Darkesia

I have stuffs to say.  But it is staff meeting day IRL, so I'm going to give it the short version and hope it's not terribly misread.  Any clarification that might be needed, please please ask me anything and I will do my best to speak coherently about it.  I am speaking as a former Guardian and a Former Delegate (x2).
If you have read Ivan's post in the forum, my yammering is the result of my thinking about his post.
First:  Ivan, you did not fail.  Stop saying that.  I get that you are tired.  But that's probably because you drove this game and a few others for several years.  That is not failure, it is success.  But you are correct in observing that some of the old paradigms have returned.  And...
That is precisely what we have all been whining and pining about for years.
Those of us that remember the battle (and the dozens of proxy wars) between the ADN and the NPO, have been longing for the days of politicized use of a region's military.  Ivan and the NPO, won that war.  Partially because of attrition, but mostly because they adapted to the changing world of NS.  But once the war was won, the age of bored military action came.  I have long missed the times when intrigue and intelligence (in both senses of the word) were part of the game.  Things seem to be heading back in that direction.  And frankly, I'm happy about it.  Yes, there are alignments happening in TWP, and in many other GCRs.  They may, or may not be alignments with which we are all happy.  But isn't that just the sort of conflict that existed ten years ago?  Rather than longing for the old days, we can pick a side (or make our own) and join in the new conflicts.  Everything old is new again. 
Finally, to our beloved TWP and her current leaders:
I do not care what alignment the regional leadership chooses, provided the strength, sovereignty and vitality of this region comes first.  ALWAYS.
Time to grab coffee before the meeting.  I will check back later to see if I made any sense at all.  lol
 

I have stuffs to say.  But it is staff meeting day IRL, so I'm going to give it the short version and hope it's not terribly misread.  Any clarification that might be needed, please please ask me anything and I will do my best to speak coherently about it.  I am speaking as a former Guardian and a Former Delegate (x2).
If you have read Ivan's post in the forum, my yammering is the result of my thinking about his post.
First:  Ivan, you did not fail.  Stop saying that.  I get that you are tired.  But that's probably because you drove this game and a few others for several years.  That is not failure, it is success.  But you are correct in observing that some of the old paradigms have returned.  And...
That is precisely what we have all been whining and pining about for years.
Those of us that remember the battle (and the dozens of proxy wars) between the ADN and the NPO, have been longing for the days of politicized use of a region's military.  Ivan and the NPO, won that war.  Partially because of attrition, but mostly because they adapted to the changing world of NS.  But once the war was won, the age of bored military action came.  I have long missed the times when intrigue and intelligence (in both senses of the word) were part of the game.  Things seem to be heading back in that direction.  And frankly, I'm happy about it.  Yes, there are alignments happening in TWP, and in many other GCRs.  They may, or may not be alignments with which we are all happy.  But isn't that just the sort of conflict that existed ten years ago?  Rather than longing for the old days, we can pick a side (or make our own) and join in the new conflicts.  Everything old is new again. 
Finally, to our beloved TWP and her current leaders:
I do not care what alignment the regional leadership chooses, provided the strength, sovereignty and vitality of this region comes first.  ALWAYS.
Time to grab coffee before the meeting.  I will check back later to see if I made any sense at all.  lol
 

The Cathedral has been silent with minor exceptions for a long time.  I believe that is indicative of a basic breakdown in the trust between the Guardians.  The home meant for frank and honest discussion has gone unused.  Hopefully in time it will repair itself.  But that said, many regions function perfectly well without such a culture.  It may just be time to change that dynamic.  Either way, it is just a change that I noticed. 

Now forced into the role of collaborator...  I do not envy you. 
I do hope some of the discussion comes to the forum though.  I absolutely refuse to put that horrid app back on my phone.  I don't know how people can use Discord.  I suppose I'm old.  lol

the shadows are overpopulated, come out and play

Last week I dismissed four Guardians from their posts. The action itself is not what caused issue, but rather the manner in which I handled the dismissals. Each Guardian has served TWP with honor and distinction and I failed to treat them with the respect and dignity their service demanded.
Their devotion to TWP is unquestionable and their professional character is beyond reproach. Failure to recognize that - however temporary - constitutes a gross misjudgment on my part.
I want to personally apologize to Elegarth, Yy4u, Wickedly Evil People, and Bhang Bhang Duc. Furthermore, I would like to apologize to the rest of the region for the undue stress and anxiety caused by this situation.
Going forward, I pledge to earn back the trust in me that has been shaken, and to continue to serve the region and her interests to the best of my abilities.

I have gone through and done some much needed reorganization to the Hall of Nations, including updating all maskings.  If you can't see something that you should or are not masked properly, please let me know!

Yes.

*wipes the dripping sarcasm off his shirt* 
There was a time when the only thing you had was the RMB and TGs. Then regions started using forums. Then they got into IRC and Skype. Now Discord has supplanted (only) IRC and Skype.
If you don't accept and embrace new ways of doing things (especially when everyone else is using those tools) you risk being left behind in the dustbin of history.
Better?

That is the problem, Dark.  There was no discussion or opinions sought on how things were to develop in the region regarding guardianship, as far as I can tell.  Certainly not with me but I had a foot in both camps being brought online as an adjunct to the Old Guard and moving along with changes being introduced by the New Guard.

New TWP Military Campaign Flag? 

New TWP Military Campaign Flag? 

*long oration of growling noises followed by presentation of fish & berry baskets to foreign dignitaries*

Thanks for that NPS, I appreciate the help and I have learned about yet another facet of NS play.  So much goes on behind the scenes that unless you are either 'in the know', or follow events in extreme detail, happenings about players are often not what they seem to be.

Dateline The West Pacific, NEWSFLASH!!!
 
A time vortex opened up on The West Pacific forums due to "military exercises" at the TWP Armed Forces Headquarters.  Forum administration reported some "pretty neat duplication loops" as a result of the supposed "military activities".  What exactly was the TWP Armed Forces up to?  What new and devious design are they implementing and planning on unleashing upon an unwitting NationStates?  Stay tuned!

Very little is secret here.
This was a public convo when it happened and remains public.  Though, it's pretty darned old at this point.  So archiving might be appropriate.
 
... Now, if only I can manage it without exploding something.

Very little is secret here.
This was a public convo when it happened and remains public.  Though, it's pretty darned old at this point.  So archiving might be appropriate.
 
... Now, if only I can manage it without exploding something.

Westwind Frontline Telegraph News always tries to stay on the bleeding edge of NS news, even two years ahead of time. *chuckles*

Just so people are aware, I've seen a huge increase in the number of IPs harvesting html data from the site in the last few days.  Some are listed on blacklists for being "Website Harvesters" so it's completely possible that they may try setting up some form of phishing site related to our forums.
 
I and the other Admins will never ask for your password in an email, and if you do get a message claiming to be from me or anyone else here at TWP Forums, make sure that any links they send you to are actually going to www.westpacific.org or westpacific.org.  Accept no substitute!
 

Ha!  the last time this office was used was following the last coup.
 
I think Osiris has a problem;  When they get bored, Cormac comes to relieve their symptoms.

crowds of candy-colored people are now attending potato operas across the country

A bespectacled poindexter weasels his way to the front of the crowd. "Of course the fruits of our labour are imperfect, we're operating on mere pennies a day." He pats his pocket protector reassuringly. "If our laboratories had more funding we could produce super-foods! Just think of the opportunities, not only would our populace never go hungry again, we could create an army of sapient cabbages to rule the world!" He is escorted away by security, laughing maniacally.

Hello, I'm Nohbdy, otherwise known as We Are Not The NSA, most famously known as We Are Not TBH, known in TWP as Eperitis... I have too many names... Anyways, Nohbdy or NSA is fine. I'm a raider, but I'm interested in part-time activity in a non-military themed region, and I have the closest ties to TWP out of all the Feeders (somehow). So... yeah.

Scottish and.....we know not what. My mother disappeared for two days and then suddenly re-appeared from within a green haze and a smile on her face.

Depends on whether one counts nostril and ear hairs, as well.