View from Benacia/Issue 19: Landsraad Activity Soars
This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2004/10/issue-19-landsraad-activity-soars.html at 10/19/04.
(Editor's Note: Due to the input from out viewers, the View From Benacia is changing its titling style to include the major story of the issue, rather than the date; this will make it easier for readers using the MNN newsfeed to find important stories.)
The Landsraad experienced a veritable explosion in activity over the weekend, as a slough of new bills entered the legislative body. This was due in no small part to the actions of the Duke of Kildare, who proposed no less than six resolutions regarding Landsraad reform, representing a variety of viewpoints on how such reform might be carried out. These "Declarations of Approval", which have no legal weight, are meant to help point the way to an acceptable path of change in the Landsraad's structure.
Also among the bills was the first from Duke Shyriath of Brookshire, the "Fix Abstentions Ambiguity Once and For All" Act, which brings back abstentions' old role in the voting order. Although doing reasonably well so far, objections have been raised about the wording of the bill by the Duke of Goldshire.
Yet another bill with a grandiose title also appeared, in the form of The "A Bloody Sensible Proposal" Amendment (at http://p211.ezboard.com/fshirerothfrm25.showMessage?topicID=395.topic), which will restrict voting to only Dukes, and which will weight Ducal votes according to the population of their Duchies. The bill also deals with clarifications to the procedures for appointing Emissaries, and to the powers of the Pr�tor.
Time for a New Pr�tor!
Pr�tor Steve, having apparently gotten fed up with the moderating-the-Landsraad business, has resigned from his post (see http://p211.ezboard.com/fshirerothfrm25.showMessage?topicID=394.topic). Three candidates have stepped in to compete for the post: Duchess Jadie of Goldshire (marking her return to any sort of Landsraad activity), Steward Eoin of Hyperborea (a perennial Pr�tor-hopeful), and Duke Joseph of Kildare (promising not to go TOO far into cannibalism... always a plus).
Jadie's inherent sweetness and light seems to be her greatest strength in the race, perhaps indicating an ability to tame the tempest that is the legislature. Eoin comes equipped with several eons of experience. Joseph, meanwhile, has a plan to compile statistics on Landsraad votes that could win him points on an intellectual level.
Once the election begins, trust the View to bring you the news on votes cast and projected winners.
One Is the Loneliest Number...
It seems (http://p211.ezboard.com/fshirerothnewsandannoucements.showMessage?topicID=196.topic) that Duke Shyriath of Brookshire could, for a moment, have aspired to being an entire country... for it was noted that his was the only citizens' picture that showed up on the website was his. He was, reportedly, disappointed to learn that this was in fact due to a temporary problem involving the site where everyone's photo but his was hosted.
However, inside sources say he STILL plans on being Kaiser one day, although he'll have to ask Erik if he's willing to let him use the name Mors...
