NationStates Jolt Archive

Grand Senate of the United Republic
Seventh Senate Session of the Second Month, 2009 AU

The Grand Senate was in full swing. With the rise of the Anagonian Confederation and the responsibilities that followed with it, the Senate had been busy the past week allocating resources to the Member-Provinces. The floor had been open to Senators from the provinces within Anagonia during this period, all vying for more power in influencing the decisions of the military and civilian contractors heading overseas. Generally arguments were kept civil, but occasionally they'd get so heated that a pause in Senate Affairs was in order. It just so happened that an hour before the issue brought forth to the Grand Senate was so disputed and divided that Dunan Ruu had no choice but to call for a recess. The hour he set forth had passed, and upon returning he set the previous issue for tomorrow's session in which he called for everyone to debate among their peers for a proper debate.

"I call into motion the affair of the Confederation," said a Senator representing a State within Anagonia, "that therein this affair must pertain to the Member-Province of Santheres, and therefore be concentrated around said affairs of resource allocating of any assets therein pertaining to said Member-Province."

A Senator from Nodea Rudav rose, "I second the motion with the addition that said affairs be widely accessible to all Senators and without dispute to said addition." A Senator from Drekamythia rose and seconded the Rudavians addition. Chief Senator Dunan Ruu looked at the Senator from Anagonia, "Does the respected Senator whom called the motion accept the terms seconded by his brethren from Drekamythia and Nodea Rudav?"

The Senator nodded, "I do accept the additions to the motion Chief Senator."

Dunan gazed towards the Representatives from Santheres, whom were seated near the middle of the Senate. "Then by this motion I call into order the Grand Senate, therefore calling the Chief Representative from Santheres to the floor." He motioned towards the podium below him, Dunan sitting above the podium position.

Orazio's first placement upon joining the Corps had been as Chief Representative to the Confederation. Being only a barone, especially when in the company of marcheses and conteasas, it might have said something about how much the Santherese in general valued international affairs -- of course, the Anagonians were generally unlikely to think twice on the subject. When Dunan called his name, he was still the representative, and an authority in himself, no matter his social standing.

There was the small difficulty in that, so far as he had seen, the Grand Senate operated not at all like the Noble Congress. It was so proper and ... sterile, lacking the cultured leisure, and sometimes aggression -- vitriolic or otherwise -- of official politics back home.

He liked it.

Taking his place at the podium before the Senate, he cleared his throat and straightened out the packet of papers he had with him. "Esteemed Senators, I have been given to come before you with a great concern that has faced Santheres for two generations, now. Though I must confess its immediate importance may not be great: Santheres is a stable nation, a wealthy nation, but it is a nation with increasingly limited space to sustain our ever-growing population. With environmental considerations -- considerations every individual in our country takes quite seriously and as necessity -- our ability to expand our cities, to create them new, is far less than conventional wisdom may seem to indicate." He paused, breathing deeply and shuffling through some of his papers.

"We may within twenty years face a crisis more common in the third world than in any society as ours, as yours; the overcrowding of our cities is a grave concern for which we have yet to find a viable, long-term solution. It is for that reason that we must turn to Anagonia before it reaches an extent to cause instability amongst our people."

Did he do well? He glanced over at one of his peers, who shook her head slowly. Did she not approve of his word choice? How long he took to say the problem? Maybe she was just shaking her head in worry of the problem at hand. He would hear from her later, no doubt.

Dunan Ruu gazed down at Representative Orazio, nodding in approval as he finished his statement and general plea. The Grand Senate was quiet for the first few minutes after Orazio spoke. Mostly the Senators were privately conversing amongst themselves concerning the situation in Santheres. Dunan noted on his screen the jump in private communications in the Grand Senate, briefly gazing over a few that seemed quite improper. As Chief Senator, he was also the Moderator of the forum for private conversation. It wasn't unusual for him to pine in and suggest that a few of the extremists to say their words openly. Usually they wouldn't for fear of dishonor in the Senate, but this time one did. Dunan raised an eyebrow as he received a rather blunt reply to his challenge.

"The Grand Senate hereby recognizes Senator Yalondo for five minutes," Dunan said upon confirmation. The Senator, standing on the second row of the Senate, spoke with the assistance of a microphone. "Thank you Chief Senator," Yalondo said with a rather displeased tone of voice.

"Representative Orazio, Brethren of the Grand Senate, Chief Senator," he cleared his throat. "I am my compatriots of the Imperial Party of Drekamythia find your situation rather confusing. How is it that a nation at the capacity of the United Republic not be able to solve such trivial problems? Is your government una-"

"I object!" A loud voice proclaimed from the right side nearest to where Dunan's position was. "Senator Yalondo openly patronizes Representative Orazio for something beyond his control!"

Dunan hid a smile. This was going to be good, "The Senator from Nodea Rudav is hereby recognized for his objection." Dunan gazed at Senator Yalondo, "Does the Drekamyhian Senator wish to grant the remainder of his time for the objection?"

Yalondo's face was dark red with anger. Obviously not a man who liked to be interrupted, he raged. "I do not recognize the objection! It is useless and irrelevant to m-" An entire row of Senators stood near the back of the first row, a single Senator crying out. "In the name of the Grand Senate, we Object!"

Dunan stood, tapping his gavel. "Order, order." He gazed at the Senators, then the single Senator from Drekamythia. Obviously his party was too scared to be seen with such an extreme individual. "By Order of the Grand Senate, the Objections have overruled the Imperial Party's time. Henceforth, I call Senator Asgard to continue his objection without noting said objection, that therein the respected Senator should remark concerning nothing of his Brethren from the Imperial Party."

Yalondo fumed, but he couldn't do anything. He sat down, slowly, hissing. Gazing behind at his compatriots, then at the Soviet Party whom stood in joint objection. Senator Asgard gazed towards the Soviet Party as they sat down, smirking a tad bit. He then looked at Orazio. "I hereby call for a motion that the Grand Senator should personally investigate these claims in an unbiased manner that therein should solve all complaints concerning said matter."

Dunan gazed in surprise, then sat down. He chuckled under his breath, looking down to Representative Orazio. "Due to these turn of events, and the motion brought forth by the Senator from Nodea Rudav, what is your say Representative Orazio?"

"In light of the clear ig--lack of understanding or willingness to gain such displayed by the confused party," Orazio said, beginning to regret every word as he continued, "I believe the representatives of Santheres would sooner place this matter in the capable hands of the Grand Senator than risk our concerns being invalidated."

He looked over at his peers again. They looked unhappy. At him or Yalondo, he wasn't sure, but would gamble on the latter. It was enough that they had to sit through party politics, one of the clear evils of the world in the Santherese belief -- they didn't need to deal with the willful ignorance displayed by the Imperial Party.

Despite better judgment, he added as an afterthought, quieter than his previous statement. "Santheres will brook no insult to its dignity."

Dunan Ruu gazed down at his screen again. The traffic from the Imperial Party had all but ceased, but the Soviet and Democratic Parties seemed to be in an uproar over something. He looked closer, then looked away and coughed a few times hiding some deep chuckles. The coughing was apparent enough to hide his amusement, so when he recovered as an Aide ensured his well-being he drank some water and concentrated on the Senate.

Senator Asgard looked down at his screen and almost had a fit himself. It seemed that plenty of Senators were having coughing fits in such a short amount of time. They all recovered and managed to get a drink of water, much in the same manner as Dunan. The Grand Senator noted this, placing a hand on his forehead and shaking his head. Good Goddess, he said to himself, this forum is turning into a joke.

"Esteemed Brethren of the Grand Senate," said Asgard as he brushed himself from his "coughing fit". "I believe it proper to request that the remainder of the Delegation from Santheres have a say in their nations activities." He gazed towards Dunan Ruu, "With respect and honor, Grand Senator, I call this to properly understand the situation and further ensure that no objections from any Party are henceforth heard."

A Senator from the Democratic Party rose, located at the other side of the top row. "I second this call for recognition."

"Then it is agreed," Dunan said gazing down at Orazio. "Representative Orazio, could you kindly call the remainder of your Brethren to this stand to jointly introduce the overall condition of Santherese Affairs?" He made a motion for the extension that spanned from left to right with speaking platforms that could be configured to podiums. Aides had already set up the microphones, "And I'd like you to remain there, as the recognized Head of the Delegation from Santheres."

Slowly, the dozen Santherese rose from their seats. Some had absolutely blank faces, others were clearly unhappy. They walked across the floor to the platforms and filed into their seats. One, Giovanna, stared directly at Yalondo, blinking sparingly.

Orazio hadn't said a word. He wouldn't, and couldn't, actually call them to the stand -- how improper that would be, even given the technical authority. They did it for him. They made no other motions and said nothing, however. When they were situation Giovanna raised her hand and nodded slightly, still focused on the Senator from the Imperial Party.

"We're prepared to speak further," Orazio said. He was still left with some concern as to where this was going and what was going to become of him later on. Giovanna looked rightly ... pissed, there was no better word, and she was not the kind to simply let stupidity or disrespect by. He had to worry about what she might think to do to people like Yalondo as much as himself.

Senator Asgard spoke before anyone could initiate the proper context of forum. "Respected representatives from Santheres," He looked down at his screen as he leaned on an elbow at his desk, "Seeing as already the Chief Senator will be personally visiting your Nation to help us comprehend the extent of commitment we must provide, I have called you forth to get your take on the situation." He placed himself standing upright, "Now this is not to be taken as one individual, but all separately." He placed a hand on his chest for emphasis, "I want to know what we can do and how we can do it without offending your laws." He motioned behind him, "I'm sure my Brethren in the Grand Senate would like to know the same thing." He then motioned to all the Santherese Representatives, "It is to be stated that I, we, the Grand Senate desire to know the extent of this problem, what the specific reason of being unable to deal with this problem is, and what the United Republic can do without breaking your environmental laws."

Dunan turned his attention to the Representatives, "Mr. Orazio?"