State Department

[Jake]

Senate Recomendation #2

It is the advice that the Senate end the Anti-Canadian tarrifs on Soft Wood Lumber. Also, resume trade on beef, and remove authority over the food bans from the Senate to the Executive, or an objective committee based on science and not political gain. Take these moves, or NAFTA is meaningless. Or don't, just a suggestion from your friendly neighbourhood Secretary.

Siege

Do not remove tariffs on soft wood lumber, these tariffs are very important to the Atlasian lumber industry and we can't afford to start hurting our economy, just as it begins rebounding. 

[Jake]

Clark Kent, Daily Planet.

Mr. Secretary, what do you have to say about the rift between your department and the Defense Deparmtent over the lumber tariffs issue?

Private citizen on that one John. 

[Jake]

I must protest full trade restrictions against Brunei. As stated in my report, we need to be OPENING and expanding trade with the area, whilst at the same time influencing the government towards a more democratic goivernm,ent.

If the Secretary will only use the basis of democratic freedoms to just our interaction with a country, he is not service Atlasia's best interests.

I know it may sound inhumane and uncaring, but democracy shouldn't be our first priority-and Bhutan isn't really that bad compared to many nations we currently trade with. Whilst you can't vote for the Sultan, education and healthcare are free and of good quality, the international community is free to nmove within the country, and it has not turned against the west. But as an extremely rich nation with a strong muslim Sultan, if it turns against us the results could be very negative not only to our trade and economy, but to our national safety.

I echo Hughento's points on Brunei

[Jake]

Thanks guys. I haven't been feeling excellent lately, and I've been monstrously busy.

On Saturday I participated in Ontario Model Parliament. I ran for Leader of the New Democratic Party. I wore an orange tie, which, apparently won me the election. Ya, I know. So, as leader of the NDP I went on to debate the leaders of the PC and Liberal Parties. Happy day. The Liberal came off as arrogant and snooty (surprise), and the conservative at one point was tricked into saying, 'The Conservative Party's position is not to kill gay people.' I came in with the snide remark of this being a remarkable improvement from past policies, and got a laugh.

So, the PCs look like bigots, the Liberals look like dinks and there I am standing nervously in an orange tie. Then the voting starts. Turns out that my party leadership rivals were 'less than impressed by my poor debate preformance.' They decided to to kill the coup... thankfully. At this point the stress is really getting to me, so with the sore throat I've been wrestling for a month I go off to find a drink.

When I return it turns out I missed the vote results. The lunatics voted me in, the bastards. In the Junior House the NDP won 66% of the vote, Majority, well done by me . In the Senior House we're in Minority, which makes my job against the Liberal Opposition damn near impossible.

So with a hostile caucasus, beligerent opposition parties, bitchy staff that run the simulation and all the pressures of school I have some how ended up the 19th Primier of the OMP simulation.

In May we go down to Toronto and sit in the real legislature and sit in the real seats, I'll be sitting in the Primiers spot calling the Conservatives fascists while I dramatically pop ulcer medication.

Good times.

Siege

Very cool Siege

[Jake]

Terrible decision on Israel Mr. Secretary.  Israel is one of our best armaments costumers and any restrictions on the sale of military equiptment would be a bad decision.

[Jake]

Maybe we can restrict them under cultural transactions

[Jake]

I think this would be a good oppurtunity to inform President Fox that he should take better care of his long border with Atlasia. Maybe with partial economic restrictions.

[Jake]

I think Sam was going to introduce an Immigration Bill in the next Senate, that should help some.

[Jake]

Applause, nice work Siege