Ask Snowstalker Anything

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Inspired by other threads of this nature.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

What pony/ponies would you appoint to your cabinet?

If only they were real.

Favorite fruit?

Lean banana.

Also, I would like the majority of questions to pertain to political positions.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

I have a question.

What happened to "taking a break"?

I did, from the April elections to now.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Who would you appoint to your cabinet?

I will reappoint any current cabinet members who intend to stay on board. We easily have the finest cabinet since I came to Atlasia.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

I wholeheartedly apologize for my angry concession that night. The fact that I had not slept for nearly 24 hours at that point did not help.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

You're used to that, man.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Your foreign policy?

Seems a bit broad; I am a person who tends to work with the situation at hand when it comes to foreign policy. I could give you answers on any specific issue.

What about cooperation between the left?

I'm not dropping out and re-endorsing Napoleon, if that's what you're implying.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

What, specifically, do you believe the Atlasian government should do to improve education and make students into more competitive workers?

An educated populace is among the great keystones of democracy; therefore, education reform will be a priority in a Snowstalker/hawkeye59 administration. Though I support many decisions on specific or regional matters being left to the local districts or the individual regions, the federal government must have some role to make sure that, for instance, the Mideast educational system is not significantly worse than the Northeast education system.

I would support a basic federal curriculum which would mandate, along with a minimum set of guidelines for teaching "core subjects" (math, history, science, English), requirements for schools to have some form of music and art programs, a sector which has been sorely neglected. However, once again, the specifics should be left to the regions.

In addition, I believe that more schools should promote technical or career programs, such as optional wood or metal shop classes. Though they are traditionally associated with blue-collar jobs, this does not have to be the case (and I resent the constant condescending attitude towards blue-collar jobs I see among many people); career training in high school prepares students for life just as much as understanding basic science or American history.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

To look at Scott's legislation, point by point:

1. This is fine; you shouldn't have a job without the proper education. I'd also support a required student teaching program, though that may be something worth doing at a regional level.

2. Seems a bit useless--some classes may not warrant as many tests as others, and nearly all teachers give tests anyway that have to be approved by the school administration. However, I wouldn't object.

3. This is almost certainly the core of the law, and something I'd support; letter and number grades can't say everything.

4. Sure, but some schools may not require as much funding as others. In addition, many self-fund through regional taxes. Federal funding should only be to schools in need.

5. Okay.

6. Definitely vague, but not too vague. Obviously the specifics of this can be dealt with by schools themselves.

7. I disagree with this; if someone is 20, has repeated grades, and is still in high school, they may as well drop out. I'd advocate simply making 18 the minimum age to drop out.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Your foreign policy?

Seems a bit broad; I am a person who tends to work with the situation at hand when it comes to foreign policy. I could give you answers on any specific issue.

What'll you do about Iran? North Korea? Israel-Palestine?

Iran: Sanctions only harm the people, while military intervention, as we've seen elsewhere, would cause more problems than it would solve. Iran is building nuclear technology presumably in response to Israel; much as has been negotiated by Atlasia and Russia, the Snowstalker administration would be willing to arbitrate between the two nations for arms reduction. However, I would also use limited military force if Iran were to initiate aggression against Atlasia or another nation; however, I would if at all possible avoid sending ground troops; for instance, using an aerial assault to break an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

North Korea: North Korea is clearly an unstable hermit state; it could collapse upon itself or launch a suicidal attack on South Korea. Atlasia under Snowstalker would be prepared to defend South Korea in the event of a North Korean invasion. However, I do not advocate pre-emptively attacking North Korea.

Israel-Palestine: Among the roots of resentment and terrorism towards Atlasia is its unwavering support of Israel. Though Atlasia will defend Israel if they need our assistance, they do not need our monetary aid; this would be cut. I also condemns the violent tactics employed by both sides, which have killed thousands of innocent civilians. A Snowstalker administration would be committed to strengthening the Israeli-Palestinian relationship through continued negotiations. However, the specific terms of peaceful negotiations should be left to the Israeli and Palestinian governments and people.
 

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Your foreign policy?

Seems a bit broad; I am a person who tends to work with the situation at hand when it comes to foreign policy. I could give you answers on any specific issue.

What'll you do about Iran? North Korea? Israel-Palestine?

Iran: Sanctions only harm the people, while military intervention, as we've seen elsewhere, would cause more problems than it would solve. Iran is building nuclear technology presumably in response to Israel; much as has been negotiated by Atlasia and Russia, the Snowstalker administration would be willing to arbitrate between the two nations for arms reduction. However, I would also use limited military force if Iran were to initiate aggression against Atlasia or another nation; however, I would if at all possible avoid sending ground troops; for instance, using an aerial assault to break an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

What do you mean by initiate aggression? Would that necessarily be military action against Atlasian forces, or would it even be the creation of a function nuclear reactor, or somewhere in between? And when you say another nation, do you mean Atlasian allies or any other nation (let's say Iran attacks North Korea...)?

Action against Atlasian forces or an Atlasian ally.

20RP12: The government should certainly provide foreign aid to some extent. However, I advocate the end of all military aid with the possible exception of Afghanistan (merely to train their army and policee), and foreign aid should be spent through supporting NGO's instead of corrupt governments who take the money for themselves.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

So you support the idea of cutting aid from our greatest ally, while giving aid to corrupt governments, but indirectly? You understand that even donating through organizations like UNICEF, the governments of the countries that are receiving the aid can call for injunction and take the money for themselves, right?

If they did that, we would cut off aid.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Would you support the Presidency and Vice Presidency being elected independent of one another?

No, though my reasons are rooted more in tradition than anything else.

Seatown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czOlT05QABk&feature=related