Opening Address

[HEM]

<em class='bbc'>Citizens, Residents, Foreign Dignitaries and interested onlookers,</em>



There are many trials of life that can test the resolve of man (and ladies of course). We can be pushed to the brink physically, we can be stretched to the limit mentally, we can lack the strength to continue on. For too long, The South Pacific has been battered and frayed by an era of lost opportunity. We have lacked a generation of strong leaders to carry on the legacy of our founders who worked to keep the South safe, active and powerful. I am here to plainly announce that the days of stagnation and lethargy are over, and I shall use every morsel of my resolve to ensure the thesis of this paragraph becomes fact.



As much as I love it, flowery fluff and passionate poetry which originates from my keyboard are not going to rescue us from the storm that we are in. We need now, more than ever, executive action that will take our region forward.



The South Pacific is being held back on two fronts, both as equally vital as the other. Domestically we are being kept active by veterans of the old guard swimming within tides of nostalgia and nobility. But where is the new infusions of membership? We find youth and vitality are lacking within our region, perhaps mainly because action is lacking.



Externally we find the feeders in general losing the prestige and visibility that they carried during my Nationstates youth. We have a chance here to reclaim our forgotten birthright and expand our operations far and wide across the world. I intend to start upon this task immediately, and I shall not relent until the regions of the world all consensually nod to the South Pacific with newfound respect.



My friends, we exist in a totally different world than the one the respected torchbearers of the previous generation grew up in. Feeders are now treasure troves for the ambitions entrepreneur. New members are more likely to seek out a developing userrite, which are across the board more advanced and sophisticated than the shells we maintain, than one of the original powerhouses of Nationstates. During the Unionist rebellion in the North Pacific this was an issue debated and deliberated which was when the decline of feeders occurred. Universally, influence was pointed to as the primary factor.



Yes, influence sucks. But the idea that influence, or any single reason can hold us down or tie us to the grave we currently hover above is preposterous.



Starting today, we walk away from the cemetery. Starting today we rebuild a forgotten city. Starting today. Not tomorrow. Today.



Today I intend to organize the Cabinet offices in a way I see effective. That doesn't mean illegally sacking and hiring Ministers without the consent of our Delegate, but rather the literal meaning. I fully plan on setting up a "recruitment" system and newly re-branded ambassador corps. The ideas I am implementing are for all intents and purposes interim until our Assembly passes more sweeping reform amendments. I understand that my tenure is in many ways a caretaker term, but we shall not be embracing the status quo.



One thing I shall caution is that I am a tyrant. Not in the political coercion or bread riots manner. Rather, I will not tolerate laziness, or a failure to work without a reason, and I will see that those who do not work at all are removed.



That said, I will respond to every PM, every angry topic, every opinion that is given to me about me or anything else, I will give my full attention to and see that all issues that I have the power to resolve, are resolved.



The South Pacific is not just ready for the future, we are craving it. We are willing to crawl through the desert without a drop of water to reach it. I hope alongside Southern Bellz, an innovative and progressive Assembly, I will be able to deliver.



Thank you,

<img src='http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54488/289/052D86D49FF311CA59B3D6DD9E494F26.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /><img src='http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1240/seal3h.gif' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

<strong class='bbc'>HEM Tiberius Anumia, Prime Minister of the South Pacific</strong>

[kloister]

Interesting speech...You certainly have a fire in your belly...If I could just take a moment to share a thought with you...I am sure you are familiar with the challenge of getting someone to do something you want...We have the stick and the carrot...With the stick we compel, we enforce and sometimes bulldoze that someone...With the carrot we encourage, we persuade, we entice and sometimes win over that someone...Yes we can use either the stick or the carrot and ultimately reach the same end...So what is the difference?..That would be how that someone feels about you...My counsel as former Prime Minister, long time member of the Cabinet and Region...Be a friend and not a tyrant...A tyrant in any form is grotesque...

[HEM]

Interesting speech...You certainly have a fire in your belly...

If I could just take a moment to share a thought with you...

I am sure you are familiar with the challenge of getting someone to do something you want...We have the stick and the carrot...

With the stick we compel, we enforce and sometimes bulldoze that someone...

With the carrot we encourage, we persuade, we entice and sometimes win over that someone...

Yes we can use either the stick or the carrot and ultimately reach the same end...

So what is the difference?..

That would be how that someone feels about you...

My counsel as former Prime Minister, long time member of the Cabinet and Region...Be a friend and not a tyrant...A tyrant in any form is grotesque...

As I tried to relay, I used the word 'tyrant' to express a specific meaning.

I'm not demanding, I'm not absurd, I'm not convinced everyone should mirror me. I love compromise, discussion, and debate. What I do not tolerate is laziness without cause, and I am convinced that all civil servants of the state should be active.

Thanks for your comment

[Fudgie]

And surprise, surprise, here comes the Fudge argument.

There are many trials of life that can test the resolve of man (and ladies of course). We can be pushed to the brink physically, we can be stretched to the limit mentally, we can lack the strength to continue on. For too long, The South Pacific has been battered and frayed by an era of lost opportunity. We have lacked a generation of strong leaders to carry on the legacy of our founders who worked to keep the South safe, active and powerful. I am here to plainly announce that the days of stagnation and lethargy are over, and I shall use every morsel of my resolve to ensure the thesis of this paragraph becomes fact.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'm willing to work with you - but for pity's sake - stop grandstanding, and take the advice that is being offered to you. And ask for help. We may be oldies, but we still have life in us yet. We want the best for this region too, we just ask a little respect for our history, and for what we put in. The old guard aren't against change. We just want to be acknowledged, and want our history in one place.

[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

[Fudgie]

I hardly think you are one to speak of condescension. You've waltzed into this region, effectively insulted some members with the tone and the attitude displayed by yourself. Do you honestly think that everyone was going to bow and scrape to you because you had fantastic ideas? They may indeed be fantastic. but the way they have been presented - from my point of view - is that EVERYTHING done by the elders and the forefathers of this region is just WRONG. WRONG. Effectively, you have implied that everything so far has been a waste of time, and that your ideas, and your ideas alone are the only way to improve this region.Democracy doesn't work like that, HEM. The South Pacific has always prided it'self on the fact everyone has a voice. And that all voices are heard before our cabinet goes off and has their say, and then it is brought back to the people for a final vote.Your 'constitution' was nothing more than a self righteous mockery of our values. Todd has the right idea - breaking down the components of the existing charter (which, incidently has served this region more than effectively for almost 8 years). Noone likes a self righteous dictator, HEM. And that is the way you are coming across, and I am positive that is not your intent. Don't shove the ideas down our necks. Consider things. And then you'll be an effective leader. Noone is against you. I am against attitude and anything that goes against what TSP is all about. You have great ideas - perhaps you need to work on the delivery.

[HEM]

I wrote that Constitution on behalf of the Delegate who personally requested it. For some strange reason I am being attacked for an idea that wasn't mine, that I didn't craft, and I'm more than a little miffed that I have been left holding the ball here.

The idea wasn't mine. It was posted by Southern Bellz, and I wrote a Constitution based off it. I was under the impression that that idea was a generally accepted theory of how things could work. I suddenly get attacked for "not understanding TSP" among a plethora of other things.

Effectively, you have implied that everything so far has been a waste of time, and that your ideas, and your ideas alone are the only way to improve this region.

...

How many times have I said that I could be wrong? How many times have I admitted that I'm not always right. Loads. I love some of your ideas, I think that Todd is on the right track, I worked to craft a new charter draft much more akin to the current one long before I even proposed the new document. So, I'm not sure what basic assumptions you are operating under.

Your 'constitution' was nothing more than a self righteous mockery of our values. Todd has the right idea - breaking down the components of the existing charter (which, incidently has served this region more than effectively for almost 8 years).

Again, it was based off an idea of our Delegate. I thought that an idea presented by our Head of State would be acceptable. But out of nowhere, I am tagged as an arrogant nobody who is out of touch with reality.

Noone likes a self righteous dictator, HEM. And that is the way you are coming across, and I am positive that is not your intent. Don't shove the ideas down our necks. Consider things. And then you'll be an effective leader.

I don't even know what to say anymore...I am considering things. I proposed an idea based off of someone else's premise. I encouraged debate and discussion. How am I getting pegged with being a 'dictator', what ideals have I shoved on....anyone?

[Southern Bellz]

Hey guys, I think you are both being a little harsh on HEM right now. He has been one of the few active government officials, and he hasn't been getting a lot of feed back on his work (until now). The document he drafted was a personal favor, that was a mix of my ideas and his ideas. I can say at least that he had good intentions. So instead of getting upset about what direction he would like to take the region in, help shape it. We all want what is best for TSP even if we have different views on it. So lets keep that in mind during the upcoming debates were are having. Don't get me wrong, I love the passion I am seeing, but keep that passion in a positive direction!

[Fudgie]

SB, what I'm upset about is not the changes. It's the attitude. In a word, it stinks. I've been insulted several times by HEM - unintentionally - and one way to make a lot of angry people at once is to try to shove things down their throats.All I ask is that HEM reviews the way he has presented ideas and perhaps sees it from our point of view.