NationStates Jolt Archive

Welcome to SCNN, where we bring you all of today's domestic news from around Sniper Country!

Good evening, this is Ashley Holder, here with tonight's top stories from around the nation.

Earlier today, a firefight erupted in Ghillie between armed gunmen and Ghillie police forces. The six gunmen, armed with AK-47s and various automatic weapons, were all killed by the police during the battle. Three officers were wounded and released from the hospital by five o'clock. No civilians were injured. Intense violence still exists in Ghillie, specifically the Ensemble District, renown for its intense anti-government sentiment and gang violence. These gunmen were found to be part of an outstanding, extremely violent organization known as SAM, or Satan's Armed Minions, prevelant for their religion- Satanism. During his second term in office as Senate Speaker, John Philips outlawed the religion, citing growing violence by its members, and none coming forward to speak of peace within the religion in Sniper Country. However, Sal Masekela repealed the law during his stint as Senate Speaker, saying it was "absurd" to outlaw any religion. His repeal only passed the Senate as a whole by three votes, making it the closest repeal of any law in Senate history. Philips has not yet addressed the issue, and many wonder if he will in fact outlaw Satanism again.

It is estimated that only two thousandths of a percent of the nation is devoted to Satanism. Christianity still remains the largest religion in Sniper Country, receiving a percentage number of sixty three percent in the last census. Eleven percent is Jewish, nine percent Atheist or Agnostic, seven percent Islam, six percent are, oddly enough, Rastafarian, and four percent remain in other world religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduisn, Scientology, and Sikhism.

Ghillie, Sniper Country's third largest city, has been in turmoil for several years due to gang violence. Two of the nation's top drug cartels, the Obregon Brothers Cartel and the Juarez Cartel, make up a large sum of the organized violence community surrounding Ghillie. The cartels have been fighting with each other for several years, each vying to become the top distributer of illicit drugs in Sniper Country, ranging from marijuana and cocaine to heroin and LSD. Various, smaller gangs and organized crime syndicates also run rampant throughout Ghillie. Ghillie's Law Enforcement officials have been attempting to get increased funding for fighting the crime, and has received the funds several times, but at its last attempt, John Philips cited the fact that crime has not decreased since the last increase in funding. He was noted as saying, "Get me some results, then we'll talk about more funds."

That's all for now. Thank you, I'm Ashley Holder for SCNN. Have a great day!

Good afternoon, I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg), for Sniper Country National News.

Today, the new Domestic Reconstruction Report, a report on the nation's progress as we rebuild from the devestation of the National Rebellion. The report cites several new advancements in transportation, noting that the highways between Remington City, Stalk Lane, and Ghillie have all been completed, and Sniper Country International Airport in Stalk Lane, the busiest airport in the nation, is up to full capacity and function. The report also alluded to several SCAF factories, many producing the SCAF's small arms and ammuntion are now back to being fully operational. The factories may already be producing the 5.56mm "Black Talon" round used by Sniper Country toward the end of the Omzian War, which had an extremely effective kill rate and high approval ratings by troops in the field. No word yet on the SCAF's progress thus far. According to the sixty-seven page long document, the Backwood has returned to normal, with farms and such already having returned to operating status. It is estimated that Pascagoula Naval Yard will be back to operating capacity by the end of the month, at which point the Senate will delegate facilities to begin construction of the Sniper Country Naval Forces, beginning with an aircraft carrier, designated the SCN Ty Holder... after my very own brother, who laid his life on the line... and lost it, in order to break several prisoners from... Omz222's prison camps after the attack on... Hagras Bay...

Excuse me...

...In other news today... John Philips has outlined a plan to, once the nation is back on its feet, order the SCAF on its first mission overseas. After being pushed back from the Omzian War, Sniper Country lost all of its global footing, losing position in South Africa, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia [Earth I]. The most notable of these, of course, being South Africa. According to sources, Philips' plan marks the beginning of a strike into South Africa, taking back the Sniper Country Homeland. Sources say Philips will be revealing the plan before the Senate within the weeks ahead, but no word on when the SCAF may be ready for such a mission.

The Senate today approved a sixteen billion dollar bill allowing for the purchase of foreign military goods. This bill was signed into effect earlier this morning, with the condition that at least three billion dollars go towards funding the Backwood Militias with more vehicles and weaponry systems.

That's it for today; I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg) for SCNN.

Good evening, I'mAshley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg) for SCNN.

In tonight's news, John Philips made the move to ban Satanism and Homosexuality in Sniper Country. Philips' hour-long speech on the destructiveness of Satanism was immediately followed by a Senate vote, which passed by the margin of seventy-nine percent. Seven years ago, when the original ban on Satanism was passed, it passed by seventy percent. The law passed calls for added police and, if deemed neccesary, military presence in Ghillie. Those of the practice are urged to leave the nation as soon as possible. There is a seventy-two hour timeframe available to those Satanists who wish to leave the nation for refuge in another nation. However, after this time period, any proclaimed Satanist found within the nation will be faced with exile after prosecution. This outlaw of Satanism comes after continued attacks on Sniper Country Police Forces, with none of the practice's members coming forward to speak on a positive note for the practice. The only public announcements from any known Satanist in Sniper Country has been of praise for past attacks, and continued attacks, "in the name of Lucifer himself."

Following the passage of the previous law, Philips called outspoken friend and colleague Brad Mann, who gave one of the most boisterous speeches in Senate history, on the practice of homosexuality. At many times bringing out his crude manner in explainations, Mann brought the opposition to their knees with his forty-seven minute speech, finally introducing a new bill to ban homosexuality in the nation. After the speech and proposal, the bill was voted into effect by a margin of eighty-two percent. The first ban on homosexuality, placed into effect four years ago, passed by ninety percent. The stipulations for the law are the same for the ban on Satanism, but homosexuals are given an extended ninety-six hours to vacate the nation. If caught after the given period of time, those prosecuted face eviction from the nation or exile.

Philips made several comments during his final speech of the day refering to these laws as essential for "upholding the highest in moral and spiritual standards before an Almighty God." Reports of cheering and gunfire in the streets of several Backwood towns and villages were received after the passage of both bills by the Senate.

After the time period for each group to vacate the nation, the National Citizen Registry will be tapped, searching for those who may still reside in Sniper Country. In the Registry, it is optional for Citizens to note their religion or sexual preference. The Registry is updated every five years, when the National Census is completed. Given that homosexuality is believed a choice, and that Jesus Christ can enter the hearts of any accepting him, the decree is that any claiming to have changed heart, from homo to heterosexuality or from Satanism to another such religion or practice will be placed on watch for the next twelve months. If no fault is found, they will be taken off watch and allowed to live their lives as they please.

At the end of the session, "Down With The King" by Jay and Run DMC was played over loudspeakers throughout the Senate Building. Odd enough, I guess. Haha...

That's all for today, I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg) with SCNN. Join us again tomorrow, good night!

Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg) here for SCNN with today's news.

This morning, we are told, Speaker John Philips signed an agreement with the president of former nemesis Omz222, Loran Vansare, Omzian "President of the Republic." The agreement outlined plans of renewed relationships with Omz222, beginning with plans to construct a small outpost in the remote Omzian Tundra. The outpost, said to be located in possibly the most desolate area of Omz222, will be home to the SCAF's Special Operations Extreme Cold Operations Training Site, or SOECOTS. The site will house up to four units of SpecOps hopefuls, who will spend a grueling three months at SOECOTS, learning how to adapt and operate in an Arctic environment. The temperatures around the location of SOECOTS are renown for never getting above freezing, and often staying in the negative numbers. This will come as quite a shock to those entering the program, as the average year-round temperature in Sniper Country is eighty-nine degrees Farenheit. The SCAF's DB program, the largest, and generally thought of as the 'most forgiving' Special Forces program the SCAF has to offer, will be utilizing SOECOTS mostly, as reported from Commander-General Mark Spitz. This will elongate the already gruesome training for the DBs by three months. All DB program enlistees must first complete Basic Combat Training, which lasts fifty-one weeks; go on to Advanced Combat/Specialty Training, which can last for up to sixty weeks, depending on the soldiers' speciality; and complete the DB Prerequisite Course, which lasts seven days. The course is often identified by graduated DBs as the worst week in the SCAF. The DB Course itself is already thirty-five weeks long. After the addition of SOECOTS, the course will last an awesome forty-seven weeks of intense Special Forces Combat Training.

In other news, the Senate today announced that the Sniper Country Economical Report lists the nation back into full operating capacity. This means that the nation is back to where it was before the Rebellion two years ago, in terms of economical status. 'We are back on our feet, and plan on staying this way for a very, very long time,' Senator Brad Mann boasted this afternoon after the report was released to the press. We are still awaiting news on the reconstruction of the SCAF. Hopefully that report will come in to us in a few days. John Philips still hasn't released any more information on the plans he alluded to a few days ago on a possible invasion of South Africa when the SCAF returns to full operating capacity. However, much activity has been noted around the Louisiana-sized AO-101. Recently, it was confirmed that a contract with DMG Military Industries was signed, receiving billions of rounds of ammunition for SCAF-issued weapons. A full report will be broadcast as soon as we have any news.

That's all for tonight. I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg) for SCNN. Good night!

Good afternoon, I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg) here with SCNN.

Just minutes ago, Commander-General Mark Sptiz, commander of the SCAF, announced what many doubted would ever come. We now go live to Johnny Kimbrough, on the scene at the announcement at AO-101. Johnny?

---

Yes, Ashley, just moments ago, Commander-General Mark Spitz made the announcement to the nation, and to the world, for that matter, that the SCAF is now back to full operational capacity. This essentially means that the SCAF is capable of being deployed to any nation in the world if called upon, and is fully capable of defending the homeland of Sniper Country should the need arise. Now, Spitz did admit the ongoing browsing for updated equipment, including peices such as Main Battle Tanks, Armored Troop Transports, and various pieces of Aircraft. However, he did go on to say that all troops in the SCAF are once again trained to the highest extent possible, restoring the nation's place once again at the epitome of "the most highly trained and capable troops in the world." Exact numbers and specifications are not currently available to us on the sizes of the branches and units within the SCAF, but we will report more on that when information becomes available. Truly, this is a day to be remembered throughout the nation. Ashley, back to you.

---

Thank you. That was Johnny Kimbrough reporting live from AO-101 on the announcement that the SCAF has once again returned to full operating capacity. We will report more on this, hopefully with more precise allocations, when the information becomes available.

For SCNN, I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg). Thanks again for turning to Sniper Country National News for the most fair and balanced reporting in the nation.

[OOC: This takes place before the buyout attempt that will lead to major changes in PIW's influence within Sarzonia.]

Admiral Barbara Tucker grimaced as she read the announcement from Phillips about Sniper Country's policies with respect to their treatment of homosexuals and Satanists. She noticed the silence that came from Sarzonia's allies in Omz222 and shook her head.

"Seems like they're trying to make our job more difficult," Tucker said. She remembered the executive meetings with the combined administrative staffs of Avalon Aerospace, Incorporated Ordnance, and her own Portland Iron Works naval company that raged for hours. Obviously, the bans against Satanism and homosexuality didn't jibe with Sarzonia's domestic policies and the landslide victory for both bans was disheartening, to say the least.

The first question that came to Tucker's mind was how the company should respond. Ultimately, however, she decided the best response was no response. The Portland Iron Works would fulfill its contract with Sniper Country to design a new Expeditionary Assault Vehicle. Whether the company took on any new contracts from Sniper Country was anyone's guess.

She heard the telltale noise her e-mail client made when she received an e-mail marked urgent. She paused, hoping it wasn't yet another Talzecki pyramid scheme, then glanced at the sender: Grant Haffner, the Deputy Senior Vice President and External Affairs Officer. In other words, the second in command at Sarzonia's version of a foreign ministry.

"What does that little jackass want now," Tucker mouthed as she clicked to open the e-mail.

Admiral Tucker,

In light of Sniper Country's recent announcement of its policies barring homosexuality and Satanism, we are asking that you place said nation on your black list and not sell to them. We also ask you not to honour the terms of your contract. A hard copy request is being delivered to you as I write this.

-Grant
Tucker looked up and saw Gladys, her longtime secretary, with a sealed envelope with the great seal of Sarzonia on the envelope. The outside of the white envelope read: Official Postal Transmission, Incorporated Sarzonian Government. Tucker looked at Gladys and sighed.

"Guess they don't play around, do they?"

She opened the envelope as Gladys walked out, then she saw the formal request signed by the President himself. Then, her phone rang.

"Admiral Tucker."

"Admiral." Tucker raised her eyebrow. President Mike Sarzo himself was calling.

"Yes, Mr. President?"

"We are getting ready to issue a condemnation of Sniper Country's policies. Do not whatever you do sell to them."

"Too late Mr. President. We have a standing contract to construct an Expeditionary Assault Vehicle."

"Cancel it."

"Mr. President, I can't. That would compromise this company's integrity and I refuse to do it."

"Barbara."

"Mike, you know the legal precedents. You would be hard pressed to explain to the Sarzonian people how you are able to strong-arm the Portland Iron Works into refusing a contract from a country that is doing nothing more than expelling people. If they were committing genocide, trust me, we'd already have them on our black list before you could send the e-mail."

"That's going to look real clever Admiral," Sarzo said. "'We don't like your policies but we'll sell to you anyway'."

"Do you think we've always agreed with our allies on every single policy," Tucker asked. "If a country isn't dictatorial and they're not committing genocide or torture against their citizens, what the hell are we doing sticking our nose into their business? We will not reneg on our contract. End of story."

Tucker hung up the phone while Sarzo seethed on the other end. She was one of few people in the country who could get away with doing that, but in
some ways, she was at least as powerful as Sarzo himself.

Good afternoon, I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg), here with a Sniper Country news update.

The Senate today released an official statement relating to organizations within Sniper Country that are now outlawed by the Senate. Senator Brad Mann was quoted as saying, "These organizations have been compiled by the Senate and other various sources and have been noted to be involved in terrorist acts around the nation." When asked what outside sources were utilized in collecting this data, Mann was also quoted as stating, "Much of our information comes from the IMF. However, much more information comes from various sources that would be best suited to be left out of the public eye. Face it, if you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about."

Several protestors stood outside the Senate Building today protesting not the document itself, but the fact that the document had no examples of the terror acts committed by the said organizations. The protest was ignored by most, as activities went on as normal throughout the day.

The document lists the following organizations:

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
SAM (Satans Armed Minions)
Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Friends
GAMMA (Guerra Alliance de la Movimento Meio Ambiente [Environmental Movement Combat Alliance])
Animal Liberation Front
دم, عصارة النبات, حياة, سِلة, الدم (Blood of Allah)
NG3 (No Good, No Gift, No God)
Liberal Underground

The document also includes various organizations, such as the over three hundred organized crime rings in Ghillie, Sniper Country, as well as the Juarez and Obregon Brothers' Cartels. With this new legislature, anyone involved in any of these said organizations may be immediately taken into custody and face immediate exile to one of several islands under Sniper Country occupation set aside specifically for exilation. If anyone involved in these organizations shows any resistance, it is justified to shoot to kill on site. The piece of legislation also clearly states that no such individual involved with any of such organizations may be taken in by foreign governments; Speaker John Philips stated earlier, "We ask that no foreign nation attempt to contact us in an attempt to take in those involved in these outlawed groups."

That's all for today. I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg) for SCNN. Thanks!

Good evening, I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg), here with a SCNN news update.

After several years of peace and quiet in the fourth largest city in the nation, Ghillie has come under civil unrest today as a heated gang war spilled out into the streets this morning. After the fall of the Juarez Cartel nearly four years ago, the Obregon Brothers seemed to vanish from the radar of both the Senate and local police forces. Today, however, violence erupted as early as three fifteen this morning. Calls to local police stations reported automatic gunfire and men laying dead in the streets. It wasn't until nearly six this morning that police forces were mustered to begin fighting back, but it was seemingly too late, as the fighting almost immediately displaced the police. Incoming reports say that already nearly four hundred have died, along with twenty-two police officers.

It is uncertain where the attacks are coming from, how long in advance they were planned, how long they may continue, or even why they are taking place to begin with. Speaker Drew Haltom is currently out of country, but it is likely he may utilize the same drastic measures that were used four years ago to clean up Ghillie's city streets.

If you will recall, four years ago, the 33rd Mechanized Infantry Division, often referred to as the "Gangland" Division, was deployed into Ghillie to quell the violence that had been taking place for several years. Some called the deployment of an entire division of troops a measure that should never have been utilized, but the effectiveness of the move was seen almost immediately. After only two months of fighting within the city, the Juarez Cartel was pulverized, the Obregon Brothers Cartel was unheard of, and the weekly death toll dropped dramatically - from nearly two hundred to only sixteen. The division remained in Ghillie for nearly a year, performed clean-up operations and assisting local police departments in training, intelligence, and the development of urban tactics.

The 33rd Mechanized Infantry Division, which is comprised almost entirely of rehabilitated criminals from Ghillie sent into training in the SCAF, is known as being the only division in the SCAF which fully held its own sector in Honjaksgrad nearly twenty years ago. It is also commonly referred to the epitome of urban combat. The division, created twenty-five years ago as a way to rehabilitate criminals from Ghillie and put their urban skills to good use, boasts nearly four thousand men strong.

While the fighting continues today in Ghillie, one can only wonder what effects this will have on the Senate's domestic policy concerning the nation's fourth largest city. Ghillie has often been referred to as the "Anus of Sniper Country," and is mostly known for its run-down, poverty-stricken, lowlife crime influence, instead of its mass industrial sectors. It has been the supposed headquarters of two massive-scale drug producers - namely the Juarez and Obregon Brothers Cartels. Although cocaine and heroine have been the two major exports of both of the cartels, recent trends show that marijuana use throughout the nation has been growing at almost exponential rates, along with prescription drug abuse.

The Senate is expected to discuss all these topics in their session today. We'll keep you informed.

I'm Ashley Holder (http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/touchstone_pictures/national_treasure/jennie_finch/treasurepre.jpg), stay tuned for further breaking news.