NationStates Jolt Archive


A Declaration to the Peoples and Nations of the World

04-04-2004, 18:28
(To those who have read this, it's the same thing, I'm trying to get people who just look at the first page or so a chance to read this, plus I need support and backing.)

To the Peoples and Nations of the World:

On Friday, October 3, 2003, a topic was posted that attempts to explain what a Nation must consider before proposing a resolution. This topic is ingeniously written and does clearly explain what and what not to do. However, like within many Organizations before it, the system has its flaws.
In the Constitution of the United States of America many laws and amendments have come and gone. Times do indeed change. While the idea of slavery was originally an issue of population versus representation in the House of Representatives was later solved in the Three-Fifths Compromise; eventually, slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment. The 18th Amendment made it illegal to produce or sell any alcoholic beverages, Prohibition, which was later repealed by the 21st Amendment. Woman’s suffrage was finally realized under the laws of the 19th Amendment. Times do indeed change.
On Monday, December 30, 2002, the ‘Expedition of Resolution Votes’ resolution was passed to ensure speedy passage of queued proposals to the U.N. floor.
On Sunday, January 26, 2003, the ‘Proposal Limits’ resolution was passed to ensure that a Nation may only make one proposal per week.
On Thursday, January 30, 2003, the ‘Search Function’ resolution was passed simply to install a function that allowed Nations to search for specific resolutions.
On Saturday, February 15, 2003, ‘Resolution 245A Proper Grammar’ resolution was perhaps a much more controversial issue. It stressed the importance of proper grammar when proposing resolutions and that:

“Any country that files a proposal with such language shall henceforth be banned from proposals until such time as they understand the English language and can properly convey their ideas.”

On Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the ‘Reduction of Needed Approvals’ resolution passed simply limiting the number of approvals (15% to 5%) needed to pass a queued proposal to the U.N. floor.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2003, the ‘Resolution Restrictions’ resolution was passed simply to convey the need to scrutinize proposals being submitted.
On Friday, October 3, 2003 an edict was declared that attempts to explain what a Nation must consider before proposing a resolution.
The official web-site declaration is as such:

“Inappropriate proposals will be removed. This includes proposals that:

* suggest changing how the game works (use the Forum instead)
* contain descriptions that do not match the category and effect
* are not worthy of the UN's consideration”

All Seven resolutions listed above do, in some form or another, break the first item. Are we to let these Seven stay in effect because they were passed before October 3, 2003? If this were indeed true, then slavery in the United States still exists. Women do not have the right to vote. Production and sales of alcohol is still illegal. Is this the case? No, it is not. Times do indeed change.
I am not expressing that these Seven are inappropriate. On the contrary, I agree with them wholeheartedly and applaud their authors and the impact that they have had. The same is true for such amendments in the Constitution of the United States. At the time, they were poignant and necessary. They were meant to answer the conditions of the United States and her People. Likewise, these Seven intended the same affect.
To this day, the Nations of the U.N. have no such power granted to them to challenge the Authoritarian decree. In the instance of the ‘Resolution 245A Proper Grammar’ resolution, I may be “banned from proposals” if I confuse “your” for “you’re”, such homonyms are never confusing. As Enodia points out on this resolution:

“…while it might be well-intentioned now (it was very well-intentioned at the time it passed) is effectively meaningless.”

Slavery was well intentioned at one point in time. Prohibition was an attempt at a moral society. Women were thought to be too emotional to vote. Many laws have well intentions. This resolution is effectively a meaningless resolution today, although any nation could easily argue to ban me from proposals for grammar if this resolution, which is still in effect, is read strictly for what it says. Thusly, it still has some potency to it. That resolution, in my opinion, was to bring to the attention of the U.N. members at the time that they should be careful of their grammar. That is all. It has a rather subjective quality about it; take it for what it’s worth. Is it then true that our beloved “U.N. is meaningless”?
Many laws passed by the U.N. later come up as issues within U.N. and non-U.N. member Nations, thusly, if you choose an option that goes against the U.N. law, you are breaking U.N. law. Are you not? Example, 'Legalize Euthanasia' (purposefully proposed by The Republic of Grande on Friday, Jan 16, 2004) passed within one of the closet voter margins ever, only by 779 votes. This law, therefore, legalizes the use of Euthanasia. However, many Nations are bombarded with this same issue titled 'Cancer Sufferer Demands Euthanasia Bill'. (I am a member of the U.N.; doesn't such a bill already exist?) You then are prompted three options (respectfully paraphrased): 1) pass the bill, 2) not kill them, continue to find a cure, and 3) let God decide when it is time. The last two, if chosen, would nullify the U.N. bill, thusly, you would be breaking the U.N. resolution. Is it true that the “U.N. is meaningless”? Many today may find this to be true.
This brings us to Sunday, April 4, 2004; the idea, which has been previously brought up before, for the need of a ‘United Nations Referendum’. Admittedly, this resolution does indeed ultimately attempt to change the mechanics of the game; in the same manner as the Seven before it. Are we to further support the popular belief that the “U.N. is meaningless” by undermining this resolution from ever seeing the eyes of the international community? The “moderators” say ‘yes’. Such an inherent right shall not be granted to us. Why? Is the U.N. indeed an Authoritarian? Do they wish to oppress its Peoples? Do they simply want to avoid the complexities that it may bring about? All three may be true; I for one believe the latter.
The Independent States of Bytek is a peaceful nation. We are not looking instigate aggression against the tranquility that lines the halls of the U.N. We do, however, feel it our right as a People of the world; as a people of the U.N.; and as a Nation, to challenge the practices and resolutions of the U.N. as found necessary by ‘popular support’. We are granted the right to debate. We are granted the right to express our views; no more proof is needed to be found except within this very post. However, and it is with a most dismal heart, that we may not rise up peacefully en masse to challenge the Authoritarian. Such arguments were made prior to the Civil War, except then it took the form of secession; the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions their only ammunition. We are not even given such blessed ammunition as that. Our only cries can be heard in the thousands upon thousands of posts found every day within the Forum; posts that hourly move from page one to page thirty-six to be never looked at again; posts that at times are scarcely looked at except by the “moderators”, which most gratefully take time to try and answer such important issues. They only intend the best; they intend to inform. They are the eyes and ears that listen, but are constantly bombarded with needless complaints and issues, which they may indeed come to call mine. The Independent States of Bytek is a peaceful nation. We are not looking to instigate aggression against the tranquility that lines the halls of the U.N.
Peoples of the world: why shall we be devoid of this inherent right, which stands along side the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? All that we ask; all that we ask! Is that we be granted the right to legally challenge the U.N. authority. Such a resolution as the ‘United Nations Referendum’ would make this possible. Is work needed on such a resolution, yes; does it require input from many U.N. members and the “moderators”, yes; and is all that possible to do, yes. Together as the Nations of the world, we can accomplish this task. Together as the U.N., we can accomplish this task. The heart of the U.N., indeed the very fabric that binds the Peoples of the world together, can be recaptured through such a resolution. The U.N. is indeed, not meaningless.

Sincerely,
The Independent States of Bytek

NOTE: All information and quotes were gathered from the www.nationstates.net web-site.
Ichi Ni
04-04-2004, 20:08
Don't know if you're expecting responses on this thread, but...

Well said. however, any ideas to correct the problems?

Perhaps a resolution to create a procedure to abolish, amend or retract resolutions that are now outdated or oversteps the bounds of the UN?
05-04-2004, 04:52
I am looking for any questions, comments, praise, crticisms, help anyone would care to give me. As of right now, the only practical answer to this problem is to use Amendments, just like the US Constitution works. Previous passed laws may stay "on the books", but if an Amendment is passed to nullify a previous resolution, it would. It works in the same way as slavery, womens right to vote, and prohibition did for the US. I've heard some "moderators" argue that it would be too complicated and would force them to reset the "counters" for each Nation. I will admit, I am completly ignorant as to how that works. However, as I brought up with the Euthinasia paradox, that is what is already happening in the game. I'm not asking for the complete removal of past resolutions, just that it become uneffective if an Amendment against it was passed. The bigger issue is how to get from point A, challenging a resolution, to point B, the abolishment or nullify a resolution. Previously, I drafted a weak proposal to try and answer this issue. By using a 2/3 signed petition of present UN member nations (over 20'000) would show enough 'popular support' behind taking such action. Once it had been deceided to remove or nullify a bill an Amendment would be drafted and passed through to the UN floor the same way as other resolutions. If the drafted Amendment passed, then the challenged bill would be nullified (as stated in the Amendment) and there you have it. Democracy in action. The UN restored to a meaningful organization. That is the most practicle solution I have thought of. Again, thank you for reading and asking questions. I want more people to do so, crticize it, give suggestions, anything. And definatly get those "moderators" to take a look at it and hear our cry!
Rehochipe
05-04-2004, 05:29
I feel your pain, and I hear your logic. But the answer to repeals of any colour seems to be 'you just can't do it'. Now, I've yet to see a good argument why this should be; the actual content of a resolution is pretty much solely for RP purposes and thus only has contact with game mechanics via its relation to the type and effect, which only operates at the resolution's passing and is then silent for evermore. So, since a repeal wouldn't actually do anything to the prior proposal's mechanical aspect, and would only relate to it via its RP content, one would have thought it'd be okay.

But as far as the mods are concerned, it's written in stone. So, while yours is one of the most well-reasoned arguments for it I've seen yet (though I must say I'm sick and tired of people going on and on about the goddamn US Constitution), there's no hope for it going anywhere. Save your breath for arguments you can win. Condolences.
05-04-2004, 07:23
Thank you for your comments and I agree that this may be a pointless fight, but I will fight it nonetheless. I'm sure the US Constituion is brought up a lot for one reason or another, sorry, but my countries Constituion is just a well wrote document that a lot of people know. The most inovative part of the Constitution is that you can alter it as you go, instead; I believe France is this way, of writing an entire new Constitution. Thank you again though for your comments, I do appreciate it.
05-04-2004, 07:30
Thank you for your comments and I agree that this may be a pointless fight, but I will fight it nonetheless. I'm sure the US Constituion is brought up a lot for one reason or another, sorry, but my countries Constituion is just a well wrote document that a lot of people know. The most inovative part of the Constitution is that you can alter it as you go, instead; I believe France is this way, of writing an entire new Constitution. Thank you again though for your comments, I do appreciate it.

My good friend from Chernigov has helped me draft and edit some of my proposals and was my biggest insperation in regards to using the US Constitution as a sort of ground to argue from. I think it worked rather well once we added some dramatic flare. Thanks to all of you for any comments you've given.
05-04-2004, 09:12
On Friday, October 3, 2003, a topic was posted that attempts to explain what a Nation must consider before proposing a resolution. This topic is ingeniously written and does clearly explain what and what not to do. However, like within many Organizations before it, the system has its flaws.
This is true, however the means to rectify any flaws is not via UN proposal. If a flaw exists in the system, contact either the Moderators or Admin (depending on exactly what type of flaw we're talking about) and they will resolve the issue. The UN is not a valid place to air such grievances.

In the Constitution of the United States of America many laws and amendments have come and gone. Times do indeed change. While the idea of slavery was originally an issue of population versus representation in the House of Representatives was later solved in the Three-Fifths Compromise; eventually, slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment. The 18th Amendment made it illegal to produce or sell any alcoholic beverages, Prohibition, which was later repealed by the 21st Amendment. Woman’s suffrage was finally realized under the laws of the 19th Amendment. Times do indeed change.
Thankyou for the history lesson, one which has been cited in whole or in part by every single would-be repealer in UN history. While this is neither the time nor the place to deal with such issues as the assumed superiority of the US Constitution over any other, there are issues which can be dealt with. First among these is that it's great that real-world governments can change their opinions in line with the times. That said, last time I checked this was not the real world. It is a browser-based webgame with certain rules and strictures - just as in the real world you can't fundamentally alter the laws of nature, so you can't fundamentally alter the rules of the game in the way you are talking about doing.

On Monday, December 30, 2002, the ‘Expedition of Resolution Votes’ resolution was passed to ensure speedy passage of queued proposals to the U.N. floor.
And was duly ignored (text-wise) by the game because it sought to change game mechanics. I don't have your founding date in front of me, but it's a valid point to make overall that "thou shalt not seek to change game mechanics" is not a rule which came in with Mods in general or me in specific. It just hadn't been enforced before Mods arrived. The best example I can give of what I'm talking about would be a stretch of road down which people always speed. We are the traffic cops on that stretch of road who are now enforcing the speed limit.

On Sunday, January 26, 2003, the ‘Proposal Limits’ resolution was passed to ensure that a Nation may only make one proposal per week.
And, as nations constantly demonstrate, this resolution does not have any effect whatsoever.

On Thursday, January 30, 2003, the ‘Search Function’ resolution was passed simply to install a function that allowed Nations to search for specific resolutions.
While some might believe that the Search Function which now exists came about purely as a result of this proposal passing, that's not true either. Admin added it because people were asking for it - even going as far as to pass a resolution wanting it. However, the resolution and the Function are two separate events.

On Saturday, February 15, 2003, ‘Resolution 245A Proper Grammar’ resolution was perhaps a much more controversial issue. It stressed the importance of proper grammar when proposing resolutions and that:

“Any country that files a proposal with such language shall henceforth be banned from proposals until such time as they understand the English language and can properly convey their ideas.”
And no nations have ever been banned from making proposals based on their lack of skill with the English language.

On Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the ‘Reduction of Needed Approvals’ resolution passed simply limiting the number of approvals (15% to 5%) needed to pass a queued proposal to the U.N. floor.
Stop me if I'm wrong, but last time I checked, the quorum percentage wasn't at 5% anyway. Admin's changed it a few times as the membership of the UN expands. Proposals like this get zapped in queue these days.

On Tuesday, April 8, 2003, the ‘Resolution Restrictions’ resolution was passed simply to convey the need to scrutinize proposals being submitted.
As I said at the time, this one both slipped through the net (I was busy at the time and couldn't go proposal-zapping and nobody else got to it fast enough) and merely recapitulates the role of the Mods.

On Friday, October 3, 2003 an edict was declared that attempts to explain what a Nation must consider before proposing a resolution.
The official web-site declaration is as such:

“Inappropriate proposals will be removed. This includes proposals that:

* suggest changing how the game works (use the Forum instead)
* contain descriptions that do not match the category and effect
* are not worthy of the UN's consideration”

All Seven resolutions listed above do, in some form or another, break the first item.
And all 7 have never been enforced by anyone or anything. I believe I'm also on record as saying that, while we'd like to have ex post facto jurisdiction, we don't have it. Therefore, we can't "un-pass" these resolutions, don't enforce them, but constantly get criticised for having "allowed these resolutions to pass" before we were mods - and before some of us even started playing. It's a fun job, this Modding, I recommend it to everyone.

Are we to let these Seven stay in effect because they were passed before October 3, 2003? If this were indeed true, then slavery in the United States still exists. Women do not have the right to vote. Production and sales of alcohol is still illegal. Is this the case? No, it is not. Times do indeed change.
And the link here between a game with rules which were designed by one man who - it must be reiterated - did not come anywhere near anticipating the massive popularity of the game versus a country with a Constitution designed by some of the best political theorists of their or anybody else's time is what exactly? Yes, I know the game is intended to simulate real-world politics to some degree, but it is only a game. Does Monopoly simulate real-world real estate transactions accurately?

I am not expressing that these Seven are inappropriate. On the contrary, I agree with them wholeheartedly and applaud their authors and the impact that they have had. The same is true for such amendments in the Constitution of the United States. At the time, they were poignant and necessary. They were meant to answer the conditions of the United States and her People. Likewise, these Seven intended the same affect.
Which is a statement conveniently ignoring the fact that the laws you're talking about had an appreciable impact on the real world while the resolutions you're talking about didn't have any impact anywhere.

To this day, the Nations of the U.N. have no such power granted to them to challenge the Authoritarian decree. In the instance of the ‘Resolution 245A Proper Grammar’ resolution, I may be “banned from proposals” if I confuse “your” for “you’re”, such homonyms are never confusing. As Enodia points out on this resolution:

“…while it might be well-intentioned now (it was very well-intentioned at the time it passed) is effectively meaningless.”
OK then, I'll spell it out more clearly (and, if you ask nicely) will even hunt out the post you're quoting and change it:
Resolution 245A Proper Grammar was great in theory but does not, never had and never will have any effect on how the people of the UN do their business. They can spell however they want and mangle the grammatical structures of the English language all they want, for all I care. As long as they get enough approvals and votes for a proposal which isn't otherwise rendered illegal, I'll leave them to it.

Slavery was well intentioned at one point in time. Prohibition was an attempt at a moral society. Women were thought to be too emotional to vote. Many laws have well intentions. This resolution is effectively a meaningless resolution today, although any nation could easily argue to ban me from proposals for grammar if this resolution, which is still in effect, is read strictly for what it says. Thusly, it still has some potency to it. That resolution, in my opinion, was to bring to the attention of the U.N. members at the time that they should be careful of their grammar. That is all. It has a rather subjective quality about it; take it for what it’s worth. Is it then true that our beloved “U.N. is meaningless”?
Hyperbole will get you nowhere. The UN itself is not meaningless, as long as it's used to pass proposals which can be integrated into the game, rather than ones which seek to change the behaviour of the game. Regarding "Resolution 245A", I have seen people attempt to convince others not to vote for a poorly-spelled or ungrammatical resolution. Once or twice it even works. But the day a proposal is removed from the queue for containing a typo is the day the rules of the game are completely abrogated.

Many laws passed by the U.N. later come up as issues within U.N. and non-U.N. member Nations, thusly, if you choose an option that goes against the U.N. law, you are breaking U.N. law. Are you not? Example, 'Legalize Euthanasia' (purposefully proposed by The Republic of Grande on Friday, Jan 16, 2004) passed within one of the closet voter margins ever, only by 779 votes. This law, therefore, legalizes the use of Euthanasia. However, many Nations are bombarded with this same issue titled 'Cancer Sufferer Demands Euthanasia Bill'. (I am a member of the U.N.; doesn't such a bill already exist?) You then are prompted three options (respectfully paraphrased): 1) pass the bill, 2) not kill them, continue to find a cure, and 3) let God decide when it is time. The last two, if chosen, would nullify the U.N. bill, thusly, you would be breaking the U.N. resolution. Is it true that the “U.N. is meaningless”? Many today may find this to be true.
The decision was taken a long time ago not to strike down proposals based on their similarities to issues. The major reason for this is that, with the number of issues arriving in the game these days, keeping up with the new "no-go" areas would be far too much work. Additionally, if I were to weed out all the proposals already covered by issues, the UN would become meaningless rather quickly - as the pool of proposals to approve and vote on would dwindle to a very small one indeed.

This brings us to Sunday, April 4, 2004; the idea, which has been previously brought up before, for the need of a ‘United Nations Referendum’. Admittedly, this resolution does indeed ultimately attempt to change the mechanics of the game; in the same manner as the Seven before it. Are we to further support the popular belief that the “U.N. is meaningless” by undermining this resolution from ever seeing the eyes of the international community? The “moderators” say ‘yes’. Such an inherent right shall not be granted to us. Why? Is the U.N. indeed an Authoritarian? Do they wish to oppress its Peoples? Do they simply want to avoid the complexities that it may bring about? All three may be true; I for one believe the latter.
If you can see that the proposal seeks to change game mechanics, then why argue with me about it? What part of "game mechanics proposals are illegal" and "proposers of game mechanics proposals get ejected from the UN" do you not understand? The "UN is meaningless" is not even a remotely accurate paraphrase of my statement that a game mechanics proposal is meaningless.
Your calls for repeals, amendments and referenda are hardly new, although they are better-written than most. Regardless, the rules of the game apply to everyone until they are changed. Proposing a change to game mechanics is against them.

The Independent States of Bytek is a peaceful nation. We are not looking instigate aggression against the tranquility that lines the halls of the U.N. We do, however, feel it our right as a People of the world; as a people of the U.N.; and as a Nation, to challenge the practices and resolutions of the U.N. as found necessary by ‘popular support’. We are granted the right to debate. We are granted the right to express our views; no more proof is needed to be found except within this very post. However, and it is with a most dismal heart, that we may not rise up peacefully en masse to challenge the Authoritarian. Such arguments were made prior to the Civil War, except then it took the form of secession; the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions their only ammunition. We are not even given such blessed ammunition as that. Our only cries can be heard in the thousands upon thousands of posts found every day within the Forum; posts that hourly move from page one to page thirty-six to be never looked at again; posts that at times are scarcely looked at except by the “moderators”, which most gratefully take time to try and answer such important issues. They only intend the best; they intend to inform. They are the eyes and ears that listen, but are constantly bombarded with needless complaints and issues, which they may indeed come to call mine. The Independent States of Bytek is a peaceful nation. We are not looking to instigate aggression against the tranquility that lines the halls of the U.N.
One of the issues which we are constantly bombarded with is indeed the issue of repealing resolutions. I've made my position clear on this on several hundred occasions and am rapidly losing patience with repeating myself. However, in a desperate attempt to avoid yet another long-running debate, I'll repeat it. I am in favour of repealing resolutions, even if for no other reason than that it will shut people up about proposing it. However, the only people who are capable of allowing this to happen are Admin and Max Barry. I am neither. You are also neither. You can make as much noise about it as you want, but every time someone tries to allow this to happen I am compelled to cart you out of the UN by the scruff of your neck.
Go ahead, quote history. Quote the real-world all you want. I could say just as easily that I'd love everyone in the real world to speak the same language, or maybe for the sun to rise in the West and set in the East. Not going to happen. See my point?

Peoples of the world: why shall we be devoid of this inherent right, which stands along side the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? All that we ask; all that we ask! Is that we be granted the right to legally challenge the U.N. authority. Such a resolution as the ‘United Nations Referendum’ would make this possible. Is work needed on such a resolution, yes; does it require input from many U.N. members and the “moderators”, yes; and is all that possible to do, yes. Together as the Nations of the world, we can accomplish this task. Together as the U.N., we can accomplish this task. The heart of the U.N., indeed the very fabric that binds the Peoples of the world together, can be recaptured through such a resolution. The U.N. is indeed, not meaningless.

Sincerely,
The Independent States of Bytek

NOTE: All information and quotes were gathered from the www.nationstates.net web-site.
Well phrased, well argued, but effectively meaningless. If the proposal you're talking about is made, the author will be ejected from the UN. My opinion is not changed.
Hirota
05-04-2004, 09:22
Enodia - it seems to me that half the time you spend on here is repeating the same thing. I wonder if it would be worth making a sticky specifically for the annoyingly intermittent arguement of repeals? You never know, member states MIGHT read it.
05-04-2004, 09:23
Enodia - it seems to me that half the time you spend on here is repeating the same thing. I wonder if it would be worth making a sticky specifically for the annoyingly intermittent arguement of repeals? You never know, member states MIGHT read it.
It's on the to-do list - hopefully I'll get the time to do it in the Easter Break. Otherwise it'll hold over until after semester finishes.
05-04-2004, 09:41
First and foremost, thank you very much for your time, patience, and wisdom to answering my questions and providing very detailed and intelligent remarks. Explain one thing to me, there is a Legal Prostitution Amendment floating through the proposals, the author is not kicked out yet, and was not the orginal author of the Legalize Prostitution law that passed? I also read the sticky on A Guide to Writing Resolutions, which mentions that Amendments are ok, but only before going through a proposal. If I understand that corectly, but I'm getting tired, so. Is this a valid point or did I just narc on someone?
Hirota
05-04-2004, 09:44
Explain one thing to me, there is a Legal Prostitution Amendment floating through the proposals, the author is not kicked out yet, and was not the orginal author of the Legalize Prostitution law that passed?

Ahh they will if it is against the mechanics once one of the mods has time.

I also read the sticky on A Guide to Writing Resolutions, which mentions that Amendments are ok, but only before going through a proposal. If I understand that corectly, but I'm getting tired, so. Is this a valid point or did I just narc on someone?

I suspect that has been altered since that guide was written, but someone more experienced than lil' ol' me will explain that in due course, I imagine.
05-04-2004, 10:14
First and foremost, thank you very much for your time, patience, and wisdom to answering my questions and providing very detailed and intelligent remarks. Explain one thing to me, there is a Legal Prostitution Amendment floating through the proposals, the author is not kicked out yet, and was not the orginal author of the Legalize Prostitution law that passed? I also read the sticky on A Guide to Writing Resolutions, which mentions that Amendments are ok, but only before going through a proposal. If I understand that corectly, but I'm getting tired, so. Is this a valid point or did I just narc on someone?
The proposal you're talking about must've been made in the time between when I'd last checked through for illegal ones and now. Much as I'd love to be able to zap proposals every day, my timetable this semester at uni makes it more of a 2-daily or 3-daily activity.

The "Guide to writing resolutions", which I take to mean Sophista's sticky, contains the wording:

Amendments to resolutions are the means by which resolutions may be altered by the body involved. Bear in mind, an amendment can only be made before a resolution is submitted as a proposal. If approved, amendments create additions, deletions, or changes to a resolution in order to increase its acceptability to all nations involved. Amendments are usually needed for a body to move towards consensus on a resolution, and is for this reason that nations are encouraged to take the idea for a resolution to the forums before submitting it as a proposal.
Which means that a proposal can be pulled apart and changed no end on the forums, but once you submit it, that's the final wording. A lot of nations draft a proposal 3 or 4 times on the forums before finally submitting it.
Sophista does not say that amendments to already-set resolutions are valid. That's an important distinction that he and I both worked on when I was critiquing his thread by Email some months ago.
06-04-2004, 15:21
Thanks for clarifying Enodia.
11-04-2004, 20:00
You moderators still haven't answered the forementioned questions.