Joe Bobs
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Posts posted by Joe Bobs
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Westwind, if you want to post in Equilism too, since your comments made were also in respect to there, feel free to!
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Watch out for a joint Lazarus-TNP coup!!!
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That's an amazing image.
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No problem!
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Global Right Alliance News
Special Update - June 2014[/align]
Hello from the GRA!
The GRA was founded in 2005 and refounded in 2007, with our population peak in 2010 at over 500 nations. We are a founding member of the FRA. We are known for our political innovation, including the infamous 'rotatorship' (rotating dictatorship), and also for our "unique" character. We're so badass, we only punch one hole in our microwave meals. That's right.
In the immortal words of Jonewest, 'f*ck common courtesy, this is the GRA.'
Change Places!
Change of Government in the GRA
Joe Bobs takes helm as Speaker.
These last few weeks have been turbulent in the GRA. Following from the trials and tribulations of Monkey-wee-wee-gate, (or, as Bhang Bhang Duc pointed out, Orangutan) a period of inactivity fell on the region. What at first appeared like a few days of withdrawal to let emotions cool, then dragged on. Whilst some members were continuing, it became clear that some were not returning. Jonewest resigned as High General of the GRADF, followed by Sovereign Liberties' resignation. Joe Bobs attempted to contact Speaker Old Zertaxia, to no avail [note: Speaker is head of all branches of government in the GRA system, executive, judicial, and legislative].
After several more days, Joe Bobs called a vote of no confidence in the Speaker, which passed the People's Assembly. Following this, Joe Bobs (First Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs) and Angusp/Bodegraven (Delegate) announced their candidacies for Speaker. Both sides fought a clean campaign (perhaps a first in GRA history), with Joe Bobs eventually emerging victorious, titling himself Speaker and First Minister.
Extracts from Joe Bobs' inaugural address:It is my great pleasure to address you, the People's Assembly of the Global Right Alliance, as your newly elected Speaker and First Minister. I am honoured to have been chosen to lead the GRA forward into this second phase of our rebirth.
Firstly, I wish to thank my predecessor, Old Zertaxia. As one of the fathers of this region, his guidance has always been appreciated, and I for one am hopeful he will return soon, so he can continue to guide us. His term saw the creation of our Declaration of Assembly, expansion of our foreign relations, regional growth, and the careful navigation of several crises.
However, if we are to continue to grow in activity, we must work towards it. We are facing an early summer lull, a reduction in the number of new players joining the game, and increase in the number of active players reducing participation or leaving entirely. It will be a hard fight to avoid this trend, but I believe we can do it. ...
In foreign affairs, we have navigated our way through a severe diplomatic crisis, but must now look at how to repair the damage. We need to secure the relationships we have with good, trusted friends, help build up the relationships with new friends or those who don't yet fully know us, and consider closing embassies with those who yield fruitless relations. Our updates are read widely, but this isn't enough: we should be attending and hosting inter-regional events, having a presence in the WA, and having enough ambassadors that each can focus on and give time to their embassies. I will be working closely with Minister Jonewest, combining our knowledge and skills to create a diplomatic plan that will ensure the GRA furthers its positions as a world leader.
Internally, however, is where our most work is needed. Our population holds steady, but you and I know the uniqueness the GRA has to offer. ... We are one of the oldest Defender regions in the game, let's prove that's not a shadow of the past, that we are a force to be reckoned with today. I'm excited to work with someone with the enthusiasm, intelligence and dedication of Fighter4u in making these goals happen.
This is the immediate agenda, and I and my Ministers will make this happen. However, we cannot do this alone. We need all of the GRA to help, to take part, to be active. This is the greatest region in NationStates, with a history, a reputation and a spirit to be proud of. I've seen activity and participation decline, but we must not let it. We need to remember that whilst it's easy to say no, it's easy to be against participation, it's easy to shut ourselves away from the world, this will lead to stagnation and death, and we will lose this land we love. If you want a GRA you remember from the golden age, whenever your golden age was, it needs people to make that happen. And you are people, so make it happen.
True, the GRA has a reputation for freedom of speech, for pushing the envelope, and I for one would not give that up. But I fear we have become an imitation of ourselves, a region dedicated to offending. This is not the GRA way, it never has been. We have had periods of pushing boundaries before, but we did not make it our mission. It is a key part of us, and I always hope that the GRA is considered the region that is dedicated to freedom of speech, above all others, but that doesn't mean we have to offend every chance we have. If that is the only value the GRA has, we are no better than trolls. The GRA must stand for more: for our dedication to Defending, for our political savvy and intelligence, for our ingenuity and originality. These, as well as free speech, have always been at the core of the GRA, and we must not forget them now.
So I thank you for choosing me as Speaker, but I ask that we all remember that in becoming a Citizen-Legislator, we each of us are in a position of responsibility to the region. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, ask not what your region can do for you, but what you can do for your region.
People's Assembly Filling Up the Law Books
The People's Assembly continues to legislate like it's Article 19 Section 99. Currently on the table are building a framework for scheduled elections, moving away from the current challenge / vote of no confidence system; democratizing the FRA representative selection process; and building a legislative framework for the WA Delegacy.
WookieO Returns!
WookieO lands in the GRA.
WookieO, former President and Delegate, and avid anti-bagel fanatic, has returned to the GRA after years in the wilderness. We welcome back our hirsute friend!
OMAHD Bar a Hive of Debate
In the future, historians will recall Plato's Academy, the Roman Senate, and the GRA's OMAHD Bar as the great centres of political debate. Currently up for discussion are the best/worst US Presidents, US foreign policy, British local elections and EU elections. All are welcome!
Finally, the GRA maintains its eternal war against Falconias.
In the words of Dupitable, "This great and ignoble community of assorted wierdoes, geeks, closet homosexuals and borderline psychopaths that we call the GRA."
Written by Joe Bobs. With thanks to Orioni for the penguin image. -
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What's your poison r3n?
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False prophets! All of them!
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Welcome to TWP!
I'm jealous of those official letterheads TNP uses to introduce ambassadors. I want one.
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Welcome to TWP!
Congratulations on the TP currency!
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There used to be someone called Sosostris too, who always used penguin avatars. He's not around any more... *evil laugh!*
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When I finish writing an update, I always think 'yay, well done, look how nice it is!' and then 'oh no, now I have to recode it...'
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I just saw this update in the FRA (which is on ZB) and said 'boy, I wouldn't like to be your ambassador to a non-ZB forum!'
They've done an excellent use of tables.
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Congrats r3n! You may be Delegate of the Pacific, but you're still not Penguin Overlord of NS!
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Wintreath shoulder that burden now!
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How did it look?
I'd love to be able to see more, but I live right in the city centre (UK) and don't have car, so it's rare I get a good view of the stars.
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But it's bad enough that I couldn't immediately remember if it was Gov or Unibot that I banjected without trial from TNP.
(it was Gov though)
Ouch, that's got to be the ultimate NS insult...
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Thanks BBD, GE.
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He got me pretty angry. I ended up putting him and Bach on ignore, which is an extreme step for me but it was really getting my blood pressure up! I love having debates with people where you can have a rational argument, but it really gets me when you can't have a proper discussion, it's just non-interacting rhetoric and no logic.
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Haha, I remember that gif!
Monkeys are fantastic.
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Meh. The thing I like most about NS is writing, so I do TRR Times, the GRA updates, did one of the FRA updates, and working on the GRA history. Don't get much chance to flex the creative muscles in my job so it's nice.
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I stated in the thread that I thought what SL said about Hobbes crossed a line, I won't defend what he said at all.
What he said was on the GRA forum, it's only been posted on other forums thanks to the Osiris embassy statement, so I don't believe I am responsible for that. SL said what he wanted to on his home forum, it's Osiris that have spread the words when it wasn't any of their business. But like I said, I completely disapprove of what SL said to Hobbes.
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Global Right Alliance News
May Update[/align]
Hello from the GRA!
The GRA was founded in 2005 and refounded in 2007, with our population peak in 2010 at over 500 nations. We are a founding member of the FRA. We are known for our political innovation, including the infamous 'rotatorship' (rotating dictatorship), and also for our "unique" character. We're so badass, we don't shield our PIN when we type it in. That's right.
In the immortal words of Jonewest, 'f*ck common courtesy, this is the GRA.'
Special Update: GRA Offends NS world
Osiris and The East Pacific protest at GRA embassies.
In last month's issue, we posted an image of Mara Sargon of Aura Hyperia, a GIF of an orang-utan rolling over backwards and peeing on itself. It was edited out in multiple regions (Lazarus, TEP, Osiris, TNP, Equilism) and has since been removed by GRA ambassadors in all regions.
Jonewest has contacted Zetaboards admins, who confirmed that the image could be considered a violation of the Terms of Service rules in regards to the posting of obscene material. For posting this in the embassies of our friends and allies, we apologise in the strongest terms. The image was chosen, perhaps in naivety, without thought it could be deemed offensive. We in no way meant to endanger our cause upset in any of our friends forums.
If a GRA ambassador has not yet removed the image from your forum, please edit it out.
The incident has led to the creation of an 18+ section on the Lazarus forum, and the GRA would like to extend our thanks to Hobbes for his actions. We apologise to him for any harsh words directed at him in an initial reaction to the censorship, and hope he and Lazarus will move past this episode with us, to maintain the long history of friendship between the two regions.
We would also like to extend our thanks to Sandaoguo of The South Pacific, who chose to interact with us over the issue and moderated the debate between concerned parties.
Apologies are also extended to Todd McCloud. In the earlier phases of this scandal, several of the GRA believed Todd McCloud was the antagonist behind the censorship of the image in multiple regions. We were later informed that this was not the case, and would like to again apologise for harsh words spoken towards Todd before all facts had come to light.
The GRA remains disappointed in the manner in which Old Federalia/People United Together and Bachtendekuppen handled the situation. Old Federalia had been tasked with informing the GRA that TEP was censoring their update, and forgot to do so, which resulted in anger in the GRA directed at Todd McCloud, who it was believed had acted without consultation. OF/PUT then continued to accuse the GRA of wrong-doing without accepting his own role in the crisis, which somewhat inflamed a weary and quick to temper Joe Bobs.
This has resulted in the closure of diplomatic relations between both Osiris and The East Pacific with the GRA. GRAers pointed out that neither region posted updates or maintained activity in their embassies, and so the loss is minimal.
PUT looks scared up on his high horse...
So, we apologise to our friends for crossing the line. But we remind you that the GRA updates wouldn't be so entertaining if they weren't so near the knuckle. Here's some of the comments we've received:Ryno-FRA-April 1: The GRA has always been an interesting region in my experience.
Frattastan-TRR-April 2: Great update
Kazmr-Lazarus-March 1: Fantastic update!
Fantome-Lazarus-April 1: It's a nice update as usual!
Bhang Bhang Duc-TWP-April 2: Rude, crude and a lot of fun to read. Nice work.
Westwind-TWP-April 2-In response to the GRA's War on Falconias: At least there's some sense left in NS.
BearNation-Gay-April 1: Many thanks for the always interesting and readable updates!
Tierra-RIA-April 2: Joe Bobs and contributors, a beautifully crafted piece of creative genius.
24% informative
13% antagonistic
4% cute penguins
59% pure comedy
Brilliant.
Matilda Love-Canada-March 1: Thank you for this most entertaining read!
Benevolent Thomas-10KI-April 2: You have surpassed Mordor as my all-time favorite region to receive updates from. Overly entertaining
Duckyian Empire-10KI-April 2: Thank you for the update1 I needed a morale booster like that
Flo-Caprecia & Nysa-March 2: A nice read, I particularly enjoy that last little plea to the admins. Very creative.
GRA Admin Jonewest has released the following statement:Letter to the Editor:
In life, we make mistakes at times. In the heat of being right, and standing by our morals, sometimes we make poor decisions for the present. It is with this I must apologize for the way I have treated administrators abroad. I understand that The World is filled with interesting characters, myself not being an exception, and with tolerance comes the responsibility to relay that in kind. I regretfully made a comment comparing the administration team of former allies to the regimes of Hitler and Mussolini; that was incorrect. While I do believe certain administrators are c**ts, they are nowhere near comparable to the aforementioned monsters guilty of countless atrocities.
What the administrators did do was hurt our pride. We, as in tradition, lashed out at the stab. Were we correct in our assumption the image was non-offensive? That is up to speculation. However, as it has been discussed with the Zetaboards Administration team, I feel it notable to concur with their concerns that the image violates their Terms of Service in lieu of "Obscene Content". I personally do not find the image obscene, however I must abide by terms and conditions as set out by Zetaboards. I do want to warn those who may presume they were somehow "right", that is not necessarily the case. The arguments presented to me were that the image could possibly have a Zetaboards forum deleted. I do not agree with this assessment. From my interaction with the Zetaboards administration team, and after reviewing past interactions with the Zetaboards administration team, they are not "Scary Boogieman" who with wanton just delete boards. They are most reasonable and are quite friendly, to be honest. That is the type of administration team I look up to. One that resolves a complaint with reason and fairness, instead of attacking the alleged based on their predisposed bias.
It is very clear that the image was never meant to offend anyone; other than perhaps the Empress Mara from Aura Hyperion. I am not pleased with how this was taken out of proportions and how it will further be used by the enemies to the trust [read:defenders] to divide us. I think the real lesson to be learnt from this, is not one of who was right or who was wrong, but that allies should entrust with each other a relationship. I feel that had there been a clear relationship with the aforementioned ex-allies, this would not have became the "big deal" it had become.
TL;DR
This is the GRA, like us or don't. We don't get our feelings hurt that easily...though it should be well known by now that we are; prideful, egotistical, arrogant, crass, and ignorant. We are loyal to those that stay true and I thank all of the members and regions that stayed by our side during this "scandal".
Jonewest
Citizen of the Global Right Alliance
People's Assembly a legislative powerhouse
Whilst our foreign relations may make the GRA the James Dean of NationStates, internally, the People's Assembly has continued to push forward with its legislative agenda. The GRA is a direct democracy, where all citizens are members of the legislative branch of government. We have been finalising the wording of our Judicial Act, which will make the People's Assembly the jury for all trials and sets out punishments for crimes, including having your avatar or signature changed to something embarrassing (though, in respect for the fact he hasn't changed his avatar for NINE YEARS, it contains a 'fighter4u claus', stating he is exempt from any profile interference.
The PA has also voted on and passed the Anniversaries Act. We welcome all our friends and allies to join us on 1st June for Old Zertaxia Day! Activities will be announced shortly, and we hope our friends will rally to support 'Commend Old Zertaxia'.
The GRA currently holds a 'challenge' system, whereby the Speaker, Head of State and Government, is removed only by a vote of no confidence. However, the idea to combine this with scheduled elections is now being debated.
Jonewest retires as GRADF General
That's right, long-time defender and renowned intel expert Jonewest has announced his resignation as High General of the GRADF, handing over leadership duties to Lieutenant General Sovereign Liberties. Jonewest is also Vice Chancellor of the FRA and will continue to support the GRADF in an advisory role and in battle, as well as being its representative in the FRA.
Xpert Eleven
Fighter4u is currently relaunching the GRA's 'Xpert Eleven' soccer / association football league. Unfortunately for him, most GRAers flinch at the sight of a ball and shy away from sports to the warm caves of their parents' basements and the soothing glow of the laptop monitor. So, for all you sports lovers out there, come and join in, otherwise fighter4u will have to play with himself. And no one wants that.
Finally, the GRA maintains its eternal war against Falconias.
In the words of fighter4u, "You know, this could all go horribly wrong if our allies learn how much of a d*ck we all are..."
Written by Joe Bobs. With thanks for contributions from fighter4u and Jonewest.
The Rejected Times - Issue XXII
in News and Media Centre
Posted
Haha, you've certainly piqued my curiosity! Can we see it?