mormons).
He resigned and vanished at the time of the Princely
Restoration.
Many Securitate records of that time were destroyed. The Zukor
family
claims Ferenc Zukor (who is or was ethnically Hungarian) is dead
and
the body they claim to be his was exhumed for an autopsy.
Meanwhile,
Xliponia extradited the man Ionescu's government claims is
Zukor--a
charge the man in question confirmed. But now the train
returning him
to Oltenia has de-railed in Bulgaria, a nation whose pro-SNOR
government is bound to come under scrutiny by the current
Oltenian
government, which has been aggressively seeking to identify
collaborators with the defunct Securitate and Regency.
Relations
between the two countries have been cool at best.
Radio and television commentators in Oltenia are already
inquiring as
to why Zukor was brought by train instead of airship, and why
through
Bulgarian territory instead of (for example) the Kingdom of
Serbia.[DZ]
26-DEC-2006 -- BBC -- The Queen's Christmas Address
HOLYROOD PALACE, Scotland -- Merry Christmas to the peoples of England, Scotland and all those who listen throughout the Commonwealth today.
This Christmas time we all of us who are Christian,
or otherwise and even those of us who do not celebrate
this holiday at all, take time to look at the way we relate to our
fore-fathers. Certainly, as the time of the birth of Jesus
for the tradition of o, we look at what is past, what is
present and what is to come.
Once again, I find occasion for continuing the
tradition of my forefatahers, in speech of the truth of
what is to come over this year. Over all this time I have had
occasion and thought to see what has happened over the
past 9 years, and take into account the progress we
have made on the results of those who are indeed our
forefathers.
For without those precedents, which have remained firm
and solid, we would have had nothing to base all of these
modern changes on. But in doing so, we look to the future.
With this in our hearts, let us [...] [PLK]
25-DEC-2006 -- The Star of Georgetown --
2006 Christmas Gift Index
GEORGETOWN -- Well, everyone is familiar with the old carol, the Twelve Days of Christmas, and its fanciful gifts of dancing lords and milkmaids. But how many folks have wondered what the costs of such extravagance break down to? Well, the financial wizards at Ric Thalmann Financial Services, a local full service financial planning firm, have been running the numbers since 1985 and here are this year's results:
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Twelve Drummers Drumming: Ł84/-/-
12 student musicians ... Ł24/-/-
12 costumes, hired ... Ł24/-/-
12 drums, hired ... Ł36/-/-
Eleven Pipers Piping: Ł77/-/-
11 pipers (w/ pipes) ... Ł55/-/-
11 costumes, hired ... Ł22/-/-
Ten Lords-a-Leaping: Ł40/-/-
10 student dancers ... Ł20/-/-
10 costumes, hired ... Ł20/-/-
Nine Ladies Dancing: Ł36/-/-
9 student dancers ... Ł18/-/-
9 costumes, hired ... Ł18/-/-
Eight Maids-a-Milking: Ł36/13/-
8 student actresses ... Ł16/-/-
8 buckets @ 6d ... -/4/-
8 wooden stools @ 1s ... -/8/-
8 milch kine, hired ... 8/-/-
fodder ... -/1/-
teamsters pay (x2) ... 6/-/-
teams. Xmas bonus ... 6/-/-
Seven Swans-a-Swimming: Ł109/-/-
7 swans @ Ł12 ea ... Ł84/-/-
large plastic pond ... Ł25/-/-
Six Geese-a-Laying: Ł48/-/-
6 geese @ Ł8 ea ... Ł48/-/-
Five Gold Rings: Ł25/-/-
5 18kt rings @ Ł5 ... Ł25/-/-
Four Colly Birds: 2s4d
4 blackbirds @ 4d ea ... Ł-/1/4
1 boy to catch ravens ... Ł-/1/-
Three French Hens: 12s
3 hens @ 4s ea ... Ł-/12/-
Two Turtle Doves: 10d
2 pigeons @ 2d ea ... Ł-/-/4
1 boy to catch birds ... Ł-/-/6
One Partridge in a Pear Tree: Ł5
1 partridge @ Ł1 ... Ł1/-/-
1 pear tree (6') @ Ł4 ... Ł4/-/-
Total cost for these traditional -- and extravagant! -- gifts ... Ł461 8s. 2d.
That's nearly a month's salary for most folks! Here's to a happy Christmas with money spent on wiser (and less costly) gifts![PB]
22-DEC-2006 -- BBC World News Service -- ZUKOR SIGHTING
Bovlai -- Unconfirmed reports from persons close to the Xliponian government indicate the man who claims to be the infamous Securitate Director Ferenc Zukor boarded a train this evening for Oltenia. The Oltenian government
believes the man to be Zukor, who is wanted for multiple crimes including murder, kidnapping and torture. But the Zukor family insists Ferenc is dead and has produced a death certificate. The body of the man they claim to be Zukor has been exhumed and is undergoing an autopsy. Unfortunately, many records that would normally be used to conclusively establish identity were destroyed at the time of the Princely Restoration.[DZ]
16-DEC-2006 -- LA SUL -- INTERVIEW WITH DUNEIN'S HIGH KING
YSCA, KEMR -- It has been four years since the double
coronation of our present high king, Gereint ix
(Caratheck fitz Mynnig), and his first official
interviews where he decried the conditions within
the Province and outlined his goals for the
future. Again, La Sul have had the very great
priviledge of an interview with our High King as
we review the last four years of his helmsmanship
in Dunein.
The king at the time of our first interview
called Dunein a third world country. Asked to
consider and review the present situation, he
said: "Well, we are no longer a third world
country. We still have a long way to go before we
reach the standards of the rest of Kemr --
plumbing and so forth -- but we are comming a
long way. The infrastructures of our chief cities
have largely been replaced. It is now possible to
visit any public comfort room within Ysca and
flush an honest-to-the-Gods crapper. More than
80% of all private properties are now connected
to centralised public water and septic sewer
systems. The electric and comm-cable systems have
also been revamped and modernised. Our
partnership with Ireland has done much to spur
our growth in this area. Since most of the
Province is national parklands, we can't do much
to improve the roads, particularly in the West;
however, the railways are proving to be excellent
conduits for new electric and communications
lines. We are sure that within the next two to
four years, the whole Province will be connected
to the same electric grid and communications
webwork. Dunein will be second only to Ireland
herself for the most webwork connected country.
To keep up with the webwork, it is our aim to
introduce state of the art computers into
government and ensure that all our research and
medical training facilities have the best
machines to do their work."
When asked to elaborate on our "partnership" with
Ireland, he replied: "Yes, indeed, Ireland is
truly the technological giant in the world today,
and we're putting our best minds -- as well as
our unused factory space -- to use in the silicon
industries. After taking office, I proposed, and
the Tinners Senate concurred, that a number of
old mining works and factories that have sat
unused could be restored and used to house the
new industries. As Irish firms were looking
initially for places to assemble their chips and
slips and whathaveyou, our workspaces offered an
ideal solution to the problems of both countries.
Now, not only are we assembling Irish products,
but our researcers are working with Irish
industrial leaders to advance the computer
technology. We very much hope that our common
desire to steer this industry in an ecologically
sound and envioronmentally friendly way will lead
to a very sound line of green products and more
importantly, green systems and means of
production and recycling of components."
"It has also been our desire to expand the
ecotourism industry within the Province. Our
parklands and empty spaces province many
opportunities for travellers to hike and camp in
some of the last wildernesses in western Europe;
and of course to spend large sums of money
kitting out for the adventure!"
The last several years, as is well known, have
seen a steady decline in the use of the
traditional dialect within the Province. When
asked about the state of Kerno, the high king
replied: "Well, I can not mince words here.
Anyone who can read the grafitti on the loos here
in the very capital of the Province knows that
all levels of society in the Province, apart from
the westernmost centrebs, speak Brithenig after
some fashion or other. Our province's governments
over the last century have completely and utterly
failed to rescue the Kerno language from its
untimely demise. In fact, the various Language
Boards that we had charged with that rescue
turned out to be worst kind of knife in the back
for our ancestral language. The facts are,
however, that a few decades worth of apathy will
do what centuries of national language laws could
not, namely, kill of the Provinces native tongue.
The schools in the Province have begun using a
wholly revitalised curriculum, taught in the
prevailing language. Thus, the early days of the
last century, teaching Kerno speakers using
Brithenig and the middle days of the century,
teaching Brithenig speakers using Kerno are both
at an end. We have traditionally had a very high
rate of scholarship -- for the few students who
remained in the schools. The truancy and drop-out
rates were quite frankly embarrassing to speak
of. It is to be hoped that the new way will at
least see a decline in truancy and drop-outs."
We asked about the future of the Province: "I
have always had the utmost confidence in my
fellow Cornishmen. That we can break out of the
poverty we've been languishing in and take our
rightful place in the world. We were, as I said
years ago, a third world country. We were even
behind Portugal -- I ask you, Portugal? How could
we slip so far behind!? But we have taken some
strong steps towards halting our decline and
girding ourselves up for the future. There is no
reason we can not acheive our goals within the
decade. Our bretheren across the British Sea
shall have no further cause for mirth at our
chamber pots and lack of running water!"
A number of our readers have asked over the years
several minor but interesting questions that we
thought we'd put to the king. First, several
readers have asked why Gereint ix revived the old
title "Emir of Qarnaw", and given the king's
appearances in the city's mosque from time to
time "are you a Moslem": "Quite simply put, there
are two titles pertaining to the job of Dunein's
rheitheir, namely "High King of the Dumnonians"
and "Emir of Qarnaw". Both titles are a little
antique, but the latter hasn't been revived -- it
was always there. To answer the latter question,
I am a devotee of Cravetheck; but am keenly
interested in all religions and philosophies. We,
not only in Dunein, but in Kemr as a whole, are
blessed with our long standing diversity; not
only are we home to the Abbot Patriarch, but
we've also got the country's oldest mosque, a
couple very old synagogues, some Hindu,
Zoroastrian and Jain temples and the only Roman
Pagan chapel still in use."
Several readers asked about his bold entrance
into Dol cathedral for the second crowning. "Yes,
that was a bit of a stunt, eh? Shook the French
up and no mistake. Once again, it can not be
emphasised strongly enough that even though Kemr
ceded its national sovereignty over the Pays
Brehun, the government of Dunein certainly did
not hand over so readily. We have never accepted
the terms of the Treaty of Union (1532) which
"yields complete and total sovereignty" to the
king of France, through his chosen "dukes".
Naturally, Kemr was within its rights to cede its
external authority; but legally, this only means
that the High King of Dumnonia is now a subregent
not only of Kemr but also of France. In as far as
our domains in France are concerned, the High
King retains his traditional rights and duties to
the Breton people as he always has. The French
were not keen on this idea and have from time to
time tried to sever our peoples from each other.
In fact, there is so much commerce flowing
between Dunein and Brehun that they could never
stop it all, or even the larger part. To answer
specifically, it is the right and priviledge of a
new high king to be crowned before his people.
Not only, in the days before photography and
sound recordings, could they see and recognise
their new leader, but the king could also visit
his new domain and get a sense for his people's
needs and hopes."
We asked one final question about the pitfalls
the high king sees in Dunein's future. "Well,
mostly it is the possibility of a renewed
economic collapse. It happened before, and it
could happen again. The Cos Nustr crowd have been
quiet of late -- they're always a thorn in the
side of any provincial authority." We asked what
should be done about these pitfalls. "For the
former, we should prefer a fairly laissez faire
attitude. Let entrepreneurs and small businesses
thrive and our Province should prosper. Of course
those ruddy Socialists up in Castreleon never
seem to grasp anything more than "the more money
the People have, the more taxes we should levy"
and that will be the ruin of not only Dunein but
also Kemr. As for those CN buggers, the lot of em
should dance the Hangman's Jigg from the Old
Gallows. Let em take a drap o their own tincture.
They have no place in a modern society, and their
propaganda about "rightful redress and needful
criticism of government" is all a barrel of
shite. They haven't done anything short of pure
criminal knavery in more than two centuries and
the Provincial government has charged the
gendarmery to root out the bastards and
neutralise their organisation."[PB]
12-DEC-2006 -- AUTOPSY ORDERED IN ZUKOR CASE
Timiţoara, Oltenia -- Amid charges and counter-charges, the Oltenian
government confirmed today it has ordered the exhumation and
autopsy
for purposes of identification the body the Zukor family claims
to be
their infamous son, former Special Security Director Ferenc
Zukor.
A man claiming to be Zukor awaits extradition from Xliponia, but
his
claims are disputed by the family, along with the Conservative
Opposition in the Oltenian Senate. The fact that the only
fingerprints discovered on record are those on the death
certificate
only muddies the matter further. So too are claims now being
made by
former Securitate personnel that Ferenc Zukor had at least one
double,
someone who masqueraded as the infamous official sometimes at
public
events or to provide a distraction for security purposes.
Searches of the mostly-destroyed Securitate archives continue, as
do
independent investigations in Bovlai.
Zukor, if discovered to be alive and then placed in Oltenian
custody,
faces multiple charges of murder, torture and kidnapping. To
many he
is the living symbol of the worst abuses under the former White
Regency. His disappearance within days of the Restoration had
lifted
him to semi-mythical status.[DZ]
IBAP -- 11-DEC-2006 (20 Frimaire,`CCXV) -- CONTROVERSIAL NOVEL TO BE PUBLISHED
Saint-Louis, Louisianne -- Public backlash has already begun following the announcement by Bantam
House that it will publish a novelization of the leading
conspiracy
theory of this summer's dual assassination. The international
publisher from its Saint-Louis offices that it has optioned the
exposée by Daniel D. Hicken, based on first-person accounts by
those
involved, including political figures from the RTC, Japan and
Louisianne.
Claiming to have written this story under the auspices of Mme.
Young,
Hicken has gotten approval of the story from both Mme. Young and
Mme.
President Gildersleeve. It is anticipated that the novel will
be
published in New Amsterdam, Saint-Louis and Warsine
simultaneously to
meet demand of readers, as all three nations are featured
heavily in
the novel.
Zowan Sasometany was unavailable for comment at time of
publication,
but he, as well, figures largely into the story.
Activist groups in the NAL decry the attacks against the
American
Leadership Conference as contained in the books, and Mr. Gore's
office
has been offered the rights to review the novel before
publication by
Bantam House.
Advance copies have been released to literary review agencies,
and
publication release is set for January 16, 2007.[DH]
08-DEC-2006 -- CONFLICT OVER ATROCITIES
BOVLAI, XLIPONIA -- While Xliponian and Oltenian officials prepare to extradite
a man accused of horrible crimes, conflicting claims about his
identity have surfaced.
Ferenc Zukor was the Director of the Special Security during the
worst
days of the White Regency in the Romanian Principality, was in
fact in
charge of organizing multiple murders, tortures and
disappearances.
On Wednesday, the government of Oltenia claimed Zukor was living
in
nearby Xliponia. The next day the royal Chancellory agreed to
extradite the man thus identified.
But Istvan Zukor, Ferenc's younger brother, speaking for the
Zukor
family, insists Ferenc died of an unspecified "blood disorder"
in
1998. They even claimed to have given the location of his grave
to
Oltenia's government. A photocopy of a death certificate was
made
available to members of the press. As is standard in that
country,
the death certificate includes fingerprints taken from the
deceased.
The suspect, meanwhile, has evidently made no effort to deny his
identity, releasing a statement he looks forward to defending
his
actions which would be "vindicated by history." Sources within
the
Chancellory confirm the man does indeed claim to be the
notorious
Zukor and that his dental records are a "close match" with those
supplied by Oltenia from 1989.
Gregori Florea-Doneascu, current Leader of Oltenia's
Conservative
League, accused the Ionescu government of "engaging in an
inquisition-like inquiry to distract from its failures in
policy."
In Timişoara, searches have commenced within Regency archives
for
evidence, including (hopefully) fingerprints as well as
photographs.[DZ]
07-DEC-2006 -- Affiliated News Service -- BORIS HILL TRIAL TO START
TORONTO, ON -- Failed actor Mikhail Medved and ten of his
associates in
the so-called "New World Order" (a radical offshoot of the
American
Snorist Party) went on trial today in Toronto, after all pleas
to
seperate the cases failed. The eleven men are charged with over
two
hundred felony counts each, including conspiracy, arson,
trespassing,
vandalism, murder, rape, kidnapping, unlawful intercourse with a
minor
and possession of illegal weapons. Charges stem from the
group's
takeover nearly one year ago of the small farming community of
Boris
Hill, then isolated by seasonal snows. The NWO, which adheres
to a
doctrine of Slavic superiority, were attempting to create an
isolated
homeland in which to live out their ideology, said Crown
Prosecutors.
Despite claims to the contrary by Defense Counsel, the
Prosecutors'
office denied the timing of the trial had anything to do with
the
anniversay of the crimes themselves.
Medved, the acknowledged leader of the group, was arrested weeks
after
everyone else in the city of Chicago. He claims not to have
been
present in Boris Hill, and demanded (unsuccessfully) to have his
trial
severed from that of the other defendants.
The number of homicides during the NWO's control of Boris Hill
is
alleged to have been forty, with the number of rapes
approximately one
hundred. At least three murders and some sexual assaults took
place
inside the vandalized Orthodox Church, which is considered
desecrated
as a result. One officer in the Provincial Police was killed in
apprehension of the defendants in March, 2006.[DZ]
07-DEC-2006 -- OFFICE OF THE XLIPONIAN CHANCELLOR
Ardurylak de Mersdon of the Xliponian Chancellery has issued an
official declaration today that, once inequivocally identified,
former
Oltenian Special Security boss Ferenc Zukor will be extradited
to his
home country. While Xliponia prides itself on maintaining
neutrality in
international affairs, said de Mersdon, "[w]e cannot tolerate a
former
member of a snorist regime in our midst, especially knowing of
the
enormities that his agency, and he personally, is guilty of.
Such
ideologies are not only politically questionable, they represent
a
menace to all that is good and compassionate in human nature."
Positive identification of Zukor, living near the King's Park in
one of
Bovlai's most exclusive neighbourhoods, should occur within a
few
hours, and extradition will follow immediately. Zukor is
rumoured to
have ties to the notorious Mapukra, the violent and
not-quite-dead
Xliponian secret society.[RK]
07-DEC-2006 -- National News Corporation -- OLTENIA ACCUSES XLIPONIA
(Timişoara) Chancellor Tibor Ionescu publically accusing the Kingdom of Xliponia today of harboring a wanted fugitive from Oltenian justice.
Ionescu, whose Socialists hold a slender majority in the
principality's Forum of Deputies, has for the last two years
been
rooting out what he calls "the worst remnants" of the former
Snorist
rulers of Oltenia, specifically members of the feared Securitate
not
yet arrested and tried since the fall of the White Regency.
Over a
dozen individuals have been arrested, sentenced to prison terms
between twenty years and life. In a prepared statement at
Dicasterial
Palace, the Chancellor specifically identified Ferenc Zukor as
living
openly in a suburb of Bovlai, Xliponia. Zukor, the youngest
Director
of Special Security in former regime, was in office during the
worst
abuses while Istvan Gheorghiu was Lord Regent. Among the crimes
attributed to him was the 1986 mass murder of 39 Mormons in
Bistriţa,
and the disappearance of nearly five thousand persons in between
1977
and 1988. Most are assumed to have died in the notoriously
vicious
prison conditions under the Regency--either by torture, casual
brutality, starvation or simple lack of medical care. Zukor, an
ethnic Hungarian, resigned and emmigrated within months of the
Princely Restoration.
"The government of Oltenia," said Ionescu, "demands the
immediate
extradiction of former Director Ferenc Zukor into our custody,
as well
as an explanation for why any civilized sovereign nation would
harbor
this individual. The people of Oltenia demand answers, and they
demand justice. This government is pledged to give them both."
So far, there has been no official reply from the Xliponian
government
to Ionescu's statement, nor have Oltenian authorities answered
any
questions.[RK]
28-NOV-2006 -- NIEUW AAMSTERDAM POST -- FOREIGN SECRETARY HINTS AT NEW POLICY
New Amsterdam, NAL -- In answering questions asked on the
Senate
floor regarding the latest news from South Florida, Foreign
Secretary
Josette Biden of Kent seemed to signal a change in course for
the Gore
Administration. "We of course applaud any movement in the
direction
of stability," Biden said, "and we eagerly await the next
logical
developments which will lead to formal recognition of both
Campos
Naranjas and Puerto Plata. Really, saying anything else is
premature." This marks a major difference from the government's
former enthusiastic support of the Irish occupational policies
coupled
with severe criticism of the RTC's efforts. Observers
immediately
theorized such is the result of the General Election earlier
this
month in which the Whigs lost their majority in Parliament. No
coalition has been formally announced.
Some speculate that Josette "Jo" Biden may lose her job as
Foreign
Secretary in the expected cabinet re-shuffle. The Kentian has
served
since Gore's election as General Moderator in 2001, when she
also
offered herself for the Whig nomination. It is widely believed
she
might run again in 2010 even though she will be 68 by then.
Gore's relatively interventionist foreign relations policies
have come
under increased scrutiny since the double assassination of First
President Jean-François Young and Empress Gacudai of Japan in
Louisianne August 28. Rumors and accusations of involvement by
the
American Leadership Conference, of which Gore and Biden are
members,
have circulated ever since.[DZ]
08-NOV-2006 -- National News Corporation -- VOTERS FORCE NEW COALITION
Atlanta, NAL -- With 91% of
all
ridings now reporting their findings, the biggest political
shake-up
in the NAL for a generation is taking shape. The entire House
of
Deputies as well as half the Senate were at stake. Originally,
only
the Senators were to face campaigning but in a little-used
action
General Moderator Gore's cabinet authorized a full General
Election
last Spring, in order to bolster support for the proposed UNICOV
program of universal health care. Given the scandals in which
the
Opposition Progressive Conservative Party was mired, it seemed a
good
bet that an even stronger Whig majority would result, perhaps
even
bringing an end to the Whig coalition with the Democratic
Socialists
and Adullumite Republicans which has been notoriously
contentious.
Instead, the Whigs have lost control of the House, while
thinning
their majority in the Senate. Their allies and the PCs have
lost
seats while the new party—comprised of disaffected members of
the PC
as well as others—has become a force impossible to ignore in
Philadelphia.
The Whigs will enjoy a plurality of 102 seats, while the
Progressive
Conservatives will be the next largest party with 87. However,
the
new Covenant Loyalist Party easily is their rival, having won a
total
of 83 seats—many of those defections from the Whig and
Progressive
Conservatives into the ranks of the new party, which is openly
claiming the political center for itself. The remaining seats
are
divided between the Democratic Socialists, the Adullumite
Republicans,
the Green Carnations and the Ecotopics. In practical terms,
the
Gore administration will need to form a coalition with either
the
Progressive Conservatives led by Franklin Dibb (Ouisconsin) or
the
Covenant Loyalists led by Eugene Levi (Alba Nuadh).
Whigs retained a clear majority in the 90-member Senate, but
narrowed
the margin by two. The Progressive Conservatives, led by John
Robert
O'Kinneide (Mass. Bay) by comparison lost five seats. All seven
and
two others besides were picked up by the Covenant Loyalists,
bringing
up their total to 19, led jointly by Howard Provo (Jacobia) and
Diane
Rodham (Illinoise).
Most analysts believe that unless Gore makes common cause with
the
Progressive Conservatives, the UNICOV program can be considered
dead
in the water. The CLs have offered their own alternative
program,
dubbed "Medical Relief" and made much of it during the campaign.
Whether O'Kinneide's recently-revived leadership would survive
such a
deal with the party faithful (to whom Gore is anathema) is in
serious
doubt.
Other issues in the election include the Florida War and the
ongoing
occupation, as well as accusations that the American Leadership
Conference may have had something to do with the double
assassination
in Lousianne as part of an orchestrated plan of "nation
building."
The Watergap Scandal, in which several prominent PC politicians
are
accused of having tried to frame General Moderator Gore of
staging a
coup against former FC president Jaime Bush almost certainly
played a
part. Debate about the budget, about new taxes and about
environmental cleanup (especially in the wake of the atomic
explosions
and the New Orleans furacano) were also vital issues in the
southern
provinces. Law enforcement in the northern provinces was
equally
important, with the Boris Hill crimes high on everyone's minds
and
perhaps also connected to recent outbreaks of violence in
Deseret.
As far as individual races, Geoffrey Sessions (Mobile) and
Victoria
Lynch (Cherokee) as well as Hannah O'Kinneide Blaine (Castreleon
New)
were all re-elected. Hannah Coultier, on the other hand, was
not
returned by her Pennsyvaania Riding to Philadelphia, which has
led to
the soon-to-be-former Delegate to accuse officials of election
fraud.
Parliament begins its new session in January. Its first
business will
be election of Speakers for each House, which will almost
certainly
indicate the dynamics of the next session.[DZ]
23-OCT-2006 -- ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST AEROPLANE FLIGHT IN THE WORLD COMMEMORATED
Paris, France; Săo Paulo, Paraná; Rio de Janeiro, Brasil --
Festivities today in three world capitals commemorate the centennial
of the world's first aeroplane flight.
On 23 October 1906, piloting the Douze Bis -- the thirteenth in a series of
designs and called "12-A" for luck -- before a large crowd of witnesses, Alberto Santos Duval of Brasil flew a distance of 203 feet at an altitude of 7 to 10 feet. This event was the first flight, verified by the Aéro-Club de France, of a powered heavier-than-air machine in the world. It constituted the world's first public demonstration of an aircraft in flight.
Santos Duval was also a pioneer in the design and construction of
dirigible aircraft, making several improvements to that already successful type of flying machine.
Reenactments of the Douze Bis flight were staged before crowds of aeronautics enthusiasts in Paris on the site of the historical event. In Săo Paulo, where Santos Duval spent his childhood, and in Rio de Janeiro capital of his native country reenactments and other festivities also took place.[RK]
BULK NEWSFEED 10.JUL.2006 through 1.NOV.2006
SNORING FRANKIE?
BOSTON EXPOSITOR
July 10, 2006
Boston, MASSACHUSETTS
Onlookers were shocked as a troop of SNORist soldiers marched
from
their limousine into Costume Night at Plush, one of the hottest
clubs
in Boston. Among the crowd? Antoine II Bourbon-Le Moyne and
his,
some would say, lap-dog, Frankie Young, son of Louisiannan
First-President Jean-François Young.
The group was raucous and spoke with thick Russian accents the
whole
evening, but were otherwise well-behaved in this upscale club.
The
furor ignited when the group were confronted at 2:00 AM, NEST
outside
the club by a local group of Anti-Snorists who proceeded to
taunt and
otherwise harass the college students as they waited for their
limo.
According to reports, the taunts escalated, becoming more and
more
directed at the Prince in Exile and Young and their dates. When
one
of the drunken Anti-Snorists made a grab for one of the female
companions Young threw a punch, and a general fight broke out,
and it
was only ended by the arrival of local constables who arrested
the
entire group.
Young was released on his own recognizance as were his
compatriots
when the investigation proved there was no fault on their parts.
Calls from Anti-SNOR groups across the NAL and Louisianne have
requested that Young apologize personally for his distasteful
choice,
but to present only a family spokesman has expressed the
family's
apologies.
This is not unexpected, as Frankie's father, Jean-François Young
was
known to be a carouser of women and general trouble-maker in his
college days, being arrested for disorderly conduct several
times, yet
each time being released on his own recognizance.[DH]
=====
BOSTON EXPOSITOR
July 12, 2006
Boston, MASSACHUSETTS
ERRATA
The original story about Frankie Young and Antoine II Bourbon-Le
Moyne
made it appear that Antoine II was on a date without his
fiancée,
Princess Aquico of Micasa. This was not the case and the
princess was
in attendance at the club. She was not arrested with the group,
but
remained behind and contacted Louis-Antoine Bourbon-Le Moyne who
was
instrumental in getting the legal air cleared.
The Expositor regrets an intimation of infidelity or
indiscretion on
the part of M. Antoine II Bourbon-Le Moyne.[DH]
=====
Louisiannan Support to Alta California part 3
July 23, 2006
While the Ministry members celebrated their "Pioneer Day",
celebrating
the arrival of their ancestors from Louisianna, President
Jean-François Young and Arnoldo Schwarzenegger met in Tremble,
Alpes-Argentés today to discuss the scope of the insurgence led
by
Ouaren Gough.
Dirigibles with Spretu fighters and officers from Louisianna
serving
as military advisors have arrived. The first regiments of
Alta-California's armies have begun arriving via the desert road
that
passes through Las Vegas.
July 24, 2006
A major air strike against the FLDS stronghold of Riu Verde has
destroyed the FLDS temple and church headquarters, as well as
stockpiles of weapons, some of which is reported to have been
chemical
in nature. Clashes in Scipio and Panguitch between Alta
Californio
forces and FLDS have resulted in large numbers of casualties for
the
FLDS, and rumors of rape of surviving women has been
propagated. The
government in San Diego is investigating these claims.[DH]
=====
Ouaren Gough Speaks Out
July 27, 2006
Ouaren Gough has announced through a recording that was
delivered to
an Oregonian news office near the Serpentine River that "this
war will
be unending. God is with us and we will fight to the end."
He went on to further say, "Hostility toward Alta-California is
a
religious duty, and we hope to be rewarded for it by God ... I
am
confident that faithful Saints throughout Deseret will be able
to end
the legend of the Alta-Californio rule."
Gough threatened reprisals against Alta-Californios, saying,
"Every
Californio is an enemy to us. We will decimate them."
Speaking of their rights to the lands of Deseret, Gough made it
clear
that martyrdom was not something he or any other FLDS feared.
"In our
religion, there is a special place in the hereafter for those
who
participate in a war protecting their homes, their wives,
children,
and religion. We will be at the right hand of God, right next
to
Captain Moroni." Behind him in psuedo-hebraic script is what
mormonism specialist identified a "title of liberty",
representing the
cloak that was written on by Captain Moroni, a righteous general
that
defeated oppressors through the grace of God against great odds.
Regional analysts agree that this war will not end any time
soon.[DH]
=====
Tejas Unrest
July 26, 2006
SANTA FE
Santa Fe's downtown district was flooded with a small group of
protesters who have come out against the proposed merger of
Credit
Louisiannaise and tbe Banco Nacional de Tejas. Most are locals
who
are against the idea of any attachment to Louisianna, however
some are
ex-officials at the bank, laid-off as the merger has proceeded
toward
the close date later this year.
This has brought up renewed questions as to the legality of the
merger, but the Parliament and the Solms-Braunfels have
supported it
whole-heartedly, feeling that it will be a boon to the otherwise
crippled economy of Tejas.[DH]
=====
Labour Leader Arrested
Thermidor CCXIV (July 28, 2006)
Shrčveport, Saint-Onge, Louisianne
The private residence of Jacques Chevalier was raided today by Louisiannan Gendarmes. While many of the staff were arrested, M. Chevalier was no where to be found. After extensive searching a secret passage was discovered, leading to an underground car-park filled with M. Chevalier’s fleet of cars.
Later that afternoon the elusive M. Chevalier was cornered near the Tejan border and arrested on charges of bribery, embezzlement and money laundering. This bold move according to an anonymous source has been years in the planning and was initiated by Prefect Gildersleeve.
Reprisals for M. Chevalier’s arrest have been near immediate as government offices in Baton Rouge were attacked, strafed with bullet-fire. Similar attacks were brought against the City-Hall in New Orleans .
M. Chevalier will be arraigned by closed circuit television early Monday. As he is a flight risk, many suspect he will be held without bail, and his arraignment will be held via closed-circuit television.[DH]
=====
=======================================
WITA WARSINIE - Sobota, 29 jule 2006 j.
=======================================
OPEN LETTER AGAINST "OCCUPATION OF FLORIDA"
ŁÓDŹ — A group of 49 prominent scientists and artists from the
RTC
have written an open letter to chancellor Aldendorf, in which
they
protest against what they call the "unlawful occupation of
Southeast
Florida". They call for an "immediate withdrawal of all our
armed
forces from the region". The signees of the letter have formed a
pressure group under the name Inicjaciwa Czywila Kętra Okupaceń
Florydzie1.
Among those who signed the "Letter of the 49" are the writer and
Nobel Prize winner Wanda Szyszko, science-fiction writer Głurzan
Lembały, cineasts Krzysztof Kieśliny and Jóżef Michał
Straczynik, pop
singer Żyrardzina Izłarzana, chamber musician Maja Nazała,
organist
Adam Choroszynik, the singers Witold Jędrzej Helin and Jadwiga
Szczepanik-Rapina, cardiologist Zbaszczan Rzegiela, sociologist
Onute
Staniszkienie, and chief editor of the Gazeta Jeleconała Adam
Szkutyniek. The list also includes former chancellor Jóżzef
Oliczyn
and "the red priest from Kronin", senator Karol Kołąblany.
On a press conference in Łódź, the interim chairman of the
Inicjaciwa
Czywila, linguistics professor Żowan Sasomętany said: "It was
clear
from the very beginning that this experiment could not become
anything but a failure. Now we know it for sure!"
"It's clear", he said, "our country is totally unprepared for
this.
Terrorists, guerrillas, tropical storms... Let's face it, there
is no
way for us to handle all this. We were supposed to restore order
and
democracy in Florida, but all we brought there was chaos. In the
two
and a half years of our presence in Florida, the project has
pretty
much ruined our treasury and made us the laughing stock of the
whole
world. We should leave there now to prevent things from getting
from
bad to worse."
What worries the members of the committee most are recent
tendencies
towards integrating Southeast Florida in the structures of the
Republic. "It's obvious", Sasomętany said, "for the government,
Florida is a matter of national pride. What I observe is that
the
idea of transforming Florida into a democratic state has moved
to the
background. Instead, they are slowly turning it into some kind
of
overseas territory. As if that wasn't obvious enough yet, they
even
deemed it necessary to appoint a governor-general! It is
sufficient
to look at Mr. Bambaryła's performance to see how crazy that
idea
is."
The government has not issued an official reaction yet, but
vice-chancellor Roman Jokór-Iłór said: "Yes, we have seen the
letter.
It merely show the utter lack of patriotism of the political
left. If
we will ever be out of toilet paper, we will at least know where
to
look for a substitute." [JvS]
***
ANTI-FLORIDA MOTION VOTED DOWN IN SEJM
WARSINA (WASP) — On Friday, the Sejm has voted down a motion
issued
by Katarzyna Parydżanka and Wójt Olanik for the complete
withdrawal
of our armed forces from Southeast Florida. 219 MPs voted in
favour
of the motion, 354 voted against it, 40 abstained. It was
supported
by the entire left, including the UNDO, the OLD, the WWPS,
LSDDP, the
SVP, the SDPH, the PKRDK, the UŁ, the DKRS and part of the
UD-DS.[JvS]
***
If you have problems with the encoding of the above, you can
also see the article at: < http://steen.free.fr/rtc/news/20060729.html >
=====
The Bridal Shower of the Century (VANITY FAIRE)
31.JUL.2006
Bright lights, red carpet, and hundreds of beautiful women. It
sounds
more like a movie screening, but this was the gala bridal shower
of
Princess Aquico of Micasa.
The guest list read like a who's who, with famous persons coming
from
around the world. Among the stars, royals, politicos and nobles
were
many from the League of Noble Emigrees, including Nicola
Vlas-Florea.
Invitations were sent to the royal houses of Europe, however
few
actually attended, although many sent their warmest personal
regards
and fine gifts.
Surprise attendees were Anaďs Michelle Bouvier Young, First Lady
of
Louisianna and Anne-Laure, her daughter, a college friend of
Princess
Aquico.
When questioned about her attendance, Mme Young proudly
announced,
"Our son Frankie and daughter Anne-Laure have made good friends
with
Antoine II and Aquico. It's only fitting that we support their
fine
friends in this happy occasion. We wish them all the best on
behalf
of Louisianna."
The eight hour affair included spa treatments, dancing, fine
dining
and a cultural showcase by the Ainu people of Japan.
Articles in this special edition include...[DH]
=====
11 Thermidor, CCXIV (31 July, 2006)
Shrčveport, Saint-Onge, Louisianne
Jacques Chevalier was arraigned today in Saint-Onge Superior
Court on
charges of bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, and
surprisingly
accomplice to a murder. All told, M. Chevalier could face life
imprisonment.
In a pre-recorded message, M. Chevalier reqwuested that
partisans of
the Labor Unions not exact revenge against the government, and
avowed
that justice would be reached through this trial.
M. Chevalier was consigned to jail without bail, and has been
moved to
an undisclosed, secure location.[DH]
=====
=======================================
WUCZ FLORYDZIE, sobota 4 ugustu 2006 j.
=======================================
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER
MIAMI - On Sunday, November 5, municipal elections will take
place in
Southeast Florida. It promises to become a historic day, as it
will
be the first time citizens of the Zone can choose their own
representatives into their local bodies in completely free and
democratic elections. "This is one giant leap ahead in the
direction
of Floridian self-government", governor-general Bambaryła said
after
he made the formal announcement. "If we can make these elections
a
success, we can proudly say we have a least partly succeeded in
what
we are here for."
The term 'free and democratic' explicitly does not mean that
just
anybody can run for any office, the governor-general explained.
"Obviously, in our current situation that would be impossible.
We
cannot allow bushists or silvists to become representatives of
the
people of Florida. Therefore, every candidate will need to be
approved by the governorate first."
He waved away the complaints of some Floridians that November
would
be way too early. In their opinion, that would not give them the
amount of time needed for the formation of new parties, which
would
jeopardise the democratic level of the elections. "That is
nonsense",
Bambaryła said. "There are plenty of parties already, both old
ones
and new ones. Three months is more than enough for them to
prepare
properly".
The governor-general also announced a referendum about the
future
status of Southeast Florida. He did not mention a date, though.[JvS]
=====
All Ashore That's Going Ashore!
19 Thermidor CCXIV (7 Aug 2006)
La Salle, Saint-Onge, Louisianne
With a flourish of the pen, Captain Christian Grabe of the
signed the
discharge papers of Henrik Lyngstaed from the HMS Carslkrona.
Lyngstaed is the last of Louisiannan volunteers to the
Privateering
fleet of the Scandinavian Realm who signed up during the Florida
War.
At the end of the gangplank stood Rear Admiral Louis Mareshal
Odequirk, who shook Lyngstaed by the hand and wished him safe
travel
in all that he would do from this time forward.
Declining comment, Lyngstaed was quickly surrounded by his
family who
had voyaged from Nouvelle Navarre to greet him. Lyngstaed is to
be
awarded the Republican Palm for the service he rendered
indirectly to
Louisianne.
- Henri Vankrikonge, IBAP[DH]
=====
Uncontested Prefecture Race
18 Thermidor, CCXIV / 7.AUG.2006
Pamplona, Nouvelle Navarre, Louisianne
Nefi Ivarsson is the picture of calm as he sits in his office in
Pamplona. He's up for re-election this year, and while most
prefects
and elected officials would be frantically glad-handing the
public,
Nefi Ivarsson fidgets with the cards he's using to play
solitaire.
Why so calm? With an approval rating of 95% and opinion polls
never
happier with him, Ivarsson expects a landslide, even with the
announcement today that Ivarsson's predecessor, Akecheta Lakota,
would
be running for the high-office again.
"Akecheta and I have visited extensively. He's mostly running
for his
tribesmen who feel it a matter of honor that they be represented
in
this race, having been lead by a white-man for these last 7
years."
The only other candidate on the radar is Willy Nägli from a
liberal
Hutterite colony just outside of Pierre. As most Hutterites
have been
firmly behind Ivarsson since he was first elected, Nägli will
most
likely be a minor detractor.[DH]
=====
Resolution to Graft Investigation
vid. 22.MAY.2006 story entitled "Graft Investigation Turns Deadly"
19 Thermidor, CCXIV (7 Aug 2006)
More than a month has passed since the MP FisGeoffreys was found
dead
in his home with his family in Pairial. Rumors of Tejan
involvement
have proved unfounded, but there is a clear line of questioning
toward
La Pčgre and Labor Unions, which has been and is currently under
extensive investigation.[DH]
=====
===============================
WITA WARSINIE, 8 ugustu 2006 j.
===============================
"WE CAN'T SAVE THE WORLD WITH BANQUETS AND DINNER PARTIES"
WARSINA — The interim chairman of the Inicjaciwa Czywiła, Dr.
Żowan
Sasomętany, has addressed the Sejm yesterday. He was invited to
do so
by the bloc of parties who are in favour of the withdrawal of
the
Republic from Southwest Florida. In a concise speech, which
lasted
fifteen minutes, Sasomętany warned the MPs for the consequences
of a
continuous occupation of the Zona, and offered them several
alternatives for leaving the region.
"It is clear that we have failed in our approach. We have failed
misarably," Sasomętany said. "We were supposed bring peace in
Southeast Florida. But is there peace now? Seeing how many
people are
still being arrested on a daily base, the answer is clearly: no!
We
were supposed to restore the country's economy. But did we
restore
anything? Unless we count the immense black market, the country
doesn't even have an economy yet! When we arrived in Florida,
the
country was in ruins. Nowadays, it still is. We haven't rebuilt
anything. Our task was to monitor Florida's transformation into
a
democracy. But all we accomplished successfully is that all Bush
statues have been demolished, all streets named after him have
been
renamed, all his books have been burned, and thousands and
thousands
of people are in jail. Is that our concept of democracy these
days?"
"The Floridians are a proud nation," Sasomętany argued. "but
instead
of liberating them, we are now trying to colonise them. They
should
be treated with respect. They suffered a lot under the Bush
regime.
Why should they suffer under the regime of other overlords now?
It is
clear that our paternalistic approach hasn't worked out in
Florida.
We can't save the world with banquets and dinner parties only.
That
is about the last thing the people in Florida are waiting for."
Sasomętany offered several suggestions for a quick withdrawal
off all
the Republic's armed forces from Florida. In his opinion, the
best
solution for Southeast Florida would be if either the League of
Nations or a consortium with representatives of the Federated
Kingdoms, Ireland, the NAL, France, Louisianne, the Scandinavian
Realm and the RTC would temporarily take over the
administration.
"Our first priority should be free elections in Southeast
Florida,"
Sasomętany said, "and the primary task of the administration
will be
to monitor them."
"What will happen next won't we for us to decide," he continued.
"If
it is the will of the Floridians to become part of the NAL, then
so
be it. If they will prefer to germanise Florida, as Ireland
propose,
into several smaller statelets, then that must happen. Even if
they
decide to reelect Jaime Bush or Adolf von Hessler himself as
their
president, that will be their fullest right and we must respect
that,
whether we like it or not."
"A very convincing speech," WWPS leader Katarzyna Parydżanka
said
afterwards. "I don't think the government will listen to him,
though.
But you never know. Perhaps some members of the ruling bloc will
be
responsive to the voice of reason after all. Majorities come and
go.
It won't take that many people to create a breakthrough."
Chancellor Aldendorf was unavailable for comment.[JvS]
=====
LA -- Ceadaoin, 9 Lunasa 2006
A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence announced yesterday
that the
government would be calling for third party administration over
the
whole of South Florida to be put in place before the forthcoming
elections.
The government also announced that district and local elections
in the
Irish ZoC will be called several months early to coincide with
the
recently announced elections in the RTC ZoC. The government will
be
requesting election observers in both Zones of Control to ensure
fair
and free elections.[KG]
=====
ĄD PAR KODRĘCIE MINUTAR
Mrzkierdzej, 9 ugustu 2006, 12:20
[BEGIN RADIO TRANSCRIPT]
[MUSIC]
WF: "Good afternoon, dear listeners! This is Waldemar Fiorarz. I
am
proud to announce to you that the WiL-Kuziel has decided to give
us
ten more minutes of broadcasting time. Therefore, the name of
our
programme will from now on be: 'The World in Fourty Minutes'.
And,
dear listeners, I am equally happy to tell you that our first
guest
in our new setup will be professor Onute Staniszkiene, director
of
the Institute for International Relations of the WiLASz.
Welcome,
professor, it has been a while, hasn't it?"
OS: "Indeed, Mr. Fiorarz, it has. And thank you very much. It's
always a pleasure being in your show."
WF: "The pleasure is all mine, of course. Anyway, professor, you
were
one of those who signed the famous Letter of the Fourty-Nine,
calling
for the immediate withdrawal of our people from Southwest
Florida.
But as I remember, two years ago you actually defended Katarzyna
Prowana and our occupation of the Zona. Why this change of
mind?"
OS: "One thing to remember, Mr. Fiorarz, is that not all signees
of
the letter are against the occupation of Southwest Florida as
such.
Some of us were opposed to it from the very beginning, others –
including myself – have supported the idea of a temporary
occupation
to help things get back on track over there. But we all agree
that
the situation has developed in such a direction that at present
the
only wise thing for us to do is leaving Florida altogether."
WF: "And why would that be?"
OS: "Our job in Florida was to restore order and help those
people
build up a genuine democracy. That task should have been
accomplished
a year ago! And after accomplishing it, we should have left
Florida
once and for good. But the truth is that things are only
marginally
better than when we arrived. Some things have actually
deteriorated.
We should simply face the painful conclusion that we failed."
WF: "We failed?"
OS: "Yes. Obviously, the Republic was totally unprepared for
such a
task. Our people over there have a very poor understanding of
the
local culture, you see. And instead of adapting, they simply try
to
impose ours. Such efforts are of course doomed to fail."
WF: "Well, they say..."
OS: "What also shouldn't be forgotten is that we ended up with
the
roughest, toughest part of old Florida-Caribbea, namely the
regions
around Miami, where any resistance would be strongest and
resentment
against foreigners would be most obvious! But even so, instead
of
being constantly fixed on all sorts of real and imaginary
enemies,
and instead of measuring our success by the number of arrests
made in
a week's time, we should have sought the active cooperation of
reliable elements in Floridian society instead. Katarzyna
Prowana
indeed made some good efforts in that direction. But
unfortunately,
the bulk of our folks in Florida simply don't seem to trust
anybody."
WF: "The government argues that it is Mrs. Prowana herself who
failed. That's why they replaced her. Perhaps you and the
government
are on one line, after all!"
OS: "Not at all, they are only making it worse. Prowana was
about the
only person who had some deeper understanding of the specifics
of
Floridian society. That doesn't of course mean that she hasn't
made
mistakes as well."
WF: "Like what, for example?"
OS: "You know, the first thing we did after we arrived in
Florida was
renaming streets, removing statues and that sort of things.
Veneds
are hopelessly romantic people, with quite a strong sense for
symbolism! Charming as that may be, it was not what the
Floridians
were waiting for. Of course, once those things were done we also
made
some genuine efforts of reorganising the whole country. But
obviously, we weren't very good at that. All the time, the
Republic
has been hopelessly old-fashioned and paternalistic in its
approach."
WF: Yes, but at least the new administration appears to be more
active when it comes to cooperating with the locals."
OS: "Don't make me laugh, Mr. Fiorarz! I take it you are
referring to
those municipal elections they announed, yes? Well then, let me
assure you that three months is way too early for such elections
to
take place. At the moment, Florida barely has a political
infrastructure. There are some rudimentary political parties,
but
they are still extremely small, the lot of them. For elections
to run
properly, people need plenty of time to form parties, to find
candidates, to write programs, to prepare a campaign... I'm
afraid
these elections are doomed to fail! Besides, have you heard
about the
provision made by Bambaryła? Each and every candidate needs the
approval of his people first. Without that approval, they can't
even
participate. Now, Mr. Fiorarz, let me make a prediction: nine on
every ten candidates won't be allowed to run in the elections at
all!"
WF: "That is a bold statement, professor."
OS: "I know. But let me assure you that I am very worried about
the
recent developments in Florida indeed. The rhetorics used by
this
government to justify its actions in Florida are far from
promising.
They talk about it as if the Republic was predestined by God
himself
to rule over Florida. As if all threads in history were coming
together in this one thing! Honestly, Mr. Fiorarz, I have a very
strong feeling they are working towards incorporating Southwest
Florida into the Republic, as some kind of overseas territory!
They
are not interested in building a democracy in Florida at all,
just in
finding Floridians who are ready to collaborate with them. All
that
in order to give it a democratic appearance, yet ...”
WF: "Aren't you exaggerating a bit? After all, the chancellor
has
said clearly…"
OS: "I think the facts speak for themselves! Why else would they
have
appointed a 'governor-general' in Southeast Florida? It is
pretty
clear that they are turning the Zona into a second Gambia. And
that
is an incredible mistake, because Florida is an entirely
different
can of worms!"
WF: "But the 'Wucz Florydzie' wrote last Saturday…"
OS: "The 'Wucz Florydzie' is a shame, really. They call it an
independent quality paper, but it is under the tight control of
the
authorities. Almost every single word in there is propaganda of
the
worst kind! They make it appear as if the Floridians are all
deeply,
madly in love with their
new masters!"
WF: "Yet, some argue that becoming a province or an overseas
territory of the RTC wouldn't be such a bad solution for Florida
at
all. The only alternative would in their opinion be Irish,
American
or Castilian occupation. In that case, we might as well stay
there."
OS: "Of course, and that is one of the reasons why I don't think
it
was a bad decision for us to be caretakers of Florida for a
while.
But incorporating it altogether? Mr. Fiorarz, have you thought
of all
the trouble we would get into, should Southwest Florida indeed
become
a province of some kind? Which of the two Crowns will it belong
to?
Gambia is part of Veneda. That's why the RTC doesn't have a
minister
of colonies; it's administered by the government of Veneda,
which
dóes have such a minister. Lithuania has nothing to do with it.
But
Florida, as for now, is administered directly by the central
government, which is after all responsible for foreign policy.
But
once Florida will to be incorporated as an overseas territory,
it
must become part of either Veneda or Lithuania. Otherwise, it
would
de facto become a third Crown. How are we going to explain thát
to
the Ukrainians? They have been denied the right to have their
own
third Crown for almost sixty years now! Even without Florida,
the
situation is pretty tense in Galicia and Volhynia. Now, can you
imagine their reaction if we keep telling them that they can't
have
what they want and at the same time create a third crown
elsewhere?"
WF: "Well, the government…"
OS: "Besides, the international community will never accept it.
Like
I said, we failed miserably. In the beginning, we had quite some
goodwill in the world, you know. They kind of thought of us like
a
neglected country on the world scene - always hiding back in the
scenery and never given anything important to do. And now all of
a
sudden, we were given a chance to do something great that would
take
a lot of work and expertise we simply didn't have. And so, we
ended
up enjoying our powers over a vanquished nation a little too
much and
aren't quite able to wrest the reins of state from the
disaffected
natives. Let's face it, Mr. Fiorarz: we are on our own in
Florida
right now. The NAL, the Federated Kingdoms, Louisianne, Ireland…
We
have completely lost their confidence. You see, Mr. Fiorarz,
everybody knows that the Irish are doing a much better job in
their
zone of occupation. The Floridian population hates us! People
are
crossing our borders by thousands, no matter what Bambaryła says
about border control being extremely tight an all that. The
refugee
camps are already overfilled! While officially we are still on
good
terms with our neighbours, everybody knows that they have all
kinds
of scenarios for what will happen if we lose it. The NAL is
already
gathering its troops near the border. In Aldendorf's place I
would
worry about that. I would worry a lot!"
WF: "Are you saying they are planning an invasion?"
OS: "I don't think so. The NAL has been pretty clear about their
intentions: they don't want any more of Florida than they
already
have. Yet, there are influential elements in society who think
otherwise. And you know how easily things can turn around in a
democracy. Especially a democracy like that…"
WF: "So you think it is just precaution, because they do not
trust
us... Do they fear we plan on invading the NAL?"
[LAUGHTER]
OS: "You better be careful, unless you want to give Mr.
Aldendorf new
ideas!"
[LAUGHTER]
OS: "Seriously, of course not! But it is a fact that our Allies
don't
trust us anymore. Do you think we will come out of this
unscathed?
Either the present administration will suffer from within or
from
without. One way or the other, there will be some kind of
accounting."
WF: "With the government, you mean?"
OS: "Yes. And obviously, if it comes from the outside, that
would a
very bad thing for us. If we are to isolate ourselves even
further
from the rest of the world… Can you imagine the economic setback
of
that? Project Florida has ruined our national treasury pretty
much
already! We surely can't handle much more of that! On the other
hand,
if it comes from the inside, that might improve our standing
with the
rest of the world. But if would mean we'd have to act against
our own
democratically elected government!"
WF: "A quandary."
OS: "Yes."
WF: "Hmmm... Well, let us return to what we started with, then.
You
have undoubtedly heard Żowan Sasomętany's speech to the Sejm on
Monday. On behalf of the Inicjaciwa Czywiła he said that we
should
withdraw immediately from Southeast Florida. But how do you
imagine
that should be done, professor?"
OS: "Well, it is obvious that we can't just go pack our bags and
leave. If we'd do that, we'd leave behind a devastated country,
without any leadership, without an economy, without a polical
infrastructure... That can clearly not be anyone's intention. It
surely isn't mine! No, we should first investigate which options
we
have."
WF: "And those are, in your opinion?"
OS: "Sasomętany put it all in a nutshell. The easiest way is of
course to hand over the Zona to another country. The most
natural
candidates for such a takeover would be the NAL, Ireland, the
Federated Kingdoms, or Castile-Leon. But in all cases that would
have
huge disadvantages. The NAL, for example, would probably be
willing
to take over from us, but I personally wouldn't trust them too
much
with Florida either. They already incorporated their own zone of
occupation! Officially, they say they are not interested in
ours, but
like I said already, there are forces at work there that might
not be
able to resist the temptation. Other countries wouldn't be happy
with
that either, because they fear the NAL would become far too
powerful
in the region."
WF: "And what if we simply return the Zona to the
Scandinavians?"
OS: "During the very short period when they were in charge, they
have
made themselves pretty impossible in Florida. You know what they
did,
don't you? They emptied the musea, plundered the Banco Nacional,
and
they took Florida's entire gold stock with them. Scandinavia is
clearly not an option. Besides, they have made it pretty clear
that
they don't want anything more to do with Florida."
WF: "And how about the other countries?"
OS: "Well, there's Castile-Leon. Two years ago it was said that
they
were the most natural candidate to take over Florida from a
historical point of view. But they made it perfectly clear that
they
don't want anything to do with this. And even if they would, I
very
much doubt they would do any better than we. Then, there is
Ireland
to consider. Everybody, including the Floridians themselves,
agrees
that they have done a very fine job in their zone. But would
they be
able to handle Southeast Florida? Ireland is a small country,
and
their resources are limited. And let's face it: Southeast
Florida is
a lot harder to manage than Southwest Florida."
WF: "No other options?"
OS: "Well, sure there are, but none of them realistic. France
has
been mentioned, but they were remarkably silent during the war.
Russia has expressed an interest in the region, but they are
hardly
able to manage themselves. Besides, nobody is waiting for a
snorist
Florida! Germany has been mentioned, too. Some argue that if
Florida
should be germanised, then Germany could play a guiding role in
that
process. However, ..."
WF: "Germanisation is a word that falls very often these days,
professor. Do you agree with the Irish that germanisation would
be
the right thing to do in Florida?"
OS: "No, I don't. Germanisation would be a way of dealing with a
conquered enemy. But my point is, we should stop looking at the
Floridians as enemies. They have learned their lesson. And even
if
they would ever want to start another war, they simply don't
even
have the means for it! Besides, Florida is not Germany. You
know, the
Holy Roman Empire has always been like that to a degree. What
happened after the Second Great War was just a return to the
status
quo of a century earlier. It could work in Germany because they
had a
tradition. Florida doesn't have such a tradition. And nobody in
Florida really wants such a solution, anyway."
WF: "So you agree with Sasomętany that we should hand over
Florida to
the League of Nations?"
OS: "That is surely a very good option, Mr. Fiorarz. Another
possibility, also mentioned by Sasomętany, is that we form an
international consortium that would station a peacekeeping force
in
the Zona. All that on a temporary base, of course, and with the
single purpose of organising free elections and handing over all
power to a democratically elected government. In any case, the
Floridians are through with foreign occupants, no matter from
which
country. If we linger on a little more like this, the idea of a
revolution of the people against us become a lot more than a
mirage.
I don't know if you have heard..."
WF: "I'm sorry to interrupt you, professor, but we have to put
an end
to our discussion. It's time for the commercials. Thank you very
much
for your lucid comments. I hope you will be back with us soon!"
[END TRANSCRIPT]
[JvS]
=====
The Sunny Cape!
South Florida, REPUBLICA de CABO SUNNIBEL (9 August 2006)
With a flourish of the pen under the flash of photographers from
world
press, the commander of the Irish Forces signed the autonomy
accord.
Cabo Sunnibel is the second of South Florida's redistricted
provinces
to become autonomous. Having suffered for years under a strong
central government, most Floridians feel a renewed sense of
pride in
South Florida, as they have more of a say in what happens
locally than
ever before under the new government of the Irish ZOC.[DH]
IBAP
=====
WUCZ FLORYDZIE, 10 ugustu 2006 j.
MIAMI - Ireland is losing it. After they successfully
incorporated
Monsterrat two years ago, it has had a very hard time ruling
over its
Zone of Control. Earlier this year, it became completely clear
that
Ireland simply lacks will and the manpower to keep it under its
control any longer. And so, one region after another is drifting
away. In March, the keys proclaimed their independence under the
ridiculous name "República Conchesa", and yesterday, a second
province seceded from the Irish Zone under the name "República
de
Cabo Sunnibel". In a disgusting display of weakness, the Irish
commander to force the autonomy accord.
The worst thing is that Ireland lets it all happen. In order to
justify their inability to control their zone, they even
invented an
ideology, which they call "germanisation". Insiders know
perfectly
well that it is not because Ireland wants it that badly, but
simply
because it is unable to think of a better way to disguise its
lack of
power.
Chancellor Aldendorf has sent a telegram to his Irish colleague,
Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn, in which he offer military
assistance in restoring order in the Irish Zone. He also pointed
out
to the prime minister that the germanisation plan for South
Florida,
present by the Irish under the name "Liberation Plan", also
includes
parts of the Governorate-General, which is of course
unacceptable by
any international standard. He urged Ireland not to take any
further
action without consulting the other parties involved first.[JvS]
=====
8 August, 2006
CIUDAD GALILEA, Lago Grande, A-C
Ouren Gough and his miscreant Apostles succeeded today in
destroying
Lago Merom, a man-made lake from the damming of the upper Río
Jordán.
The resultant flood destroyed a wide swath of the northern
Galilea
valley, threatening the orchards of Ciudad San Benito, but
causing
minor damage. The resulting rise in lake level inundated
agricultural
land along the edges, however damage was minimal.
Loss of life is still uncalculated, but it is suspected that the
FLDS
had managed to infiltrate one of their following into the dam's
hydroelectric crew.
Louisiannan air strikes have destroyed the major cities and
supply
points for the FLDS offensives, and the Alta-Californio Army has
secured much of the province, however Gough's guerilla tactics
have
had a powerful toll on the morale of citizens and army officers
alike.[DH]
=====
10 August, 2006
Ricksborough, Oregon
In a recorded message delivered to Oregonian news outlets,
Ouraen
Gough called upon all "Faithful Saints of God" to stand forth in
defiance of foreign oppressors and claimed a revelation from
God,
calling on those with "ears to hear" to step forth and kill
Governor
Rodrigo Vasquez, President Jean-François Young, Presidente
Arnoldo
Schwarzenegger, and any Alta-Californio soldier that fell into
their
hands. He cited scripture from the Book of Mormon to seemingly
support his "revelation."
"And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay
him, for
the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Behold the Lord
slayeth
the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better
that
one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and
perish in
unbelief."
Border crossings have been ended by Louisianne and Oregon, and
tighter
strictures are being made for those crossing the border at other
locations , in an effort to prevent militants from following
their agenda.[DH]
=====
11.AUG.2006
Radio Transcript:Excerpt, Frankie Ozarque Show:
OZARQUE: You know, I think I speak for a lot of Louisiannans
when I
say Is Aldendorf related to Cosh'em Sessions? They both seem to
drift
along in their own dream-world. Have any of you out there read
the
Couvernian rag the Vootchiz Floridzee? Well today they're
blasting
the Irish for their germanization of South Florida.
I don't know how you all feel, but I like the idea...keep 'em
focussed
on the local, make 'em worry about planning commissions and
whether or
not Ms. Mcrary's dog pooped on the neighbors petunias. That way
they
won't get their britches in a hitch and go coshing the poor
islands.
It looks like Louise has gotten us a few people. Go ahead,
caller!
What's your name?
PIERROT: This is Pierrot, from La Salle. I've got a cousin
volunteering with the Oregonian peace-keepers, and man, he says
that
it's some bad news on the Vened side of the lake. All the
skyscrapers
of Miami are vacant, and all the windows are knocked out...
OZARQUE: Yup, and them Couvernians sure are doing their best to
take
care of the Floridians. Can't you just tell from that sparkling
bit
of news? Did you read the Vootchiz Floridzee, or about it
Pierrot?
PIERROT: No, I--
OZARQUE: Hey, Louise, did any of the callers read the Vootchiz?
It
looks like she's got one. What's your name caller?
VINCENT: Oh, hey, Frankie--I'm Vincent.
OZARQUE: Did you read that Vootchiz Floridzee, Vincent?
VINCENT: Yeah, I glanced through it today here at the
news-office.
Why do I feel like I'm taking crazy pills when I read the
statements
in that? How can anyone actually believe that crap? Ireland is
so
weak they're gradually losing control? My eye!
OZARQUE: That's right, Vincent! Who had to come in and pick up
the
pieces after the Scandinavian Rape and Pillage Tour? The
RTC...they're like buzzards, them Couvernians. The Irish have
taken
care of their section of Florida and have coaxed it to florrid
life!
Well, thanks Vincent. That's about it for my show. I'm going
to
leave you with that great hit "Good Catholic Girl," by Nellie
Frampton![DH]
=====
Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, France
Friday, August 11, 2006
In near simultaneous explosions two bombs heavily damaged two
health
care facilities in Neuilly-sur-Seine, part of the Parisian
banlieu.
It was hoped and feared that this was another case of Helvetian
cooking gone awry, however the bombimgs were claimed by Lou
Parti di
Biou, the militant arm of the Ligue Bourgignonne. Most heavily
damaged was the Hospital Américain on the Boulevard Victor Hugo.
Windows in the Rue Chauveau were blown out by the explosion.
This is the third in such bombings, part of a campaign by Lou
Parti di
Biou to secure independence of Grand-Burgundy, a separate
country. In
recent years there has been an upsurge of regional pride,
resulting in
a resurrection of the Burgundian trilled "r", heretofore
maintained
only in Louisianne and moribund in Bourgogne itself.
Other attacks have targeted banks and metro lines. Police are
on high
alert in Paris and across the country.[DH]
=====
12 August, 2006
CIUDAD GALILEA, Lago Grande, A-C
Clean-up continues in the Galilea Valley, and the death-toll
remains
around 100 persons total. Most of these were farmers and
ranchers who
lived up the Cańón Timpanogosa who were caught unawares when the
dam
was detonated.
Ouaren Gough, his brother Abel and the militia have recently
been seen
in the vicinity of Fuerte Buenaventura near the northern end of
the
Gran Lago Salado. Louisiannan reconnaissance flights are
continuing,
but there are rumors of the FLDS possessing anti-aircraft
weapons.[DH]
=====
================================
WITA WARSINIE, 19 ugustu 2006 j.
================================
LITTLE HOPE FOR COOPERATION AFTER SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS
by our political correspondent, Piotr Szemica
With the elections for the Sejm only fifteen days ahead, Veneda
is
witnessing a campaign of unprecedented vileness. Indeed, much is
at
stake for both government and opposition.[JvS]
See full article at: