View from Benacia/Issue 64: The Curse of LOAs Strikes!
This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2005/02/issue-64-curse-of-loas-strikes.html at 03/01/05.
Several Shirerithians have announced LOAs, or effective LOAs, all at once, prompting suggestions that a curse has stricken our nation. IT WILL COME FOR YOU NEXT!
It all began with Greg Russell, the Duke of Yardistan, who couldn't resist causing trouble. In a brief period of activity, he explained the computer troubles that had kept him away from his beloved homeland, and reassured everyone that he's still alive. However, since his present... er, presence... is only due to being able to use his dad's laptop, which will shortly be unavailable to him, he noted that "I will be gone indefinitely... I dont know how long it will take to save up for a new computer, or if my old one is even salvageable".
The curse struck again with both Ric Lyon and Hypatia Agnesi announcing LOAs, one due to destroyed telephone lines and the other due to sickness. Wish them all well!
Trouble in Attera; Lorelei Talks on Hold
The Lorelei talks have been put on hold while the Emperor of the Atterans attempts to deal with what seems to be a major crisis within the Atteran government.
The origins in the crisis may lie in the Lorelei dispute itself. The Solomonic Kingdom of Transattera, as whose King Mik'el Tzion made the claim, has historically been a nation associated with Attera under the Atteran Commonwealth. This organization seems to be an umbrella for various nations important in the cultural landscape of Attera, even though none of the current members (save Attera, and more recently Transattera) have been active online.
The Emperor's claim to Lorelei in Transattera's name, and the perceived damage to Shirerithian-Atteran relations because of such action by a Commonwealth nation, seem to have been the starting point for calls by prominent Atterans to dissolve the Atteran Commonwealth. Talk of putting the matter to a vote in the Atteran legislature, the Yezawd Derg, led to strong statements of opposition by the Emperor, a vocal supporter of the Commonwealth framework. Seeking to make clear his position, he made a Speech from the Throne on the subject, which stated that the arguments were only the latest in a series of incidents that had been
"undermining the parameters set by the founding fathers of our great nation, but are slowly transforming Attera into something that she was not designed to be. Yet, the most distasteful and personal attack is the attack upon the very institution that allows the Atteran Empire to be an empire, and that is the Atteran Commonwealth."
Going on to state that "a move to dissolve the Atteran Commonwealth is the first step to the dissolution of the Atteran Empire", the Emperor called upon all the nobles of the Empire to stand against the move. He defended the existence of the Commonwealth as a means for expanding cultural and micronational options within an Atteran sphere of influence, and as a sign of prestige, citing Shireroth as an example of what can be done with cultural choice. He blamed the relative lack of development of the Commonwealth nations partly on himself, and partly "all of the past governments that ruled the Atteran Empire". He also announced his intent to reverse the trend and noted his own efforts at making Transattera into a viable micronation.
After both Le'ul Ras Noseworthy and Ras Robert Davis responded to the speech by reaffirming their opinion that the Commonwealth was not necessary to maintain the Empire, the Emperor made another speech, this time in the chambers of the Yezawd Derg. In it, he invoked two articles in the Crimson Constitution, permitting him to deny ratification to bills in the Yezawd Derg, and to rule Attera by Imperial Decree. Declaring that the members of the legislature were "attempting to take advantage of Our person and trying to establish the legislature as the actual ruler of the Atteran Empire", he requested that the Commonwealth bill be pulled, adding that
"to disregard this request will be seen as another assault upon Our person and measures will be taken against members who support this, as it will be viewed as a treasonous act. To defy the will of the Head of State can be viewed as insubordination in full."
When, after the speech was made, Ras Noseworthy suggested to the Prime Minister that the Yezawd Derg could be convinced to bring up the issue in the form of a constitutional amendment, which the Emperor would not be able to alter. This prompted a statement from the Emperor declaring his willingness to dissolve the Derg in order to prevent this from happening. Ras Noseworthy than said, "If you do dissolve the Yezawd Derg because it is exercising its right to amend the constitution, I advise all Atterans to leave the Emperor to rule the nation by decree with himself as the only participant."
Whether or not this advice was being listened to, several resignations did occur shortly thereafter. The first was Ras Noseworthy himself, who cut short his planned twenty-nine-day transition period and left Attera entirely for Gotzborg. He was followed by Ras Graius, who resigned as a Derger and then as Imperial High Judge (due to a dispute in the Imperial High Court), and also Ras and Rasana Davis, who both resigned their citizenships and positions.
Although Prime Minister Johanns fonn Klosso has stated his intent to remain with Attera and his position out of patriotism and duty, and Ras Charles (though on LOA) has not signalled any desire to resign in any capacity, they remain the most important figures left in the Imperial government, although Ras Dabe (also believed to be on LOA) is presumably also still counted as a Minister.
Reportedly, the Emperor is taking out ads in newspapers in order to bring new citizens to Attera and replenish the population.
