NationStates Jolt Archive

Someone has informed me that citing real life evidence/research for an NS UN proposal may be a no-no. Can I get mod confirmation or denial? If you need to read the proposal for context it's located here: http://invisionfree.com/forums/CACE/index.php?showtopic=1606

As a long-time UN watcher (and a Delegate for several months), I'd consider that generally acceptable - the Needle Sharing Prevention precedent would probably be governing here.

However, clause 6 might be questionable, as it creates a UN agency.

Someone has informed me that citing real life evidence/research for an NS UN proposal may be a no-no. Can I get mod confirmation or denial? If you need to read it for context it's located here: http://invisionfree.com/forums/CACE/index.php?showtopic=1606

Oh, I hope not. But I say this because I already *have* done this in a UN resolution (the last one).

The reason I did this, is I thought that the UN proposal rule was really meant to prevent the NS UN from specifically tackling real world people, places, and events, but that we could still tackle general real world problems.

In any event, I too would be curious to hear the ruling and would ask the moderators to review my resolution (Needle Sharing Prevention) and basically judge if that is a no-no that slipped through the cracks or if perhaps what I did was OK.

My apologies if I broke some NS rules, as that was not my intent.

Good point. I really meant the agency to be more of a decoration and the actual rule be the forestry replacement. I know a lot of people look at resolutions and say "Cool idea, but how would it be enforced on an international level?"

The Illegal Logging resolution was the inspiration in a way. Just throwing an agency in for the sake of looking like the UN and then having the actual active clause for the sake of doing something within the NS UN.

I'm certainly open to editing that clause if it's necessary for rules compliance, however.

Hmmm.... Citing real-life scientific research.... I think that's borderline.

I don't have a problem with it, but I'll have to discuss this with the other Mods that also patrol the proposal list.

For now, I'll just say that you can write proposals against general problems (such as deforestation), but not against specific problems (such as deforestation in the Amazon). You are allowed to cite real life situation in a proposal for illustrative purposes, that is, to explain the concept discussed in the proposal. You simply can't resolve to take action on a real-life situation. Thus, citations of real-life scientific research would be allowed on the grounds that they're being used for illustration only.

Again, I'll have to discuss this with the other Mods before I make this ruling final.

I've been operating under the assumption that it's acceptable. However, since this is now being brought up as an explicitly-asked question, I'll go double-check.

--The Modified Democratic States of Cogitation
"Think about it for a moment."
NationStates Game Moderator

Again, I'll have to discuss this with the other Mods before I make this ruling final.

I've been operating under the assumption that it's acceptable. However, since this is now being brought up as an explicitly-asked question, I'll go double-check.


Thanks Cog! That is all we can ask for.

Naturally if you'd like arguments in favour, XG and I (and others) would be happy to prepare a thought out argument in favour. But you obviously understand why we feel the need to do this, i.e. illustrative purposes, and will be happy to work within the bounds of whatever decision you reach.

Though as an aside, it just goes to show ... sometimes it is best to not ask certain questions, as you might be told no. ;)

Though as an aside, it just goes to show ... sometimes it is best to not ask certain questions, as you might be told no.

Haha, that's true. Since someone else asked I figured I should get the official stance on it. I'd hate to put in work drafting and campaigning only to see it shot down on a technicality.

And thanks Cogitation, I know we're not doing much lately aside from creating a big pain in your rear.