Hi folks.
I do have a question for one of the candidates (ProfessorHenn), and don't exactly have a public place upon which to post so I apologise if this isn't the place for it. I don't believe a lot of TSP'ers will have seen a certain interview he conducted with Govindia - someone who is rather infamous for various kinds of harassment, and blackmail - over his decade in NationStates at the end of last year. It has just been posted as part of Wintreath's latest update and I'd like to hear from someone who aspires to be delegate of a feeder - exactly what he thinks what message it sends to people who have been victims of Govindia or suffered as a result of his actions.
As a Resident (Eagleswing has been resident in TSP for pretty much the entire time since its founding in 2013, with brief intervals), I'd like to ask ProfessorHenn whether he felt the interview was a wise course of action given that Govindia has been banned for harassment in The East Pacific (and don't forget the blackmail attempt he made as well), Equilism, Taijitu, Osiris, The North Pacific and various other regions?
You are well aware of several people who he's harassed, unfortunately. You know his story well - it's one that most people will ensure new players know about. He was banned from TSP's Zetaboard forum back in 2009 for harassment of someone who was, I believe, underage at the time if what I've read from that board is correct.
Whilst the timing of this interview being published is regretful, it raises a pretty hefty serious question - as Delegate would you allow him back into this region and community, knowing his history? As someone who has made no secret of your ambition to reach the highest office in this region, why would you consort with someone of this type?
Thank you in advance, and I apologise again for posting this here.
On 10 May 2004, Govindia joined Nation-States with his first nation, the Republic of Govindia. Since that time, he's been through many regions, both GCR and UCR, and seen many events and regime changes. Henn, a friend of Wintreath and currently The South Pacific Minister of Regional Affairs, sat down and took some time to interview Govindia about his experiences. All times are in US PST.
Quote:(2014-11-29 20:19:01) Henn: What can you say about your experience and accomplishments during your stay in NS?
(2014-11-29 20:20:24) Henn: Govindia?
(2014-11-29 20:20:48) Govindia: I've had mixed accomplishments, but I've expeienced many things. I've seen coups, I've seen major regime changes, I've had a major intelligence score in defenderism, became leader of two regions, and I've experienced of course, the darker side of NS, including possibly the
(2014-11-29 20:20:56) Govindia: most number of bannings on someone in NS history.
(2014-11-29 20:21:29) Henn: Why do you think you got the most numer of bannings?
(2014-11-29 20:21:31) Govindia: In my 10.5 years on NS, since I was first playing 10 May 2004, I've seen many things happen, Henn.
(2014-11-29 20:22:42) Govindia: A lot of the bannings were copycats, where they were just bans passed on from previous regions that had the same people in both areas, in positions of leadership and admin control. I think the number has reached, sadly, close to a dozen, if not more.
(2014-11-29 20:22:43) Henn: What are your current occupations in NS?
(2014-11-29 20:23:43) Govindia: Currently I am a Skrifa, or Lawmaker, in the Underhusen, the lowerhouse of the Storting, the Parliament of Wintreath. I'm also in a lesser role in helping to refound the region 00000 A World Power. I also serve as an Ambassador in Wintreath.
(2014-11-29 20:25:10) Henn: What position, in your opinion, is the most powerful you've ever had?
(2014-11-29 20:26:38) Govindia: I would say, Prime Minister of Imperial Britain. I oversaw a cultural festival and a very active region with active RP. We have a fairly active region of over a dozen active citizens, and I was the first PM to serve a full term without resigning, despite opposition to some of my plans and policies.
(2014-11-29 20:27:10) Govindia: This would be sometime between 2008 and 2009.
(2014-11-29 20:27:22) Govindia: Yes, actually, 2009.
(2014-11-29 20:28:03) Henn: Can you name your first position?
(2014-11-29 20:31:12) Govindia: The first position I had, was a Senator in The West Pacific, in 2006, where I had a role other than ambassdor. My first ministry role was later in 2007, when I become the Deputy Minister of Immigration in The West Pacific. I joined The West Pacific Liberation Force, where my highest rank was Lieutenant, I believe. My first judicial role was a Chief Justice in Kingdom of Britain I believe, late in 2012, that I served for about a month on before I got removed.
(2014-11-29 20:32:21) Henn: What was your least favorite position?
(2014-11-29 20:32:25) Govindia: The first time I became Prime Minister was when I was in Feudal Japan, sometime in late 2008 or 2009. Yes, early 2009. I later became PM of Imperial Britain in 2010, now that I recall.
(2014-11-29 20:33:49) Govindia: My least favourite position, honestly, was serving as a Senator in TWP. It was such an entranced oligarchic autocracy that any attempt at reform would not get through without approval of TAO and his friends. They wielded so much influence, that I eventually got pushed out there because I wouldn't join with the crowd.
(2014-11-29 20:34:21) Henn: Can you tell me about what you've learned during your time?
(2014-11-29 20:37:14) Govindia: There are many regions that really are about having the old guard keeping influence and power, almost like Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew. There are some that are open to ideas. You have to get a feel real well for each region, and see how the dynamics are. Almost all UCR's are open to change internally, to some degree. The GCRs, especially the feeders, are not. With the exception of possibly The South Pacific, and The East Pacific, most of the other GCRs have very entrenched oligarchic autocracies that the only way change will happen, is through a coup.
(2014-11-29 20:37:36) Govindia: TEP and TSP learned that all too well.
(2014-11-29 20:38:25) Henn: Why do you say TEP and TSP?
(2014-11-29 20:39:31) Govindia: They seem to be the most democratic of the GCRs, and the ones most open to reasonable change, to a degree. Both still have some few things left to go in the way of progress, but they are much further in terms of not being as autocratic as the other GCRs.
(2014-11-29 20:40:09) Henn: What do you plan on doing in the future?
(2014-11-29 20:41:45) Govindia: I do plan to try to get back into some of the regions I was banned from. I will probably stick with Wintreath in the meantime, and work on improving myself, in terms of activity, and working on some side projects of mine I wanted to do for the region.
(2014-11-29 20:42:14) Henn: What was your greatest failure? What did you learn from it?
(2014-11-29 20:43:54) Govindia: My greatest failure, was getting banned from The East Pacific. I felt betrayed, and I learned that when drama sometimes happens between two regions, especially two GCRs, reason and logic is thrown out the window, and people that try to call for calm, get scapegoated and/or cast aside.
(2014-11-29 20:44:53) Govindia: I learned that unfortunately, people will get emotionally invested in this game, and abuse trust and friendships with people just for selfish gain. I learned that people will be assholes just because they can online, regardless of who they hurt. I learned that sometimes people will go to extremes in this game
(2014-11-29 20:45:34) Govindia: because people take it seriously, and don't realise that it's a game, and people are still human, and should be treated with decency, not bullied.
(2014-11-29 20:46:46) Govindia: I learned all that, the hard way, unfortunately, in my ten years here in NS. Wintreath is the only reason I am still playing. I may not always say it, but Nox, Amalya, Hugsim, and Wintermoot are the primary people I thank for keeping me going.
(2014-11-29 20:47:06) Govindia: They are my Wintreath honourary family.
(2014-11-29 20:47:32) Henn: When do you believe you'll retire from NS?
(2014-11-29 20:49:19) Govindia: Maybe when I'll finally get a girlfriend LOL, who knows. Or maybe I'll bring my girlfriend onto NS if she's a geek too! In any event, when it stops being fun, or when others have moved on, I'll probably have moved on. However, I may be shaken, but I am never stirred.
(2014-11-29 20:49:44) Henn: Well done.
(2014-11-29 20:49:48) Henn: No further questions.
We congratulate Govindia on his 10 years in Nation-States and look forward to seeing what more is in store for this veteran!
(This post was last modified: 07-22-2015, 10:37 PM by Aramanchovia.)
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