Midwest Universal Alþing Official Thread

[hawkeye59]

OK. Just remember to PM me when it is the day.

[Dr. Cynic]

Question Time Day Act Bill Law
1. The Deputy Prime Verin shall be responsible for determining the day of the week that Question Time is performed.
2. Every four Sundays, the Deputy Prime Verin will generate the question time day for the next four weeks using the random.org number generator.
2a. The randomization will be performed by generating a random integer from 1-7 four times.  The first integer corresponds to the first week, the second integer corresponds to the second week, and so on.
2b. Generating a 1 indicates that question time will be held on the Sunday of the corresponding week.  Generating a 2 indicates that the question time will be on a Monday.  3 is Tuesday, 4 is Wednesday, 5 is Thursday, 6 is Friday, and 7 is Saturday.
3. Whenever possible, the revealing of the question time days of the week will be done in a manner akin to the Powerball drawing.

So I don't have to go back and look, is this a proposed law or a law on the books?

[hawkeye59]

Question Time Day Act Bill Law
1. The Deputy Prime Verin shall be responsible for determining the day of the week that Question Time is performed.
2. Every four Sundays, the Deputy Prime Verin will generate the question time day for the next four weeks using the random.org number generator.
2a. The randomization will be performed by generating a random integer from 1-7 four times.  The first integer corresponds to the first week, the second integer corresponds to the second week, and so on.
2b. Generating a 1 indicates that question time will be held on the Sunday of the corresponding week.  Generating a 2 indicates that the question time will be on a Monday.  3 is Tuesday, 4 is Wednesday, 5 is Thursday, 6 is Friday, and 7 is Saturday.
3. Whenever possible, the revealing of the question time days of the week will be done in a manner akin to the Powerball drawing.

So I don't have to go back and look, is this a proposed law or a law on the books?

Proposed

[Dr. Cynic]

Question Time Day Act Bill Law
1. The Deputy Prime Verin shall be responsible for determining the day of the week that Question Time is performed.
2. Every four Sundays, the Deputy Prime Verin will generate the question time day for the next four weeks using the random.org number generator.
2a. The randomization will be performed by generating a random integer from 1-7 four times.  The first integer corresponds to the first week, the second integer corresponds to the second week, and so on.
2b. Generating a 1 indicates that question time will be held on the Sunday of the corresponding week.  Generating a 2 indicates that the question time will be on a Monday.  3 is Tuesday, 4 is Wednesday, 5 is Thursday, 6 is Friday, and 7 is Saturday.
3. Whenever possible, the revealing of the question time days of the week will be done in a manner akin to the Powerball drawing.

So I don't have to go back and look, is this a proposed law or a law on the books?

Proposed

Ok, thanks, just making sure.

I'm good with the bill.

[Senator Barnes]

Fine by me.

[ilikeverin]

I figured a random number generator would appeal to the loony Midwestern spirit!

[Dr. Cynic]

I figured a random number generator would appeal to the loony Midwestern spirit!

I like it

Should we vote?

[ilikeverin]

Please make sure to clarify now if there are any questions about what this should do or how we should phrase things... this is supposed to be loony, not confounding!

[Senator MaxQue]

What is Question Time?

A pretense for creating a new lottery?

[Dr. Cynic]

What is Question Time?

A pretense for creating a new lottery?

Question Time was actually my suggestion for something that we could get something going here. This place is languid too often and we go days without doing anything interesting. Barnes wrote the bill and ilikeverin has proposed his own bill on how the day of Question Time will be chosen. Seems pretty cut and dry lunacy, actually.

[Senator Barnes]

We need some leadership here...

I figured a random number generator would appeal to the loony Midwestern spirit!

I like it

Should we vote?

I believe so.

[Dr. Cynic]

We need some leadership here...

I figured a random number generator would appeal to the loony Midwestern spirit!

I like it

Should we vote?

I believe so.

I wanted to see if we'd hear from Hawkeye given that he's the Prime Verin. But since we haven't heard from him, I'll open up the vote.

Question Time Day Act Bill Law
1. The Deputy Prime Verin shall be responsible for determining the day of the week that Question Time is performed.
2. Every four Sundays, the Deputy Prime Verin will generate the question time day for the next four weeks using the random.org number generator.
2a. The randomization will be performed by generating a random integer from 1-7 four times.  The first integer corresponds to the first week, the second integer corresponds to the second week, and so on.
2b. Generating a 1 indicates that question time will be held on the Sunday of the corresponding week.  Generating a 2 indicates that the question time will be on a Monday.  3 is Tuesday, 4 is Wednesday, 5 is Thursday, 6 is Friday, and 7 is Saturday.
3. Whenever possible, the revealing of the question time days of the week will be done in a manner akin to the Powerball drawing.

There's the bill. Vote on it!

[Senator Barnes]

[hawkeye59]

Sorry.

[ilikeverin]

[Senator Barnes]

I assume this has passed?

[Senator Barnes]

I hereby propose the following Constitutional amendment:

Amendment No. 1
The Preamble of the Third Midwest Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following, second, paragraph:

"It is the responsibility and the sacrosanct duty of the government to preserve the rights and privileges of the people, enshrined to them by both this Constitution, and by the Federal Constitution."

Section I of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following two clauses:

"5. The Alþing has the right to proclaim citizens of other regions of Atlasia as "Honorary Midwest Citizen."  This is only a courtesy title and carries no legal weight.  Honorary Citizens may not be allowed to vote in the Alþing and they may not be counted among the registered citizens of Atlasia.  But, a separate list of Honorary Citizens may be maintained elsewhere.

6. If an Honorary Citizen moves to the Midwest, they shall loose their title as Honorary Citizen.  It shall, however, be automatically be re-granted to them if they move from the region."

Section II, Clause 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following language:

"It is the duty of the Prime Verin to keep all Midwestern citizens updated of the actions of the Alþing, and to encourage them to participate in the legislative process."

Section VI of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following clause:
"2. Whenever the government of the Midwest is involved in a trial, as either the Plaintiff (or Prosecution) or Defense, the Prime Verin shall appoint a temporary Solicitor Verin to represent the region.  The Solicitor Verin shall be discharged from their duties at the conclusion of the trial."

Section VII of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following clause:
"5. Once an amendment is approved, it shall be inserted into the relevant section(s) of the official copy of the Constitution as maintained on the Wiki.  An original, non-amended, version of the Constitution shall also be separately maintained."

x Barnes

This needs four more signatures before it can be debated.  

[Senator MaxQue]

X MaxQue

[Dr. Cynic]

I assume this has passed?

Indeed with a vote of 4-0, it passes.

*Bangs gavel*

Also...

XDr. Cynic

[Senator Barnes]

That part about Honorary Citizens that says they "may not be counted among the registered citizens of Atlasia" should say "Midwest." I'll make sure and amend it once this gets enough signatures.

[hawkeye59]

This has enough signatures. I took the responsibility of changing Atlasia to the Midwest for you Barnes. Vote on the bill:
Amendment No. 1
The Preamble of the Third Midwest Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following, second, paragraph:

"It is the responsibility and the sacrosanct duty of the government to preserve the rights and privileges of the people, enshrined to them by both this Constitution, and by the Federal Constitution."

Section I of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following two clauses:

"5. The Alþing has the right to proclaim citizens of other regions of Atlasia as "Honorary Midwest Citizen."  This is only a courtesy title and carries no legal weight.  Honorary Citizens may not be allowed to vote in the Alþing and they may not be counted among the registered citizens of the Midwest.  But, a separate list of Honorary Citizens may be maintained elsewhere.

6. If an Honorary Citizen moves to the Midwest, they shall loose their title as Honorary Citizen.  It shall, however, be automatically be re-granted to them if they move from the region."

Section II, Clause 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following language:

"It is the duty of the Prime Verin to keep all Midwestern citizens updated of the actions of the Alþing, and to encourage them to participate in the legislative process."

Section VI of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following clause:
"2. Whenever the government of the Midwest is involved in a trial, as either the Plaintiff (or Prosecution) or Defense, the Prime Verin shall appoint a temporary Solicitor Verin to represent the region.  The Solicitor Verin shall be discharged from their duties at the conclusion of the trial."

Section VII of the Constitution is hereby amended by inserting the following clause:
"5. Once an amendment is approved, it shall be inserted into the relevant section(s) of the official copy of the Constitution as maintained on the Wiki.  An original, non-amended, version of the Constitution shall also be separately maintained."

[Senator Barnes]

Thanks, hawk, but a constitutional amendment requires five signatures, and it then must be debated like all legislation.  After debate is concluded, a separate thread must be opened to vote on it. 

Here's the relevant info:

Section VII: Amending Procedure
1. An amendment to this Constitution must be proposed in the Alþing and must have the signatures of at least five (5) citizens.
2. The proposed amendment shall then be debated in the Alþing like a regular piece of legislation.
3. Once debate has concluded, the Prime Verin shall open a separate voting booth for the approval or rejection of the amendment. The booth shall stay open for five (5) days.
4. To be successfully approved, the amendment must be voted on by an absolute majority (50% + 1) of the registered Midwest population, and three-fifths of the votes in favor.

[ilikeverin]

I think this should be split into at least a couple of proposals.  I'm great with Honorary Citizens, but the Midwest has never had a separate judiciary of its own, because there has never been a trial, to my knowledge, in the Midwest.

[Senator Barnes]

I think this should be split into at least a couple of proposals.  I'm great with Honorary Citizens, but the Midwest has never had a separate judiciary of its own, because there has never been a trial, to my knowledge, in the Midwest.

Splitting it up is fine, but none of that can be done unless it comes to the floor, i.e. it needs another signature. 

And the part about the judiciary does not crate a judiciary for the MW.  It simply allows the Prime Verin to appoint someone to represent our region in the event a case actually does happen (which I realize it probably won't).  Our one and only judiciary is still the Supreme Court.  I just think it's safe to be prepared for these things.

And, the office only exists during a case, so, no case, no office. 

[Dr. Cynic]

Come to think of it, we really should simulate court cases... That could be a fun thing to do that we haven't much tried...