NationStates Jolt Archive

Memo: To All Members of G-Division (Social Analysis)
RE: Recent Social Changes and the Study There-Of
From: Departmental Head James Rese

It's been a refreshing couple of months for all of you, I'm sure, but now it's time to get back to work. No, this time none of you will have to learn a new language or go overseas. Our targets are rather closer to home. In fact, for some of you, all you need to do is go out, down the corner, to your local shop, and spend *1.50 to buy your local paper, spend 15 minutes writing up a report on the editorial position, then matterwarp the report to my inbox.

Recent social changes in our society, such as the abolition of slavery and the extension of the vote to the Xenos minority, have had a bewildering variety of reactions, and orders from the Ministry mean that we are to collate the more prominent reactions.

Now, I know that some of you are asking when we'll reimburse you the *1.50, and the answer is never. It would cost *2.00 to add that to your paycheques just once. However, there may be some benefits in the form of a vacation to the Islands of Joy. No promises!

Now go out there, and do what we pay you to do!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Roania/Alistair.jpg
James Unum Rese
Department of Scientific Research and Development
The Roanian Empire of Shadow



Subject: The Times of Imperial City
Location: Imperial City Major Newspaper; Sold Planetwide
Bias: Pro-government
Notes: Has agitated for the emancipation of the Xenos for some time.

Excerpt: In a close conscience vote today, the government-backed initiative to emancipate the non-humanoid slave population and integrate them into society at large was passed through the lower house, after Lord-Emperor Cassander Lucius Drakharn himself introduced it into the upper house (where it was passed 100-50 two weeks ago).

Both ArchChancellor Nicholas d'Arquis and Leader of the Opposition Michael Greene congratulated themselves on what the ArchChancellor called a "stunning victory for the forces of freedom and stability, which frees members of our own population from mindless drudgery and welcomed them, in the eyes of the Empire, to the citizenry, a position they have been unfairly denied in many cases for more than 500 years."

Michael Greene stated, "There are so-called catpeople *born* on Novar Ohan, there are so-called 'xenos' species now found *only* on Novar Ohan. These people have just as much right to be called, well, *people* as anyone human or elven."

In a stunning display of Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet unity, only the two Inquisitorial Adjutants voted against the proposal. Inquisitorial Adjutant for the Government Marcus Toraloscuni warned, "That this vote has sounded the death-knell of the Roanian Empire as a nation of God and purity. Future generations will have cause to regret this!" When asked if he would pull from the ministry, and thus force a general election, he refused comment...

<====>

Departmental Notes: How refreshing. A newspaper that focuses purely on the facts. I personally feel that if something is capable of understanding simple orders, it's welcome on my team. God knows that would make it an improvement over many of my humans and elves. With your permission, Minister, I'll skip the next couple of pro-government and pro-opposition papers, as they're all prety much the same. Those reports are collated in the back. Isn't it nice to find something you and your opposite numbers can agree on?


Subject: The Light and Shield
Location: The Cathedral Islands
Bias: N/A; Organ for the Imperial Church
Notes: The editorial board is split on whether the Lord's Blessing can only be extended on the basis of genetics, and those who feel that so long as one walks in the Light they can be saved.

Excerpt: Truly this is a dark time for the Empire. All around us, the word of the Lord and the Saints is trampled on and destroyed. Today, our nation has passed the point of redemption. By extending the vote to those which God placed in the universe to be our slaves, we stand on the precipice of Hell itself!

The Church Council has been called by His Eminence the Patriarch. It is our belief that this could spell dire consequences for relationships between the Secular Regime and the Most Holy Church. We are certain that Lord-Emperor Cassander Drakharn was inspired along this foul path by the evil counsel of both his cabinet, and the Lady-Empress Alysanndra Drakharn...[/i]

<====>

Nothing unexpected there. It continues in that line for nearly a page of closely written drabble. My prediction? The Church will almost schism, but will fall in line, and this editorial will quietly be ignored.

Subject: BattleCall
Location: N/A (Published in Morodheim Province) National Mouthpiece of the Party for Nationalism in the Roanian Empire

Interjection here. Is it any wonder that with a name like that, they only have 5 seats in the House, four of which are in Morodheim? Still, they did poll 4% of the vote Empire-wide, last election. The first paragraph seems to be a standard form-feed paragraph, the type of thing they put at the beginning of every editorial. The second seems to be the work of a retard. Sorry, 'mentally damaged person'.

Excerpt: Patriots of the Empire, despair. For today, Duke Cassander Lucius Drakharn, who claims the title of Lord-Emperor, destroyed everything that 1000 years of purely human society built up, and forever eliminated any claim he might have had to succeed His Most Supreme Majesty Lord-Emperor Alexander Tyrol Black.

This has been his agendra (sic. Or, rather, sic semper tyranis. Death to the tyranny of proper spelling, eh, comrades? Sorry, I'll stop.) sintz (Never mind. How the hell do you manage to screw that up? And they call themselves a political party.) his 'coronazion' (and again...)

(The following paragraph was written by someone else, as it displays a far greater grasp of the English language. Presumably the first writer was dragged off and shot.)

Over the three and a half years since Cassander stole the throne from the Black Dynasty, more and more power has been given to those who are inferior. But with a 'Harmonist' as Minister for the Armed Forces, and a ****** as Minister for Industrial Harmony, what more can we expect? The half-breed Emperor and his Half-Breed wife have trampled on the rights of the original colonists...

<===>

Okay, enough of that. That reads more like an excerpt from that ancient novel Mein Kampf than anything I'd expect from a democratic society. If you really want to read the entire thing, Minister, it's stapled at the very bottom, in a closed envelope. I'll get to sending the rest of the reports, including what the Xenos themselves think of their new freedom, after I go and shower, then burn the original copy of that work. I feel so unclean...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Roania/Alistair.jpg
James Unum Rese
Department of Scientific Research and Development
The Roanian Empire of Shadow


((OOC: Well, what do you all think? More to come, but don't let that stop you.))

Excerpt from an ISN report on the end of Roanian slavery

"...in other news, the former Menelmacari protectorate of Roania has at last shed one of its more backward - yet stubborn - institutions and ended the practice of slavery within its borders. The bill, which was sponsored by the Lord-Emperor Cassander Drakharn, and passed the upper house with a clear supermajority a fortnight ago, today cleared the lower house with similar support.

"'We are all very pleased at this result,' Prefect of State Túrelio nos Fingolfin replied upon hearing the news. 'Many years of Menelmacari influence in Roania have clearly helped in bringing to heel the once dangerous and oppressive Roanian regime. We look upon this as another step in the right direction for the freedom of the Roanian people.'

Defense and Security Prefect Serendis nos Fithurin attended the same press conferece, and had this to add: 'Naturally, however, we are skeptical. Certain authoritarian, reactionary elements - relics of the Black years - have resisted these reforms and continue to do so. In the past, such actions have often led to backsliding - sometimes violently. We are looking at ways and options available to us to encourage the Drakharn administration on its path of reform.'

Meanwhile, in sports..."

End Excerpt

Press coverage - and public reaction - in Menelmacar, over the ending of slavery in Roania, was similarly and pretty much universally positive, with a similar focus on Menelmacari efforts and influence in Roania.

OOC: I'd forgotten how good at this you are. Thanks for a great read.

Memo: To Minister Thomas Stryke, Interior and Social Chancellery
From: James Unum Rese, Division G
RE: Reporting in, suh!

Hello again, Minister. It's me! Yes, I know you were probably hoping to avoid having to go through another stack of these, but I am ever your humble servant, and your orders were quite clear. However, my attention has recently been distracted by my new staffer, Khar-Zensal (I think that's how it's spelled.). No, nothing like that! He's fitting in, in a... metaphysical sense... quite well. Talk of the office, everyone likes him. Quite an expert on Shakespeare, too. Not that a working knowledge of archaic political essays and rather weak 'romances' is of much value in our line of work, but it shows good taste...oh, where was I.

Anyway, the problem is he's not fitting in. In a physical sense. In retrospect, we should have foreseen this and planned accordingly, because at this moment in time he's trapped in our conference room. Apparently he heard a loud noise, and his natural defence mechanisms took over, and he swelled to five times his usual size. Anyway, I'm going to have to run over and take a look into the situation, so Taiyoku Kazuki has agreed to come over from Division F (Practical Applications of Social Science) and help me out. And he's here now, so I'll just run. Ta-ta, Minister!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Roania/Alistair.jpg
James Unum Rese
Department of Scientific Research and Development
The Roanian Empire of Shadow



What an absolutely dreadful man. Good afternoon, Minister. As Rese told you, I have been asked to collate these documents and matter-warp them over. As seems to be general practice, I will also affix my own comments, which I can only hope will be of more use than those of that flighty...person. With Faith and Duty.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Roania/Damien.gif
Taiyoku Kazuki
Department of Scientific Research and Development
The Roanian Empire of Shadow




Subject: Aguan Merchantile Journal
Location: Planet-wide Financial Journal; Printed weekly by the Imperial Stock Market in Roslin.
Governmental Bias: N/A. Primarily staffed by Aguans, never particularly interested in the practice of enslaving others through force when the credit card and bank are so much cleaner.
Notes: Has not previously expressed an opinion on the matter of slavery, and its primary purpose in doing so here seems to be to announce the major rise in stock of Yu-Go Robo, Incorporated.

I used to wonder why our major robotics firm had such a stupid name. Then I came to work for the Department, and I learned that Rese had once been on the board there, and suddenly it all became clear.

Excerpt: ...with the recent government decision to forbid the practice of slavery, Yu-Go Robo stocks experienced a marked boost, trading at *25.2 per share at the close of trading this week (up *3 from Monday). The Omega Corporation's shares, primarily from its robot-dominated agriculture division, had a minor upturn... trading at *50.821 at the close of trading.

Calyisian Mining Corporation's shares plummeted dramatically, falling nearly *17 from their price on Monday (*30) to close at *13 per share, the fall only halted by the government promise to take steps to ensure that Calyis does not suffer an economic depression with the collapse of the major local companies (Amalgamated Cotton and CMC)...

Not exactly riveting reading material, I must say. However, the information is rather clear. Omega Corporation, traditionally opposed to slavery owing to the low profit-margin, had an increase. This is good news for OC's primarily Roanian and Aguan backers, but unfortunate for Calyis. One continent we're unlikely to hear from is Altara, whose economy is based primarily on tourism and scientific research. If I may venture an opinion, Minister, an investigation into whether or not slavery has really completely halted in Calyis might prove valuable, though it would also spark anger at what they would see as Imperial interference.


Subject: Action!
Location: WhitePort
Governmental Bias: Party 'newspaper' for The Roanian Movement for Freedom and Equality (colloquially known as the Imperial Communist Party)
Notes: Did you see who they work for? You don't need to know anything else.

It is to shudder. Plainly, Rese's own personality has infected his employees. I grieve for the...oh, wait. He submitted this one himself.

Excerpt:...Today the capitalist-aristocratic oppressors struck two blows! One, against themselves by freeing the angry slaves which the completely evil pigs have used to support themselves! Two, against the workers of Roania, by unleashing, like, a horrible amount of dispossesd to drive wages down.

We, like, need to fight back and start the revolution, man! Drive back the...

Sometimes I yearn for those halycon days of 300 years ago, under Lord-Emperor Edward Black, when someone like that would have been shot before they could get ahold of a vox-recorder. If you must read the entire report, it's in the stack.


Subject: The Serene Truth
Location: Alaitoc
Governmental Bias: Pro-opposition.
Notes: Has decried slavery very stridently.

Ah, I was wondering when someone would get around to our friends the elves. As per departmental guidelines and a request from the people concerned, both His Supreme Majesty's and Her Serene Highness' full-elven names have been edited out.

...a day for celebration. Not only has the tyranny of the Black regime been fully extirpated by three years under the Drakharn dynasty, but today Lord-Emperor <Extirpated by Order> Cassander also finally put a complete end to the practice of slavery, by passing the joint-motion by the Honourable Michael Greene and ArchChancellor Nicholas to eliminate the barbaric custom once and for all within the boundaries of the Empire.

This finally fulfills the promise we believed he held when he first came to the throne 3 years ago, and we foresee a long and happy future for the Drakharn dynasty, especially after the choice of Lady <Extirpated by Order> Ellestrea as Empress.


There, that's the last of them for this time around. I doubt I'll do something like this again. Rese can have this job.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Roania/Damien.gif
Taiyoku Kazuki
Department of Scientific Research and Development
The Roanian Empire of Shadow

ANN, Liberty-City

…good day, and this is Sandra Maynes, with ANN’s Morning Glory. Buckle up tight, because today I have some good news for you from one really – but really –remote area of our wonderful multiverse – and that is Roania. Yes, good news from Roania, you heard it right here, on ANN’s Morning Glory. Apparently, the nation, which has recently freed itself from the Black tyranny, had now struck another major blow for progress by eliminating slavery altogether, and emancipating the xeno minorities in the nation. The Allanean ambassador to Roania, R. D. Sheen, has congratulated the Roanians with this development, having bought and sent bouquets of blue roses to all members of Roanian legislature at his own expense.

*snap*

The President of the United States of Allanea turned the television off. Clearly, that was going well… let us see what the paper says.

One of the good things about being President of the United States of Allanea (as opposed to, say, Tiburon) is that when central government is so small, you have preciously little papers to look about – and so can afford to read a newspaper rather then having it summarized to you by a staffer. In this case, the front page of the Allanea-Enquirer screamed:

SLAVERY ENDS IN ROANIA

In yet another step forward into progress, the Roanians had – quite unexpectedly, really – voted to remove slavery from the shores of their country. Yes, another day, and more new people learn the sweet taste of the same liberty as Allaneans have enjoyed for centuries…

“Bah. Nationalist trash.” – he threw the paper into his fireplace. “I do need to do something about it. Best let Arvin do the job.”

A day later, a letter from J. K. Arvin arrived in the Roanian embassy to Allanea.

Dear friends!
The people of Allanea congratulate you for your wonderful reforms. We believe that this is an excellent opportunity to improve the relations and trade between our nations. Is it possible to stage a meeting between qualified agents of our mutual governments to discuss such changes?