NationStates Jolt Archive

From La Repubblica Oggia - International Edition

CAF passes legislation to preserve traditional Christmas definition

Bill clearly states "respect for other cultures and holidays", but
stresses "as a Christian nation, there is no reason or precedent
for the demotion of this important celebration"

Giuliana d'Ambatana
TIMIOCATO

Legislators in the Constazione Ampoliticato Federali, the lower legislative house in Pacitalia, have passed a bill preserving the traditional definition of Christmas, in regards to the surge of political correctness over the past month in western-style liberal democracies.

Minority groups had protested Christmas celebrations, calling it unfair for such a holiday to be celebrated so widely and treated so importantly against other similar holidays from other cultures, religions or faiths. Still, a wide majority of Pacitalians are Christian and celebrate Christmas, and were unhappy with the attempts to stifle a holiday observed by such a wide margin of people, and petitioned the government to act.

The CAF voted 202-32 in favour of the bill (R-6: M61 D43 S1055.4 12/2005), which states that "the Pacitalian people and government, without compunction or influence, readily accept, admire and appreciate the observances and holidays of other cultures, religions or creeds. We have a tremendous respect for all people, equal under the banner of democracy. However, that being said, suppression of the voices of a majority of Pacitalians in the name of so-called political correct behaviour is an illegitimate excuse for the suppression of the rights of individuals to celebrate and observe the customs and holidays of their choice. There is no reason or precedent for such a hypocritical demotion."

The bill simply reaffirms the afforded rights of Christmas celebrators to refer to the holiday as Christmas, to say "Merry Christmas" instead of the politically correct versions, and to refer to any Christmas-related items as such.

Banduryat Singh Furkha, head of the Pacitalian Sikh League, called it a "paradoxical outrage with sound principles", while the Pacitalian Concerned Christians Coalition head, Archbishop Alberto Sindarfone, lauded the government for making "sound judgment, and defending the rights of so many against the evil ministrations of such few".

There were no comments from Prime Minister Dr. Ell or Senior Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Copilul-Minune; they both abstained from the vote, as did four other MPPs.

"A pathetic attempt by Marxist atheists to cloak their fidelty to their dark master, Satan. Pacitalia is an atheist hellhole steeped in the cursed and vile teachings of the Devil's advocate, Karl Marx. Timothy Ell and all his wicked people will be smothered by fire and brimstone and their black, putrid souls will be delivered into the open arms of their dark master, Satan, when the Almighty brings His judgment upon thee!"

--Pope Paul VII--

We plaudit the nation of Pacitalia for staying true to its people and its culture and not allowing a minority to dominate with their voice to represent a small percentage of the people. Although, Space Union on a whole is mostly Sikh, we do not share the views of the Pacitalian Sikh League for the "ending" of such a sacred practice of the dominate religion. I doubt they would cite the same opinion for Dwali, if Sikhism was the mainstay religion of the great Pacitalia.

We once again congratulate on your victory to preserve those traditions your people and culture believe is right. A country shall be run based on the majority not a small minority that does not adequetly represent a large share of the people.

Signed,
Federate Harsimran Mann
Federal Sikh Republic of Space Union

We plaudit the nation of Pacitalia for staying true to its people and its culture and not allowing a minority to dominate with their voice to represent a small percentage of the people.

Signed,
Federate Harsimran Mann
Federal Sikh Republic of Space Union

we must commend this action also. Whatever that state may be the rights of it majority is what is democratically important.

From the Desk of the President

We applaud the Pacitalian legislature for defending Christmas against a tide of paranoid political correctness.

We agree, as a nation of liberal Christians, with their opinion that while some toleration is required, toleration does not entail total submission and weakness to the whims of a few who do not represent the will of all.

Indeed, let me go as far as to praise this as a defense of the "freedom to" practice religion and traditions, not as any endorsement of a tyranny of religion, as those on a slippery slope might think of this edict as.

Gordon Freeman Kai-Shek Lew
President
Unified Peoples of Upper Xen

[ OOC: Wow, didn't expect that many comments so quickly. Though, I guess it is Christmas, eh? Good timing! ;) ]

[ OOC: Wow, didn't expect that many comments so quickly. Though, I guess it is Christmas, eh? Good timing! ;) ]

Its my Christmas gift to you. :p

[ OOC: Wow, didn't expect that many comments so quickly. Though, I guess it is Christmas, eh? Good timing! ;) ]

OOC: On that note, Merry Christmas.

Kudos to James Macpherson for that last bit about "freedom to." It came from a book on Lincoln he did, and he discussed an essay somebody once wrote about the nature of liberty, invoking it to describe Lincoln's effects, etc. Felt like deploying it.

Official Statement from Shah Khosru III

Christmas? They ought to call it commercial day, like in Parthia, where everyone gives each other gifts, eats a lot, and gets plastered, the fact it falls on Christmas day is just a coincidence, we call it commercial day. Norouz is the only sensible celebration of a religious nature left in this world, all Christmas is anymore is a massive fest of gift giving and capitalism, not a bad thing, capitalism is excellent, but theres nothing religious about it. I mean, if people want to call it a religious holiday, have something religious in it.

-Shah Khosru III

To:Shah Khosru III
From: Department of State, Federal Republic of Brydog

Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ. That's why it's religious

To: Everybody
From: Department of State, Federal Republic of Brydog

We celebate each religious day the same, but we like to say "Happy Holidays" because we're liberals.

An admirable stance you have taken, President Ell and Pacitalia. I am glad to see that there are some nations out there that are not paranoid or loose sleep because they know, out there somewhere on the street someone is being allowed to say "Merry Christmas". You have our support and even our thanks for keeping the sacred holiday up.

Signed,
Emperor Danial Hampton XIII
The People's Republic of Droloon

Signed,
Tempoarily President Terrance Hampton
The People's Republic of Droloon

Official Statement by the Emperor

For possibly the first time ever, I find myself applauding the Pacitalian government in their decision regarding the date of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It pleases me to see that foul heathens spreading their vile "political correctness" blasphemy are being suppressed in such a manner. To you, the people of Pacitalia, I say Merry Christmas.

-Emperor Helldawg V

Bump

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/150/sovietcoatofarms3kb.jpg
Statement from the Premier
Federative Central Government
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

For once, I and the Shah have something in common. Christmas is nothing more than a church created and company endorsed commercial sales day. It serves no natural purpose than to create revenue for companies owned and operated by capital-class heathens.

Thanks to the Theological Ruination Act (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Theological_Ruination_Act_of_2005), Christmas has been abolished as a national, endorsed holiday within the boundaries of the Soviet Union. No longer do multi-national corporations use the originally religious holiday as a tool to create capital so that millions of families from Latin America to Siberia are forced to eat rotting food and leaves on December 25th.

Pacitalia, I find it rather disturbing that a nation who openly supports democracy and multi-culturalism to be supporting such a completely Christian occasion. It disturbs me that your Lower House would do such a thing. However, I have come to expect if from this world. Happy Holidays.

Sincerely,
Vladimir Ivanovich Troskin, Ph.D., S.J.D., D.S.Sc.
Premier of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Imperial Statement of Approval

The Imperial Senate passed a similar issue last year on political correctness gone wacko, barring anyone from complaining about under-representaion in the media. Granted, your's offers more leg room, assuring minorities that they're appreciated and admired. But, the Comatic government does indeed respect other religions, it's just that, uh, yeah.

Informal Message From Emperor Titus Celmaetus

"A pathetic attempt by Marxist atheists to cloak their fidelty to their dark master, Satan. Pacitalia is an atheist hellhole steeped in the cursed and vile teachings of the Devil's advocate, Karl Marx. Timothy Ell and all his wicked people will be smothered by fire and brimstone and their black, putrid souls will be delivered into the open arms of their dark master, Satan, when the Almighty brings His judgment upon thee!"

--Pope Paul VII--

"Put a sock in it, it's Christmas, you old bastard."

--Anonymous—

From the Desk of the President

To Mr. Troskin:

Let the Pacitalians enjoy themselves. No need to ruin a day of rest, now, because you don't see the need for it. Christmas may not mean much to you, but it certainly means much to other people around the world, not just capitalists, but freethinking persons as well.

Try to exercise some form of cultural relativism, please.

Gordon Lew
President
Unified Peoples of Upper Xen

"A pathetic attempt by Marxist atheists to cloak their fidelty to their dark master, Satan. Pacitalia is an atheist hellhole steeped in the cursed and vile teachings of the Devil's advocate, Karl Marx. Timothy Ell and all his wicked people will be smothered by fire and brimstone and their black, putrid souls will be delivered into the open arms of their dark master, Satan, when the Almighty brings His judgment upon thee!"

--Pope Paul VII--
he really said that????????????????/
:eek:

http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/pacitaliaseal.jpg
Message from the Prime Minister

Dear Premier Troskin --

I am surprised at your lack of tact and judgment on this issue. For a man stocked with degrees, you really do not understand the definition of Christmas in Pacitalia, except to slam us for being capitalist. My government and the people it represents have learned to get past your continuous attacks against our belief in high political freedoms and civil rights, but your assault against our religious and cultural observances is ridiculous, especially in the light of the Constazione's explicit admiration and acceptance of other beliefs and customs in their legislation.

Christmas in Pacitalia is known as Reformato Felixas. It is a celebration not only of the birth of Jesus Christ, but of the enduring human spirit and love for the common man. Literally translated, Reformato Felixas means Resolution of Goodwill. It is a celebration of the ability of humans to be compassionate, to share, love and be happy - something that, for residents of certain authoritarian countries, does not happen easily otherwise.

There may be presents exchanged and lots of food consumed, but Pacitalians prefer, for once in the year, to be able to celebrate something without commercialist overtones. However, you saw fit to accuse us of exactly the opposite. So, I ask you, Mr. Troskin - do not criticise our way of life until you actually live with us - and you obviously have not, for your shortsighted comments were abhorrent and ill-timed, in light of one of Pacitalia's three most important holidays.


Sincera in domina bene,

Dr. Timotaio (Timothy) Ell, MPP, RPID
Prime Minister of Pacitalia

"Are you people fucking blind? This is nothing more than a subtle attempt by the Ell regime to draw attention from its barbarous persecution of Christians. Few regimes on Earth violate freedom as flagrantly as the Stalinist tyranny of Pacitalia."

--Minister of Justice Chia Neng Lee--

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/150/sovietcoatofarms3kb.jpg
Statement from the Premier
Federative Central Government
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

I am sorry to have assumed the obvious. But if you truely wanted to be sincere about freedoms and not showing favoritism to single faith and culture, why not changed the day of the national holiday to December 23rd, or 22nd, since the actual faith and culture are not backing it.

You are true to say I attack your beliefs and doctrines - someone has to. You are even true to say that I haven’t lived amongst Pacitalians - residents have. However, you cannot say, that my attack and generalization of capitalists is not unjustified. One needs to only look into the past century in order to find reasons why it is justified. Now, if you wish to do the same to Leftist movements, perhaps you need to speak to a Leftist first in order to get a definition of one.

Happy holidays, Mr. Ell.

Sincerely,
Vladimir Ivanovich Troskin, Ph.D., S.J.D., D.S.Sc.
Premier of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

he really said that????????????????/
:eek:

{OOC: No. He's the fictitious pope of the Roach-Busterian Catholic Church.}

From the Desk of the President

Mr. Troskin, you seem to be answering a question that has not been asked. I will state simply, this edict probably had little to do with capitalism, and more with national tradition, religious or not. The sins of capitalism are besides the point entirely.

Now, I will take my leave of this unnecessary debate over a moot point. All peoples have their traditions, again religious or not, and again, I urge you to exercise a healthy amount of cultural relativism on this point, instead of steamrolling over other's fun with trite monotony. I certainly will.

Gordon Lew
President
Unified Peoples of Upper Xen

"Are you people fucking blind? This is nothing more than a subtle attempt by the Ell regime to draw attention from its barbarous persecution of Christians. Few regimes on Earth violate freedom as flagrantly as the Stalinist tyranny of Pacitalia."

--Minister of Justice Chia Neng Lee--

"Wasn't it your government that put people in concentration camps?"

From the Desk of the President

Mr. Troskin, you seem to be answering a question that has not been asked. I will state simply, this edict probably had little to do with capitalism, and more with national tradition, religious or not. The sins of capitalism are besides the point entirely.

Now, I will take my leave of this unnecessary debate over a moot point. All peoples have their traditions, again religious or not, and again, I urge you to exercise a healthy amount of cultural relativism on this point, instead of steamrolling over other's fun with trite monotony. I certainly will.

Gordon Lew
President
Unified Peoples of Upper Xen

(OOC: Troskin didn't respond to Gordon at all. The U.S.S.R. doesn't officially recognise Lew as President of Upper Xen because of the communist rebellion in UX. So, lol.)

(OOC: Troskin didn't respond to Gordon at all. The U.S.S.R. doesn't officially recognise Lew as President of Upper Xen because of the communist rebellion in UX. So, lol.)

OOC: My bad, man. Got caught up in the spirit of, as Gordon calls it, an "unnecessary debate."

So, those posts were not needed, then?

(OOC: Yeah, since I never responded to you. Lol. You still get on MSN Messenger?)

(OOC: Yeah, since I never responded to you. Lol. You still get on MSN Messenger?)

Rarely. Very rarely. Ottoman Khaif and MassPwnage can attest to that, along with Camel Eaters. Thanks to schoolwork, whatnot. Though Winter Break is coming, so there may be a little time (in between the stuff teachers give to do during break).

Oh and BTW, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays/Happy Hanukkah (just in case).

Official statement from Gyrobot

Our nation applauds you for not bowing to political correctness. We hope you have a merry christmas and an happy new year. May god keep the noob wars away during the holidays.

Bump

I applaud the action of the Constazione Ampoliticato Federali in defending what has become a fixture of modern Pacitalian culture. I do also, however, respect those that have issue with the recent legislative action. When dealing with a subject as charged as religion great care must be taken to preserve the dignity of all people.

On a personal note I will be celebrating Reformato Felixas with close personal friends in Nortemera. I hope that this will establish a new personal tradition of celebrating this season with my friends and compatriots in Pacitalia.

May God Bless the Democratic Capitalist Republic and the Grand Duchy.


Peace For All,
Princess Anne
Head of the Royal House
Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire

"Are you people fucking blind? This is nothing more than a subtle attempt by the Ell regime to draw attention from its barbarous persecution of Christians. Few regimes on Earth violate freedom as flagrantly as the Stalinist tyranny of Pacitalia."

--Minister of Justice Chia Neng Lee--

Shut up. Thank you.

--Emperor Titus Celmaetus

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/msarzo/GreatSeal.jpg
Official Statement - Incorporated Sarzonian Government

The Incorporated Sarzonian Government finds this decision to "preserve the traditional definition of Christmas" by the Pacitalian government a demonstration of unfortunate and startling disregard for the wishes of the minority populations among it who do not celebrate Christmas. We are disappointed that the Pacitalian government has chosen to fly in the face of the principle of separation of church and state.

Grant Haffner
Deputy Senior Vice President and External Affairs Officer
Incorporated States of Sarzonia

Grant, in the interest of restoring relations between us, you better be joking. Merry Christmas.

- Prime Minister Timothy Ell

Secret IC:

To: Timothy Ell
Prime Minister, Democratic Capitalist Republic of Pacitalia
From: Mike Sarzo
President, Incorporated States of Sarzonia
Subject: Your response to Mr. Haffner

I can't believe that in the spirit of this holiday season you claim to cherish that you would write language that would even suggest that you're threatening anything toward my government. Since when does the state of relations between our countries forbid my government from making statements when we disagree with something you've said.

In addition, I am personally disappointed in your response to Mr. Haffner after he expended considerable effort toward getting both you and Empress Lien Larsen of Scandvaian States to the negotiating table in light of your objections to their membership in the Organisation of Maritime Powers. Not only that, but in spite of his many disagreements with Dr. Samothera, he not only expressed my government's condolences over her loss, but he also rightfully upbraided the Kriegorgradian Oligarch for his insensitive comments.

Let the record show that if anyone causes Paci-Sarzonian relations to take a nosedive, it will be you, not Deputy Senior Vice President Haffner.

"Mr. President, a vote in Pacitalia's parliament 'preserving the traditional definition of Christmas' is causing quite a stir."

"You brought me into work today for this?" grumbled Fernanda.

"Do you want to hear about this or not?"

"All right, Alex, fine. I'll humor you."

"In response to the vote, a pope has condemned the Pacitalian nation to hell, a Soviet premier has criticized Pacitalia for supporting a commercial holiday, and Sarzonia is concerned that Pacitalia is 'flying in the face' of separation of church and state."

"Do I know even know any of these people?"

"I don't think so, sir."

"So, Big Bad Pacitalia, huh?" sighed Fernanda, with a fair amount of envy.

"You've heard of them ..."

"I know. The networks won't even air footage of their prime minister anymore, because looking directly into his eyes (http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/Ell_PM_15Oct.jpg) causes seizures."

"I'm pretty sure that's an urban myth, Mr. President."

"Yeah? We got the Internet, we got Snopes; how much you wanna bet?"

"We can discuss this later, Mr. President."

"Dude, whatever," Fernanda laughed. "So what does the bill actually do, anyway?"

"It reaffirms the right of Pacitalians to say 'Merry Christmas.'"

"That's it? And all these idiots are getting their panties all in a bunch? For God's sake, send them all some eggnog and tell them to chill the fuck out."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, where's that girl in a Santa suit I asked for?"

Department of State
The Federal Republic of OmigodtheykilledkennyAttn: His Highness the Rt. Hon. Dr. Timothy Ell, Prime Minister of Pacitalia

The Federal Republic applauds your parliament's recent efforts to preserve religious liberty in your nation.

The Destructor from Del Fuego, Mexico, President of the Federal Republic, sends his kindest regards.Sincerely,
Alex Tehrani
Secretary of State

P.S. Please enjoy this complimentary eggnog. Merry Christmas.[OOC: The same to all of you. The "Merry Christmas" part, I mean.]