The South Pacific

I've been debating jumping back into the political scene for a few cycles now, but it's come down to what do I think I'm best at and where would I be most useful. As such, I've decided to run for Chair of the Assembly.

Now, in the name of full disclosure, the last time I ran in an election, I'm not even sure the Chair of the Assembly position was in existence. As, such, I cannot claim that I've ever been the Chair and/or that I know all the ins and outs of the office.

Despite my lack of previous tenure in the post, I have a lot to offer in this role. Since I was founded in TSP -- way back in 2003 -- I've constantly fought to the TSP a stable and welcoming region. I've done this through cabinet positions and as a long-time administrator of the forums.

My goal has always been to create a strong, lasting and welcoming community. I think TSP can come together as a region and put the recent petty bickering behind us, if we just listen to each other and calmly discuss our points of view.

Legislating should not be a winner-take-all affair. We need to listen with open minds and find the common ground. For instance, in the recent dispute over Article 9 of the Code of Law, once we came together, and openly discussed our differences in a nonjudgemental way, productive common ground was able to be found. I hope to bring more of this mediation to the Assembly.

I hope you will vote for me for Chair of the Assembly. With your help, I'm sure the sun will never set on The South Pacific.

Thank you!

Since your return to the region, what have you perceived as the greatest misstep the Assembly has taken?

(04-03-2014, 12:18 AM)God-Emperor Wrote: [ -> ]Since your return to the region, what have you perceived as the greatest misstep the Assembly has taken?

Thanks for the question, GE.

I hesitate to single out a event as "misstep," but I think the overall tone of debates have been problematic.

We're not taking suggestion x and suggestion y to make an acceptable action z. Instead we've been pitting proponents of suggestion x and suggestion y against each other with the implicit assumption that only one can be correct and/or actionable.

However, as a region we also value cohesion. So we've ended up in the bind where we spend most of our time trying to defeat the other side's arguments with the hope of persuading others. Certainly, that is not always possible and it has, in the past, led to a lot of debate and not much action.

This is why finding a compromise is key. To again use Article 9 of the Code of Law as an example, the article got through the Assembly only to be repealed and finally became established law when we listened to each other and split the difference. If we could have found the common ground during the initial debate, it would have been that much more productive.

What has attracted you to be involved in this community for about a decade?

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(04-03-2014, 09:33 AM)southern bellz Wrote: [ -> ]What has attracted you to be involved in this community for about a decade?

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Thanks for this SB.

I've said this before, but I think it's worth reiterating: TSP is my home. I was founded here, "grew up" here and can't imagine living anywhere else in NS.

Moreover, I think what has always keep me tethered to the region and NS -- even when I was pretty inactive -- has been the people. TSP has an great ability to get amazing, dedicated individuals involved in the region -- a group of individuals I'm proud to call my friends.

What would you have does differently than you predecessor, Rebeltopia?

(04-03-2014, 11:57 AM)God-Emperor Wrote: [ -> ]What would you have does differently than you predecessor, Rebeltopia?

Honestly, I think RT did a great job at running the Assembly. He had votes scheduled quickly and had a really productive term.

The only difference in that I think I might be a bit more hands-on the discussions attempting to bring people together -- in the way that I have been in recent discussions as a citizen.

Why do you believe that style is better than Bels more argumentative or combative (I really don't mean that to sound as negative as it does) style?

I think the being combative and or argumentative -- which, by the way, sound negative because they are negative -- simply doesn't work. To revisit the debate over Article 9, it got passed through combative means. A slight majority was able to pass it and then a slight majority was able to overturn it.

That's not productive and is rather detrimental to the direction of the region. We can't be constantly trying to uphold laws that may or may not be repealed tomorrow because they were barely forced through in the first place.

In the case of Article 9, a lasting law was only able to be created by efforts to get everyone on the same page.

Tsu you have my support. I don't think Bel's style is bad or unproductive, but I believe your style is what is needed at this time.