Northeast Assembly Thread

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

I, as Governor of the Northeast, hereby sign Freedom to Enjoy Oneself in Public Bill.

Governor Han

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

We will move to the next item...

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I move that this Bill be considered, all in favour say 'aye'... I think the ayes have it.

Can Rep Wormguy please speak to his Bill, and the debate period will last for 48 hours.

[tpfkaw]

Thank you, speaker.

As we all know, the history of our country is not entirely composed of proud moments, least of which is the mass murder and cultural genocide of the people who were indigenous to the land prior to the introduction of European settlers.  The land that we stand on is stolen land, from the people who originally inhabited it and made it their home.  It is not possible to fully right this wrong - most of this region's land is inhabited, and it would be neither possible nor proper to return it to its rightful owners.  However, there are vast tracts of land held in trust by various governments here, local, regional, and federal, which have not been made into residential areas.

To this day, the original tribes native to those lands are not able to live on their ancestral lands, or use their ancestral hunting and fishing grounds, or visit their traditional places of worship.  It is simple to right a portion of the wrongs of the past; this assembly need only transfer those lands held in trust by the Northeast government to the native tribes they were stolen from.  Some might argue that regional government ownership of certain lands is absolutely crucial - if that is the case then they might be purchased for a fair price, or the native tribes might be convinced to give them to the regional government again if they truly are so crucial.  But it is absolutely neither right nor fair that our region continue to hold to the doctrine of "might makes right" regarding this issue.

[Free Palestine]

I support this bill.

[Rowan]

I am opposed.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'm not entirely opposed, but I think the Bill goes too far.

I'm happy to support free access to ancestral lands.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Alright, period for debate has closed.

Let's move to vote on this Bill... 24 hours.

[Free Palestine]

Aye

[Rowan]

Nay

[Sbane]

Nay

[tpfkaw]

Aye

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Apologies all, I was ill last night so couldn't vote in time.

For the record, I would have voted Nay.

it's a 2-2 tie, Governor this is your call.

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

I, as Governor of the Northeast, hereby sign The Un-Stealing Bill.

Governor Han

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Can't wait to see the protests over this one...

[Free Palestine]

I was a bit surprised that the Northeast still has native tribes to give land back to.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

...and you still voted for it?

[Free Palestine]

...and you still voted for it?

I meant surprised before I voted on the bill.  And that comment was made in jest.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

There was no emoticon!!!

[Free Palestine]

There was no emoticon!!!

I'm starting to learn that I need an emoticon for others to know when I'm not being serious.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

We will now proceed to the next item...

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I move that this be considered by the Assembly, all in favour say 'aye', the ayes have it.

The sponsor will now speak to the Bill, debate will last 48 hours.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

We all know the horror of what happened in Nyman.

This Bill will provide a measure of assurance to our citizens that there will be consequences for those who support those who advocate the use of violence against us.

In order to ensure a degree of probity in this - the required vote to be placed on the register is deliberately high, so as to avoid the risk of politically motivated bans.

[tpfkaw]

I find this bill to be extremely constitutionally suspect, as this assembly cannot simply bypass the governor to declare something illegal.  That must be its own law.  Furthermore, if an organization is truly engaged in terrorist activity, then its members can be arrested and any assets seized because that activity is illegal.  Given that terrorist activities are already illegal, this bill merely serves as a means of harassing legitimate organizations, as such laws have been used for in the far-off land of America.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'm happy to accept genuine amendments.

The ability to freeze or seize assets would only come after a terror attack, not allowing any significant intelligence to permit action before people are killed or injured.

Do you really think that 75% of the Assembly would vote to classify an organisation a terror supporter or a terror organ in its self, simply for the sake of it?

A terrorism register has been used effectively in other parts of the world, to starve funding and access to those who are directly supportive of terrorism.

If you'd prefer I'm happy to remove the section about the governor, with the usual procedures applying.

This Bill would create the register, and the mechanism through an act of the Assembly, would permit organisations to be placed and/removed. There is nothing here which is constitutionally 'questionable'.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I am presenting an amended version to consider for an immediate vote.

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24 hours to vote.


--- Also, any member who is seeking re-election to the Assembly needs to make that known---

[Sbane]

Aye