[SIZE=14] Spotlight #20 Interview With Zazumo[/size]
by Robespierre, Minister of Home Affairs
This month Zazumo is in the spotlight. Zazumo has served three times as the Minister of Defense under Siwale, taking a small break during Siwale's second term before coming in at the end to relieve Loz. He currently serves as a Gameside Advocate in Fiji's government. When asked to describe Zazumo in five words, his peers said that he was ‘competent, friendly, smart, active and a good teacher.’ He's also a lot of fun and brings positive energy to the region wherever he goes, and I was very pleased to get the chance to speak with him. He had a lot of interesting things to say, but he's very busy and we didn't want to stop talking to him, so the following is only part 1 of my interview.
Robespierre: Good evening, TNP! Today, I’m joined by General Zazumo of the North Army! Zaz, how are you doing on this fine day?
Zazumo: I'm just fine. Thanks for reaching out. How are you? Getting getting used to the minister life yet?
Robespierre: Haha, I’m doing quite well actually. Have enjoyed a few days of vacation since leaving the Midwest this past Friday, now I’m on the east coast! Ooh, those midnight major update times... It’s great to hear that you’re doing fine. Now, as we do with most interviewee’s on the Spotlight, let’s start out with a couple of basics: The name Zazumo - any ideas as to where its origins lie?
Zazumo: Lol if it does I've since forgotten. I thought it sounded cool at the time. Guess I just wanted a name as weird as I was.
Robespierre: That’s fair enough, have you been in the game for a while by this point or was the North Pacific your first ever region?
Zazumo: I vaguely remember leaving TNP early to join The Realm of Unrestricted Science. Those were very early days. I learned soon after that TNP was the world's largest region and I really want to be involved with such a large community. I've been stuck here since.
Robespierre: When it comes to NationStates aren’t we all ‘stuck’?
But hey, the good news is that when it comes to the warm and welcoming regional community that we have here in the North Pacific it makes the job of being stuck a lot easier doesn’t it?
Zazumo: Oh absolutely, I only regret not being active Gameside sooner. For all the negatives many people instantly assume about the RMB, there's so much awesome to it as well. Mainly the people. There are so many folks on the RMB that make my day.
Robespierre: Oh really? You mention Gameside activity, and that actually brings up something I wanted to talk to you about. I know you’re a Gameside Advocate as well in addition to being on the NPA’s High Command, what’s it like having the opportunity to interact with some of our newest nations?
Zazumo: It's interesting. Obviously, you'll meet less than friendly people or trolls occasionally. But then there are newcomers who stay. People who have become a regular part of the community since joining. And that's fantastic. I don't consider it an opportunity. It's literally why I play the game. Oh and also cards.
Robespierre: You guys are quite integral parts to the integration process, especially when it comes to the transition from the RMB over to the forums. Once you get them there the rest is history, but how difficult is it to steer newcomers in the right direction while also having your own personal favourite sets of activities in the region?
Zazumo: We regularly advertise the off-site community throughout the day. We can only point them there. We can't make them join. It doesn't for me personally get in the way of other things since I'm already on the RMB slacking off.
Robespierre: That’s true, you can’t make them join - obviously. But, I definitely think it helps that we have active GAs such as yourself who are comfortable on the RMB and willing to be patient with those who have questions. In my mind, it really sets the tone for our community’s integration process really should be about, wouldn’t you agree?
Zazumo: I think that's accurate. You have to bear in mind that anyone new can be a young person. So patience is sometimes very necessary. cough Not naming names. cough But most importantly you gotta remember you're playing a game.
Robespierre: Of course, and at the end of the day that’s exactly what we’re all participating in: a game.
In the next part we discuss scouting RP'ers on the RMB and finding players who may be interested in other parts of the community, as well as Zaz's history with R/D and his rise in the NPA. Plus I get to the bottom of his legendary feud with Aerilia and I ask him what everyone is dying to know: just who is Aber? Don't miss it!
[SIZE=200] NPA Bulletin[/size]
by Robespierre, Deputy Minister of Communications
& Knightblood, Member of the High Command
[SIZE=150]Leadership[/SIZE][SIZE=100]
Minister of Defense (MoD): General BobberinoDeputy Ministers of Defense (DMoDs):
Colonel Knightblood and Colonel Koopa[/SIZE]
[SIZE=50]Lieutenant Robespierre and Lieutenant Yuno proudly display their new 'butterbar' officer insignia shortly after having been promoted to the North Pacific Army's corps by General Bobberino[/SIZE]It's me, it's me: it's the name that starts with an 'R' and ends with an 'e', your 'MacMilitant' Minister of Home Affairs, Robespierre! ... No, but seriously, with that bit of monthly narcissism out of the way - we're back at it again for round two of the NPA Bulletin with your favourite Lieutenant in the second month consecutively! Unlike last time, we
unfortunately actually do have a more substantial amount of defender activities to report.
Although the North Pacific's flag continues to wave above the world factbook entries of hundreds of regions captured during tag raiding, it seems as though there will now be more joint missions between the Army and allied avengers to speak of in the future. Recently, the North Pacific Army deployed to the region of Anontia alongside the Rejected Realms Army. The operation was a success, and at present, the High Command has ordered all available personnel to pile into the region in support of the liberation. Even so, that's not what you're here to read about now is it?! Nope, definitely not! I know what you want to read about: the adrenaline-pumping adventures of the NPA's dirty deeds done dirt cheap - that's what. Well, not to worry, we have plenty of raiding in store for you sprinkled throughout this update as well.
Back to our winning ways: On the third of June's minor update, General Gladio coordinated a tactical assault on a region known as the 'Coalition of Authoritarian Nations'. Though, perhaps after being barraged by eight of the North Pacific's finest, they weren't so authoritarian for much longer after all, because everyone knows there's only so much exposure to democracy and ingestion of rejuvenating rum a few nation's people can take before they too start giving up their restrictive policies in favour of freedom. It didn't stop there either, as later in the week on the seventh of June's major update General QuietDad lead a squad of six soldiers on brief tag run that saw four regions fall.
On that note, the High Command kept 'em coming! Just three days later on the eleventh of June's major update, General Bobberino spearheaded another charge behind enemy lines on an operation for which six soldiers seized two more regions. The next morning, yours truly was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer, effectively making me the second ever holder of the rank since now-Lieutenant TlomzKrano held it earlier on in the year. Quick to use this newfound authority, I decided to take the troops out on a four region fire run. That operation marked General Darcania's one-hundredth mission completed while with the North Pacific Army, so as a congratulatory token to his excellence on the General's Staff all tags that night were plastered with messages hailing the Floof!
Relentless in our resilience, I was promptly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant alongside my fellow soldier, Trondstorm, who was promoted to the rank of Corporal; and on the thirteenth of June's minor update we set out together yet again in a fruitful effort that landed us six more sieged targets. Everyone got in on the action too, when multiple points that included General Malphe, General Zazumo, General Bobberino and Captain Owenstacey were all called upon to hit each target with ease. That night, we'd go on to rinse and repeat with another eight regions falling at the hands of Colonel Koopa and co. In a small team showdown, two soldiers joined me on the seventeenth of June's minor update to raid another set of regions. But it wasn't all rosy coloured pictures of raiding either, since, on the twenty-fourth of June's minor update, our favourite rat broke the streak of capture consistency when he and a small platoon of five other personnel detagged five native regions.
In true-blue North Pacifican fashion, we just had to end off on a high note! I'll give you some highlights: How about a lightning fast tag run on the twenty-ninth of June?! Sixteen targets were hit and eight NPAers deployed. But what's most impressive is that Major Bluie actually came out of his sickened state IRL just to join in on the fun! Kudos to him for that, and it looks like he had some more excitement earlier in the day at minor update too because that was when General Bobberino took seven more troops on a tour to go see Kyorgia's Puppet Storage. I tell you, they must really have paid the Delegate of the Rejected Realms a good, long-overdo visit because he's been getting pinged in the spam channel ever since!
Anyhow, this concludes another month of the NPA's mayhem. I hope you all enjoyed it, especially the natives who were kind enough to host us during our missions. We look forward to visiting many other regions soon!
Regional Assembly Highlightsby Artemis, Speaker of the Regional Assembly
Regional Assembly June 2019Speaker of The Regional Assembly:
ArtemisDeputy Speakers of The Regional Assembly:
Dreadton, Funkadelia, and
BrendogVotePassedNomination of Siwale to the Security Council put forward by
Sil Dorsett.
Status: PassedSummary: The Security Council voted to nominate Siwale to join its body. Siwale received broad support from members of the Regional Assembly, many citing his prior service as Vice-Delegate and Delegate as being the foundation for their support.
Results: 40 Ayes, 4 Nays, and 3 Abstentions.
Amendment to the Line of Succession put forward by
Sil Dorsett.
Status: PassedSummary: As some time has passed since the line of succession was updated, and several members had been added to the council and others leaving, the Security Council and the Vice-Delegate felt it was prudent to amend the Line of Succession. There was little opposition to the proposed Line of Succession and passed by a wide margin.
Results: 30 Ayes, 3 Nays, and 0 Abstentions.
Confirmation of Eluvatar, Owenstacey, and Brendog as Election Commissioners, put forward by Speaker
Artemis.
Status: PassedSummary: The Delegate, El Fiji Grande, appointed veteran members of the Election Commission Eluvatar, Owenstacey, and Brendog to serve for six months as Election Commissioners. The debate was quick as many felt that these three individuals both wielded experience in dealing with elections in the North Pacific.
Results: Eluvatar - 19 Ayes, 3 Nays, and 1 Abstention.
Owenstacey - 21 Ayes, 1 Nay, and 1 Abstention.
Brendog - 21 Ayes, 1 Nay, and 1 Abstention.
Current BusinessInstant Runoff Election Bill, put forward by
Gorundu.
Status: In DiscussionSummary: An amendment to the way that elections are run in the North Pacific. This bill introduces the idea of implementing an instant runoff voting system for the General Elections. Talks are centering currently regarding the use of "Reopen Nominations" on the ballot and how it will be counted.
Security Council Member Standards put forward by
Praetor.
Status: At VoteSummary: The Security Council Member Standards bill was introduced to address an issue that several individuals felt in regards to the Security Council. As the law currently reads, members of the Security Council do not have to maintain citizenship in the region. This bill amends the constitution to remove that exemption for maintaining citizenship from the Security Council.
World Assembly Digestby Gorundu, World Assembly Correspondent
General AssemblyImproving the world one resolution at a timeRight to Farm
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 5061; Against - 9728
Final vote (TNP): For - 141; Against - 433; Percentage of WA nations voting: 40.65%
Recommendation: This proposal, while well meaning, fundamentally falls short in application and methodology. The proposal intends to create exceptions in nuisance laws for properly performing agricultural entities but fails to recognize the complexity and diversity of agriculture throughout the WA community as well as broadly asserting the inherent ability to own and maintain property despite nations' sovereignty to control those specific rights. Furthermore, this issue would be better handled on a property zoning basis where exceptions could be built in except where an entity violates the law similar to to 'accepted and standard agricultural practices.
In accordance with the reasoning displayed above, and in hopes of a potential redraft, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.World Assembly Justice Accord
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 11753; Against - 3001
Final vote (TNP): For - 451; Against - 91; Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.66%
Recommendation: T
he World Assembly Justice Accord effectively creates an overarching court system directly facilitated by the greater World Assembly. This is accomplished by created the World Assembly Judiciary Committee which will exist to maintain and appoint officials to the various courts held within this system. The purpose of these courts is to prevent noncompliance and fight it where ever it may be used to violate the rights of parties within noncompliant WA member nations. This is very important as compliance is the very essence of the World Assembly. Without proper discipline issued to those who simply ignore passed resolutions, there is no reason for nations to follow any resolutions, thus defeating the point of the WA. In an ideal world in which everyone acts according to the law, this would not be an issue, however this appears to be no perfect world.
And thus, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.Prevention of Mutually assured destruction
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 2472; Against - 12247
Final vote (TNP): For - 69; Against - 434; Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.40%
Recommendation: P
revention of Mutually Assured Destruction, while well meaning, is flawed and somewhat useless in application. The definition of Mutually Assured Destruction is not one synonymous with what players would be familiar with in real life, which leads to a misleading title. Furthermore, the proposal takes no steps to prevent its own defined version of MAD, therefore not achieving what it fundamentally sets out to do. The only binding clause is one that arbitrarily bans 'response systems' to nuclear attacks while never actually defining or specifying what it is banning. Due to this lack of clarity, non-lethal or even productive systems could be banned due to faulty interpretation because of the very open worded clause. Finally, this proposal creates a committee that collects and reports uses of MAD to the WAJC, despite it not being illegal. This indicates that the author is simply using this proposal as a stepping stone to push more constraining legislation in the future.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
Security CouncilSpreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessaryCondemn The Land of Kings and Emperors
Status: Defeated
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 6790; Against - 8503
Final vote (TNP): For - 234; Against - 333; Percentage of WA nations voting: 39.65%
Recommendation: The Land of Kings and Emperors has committed various actions in the past which make them worthy of condemnation. However, this Ministry believes that the proposal does not properly address the condemnable aspects of LKE and even goes so far so as to spread a potential falsehood within its text. In clause 12, this proposal states that an individual was scapegoated after being caught violating inter-regional standards on recruitment practices. There is no evidence of this ever occurring which brings significant concern to the legitimacy of any other claims that are not directly substantiated.
In accordance with the issues raised above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.Commend Woonsocket
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 10871; Against - 3613
Final vote (TNP): For - 504; Against - 31; Percentage of WA nations voting: 38.11%
Recommendation: Woonsocket has a long history in 10000 Islands, a region also commended by the Security Council. In his time, he has served in numerous positions and through them contributed to NS as a whole. He has deployed over 400 times to defend regions and has participated in multiple operations to secure lawful delegacies in Game Created Regions. He has also spent an enormous amount of time recruiting for his region, enabling 10000 Islands to be the commended region that it is.
For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this commendation.Condemn Pierconium
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 12250; Against - 1715
Final vote (TNP): For - 487; Against - 36; Percentage of WA nations voting: 37.33%
Recommendation: The Emeritus Augustus Pacificus of Pierconium, as he is known at present, is a nation that posseses a long, tumultuous history within various spheres of NationStates GamePlay (NSGP). Having been one of the original four founding members of 'the Empire', Pierconium's long-standing history of participating in and/or supporting various subversive activities that seek to undermine legitimate governments across NationStates is the subject that plagues the Security Council at this very moment. Despite the fact that his existence predates all records readily available, the practice of duality has enabled the continuance of Pierconium's unapologetic nature for his atrocious actions that span over the past decade. On two separate occasions the nominee has been the perpetrator of tyranny in the North Pacific; and as an influential member in Gatesville (a region known for its opposition to the World Assembly) it serves to reason that he'd be held partially responsible for the coup d'etat of Osiris in 2013, the overthrow of a legal East Pacifican government in 2008, the survival of the authoritarian Triumvirate of the West Pacific, and for the brutal purging of five thousand and five hundred natives between his reigns in both the Pacific and the North Pacific respectively.
For the above reasonings it's suffice to say the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs strongly suggests a vote in favour of FOR the resolution.Condemn Durkadurkiranistan II
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: Against
Final vote (World): For - 8459; Against - 5594
Final vote (TNP): For - 195; Against - 302; Percentage of WA nations voting: 35.60%
Recommendation: The proposed condemnation of Durkadurkiranistan would be the second time this player is condemned. While they are deserving of being condemned for their various acts, namely against this very region, this proposed condemnation falls short in a few key places. The delivery and writing is uninspired and conveys its items more akin to that of a laundry list than a convincing condemnation. Furthermore, there are concerns that this proposal could be used to justify the repeal of the original condemnation at some point in the future. This concern is present due to the fact that this proposal does not and cannot fully outline the various actions Durka took against TNP and its interests. Despite communication with the author on some of these issues, they remain even if not taken advantage of by them.
In accordance with the statement above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.Commend Common Territories
Status: Passed
Delegate's vote: For
Final vote (World): For - 12250; Against - 1715
Final vote (TNP): For - 426; Against - 49; Percentage of WA nations voting: 34.37%
Recommendation: The proposed commendation of The Empire of Common Territories, herein referred to as TECT, is one based primarily on a legacy of significant contributions to RP they have made in the various RP communities they have participated in. These include an international arms smuggling manufacturing company, money laundering services investing and banking services, and blood thirsty, imperialist hitmen peacekeeping private military forces. Overall, TECT is a well respected player who deserved this commendation and acknowledgment of their RP content on both a regional and international level.
Following the reasoning above, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.[small]
The North Star: Lighting The Way To The TruthPublisher: El Fiji Grande :: Executive Editor: Pallaith :: Managing Editor: Marcus Antonius
The North Star is produced by the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the Government of The North Pacific and is distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs externally and the Ministry of Home Affairs internally. Except where otherwise indicated, all content represents the views of the Government of The North Pacific.[/small]
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