NationStates Jolt Archive

This will be submitted today.

Teddy Bears For Children Drive
Category: Free Trade
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: The Neoliberalistic Mecha-Goats of Gruenberg

Description: In recent years, the United Nations has been at the forefront of progressive legislation to guarantee for all people - and especially children - many basic rights, including rights of access to the necessities of life. But it would be remiss if, in striving to secure for all children a full, happy and healthy life, we neglected those things for which life is worth living. Teddy bears, and toys in general, bring fun and happiness to many children, and yet there are unfortunately others who, through force of economic hardship, are denied such pleasure, and it is a wholly worthy ambition of the UN to attempt to bring to all children a right, not only to health, safety and warmth, but to a childhood in itself.

As such:

The United Nations,

APPLAUDING the many efforts of this body to promote child welfare,

RECOGNISING that teddy bears and other toys bring immense happiness to children,

CONSIDERING that play has been demonstrated to help with learning and the development of motor skills and cognitive functions,

WISHING to provide all children with the means to live a happy childhood:

1. ESTABLISHES the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive", with the aim to secure for all children the right to the possession of and play with teddy bears and other toys;

2. PROMOTES the distribution of toys to all children, through the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive", and otherwise;

3. DECLARES an increase in trade of toys between nations beneficial to the stated aim of the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive", and to the United Nations as a whole;

4. DETERMINES protectionist mechanisms in the manufacturing industry to inhibit the ability of the United Nations to support the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive";

5. PROHIBITS the use of protectionist mechanisms to stifle toy trade as damaging to the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive", and as such outlaws tariffs, duties, import taxes, subsidies and other protectionist mechanisms in the trade of teddy bears and other toys, and all other manufactured goods, between and among member nations;

6. PERMITS member nations to use protectionist mechanisms in trade with non-member nations, to prevent price dumping, but encourages bi- or multilateral accords to further facilitate the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive";

7. ESTABLISHES the Product Safety Panel to evaluate goods traded through the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive", to ensure that they will be safe for children, and grants it the authority to permit nations to restrict or prohibit import or export of goods judged not to meet health and safety requirements set by the PSP;

8. DESIGNATES the United Nations Free Trade Commission to arbitrate trade disputes;

9. ALLOTS a timespan for implementation of the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive" of not greater than ten years.

Thoughts?

I was really wondering about the strength until I noticed clause #5...
The government of St Edmund will vote FOR this proposal if it manages to reach the floor.

I bow before the genius of my Gruenberger friend.

*reads through
*hits clause 5
*nearly has heart attack

---PREDICTION OF THE FUTURE---

NEW BOSTON, Ceorana -- A small boy was killed after a teddy bear he recieved from a foreign nation was found to have contained anthrax.

"How did this happen?" bawled his mother, a 33-year-old town drunk.

"Well, Ceorana Customs and Immigration is seeing so many teddy bears since we can't use protectionist mechanisms against them that never got a chance to inspect that particular bear, due to these new UN regulations on teddy bear trade," responded President Cooper.

"Well, then, let's quit the UN or repeal that stupid resolution," screamed the boy's mother.

I don't think 'safety checks' count as protectionism. Hmm. I may have to add something in. After all, teddy bears should be fluffy, not lung-dissolvingy. I also need to add:

DESIGNATES the United Nations Free Trade Commission to arbitrate trade disputes.

I don't think 'safety checks' count as protectionism.
No, but we were getting so many teddy bears imported that CCI couldn't examine them all.

Well, I've edited it.

Submitted: link --> http://www.nationstates.net/page=UN_proposal1/match=teddy

Just to know, what do you include in toys?
video games and video game consoles?
sex toys meeting health and safety requirements?:p

Just to know, what do you include in toys?
video games and video game consoles?
sex toys meeting health and safety requirements?
Yep.

Yep.
:D woooo

The people of Cluichstan welcome free trade in sex toys. The boost to our economy, of which the production and sales of sex toys is a sizable portion, promises to be astronomical.

Respectfully,
Sheik Nadnerb bin Cluich
Cluichstani Ambassador to the UN

Ill Eagle! Ill Eagle! I think I've caught an Ill Eagle!

(Oooh, I've always wanted to say that to you guys who've grown old and cranky in the service of the UN.)

Right, look: Clause 4 says, "DETERMINES protectionist mechanisms in the manufacturing industry to inhibit the ability of the United Nations to support the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive"; (emphasis mine)

But Clause 5 says, "PROHIBITS the use of protectionist mechanisms to stifle toy trade as damaging to the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive" ..."

So in one breath you're determining protectionist mechanisms so that they can inhibit the ability of the UN, and in the next you're prohibiting their use.

Of course, you may say that that was just a typographical error and you meant to leave out a superfluous 'to', but don't think you'll pull the fluffy fur over my eyes.

It's a deliberate contradiction because you're trying to undermine Free Trade by ridicule, aren't you?

You're hoping people will think, "Well, if them dang Free Traders can't even write a decent resolution about teddy bears, I'm gonna go back home and slap on more tariffs th'n there's fleas on a flapdoodle! And I'm gonna get me some subsidies, too! Just hand me that there economics textbook, will ya?"

Gee whillikers, mister, I sure hope I can grow up to be a wily Protectionist nation Just Like You!

It's a deliberate contradiction because you're trying to undermine Free Trade by ridicule, aren't you?

You're hoping people will think, "Well, if them dang Free Traders can't even write a decent resolution about teddy bears, I'm gonna go back home and slap on more tariffs th'n there's fleas on a flapdoodle! And I'm gonna get me some subsidies, too! Just hand me that there economics textbook, will ya?"

Gee whillikers, mister, I sure hope I can grow up to be a wily Protectionist nation Just Like You!
*blinks*

Anyway...

You got support, mine... yeah...

Rose,
Acting Senior UN representative,
The Black New World,
Delegate to The Order of The Valiant States

How is it a contradiction?

DETERMINES protectionist mechanisms in the manufacturing industry to inhibit the ability of the United Nations to support the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive";
It determines them to. This means, we think about protectionist mechanisms, and conclude that they impair our ability to freely trade.

"PROHIBITS the use of protectionist mechanisms to stifle toy trade as damaging to the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive"
So we prohibit them.

I don't see how the first contradicts the second. I admit the phraseology of the first is awkward, but I'm not sure how the fact that I included 'to' in any way changes the force of the introductory verb.

The people of Cluichstan welcome free trade in sex toys. The boost to our economy, of which the production and sales of sex toys is a sizable portion, promises to be astronomical.

Respectfully,
Sheik Nadnerb bin Cluich
Cluichstani Ambassador to the UN

A sizable portion of Cluichstan economy maybe, but it seems to me smaller than the portion of a certain Cluichstan's phone services activity.

A sizable portion of Cluichstan economy maybe, but it seems to me smaller than the portion of a certain Cluichstan's phone services activity.

They are generally considered to be part of the same business sector.

Oh, dear. I thought when you UN types said 'determines' it meant the same thing as 'mandates'.

I'm gonna have to grovel, aren't I? :(

OK. I'm sorry I misjudged you. Your motives are purer that the driven snow and your aims more transparent than a soapie star's Academy Awards outfit.

*Slinks away, cowed.*

But they're up to something. Whenever that lot get together, they're up to something. I know they're up to something.

LAE didn't made any decision related to this proposal yet, but it's clear that this proposal has some merits, in particular it will bring some more fun in HOCEK, flooding the Eternal Kawaii with Cluichstani or Lovestereli sex toys.

http://test256.free.fr/UN%20Cards/nightlife3.jpg

We are concerned that the current wording excludes some of the worthy activities mentioned here. Unfortunately, phone sex is a service, and thus not protected.

On the other hand, the concern about security checks is moot. You are allowed to do anything with imported goods, as long as you do the same with national goods. So, theoretically, you could tear them apart and stick them together with spit, if it is found more adequate for the safety of the children.

We are concerned that the current wording excludes some of the worthy activities mentioned here. Unfortunately, phone sex is a service, and thus not protected.

*snip*

The phone-sex business in Cluichstan is doing just fine without protections, thank you. ;)

The phone-sex business in Cluichstan is doing just fine without protections, thank you. ;)

This resolution, had it addressed services, would prevent others from protecting their inferior phone sex industries, thereby allowing Cluichstan to attain world domination.

This resolution, had it addressed services, would prevent others from protecting their inferior phone sex industries, thereby allowing Cluichstan to attain world domination.

Who's to say we haven't already? ;)

Approved!

I don't think 'safety checks' count as protectionism. Hmm. I may have to add something in. After all, teddy bears should be fluffy, not lung-dissolvingy. I also need to add:

DESIGNATES the United Nations Free Trade Commission to arbitrate trade disputes.

OOC:
When I was a kid in the late 1970s (yes), I had some Battlestar Galactica ships that would fire tiny red missiles. Some bonehead decided it would be a wonderful idea to play William Tell with his kid brother's mouth and fired a missile into his brother's OPEN mouth, thereby choking his brother to death. Mattel (who made the toys) was sued, and in typical American fashion, the company not only bought the boy who murdered his brother with a Viper missile a college education, but the brilliant lawyers at Mattel sought to trick the rest of the under 10-year old crowd by running national newspaper adds offering to swap red Battlestar Galactica missiles for Hot Wheels.

Me, thinking I was smarter than a room full of corporate lawyers, decided to send in all my missiles but one. I knew I could simply reload the missile again, and again, and again, while aiming for my kid brother's ear (nobody ever died from having a Viper missile lodged in their ear). I sent away for what would be a slew of Hot Wheels. Days turned into Weeks and Weeks turned into Months. No Hot Wheels arrived.

Basically the bastards lied and got my missiles. And as fate would have it, my toy hating sister LOST my single red missile (to this day I don't know where it is -- perhaps with my missing Astro Smurf or in my great Jawa graveyard).

In any event, Toy Safety Standards are a national thing and probably a good reason to vote against clause 5, unless it is fixed somehow.

OOC: Lloegyr is right (and, by the by, extremely amusing) - 'determines' has a double meaning. Bit like 'mandates'.

OOC: Lloegyr is right (and, by the by, extremely amusing) - 'determines' has a double meaning. Bit like 'mandates'.
OOC: Not in standard resolution language...

...still, I have no fucking clue why I wrote it that way.

OOC: Lloegyr is right (and, by the by, extremely amusing) - 'determines' has a double meaning. Bit like 'mandates'.

Yeah, it is an understandable confusion. Gruen should have used the structure

DETERMINES that killing bunnies is wrong,

rather than

DETERMINES killing bunnies to be wrong.

The second one, while gramatically correct, can be mistaken for

DETERMINES that we all have to kill bunnies with the purpose of attaining ultimate wrongness.

[/pointless patronising rant]

Woot! So I don't have to grovel?

*tempted to circle Gruenberg, chanting, "Ill Eagle! Ill Eagle! Told ya so, Ill Eagle!"*

*resolves instead to be adult about this. We're nearly up to 20 posts. Nods adult-ly to Ecopoeia and Fonzoland. Decides to steer clear of certain others who are talking about, you know, stuff on the phone and stuff.*

But they are up to something, aren't they?

But they are up to something, aren't they?
honnnnnn-dootedly...

But they are up to something, aren't they?

Yes. Gruenberg has a plan for world domination which includes hiding miniaturised antimatter ray guns inside teddy bears, dumping prices to guarantee a monopoly of the teddy bear market, then having the hyperintelligent robotic teddies withdraw the weapons from their own bellies and taking over all other nations by surprise. Only Cluichstan's spy network, skilfully disguised as a harmless and entertaining phone-sex colossus, can save the world from the despotic intents of Gruenberg. And yet, rumour has it that Cluichstan and Gruenberg are actually working up a secret pact to share the world between them.







But don't tell anyone, or you will be anihilated.
:p

[Amusing response]

OOC: No, I'm actually not backing down. 'DETERMINES' does not have the effect you're suggesting. The clauses aren't contradictory.

Yes. Gruenberg has a plan for world domination which includes hiding miniaturised antimatter ray guns inside teddy bears, dumping prices to guarantee a monopoly of the teddy bear market, then having the hyperintelligent robotic teddies withdraw the weapons from their own bellies and taking over all other nations by surprise. Only Cluichstan's spy network, skilfully disguised as a harmless and entertaining phone-sex colossus, can save the world from the despotic intents of Gruenberg. And yet, rumour has it that Cluichstan and Gruenberg are actually working up a secret pact to share the world between them.







But don't tell anyone, or you will be anihilated.
:p

You will soon be receiving a visit from a representative of Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd.

You will soon be receiving a visit from a representative of Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd.

How many survive encounters with representatives of Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd.?

How many survive encounters with representatives of Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd.?

Telephone encounters with CPESL representatives always leave one fully satisfied. Direct, personal encounters, though? I'm afraid that number is classified.

Telephone encounters with CPESL representatives always leave one fully satisfied. Direct, personal encounters, though? I'm afraid that number is classified.

LAE abolished today all tariffs on Cluichstani phone services:D
Even if LAE will enjoy reciprocity from the Sultanate in that matter, we will not even ask for it.

LAE abolished today all tariffs on Cluichstani phone services:D
Even if LAE will enjoy reciprocity from the Sultanate in that matter, we will not even ask for it.

As a nation committed to free trade, Cluichstan does not impose any tariffs.

As a nation that supports children we support this act. We are prepared to provide two hundred thousand small toy automobiles to this program provided courtesy of Dynamic Motors, PPC, as well as 50,000 toy submarines provided by Marianis Syndicate, RUS. In addition the government has deemed it appropriate to manufacture another 100,000 stuffed toy tortoises. We are ready and able to sign off on this iniative.

My government is pleased to see that the current draft includes the following clause:

7. ESTABLISHES the Product Safety Panel to evaluate goods traded through the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive", to ensure that they will be safe for children, and grants it the authority to permit nations to restrict or prohibit import or export of goods judged not to meet health and safety requirements set by the PSP;

While we understand the toy drive is inclusive of all toys, it is with small regret that the symbol for the toy drive wasn't Toy Trains. In Mikitivity, soft, fluffy, and fuzzy toys just don't carry the same social reverance as cold to the touch die-cast metal toys. *sigh* That said, the spirit behind this unique proposal is something that has my government's support! :)

While we understand the toy drive is inclusive of all toys, it is with small regret that the symbol for the toy drive wasn't Toy Trains. In Mikitivity, soft, fluffy, and fuzzy toys just don't carry the same social reverance as cold to the touch die-cast metal toys. *sigh* That said, the spirit behind this unique proposal is something that has my government's support!
It won't make it to quorum this time, so I will definitely in subsequent revisions consider allowing nations to adapt the particular 'figurehead toys' to suit their cultural interests. I hadn't really considered that, but I suppose I should have: I don't suppose, for example, Vastivans would be very keen on bears (but would probably love furry shotguns).

The Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss wholeheartedly supports the 'Teddy Bears For Children Drive' and the noble motivations behind it.

We encourage all nations to endorse its provisions without hesitation... for the children.

*peels away a tear*

~Aram Koopman, Knootian ambassador to the NSUN
"If the United Nations is a country unto itself, then the commodity it exports most is words."

http://home.ripway.com/2005-12/534911/NSO-member.PNGhttp://home.ripway.com/2005-12/534911/unog-member.PNGhttp://home.ripway.com/2005-12/534911/uma-member.PNGhttp://home.ripway.com/2005-12/534911/WIKI-member.PNG

This will be submitted today.

Thoughts?

Warm and fuzzy. Too warm and fuzzy.

Mean old nasty Texan.

Warm and fuzzy. Too warm and fuzzy.

Might I suggest reading it a little more closely? *tosses a sly grin and a wink to the representative of HotRodia*

Mean old nasty Texan.

:p I love you too.

Might I suggest reading it a little more closely? *tosses a sly grin and a wink to the representative of HotRodia*

I've read it. Amusing and aligned with my ideology, but too warm and fuzzy.

I don't suppose, for example, Vastivans would be very keen on bears (but would probably love furry shotguns).

Ooooh, it is tempting to create airships full of Fanged Teddy Bears for Mikitivity to ship to certain locations as a gesture of goodwill. ;)

My government isn't that concerned about the figurehead for the UN Toy Drive, as we acknolwedge that most nations have cultural traditions which indentify with teddy bears.

As for including language indicating that member nations may adapt the UN campaign as they see fit, I think that goes without say ... so what you've written is great as is.

I've read it. Amusing and aligned with my ideology, but too warm and fuzzy.

It's called political packaging, my friend.

It's called political packaging, my friend.

I may have some familiarity with that, mate. ;)

I may have some familiarity with that, mate. ;)

Oh, I'm sure you do, but only a little, right? ;)

Oh, I'm sure you do, but only a little, right? ;)

Of course. :D

It's called political packaging, my friend.

What on earth can you possibly mean? Packaging? These issues are crucial! Think of the children, for the love of God!

Sure. I like teddy bears. But I like free trade more. ;)

Woot! So I don't have to grovel?

*tempted to circle Gruenberg, chanting, "Ill Eagle! Ill Eagle! Told ya so, Ill Eagle!"*

*resolves instead to be adult about this. We're nearly up to 20 posts. Nods adult-ly to Ecopoeia and Fonzoland. Decides to steer clear of certain others who are talking about, you know, stuff on the phone and stuff.*

But they are up to something, aren't they?
Ill Eagle? or just sick as a parrot? :D

Is clause #7 supposed to apply only to the toys (including a requirement to ensure that 'sex toys' are "safe for children"?!?), or to all of the other types of goods that would be freed from protectionism as well?

I would actually strike that clause. It just creates another layer of bureaucracy.

I would actually strike that clause. It just creates another layer of bureaucracy.

Again, think of the children! I think making sure the teddy bears are safe is extremely important, as the children cannot be held responsible for their choices like adults can. The UN should protect them from dangerous products.

Would these teddies be able to carry weapons? After all, there have been several proposals (that have so far not reached quorum) protecting the right to arm bears...

Would these teddies be able to carry weapons? After all, there have been several proposals (that have so far not reached quorum) protecting the right to arm bears...

Shhh, don't spoil Gruen's secret plan!

This will be submitted today.



Thoughts?
Only one problem-a Propasel must have an indefnite period of effect.

Only one problem-a Propasel must have an indefnite period of effect.
Go away, read the rules, read the passed resolutions, come back, start again.

Go away, read the rules, read the passed resolutions, come back, start again.
Sorry.

If this passes, the Gruenberg representative will be in line for a KCRC (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Cobdenia#Knight.2FDame_Commander_of_The_Most_Fantabulous_Order_of_Richard_Cobden), and the premier of Gruenberg a GCRC (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Cobdenia#Knight.2FDame_Grand_Cross_of_The_Most_Fantabulous_Order_of_Richard_Cobden)

If this passes, the Gruenberg representative will be in line for a KCRC (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Cobdenia#Knight.2FDame_Commander_of_The_Most_Fantabulous_Order_of_Richard_Cobden), and the premier of Gruenberg a GCRC (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Cobdenia#Knight.2FDame_Grand_Cross_of_The_Most_Fantabulous_Order_of_Richard_Cobden)
Many thanks, but sadly it expires today, requiring 100 further approvals.

Many regrets from the Republic of Teruchev on the failure of the "Teddy Bears for Children Drive".

As a consolation, perhaps the time is now apt for a resubmission of the Auto Free Trade Agreement?

(OoC: Things have been crazy at work lately, which explains my absence, but with my boss away next week, wink wink, perhaps I will have some time to work on this initiative again).

That said, Groot and I both eagerly await the day when "Teddy Bears" will see the light of day.

Steve Perry, GCRC,
President.

I think now would be an excellent time to submit UNFTAA; if you are busy and need help with a TG campaign (or aren't busy but would like help) I'm more than happy to chip in.

As firm believers in the benefits of toys, and free trade, we are also deeply sorry to see this proposal fail. We hereby send two crates of Hou Mianish, "authentic" driftwood toy boats, and the traditonal complimentary crate of assorted koumiss, baijiu, and huangjiu.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7159/cpesl9af.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9936/cpeslfullname9pd.jpg

We at Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd. are also disappointed that this proposal did not reach quorum. We were looking forward to a great boost in the international distribution of our adult-oriented toys and other products and services. We sincerely hope that another attempt will be made to get this proposal, or at least a similar one, to the floor of the United Nations.

Cordially,
Sheik Eralc bin Cluich, CEO
Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd.

Here Here! We need a resubmission. You know you want to. There's two shiny medals for you if you do and it makes quorum!

This proposal has my full surrport.

Better late than never, I suppose...

As a gesture of goodwill, and an effort to revive this proposal the Commonalitarianism is donating the toys it produced to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent to support humanitarian activities.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7159/cpesl9af.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9936/cpeslfullname9pd.jpg

We at Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd. sincerely hope that this proposal is brought forth again. We look forward to a great boost in the international distribution of our adult-oriented toys and other products and services (as do, no doubt, our millions of customers and clients worldwide), should this proposal reach quorum and pass a floor vote.

Cordially,
Sheik Eralc bin Cluich, CEO
Cluichstani Private Entertainment Services Ltd.

Here Here! We need a resubmission. You know you want to. There's two shiny medals for you if you do and it makes quorum!

Was this addressed to me or to Gruen?

I support. Teddy Bear exporters of the world unite!

And I hope our fluffy otters aren't excluded either.

May the blessings of our otters be upon you all.

Leonard Otterby
Ambassador for the Republic of Compadria to the U.N.

This is about the only "fluffy"*snicker* legislation I'd support. Please resubmit.

Excelsior,
Sen Horatio Sulla

St Edmund's ambassador to the UN has been instructed to approve this proposal if & when it gets re-submitted.

Edward Haroldsson,
Firstthane for Outsidestuff.

LAE also agree with this proposal, and the LAE’s biotech industry is pretty excited.
Indeed CreateFlower (TM) a new kind of game invaded LAE’s toy webstores last Christmas and became a big hit. The LAE’s biotech industry hopes trade liberalisation in this area may boost CreateFlower (TM) sales worldwide.

NB: CreateFlower (TM) is a biotech game for children (older than 12 in LAE) that allow them to modify and add new genes to a dozen of different flower’s DNA in order to grow brand new stunning and beautiful species of flowers.
A competition will take place next month to reward the most beautiful and original ones.
CreateFlower (TM) is a trademark of Flogenomics Inc., a company listed on the LAEX (Love and esterel stock eXchange).

we oppose - this infringes on our national soverignty. Why should we promote teddy bears over other specific national animals? Our kids want cuddly owls. If it was non-species specific we would consider.

we oppose - this infringes on our national soverignty. Why should we promote teddy bears over other specific national animals? Our kids want cuddly owls. If it was non-species specific we would consider.

It doesn't discriminate.

5. PROHIBITS the use of protectionist mechanisms to stifle toy trade as damaging to the "Teddy Bears For Children Drive", and as such outlaws tariffs, duties, import taxes, subsidies and other protectionist mechanisms in the trade of teddy bears and other toys...

I know it says "other toys", but it says teddy bears first, other toys second. Why teddy bears first?

Grumble grumble alright I'll resubmit this.

OOC: Bearing in mind the points of Hirota and Mikitivity, even though clause 5 is of course much broader than the resolution title might suggest, I think I'll include a clause about allowing nations to adopt their own programs to suit their particular cultures. For example, teddy bears are not especially available in Gruenberg, whereas every young child has a fluffy goat.

OOC: Bearing in mind the points of Hirota and Mikitivity, even though clause 5 is of course much broader than the resolution title might suggest,Oh it's a smokescreen of the 1st degree. It'll be interesting to see if the masses read it.

Oh it's a smokescreen of the 1st degree. It'll be interesting to see if the masses read it.

Shush! The masses might hear you. :p

It's brilliant. Who can say "NO" to a bear named after a ficticious personage from the fictional land of the "Real World." And with some subliminal messaging systems it might open the door for other free trade, at least in a generation or two. GO FOR IT!

Cry havoc and let slip the Teddy Bears of free trade!

Rest assured I won't keep quiet if this looks like having a snowball's chance in hell of achieving quorum.

Rest assured I won't keep quiet if this looks like having a snowball's chance in hell of achieving quorum.I'm not sure if I will keep quiet or not - on one hand I'm amused by the prospect of finding out if the UN membership reads their resolutions before voting.

On the other hand, I am dismayed by the conniving methods that have been employed to sneak possible legislation in through the back door.

Rest assured I won't keep quiet if this looks like having a snowball's chance in hell of achieving quorum.
What a shame. I was looking forward to seeing Miss Chakrabati in a teddy.

OOC: Boom boom.

I'm not sure if I will keep quiet or not - on one hand I'm amused by the prospect of finding out if the UN membership reads their resolutions before voting.

On the other hand, I am dismayed by the conniving methods that have been employed to sneak possible legislation in through the back door.
That is actually not my intention.

I don't blame people for voting against free trade if they don't think it'd benefit them. This proposal is mainly designed to appeal to the idea that by supporting free trade, they'll be helping the children of the world. I fully expect everyone to "spot" that it is a free trade resolution - that's not something I'm opposed to.

And I should probably point out this is still in the draft stage. Comments welcome.

Intention or not, hiding it in what is basically a fluffie proposal will provide us some idea of if anyone in the general membership reads these things. But one thing you should know about me by now is I stick to my guns, and deceiving the general membership of the UN is against my principals.

I’m all for free trade (providing that fair trade is considered) so on that basis, I suspect I might vote for this, but will be in the unusual position of arguing against this proposal simply because of the deception.

What a shame. I was looking forward to seeing Miss Chakrabati in a teddy.

OOC: Boom boom.
I'm sure you were. And it's Ms, thank you.

OOC: groan

Language is way too fluffy. Anti-fluffies will vote against in disgust, and fluffies will think they're being made fun of (which they are), and suspect that this is a free-trade scheme (which it is). Can we tone down the fluffy parts; maybe nix the first paragraph and limit the language about benefitting the children to one or two clauses?

You're assuming they'll read it. ;)

Yes nobody actually READS resolutions anymore. :p

In view of the various comments about otters, owls and goats, maybe it should be renamed as either the 'Soft Toys Drive' or the 'Stuffed Toys Drive'... or maybe as the 'Fluffy Animal Toys Treaty'? ;)

Why is it that whenever you put children and happiness into a proposal everyone starts supporting it? The appeal to my real emotions is so strong I'm unsure if it borders on the real-world borderline. But if it's going to make children happy, I only have one thing to say.

What will happen with all the so-called 'violent' toys? Rifles, Plastic blunt knives, really scary 'freak' toys? Some of them aren't allowed out of airports, or many other ports, so you might need to exempt them from the rule.

You've got our support.

What will happen with all the so-called 'violent' toys? Rifles, Plastic blunt knives, really scary 'freak' toys? Some of them aren't allowed out of airports, or many other ports, so you might need to exempt them from the rule.

A toy "weapon" is not a real weapon. Real weapons are used for violence. Toy "weapons" are not.