Lestari

[quote name='Maelstrom Vortex' timestamp='1343025183' post='3013498'] Delist Forbidden Ice. This community is not worthy of my creativity. [/quote] LOL

Still not seeing what prevents Greg from just putting an end to the merger he seems so eager to !@#$%* about constantly.

[b]Public News[/b] The Paráense Government Institute of Science and Engineering has reported the successful launch of Pará's first satellite. Project Dirac, which came to fruition earlier this month and was launched on June 17th, draws its name from Paul Dirac, the English physicist whose formulation of the Dirac equation and prediction of the existence of antimatter were fundamental contributions to early quantum physics, and is expected to act largely in a "scientific and commercial capacity...handling radio functions, tracking weather patterns, providing land survey data, and conducting atmospheric research", according to the statement from Dr. Marina da Silva, Director of the Institute. When asked if the satellite had any military functions, however, da Silva answered that it had not been explicitly designed for such purposes. "Dirac is designed such that, if necessary, it can be quickly outfitted and re-purposed as a satellite with military functions," the director stated. "It can also be used to track large-scale military movements should such details come into its focus, though it will not, primarily, be on the look-out for such activity excepting unusual circumstances." The Institute and Premier Vieira presented Satellite Dirac as an excellent show of Paráense engineering. "The Institute really had to work with a most unfortunate dearth of supplies, and for them to have created such an efficient design and brought it to fruition vastly ahead of schedule is a testament to what Paráense researchers and engineers have to offer the modern science landscape. Hopefully, much like the early work of its namesake, Satellite Dirac is an indication of greater achievements to come." In other news, the controversy that once surrounded Premier Vieira's nation-wide legalisation of abortion has been put to rest with a decisive conclusion reached by the Tribunal: after weeks of gauging the public's opinion via various polls, direct interviews, and letters from concerned citizens, the Tribunal unanimously upheld Vieira's decision. "The people have made their opinion clear," the Premier herself stated on behalf of the Tribunal. "Ultra-conservatives were determined to stir up a furore and create the impression that there was some sort of partisan division amongst the Paráense people. There wasn't. Public opinion was clear no matter how much hot air conservative factions tried to obscure the issue with."

Nope, Clint Eastwood.

[quote]Whilst we of the Republic of Pará share Tianxia's scepticism with regards to the militant theocratic nature of the Dagestani government, only time will tell if our misgivings hold water. In the meantime, we wish Dagestan and its people well in their endeavours, and congratulate them upon their hard-fought independence. -Premier Isabel Vieira[/quote]

Kankou

Economic Left/Right: -5.12 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.38 Personally, I'm guessing Economic Left/Right is the same, but Social, probably around 0.

"The UCNA would be happy to sign such a treaty," McCrory replied with a smile. "Your nation has stood up for right rather than might in the past, and that is, in essence, what the republic believes in." "Glad to know we operate along the same principles, then." "Do you have a printed document for me to look over, perchance?" he queried. Vieira smiled, and nodded. "I do indeed." She flipped open the folder laid out on the table before her, withdrawing a single sheet of paper. Upon it were laid out six stipulations--in simple, to the point wording, devoid of any pomp and circumstance, much as Vieira often conducted her business. [quote]I. The document herein is less a treaty and more an expression of cooperation and goodwill between the nations of the Republic of Pará and the United Carolinas, and in signing this document, the two nations agree to pursue a policy of cordial, civil relations for the future. II. The United Carolinas and the Republic of Pará agree that should any information come into their hands that may present a threat or a national risk to the other, that information will be privately shared along secure channels with the nation in question. III. In the event of a disaster, natural or otherwise, the parties signing this document are encouraged to provide aid, financial or otherwise, and supplies. IV. The United Carolinas and the Republic of Pará agree henceforth to encourage business and trade between one another, pursuing such policies as the lowering of export and import tariffs and encouraging business opportunities from Carolinian and Paráense companies.[/quote] Vieira's eyes swept over the document she had prepared for the briefest second, and then took up the simple little pen that had been placed beside the folder, signing her own signature beneath the contents of the document - signed, on behalf of the Republic of Pará, Isabel Vieira. This done, she looked back up to the Carolinian President and offered him the document.

[quote name='Centurius' timestamp='1341714505' post='3006397'] To quote a former player. People need to nut up or shut up already. [/quote] Preferably shut up.

[b]Obviously, Not Public[/b] "Dr. da Silva, what can you tell me of the status of Project Dirac?" Marina da Silva looked from the folder in her hands up to the premier. Around them, engineers, mechanics, scientists and researchers were all in a furore, gathered around a spacious construction site. Vieira looked up at the towering proto-structure of Dirac, arms crossed across her chest; the wind was harsh and whipped through the wiry black strands of her stiff, short hair, and the thick heat was oppressive, coming down on all sides and reinforced with an onslaught of mosquitoes and the smell of grease and oil heavy in the air. This was not an ideal location for wide-scale construction, but in Pará, there were few regions that were not devoured by the avaricious Amazon Rainforest, and those that were not were home to civilian centres, industrial powerhouses, or those few military outposts that the nation maintained. This would have to do. [I]Gotta pity the poor !@#$%^&* who have to stay here year-round working on this,[/I] she couldn't help but muse as she looked over the structure, over the scurrying workers slowly but surely driving it to completion, and then back to da Silva. "What you're seeing is not the satellite--or at least, not the main bulk of what will soon be Satellite Dirac," da Silva reported, flicking briskly through page upon page of notes collected within the folder. "So far we have completed the launch structure and ignition systems--components that will propel Dirac into space, but we're only just beginning progress on the satellite itself." Pará's director of research looked from the notes back up to the premier. "However, our progress thus far has been swift and largely smooth. I do not predict any deviations from schedule. In fact, if we maintain this productivity, we could end up ahead of schedule [I]and[/I] potentially save on the costs of the project." "I'm pleased to hear it, Marina," Vieira nodded with satisfaction. "I wouldn't want to keep your engineers here any longer than they have to." Vieira glanced up at the horizon, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand. "Humid, hot as hell, and infested with every species of pest known to man, and plenty that aren't. The Amazon may be a beautiful sight, but she sure as hell ain't an amiable neighbour." "At least with Dirac weather and climate prediction parameters will be more accurate than ever," da Silva mused, accepting a new report from the hands of a passing engineer and reading over its contents. "General Vara has expressed his opinion that Dirac should also operate as a military satellite." "Do you approve of this?" Vieira's old colleague questioned, and the premier merely shrugged her shoulders. "He has a point--better safe than sorry, though I've never been a fan of Vara's constant pursuit of military expenditure." "A curious thing for a former Marine to say," da Silva noted with a pointed smile. The premier responded in kind with a faint chuckle. "I try not to look at the world down the barrel of a gun like I used to. I'm the leader of an independent nation now, Marina. I strive to make it clear that my pursuits are of peace and goodwill, and I am in no hurry to lead my country as though I am constantly in fear of attack. Pará is a nation of peace. I aim to exemplify that at every turn." The smile faded the slightest bit from the premier's thin lips, and she sighed through her nose. "Fifteen years ago I would have agreed whole-heartily with Vara's military-centric, nationalistic ideals. But I shudder to think the state of things had I come this far with that mindset. The world has enough such men and women in power." "What fuelled this change of heart?" da Silva asked cautiously. Vieira did not often speak of such personal matters, and when the conversation veered towards such subjects, she was quick to fluidly steer it right back away. And true to her nature, Vieira merely smiled faintly, wryly. "Widening of perspective," she answered vaguely, before turning away from da Silva. "Speaking of Vara, I have a telephone conference with the good general lined up within the hour. I should be on my way." "When should I have the next reports to your desk?" "Unnecessary. I'll remain in the area for a while checking in personally. I prefer to be as involved as possible in projects of this nature." She directed another wry smile at da Silva. "Keep up the excellent progress, Dr. da Silva. I expect to see a construct that would make Project Dirac's namesake proud when I return at the next checkpoint. [b]Public News[/b] Controversy arose today over the renewal of a decision by Premier Vieira and the Supreme Justice Tribunal a mere three months into her administration that nationally legalised abortion in any circumstance prior to twenty four weeks of pregnancy, and up to twenty eight weeks in special circumstances such as a threat to the mother's physical or mental health. Several moderate and conservative factions within the Republic expressed resentment towards the decision, arguing that the boundaries set by the Tribunal were "too liberal" and "unlawful". A minor but highly vocal conservative portion of the population demanded the illegalisation of abortion altogether, citing abortion as "an act of sin and infanticide", and the controversy surged back to the public eye after the conservative religious group Paráense Family Association challenged the Tribunal's decision, claiming that "the people of Pará do not endorse the act of extinguishing a soul before it has even had a chance to experience life". Premier Vieira, however, remained adamant that the decision was "non-negotiable". "A vocal minority does not equate to a majority," she spoke tersely, addressing the issue in responce to a question expressed by a Paráense Journais researcher. "The majority of the citizens of Pará have made it clear, through polls or otherwise, their opinion of this issue. That is the stance I have taken." Other critics, however, addressed what they perceive to be the Premier's undemocratic approach to the issue, bypassing the Senate and taking it directly to the Tribunal. Senator Joao Alencar decried Vieira's "utter disregard for due process and the democratic system; she has used the excuse of 'the approval of the majority' to scorn the democratic ideals upon which this nation was founded". An unnamed representative of the PFA took it even further, declaring it evidence of "Premier Vieira's authoritarian tendencies" and predicting that "our premier is a tyrant in the making and this is but the first step in revealing her autocratic nature". Vieira dismissed the PFA's claims as "ridiculous and nonsensical" and went on to criticise the Paráense Family Association as a "desperate, dying vestige of ultra-conservative creeds, hiding behind a veneer of tradition and familial love and seeking to maintain its clutches in a society that no longer has use for such outdated thinking". More concerning controversy over the Tribunal's decision, as well as public perception and opinion of the Paráense Family Association to follow.

The Republic of Pará stands ready to provide aid in the form of food supplies and rations in the event that Ireland faces nation-wide food shortages. Give us the word and they will be on their way.

Isabel Vieira watched from the small motorcade that nestled by the runway at Amazônia International Airport designated for President Pat McCrory's private jet. Indeed, it was not long before his jet, emblazoned with the red and black of the United Carolinas, came into sight and began to descend unto the runway, stopping just beside the Paráense escort. Vieira stood by to greet the Carolinian president with a cordial smile and a shake of the hand as he descended the steps of the mobile staircase and approached the motorcade. "Mr. McCrory," she stated in fluent but accented English. "Welcome to the Republic of Pará. I believe this meeting will be of great benefit to both our nations and the Americas on a whole." In a brisk but calm and composed manner, the two national leaders were whisked off to the Capital Building of Amazônia, the de facto seat of the Paráense government. Vieira was not a fan of it, and unlike previous Paráense leaders, back when Pará had been a subdivision of the Lunar Republic, Vieira did not live there or do the majority of her business there. [I]Eh, 'least it provides a decent centre from which to conduct foreign affairs,[/I] she often reasoned. [I]Namely, diplomatic conventions and meetings.[/I] Sadly, in that regard, it had seen little use--aside from a past meeting with Edean, and a diplomatic discussion with the Empress of the Umbrella Commonwealth, Pará remained something of a diplomatically isolated nation. And perhaps that was a good thing, looking at the state of the world today...wars that roared to life for the paltriest of reasons, the demise of innocent civilians, nations sending their troops to pointless and ultimately fruitless deaths in the name of a weak, transparent casus belli...and global networks of international alliances that were used not to safeguard world peace and security or to ensure economic prosperity and international goodwill, but to enforce the will of their constituents and wage wars of attrition on nations that stood no chance. If that was the nature of diplomacy in this world--[I]Well then maybe diplomatic isolation is preferable.[/I] However, at the very least, the Carolinas shared similar points of view, and it was worth pursuing diplomatic conventions with them for that. [I]It's nice to see at least one nation that's got its head screwed on the right way,[/I] she reasoned as the two premiers entered a designated little conference room. Nothing overtly ornate or posh--Vieira could not stand for any of that. Had it been fully up to her, it wouldn't matter where the meeting was held as long as the content of it was fruitful and productive, but at the very least she could sculpt the conference rooms and the process of diplomacy in her own utilitarian views. To which end she wasted no time in seating herself after McCrory had done so, and got to the heart of the matter. "It was most regrettable that when last we met our discussions met with unforeseen interruptions," she began straightforwardly. "But I feel that with two nations such as ours it is worth the pursuit of diplomacy a second time. I wish to propose a 'PIAT'--less of a treaty, really, more of an encouragement of cooperation to come. It stipulates peace and civility between our two nations--which shouldn't be difficult to maintain, as that is the status quo for Pará with regards to all nations--" she gave a rueful smile. "--as well as an agreement to share knowledge that might be a risk or a threat to the other nation, and to provide financial aid in the situation of a disaster, natural or otherwise. And in the spirit of national cooperation, I wish to suggest a trade agreement, perhaps the lowering of export and import tariffs, to encourage further business cooperation. Do these provisions seem agreeable to you?"

[quote]To: President Pat McCrory, President of the United Carolinas From: Isabel Vieira, Premier of the Republic of Pará Mr McCrory, It was most unfortunate that our meeting in Raleigh was cut short due to...unexpected circumstances. Nevertheless, with the current state of North America, the Carolinas remain one of few like-minded nations in the continent--a bastion it seems of reason and diplomacy in a continent that is rapidly falling into disarray and warmongering. I would like to pursue once again diplomatic relations between our two nations, for it is none too often in this world that nations guided by minds of peace and goodwill arise; to that end, I extend an invitation to you, or representatives of your government, to the Pará capital of Amazônia. Sincerely, Isabel Vieira[/quote]

[quote name='Subtleknifewielder' timestamp='1341604780' post='3005016'] So, every time there's a problem in the world, we are supposed to just [i]'suck it up and live with it.'[/i] Yeah, great philosophy. How does that work in other areas of your life? This is not a tantrum, this is someone voicing what they perceive as a problem. Doesn't mean you have to agree with their view, of course, but calling it what it isn't doesn't do anyone any favors. As for kicking...yeah, simply logging back in...works great when you're trying to have a philosophical debate. [/quote] #CNRP isn't an 'area of my life'. Sucking it up and living with it is not a 'philosophy of life' or whatnot. It's just an IRC channel. If you genuinely care and get all freaked out about it when you get temporarily banned, then you really need to find better things to occupy yourself with. :v Also, if you try to have a philosophical debate on #CNRP, you REALLY need better things to do. :v

[quote]"To judge the character of an entire nation and its government by its name and to furthermore threaten [I]war[/I] over it does not reflect well on our South American neighbours. The founders of this new incarnation have made the compelling argument that much unfair stigma is associated with the name of the United States of America, due in large part to the aggressive actions of the now defunct nation of Pravus Ingruo, and that Pravus Ingruo's vendetta against anything bearing the moniker of the USA is being maintained by a South American nation seems to me most worrisome. As it is, the United States has the diplomatic recognition and support of the Republic of Pará in this regard." -Premier Isabel Vieira[/quote]

[quote name='Evangeline Anovilis' timestamp='1341569010' post='3004723'] people like Ishabad, who can be stomped quite easily and where noone has a problem with it. [/quote] Aw man, I miss Ishabad.

Only times I've ever been banned from #CNRP by Sargun was when I was being an !@#$%^& and probably deserved to be kickbanned. Hasn't happened lately, surprise, because I try not to be as much of an !@#$%^& these days. I've also learnt just to straight up not give a !@#$. If you get banned for a while for no reason, well, suck it up and live with it. Throwing a tantrum over it is not an effective tactic of getting unbanned. In my experience Sargun has been one of the more fair OPs on #CNRP, and I've rarely seen him to unfairly ban anyone, and as far as I've ever seen he eventually unbans people who deserve to be unbanned. As for getting 'unfairly kicked'...okay, seriously, it's as easy as just logging back into the channel. Getting kicked doesn't do !@#$. Furthermore, I doubt a new channel will take. Even if you start a new channel, this poll proves that just about everyone will stay in #CNRP and your new channel won't really do !@#$. Don't see any outcome to this besides a continuation of the status quo.

I am the magnanimous dotCom, Commie of Commies and whatnot. Feel free to shower me with gifts of tribute and holy praise at your convenience.

I'm for two months.

It does for me.

[quote]The Republic of Pará strongly condemns this unwarranted show of aggression. No evidence exists for these baseless claims upon which you have built your transparent casus belli, and to claim that there is no room for diplomacy in this regard would be laughable if not for the sombre consequences that will undoubtedly unfold as a result. Innocent civilians will suffer for Vostokslavia's decision to wage aggressive war against a nation that has done it no wrong, nor has it done anything to warrant invasion by a foreign power in the name of 'peace-keeping'. The fact that Vostokslavia's allies not only refuse to question the Empire's motives in waging this war, or the evidence it claims provide a casus belli for its aggression, but actively announce military and economic support for this venture, is all the more reason to ponder the legitimacy of Vostokslavia's claims and their reasons for launching a war against the Carolinas. - Premier Isabel Vieira[/quote]

[quote name='Subtleknifewielder' timestamp='1339638690' post='2982362'] I take it they are human subjects... [/quote] OR ARE THEY

"The Republic of Pará is overjoyed to see another people of South America achieve independence for themselves. I would like to personally welcome Westeros to South America, and let it be known that our hand is always extended to Westeros in friendship." -Premier Isabel Vieira

"On behalf of the Republic of Pará and its people I extend warmest welcomes to the Republic of Chicago, and would like to congratulate your people on their newborn independence." -Premier Isabel Vieira

And then he was never heard from again.