JEDCJT Posted July 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 (edited) [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - Midst much controversy, both in the political and social spheres of J Andres, the Commune voted by a razor-thin margin to put the NEO’s recommendations - that is, abolishing minimum wages and reducing the powers and scope of trade unions - into effect. This was accomplished by the passage of the [b]Economic Impetus Act[/b], which effectively denationalized all government-owned trade unions and stripped them much of their powers and influence; the Act overturned all existing minimum wage laws across the country and granted employers powers to determine the wages of their employees according to the value of his/her work, under federal government regulations and guidelines. Many trade union members lamented the moment that “[i]from the moment the[/i] [Economic Impetus] [i]Act was passed, we became slaves.[/i]” [center]---[/center] ENDOR CUIDAD - UniModal Solutions, Inc. announced that several financial applications had been received and approved by the local, provincial, and federal governments. In addition to the investments by JTech, Douglas Malewicki’s company now received millions of Anchors in support from the local, provincial, and federal governments through various banks. Next, the company stated that it had built an experimental SkyTran system, between the cities of North Providence - a short distance away from Providence and Endor Cuidad - and Pawtucket. A ‘high-speed non-stop maglev’ guide way, as UniModal calls the railway track where the SkyTran vehicles will guide along, have been established between the two aforementioned cities, and the same goes for an ‘off the line’ guide way, where the SkyTran vehicles will pick up and drop off passengers (this also includes an acceleration and deceleration lane). In conjunction with the two guide ways, two platforms had been constructed (the arrival platform and the departure platform) as well as a switch. [center][img]http://www.skytran.net/phpsite/media/How%20SkyTran%20Works%202.jpg[/img][/center] [center][i]SkyTran[/i][/center] According to Malewicki, SkyTran vehicles “[i]will wait like taxicabs at boarding platforms….You just sit down, tell your computer ‘driver’ where you want to go, and relax.[/i]” It then goes on to merge into what Malewicki called an “[i]elevated micro-freeway[/i]” - the guide way - and drives the passenger “[i]nonstop to[/i] [their] [i]destination, then parks itself after you get out.[/i]” Speaking of which, two experimental SkyTran vehicles - unofficially known as ‘SkyPods’ - had been constructed, outfitted, and attached, through the Inductrack system, to the guide ways. According to UniModal, computer-controlled SkyTran vehicles, mechanically connected to [guide ways] above the traffic, “[i]will be much safer than cars…In emergencies, their brakes can stop faster than a car, since they are protected from the weather inside the guide way shell.[/i]” This, the company continued, means that “[i]because of the closer spacing…a single guide way has the passenger capacity of a three-lane freeway.[/i]” A [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjVLRPqlxYA&feature=player_embedded"]video[/url] of the SkyTran system was made available on UniModal's website. [center][img]http://www.forcedgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/378940main_skytran_226.jpg[/img][/center][center][i]A 'SkyPod'[/i][/center] To explain the driving mechanism (the ‘computer driver’ that Malewicki stated about) of the SkyTran vehicles, Raytheon and JTech did not divulge much specifications, but they confirmed that they had developed, tested, and perfected the software and that “[i]it works wonderfully, to our highest expectations.[/i]” To elaborate further, Raytheon and JTech had developed the control software with specialists from the J Andrean Space Administration (JASA). The JASA, in addition to providing its advanced control software, called the Plan Execution Interchange Language (PLEXIL) and Universal Executive (UE), provided invaluable assistance and support in evaluating the acceleration, jerk, and vibration of the SkyTran system. A representative of the JASA confirmed this in a later press statement in Endor Cuidad. To assist in the experiment, certified beta testers will ride in the SkyTran from North Providence and Pawtucket. During the ride, they will provide feedback that will be indispensable in improving the SkyTran system as to prepare it for public use. Edited July 15, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted July 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - The Commune, realizing of the potential shortcomings of the Economic Impetus Act, not only officially altered the Act’s name to the [b]Trade Union and Minimum Wages Regulation Act[/b] but also stipulated that businesses employing 500 or more workers be required to form [b]People’s Worker Committees (PWC)[/b]. The Committees will be similar to the Neighborhood Watches in the fact that it will ensure that employees are treating their employees fairly and justly in terms of wages and workers’ treatment - ironically playing the part of trade unions in ensuring such. They will report to a [b]People’s Worker Board (PWB)[/b], a subsidiary of the local, provincial, and/or federal government. Under the updated terms of the Act, employers and employees are required to report to their respective PWC biweekly to ensure compliance. Any businesses found to be in violation will be either closed down or nationalized by the federal government (in the sense that it will be taken over and administered by the federal government for a period of time until the they [the businesses] agree to fully comply with federal standards and regulations). [center]---[/center] [b]HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED[/b] Third Echelon Director Irving Lambert reported to President Richard Mercton in an extremely secure location somewhere in J Andres that the Splinter Cell program was off to a good start. According to Lambert, Third Echelon had, through extremely covert methods and tactics, contracted several individuals and invited them to serve in the organization based on their merits and capabilities. A total of ten recruits had been introduced into Third Echelon this way and are currently under evaluation and/or training. Once an individual had been invited by Third Echelon (anyone cannot apply to join third Echelon for it does not officially exist), he or she must undergo an comprehensive evaluation, primarily based on his or her merits and loyalty, before proceeding on to become a forward operative and begin training. As Lambert stated, the individuals are required to have extensive experience in the field of special clandestine operations and other similar activities; not only that, but they must be exceptionally skilled in technology and technical support to be eligible. When the individual had been evaluated and commissioned into Third Echelon as a forward agent, he or she will begin training, which consists of an extremely and utterly rigorous and exhaustive training course that will help to condition them for their future responsibilities in the field. The type of training the recruit will receive includes, but is not limited to: hand-to-hand combat, interrogation, concealment, infiltration and exfiltration techniques, silent movement, silent combat, computer hacking, interrogation resistance, advanced escape and evasion techniques (namely the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape method; SERE), covert intelligence gathering, along with many others. Not only that, but the recruit will learn unconventional warfare techniques, such as Parkour (a tactic to navigate over or around obstacles) and so on. Upon completing training, the recruit may be paired up with a partner, where he or she will learn co-operation infiltration techniques and other aspects; or the recruit may be sent to assist Splinter Cell field operations. On a concluding note, Lambert noted that Third Echelon has received or will be receiving an extensive array of highly sophisticated weaponry and equipment that will assist the Splinter Cell operatives to perform and carry out their missions. President Mercton stated to the 3E Director that the organization will receive funding from his own office, through an extremely secure channel so the money cannot be traced back to its source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted July 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] PAWTUCKET - Four beta testers - each from UniModal, Raytheon, JTech, and the JASA - undertook several rides, in two SkyPods, on the experimental SkyTran system running from North Providence to Pawtucket. Reaction from the testers were generally positive, even though they pointed out several shortcomings and flaws - minor as they were - that needed some addressing. To begin off, the testers from UniModal and JTech stated that the SkyPod that they were riding on experienced some slowdown a couple of times during the journey, even stopping for a while in the middle of the ride. “[i]It is something to take into account when building and marketing a SkyTran system. Being stranded in the middle of the ride, suspended miles and miles above ground…may not be an exhilarating experience, especially for riders that are late to work.[/i]” One of them stated in a televised interview shortly after the experimental ride. “[i]Fortunately, the SkyPod kicked into action, and we had a smooth ride all the way to Pawtucket.[/i]” Not only is the slowdown an emerging issue that UniModal and its supporters must contend with, but, as the Raytheon and JASA riders indicated, so is the fact that the SkyPod wasn’t going as fast as UniModal had claimed several times prior to - at least, not the first few times. It could be well due to the fact that the mechanisms linking the SkyPod to the guide way (the Inductrack system) wasn’t “[i]performing as well as it should be.[/i]” But this was the exception rather the rule, as subsequent rides back and forth between the two destinations went well so far. According to the testers, there were additional issues with the SkyTran, but as one of them stated, “[i]nothing too big[/i]” and that “[i]can be resolved through modifications and solutions.[/i]” UniModal had announced that it will take these feedbacks in consideration and use them to resolve the issues and further “[i]improve, fine-tune, and perfect the SkyTran system[/i]” for the public. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted July 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] HYANNISPORT - The populace of Hyannisport, a Tahoan-speaking city, rose up in protest today. All daily activities in Hyannisport ceased as hundreds and even thousands of citizens congregated on the city's streets, decrying what they called the flagrant violation of the Tahoe Republic (“[i]the Tahoe Republic is one, united, and indivisible![/i]”) by the illegal annexation of the southern part into the United States of America. [center][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2986607442_72a758c79e.jpg[/img][/center] Waving Tahoan flags and chanting the Tahoan hymn, the protestors besieged the City Hall, demanding that the federal government “[i]do something to remedy this great injustice.[/i]” J Andres was once a great ally of Tahoe, one protestor screamed into a loudspeaker in front of the local Commune building, “[i]Now it is time for J Andres to resume that role once again![/i]” Police units and Kommissazul troopers were promptly dispatched to Hyannisport, where they proceeded to contain the protestors, keeping them a good distance away from the City Hall and forming protective cordons around government buildings. Several arrests were made as some citizens tried to loot several American-owned stores, but the authorities didn’t do much besides from monitoring the situation. [center][img]http://images.publicradio.org/content/2008/09/01/20080901_police_watching_protest_33.jpg[/img][/center] The famed Kennedy family, who resides in Hyannisport, were promptly evacuated to safety in neighboring Barnstable by the Kommissazul. “[i]This is a monumental event.[/i]” Patrick Kennedy, the son of the New Englander president John F. Kennedy, stated while he boarded a waiting helicopter with his mother, family, and relatives. “[i]Not monumental in the way you might think, but monumental in the fact that there is a strong sense of patriotic loyalty to what[/i] [the populace] [i]considers as their ancestral homeland.[/i]" The J Andrean government in Endor Cuidad issued no statement as of yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - With the elections of 2030 over, and a coalition government consisting of the ruling Anchor Party, the Christian Democratic Party, and the Social Traditionalist Party in the making, the Nationalist Party under Direktor Roger Ahmadinejad launched what some political commentators has termed the "last-ditch attempt" by that party to make its debut before formally turning over power to Prime Minister Ben Richards's new grand coalition government on January 3, 2031. Utilizing its still-high leverage in the Commune, the Nationalist Party succeeded into passing an act - in face of fierce Anchor opposition - that would transform J Andres's geo-political landscape. The [b]National Public Safety and Security Act[/b], also known as the [i]Resolution to Mandate Public Safety and Security in the Maritime Republic[/i], elevated the Stasi from a government agency to a full Ministry (the [b]Ministry of State Security, MSS[/b]) and established an entirely new executive position to be headed by the President in contrast to the Prime Minister: the [b]Executive Office of the President (EOP)[/b]. The Kommissazul, controlled by the President and headed by Ahmadinejad himself, was placed under the aegis of the EOP. Not only did the Act effectively place Ahmadinejad into an unique position of bring in Richards's cabinet (he replaced Erich Mielke to become the first Minister of State Security) and Mercton's Office, but it immensely strengthened the power of the President vis-à-vis the Prime Minister. Finally, it forbade any "[i]public gatherings[/i]" that "[i]disrupts or disturbs the public peace in any way[/i]" for an unspecified amount of time, meaning that any protests, demonstrations, strikes, and, obviously, rebellion were now outlawed and subject to "[i]appropriate punitive actions in the name of the law[/i]". It also broadened the jurisdiction and powers of the MSS and the Kommissazul to conduct investigations and to bring to justice these that violated the Act; it also increased the scope of the People's Courts to try these accused of breaking the Act. As if a cynical remainder on the Nationalists' part, the Act also had a 'non-cancellation clause' which stated that the Act could not be cancelled or otherwise annulled or bypassed for four years (the Anchor Party, however, managed to garner enough support to have the clause renewing the Act be removed in the sub-committees). The passage of the Act, of course, provoked outrage inside and outside the Anchor Party as well in political circles across the nation in the view of what they considered an "[i]illegal usurpation of power[/i]" by the Nationalist Party in "[i]flagant violation of J Andrean democracy and the values that J Andres was built upon![/i]" Prime Minister Richards shared the public shock and disbelief, stating in a press statement that "[i]this Act cannot stand[/i]" and vowed to veto the bill once it reached his desk. He duly did so; President Richard Mercton overrode the veto and the Act entered into effect. A subsequent attempt by the Anchor Party to muster the 2/3 majority vote to override the President's veto failed due to the large degree of Nationalist influence in the Commune. One question surfaced: was this the beginning of a break in the friendship and relationship between Mercton and Richards? In addition to the Anchor Party, the Christian Democratic Party, the Communist Party, and even the Social Traditionalist Party protested at this "[i]unilateral action[/i]" and lambasted the Nationalist Party for this "[i]dictatorial action[/i]". Indeed, Jon "Hans" Solo vowed to work together with Richards and Bronstein to combat the Act in every way possible. As if to test the Act, groups of protestors began to protest in several cities, most particularly in Richards, Mercton, and Providence. TV show hosts, political commentators, news anchors, and even Internet bloggers began debating the potential effects of this Act in regards to the Nationalist Party's relations with the public and the next election, scheduled for 2034. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikachurin Posted August 2, 2010 Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 "We are extremely alarmed by the passage of this Act. Laws, statutes and acts akin to this were enacted by the now-infamous Government of the Federated States, and we all know how well that turned out." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 (edited) [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - In response to the passage of the National Public Safety and Security Act, Anchor Party senators in the Commune pooled together all their votes and effort - and pulled the strings of support from the Communist Party and even some dissident elements of the Nationalist Party - to draft and pass the [b]Government Mandate Act[/b]. Also known as the [b]Failsafe Act[/b], the Act accomplished, like the National Public Safety and Security Act had done, several aspects: Firstly, it removed the Monarch's 36 votes in the Commune (a function that had been effectively added to President Richard Mercton's own 36 votes upon becoming Regent, totalling 72 votes), essentially 'reverting' the President's votes back to 36. Next, it established the [b]Constiuent Panel Committee[/b], to consist of five members elected from the Constiuent Panel. The Act mandated that in order for the President to remove the Prime Minister - and any other government officials in all levels for that matter - from office, he now must receive 'advice and consent' from the Committee first, and only after a 2/3+1 vote majority in the Commune in support of the Prime Minister and other government officials. Thirdly, it stipulated that the President receive permission from the Ministry of Justice first before deploying the Kommissazul for 'domestic purposes'; it prohibited the President from utilizing the Army for that same 'domestic purposes'. It also issued a complete and binding official pardon of these that 'violated' the National Public Safety and Security Act, and deprived the MSS (or Stasi, as it is still called) of the right to conduct arrests and persecutions in enforcing the National Public Safety and Security Act. Lastly, the Government Mandate Act also had a 'non-cancellation clause' which stated that the Act could not be "[i]cancelled or otherwise annulled or bypassed[/i]" in any way under J Andrean law. The crucial difference was that the time period was removed. It seems that the Nationalists didnt think to include that when they passed the National Safety Act. The passage of the Failsafe Act were greeted with wide support in political and intellectual circles across J Andres; Duke Annan, leader of the Communist Party, lauded it as a "[i]move that balanced the government's powers in favor of democracy[/i]" and praised the Anchor Party for its "[i]quick-thinking and decisiveness...that impeded the move toward dictatorship[/i]". In contrast, the Nationalist Party condemned this Act, blasting it as a "[i]sneaky[/i]" and "[i]deceitful[/i]" way by the Anchor Party to "[i]subvert democracy[/i]" - a statement so absurd that many people may have snorted and rolled their eyes across J Andres. The Anchor Party in turn accused the Nationalist Party of "[i]hypocrisy[/i]". It didn't escape anyone's attention, however, of how much the Anchor and Nationalist parties had diverged from each other since the days, in the 1980s and 1990s, when they essentially functioned as a single party. It also didn't escape anyone's attention that what had just transpired was actually J Andres's first political crisis - and the Anchor-led government was weathering the storm as the best as it could. Edited August 2, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 (edited) [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - Spurred on by the Anchor Party and its supporters, the Commune passed an 'update' to the Government Mandate Act; the [b]Government Agencies Appointment Act[/b] prohibited any federal government official(s) from holding two or more department positions at the same time in two 'separate branches of government'. In other words, under the Act, a federal official could not be a member of the Executive Office and serve in the Prime Minister's Cabinet. The Act, true to the Nationalist Party's accusations of "[i]singling out[/i] [its leader] [i]Roger Ahmadinejad[/i]", targetted Ahmadinejad's position in both the Executive Office of the President and Ben Richards's Cabinet, generally giving him a choice of relinquishing his position in the Cabinet, turning over control of the MSS to someone else, and retain his post as Direktor of the Kommissazul, or resign from the Kommissazul and retaining control of the MSS (and remain on the Cabinet, at the beck and command of the Prime Minister). An incensed Ahmadinejad reluctantly chose the former, but criticized the Anchor Party for its "[i]overarching control and unnecessary intervention in government[/i]". As it is, Prime Minister Ben Richards will make a new appointment for the now vacant office of the Minister of State Security - a victory for the Anchor Party since the Nationalists, by elevating the Stasi from a Directorate (an exclusive domain of the President) to a full Ministry (an exclusive domain of the Prime Minister), effectively gave away a powerful state security appartus to the Prime Minister and his party. Not only that, but the Appointment Act also required that all decisions the President takes in accords to his powers to be countersigned by the Prime Minister, effectively diverting any executive powers from the President to the Prime Minister. It seems that Mercton, the hero of the rebellion of 2025, was increasingly being sidelined by Richards. President Richard Mercton vetoed the Act, but the Anchor Party mustered enough votes (despite strong Nationalist opposition) to override the veto and the Act formally entered into effect. [center]---[/center] RICHARDS - Ironically, in reaction to the passage of the Appointment Act by the Anchor Party-dominated Commune, Nationalist Party supporters and sympathizers began to protest in the streets of many major cities and towns all over J Andres - violating their own act that was sponsored by the Nationalist Party (the National Public Safety and Security Act). They faced off against Anchor supporters - including supporters of the Communist, Christian Democratic, and Social Traditionalist parties - and in some cases, violence actually occurred, and had to be quelled by local police (the MSS was forbidden to deal with the protests). The most violence took place in the City of Richards (not a surprise), which is ironically a Nationalist Party stronghold. Crowds of Nationalist supporters - chanting "[i]Down with the despotism of the Anchor Party![/i]" and "[i]Remove Richards from office![/i]" - surged through Richards's streets, clashing with Anchor and other party supporters, smashing shop/store windows, and even looting these places. Heavily-armed units of the Richards Police Department (RPD) clamped down on the 'uprising', utilizing tear gas and rubber bullets to subdue the protestors. Several arrests were made in the subsequent chaos, even though Kommissazul troopers stationed in Richards simply stood aside and did nothing. It should be noted that despite the strong dislike of the Anchor Party in the city, and despite calls for the impeachment and removal of Ben Richards, no one ever suggested changing the city's name. In Endor Cuidad, police units of the Haupstadt Capital District Police Department (CDPD) cordoned off the Commune building, in addition to the Adrik Annan Governmental Center and other strategic buildings, from the protestors. However, violence in the J Andrean capital was fairly low and very few arrests were made in comparison to Richards. Edited August 4, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - Resuming its 'struggle' against the Anchor Party, the Nationalists launched an offensive and broke the truce that had existed between both parties following the assassination of Disparu's Chancellor Cynthia Celeste. In doing so, they pushed through, by sheer numbers of votes, a bill through several sub-committees - and managed to override Prime Minister Ben Richards's veto. (This is despite the fact that President Richard Mercton couldn't add his votes in support of the Act because Richards wouldn't countersign it.) The [b]Emergency Measures Act[/b], virtually an extension of the National Public Safety and Security Act, allowed the President (not the Prime Minister), under certain circumstances, to enact 'emergency measures', including but not limited to passing laws and resolutions, without the consent of the Commune. Midst public furor, the Act stated that "[i]in the event of a Government or Republic or State not fulfilling the duties imposed upon it by the laws of the Republic, the President of the Republic may make use of the armed forces to compel it to do so.[/i]" Moreover, it mandated that if "[i]public security and order are seriously disturbed or endangered within the Republic[/i]", then the President may "[i]take measures necessary for their restoration....including[/i] [but not limited to] [i]suspending for a while, in whole or in part, the fundamental rights and liberties guaranteed to the J Andrean People.[/i]" The 'fundamental rights and liberties' referred to the freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; the freedom to petition, and to bear arms; protection against quartering of troops, protection from unreasonable search and seizure, and the right to a free and fair trial by jury; and the freedom from excessive bail, and cruel and unusual punishment. In an apparently misguided attempt to assure the people, the Nationalists inserted a clause stating that the President "[i]must inform the Commune without delay of all measures taken in accordance with...this Act. These measures are to be revoked on the demand of the Commune.[/i]" A further clause stated that in imminent danger, a "[i]State Government may, for its own territory, take temporary measures as provided in the Act. These measures are to be revoked on the demand of the President of the Republic or of the Commune[/i]", effectively granting the provinces, referred to as 'States', increased autonomy from the federal government in regards to the Act. The passage of this act sparked off renewed anger against the Nationalist Party across J Andres as people and even politicians began denouncing this "[i]totalitarian decree[/i]"; talk show hosts and political commentators publicly lambasted and mocked the Act on their shows, often receiving enthuastic agreements, wild applause, and rapturous laughter from their audiences. Only in Nationalist strongholds, such as the city of Richards, all over the nation did the Act receive wide support. [center]---[/center] ENDOR CUIDAD - In reaction to this outrageous act by the Nationalist Party, the Anchor Party retaliated by passing what is called the [b]Legislation Suspension Act[/b]. The Act, passed in the face of vicious Nationalist opposition and signed into law upon overturning of Mercton's veto by the Commune, allowed the Prime Minister to unilaterally suspend any legislature "[i]deemed too unjust to safeguard and uphold the rights and traditions of the J Andrean people, Government, and Republic[/i]" and that "[i]violate said rights and traditions[/i]" for a period of four years. Moreover, the Act stated that "[i]laws enacted by the government of the Republic may be allowed to remain in effect as long as they do not affect the Commune, and and do not go against the spirit of the Legislation Suspension Act[/i]" and went on to assure that "[i]the rights of the President shall remain undisturbed.[/i]" As a measure of protection, the Act included a clause that stated it "[i]has the full precedence over any other laws, acts, or resolutions[/i]" - effectively having the power to negate any acts that contained a non-cancellation clause - and went on to state that the Act could not be used against itself. Under the provisions of this Act, it is to take effect immediately and will "[i]lose force on March 4, 2034 or if the present Government is replaced by another after that date, and any subsequent dates.[/i]" It is subject to renewal for another four years by the Constiuent Panel Committee following a 2/3+1 majority vote of support in the Commune. No sooner had the Act passed into law was it used by Prime Minister Ben Richards, through the Anchor Party, to suspend the National Public Safety and Security Act and the Emergency Measures Act for four years - thus making them the shortest laws ever enacted in the history of the Maritime Republic of J Andres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - Knowing that their position in the government was now checked by the Anchor Party's passage of the Legislation Suspension Act, but still wanting to overturn the Anchor Party's "[i]despotic excesses[/i]", the Nationalist Party declared a nationwide strike and called for workers to "[i]walk out and...protest this unlawful erosion of legitimate power[/i]". Hundreds of thousands of workers heeded the call; daily life in Nationalist strongholds such as Richards and Ahmadinejad screeched to a standstill as the strikers took to the streets, waving posters and chanting, "[i]Stop this abuse of power![/i]" and similiar declarations. The 'March Strike', as it soon became known, soon expanded to include other cities such as Bethesda, Annan, and Lanier - reaching as far as Karr in Maine and Providence in Maritime Colony. It threatened to make J Andres come to a standstill, literally. However, the general strike would not achieve the level of support and scope as the Nationalist Party expected. [center][img]http://neighborhoodeffects.mercatus.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/puertorico_demonstrations_june2009.jpg[/img][/center] In Endor Cuidad, the police cordon around the Commune and other governmental buildings soon became a facet of daily life as the crowds of protestors were joined by thousands of striking workers. The beleaguered Anchor Party senators, helped in part by the Communist Party and even the Social Traditionalist Party, scrambled to come up with a way to make the strike come to a stop without fueling more anger and/or violence. They did so by ordering all federal employees from the lowest to the highest levels to remain in their posts. Next, they ordered the Federation of Industry, which owned a large portion of industries and businesses in J Andres, of which workers were now striking, to "[i]undertake necessary measures to...bring this strike to an end with as little violence and/or disruption as possible.[/i]" The Federation did so; they ordered all of their workers to return to their jobs within a specified period of time or risk the losses of their jobs. This had the intended effect: in Richards, half of the striking workers returned to their posts, two-thirds in Ahmadinejad. [center][img]http://www.indybay.org/uploads/2008/09/04/riot-police_9-2-08.jpg[/img][/center] Following orders from Endor Cuidad, the People's Worker Boards issued orders for employers to bring their striking workers back to their posts. In event of refusal of the employers to comply with the PWBs, the PWBs fired the employers and took over control of the businesses. In event of the refusal of the workers to comply with their employers' orders, the PWBs along with the employers would order a lockout, cutting off any wages and job benefits to the striking workers, effectively making them jobless. In many cases, the PWC brought in 'strikebreakers' - that is, unemployed persons - from the Public Works Administration to keep their businesses running. All of this had mixed results, however. Some workers heeded the PWBs' threats and returned to work, some continued to strike out of support of the Nationalist Party. Striking workers continued to converge on the streets of Endor Cuidad, Richards, Ahmadinejad, and other cities, all surrounded by police units. More than not, violence broke out and dozens of arrests were made, but other than that, the police maintained a vigilant eye on the strikers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 [b]CLASSIFIED[/b] Despite the ongoing controversy between the Anchor and Nationalist parties, the Commune passed a resolution to further define and expand the structure of the newly-established Ministry of State Security, especially after its reorganization from a Directorate. Through the [b]Ministry of State Security Organization Act[/b], the MSS was to consist of: [quote][list] [*]Main Administration of National Security [*]Main Department of State Intelligence [*]Main Department of Communication, Information, and Technology [*]Main Department of Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Affairs [*]Main Department of Human Resources [*]Secret Service Directorate [/list][/quote] The [b]Main Administration of National Security[/b] is one of the sub-agencies of the MSS tasked with ensuring national and public security in the Maritime Republic of J Andres on the local, provincial, and federal level. It is responsible for protecting and overseeing the protection of airports, ports, transportation networks (railroads, roads, subways, maglevs, buses), communication centers and networks, government buildings and locations, along with others. The [b]Main Department of State Intelligence[/b] is responsible for intelligence and counter-intelligence on the civilian level. It is tasked with collecting information from foreign nations, and coordinating the activities of intelligence agencies on the local, provincial, and federal level. The extremely-classified Third Echelon (3E) will be placed under the aegis of this Department, but will not be recorded as such. The [b]Main Department of Communication, Information, and Technology[/b] is tasked with monitoring communication networks, telephone lines, wireless networks, and satellite feeds. It is to track down, monitor, and store state and important documents, identity and identity registration documents, cell phone records, computer records, medical records, financial transactions, vehicle and vessel registration documents, along with data such as websites visited, phone numbers used, email addresses, telephone and fax records, etc. It will maintain the nationwide CCTV camera network system, the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system, the Oyster system, and the National DNA database. Lastly, it will employ Forward Intelligence Teams (FIT) to monitor protests, journalists, and other persons deemed a ‘potential threat’ by the federal government. The [b]Main Department of Criminal, Cyber, and Services Affairs[/b] will be responsible for investigating crimes on the local, provincial, and federal levels; to assist law enforcement agencies in their tasks and coordinate their activities; and deal with crisis situations in J Andres. It will include the National Cyberwarfare Division and its associated intelligence agencies, and will be responsible for maintaining the CRIMINT database to collect intelligence data on criminals, protestors, terrorists, and these suspected to be so. Moreover, this department is responsible for conducting interrogations in addition to investigations, and the standards for interrogation will be outlined and set by the Minister of State Security. The [b]Main Department of Human Resources[/b] is responsible for maintaining all activities and affairs pertaining to human resources and services, including but not limited to preventing and combating sabotage and espionage in businesses, industries, or other national organizations. The Public Safety Department (PSD), which is responsible for local and provincial Public Safety Councils and thus the Neighborhood Watch, has been placed in this department. Lastly, the [b]Secret Service Directorate[/b] is tasked with the protection of the President, Prime Minister, their legal successors, and their families. It will protect them and their families for life. Next, the Directorate will also protect visiting foreign leaders and their spouses, other foreign visitors, and official representatives of the J Andrean government travelling abroad, along with other individuals designated by the President. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - With the recent political storms that had been enveloping J Andres seeming to be receding, the Anchor Party proceeded to take a step in maintaining J Andres's internal policy and rectifying their position in the government. To start off with, the Commune passed the [b]Army Chain of Command Accountability Act[/b]. The Act, also known as the [i]Mackenzie Act[/i] after Maritime Colony senator John Mackenzie, absolved the President of his responsiblities of Commander-in-Chief and transferred them to the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, currently Dwight D. Eisenhower - but also strengthened the Supreme Commander's accountability to the Prime Minister. To try to smooth some ruffled feathers, as the Act aroused a wave of protests (but thankfully no riots) from the Nationalist Party and its supporters, the Act included a clause that stated that the Act would officially enter into effect on January 3, 2031 - the day of Prime Minister Ben Richards's second inauguration. [center]---[/center] ENDOR CUIDAD - A new government committee was formed in the Commune, to be a part of the Constiuent Panel. The [b]Constitution Committee (CC)[/b] seeks to "[i]faciliate the way...for J Andres, its government, and people to draw up a national constitution...in the interests of rectifying the relationship of power, government, and the Maritime Republic[/i]" as well to "[i]steamline the network of government already established in place...and eliminate any redundancies.[/i]" Headed by Maine senator Mary Gilles, the Constitution Committee has begun deliberations with many members inside and outside the government, as well as citizens, to pave the way to a constitution. J Andres, which never had a Constitution in the first place, is expected to "[i]put in place the foundations of a constitution[/i]" by 2035, at the earliest. The process goes as follows: once the CC drafts a constitution based on the deliberations with the public and government, it will submit it to the Constituent Panel Committee, which will then review it. The Constiuent Panel Committee will have the right to approve or reject the proposed Constitution; in the case of rejection, the constitution will then be sent back to the CC for further revision and debate. Once the Constiuent Panel approves it, the constitution will then be sent to the Commune for final review. If the constitution receives a 2/3+1 majority of support in the Commune, it goes into effect the year after it is approved. On the other hand, if it fails to receive enough support, the constitution will be shelved, and the CC will be given another opportunity to draft another constitution. [center]---[/center] [b]CLASSIFIED[/b] The Ministry of the Air Force approved a resolution calling for the establishment of a plan to phase the F-40 Thunder fighter out of the Air Force in favor for the F-65 Vanguard, and the U-8 bomber in favor for the B-9 Grim Reaper. According to Air Force Minister Harold Brown in a classified report to War and Defense Minister Joel Brunel, the Air Force had ordered about 365 F-65 Vanguard aircrafts and 180 B-9 Grim Reaper aircrafts for a total of $139 billion Anchors, of which $8 billion had been paid as down payment. The amount of F-65s ordered is enough to replace about thirty squadrons of F-40 fighters, the amount of F-9s enough to replace fifteen squadrons of U-8 bombers - the latter virtually the entire bomber squadrons in the Air Force. The resolution, according to Brown, will begin as soon as J Andres receives peace in the wars that she's currently in. It is expected to take about five to ten years to achieve this turnover of aircrafts. [center]---[/center] [b]ALSO CLASSIFIED[/b] In the interests of national security and safety in an increasngly unstable world, Minister Joel Brunel announced to his subordinates in a closed conference that J Andres will increase the size of her standing army ([i]de jure[/i]) from 300,000 to 1 million, to begin over a five to ten year period following peace from the current wars that she is in. This will leave approximately 33,260 troops in the Army Reserve, one of the smallest army reserves in the world. This includes the Kommissazul, which is administratively separate from the Army but will be counted as being within the Armed Forces, and the Special Ops. According to Brunel, the advantages that comes to maintaining a full standing army as opposed to the current reserve army is that J Andres will be able to "[i]more efficiently muster and deploy in any sufficient numbers her troops to everywhere in the world that...she wants to send them.[/i]" In addition, it will save J Andres the difficulty of mobilizing her army reserve for war or in situation that demands it. To cover the invariably rising cost that such an increase of the Army entails, Brunel indicated that the government will "[i]utilize every ways and methods, legally, that it can undertake to cover such expenses.[/i]" The Army will receive a larger slice of the government's budget, as indicated in a report prepared by the Ministry of Finance for Financial Year (FY) 2031. Moreover, Brunel also announced that the Army's order of battle will undergo rearrangement from its current model, and that several components of the Army in terms of equipment will be phased out of service. To begin off with, the Army will consist of ten Armies, of which each will consist of 100,000 soldiers each. Each Army will be organized along the lines of: [quote]100,000 soldiers 600 Abrams tanks 431 Panther tanks 250 Humvees 150 SPA M110 self-propelled howitzers 100 M270 MLRS 250 M-113 APCs 250 M1 Bradley IFVs 33 M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge[/quote] The BT-100 tanks will be phased out and replaced by the Abrams and Panther tanks. Out of the 1,812 BT-100 tanks recorded in 2025, 1,000 will be replaced by Abrams and 812 will be replaced by Panthers. This brings the number from 5,000 Abrams to 6,000 and 3,500 Panthers to 4,312. Divided among the ten Armies, this lands to the figures of 600 Abrams and approximately 431 Panthers for each Army. The Armies will be named as such, along with their headquarters: [quote]First Army (HQ: Fort Farnum) Second Army (HQ: Fort Farnum) Third Army (HQ: Annan) Fourth Army (HQ: Miller) Fifth Army (HQ: Concord) Sixth Army (HQ: Concord) Seventh Army (HQ: Karr) Eighth Army (HQ: Karr) Ninth Army (HQ: Montpelier) Tenth Army (HQ: Miller)[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 (edited) [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] MILLER - Due to popular demand, and to the fact that most of Rellim's inhabitants usually refer to their city as Miller, the Rellim Commune voted to retroactively alter the city's name to [b]Miller[/b]. Formerly known as Waterbury in the days of the first United States, the first and second J Andres, and the Federated States of America, Miller is the ninth largest city in J Andres with a population of over 108,000, as recorded in 2025. [center]---[/center] ENDOR CUIDAD - In a stunning blow to the Nationalist Party, the Anchor Party voted to pass a resolution of which it declared that martial law was to be "[i]enforced to the fullest extent[/i]". Under this resolution, public protests or any similiar acts under similiar circumstances that "[i]threatened or otherwise endangered the national and public safety of...the Maritime Republic, and that gave cause for the subversion of the enforcement of law and order throughout J Andres[/i]" was now punished by the full extent of the law. Any citizens from now onwards that defied martial law - like hundreds of thousands had done earlier in many cities and towns - would be subjected to a military tribunal, which had the unilateral power to try and sentence the offending citizen(s) for said offenses. The decisions of the military tribunals would be binding and would be outside the normal sphere of justice. Ironically, due to the wordings of the resolution, citizens technically could still protest out in the streets as long as they did it peacefully, but they would be still subjected to the military tribunal for giving the 'cause for the subversion of the enforcement of law and order throughout J Andres' (in other words, defying martial law, which required that citizens - except for government and military personnel, important persons, and other selected persons - to remain indoors at specified times). Not only was martial law now enforced fully, but also specific classes of people such as "[i]prisoners of war, spies, or aiders and abettors of the enemy[/i]" would have their normal rights, including habeas corpus, be suspended "[i]until further notice[/i]". This also included draft dodgers. To assist in enforcing this resolution, Army officers not commissioned into service in the war in Europe were tasked with heading the tribunals, and the police on all levels were empowered to enforce the resolution. The MSS was now authorized to deal with any violations of martial law and to carry out the orders from the military tribunals. This included the power to conduct arrests, imprisonment, and even execution. The Nationalist Party, and even some elements of the Communist Party, decried this "[i]ultimate hypocrisy[/i]". As a Nationalist Party senator put it before storming out of the Commune building in a fury, the "[i]traitorous and scheming[/i]" Anchor Party had "[i]for all intents and purposes reinstated the National Public Safety and Security Act and the Emergency Measures Act in all but name.[/i]" But, as supporters of the Anchor Party and most of the Communist and Social Traditionalist parties pointed out, the Anchor Party was actually acting in the interests of J Andres and its people. After all, J Andres [i]was[/i] at war, and constant protests would be disruptive to the war effort and undermine it - thus placing J Andres, it's government, people, and interests at great risk. [center]---[/center] [b]HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED[/b] Having lost control of the powerful state appartus that was the Directorate of State Security (now the Ministry of State Security) and stripped of command of the Armed Forces due to the Anchor Party's recent legislative actions, President Richard Mercton turned his attention in consolidating his control of the Kommissazul ("[i]it is mine and mine only. I brought it, I expanded it. No one shall take it away from me![/i]") and looking for ways to find a bulwark against the increasing powers of the Anchor Party. In this, he turned to Third Echelon and its ultra-secret Splinter Cell program. To begin off with, he demoted Director Irving Lambert and replaced him with a more aggressive, purpose-minded Tom Reed. A retired colonel of the Army, Reed has a very clear vision of what Third Echelon (more like [i]his[/i] Third Echelon) would and should be doing in regards to J Andres, the world, and the era of information warfare. Knowing of Reed's ruthlessness, efficiency, and ambitions, President Mercton tasked Reed with the task of expanding Third Echelon and its Splinter Cell program far beyond its reach that Lambert was unwilling to do (this led to his demotion in the first place). The President's plans for Third Echelon, as he told Reed, was to transform Third Echelon into a 'parallel shadow organization', his own quasi-security apparatus, to counter the Ministry of State Security. To achieve this, Reed as Director was to intensify recruitment of potential recruits, not only for the purpose of training them to become Splinter Cell agents but also into something more: the entire Splinter Cell program was to serve as the nuclei of an elite force of 'shock troops'. To avoid arousing attention, the elite troopers was to be trained by a combination of Kommissazul and 3E officers in highly-classified training centers across the country. No exact number for the soldiers was determined, but Mercton indicated that it will be "[i]in the hundreds, probably much more.[/i]" The entire program will be funded out of Mercton's own pockets, through an extremely secure channel from the Executive Office; the shock troops and agents will be provided with state-of-the-art weaponry and equipment that they would need to complete their missions. Briefed on his assignment, Reed set out to do what he had been ordered to do, and he was going to do it the best he could...and no one would stop him. Edited August 19, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikachurin Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 (edited) [quote name='JEDCJT' timestamp='1282205098' post='2422940'] MILLER - Due to popular demand, and to the fact that most of Rellim's inhabitants usually refer to their city as Miller, the Rellim Commune voted to retroactively alter the city's name to [b]Miller[/b]. Formerly known as Waterbury in the days of the first United States, the first and second J Andres, and the Federated States of America, Miller is the ninth largest city in J Andres with a population of over 108,000, as recorded in 2025. [/quote] "Hmm...that's interesting." said Lance as he read a copy of [i]The Anchor Times[/i]. "'Rellim' is a palindrome of 'Miller'. Ergo, the city renamed itself for the same reasons as Regnissi did..." Lance suddenly looked as if he just realized something really important. He rushed to the computer on his study's desk and looked for a list of J Andres' largest cities... [quote name='JEDCJT' timestamp='1282205098' post='2422940'] ENDOR CUIDAD - In a stunning blow to the Nationalist Party, the Anchor Party voted to pass a resolution of which it declared that martial law was to be "[i]enforced to the fullest extent[/i]". Under this resolution, public protests or any similiar acts under similiar circumstances that "[i]threatened or otherwise endangered the national and public safety of...the Maritime Republic, and that gave cause for the subversion of the enforcement of law and order throughout J Andres[/i]" was now punished by the full extent of the law. Any citizens from now onwards that defied martial law - like hundreds of thousands had done earlier in many cities and towns - would be subjected to a military tribunal, which had the unilateral power to try and sentence the offending citizen(s) for said offenses. The decisions of the military tribunals would be binding and would be outside the normal sphere of justice. Ironically, due to the wordings of the resolution, citizens technically could still protest out in the streets as long as they did it peacefully, but they would be still subjected to the military tribunal for giving the 'cause for the subversion of the enforcement of law and order throughout J Andres' (in other words, defying martial law, which required that citizens - except for government and military personnel, important persons, and other selected persons - to remain indoors at specified times). Not only was martial law now enforced fully, but also specific classes of people such as "[i]prisoners of war, spies, or aiders and abettors of the enemy[/i]" would have their normal rights, including habeas corpus, be suspended "[i]until further notice[/i]". This also included draft dodgers. To assist in enforcing this resolution, Army officers not commissioned into service in the war in Europe were tasked with heading the tribunals, and the police on all levels were empowered to enforce the resolution. The MSS was now authorized to deal with any violations of martial law and to carry out the orders from the military tribunals. This included the power to conduct arrests, imprisonment, and even execution. The Nationalist Party, and even some elements of the Communist Party, decried this "[i]ultimate hypocrisy[/i]". As a Nationalist Party senator put it before storming out of the Commune building in a fury, the "[i]traitorous and scheming[/i]" Anchor Party had "[i]for all intents and purposes reinstated the National Public Safety and Security Act and the Emergency Measures Act in all but name.[/i]" But, as supporters of the Anchor Party and most of the Communist and Social Traditionalist parties pointed out, the Anchor Party was actually acting in the interests of J Andres and its people. After all, J Andres [i]was[/i] at war, and constant protests would be disruptive to the war effort and undermine it - thus placing J Andres, it's government, people, and interests at great risk. [/quote] "We are somewhat alarmed by this new law. However, due to the situation J Andres is currently involved in, we understand the Anchor Party's rationale in passing this law. We hope this will be repealed as soon as J Andres's involvement in the war ends." Edited August 19, 2010 by Pikachurin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 [quote name='Pikachurin' timestamp='1282228617' post='2423119'] "We are somewhat alarmed by this new law. However, due to the situation J Andres is currently involved in, we understand the Anchor Party's rationale in passing this law. We hope this will be repealed as soon as J Andres's involvement in the war ends." [/quote] "We assure Disparu that this will be a temporary war measure, to be repealed once the war is over. That is, unless the J Andrean government is overthrown in a coup or something." Foreign Minister Mickey Bethesda stated jokingly at the last part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynneth Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 [quote name='JEDCJT' timestamp='1282251522' post='2423455'] "We assure Disparu that this will be a temporary war measure, to be repealed once the war is over. That is, unless the J Andrean government is overthrown in a coup or something." Foreign Minister Mickey Bethesda stated jokingly at the last part. [/quote] "The likelihood of J Andres being couped has just risen to ten times the previous value." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 (edited) [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] RICHARDS - As if to test the recent passage of the resolution enforcing military law to the "[i]fullest extent[/i]", groups of protestors took to the streets of Richards to protest at what one protestor called the "[i]erosion of democratic rights and values of J Andres and her people[/i]" and to publicly show their support for the Nationalist Party. However, if they thought the government was going to sit back and do little, as it usually had several times before, they were wrong. Deadly wrong. As the protestors converged upon the streets, they were confronted by hundreds of heavily-armed and heavily-armored local police and MSS troopers. The Richards Police Department commissioner showed up in front of the local Commune building, where a large crowd of about a thousand were heckling him, and ordered them to "[i]go back home and remain there until further notice[/i]." When the protestors continued mocking and insulting him in defiance of his orders (one even threw his shoes at him), the commissioner solemnly walked off the podium and entered a nearby SUV guarded by heavily-armed police officers. Moments later, the MSS and police attacked the protestors in full force. Wielding huge truncheons, riot guns, and in some cases lethal weaponry, the police troopers clamped down on the protestors with full wrath: dozens were killed, hundreds were wounded, and thousands were arrested in mass roundups as the police began hauling the protestors into armored trucks that would bring them to the nearest 'military tribunal centers'. Neighborhood Watch vigilants helped out in the effort. An attempt to launch an uprising by groups of college students in the University of Richards was quickly and ruthlessly crushed as MSS troopers stormed the campus, arrested the student protestors, and closed down the university "[i]for the time being[/i]." The People's Worker Boards in Richards were ordered to instruct employers to "[i]terminate on the spot the employment and benefits of their employees that had participated in the subversion of government authority, namely military law.[/i]" Insurance and medicial companies were ordered to purge from its programs anyone who had 'participated in the subversion of government authority'; universities were ordered to expel any students who had 'participated in the subversion of government authority'; Social Security institutions were ordered to cut off subsidies to these who had 'participated in the subversion of government authority'. Interestingly, instead of inspiring people to defy the government any further, the clampdown "[i]completely and utterly shocked and stunned[/i]" the City of Richards - and the rest of J Andres. Realizing that the government actually meant what it stated that martial law was to be "[i]enforced to the fullest extent[/i]", and that any further acts of protests would only bring about more bloodshed and government repression, the City of Richards quieted down. Under the fullest extent of martial law prevailing over the country, with vigilant police officers roaming the streets and the nation on full alert, it would be next to impossible for anyone - both inside and outside - to incite a rebellion or any similiar acts in J Andres. The government had truly become dictatorial in all but name, and many local government officials expressed hope that this would, to quote Disparu's statement, "[i]be repealed as soon as J Andres's involvement in the war ends[/i]." Edited August 20, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 (edited) [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - In response to the recent police clampdown in Richards, and considering the potential fallout of such actions, the Commune in Endor Cuidad included an amendment to their resolution, sealing off J Andres's land borders and territorial waters (including the EEZ). Checkpoints along the borders with the Panhandle Federation, the Republic of York, and to a lesser extent, Disparu, were closed off and strigent restrictions placed on anyone entering or leaving J Andres "[i]for the time being[/i]". To enforce this, the Border Guard were issued 'shoot-to-kill' orders alongside the borders with J Andres's neighbors except Disparu. The same went for customs, imports, and exports entering and leaving the country. Customs officials were given increased authority to inspect "anything of value" that entered or left the country, and to confiscate anything deemed 'contraband'. As an act of courtesy, the Foreign Ministry contacted the governments of Disparu, York, and the Panhandle Federation regarding all this, and advised them to dissuade their citizens from trying to enter J Andres, legally and illegally, until further notice. Indeed, the National Travel Authority (NTA) of the Ministry of Transportation cautioned foreign citizens against visiting J Andres. "By reading this, you acknowledge that you will go to J Andres at your own risk, and that the Government [of J Andres] will not be responsible for any harm that may befall you during your stay there." A newly updated pamphlet issued by the NTA told its readers. Edited August 20, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - The Commune modified its amendment to its resolution regarding martial law to allow for the transit of vessels through J Andrean territorial waters and EEZ, on two conditions: they had to be Navy ships or otherwise military ships, and they had to come from allied nations (nations who currently hold a Mutual Defense treaty and/or higher). The Ministry of the Navy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concurrently, has to be notified first by any allies of J Andres if they are to send military vessels into J Andrean territorial waters or EEZ. Port Authorities of port cities alongside the J Andrean coast will be notified by the federal government and provided with a list of military ships permitted to dock in their respective cities. [center]---[/center] KARR - The nation's mining industry in Maine, namely the coal-, iron-, petroleum-, and gas-producing industries, has declared their intent to reduce their production out of protest of the low value of raw materials on the market. The industry in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have declared similiar intents. Their counterparts in Vermont and Connecticut are considering doing the same. This confronts J Andres with a serious problem. If the protests continues, and production do not increase due to such, the nation's economy would be damaged and the stock market would fall, thus precipitating a collapse of J Andres's economy. This would be catastrophic, especially when J Andres is currently at war in Europe, and she needs resources such as coal, iron, and petroleum to support her war effort. And so the federal government did the best thing: it ordered the entire mining industry to return to full production or face the consequences. The provincial governments and People's Worker Boards in Maine, New Hampshire, and Maine, duly passed on the government's orders to the mine's employers and managers, threatening the "[i]takeover of the mines by the federal government.[/i]" The Federation of Industry helped out; Endor Petrofuel Processing, for one, was able to suppress the protest by forcing the mines under their control to return to full production. Faced with federal government threats, the mining industry reluctantly returned to production and thus a collapse of J Andres's economy was diverted. Now aware of the dangers of protests in any part of the economy - business or industry - the Commune passed the [b]National Industry Standards Act[/b]. The Act declared that any "[i]act of protest in the economic sphere would be treated to the full extent of the law as any act of protest in the domestic sphere in violation of martial law[/i]", meaning that any further protests in business or industry would be treated as a "[i]subversion of the enforcement of law and order throughout J Andres[/i]", and punished accordingly. Protesting industries would be taken over by the federal government, their employers fired and brought to a military tribunal, and production resumed to the full capacity. [center]---[/center] ENDOR CUIDAD - Prime Minister Ben Richards announced his choice for the position of the Minister of State Security. In a televised press statement to the nation, Richards stated that he was appointing John Feliks to head the Ministry of State Security, expressing that Feliks's "[i]superb organizational skills, determination, and knowledge in security and security-related matters[/i]" would benefit J Andres in the long run. Not to mention his legendary patience and dedication to carrying out the tasks he was given, no matter what it was. [center][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Felix_Dzerzhinsky_1919.jpg[/img][/center][center][i]John Feliks[/i][/center] It didn't escape anyone's attention, however, that Feliks was usually known as 'Iron Feliks' due to his iron will, a sheer determination to get things done. As several associates remembered from his career days as head of a iron-producing factory in Mercton, Feliks always had a "[i]fanatical look in his eyes[/i]", that a "[i]flame of fanaticism steadily gleamed from behind his glasses[/i]." It didn't help that with his tall and thin appearance, his high-set cheekbones, a sharp beard, a permanently raised eyebrows, and a receding hair, Feliks greatly resembled a Grand Inquisitor from the Spanish Inquisition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - The Commune voted to suspend, via the Legislation Suspension Act, parts of the Traffic Ticket Violation Acts of 2029 that established People's Courts to try these guilty of violating the Act. The People's Courts, in turn, were dissolved and their powers and responsibilities transferred to the Ministry of Justice. Any prior decisions enacted by the Courts now can be appealed in the district courts and courts of appeals, leading up to the Supreme Court if necessary. However, the punishments specified out for varying degrees of traffic violations will remain in effect for the time being, but will be subject to modification by the Ministry of Justice following a review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2010 (edited) [b]CLASSIFIED[/b] The Provisional Government of Great Britain (PGGB), following orders from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dwight Eisenhower, and enforced by High Commissioner, Matthew Ridgeway, issed a series of resolutions designed to further consolidate control over the regions of Britain currently under J Andrean military occupation and to accomodate the articles of the Military Resolution. To begin off with, a [b]Public Relations Military Detachment (PRMD)[/b] was established, and all media still operating in Britain (newspapers, journals, telegrams, radio, films, among many others) under J Andrean occupation were ordered to comply with the PRMD's instructions. A wide array of topics were prohibited from all forms of media, including but not limited to: the current war in Britain; the war in Portugal; criticism of J Andres and its allies; anti-J Andrean propaganda; pro-British (and pro-English, pro-Scottish, pro-Welsh, pro-Irish, and pro-Norwegian) propaganda; the former Scottish regime; criticism of the PGGB and its institutions; international diplomacy; nuclear weapons; black market activities; along with many others. Even any mention of censorship itself was strictly prohibited. Due to the PRMD's activities, many media corporations throughout occupied Britain (such as branches of the Scottish Broadcasting Corporation) were seized and converted for military use. At the same time the PRMD was established, the PGGB had already begun the process of taking over large British (or to be exact, former Scottish) business firms throughout occupied Britain. To do this, it established the [b]Economic Development Military Detachment (EDMD)[/b]. Factories and corporations, as well as many natural resources, were nationalized this way by the EDMD, and the J Andrean government in Endor Cuidad had already voted to send billions of Anchors in aid; the first shipment of $1 billion Anchors were sent to Britain. A food distribution network was also to be implemented in Britain, and military personnel have in fact already begun handing out food, supplies, and equipment to the population in cities such as London and Birmingham. As for the administration of government, the federal structure left in place as under the former Scottish regime will be retained, albeit with modifications. They will be used to assist the military and the PGGB in maintaining law and order on a daily basis. Regarding any internal affairs within the regions under the control of the PGGB, the military was authorized to take direct control, in the same fashion it had for specific institutions (such as airports, post offices, and transportation centers), of prisons, penitentaries, and correctional facilities and convert them for use in regards to law enforcement. To assist the military and police in maintaining law and order, military tribunals were set up in occupied Britain, beginning in London and then moving on to other cities. In turn, the PGGB established the [b]Internal Affairs Military Detachment (IAMD)[/b] to ensure that the distribution and implementation of public services continued on as usual. For one instance, the IAMD took over direct control of hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other medical institutions throughout occupied Britain. Finally, the PGGB issued an order calling for any and all former Scottish flags throughout the regions currently under its control to be taken down. Throughout London and other cities under their control, J Andrean troops began taking down any Scottish flags that they found, folding them and placing them into 'special bags' or 'special boxes' for storage (in fact, they were to be sent to a landfill somewhere in J Andres or disposed of. But several military officers jokingly suggested that the Scottish flags be sent to Louisiana "[i]just to see what they[/i] [the Louisianans] [i]would do with them.[/i]" Warrants for arrest of local Scottish government officials were issued, and soon military troops and police units would comb the regions under their control for such persons, arresting and detaining them upon discovery. Any Scottish officials apprehended this way would be charged by the military authorities for their "[i]oppression of the British people[/i]". Edited September 7, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2010 (edited) [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - Due to the rapid expansion of Endor Cuidad (the city's population rose from a recorded 30,237 in 2025 to well over 140,000 by 2030), the Commune thus voted to modify the Government Capital District Act, also known as the Haupstadt Act. A tract of land surrounding the nearby North Central State Airport was officially transferred to the Haupstadt Capital District from the Maritime Colony, with the latter's approval. Along with the Endor Cuidad International Airport (ECIA), the North Central State Airport (renamed to the [b]North Central International Airport, NCIA[/b]) will be able to better accomodate the J Andrean capital's growing population and ease the demand being made on the District's transportation systems. As with the Endor Cuidad International Airport, the NCIA will be operated by the Haupstadt Capital Airport Corporation. The NCIA will serve not only Endor Cuidad, but also the nearby city of Pawtucket, located about 6km south. As with the other airports, NCIA will be heavily policed and defended by both the police and the military, being surrounded by mobile THAAD and Patriot missile defense systems. [center]---[/center] [b]CLASSIFIED[/b] The Commune approved the expansion of the Ministry of State Security into the regions of Britain currently under J Andrean military control. The first MSS Field Office (FO) in Britain was established in London, to be headquartered in 11 Downing Street. The London office then took over administration and control of all police departments across Southern England, most notably the City of London Police (which was subsequently merged with the Metropolitan Police to form the overall [b]London Police Department[/b]). Any dual police organizations in other cities were merged into large police departments based off on the J Andrean model (like the Birmingham Police Department or the Southampton Police Department). Four more Field Offices were planned to be established, to be headquartered in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, respectively. For efficiency, each Field Office, as per the norm in J Andres itself, would be subdivided into sub-agencies that have jurisdiction over a specific area(s). The Field Offices were to be organized among the lines of: [quote][b][font="Courier New"]LONDON FIELD OFFICE:[/b] - Greater London Region - South West England Region - South East Region - East of England Region - West Midlands Region - East Midlands Region [b]MANCHESTER FIELD OFFICE:[/b] - North West Region - North East Region - Yorkshire and the Humber Region [b]EDINBURGH FIELD OFFICE:[/b] - Edinburgh Region - Borders Region - Dumfries and Galloway Region [b]GLASGOW FIELD OFFICE:[/b] - Glasgow Region - Central Region - Tayside Region - Fife Region - Grampian Region - Highland Region - Western Isles Region[/font][/quote] As Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow are currently outside the military's reach, and Birmingham is too close to the frontlines, the London Field Office will be the only MSS institution operating in Britain for the time being. The MSS will cooperate and work together with the military and its institution in law enforcement and the maintainence of law and order. Edited August 28, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted August 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2010 (edited) [b]CLASSIFIED[/b] By orders of the PGGB, issued by the J Andrean Commune and enforced by the military and the MSS London Field Office, the IAMD proceeded to take over hotels, motels, hostels, inns, casinos, resorts, and spa resorts. Next, cafes, resturaunts, taverns, bars, pubs, and nightclubs were 'nationalized' by agents of the EDMD. In addition, hundreds of colleges, universities, university colleges, and training schools (such as the famed University of London and its facilities and institutions) in occupied Britain were quickly taken over by the IAMD and garrisoned by Army troops. 'Reliable' Britons were brought in to administer the educational institutions. On a related note, all buildings of historical signifiance such as memorials and monuments were also taken over by the PGGB through the IAMD, in the interests of guarding them. The CN tower, located in central London, was one such building protected by the military authorities. By then, each and all major cities and towns across occupied Britain resembled something of 'armed encampments' as heavily-armed and vigilant Army soldiers, MSS troopers, and IAMD operatives patrolled the mostly-empty streets. The streets, in turn, were 'littered' with roadblocks; security checkpoints were everywhere; and barbed wire were all around. Anchor flags, along with British flags, were "[i]everywhere as far as the eye can see[/i]", as an Anchor Times reporter - one of the few permitted to visit Britain - told an IAMD official. The general situation may sound oppressive, but it actually was not. The troops, while keeping a sharp lookout, was very friendly and outgoing to the population, and the curfew law wasn't as strict as one might think (Britons were expected to be off the streets from 10pm to 7am, unless they possessed special documents). Under the PGGB, life in Britain slowly returned back to normal. As long as Britons obeyed the PGGB and its resolutions, all would be fine. However, if they tried to resist the military authorities or to incite rebellion, then the J Andreans would clamp down hard. Edited September 7, 2010 by JEDCJT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted September 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] [right]January 3, 2031[/right] ENDOR CUIDAD - The atmosphere of Endor Cuidad was forlorn at the least and grim at the best. J Andres was still in a state of war and as a result her major cities and towns were under martial law. Armed MSS troopers, police units, and in some cases Kommissazul soldiers, were everywhere on the streets, especially in such a prominent place as Endor Cuidad. But this was a special day, for it was the day of the second inauguration of Prime Minister Ben Richards, elected for the second time in 2030. Due to the significance of this particular event, the government and police, not willing to take chances, enacted some of the most extraordinary security measures ever taken. The Commune building, as well as all the roads leading up to it, were densely populated by military security officials, heavily-armored and heavily-armed police units, and MSS troopers; checkpoints were manned there. Snipers were stationed in every building adjacent to the Commune building, where Richards was scheduled to deliver his inauguration speech, and the population was to be kept at a certain distance. (They would be subject to intense body cavity searches, X-ray searches, and other measures). Finally, the inauguration began as Ben Richards approached the podium, where drafts of his speech was carefully laid upon it. Smiling at the audience and glancing around , Richards began his speech. The moment his voice began to blar out of loudspeakers situated around the podium area, snipers began scanning the surrounding areas with vigilance, looking out for potential dangers to the Prime Minister's security. "[i]Ladies and gentlemen, I begin this speech by acknowledging you all, citizens of the Maritime Republic of J Andres. I begin my second term as Prime Minister with the hope and belief that J Andres and her people will receive peace once again, and that her values and interests will be rectified not only on the world stage, but also in the minds of her citizens. We are at war, yes, and I have interests in bringing it to a speedy conclusion as soon as possible so that we can enjoy peace and prosperity once again. By brothers and sisters, my citizens, my friends, I bring forth the promise that I had made back in 2026, to make J Andres one of the greatest, if not the, nations in the world. This is a promise I have had made, kept, and intend to further expand on it.[/i]" Richards was generally speaking of the fact that J Andres had been at war for nearly a year. Richards went on to state that under his new coalition government, a partnership between the Anchor, Social Traditionalist, and Christian Democratic Parties, a more "[i]sweeping pace of change will be effected in J Andres for the benefit of all, to be implemented once peace has been guaranteed.[/i]" and that his party had achieved a lot for J Andres. To clarify, he pointed to the National Health Reform Act of 2029 as well as the various achievements his party had done in recent years, namely the reduction of taxes and tariffs, and the reforms in the taxation system. He also hinted at some of the social agenda that his coalition government had planned for his second term, to be implemented once peace had been attained. As for foreign affairs, Richards acknowledged that J Andres has had encountered some "[i]tensions with certain countries in the past, of which now holds no weight and thus no concern now.[/i]" He, however, acknowledged the failure of J Andres to honor her treaty with the French Empire in its recent war with Germany and he expressed regret of taking a course of action that did exactly the opposite [referring to the invasion of Britain and Portugal]. Richards made public his determination to further solidify relations not only with France but also the rest of Europe and the world in the interests of making the world peaceful once again. As he had done back in 2026, Richards reiterated that J Andres will "[i]have the exclusive right to decide, establish and if necessary, defend its interests[/i]", but he also added that "[J Andres] [i]will make appropriate arrangements with other nations under appropriate circumstances that will help to maintain the existing status quo, or if necessary to help maintain peace in the wider world.[/i]" Richards ended his speech with a note of "[i]let us strive for, attain, and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations[/i]", an allusion to Lincoln's famous Second Inaugural Address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted September 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2010 [center][/center][center][img]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/forestfufighting/anchortimes.jpg[/img][/center] [b][center][size="4"]The National Newspaper of J Andres[/size][/center][/b] ENDOR CUIDAD - As Ben Richards began his second term as Prime Minister, the Commune saw a large turnover of power as Nationalist Party members vacated their seats, once the second highest in the Commune, to members of the Anchor, Social Traditionalist, and Christian Democratic parties. For the latter, the Christian Democratic Party, it was the first time their members took seats in the government and for many of them, it was a "[i]highest honor[/i]", as according to party leader Jon "Hans" Solo. As one of their very first acts in power, Richards's new coalition government passed the [b]Line-Item Veto Act[/b]. The Act, to take effect immediately, allowed for the "[i]nullificiation or otherwise repeal[/i]" of any provisions of any "[i]Government Acts and Resolutions[/i]" without any regards for any existing legislation safeguards. It also allowed the Prime Minister to exercise a one-line veto, alas, to nullify or otherwise cancel specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire package. Armed with this new legislation, the coalition government proceeded to use the Act to nullify the 'non-cancellation' clauses in several Nationalist-sponsored acts such as the National Public Safety and Security Act and the Emergency Measures Act, both currently suspended by the Legislation Suspension Act. As soon as it was done, these two Acts were subsequently repealed - finally removing for once and for all the "[i]stains of the Nationalist Party.[/i]" To provide for a pretext of the continued existance of the Ministry of State Security, which would've been dissolved due to its being established by the now-defunct National Public Safety and Security Act, the Commune passed a resolution retroactively placing the Ministry of State Security Organization Act as the 'founding legislation' of the MSS. On a related note, the Legislature Suspension Act will remain in effect, but now with a provision added mandating its use in "[i]the circumstances where the Line-Item Veto Act cannot be used or is placed in a situation where its implementation and/or enforcement is not possible.[/i]" The Nationalist Party, now a shadow of its former self, vigorously protested this action, but they could do little else about it. [center]---[/center] [b]HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED[/b] After a considerable period of time, the Commune - as well as the military - issued orders for Project OMEGA, suspended since at least 2029, to be resumed. Work on the five parts of the project (RIPTIDE, ULTRA, FORTRESS, ATHENS, and FIREBIRD) has begun in J Andres and its overseas base. The same went for the IUSS branch at Catalina. As J Andres was in a high state of alert, progress was to be conducted at an accelerated rate as the government dedicated more workers, funding, resources, supplies, and equipment to Project OMEGA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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