View from Benacia/Issue 91: News Shorts

This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2005/05/issue-91-news-shorts.html at 05/26/05.

-In Brookshire and Yardistan, the Dukes began the process of restoring Baronies. Duke Fax of Brookshire announced the refounding of the Barony of Muad'dib (Baron undetermined, but returning citizen Ruhan Zarathustra Erutirn is first choice), and of the Barony of Elwynn and Lac Glacei (formerly part of Hyperborea; now under Baron Conglacio Geisteskrank). Duke Moose of Yardistan, meanwhile, announced the reforming of the Barony of Amity and Mirioth, under Baroness Eriana Moon.

-MiniInfo Moose caused wailing and gnashing of teeth among the Dukes today when he announced that, unlike the ministers, they would get no nifty webpage wizard to do their Duchy pages. EEEE-VILLE!

-The ongoing spat between Attera and the Grand Commonwealth continues to worsen, with comments by Babkhan leader Osman Shahanshah (aka Ardashir Khan; see this thread) equating Atteran Emperor Mik'el Tzion I with the Abu Ghraib torturers in Iraq prompting outrage from the latter. A heated exchange over the comments resulted in the Shahanshah's banning from Attera.

-Nor are matters between Shireroth and the Grand Commonwealth entirely square. The proposed text of the (not even tentatively named) Mango-Solaris Pact, and for that matter the idea of it, seems to be angering many Shirerithians. In a combination of wounded nationalistic ego and outrage at the Osman Shahanshah's comments, there are arguments that the treaty should be delayed, or even not brought up at all.