Hello all.
Well... another message board. How exciting. I recommend a buttload more emoticons tho! LOL!!!
I just want to wish you all good luck in forming your region. I'm going to be up front and say that I will not be part of it, not because of anything other than NationStates had worn me down a long time ago, and I already know I cannot stay here. I might amble around a bit...maybe see what I can do in RP.
But this is a brand new region full of possibilities, challenges, temptations, and ideals. Although I don't know all of the details and I do not wish to take any sides, I do not blame you in the least for breaking away. It appears that democracy is an ideal you uphold here as sancrosanct. If that is the case, then do everything you can to foster that.
What the founders of your former home had were their own ideals of what their region ought to be. When that vision was in danger, they acted. It is their right. It is their region and their rules. The leader of the founders of that region based the region on a business model with a specific vision in mind. I'm not turning this into a capitalist vs. socialist discussion, but businesses are not based on democracy. You have a boss. The boss gets to make the calls. Sometimes there's a board to remove the boss, but, ultimately, there's always a boss over the ones who exist there. Again, in a business setting, that may be necessary in order to make quick decisions. For a country or organization whose top ideal is democracy, though, I wouldn't recommend it.
It takes a type of maturity to allow a democracy. In the world of systems administrators and moderators, power is not yet avialable to the people to make decisions. Wikipedia is the first I've ever seen, but even that has its share of people in power over the people. Democracy is very difficult and messy. It takes talk, compromise, more talk, debate, talk, argument, talk, and ...um... talk. In other words, if you hold democracy as your ideal, you have to be willing to let the elected government do its thing, even if you don't like it. Your former boss found the new government threatening to his vision, despite it being popularly elected by the people. Instead of following the rule of law and seeking impeachment, he took control. All of this, I understand, after he had voluntarily left and vowed no more to have a hand in the regional politics.
My friends, the road ahead will be exciting and full of ideals. There is a time for forging ahead, and a time of forgiveness. There is a time to embrace new friends and new ways, but there are also those whose intentions may not be honorable. Your former boss had powerful enemies. I've never trusted the saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." I do not wish to sow any seeds of suspicion, in the least. I'm just councilling to know one another...respect one another despite the differences you may already have. Do not let the excitement and ideals cloud the fact that, on another computer screen just like yours miles away is another human being with thoughts, dreams, and feelings of their own. Laws can and should change.
If I were still in NationStates, I am not sure what I would do. But that is a moot point as there are those bridges I have already burnt with the Powers-That-Be. I will probably not be able to join your region within the NS game, but I would like to let you know that my best wishes and hopes are with you. I have many friends here...too many to name. I do miss you all. But there is a time when things must be put down, and the Wanderer must continue on. It is hard to explain, but whatever tugs at my feet (virtual or otherwise) never lets me rest. I would be honored if I could find rest here on occasion, though. ...even in the form of an exciting RP session.
Take care my friends. I'll think of you always with fondness.
--Donovan/Yellowstone Valley/Nachiush/Kelman Winters...etc.
