View from Benacia/Issue 17: Wednesday, the Thirteenth of October

This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2004/10/issue-17-wednesday-thirteenth-of.html at 10/14/04.

Welcome Back, Scott!

Well, well, well... it looks like our MiniEx came crawling back to us! Minister Scott resumed his duties today after he seems to have secured access to the Internet. Of course, we're all growl- er, delighted that he's back. We all hope that he can keep us from getting into wars or inadvertently insulting other micronations, and that the folks at Trinity College keep him well-supplied with access in the days ahead.

Bicamerality

The debate over the new Landsraad structure took a new twist with the Kaiser making a suggestion that might, effectively, turn the Landsraad into a bicameral legislature. The new proposal consists of a slight separation of powers.

The upper house, the Council of Dukes, would retain the Pr�tor as its presiding officer. While it is believed that it could still be capable of passing laws (which could then be vetoed by the Kaiser), it would be harder to do so, requiring a three-fourths majority to pass. The main function of the Council with regards to legislation would be to veto laws passed by the Council of Barons. It would also be able to appoint and remove Ministers and elect a Steward, just as the Landsraad is currently able to do. The lower house, the Council of Barons, would pass the majority of the laws (requiring a two-thirds majority to do so), and would also ratify treaties.

Nobles in each house would have only one vote each, thus ending the current practice of distributed votes. Although concerns have been raised over this as a possible removal of Ducal control over Barons, as well as a way of showing favor to loyal Barons, the Kaiser has responded with the opinion that there are other avenues of doing both those tasks. It also remains true that, under the proposed system, some form of Ducal supremacy over Barons remains intact, albeit not in the same form.

More Harvey Business

Harvey's trial continues in the Judex forum. Meanwhile, it seems that there has been a brief spat over his presence in the Landsraad, during the discussion over the treaty with Pendronia. Despite his expulsion from Yardistan, Harvey was never formally removed as Emissary for BAM. Even though current Imperial law requires an Emissary to be of the same subdivision as the Noble zie is representing, it has been suggested that the law cannot affect him as he was Emissary before it was passed. And as he has already casted his vote, it is unclear whether Duke Nick of Yardistan can overturn it.

Baracao V: THE SON OF BARACAO (now in theatres)

Yes, it appears that a successor state to Barac[a with tilde]o has arisen in the form of the Holy Empire of Minorca. Planned to be a constitutional monarchy with a culture based on 16th-century Spain, its intent is apparently to serve as a placeholder, an attempt to bring and keep together Baracaoans while their former country remains in suspended animation... assuming Dafydd comes back to revive it.

All former Baracaoans are welcome to join, as well as others; new citizens are needed and welcome. Discussions over the structure of the new government are underway!