Kevin's Watch

VivAsana wrote:"World Factbook Entry: A region of outstanding natural beauty with puissant auras, Andelain is a bastion of freedom and earthpower in the heart of the Land."

Cheap, foreign-made cars are becoming increasingly popular, causing concern in The Cleburneites's automobile manufacturing industry.

The Debate
"Unless this government does something, The Cleburneites won't have an auto industry for much longer," says auto industry union boss Roger Wall, in a rare public appearance alongside management. "These foreign companies employ people for a few punts a day. The only way to level the playing field is to raise tariffs. The government would make more money, too, so it's win-win."





"For once, I agree with my grubby colleague here," says General Chassis CEO Peggy Trax. "Although I have to say, tariffs aren't the only answer. A more effective solution would be to abolish minimum wage laws. Now that would level the playing field. And we'd be able to employ more--argh, let go of my throat!"



"I think we need to face facts," says noted economist and chat-show regular Beth Nagasawa. "We live in a global economy now, and automobile manufacturing just isn't The Cleburneites's strong suit. There's no point taking money from taxpayers in order to line the pockets of a few greedy workers and corrupt managers in a doomed industry. Let the market takes its--argh, let go of my throat!"

The Issue

All of New Mammonia has been in an uproar since yesterday when a car exploded in the middle of the capital city, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. This terrorist act was traced back to a violent minority group known as the Lilliputian Freedom Fighters. A group allegedly supported by an unfriendly regime, despising New Mammonia for its heathenish ways and political bent, but more particularly for supporting the recent occupation of their homeland by an ally.
The Debate

1. "They simply crossed the line!" shouts General Falala Frederickson. "Far too long have we tolerated these terrorist threats, it's time that they realise they can't mess with us. Send the order to prepare an invasion, and we will show them who is boss! Our brave soldiers are prepared to die for their country, all we need is your signature and a lot of money. But what is the cost of freedom and safety for New Mammonia's peoples?"


2. "Attacking another country isn't the answer," says Buffy Mombota, director of the New Mammonia Intelligence Agency. "The problem doesn't lie abroad, but within New Mammonia itself! We should have more freedom to do our work. Protecting our nation from these cowardly scaremongerers would be much easier if we had an inherent right to tap phones and other communications, get search warrants whenever we need, and detain suspects indefinitely. Remember, to prevent is better than to cure."


3. "No, that's what those terrorists want us to do!" speculates chairman Alexei Love of the Patriots' Tea and Biscuits Club. "We don't want to give the Agency any more responsibility, they're the ones who messed up in the first place. What we need is to purge New Mammonia of these rats who don't respect the laws and traditions of our way of life. We know who they are and where they come from, so the solution is obvious: we just won't let those sorts of people cross our borders and kick out those who are already here. It might seem a bit harsh, but hey, we were here first. Long live New Mammonia!"


4. "I think it's clear to anyone with half a brain in their head that this will just not work," says Billy-Bob Washington, a noted professor of social studies. "The people who perpetrate these terrible crimes do so because they feel they have no other recourse to demonstrate their political opinions. They'll do anything and I'm sure they're not above hiring mercenaries. You must understand why terrorists act as they do and fix it! What we should do is to reach out to the ethnic and religious minorities and seek common ground! Negotiation is the key! Violence solves nothing."


5. "We spit on New Mammonia!" expectorates Samuel Summers, leader of the Lilliputian Freedom Fighters. "You disrespect our people and our country and everything we are! You spread your sickening influence where it is not wanted! You must change your ways and cease to oppose us or else there will be more bloodshed. You have been warned!"


6. "Is terrorism such a terrible thing? Really?" asks Stephanie Jefferson, avant garde journalist, discreetly sliding a pipe bomb under your desk. "These people are simply expressing their political opinion the best way they know how. I think we should legalise terrorism as a legitimate form of political commentary. It'll certainly get people interested, don't you think?"

Syl wrote:New Mammonia got a whopper today:

The Issue

All of New Mammonia has been in an uproar since yesterday when a car exploded in the middle of the capital city, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. This terrorist act was traced back to a violent minority group known as the Lilliputian Freedom Fighters. A group allegedly supported by an unfriendly regime, despising New Mammonia for its heathenish ways and political bent, but more particularly for supporting the recent occupation of their homeland by an ally.
The Debate

1. "They simply crossed the line!" shouts General Falala Frederickson. "Far too long have we tolerated these terrorist threats, it's time that they realise they can't mess with us. Send the order to prepare an invasion, and we will show them who is boss! Our brave soldiers are prepared to die for their country, all we need is your signature and a lot of money. But what is the cost of freedom and safety for New Mammonia's peoples?"


2. "Attacking another country isn't the answer," says Buffy Mombota, director of the New Mammonia Intelligence Agency. "The problem doesn't lie abroad, but within New Mammonia itself! We should have more freedom to do our work. Protecting our nation from these cowardly scaremongerers would be much easier if we had an inherent right to tap phones and other communications, get search warrants whenever we need, and detain suspects indefinitely. Remember, to prevent is better than to cure."


3. "No, that's what those terrorists want us to do!" speculates chairman Alexei Love of the Patriots' Tea and Biscuits Club. "We don't want to give the Agency any more responsibility, they're the ones who messed up in the first place. What we need is to purge New Mammonia of these rats who don't respect the laws and traditions of our way of life. We know who they are and where they come from, so the solution is obvious: we just won't let those sorts of people cross our borders and kick out those who are already here. It might seem a bit harsh, but hey, we were here first. Long live New Mammonia!"


4. "I think it's clear to anyone with half a brain in their head that this will just not work," says Billy-Bob Washington, a noted professor of social studies. "The people who perpetrate these terrible crimes do so because they feel they have no other recourse to demonstrate their political opinions. They'll do anything and I'm sure they're not above hiring mercenaries. You must understand why terrorists act as they do and fix it! What we should do is to reach out to the ethnic and religious minorities and seek common ground! Negotiation is the key! Violence solves nothing."


5. "We spit on New Mammonia!" expectorates Samuel Summers, leader of the Lilliputian Freedom Fighters. "You disrespect our people and our country and everything we are! You spread your sickening influence where it is not wanted! You must change your ways and cease to oppose us or else there will be more bloodshed. You have been warned!"


6. "Is terrorism such a terrible thing? Really?" asks Stephanie Jefferson, avant garde journalist, discreetly sliding a pipe bomb under your desk. "These people are simply expressing their political opinion the best way they know how. I think we should legalise terrorism as a legitimate form of political commentary. It'll certainly get people interested, don't you think?"