NationStates Jolt Archive


Auranom in the News (Intro RP)

Auranom
21-08-2005, 04:09
OoC: Open, react/respond/whatever - I hope eminent domain works like I think it works...


Chesterton Federal District-

The streets of Chesterton F.D. were crammed with protesters yesterday, carrying banners and chanting slogans from the gates of the Political Mansion. This is in response to the announcement yesterday by Federal Chairperson Ian K. McKincesh that the government would use the right of eminent domain to expand government infrastructure. Controversy was aroused when several of Auranom’s historic cathedrals and churches were slated for purchase and destruction, including Auranom’s largest, the Church of St. John the Divine in Zanadu, New Takoma.

McKincesh insists that the properties will be developed in order to ease Auranom’s economic recession and soaring unemployment, and will be used to house federal agencies, “That will provide practical solutions for here and now, not empty promises for the future.” When asked about his decision to include churches in the list of places to be purchased, he quipped, “We’ll let God be the judge of that!” but quickly became serious, “Most of us have long since grown up, and this land can be used far better as federal property than as the estate of the clergy and their imaginary friend up there.”

“He’s not just attacking God,” commented Bishop Ryan Daley, “he’s attacking the history of Auranom itself! These cathedrals have existed since the Middle Ages, they are beautiful testaments to the faith of our ancestors. It’s unfortunate that I can’t say I’m surprised.” Daley and McKincesh have often locked horns because of the latter’s outspoken and often-legislated antitheism. Daley will hold services at St. John’s on the day of the buyout, and has invited believers from all over Auranom to join his protest of this abuse of eminent domain. Though church membership has sagged since the fifties, from a peak of 81% of all Auranomites in 1957 to just 18% today, the Christian minority has proven extremely vocal over this issue. Twelve thousand are expected to attend the protest service, and fifteen thousand participated in yesterday’s march.

According to police officials, the protest was peaceful and no injuries or damage resulted. Though emotions ran high and tensions sometimes threatened to boil over into violence, demonstrators restrained themselves. Across the nation, police are prepping for possible violence from extremist groups such as the “Last Crusaders,” who have sworn to retaliate against the McKincesh and his administration for the measures they have taken.

Bishop Daley urges all Christians not to participate in violence, and condemns the Last Crusaders and similar groups as, “Terroristic and antichristian. Their policy of death will only hurt Christ’s cause. Peace is the way of God, so the people of God must be peaceful.” McKincesh indicated that he would not take any religious terrorism lightly, though he would not comment on what measures would be employed to prevent or punish any incident.