AFK 47

Here's a dumb question! WTH is a "Tech Raid"?

In RL, I'm a staunch conservative/libertarian. In this game, I wanted to join an autocratic type alliance, because it's a [b]game[/b].

Congratulations to both parties involved!

[img]http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5429/newskf.png[/img] [b]Land disputes on the rise as republic immigrant population grows[/b] [u]MATAR[/u] – Increasing numbers of land disputes are being registered as the Minmatar Republic immigrant population rises, confirmed Urban Management, the independent land and estates administration agency for the Republic, in a press statement today. Jonas Massey, Urban Management's Planning Director in Matar, also admitted that disputes which normally would be settled with relative ease at the local level were increasingly being referred to the agency for arbitration. Director Massey was speaking at a press conference called following a recent leak of Urban Management statistics which showed a four-fold increase in land disputes over the last six months. Among the leaked figures is a table correlating the rise in the immigrant population with the rise in numbers of dispute cases and the time taken to settle them. Additionally, many of the disputes are between tribal clans and the Republic government, relating to both the government's 'transit camps' and the permanent resettlement of immigrants on 'unused land.' The brief incursion into the Thukker "wildlands" in June and the large scale repatriation of ethnic minmatars launched in October both led to significant increases in the number and size of the camps. Large numbers of former citizens have been arriving in the Republic since the middle of last year, with the rate of immigration yet to show signs of significantly slowing down. In man Minmatar cities, large tracts of unused land nominally under tribal control have been utilised by the Minmatar government on the basis of 'national need.' This government action appears to have led to a flurry of claims requiring arbitration by Urban Management. Director Massey would not be drawn on the status of individual disputes, citing confidentiality and pointing out that the resolution of all disputes becomes a matter of public record once a decision has been taken.

I'd rather have my guys in for life, than your guys

Looks good!

"I like turtles!"

[b]1st Minmatar Militia[/b] [i]MATAR Regional Militia[/i] [b]Three Hundred and Fifty [url="http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/1169009.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD90A3D5072A5028C064EB94AD57CC2982D2CE7CD4556F646CE30A760B0D811297"]militiamen[/url][/b] [b]Two [url="http://davidwallphoto.com/images/%7B5F5D80EA%2D41FA%2D4657%2D9EFC%2D2DB9670867BF%7D%2Ejpg"]'Rifter' Class Aircraft[/url][/b] ([i]Unserviceable[/i]) [b]A dozen assorted civilian vehicles[/b] [b]2nd Minmatar Militia[/b] [i]PATOR Regional Militia[/i] [b]Three Hundred and Fifty [url="http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/1169009.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD90A3D5072A5028C064EB94AD57CC2982D2CE7CD4556F646CE30A760B0D811297"]militiamen[/url][/b] [b]A dozen assorted civilian vehicles[/b]

[center][img]http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9787/minmatarflag2.png[/img] [b]Formal Long Name:[/b] The Minmatar Republic [b]Formal Short Name:[/b] Minmatar [b]Citizen (Singular):[/b] Matar [b]Citizen (Plural):[/b] Minmatar [b]Form of Government:[/b] Representative Tribal Republic [b]Head of State:[/b] Maleatu Shakor [b]Deputy Head of State:[/b] Keitan Yun [b]Background:[/b] Of the major ethnic groups in Asia, non has had a more trying and strife ridden past than that of the Minmatar. Once a thriving tribal civilization located in the Steppes of asia, the Minmatar were enslaved by the local Amarr Empire for more than 700 years until a massive rebellion freed most, of those who were held in servitude. This revolution was not to last, however, as a growing number of outlaws and barbarians rallied to the Thukker tribe, and nearly forced the other tribes (Sebiestor, Brutor and Krusal) to capitulate to bondage once more. Uniting together, the remaining tribes pushed back the Thukker tribe to a small area in southern Matar. After years of struggle, they had achieved victory and the State of Minmatar was formed. However, this was not the end of the story. Decades of corruption and tribal infighting, lead to the dissolution of the tribal council, and the rise of Maleatu, Shakor. Preaching a message of unity and a tribal republic, representing the needs of all citizens, he was chosen to write the new constitution for a new Minmatar nation. Modeling their recovery on the ideals of individual responsibility, free market principles and personal liberty, the Minmatar Republic was born. But despite rising to prominence on the world stage, more than twenty percent of the present-day population remains abroad. The Minmatar people today are resilient, ingenious, and hard-working. Many of them believe that democracy, though serving them well at first, will never restore what was taken from them so long ago. Instead, they long for a government truly reflective of their tribal culture, and remain deeply attached to their kindred. They will forever resent the Thukker, and yearn for the days before their accursed soldiers ever reached their homelands. [b]Economy:[/b] The economy of the Minmatar Republic is relatively subsistence based. Little is exported for profit and much of what is produced barely feeds and sustains the population of the country itself. What little it does produce, is primarily beef and lead (thanks to a natural abundance of ore deposits). The technology of the nation prevent a rapid growth program and the isolated nature generally discourages investors from enriching the current industrial environment in the Republic. Over the last thirty five years, however, massive spending and large government entitlement programs (though mainly to prop up the corrupt tribal council), has driven the massive debt of the country even higher. Recently, initiatives have been launched to entice foreign nations to help liquidate the negative assets in the Republic economy, and early reports seem to indicate that the domestic market has responded favorably, with unemployment dropping from eleven percent, to nearly nine point four percent. [b]Military:[/b] The military of the Minmatar Republic is a misconception. Rather, there is no standing army to speak of. Much of the national defense concerns are placed on the regional Minmatar Militia, which is tasked with the preservation of internal security and order. Poorly equipped and trained, these soldiers are the only line of defense against a foreign aggressor, and though incredibly resourceful and resilient, they are generally no match for most modern armies. The major equipment of the militia is primarily made up of a few bi-planes and a scattered assortment of light vehicles. Virtually all of it's soldiers are equipped with semi-automatic, bolt action rifles that are reliable, but woefully inadequate to the present times.[/center]

"[i]Do it again![/i]" shouted Senior Combat Instructor Seton Thukker. Though his name was a misnomer, he was a Brutor military NCO that was currently in the unfortunate position of instructor in the new Republic Militia. The current batch of troopers were hardly adequate material. Poorly equipped and barely of age, the seven hundred men he was tasked with giving a proper military education were hopelessly inept. The only possible redeeming virtue they contained, was zeal for their cause. Regrettably, that would not enable them to complete the task at hand in this training session. The soldiers were instructed to take the simulated command post, using their simunition filled rifles and grenades. They were split into two groups, each with 350 soldiers lead by two officers and three NCO's. They inevitably charged against imposing forces of significantly lower in number forces (roughly two hundred civilians given weapons and fast training), and still they failed to gain a clear advantage. Though they did manage to take the "CP", they also suffered a two thirds casualty rate. Completely unacceptable in a defensive war, should it ever occur. "[i]But sir, we just don't have any experience! We're doing exactly what you said to do![/i]" they all grumbled their assent at this comment. It was true, the troops had little to no experience, but they were resourceful. The sort of small unit and tactical advances given to modern armies just was not the style of the new militia. The military school had tried to take valuable examples from the Portuguese and Wallonian armies, but it had not grafted well here. The new militia was more suited to guerrilla warfare and small unit hit-and-run tactics. "[i]Alright, take a break. Head back to the barracks and study your field manuals. I will talk to the brass.[/i]" They saluted Steon, and all dispersed to their respective buildings. The training had been ongoing for weeks now, and they were getting nowhere. Their proficiency with weapons had greatly increased, but they just did not have the ability to launch coordinated, en masse attacks on a tactical or strategic level. To make matters worse, they also lacked armored vehicles of any kind, and were reduced to what civilian vehicles they could find. To make matters worse, they were about to go to war. Very soon...

[img]http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5429/newskf.png[/img] [b]Report shows large gain in republic repatriation[/b] [u]PATOR[/u] - The Republic Government today released the latest report on immigration figures which continued to show a dramatic decline in emigration from the Republic, coupled with a steady rise in Minmatar returning to the Republic from abroad, specifically states such as Blue Water. Although experts in the field predicted a continuing drop in emigration numbers due to the positive economic news, continuing unity from the government and the growing optimism of the general populace saw a surprising gain in immigration from abroad. "[i]A closer study of the numbers,[/i]" stated Professor Kell Baraim, dean of Economics at the Republic University, "[i]shows that the vast majority of those returning are first generation immigrants, the ones who have been in their foreign countries shortest. It remains to be seen whether this is a sustainable trend or simply a short term reaction to the current upswing of confidence in the Republic and its environs.[/i]"

The Minmatar Republic recognizes and welcomes this new nation into the community of nations.

Happy Birthday!

Sorry to here this...

Where can I order a flag?