Opening Address

[HEM]

Firstly, for a person who claims not to want to start trouble, you're certainly good at it.

How long have you been in this region? Let me tell you something sunshine, this region has been struggling on for a good many years. Not due to the lack of interest in it, but rather, the diminishing interest in NationStates as a whole. The old guard of which you speak have stayed around, kept this forum going, and generally saved the region from the demise that has impacted so many other regions. The old guard stayed, because they felt there was something here to fight for, to maintain, and to keep this region alive - because they have ties here and memories. Most of the old guard have moved on, finished university, had families and started work, but they stay because they have something here in this region. Friends - lifelong friends who are now also RL friends, because of our common bonds.

What I find interesting here is tone. You can address me in whatever way you see fit. You can form your comments as condescending, hostile, and aggressive as you wish without being called out on it. In return, if I ever craft a rebuttal that isn't the utmost respectful and doesn't cite tenfold the honor the old guard holds, I am called out on "starting trouble".



This "diminishing interest in Nationstates as a whole" doesn't exist. It's something I hear from every feeder I have ventured through over the last nine months.



It doesn't exist.



Userrite regions have taken the torch from feederites, that is what has occurred. Since the introduction of influence, feeders have rapidly decline from their peak and allowed more attractive offers from user created regions take away their potential member base an activity. I know this because I founded one of those user created regions. Regions like my own Europeia are getting more and more active each year, not less. Players may be more scarce and challenging since 2003 but the idea that there isn't enough to populate this forum with at least a dozen new and active members is....wrong.

Feeders once had prestige, and were the ideal target for raiders. But seriously? There hasn't been a decent raid for years. There hasn't been a decent power overthrow for YEARS. To this day, I still don't think there has been anything quite like the CrazyGirl attempt to take over the Pacific. Now that was a battle.

This I agree with, we could stand to add a little glamor and bling back to the region. But we need novelty, we need change, we need something to entice people to envy what we hold.

By dissecting the laws that have held this region stable for well over 7 years, do you plan to achieve instant life? Wouldn't your energy best be channelled into your proposed recruiting first, to generate interest in the region, and then perhaps look at modifying the laws? For pity's sake, you are Prime Minister, not God. And yes, I am as blunt as a wooden axe. However, you can't swan into a region and propose to undermine it's core fundamentals. RESPECT the history, respect the elders that have been here, and whilst, yes, we may be a little difficult because we have been here a long time - we love this region, have spent many hours and in some cases, sleepless nights recruiting and protecting this region. Do you possibly think that might be the reason we are a little obstinant? Like I say, I'm not opposed to change. But there are 2 ways about things - and a sledgehammer approach is not the best.

I have spent energy recruiting. I have commenced on an official system and sent a few dozen telegrams as a test balloon. But I believe we need something to recruit for. We need new elections, a new system, a new brand to slap onto a treasured region.



I have explained this time and time again, I have nothing but respect for the veterans of this region. I am humbled by those who originally tamed the feeders and created a system that has been stable and workable for years upon years.



But that doesn't mean we don't need a change of course. I'm not just spewing ideas out for the wild "fun" of it. I try to avoid using this argument to avoid being seen as arrogant or out of touch, but I have founded a successful region. I know how to generate activity, I know how to make a system appealing. I'm not working from my fantasies, I'm bringing along my work as a founder and as a multi-term Head of Government in numerous regions.



I'm not perfect, I don't get everything right, but please <em class='bbc'>please</em> don't look at me as a newly hatched chicken. I realize and respect that the South Pacific was a strong and vibrant community before I landed on her shores, but it is the core of that community that I am working to save.



Please don't treat me as if I am dumb. I have flaws, I make errors, but I'm not over my head.

At the moment, I respect your aims. However, you need to start at grass roots, rather than treetops. Firstly, increase activity. Then you can start aiming higher. There is no point remodelling a cabinet when you can't get enough people to fill seats. There is no point changing laws when you have noone to either support or debate the changes. Right now, as I see it, you have put the cart before the horse.

Disagreed. If you revamp the system, open the doors for people to get involved, then advertise it, you <em class='bbc'>will</em> see people come. Why do people get involved after coups? They want power. Power is leverage that we can use to get people to contribute, and along the way they will become passionate about this region just as much as we are.

HEM, a final word, much on the lines of Kloister's. You catch more flies with honey. You can't waltz into a room and tell people what they are going to do. You will make yourself unpopular and people's guards will automatically go up. Effectively, you piss off the whole region in a matter of sentences, and then all the best laid plans and ideas will no longer matter - because noone will respect you. I made a career out of being TSP's version of Margaret Thatcher - the Iron Lady - because I took no crap and called it as I see it. Some things have not changed in retirement. I will fight for this region, and I will call a spade a spade. And if I'm pissed off, you can guarantee the whole world will know.

I could just copy and paste my first paragraph I suppose, but I want to show that I care about your opinion. Because I do.



You want to call a spade a spade? I respect that. We need people who call 'em as they see 'em. But when I respond with my own defenses, my own ideals, my own opinions, please do not act as if it is some heinous grievance. Much like you, I don't take well to being pushed around and I have a determination to set an agenda and fight for it.



I am of the belief that I can call out what I see just as you can voice your opinion. Many may see this as disrespect and arrogance toward a veteran and dedicated member. That is not what it is. It is me fighting for something which I see as profoundly right. It is me defending my actions. It is me responding to every accusation that is leveled.



But...don't think that means I don't respect you. I feel like I have been faced with three angry speeches within the time frame of four days. I'm doing my best to hold my ground whilst showing my reverence of your work. Maybe I haven't been doing it properly. Maybe I have come from a tougher and harsher political atmosphere, maybe I speak without comprehension.



But I am fighting for this region. And if you are united with me on that sole goal, we will find that we have more in common that it first appears