Coronation Speech
Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 3:39 pm
The reports of my bloodline's death has been greatly exaggerated.
As you can see, there's now another Steffki on the Golden Mango Throne. As for why, that's another story altogether. I don't know much about my First of the Line myself, but I do know that it was more than a mere death without an heir. It is lost to the sands of time, it seems, but I do belong to the line of Steffki. There is more than meets the eye in this long forgotten part of history, and from what I do know, I am lucky that my ancestors had survived and gave me the right to live as a Steffki.
I will admit right here that I am not a Cedrist. I am a Soloralist. However, this is no conflict. In reality, Soloralism and Cedrism are quite alike - they are about finding your path in the universe. The sole difference is that Cedrism defines the paths, while Soloralism focuses on the diversity of the paths. Unlike what some of some of you might have feared, I shall take the Sword of Vengeance proudly.
But now on to my speech.
Shireroth has grown stale. We all know this. The nation has been built to last. Like the Jasonians proudly claimed in their own time, we have survived many dangers in Micras, both within and out of the nation. However, unlike the Jasonians, we cannot claim that we are thriving - it has been quite a long time since Shireroth has thrived. While Shireroth survives today, it does not prosper like it had in ages past.
We say that we learn from our mistakes. In a way, we do. Micras today has completely changed from what it has been only a year ago. Lovely has brought in an influx of new micronationalists. For the better or worse, they had changed the hobby, and made it simulationist up to the point where it is ironic that there was such a backlash against simulationism and fantasy back in the time of Menelmacar.
The Grand Commonwealth brought in many nations, seeking to be a superpower - for a time, it managed to give the illusion as such to others. Yet today Micras knows that Grand Commonwealth is just a museum of nations, a sham of what it claims to be. Its self removal from Micras is the final symbol that shows that their past shall be forgotten in our sector, that the nations once tightly holding to dear life to keep their illusions of importance finally perished.
Unfortuanatly, we are threatening to become the same as the Grand Commonwealth: A museum of territories and lost memories, a power only by the delusional. We do not try to live those memories. Outside of our sparse cultural projects, we rarely can try to develop our territories into something more than just a name with some background. Our nation has always been focused on the community and cultural focus of micronationalism - and that's okay. However, we have found out through our own inactivity that it is not the only thing that can make a micronation thrive. Let me say this - If Menelmacar did not have its controversy and survived today, it would have had the same problem. Culture is not the only thing that a micronation can do to be a successful micronation.
But what makes a successful micronation? There are various factors. However, one of these factors is something that we have been lacking in Shireroth for a long time. We lack politics. Something that had ultimately been banned since the beginning of Shireroth itself once it declared itself an Imperial Republic. THe ban on political parties, the ultimate power of the Kaiser which could and had be used to crush dissent. The mockery of the Landsraad which, despite its best efforts, has continued to remain almost perpetually inactive for an incrdibly long time. We all know the reasons why we banned them. They don't fit for the nation, or they cause too much pain.
Well quite frankly, I think that's a load of MagiGARP. You hear me: The person whose ancestors was once was the most adamant avoiders of politics, the most adamant against political parties and strife, is asking for some to come back again to save the nation. Our nation cannot live simply in the black and white of culture and relaxation. There must be some diversity within the nation, something else to do other than just develop culture for counties or other subdivisions. Our nation thrives on the lack of deadlines, the lack of the constant urge to stay online just so that you can get your voice heard on important issues.
Clearly, this is a huge goal, something quite a few of you won't like even in principle. But in reality all it will do is create another layer for the nation. Antica has the opposite problem that we have - they have little developed culture outside of the inevitable customs that are formed within a micronation, but a huge political system. That system, while always having the risk to collapse, still is thriving. We will never become like Antica - I certainatly don't. It's why Shireroth is Shireroth and Antica is Antica. But we can learn from each other in this extent. Moderation is the key.
I'm saying a lot of stuff here. But there are some things that I plan to do.
First of all, the Imperial Advisory Council shall be consisted of all Shirerothians. The age of the Old Boys' Club is long over, and at least in this case, I especially feel that I need everyone's input as to how I am doing, rather than just a select few. I highly reccommend people to either IM me, PM me, or post in the IAC once everything can be set up right to discuss issues of the nation that we can deal with.
Second of all, I will be renovating the Decreebook and Lawbook system. I will merge the two documents, what some of you may know currently as the Stuffbook, but don't worry, I'll call it the Lawbook. (Unless you really want me to call it the Stuffbook) Decreebook parts and future Kaiser decrees and otherwise shall be marked in green. New decrees that edit the new Lawbook will be placed in amendment format, although the normal statement format will of course be allowed as well. This will help to allow decrees to be edited in much easier. I will remove Appointments from the decree system - they currently are really a waste of space. (Imperial Decree #12453 to 32425634653 - I appoint Bob to be Count of Blonkland and Minister of Niftiness.) Instead, they will be placed into a new Imperial Appointment format, whose sole purpose is, to, well, appoint. Finally, I will allow a new Ungreening Principle, which will allow a Kaiser to demote a decree's law to landsraad level. There are some issues which don't really need to have the power of a decree, and in the end are more advantageous to bring it down to Landsraad level, such as the dual ciitzenship restrictions. This will allow the Landsraad to vote on more issues and prevent the huge annoyance of redundancy and incompliance which plauges our current dual-legislation system. It isn't meant to be abused, only meant to increase convinience. This allows a compromise and a voluntary check to the Kaiser - instead of having to undecree a decree due to public outrage or disagreement, a Kaiser could let the people decide whether or not to allow a law decreed by the Kaiser to change or be repealed.
Third of all, I want to overhawl the New Feudalism. Honestly, New Feudalism had a lot of potential for interfeudal politics, but in its current form it sucks. Instead of allowing people to bicker over what county to join what county and encouraging interfeudal strifes, it only restricts the power subdivisions may have, including its territorial extent. The plan to come here is a system which allows people to be more free with their territorical boundries without having a need for it to be granted by the Kaiser. I'm thinking about subdivisions claiming individual counties together and fighting ofer them, allowing dispute, strife, and political warfare for the true right of a territory. Less need of a restrictive system with more allowances for interfeudal politics. The details will need to be worked out - and in fact this is something that I will need your guys' input. One of my ideas is to allow people to claim two counties instead of just one for this other than just the claiming process.
Fourth of all, Antica. We've been holding this issue out for a while, trying to stay out of it. But frankly, I don't want it. There's no reason why the Republic of Antica should hate us in this day and age. Cut out with the cop outs of legalese and give back Antica want it really needs - Antica. The Duchy, that is. Of course, this is a huge issue, especially to our good Minister of Immigration, Naturalization, and Tourism. There will be negotations to make sure that the loose ends are finally tied. No bullshit on this issue here. I'm here to prove Steven wrong, that Shireroth can be trusted. That trust shall be made on both sides, and we will get the friendship back that we had back in the old Dinarchy days.
The Seccession to the Throne shall be updated, again. Personally I'm getting frustrated at us having to change it every time a citizen leaves or a huge loyal citizen comes in. Perhaps it will be replaced by the Landsraad voting on the next Kaiser - I havn't decided yet.
There are many more things to come. Change is coming to Shireroth, and, as the great Kaiser Mors IV said, may death spare us all. I shall prove that my name, Meskan, the God of Enlightment, shall bless us and prevent us from the cruel death of obscurity.
As you can see, there's now another Steffki on the Golden Mango Throne. As for why, that's another story altogether. I don't know much about my First of the Line myself, but I do know that it was more than a mere death without an heir. It is lost to the sands of time, it seems, but I do belong to the line of Steffki. There is more than meets the eye in this long forgotten part of history, and from what I do know, I am lucky that my ancestors had survived and gave me the right to live as a Steffki.
I will admit right here that I am not a Cedrist. I am a Soloralist. However, this is no conflict. In reality, Soloralism and Cedrism are quite alike - they are about finding your path in the universe. The sole difference is that Cedrism defines the paths, while Soloralism focuses on the diversity of the paths. Unlike what some of some of you might have feared, I shall take the Sword of Vengeance proudly.
But now on to my speech.
Shireroth has grown stale. We all know this. The nation has been built to last. Like the Jasonians proudly claimed in their own time, we have survived many dangers in Micras, both within and out of the nation. However, unlike the Jasonians, we cannot claim that we are thriving - it has been quite a long time since Shireroth has thrived. While Shireroth survives today, it does not prosper like it had in ages past.
We say that we learn from our mistakes. In a way, we do. Micras today has completely changed from what it has been only a year ago. Lovely has brought in an influx of new micronationalists. For the better or worse, they had changed the hobby, and made it simulationist up to the point where it is ironic that there was such a backlash against simulationism and fantasy back in the time of Menelmacar.
The Grand Commonwealth brought in many nations, seeking to be a superpower - for a time, it managed to give the illusion as such to others. Yet today Micras knows that Grand Commonwealth is just a museum of nations, a sham of what it claims to be. Its self removal from Micras is the final symbol that shows that their past shall be forgotten in our sector, that the nations once tightly holding to dear life to keep their illusions of importance finally perished.
Unfortuanatly, we are threatening to become the same as the Grand Commonwealth: A museum of territories and lost memories, a power only by the delusional. We do not try to live those memories. Outside of our sparse cultural projects, we rarely can try to develop our territories into something more than just a name with some background. Our nation has always been focused on the community and cultural focus of micronationalism - and that's okay. However, we have found out through our own inactivity that it is not the only thing that can make a micronation thrive. Let me say this - If Menelmacar did not have its controversy and survived today, it would have had the same problem. Culture is not the only thing that a micronation can do to be a successful micronation.
But what makes a successful micronation? There are various factors. However, one of these factors is something that we have been lacking in Shireroth for a long time. We lack politics. Something that had ultimately been banned since the beginning of Shireroth itself once it declared itself an Imperial Republic. THe ban on political parties, the ultimate power of the Kaiser which could and had be used to crush dissent. The mockery of the Landsraad which, despite its best efforts, has continued to remain almost perpetually inactive for an incrdibly long time. We all know the reasons why we banned them. They don't fit for the nation, or they cause too much pain.
Well quite frankly, I think that's a load of MagiGARP. You hear me: The person whose ancestors was once was the most adamant avoiders of politics, the most adamant against political parties and strife, is asking for some to come back again to save the nation. Our nation cannot live simply in the black and white of culture and relaxation. There must be some diversity within the nation, something else to do other than just develop culture for counties or other subdivisions. Our nation thrives on the lack of deadlines, the lack of the constant urge to stay online just so that you can get your voice heard on important issues.
Clearly, this is a huge goal, something quite a few of you won't like even in principle. But in reality all it will do is create another layer for the nation. Antica has the opposite problem that we have - they have little developed culture outside of the inevitable customs that are formed within a micronation, but a huge political system. That system, while always having the risk to collapse, still is thriving. We will never become like Antica - I certainatly don't. It's why Shireroth is Shireroth and Antica is Antica. But we can learn from each other in this extent. Moderation is the key.
I'm saying a lot of stuff here. But there are some things that I plan to do.
First of all, the Imperial Advisory Council shall be consisted of all Shirerothians. The age of the Old Boys' Club is long over, and at least in this case, I especially feel that I need everyone's input as to how I am doing, rather than just a select few. I highly reccommend people to either IM me, PM me, or post in the IAC once everything can be set up right to discuss issues of the nation that we can deal with.
Second of all, I will be renovating the Decreebook and Lawbook system. I will merge the two documents, what some of you may know currently as the Stuffbook, but don't worry, I'll call it the Lawbook. (Unless you really want me to call it the Stuffbook) Decreebook parts and future Kaiser decrees and otherwise shall be marked in green. New decrees that edit the new Lawbook will be placed in amendment format, although the normal statement format will of course be allowed as well. This will help to allow decrees to be edited in much easier. I will remove Appointments from the decree system - they currently are really a waste of space. (Imperial Decree #12453 to 32425634653 - I appoint Bob to be Count of Blonkland and Minister of Niftiness.) Instead, they will be placed into a new Imperial Appointment format, whose sole purpose is, to, well, appoint. Finally, I will allow a new Ungreening Principle, which will allow a Kaiser to demote a decree's law to landsraad level. There are some issues which don't really need to have the power of a decree, and in the end are more advantageous to bring it down to Landsraad level, such as the dual ciitzenship restrictions. This will allow the Landsraad to vote on more issues and prevent the huge annoyance of redundancy and incompliance which plauges our current dual-legislation system. It isn't meant to be abused, only meant to increase convinience. This allows a compromise and a voluntary check to the Kaiser - instead of having to undecree a decree due to public outrage or disagreement, a Kaiser could let the people decide whether or not to allow a law decreed by the Kaiser to change or be repealed.
Third of all, I want to overhawl the New Feudalism. Honestly, New Feudalism had a lot of potential for interfeudal politics, but in its current form it sucks. Instead of allowing people to bicker over what county to join what county and encouraging interfeudal strifes, it only restricts the power subdivisions may have, including its territorial extent. The plan to come here is a system which allows people to be more free with their territorical boundries without having a need for it to be granted by the Kaiser. I'm thinking about subdivisions claiming individual counties together and fighting ofer them, allowing dispute, strife, and political warfare for the true right of a territory. Less need of a restrictive system with more allowances for interfeudal politics. The details will need to be worked out - and in fact this is something that I will need your guys' input. One of my ideas is to allow people to claim two counties instead of just one for this other than just the claiming process.
Fourth of all, Antica. We've been holding this issue out for a while, trying to stay out of it. But frankly, I don't want it. There's no reason why the Republic of Antica should hate us in this day and age. Cut out with the cop outs of legalese and give back Antica want it really needs - Antica. The Duchy, that is. Of course, this is a huge issue, especially to our good Minister of Immigration, Naturalization, and Tourism. There will be negotations to make sure that the loose ends are finally tied. No bullshit on this issue here. I'm here to prove Steven wrong, that Shireroth can be trusted. That trust shall be made on both sides, and we will get the friendship back that we had back in the old Dinarchy days.
The Seccession to the Throne shall be updated, again. Personally I'm getting frustrated at us having to change it every time a citizen leaves or a huge loyal citizen comes in. Perhaps it will be replaced by the Landsraad voting on the next Kaiser - I havn't decided yet.
There are many more things to come. Change is coming to Shireroth, and, as the great Kaiser Mors IV said, may death spare us all. I shall prove that my name, Meskan, the God of Enlightment, shall bless us and prevent us from the cruel death of obscurity.
