Lestari

OOC: Sorry for the OOC, but I just had to comment to say +1 for Al Cisneros and Matt Pike. Also, Sons of Distopya has gotta tour in Para.

The four heads of state seemed in agreement concerning many of the proposals thus far-- elimination of protectionism, expansion of mutual infrastructure, foreign exchange programmes. All fine suggestions, all well within the realm of possibility and reason, all very well. They had some good ideas here, and Isabel was rather anticipating their implementation and the effects it would have in bringing about a closer knit South America, less conducive to such events as... well, the series of 'unfortunate occurrences' that had unfolded across the continent in recent years. But it seemed she wasn't the only one thinking about continental security. "I would like to turn the debate to regional security," President Constanza noted, quite suddenly amidst prior discussion of economics and infrastructure. "What is the consensus on the current situation?" "I'm under the impression the region is quite stable at the moment," President Juagari replied. "With the collapse of the various pretender governments in the form of Umbrella and those crazy Argentinians running around dressed in Roman armour, and those equally absurd Brazillian nationalists, South America seems fairly quiet." "Quieter than it's been in many, many years, I daresay," Isabel interjected with a nod of agreement. "I don't think, though of course you can't ever say anything for sure when it comes to politics, that there's significant cause for concern regarding the internal security of the continent." She shifted some in her seat, leaned forward before continuing. "On the topic of security from external forces, on the other hand, that remains as ever an uncertain and ominous precipice."

Isabel followed President de Ardanza to the rather stately-looking limousine that was destined to bear the two heads of state to their meeting place, quickly thanked the aide who had opened the door for them as she settled into the car beside the Colombian president. "I must say," de Ardanza began as the car commenced to trundling along the road, flanked by two of your standard government issue SUVs (all black, windows tinted, presumably everybody inside wearing a flawless suit and a pair of sunglasses, etc). "I am personally glad that Pará was able to expand her holdings that eventually gave us a land border with one another, the rise of other nations in the rest of the continent recently is making me very optimistic for a revitalized South American continent. I know that my Ministry of Foreign Affairs can probably give me a sixty page report on what is going on in Pará for recent economic, social, and political activity without so much as batting an eyelash, but it's better to hear it from the individual who oversees it. How fares Pará these days?" "Well, as you perhaps are already aware, Pará has of recent enjoyed a surge in employment levels, infrastructure quality, and overall standard of living," Isabel replied. "It's been long in the coming. Pará has historically lagged behind the rest of the continent in those terms-- owing largely to issues of overpopulation that have plagued the region since the days of the Holy American Civil War. It's been quite a process, reversing the economic, political, social effects that stem from that, but I'm most pleased to say that days of rising unemployment levels and insufficient infrastructure are well behind us. There's always room for improvement, of course, but I think I can say that Pará fares well." She smiled as she fell silent, casting her gaze momentarily out the window of the limousine, out unto the waters of the bay in the distance. A varied assortment of ships lingered out at sea, perhaps spoiling the otherwise pristine expanse of azure that lay beyond the flaxen beaches of the Caribbean island. [I]But I'm not here to admire the ocean, now am I?[/I] A minute smile curled at the corners of her lips. [I]I may well be the only person in history to have come out to a beautiful Caribbean island and deliberately think only of business.[/I] Kaneda woulda given her hell over it, which wasn't particularly remarkable, because Kaneda liked to give her hell over most everything. She was like the sassy teenage daughter Isabel had never had, if sassy teenage daughters commanded navies and totally rocked military uniforms. "Anyway," she said again, more to herself than anybody else, and she turned her gaze back to de Ardanza. Her voice was less light-hearted, her tone less casual as she spoke. "Can the same be said for Colombia? I wouldn't think to suggest it's easy, recovering from the... regrettable circumstances of recent months."

Upon Isabel's seating, the Chilean president stood to formally begin the meeting. "I thank you for coming to this meeting," President Juagari began. "For those of you who did not hear, should any of your delegation have a special request, please forward it to my Chief of Staff Montessori. He can organize special trips, shopping, medical care, and assist with most requests. As for us, I feel it is paramount that we get to know each other for the purposes of increasing cooperation between nations in South America. Before I launch into an earnest discussion on economic issues, does anyone wish to make a statement before we begin?" Isabel looked from side to side to her two counterparts-- perhaps they had something to say. Costanza merely shook his head silently, though she did not expect the Colombian leader to do the same. Indeed, at the invitation to speak, he was first to stand, hands clasped behind his back as he thanked the Chilean president for hosting the summit, and began to outline his hopes and expectations for the discussion to come. Most of which Isabel found herself agreeing with. Not entirely unexpected in and of itself, either. After all, at least with regards to South American affairs, the administrations of Colombia and Pará did, if she could be so presumptuous as to say, share many goals and many policies in achieving those goals. Liberalism. Freedom. Strong South American community. Economic cooperation. Unique cultures. [I]All that good stuff.[/I] She felt it wouldn't be appropriate for her to remain silent, however, so as the Colombian president took his seat once more, Isabel stood to take the floor for a moment. "I suppose President de Ardanza's more or less summed up anything I or anybody else would have to say on the matter," she began with a smile curling at the corners of her lips, her tone fairly easygoing-- never one for formality and solemn tones, she supposed. Some folks saw it as a problem-- god knew it pissed Chairman Valverde off to no end, and hell, that alone just about made it worth it. [I]Guy could benefit from a surgical operation to extract that stick he's got shoved up his ass.[/I] That was, however, neither here nor there-- at least regarding the stick up his ass. On the topic of pissing the chairman off? Always relevant. "I too," she continued, figuring it best to extract herself from that line of thinking, amusing though she found it. "thank you, President Juagari, for taking it upon yourself to host this summit. I can't think of a more opportune time for our nations to come together in the spirit of cooperation and friendship-- I think we all can remember a time not too long ago at all when regional tensions and petty squabbles ruined any chance of cooperation between the nations of South America. But old empires have faded away and joined their predecessors in the annals of history, and new leaders--" She gestured with her hands outward to the table at large. "-- are stepping up to write the next chapter. And I think that chapter holds a lot of promise for the future of our continent. This conference can be the first step towards a South American community that will serve as an example of peace and prosperity for the rest of the world to behold-- I don't doubt it. I'm looking forward to the outcome of this first step towards that possibility." Figuring she'd said enough, Isabel left it at that, and she took her seat again as the discussion began in earnest. Juagari first brought up the subject of reducing import taxes between South American nations, which seemed a reasonable first step, and she voiced her opinion as such. To that subject de Ardanza added the possibility of sharing infrastructure, and improving land access between nations with shared borders-- cooperation between border police, coordinated opposition against crime, all suggestions that would foster cooperation amongst South American nations, [I]and[/I] potentially drive down continental crime rates. Win-win all around. "I think it's also worth considering," Isabel spoke up thoughtfully, feeling it prudent to add her own voice to the discussion. "the considerable effect education has on fostering a sense of goodwill and unity. We may want to look into student exchange programmes that would enable students to travel to Chile, to Colombia, to Pará, experience what each distinctive culture has to offer, learn first-hand what makes our nations unique and what brings them together."

Truth be told, Isabel Vieira found the invitation she received from the government of Chile most intriguing. A summit amongst South American nations-- it had been attempted before, and once in an effort led partially by Pará itself. [I]An effort, needless to say, that didn't quite pan out as we'd hoped it would,[/I] she reminded herself a bit bitterly. But to compare the two situations was not only without purpose but also redundant. The political climate of South America today was no longer one of a divided, bitterly torn continent. Old warmongers had gradually faded-- some in a slow descent into anarchy, others in a flash of war and death. New nations, nations less belligerent and certainly less predisposed against one another, had taken their place at the helm of South American politics. Previous attempts had simply been a case of 'right place, completely wrong time'. No, if there was any time to call a meeting of South American nations, then it was now. The Premier was rather looking forward to it. Thus, as she proceeded through the necessary security measures and strode into the designated conference room, it was with an earnest smile upon her face and a confident step to her pace. She greeted each of her counterparts in turn, shook hands firmly with each, and then took a seat at the conference table herself.

[quote name='Centurius' timestamp='1358357838' post='3077587'] I personally favor the current tech scale as it is and just make the cap the rl year, that way people will get modern military tech on a reasonable gradual scale. Edit: That being said and for the sake of continuity I don't believe we should pass these measures for any existing rp's but rather for future rp's. Also civilian developments that add flavor(holographic communications, space colonies, etc.) shouldn't fall under this new scale. [/quote] If any modification must be made, then this proposal gets my vote.

Trinidad in January-- a surprisingly pleasant locale, considering the reputation of the Caribbeans as a sweltering tropical paradise. Paradise, it may have been-- the view from the tarmac of her landing jet did not afford her much opportunity to form an opinion on that, though the aerial view certainly wasn't discouraging. But when Isabel Vieira stepped out into the open air, she was greeted with the warmth of the sun on her face and the balmy breeze about her, and a welcome change of atmosphere and pace was all but hanging in the air of the island. Out on the tarmac, as Isabel descended from the plane, stood a congregation of aides and officials, flanked by what was clearly an elite wing of the Colombian military, headed at the helm by President de Ardanza himself. The two heads of state approached one another with hands outstretched, and Isabel shook the Colombian president's with a firm grip, smiling cordially as he welcomed her. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Premier." "The pleasure is entirely mine," she answered, looking around at the other members of his entourage as she spoke, meeting the eyes of each one with a nod and a smile. "Especially to be invited to such a beautiful island. I've never had the pleasure of visiting the Caribbeans, sad to say." She looked back to de Ardanza as they broke off the handshake. "Thank you for the opportunity to amend that, and the opportunity to bolster relations between our countries."

OOC: Really sorry for neglecting this and CNRP in general. Had a bit of a rough patch these past few days, but I'm hoping to have the reply finally in sometime tomorrow.

KILL WIL WHEATON

[quote] [size=4][b]To: Ignacio de Ardanza, President of Greater Colombia[/b][/size] [size=4][b]From: Isabel Vieira of the [b]República do Pará[/b][/b][/size] [size=4]Good afternoon, President de Ardanza,[/size] [size=4]I'd be most pleased to meet you, or Mr. Barrachos, in Colombia. We in [color=#000000][font=sans-serif]Pará have [/font][/color]kept largely to ourselves these past couple of years, overseeing matters of internal growth and the fluid, cooperative integration of old [color=#000000][font=sans-serif]Pará and [/font][/color]Maranhão into the Republic, but I feel it a prudent time, with the rise of Chile to the South and the return of peace to South America as a continent, to begin considering once again [color=#000000][font=sans-serif]Pará's place in the world and in South America, and our relations to our neighbours. [/font][/color]I can think of no better place to start than with renewing relations between our two nations-- the unfortunate incidence of the de Santa Anna rebellion aside, Colombia under the de Ardanza leadership has proven a stalwart of stability and cooperation in South America. I look forward to refreshing the relationship between our two nations.[/size] [size=4]Sincerely,[/size] [size=4]Isabel Vieira[/size] [/quote] Soon after sending the reply, Isabel embarked for the island of Trinidad to meet with the government of Greater Colombia.

"We of the Republic of [color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=3]Pará are delighted to see the return of Chile, as a culture and as a people, to sovereign nationhood. South America and its people has suffered much strife, but the hope for a unified community and a strong brotherhood amongst South Americans is ever bolstered as citizens strive for self-determination, nations are born, and new leaders step to the forefront to bring their own perspectives and ideas to the burgeoning political scene of our continent. It is my hope and certainty, as it is for every [/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=3]Paráense citizen who looks to a prosperous future with our new neighbours to the South, that Chile will have much to offer.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=3]I look forward to it, and to a bright relationship between our nations." - Isabel Vieira[/size][/font][/color]

And lo, not a single !@#$ was given that day.

[size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]The picturesque view of the sea through the glass wall of the office was quaint, to be sure, but not even the vastness, the majesty, the overbearing beauty of the Atlantic Ocean in all its glory could make up for one simple fact: [color=#000000]Amapá was !@#$@#$ hot. [I]Sweltering hot, populated by every species of mosquito known to man, and wetter than a...[/I][/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]A wry smirk wormed its way onto the newly-crowned admiral's slender lips as she gazed out at the sea-- in her burnished eyes a mixture of love, longing, and anticipation. Perhaps a note of sorrow-- sorrow, however, was always lurking beneath the tranquil surface of an otherwise still sea. It would always be so, as long as mankind made this vast, mysterious universe all its own into a battleground for its mortal pettiness and greed. "And yet here I am," she noted, the smile vanishing. The irony was not lost, certainly not on Admiral Fernanda Kaneda. She'd spent enough time trying to figure out how she'd ended up where she was now-- tracing back the years, looking for the moment where she went from a simple sailor with naught in her heart but an ardent love for the open sea to a commander of vessels that waged war on it. There was no point to it. Kaneda could hardly remember a time when this hadn't been her life-- when war on the open seas hadn't been her business.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"Enjoying the view, I see."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]The admiral's brow perked up at the sound of the familiar voice, and the smile reappeared in short order. But she felt no need to turn. "A personal visit, eh? You flatter me, Premier Vieira."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"I would have come sooner, but..."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"But I just got here today myself?" Kaneda turned to face the premier, shaking her head ruefully. "Damn, Izzie. When did punctuality become a priority for you?" "When I became the leader of a nation, I imagine." Isabel shut the door into the office as she approached her old colleague at the glass wall, clasping her hands behind her back. "Kind of a big lifestyle change, you know."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"So I hear. Who'da thunk, eh? Can't say I woulda guessed you'd be callin' the shots in an independent [color=#000000]Pará. No offence."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"None taken." Isabel smirked. "You think I'd'a seen myself where I am now back then? Hell, I can barely see myself where I am now right now."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"You know, that makes more sense the less I think about it." Kaneda chuckled, dug her hands into the pockets of her uniform pants ([I]Too small,[/I] she decided, scrunching her nose just a bit in distaste), and took to pacing. "But then again there's a lot of things most of us couldn'ta pictured back then. An independent [color=#000000]Pará, eh? Ain't that a kick. And to think it's survived through the fall of so many empires around it. You've carved out quite a little bubble of peace and neutrality here, Izzie. How long you think you've got before reality comes up and pops that bubble for good?" "Now that you're here, hopefully a little longer than before." Isabel watched the admiral pace, an eyebrow quirked that this unusual glimpse of pessimism from the generally light-hearted Kaneda. [I]The pacing, however,[/I] she noted wryly. [I]That certainly isn't new.[/I][/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]Kaneda caught the premier's eye. "What?" she blurted out defensively. "Old habits die hard. And anyway, it helps me think."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"What're you thinking about now, then?" "That we need destroyers. You're making some good progress on a blue-water navy here, Izzie, but it's outdated. A modern navy isn't worth a hill'a beans without destroyers. You worked with what you had, and you made progress, but now that we have the supplies and ability to begin producing a more effective navy, why wait?"[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]Izzie couldn't help but scowl, if only for a moment before she caught herself and a hand raised to rub at her chin thoughtfully. "Should it really be a priority right now, though? Do we need to commit resources to this when they could be spent elsewhere?" "Look, I've got the corvettes and the cruisers running patrols along the coast--" Kaneda gestured out to the Atlantic. "--and the battleships with them. But if we come under an actual threat, they stand about as much chance as a sheet'a paper against a tactical nuke. They won't even slow a modern naval force down." "You're operating under the assumption that we are constantly threatened." "Look at the world we live in, Izzie." Kaneda ceased her incessant movement, and instead began to tap her booted toe softly as she glanced at Isabel. "We [i]are [/i]constantly threatened. Wars erupt on the paltriest of reasons. Nations are curb stomped by superior forces for petty things, such things as any sane person would hardly consider cause for invasion. How long ago was it that the newly declared Kingdom of Brazil was invaded by [i]Georgia [/i]of all nations and who the hell said a word? Who's to say we might not be the next target, that we won't be next on the chopping block simply for existing and minding our own business?" "We're not the only nation in the world to realise what you're saying, Fernanda," Isabel interrupted the admiral's tirade at last. "It's not so easy to get away with dime-a-dozen wars any more." "No, but they still happen, and that's enough reason for caution. Your idealism, Izzie, is admirable, and I appreciate the idea of approaching the world with a hand extended in peace, but in this world, you've gotta be damn sure the other hand's holding a loaded gun. I don't like it, but it's not something either of us can change. The least we can do is make sure our people don't suffer for it."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"No, you're right," Izzie at last assented, though her expression was troubled. "I just... hate the necessity of it. That money that could have been put towards science, towards bettering humanity as a whole, must instead be spent on ensuring we are not the victims of some madman's whims to violence."[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"I know what you mean," Kaneda sighed with a shrug. "But true peace isn't in the cards, not unless all of humanity somehow finds itself under a single flag, and I tell ya the day that happens is the day Francisco Vara puts on a pink Speedo and starts singing [color=#000000]Magalhães in Unity Square." "Dear god, why would you say that?" Izzie pressed a hand to her forehead in mock-agony. "That mental image-- I'll have to drown my brain in bleach to keep that out of my nightmares." "I know, eh?" Kaneda grinned widely. "[/color][color=#000000]Magalhães? The stuff of horror movies right there."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"If [/color][color=#000000]Magalhães is your biggest problem with what you just said, I may need to have you taken in to get your head looked at.You're either badly brain damaged, or you actually like the thought of Vara in a Speedo. In other words, you're just badly brain damaged."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"At least [/color][color=#000000]Magalhães beats that crazy metal stuff you used to be into. I don't suppose I'm lucky enough to have heard the last of that, eh?" "Nope. Gimme some Napalm Death and a couple Devourment LPs and I'm a happy premier."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][color=#000000]"A psychotic one, more like. I may never understand how you can actually enjoy the sound of someone growling like a Neanderthal over detuned, melody-less guitars."[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"See, that's just not true. Napalm Death's got more of a roar thing going. And Devourment.... well, I have no clue what exactly Ruben Rojas is doing, but whatever he's doing, he's doing it right."[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"Whatever helps you come to terms with the fact that you, the leader of a country, think that a band whose hit single is called 'Choking On Bile' are doing something right."[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"Never judge a book by its cover, Admiral," Izzie reprimanded Kaneda with a smirk. "Or, in this case, a song by its title." "Oh? And what else is 'Choking On Bile' supposed to be about, if not choking on bile?" "You oughta give it a listen. It's actually a deep and thought-provoking metaphor for the human existence and our constant struggle with the bonds we form with others, with the concept of love and attachment against our animalistic, primitive natures..." "Vis a vis, of course, the act of choking on bile."[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"Well, you know what they say. A true poet..." "All due respect, Premier Vieira," Kaneda flashed a cocky smile. "But you wouldn't know true poetry if Edgar Allen Poe rose from the grave and bit you in the ass."[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"True, poetry was always your forte. In fact, I can remember some of your masterpieces. Shall I recite one from memory? 'The Darkest Night'--" she said the title in a dramatic, overdone voice. "-- was especially... [i]juicy[/i]." "Alright, alright then," Kaneda raised her hands in defeat. "But just for the record, that? Definitely a low blow."[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"What can I say?" the premier retorted with a shrug. "I work with what I've been given."[/font][/size]

All the kindness and humanity you don't hear about in the news doesn't manage to make up for absolutely disgusting !@#$ like this.

[quote name='Isaac MatthewII' timestamp='1355792866' post='3065188'] It seems I have been banned by Zoot, however I don't know why. If anyone needs me I will likely be in #Kaskus most of the time. [/quote] You have been banned by Zoot because you are unaware of the line between 'amusing' and 'obnoxious'.

[quote name='Isaac MatthewII' timestamp='1355605313' post='3064195'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]Best Character Development, Arc:[/b] Para[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]Best Character Development, 2+ players:[/b] Nobody really[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]Character RP you most enjoyed reading:[/b] Para[/font][/color] [/quote] I got a vote? D: [quote name='Poseida' timestamp='1355624189' post='3064371'] There's no rule against making new nominations! I nominate [b]iamthey[/b] for [i]Most Inactive Nation 2012[/i]! [/quote] Seconded.

shrooms

[inconsequential]

[quote name='Yawoo' timestamp='1355085339' post='3062166'] As much as I hate jumping in to the mess that surrounds each GM court debate, I must point out that even if characters can be transferred between nations it refers only to major characters such as a ruler, and not ships, troops or anything else. [/quote] As a quick point of curiosity; suppose one of your major characters is 'just' a soldier and you reroll; does the rule give some leeway in such regards with bringing that character to the new nation, or continuing to RP the character?

Amidst all the chaos running rampant all around Pará, Isabel was only all too happy to be hearing some good news about the state of the interior. Some couple of months prior, the results of the Mexican referendum had come in. The results: the native people of provincial Old Pará and Maranhão had cast a majority vote in favour of joining the Republic. The process of integration was no small undertaking, but with the help of Mexican construction and volunteer organisations, it was being done. It was a matter of not only providing new infrastructure in the new territories to accommodate for the incoming immigrants who would no doubt be eager to escape the overpopulation of the Republic proper, but also of actually moving those populations to decent housing, and of controlling the flow so that the new provinces didn't experience the very same overpopulation Pará was only now beginning to recover from. By now, the first droves of immigrants into old Pará and Maranhão were already settled in their new homes-- finding employment, new opportunities, a fresh, free atmosphere far from the cloud of destitution that had fallen over the capital in recent years. And as such, it was being felt also in the capital and in the Republic; the sweeping emigration lessened the severity of overpopulation and unemployment, and soon it would eliminate altogether those two misfortunes that had plagued Pará since its birth, and when that time came the Republic would lay witness to a booming golden age that would dwarf even the economic and internal upswing of recent months. Already, the Department of the Interior was reporting vast improvements in the standards of Paráense education and the state of Paráense schools; the Director of Finances had informed Isabel that the full effects of the trade agreement with Colombia, despite recent....er, 'stresses' on the Colombian side of things, were bolstering the Paráense economy far beyond prior expectations would have led him or any one of his Cabinet to believe. [I]And of course, General Vara won't let me forget for so much as a minute the strides of our military,[/I] she couldn't help but add with a wry smile. He'd been giddy as a schoolboy-- and hell, Isabel couldn't even [I]picture[/I] the old !@#$%^& as a schoolboy. Sometimes she swore he'd been born an old, crabby coot with a potbelly and about three hairs on his head.... [I]But I digress...[/I] The NAP [i]Amazônia [/i]and[i] [/i][i]V[/i][i]itória [/i]had been joined by a third Iowa-class battleship, the NAP [i]União[/i]; meanwhile, two Kirov-class cruisers had been launched and were soon to be commissioned, with a third on its way, all three designed for anti-ship missile combat. Vara had even ordered, with the Premier's approval, the laying down of three Visby-class corvettes for express coastal patrol purposes in the coming years. Vara was also looking to replace the anti-tank outfitted Su-25s with more specialised bombers-- perhaps, he'd suggested, the B-2 Spirit, though the Premier was reluctant to expand the budget of the military-- after all, the army had swollen to some 340,000 troops, many having enlisted in the wake of the economic downturn looking for opportunities for pay, for university or for college. Therefore, the Premier opted instead to funnel newfound funds into the Departments of Research and Education. Dr Marina da Silva had even informed her that with the current progress of the nation and its economy, she anticipated the possibility of launching a mission to the Moon-- a goal the Premier had been eagerly entertaining since the birth of the nation. It was no obscure little factoid that Isabel had something of a passion for the[i] [/i]Paráense space programme and placed much importance on its power, and she'd shared with da Silva her hope that before long the nation would have a booming space programme, with Paráense astronauts on the moon, a space telescope in orbit for gathering data and observing distant planets and galaxies, even a space station-- [I]though undoubtedly that's just my imagination running away with me once again.[/I] Well, those were dreams that yet lay far off, but that didn't mean continued priority on research and scientific institutions was not valuable and necessary. [I]And hell, with the progress we've been making, they may not be as far off as I thought they would be...[/I]

[quote name='Evangeline Anovilis' timestamp='1354053289' post='3057541'] You and communism... a sight to behold. [/quote] I'd actually be impressed if he ended up turning the RP into a whole statement about the corruption of Communist ideals and its unviability as a political system and assorted deep, sociopolitical introspective !@#$ like that.

I blame the lamestream media myself.

[quote name='TheShammySocialist' timestamp='1353876933' post='3057040'] Thank you both for your nominations, iKrolm and Domingo, but I must respectfully decline, I won't be accepting any nominations for CNRP's GM Team December, 2012. [/quote] NOT ACCEPT ...fine. In that case, VidarrTheTerrible gets my vote.

As per [URL=http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?showtopic=113075]this[/URL], I ask that the modern day provinces of Maranhão and Pará be added to the Republic of Pará on the map.

OOC: Just a bit of a bump. Not sure if the meeting is to continue or if that's that and it's official