NationStates Jolt Archive

Harakian Government Nationalizes Cute Bunny Burger Corporation Outlets
From the Atherlon Times, January 27, 2007
By Kyle Bradshaw

Atherlon, Haraki. The Harakian government today announced that the government will be seizing all land, assets, and corporations owned by the Cute Bunny Burger Corporation and converting them into government-owned restaurant outlets. This bold move was announced after government investigators realized that the CBBC was using a loophole in Harakian business law to exploit Harakian tax law.

Under Harakian law, a graded system varying from industry to industry is imposed on all businesses. Once a business reaches the set limit of square metres of land owned by the corporation, the number of locations owned, or a set number of employees - all these vary dramatically between industries - taxes either raise quite significantly against the business, or it is bought out by the government. This is common practice and is accepted. When the government buys out a business, without exception all employees are kept at their jobs. This is to curtail the rise of big business, which Haraki's government long ago decided was a bad thing in the face of seeing other nations crippled by massive corporations.

It has been discovered by as-yet unnamed government investigators that the Allanean Cute Bunny Burger Corporation was exploiting a loophole in the law to exceed all three set limitations. The loophole allowed one corporation to own another one, and so long as the owned corporation did not exceed these limits, it was technically legal, though not in the spirit of the law.

Harakian Minister of the Interior Lisa Demoysos announced in a speech around noon yesterday that the Cute Bunny Burger Corporation - hereafter referred to as CBBC - owned thirty smaller corporations in Haraki, the combined total of which added up to one hundred franchises, which when combined dramatically exceed the limits on square footage, employees, and allowed outlet locations.

Ms. Demoysos announced that the thirty subsidiary companies had all been seized by government agents and nationalized. The owners of the corporations, all of whom were previously employees of the CBBC, have been laid off and given one-way plane tickets back to Allanea. All other employees were deemed not to have been in on the deception and will retain their jobs.

Ms. Demoysos also said that the CBBC is hereby banned from all activities in Haraki for a five-year period, after which the ban will be subject to a vote in Parliament on whether or not to revoke it. It is speculated that whenever the ban is lifted, severe limitations will be placed on the corporation, since at one point in her speech Ms. Demoysos said that "That Harakian government has lost all faith in the CBBC".

The third subject of Ms. Demoysos' speech was the loophole itself, which allowed the CBBC to exploit this law. She said near the end of her speech that the loophole had been closed. All assets owned by corporations, including other corporations and their subsidiary assets, are now counted towards the total tallies of the corporation's wealth and therefore apply to the set numbers of limitations on the corporation.

An official CBBC or Allanea response has not been yet received or made public, but one is expected within several days. This reporter speculates that this incident could contribute to a degradation of relations between the two countries. This is primarily because the incident exposes the depths of Haraki's anti-big business standpoint, while Allanea is renowned for its fanatical devotion to the free market.

Kyle Bradshaw, Atherlon

Swilatia is disgusted by this descision. Also we find it strange to nationalise a food chain. surely you have better thing to steal from their owners, don't you?

A brief message of public support was released by the Dominion government.

We have known for some time how problematic it can be allowing Allanean influence into one’s nation, and thus, we applaud the move by the Haraki government to take steps to maintaining control of what may seem a harmless intrusion by said entity.

While we may have differing views on business, corporations, and the relationship between them and their prospective or host governments, the Dominion continues to hold Allanea as a rogue state. Thus it does not recognize any rights or privileges usually associated with a government, it’s holdings, it’s citizens, or organizations thereof. In addition, said holdings are on Haraki sovereign soil, and the legitimate government has every right to exercise it’s laws there as it sees fit. This being the case, we consider the actions of Haraki to be perfectly legitimate, and wish them well in their further adventures.

To those wishing to make negative commentary, we suggest they further investigate the Allanean track record, that of Haraki, rules of sovereignty, and educate themselves as to the difference between 'rights' and 'allowances' granted by legitimate governance.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/Nathicana/NationStates/Characters/newcalabrese.jpg

--Cesare Calabrese, Dominion Chancellor

After reading a copy of the news from Haraki, having been rewritten and printed by the Anatoba City Times Economic Section, the Department of Foriegn Affairs and Trade released a similarly resounding message to the Dominion.

We find it particularly unsurprising that where violation or manipulation of the law are involved, so are the Allaneans. It's unfortunate that we have to exist in the same world as these cockroaches, they seem to have this tendency to invade every crack and crevice you don't want them to - this event not being alone in it's nature. All over the world both the government and citizens of the United States of Allanea seem to seek only to cause trouble within the international community; they are an international pest that I wish could be controlled, or changed so that they could actually become productive members of a universal society, rather than just the opposite.

As some many have suggested, it is an unfortunate set of conditions which have created these peoples, the conditions laid out by the Allanean government for it's citizens resulting in a general attitude of lawlessness and disrespect for any kind of authority, except their own.

This counter productivity on both parts of their government and peoples in mind, I would like to invite the Harakian government to make a similar declaration (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=511788); as have both the Austarian and Dominion governments among many other respectable forces in the world. As such, Allanean business in the Austar Union has been made illegal, and members of their government, whilst being so reckless with their self-destructive policies toward the world, shall be considered members of a terrorist organization. Naturally, I would expect you capable and able to make your own assessments of the Allaneans, so if you choose not to, I won't be offended in the slightest.

Again, congratulations on finding the truth about the nature of these dreadful individuals. Whilst our own opinions and laws reflect a different point of view toward Free Enterprise, a lack of respect for a nation's sovereign laws is similarly viewed in disdain.


Signed,

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Michael Thatcherson
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Official Announcement from the Vrak Ministry of Rites

We applaud the actions taken by the government of Haraki. As we have stated before, the nation of Allanea is dangerous and unpredictable. Now we also see that they are criminals - which is hardly suprising. What is surprising to us is that nations such as Swilatia would condemn the government of Haraki. Quite likely the government of Swilatia is full of criminals and thugs just like Allanea.

[The Great Seal of the Vrak Ministry of Rites]

The Democratic Republic of San Monticaz views this situation the same as Dread Lady Nathicana. We will not persue this matter further for the sake of National Security.

Ciego de Avila has told its people that the CCBC Outlets issue will not affect its people, it that the government will remain where it is in its best interest & that is to keep out of this.

OOC: Haraki. I explained to you in the past, CBBC-Haraki would not work as you described. They would not, in fact, own CBBC branches in the nation - rather, they would sell franchise rights to operators, for a small fee (the fee would be small, given that CBBC can ONLY operate in Haraki through a franchise). This would be a more profitable way to act then what you described, given that it would not be fraught with hiring as many bureaucratic staff as handling dozens of subcompanies.

Regardless, the substance of your post is that CBBC had branches in Haraki, and now it doesn't. Oh well. I have to say I have no problem with that one, OOCly. An IC response is forthcoming once this detail is straightened out.

OOC: It essentially boils down to the same thing. CBBC is selling rights/buying companies. Regardless, these subsidiary corporations are selling CBBC merchandise and giving profits to CBBC owners. The way I see it, exact phrasing of the way it is doesn't really matter, because in the end it's all the same.

OOC: Well, the difference is that CBBC is not actually exploiting a loophole in your law - and is not employing any of your citizens (except for maybe a few dozen people) - and does not own any major property in your nation - and in fact does not lose millions of dollars in real estate. The use of franchises, rather then owned restaurants, has always been (and I've extensively RPed that) the main strength of CBBC.

OOC: Boris, the point is that Haraki has some major laws to fight off big business. McDonalds is a franchise, also... but try tell me that it's not a big corporation. If it's not ownership laws that CBBC is avoiding, it'll likely be something else, if not then actually violating them.

OOC: I've conceded the main point, my point is I would not have carried immense monetary losses due to it. Also, if CBBC would have lost major amounts of property in the confiscations, I would be bound to make some form of IC response. As it is, CBBC will just shrug and move on. 'Another nation that doesn't like Allaneans. Harumph.'/

Official Announcement from the Vrak Ministry of Rites

We applaud the actions taken by the government of Haraki. As we have stated before, the nation of Allanea is dangerous and unpredictable. Now we also see that they are criminals - which is hardly suprising. What is surprising to us is that nations such as Swilatia would condemn the government of Haraki. Quite likely the government of Swilatia is full of criminals and thugs just like Allanea.

[The Great Seal of the Vrak Ministry of Rites]
We do not understand where you pull this from, because there are no criminals or thugs in either house of the Swilatian Parlament. Or do you consider it to be a crime not to be Socialist? We say this because since Haraki stole massive amounts of property from the CBBC, then from our point of view, the government of Haraki is made up of criminals and thugs. Also, while the CBBC did technically break Haraki's laws, we do not care, because we can never support such draconian laws.
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EDITORIAL
Haraki government strikes against Cute Bunny Burger

A common situation for nations today is to find themselves powerless in the face of global capitalism. Corporations often wield more power than national governments, corporatocracy overrules democracy, and for nations who participate in the game of trying to benefit from economic liberalism, it is like trying to ride a tiger towards prosperity without getting eaten.

Such was the situation of the government of Haraki, which actively tries to limit the size of businesses and prevent them growing too large, when faced with the very large Cute Bunny Burger Corporation exploiting loopholes in its business law. Their solution? Nationalise the company's operations in Haraki and deport most of the executives. Predictably, this met with howls of derision - including a particularly undiplomatic statement from the government of Swatlia which called the action "stealing".

In the end, however, this is a much-needed message sent by the Haraki government, which should be applauded for its principled stance to enforce the rule of law and safeguard the interests of its people, the very cornerstones of modern liberal democracy. And those in Kelssek who want our government to open the doors like Haraki did should pay attention. In a world where big business can violate and exploit with impunity while holding national economies to ransom, the bravery of governments like Haraki is something worth emulating. But this is something that hopefully we will never have to do.

While we would have dealt with things somewhat differently, I'd imagine--close the loophole first, put the burden on the Cute Bunny Burger Corporation to comply to meet regulations, and only then take trust-busting action upon a lack of compliance--we don't have any real problems with the methods used by Haraki. It is their nation, after all, and they acted in what they believed to be the best interests of their own people. Our disagreement merely stems from the belief that big businesses in and of themselves are not a bad thing; simply that, given their potential power compared to the state and the individual and the amoral likelihood of that power being abused for the acquisition of wealth, they need to be more closely regulated than smaller businesses when it comes to financial law and 'creative accounting' as they are much more likely to cause severe damage that way. It is noted in Federated Segments policy (in "Admissions of the State," FSSGOV Document 1) that beyond economic regulations there are no real differences between the moderation of businesses both large and small--both must comply to the same health standards, for example, similar 'fare wage' policies, and worker safety regulations.

Therefore we neither applaud nor condemn Harakian government for its actions, simply note it. We simply take extra caution in ensuring that Technology-Manufacturing-Energy Industries or Garage Industrialists Combine efforts in Haraki follow all associated corporate laws with diplomatic pressure on our end.

http://www.weirdozone.com/projects/nationstates/scolopendra/jack_kerrigan.gifAdvisor Jack Kerrigan
International Trade Section
Federated Segments of Scolopendra

We do not understand where you pull this from, because there are no criminals or thugs in either house of the Swilatian Parlament. Or do you consider it to be a crime not to be Socialist? We say this because since Haraki stole massive amounts of property from the CBBC, then from our point of view, the government of Haraki is made up of criminals and thugs. Also, while the CBBC did technically break Haraki's laws, we do not care, because we can never support such draconian laws.

We applaud the way the Swilatian government so readily admits to and illustrates its hypocrisy and ignorance, thus revealing why their opinions should not be taken at all seriously.

--Taccino Consulenza, of the Ministry of Public Relations

PNN - Talking Points


Haraki seizes CBBC assets.


Cute Bunny Burger Corporation, a questionable food outlet of Allanean decent, has recently had it's assets in the nation seized by the Harkian Government. While there are Pilonese on both sides of this issue we talked with a couple experts to get a better idea of what exactly the issue is.

"Peter Galak is an Economist from Utopia Arcology, he serves on the Phoenix Corporation accounting department and is the acclaimed author of "Rosewood and Sweeps" which has topped the sales for Downloaded Novels for the last 23 weeks straight. Thank you for being with us Peter."

"Its my pleasure Jon."


Arwen Calahan is a member of the Transhumanists For a Better Tomorrow, and recently made news with her criticisms of the government in Pilon and its Corporate Politics. Thank you for being on the show with us Arwen."

"Thank you for having me."


"My first question goes to Peter. According to the Harakian Government, CBBC violated Harkian Anti-Trust Laws by exploiting certain loopholes meant to prevent corporate abuses and the rise of big business. What is the issue here?"

"Well first off I'd like to say that I find it deplorable that the Harakian Government would even do this. Now I'm the first to say that the Allaneans are not to be trusted, but its not going to stop me from buying an Allanean Bank when the opportunity comes along and make a little money. I don't know How the Harakian Government can ever actually focus on protecting its people and making sure their governmental duties are addressed if they are constantly watching the economy and trying to manage it against some unseen specter of Big Business. This is a blatant disregard for Corporate Rights and frankly, I think ever Pilonese Citizen should be outraged.

Now getting on to the issue, I think the Harakian Government made a smart move, by taking away the business from the Allaneans they prevent the attempted destabilization efforts that were sure to follow behind the Allaneans like the plague. There are numerous examples, even in recent history, of Allanean meddling in foreign affairs and the utter chaos it creates. Now I might disagree with how the Harki Government dealt with it, but I still Applaud their efforts. Allaneans are a threat to national security. By seizing those corporate assets and doling them out to the people via subcontractors the Harakian Government is effectively eliminating any threats the Allaneans might have been planning. The only problem is that they still serve that disgusting Fast Food the Allaneans partake in. I don't know about you but I personally think the grease soaked burgers are a bio-hazard.

The real issue though goes way beyond threats to national security and corporate rights. Its a danger to business interests in Haraki. I for one am not going to have anything with the Harkian government, because I don't like the prospect of them seizing my business after I put the sweat into making it profitable. Now Phoenix Corp already has expressed interest in acquiring several contracts within Haraki, and they have consulted with some Harakian Lawyers to ensure they do not overstep the bounds of any laws, but I personally am against it."


"Thank you Peter, now Arwen, you recently came under fire for criticizing the Government for their corporate policies. What are your feelings on the Haraki and their corporate policies?"

"Frankly Jon, I think its about time government started standing up to businesses. Here in Pilon we have anti-trust laws that prevent abuses that make Corporate Monopolies illegal, at least in theory, the problem is that certain corps, like Phoenix Corp, hold unprecedented power because they control the money flow in the nation through Banking Alliances that threaten the good of the people. The same thing could happen in Haraki. The only difference is they are smart enough to see big business for the threat it is and do something about it rather than roll and play dead like the ours does. Personally I don't think they went far enough against the Allaneans, they should have had the business owners charged and had them brought to justice in Haraki court of Law. Its a shame we don't have similar laws here in this country."


"Now those are some pretty strong sentiments you have there Arwen. Peter, would you care to rebuttal any of her claims?"


"Oh most assuredly Jon. First off, its obvious you have bought into some of the propaganda spouted by your little organization, the Transhumanists for a Better Tomorrow. TBT is nothing more than a Socialist Organization that argues against Capitalism as a whole because of the Abuses of a few within the system. Its easy to tear down something but the problem is they don't offer any realistic alternatives. As an Economist I would be the first to back some form of alternate Economics that motivated people to contribute to society and spread the wealth evenly throughout, the problem is such a system just doesn't exist. Socialism work well on paper, but just isn't practical. When put into practice you see problems with motivation within the society as you receive no added rewards for innovation, hard work, or creativity. All are stifled and replaced with a numbers game, X number of products are good, Y are bad, and there is no focus on the quality, nor even on competition within the system, which history shows spurns innovation and improvements.
On top of that Socialism also has no effective means of reacting to changes in the economy the way it naturally should react. Government is notoriously slow and putting the shape of an economy into the hands of the Government does two things. First it makes the economy slow to react, which hurts the economy and makes it hard to address real demand, and second distracts from the real responsibilities of government, which is providing security, the rule of law, and the prevention of monopolies. The TBT is well known to argue against the virtues of Capitalism but when they are questioned about what exactly they would have us replace it with, they cannot give you a straight answer. Its pure irresponsible to criticize a system without providing any solutions to the problem.

Now to address some of the other points made. Pilonese law clearly states that one business can indirectly own another business via proxies on their board of directors. The methods used by Phoenix Corp allow for a cohesive voice within the Arbiters and also acted to stop the rampant destruction in the Corporate War between PPC and Genesis Corp. Also I would point to the record of Phoenix Corp, which does as an overall voice hold much influence, what have they done with their influence? Oh thats right, they have used their influence to focus the economy of Pilon, spreading our influence throughout the solar system. They have encouraged competing companies within their ranks to compete and have thus provided a better quality product, oh yes, and they have made everyone in Pilon richer than ever before. Before Phoenix Corp there was poverty in Pilon unequal in most of the civilized world. Through goodwill programs sponsored by Victor Simber and the Ctan we have seen the poverty line rise from 400 Pis/year all the way up to 35,000 Pis/year. The poor are better off now than most of the middle class were a century ago, and while we still have Billionnaires in this country, our social welfare programs provide concrete advantages for them to give back to the community, and charity is higher than ever before."

"Thank you Peter, I'm afraid we're out of time, I'd like to invite you both back tomorrow for a follow up segment. Until then heres a word from our sponsors..."

We do not understand where you pull this from, because there are no criminals or thugs in either house of the Swilatian Parlament. Or do you consider it to be a crime not to be Socialist? We say this because since Haraki stole massive amounts of property from the CBBC, then from our point of view, the government of Haraki is made up of criminals and thugs. Also, while the CBBC did technically break Haraki's laws, we do not care, because we can never support such draconian laws.
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To: The nation of Swilatia
From: The Vrak Ministry of Rites
Subject: Haraki actions

The CBBC broke the law therefore the government of Haraki took, what they believe, to be necessary action. You have conceded, as pointed out by the Dominion, that the CBBC did in fact break the law. The fact that you find disgust with the actions of Haraki (enforcing the law) only proves that you are a nation of criminals and thugs.

As well, please do not respond to this message since we will merely file it away in our miscellaneous folder.

[The Great Seal of the Vrak Ministry of Rites]

Kazansky-Island

Kazansky smiles at the camera drone as it zooms around him. "Ah, those Menelmacari. Lovely people, ain't they, the elves? You know that Liberty-Times has a bigger reading audience in Menelmacar than it has in Allanea?"

Victoria nods. "Umm, Alex. don't you want to discuss the recent Dominion statements? Surely we owe them a reply?"

"Vicky, first of all, we're on international television. If they care about my opinion they could, you know, switch channels - same thing you do when you don't care about someone's opinion. Which is exactly how I feel about the Dominion - and frankly, I think it's the good and proper way to feel about the Dominion. After all, they have never liked us much, right?"

"As a matter of fact, they have never liked us at all."

Kazansky nods. "My point precisely, Vicky darling. But more to the point, I think the Swilatians did the job perfectly."

"They did?"

"Yes. First of all, they have basically called the Harakian legal system immoral. If we had said it, it'd have looked like we're bitching because they took our stuff - which is technically incorrect, they didn't take our stuff - but hey, who cares. It's Allanea - and you know there's always some idiot ready to pick on what we do or say just because it's we who say it. And a couple of suckers who believe him - after all, isn't one born every minute?"

"Alex, these are highly irresponsible state-"

"Vicky, you asked for my opinion, now listen to it. Now, my second point... the Swilatians seem to be believers in a philosophy of natural rights and objective morality - people after my own heart. And while the people in the Dominion, apparently, think such people are... what's the term they used? 'Ignorant' and 'hypocritical'... really now. The nice Dominion folks have basically stated that those who do not share their moral philosophy are ignorant hypocrites. I didn't say it, they did. Note you don't hear me calling a proponent of moral relativism an ignorant hypocrite."

"But, Alex?"

"Vicky, bear with me here. They have been, I guess, offended that Allanea has people that side with her still - that after years and years of effort they are still failing grotesquely at making us an international pariah. As a matter of fact... we've just been accepted into GASN. And as for the Cute Bunny Burger company - in which I happen to hold shares - I've been informed that their branch count in Swilatia actually improved greatly after this... they have something like three thousand new franchisees now."

"Holy mother..."

"Exactly. But let us ignore those minor, nibbling details. As a matter of fact, the culture of the Dominion offends me on a simple, visceral level. They are..."

"Alex, STOP! NOW!"

Vicky gets up. She is the very embodiment of fury. There is a dangerous glint in her eyes as she leans on Kazansky's desk and shouts.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?"

For a second, even Kazansky appears intimidated. "What on earth do you want, Vicky?"

It takes Sheshet a few seconds to collect her breath and sit down. The steely glint in her eyes disappears, and she says, very calmly.

"I want you to stop being a stubborn jerk and allow me to reopen diplomatic relations with the Dominion."

Kazansky blinks in amazement, his eyes widened, staring at Victoria Sheshet like the proverbial deer in caught in the headlights of the proverbial eighteen-wheeler truck. It took him almost half a minute to regain his composure.

"Vicky. This was possibly the dumbest thing I have ever heard from you. On several accounts."

"First of all, the Dominion is never going to reopen diplomatic relations with the United States. Even if you sleep with their foreign minister." - he smiled - "Offering them material goods and territories is not going to budge them an inch - they're quite as self-righteous as any Anarchist Party member in our Congress or any rabid objectivist professor in Concord Uni."

"More interestingly, they think we're common vermin. They despise us - not just me, they despise Allaneans in general. They despise our friends, the Aumanii, they despise Greater Prussia, and... Vicky, you think they'd deal with you once they found out who your ancestors were?"

"Everybody hates my ancestors. I'm okay with that."

"Explain this to me, Victoria. How do you even plan to have diplomatic relations with people that despise you and think they're on the moral high horse while they're at it? People who had never had a good relation with Allanea? People who said it served us right when we were being massacred like cattle?"

"I thought you didn't believe in grudges, Alex."

"It's not about a grudge, Victoria! It's about objective reality! These people do not like us, have never liked us, and don't think we're any kind of remotely worth even try cooperating with! You're not going to persuade them anything! It's not going to work! Understand? Now look. If, by some unlikely chance, the Dread Lady calls me on this phone her, and gives me some form of opening to improve relations with the Dominion, I'll be the first man to jump on it."

"And by this I mean, real conditions - not some vague shit like 'behave reasonably'. Not something vague like that that'd have us wait for ages for a decision, and then leave us open to someone calling our behavior 'unreasonable'. If I had a list on my desk that would say 'Do this, this, and that, and we will consider reopening trade and relations with you', I might consider it. But this list will not exist - or it will be composed of completely deranged demands that they know Allanea is never going to submit to, and thus they can call us 'unreasonable' and return to square one."

"But these people hate us. This is what the constant barrage of whining and 'commenting' means. They hate us. Or at least, they behave as if they did, and that amounts to the same thing."

"They cheer each time an Allanean export market is lost, each time someone cuts relations with us, each time someone lobs a rocket at us - didn't they say we deserved to be nuked by the Reich? They call upon more nations to impose sanctions on trade with Allanea, to withdraw support... they want to make Allanea as weak and isolated as it can humanly become. This looks to me like something that our enemies would do. If someone acts like an enemy of mine, then they are clearly an enemy of mine - even if they don't really feel hatred in their hearts, they act as if they hated us, and that's the same thing."

Victoria sighs. "Alex. You make peace with enemies. You don't need to make peace with friends."

"Yeah, that's an efficient mindset." - Kazansky sneers. - "Look here, Victoria. I bet you five hundred bucks that even if you send an offer to negotiate a reopening of relations to the Dominion, it will be snubbed. You're lucky if they'll send a response."

"Should I see that as an authorization?"

"Fine. Whatever. Just remember... you're going to fail.”



* * *

And so, routed through few private companies in the Pacific, a simple message would (with luck and some bribery) find its way into the offices of the Dominion government.

It was a message from Victoria Sheshet.

Dear Sir!

I would like to request permission from you to visit your nation for the purpose of negotiating the conditions under which Allane can renew diplomatic relations with the Dominion.

I will understand if you would like to keep this stage of negotiations private due to the controversial status Allanea enjoys in the Dominion.

Sincerely yours,
Victoria Sheshet.

It was nearly incomprehensible that such a wayward missive would find it’s way into the right hands, considering the methods utilized, but yet, somehow, it miraculously happens to be opened by a low-level official in the Public Affairs offices, looked at curiously, inquired on as to content, and eventually passed about through the various Ministry offices until finally landing on possibly the last desk the sender may have expected, especially considering the opening line.

Much thought is put into it, more inquiries and examinations are made, and eventually, on personalized stationary, with the embossed crest of house, and Imperial seal using the old method of pressed red wax, an answer was given.

To Victoria Sheshet, Allanea

First let me say that I admire both your courage and conviction for making such an attempt, especially in the face of our decidedly firm statements on the matter of our government’s attitudes towards yours. Next allow me to sincerely apologize that I cannot at this time be of any assistance to you, in spite of my desire to be able to do so. I am even more sorry for this after learning of your impassioned plea on international television, and the subsequent mockery and insult you received from your so-called leader on account. Allow me at the very least to offer compensation for your lost funds.

The hard facts are this. The Dominion cannot in good conscience enter into any relationships with Allanea until such time as there is a significant change in attitudes, ideology, responsibility, and leadership. Before you throw this missive away in disgust, please allow me the courtesy of attempting to explain why this is.

As it is the most egregious point, I will begin with your current leader, Alexander Kazansky.

Any sane citizenry would have by now demanded a leader who thought more of the state of his nation and his people than the supposed ‘party in his pants’, or lack thereof. At worst, they would have held him accountable for the many regrettable things that have happened to them, while he goes on to live without concern or consequence in the lap of luxury. It is a disgrace how he continues to carry on, sipping champagne from skulls in hot tubs full of women like some frat boy on a bender while his people continue to suffer for his mistakes. Does this behaviour not strike you as odd at the very least? Irresponsible, perhaps? Unconcerned, even?

He touts himself as a great military leader, while sweeping his many defeats and humiliations under the rug as if they never existed, focusing instead on genocidal exploits with pride, while loudly decrying the misdeeds of others, whether they measure up to his own ‘sins’ or not.

He brags about being a political leader when it is his actions that have directly caused the deaths and continued suffering of hundreds of thousands of his own people, flippantly allowing other nations to come to their aid, while he funds and incites yet more conflicts elsewhere instead.

He would rather show himself to be a childish playboy, hell-bent on hedonism, slandering and bragging as he goes, than take the needs of his nation, or the international community seriously. I am not so prudish to suggest that only this or that may be done, for morality’s sake or otherwise, nor do I presume to dictate morality to others. I do however believe, as does much of the multiverse it seems, that some things are best kept out of the street, where they tend to scare the horses, so to speak. There is a difference between being brazenly shameless, and just plain stupid after all.

He is, whether you will admit it or not, a disgrace.

The next few points are more difficult, given both the focus and breadth of them. I fully realize your people as a whole value self-expression and individuality, and in truth, I agree with the recognition of such. We humans were never meant to exist as a collective, but as a gathering of individuals, whether we find ourselves working together, or not. But I ask you, at what point does the pursuit of such self fulfillment become a liability for you? At what point does the need for benefiting the whole as opposed to the individual come into play? And if it does not, how do you expect to function as a society, aside from the self-perpetuating cycle of gain and need that tends to go on economically?

I challenge you that a group cannot properly function if the only concerns are those of the self. Those who have found themselves slipping into that trap even in my own nation have found that in the end, it does not grant them what they had hoped. To move forward, the group must to some degree or other move together, or the center cannot hold, and eventually, chaos reigns.

And while I again respect and admire your desire and indeed rights to express yourselves, I ask this. Do you and yours ever take the time to offer the same respect to others, with your nigh constant efforts at imposing yourselves, your oddities, and your lack of propriety in places and times where it is not perhaps, appropriate? Your lack of regard for others shows in nearly every action your government, and many of its people take, even for something as supposedly small as your message. While I applaud your ingenuity at getting it to its intended destination, did it ever occur to you to attempt to make it anything more than a general carbon copy request? It was nearly thrown out with the rest of the junk mail on account.

It lacks direction, it lacks a contact, in fact it lacks nearly everything one expects from a message asking for something some would consider as important as the re-establishment of some sort of dialogue between nations. It reads like spam mail claiming a penile enhancements. Most of the missives from your government do, if one studies them. You present yourselves not as serious diplomats, but as used car salesmen, hoping to grease your way into getting what you want, and laughing all the way to the bank. As you said, there’s a sucker born every minute, and your government certainly has illustrated a knack for searching them out, and taking advantage of their good natures for as long as it can maintain the illusion.

Believe what you will, as Kazansky has already stated he does - you and your people have my deepest sympathy. Indeed, my pity, whether you feel indignant at such statements or no. Your continued acceptance of the status quo leads me to believe that your people are too ignorant to know better, too indoctrinated to demand anything better, too apathetic to care, or lack the comprehension to understand the difference between freedom, and reckless endangerment and abuse at your government’s hands. You lack adequate protection, save through what alliances and ties you are able to maintain for however long a time. You lack direction, save for the near constant bluster and attention-grabbing actions that all too often seem designed to elicit a negative response just so that you can have something to cry pity for. You lack cohesive leadership, save when that leadership is engaged in whatever depravity his mind has concocted for the moment. And in engaging in what seems to be a constant, desperate rush to achieve satisfaction, at whatever the cost, you lack soul. I cannot imagine having nothing more to look forward to in life than the grasping, selfish pursuit of instant gratification that seems to personify your people, and for that, and for your continued abuse on account of it, be it by your leaders or international powers, I weep.

You Victoria, demean yourself with such things as was broadcast internationally lately, and with so closely associating with a mindless, selfish child like Kazansky. From what I witnessed your people cannot all be lost causes, for surely you must be more than simply an exception to the rule. Your words to him showed occasional promise, and wisdom, while his were merely the barely cogent ramblings of a sociopathic hedonist trying to claim a martyr complex.

If you want things to change, change will have to be made on your end. If you want your government to be taken seriously by more than those few you’ve chosen to surround yourselves with, the likes of which all too often fall into similar categories as Allanea for their inability to present themselves as more than your usual run of the mill, frothing at the mouth egoists, too wrapped up in their own superiority to acknowledge that their actions have consequences that are not always so easily undone.

If that time ever comes, and you and your people are serious about reform and a new start, under whatever form of government you choose for yourselves, know that at the very least you have a sympathetic ear here, and one willing to listen to proposals, and perhaps even requests for assistance should they be needed.

Again, my heartfelt apologies for not being able to offer anything of substance at this time. The Dominion stands firm on its policies, and cannot betray ourselves, our allies, or our own ideals for pity of the Allanean people alone. Regardless, I wish you luck in finding some method of balance or path through the chaos, in hopes of eventually finding that center, and becoming in time, a respected nation among your peers.

With regard,

--Nathicana D’Aquisto, Dread Lady and First Imperatrice of the Dominion