Democracy In Natopia... and that Avalonia-Antica thing

Issue 17

Letter from the Editor: Dear readers, after the dissolution of the Progressive Bagelcratian Party in Lavalon, the editor of this paper, a former Lavalon Bagelcratican, formed a new party, the Progressive Solitary Party. Therefore, this paper will cover Natopian (Bagelcraticans) and Lavalonian (Solitaires) news.

Lindstrom City, Natopia - Grand Chancellor Nathan Shepard placed an amendment on the floor of the Legislative Frenzy yesterday. Aside from some minor "re-wordings" there are two major changes that bring an unparalled amount of democracy to Natopia. Most obviouslt, the Grand Chancellor is now elected to five year terms, as opposed to serving for life. The Grand Judge, also a former life term, now serves 10 years. The Grand Chancellor still appoints the Grand Judge, however. The Grand Court has been given an "expanable bench." The Grand Judge presides and may issue Rulings by themselves still. however, the Legislative Frenzy may choose to appoint 4 extra Supreme Judges to 2 year terms. More info can be found here.

Lindstrom City, Natopia - The Natopian Regions of Hazelwood and Macon have had their Regional status revoked due to severe inactivity. These Regions where in violation of the Grand Constitution, which requires Regions to maintain their own government and ratify their own constitutions. While there was little danger of legal action against the Regions, as the judicial branch is rather quiet this days, the representative's from those Regions where still legitamate members of the Legislative Frenzy, thus less than half of the members of the Frenzy where inactive. Hazelwood was the first "outlying" territory to be annexed into Natopia and Macon was annexed so that the Grand Chancellor's former girlfriend could participate in Natopia. Both territories have been reorganized into Imperial Colonies, their Regional Chancellors have been reinstated as colonial Governors who have autonomy over the colony. As Imperial Colonies, they are under the direct authority of the Imperial government and may not send representatives to the Frenzy.

Lavisitya, Lavalon - Matthew Vasroixe, former and self proclaimed "greatest" citizen, left Lavalon and formed Avalonia in order to protect the Lavalonians' culture from... the Lavalonians. Regent Jon Christoph and Secretary Carson Smith of Lavalon, and Grand Prince Brandon of Sullifree (a state in "free association" with Breudwydd) have also joined Avalonia, but have kept their other citizenships. Avalonia would have amounted to nothing but a slight annoyance to Lavalon if the now President Vasroixe had not contacted Antica. Vasroixe made comments that were deemed by the Lavalonian Ambassador to Antica, Nathan Shepard, as threatening to Lavalon. Mr Vasroixe desired a treaty with Antica in order to use Antica to help Avalonia replace Lavalon. Naturally, the culmination of this fiasco resulted in the Antican attack (notice the singular!) on Avalonia. Many other publications have written articles on what happened in the aftermath of this war. The Bagelcratican-Solitaire endorses the Antican Herald's account of what happened.

Issue 16

Lavisitya, Lavalon - Earlier this week, current Lavalonian Chancellor Bartholomew Henzelli announced his resignation, and opened the floor up for self nominations for chancellor. Right off, Matthew Vasroixe announced his running. Seeing no other opponents, Henzelli entered the race, to "balance the ticket." Carson Smith threw his party, the LDP, behind Vasroixe. Then, Smith entered the race as an independent. Seeing as how there were two canidates, Henzelli backed down. Then, just as everyone knew what was going on, Nathan Shepard announced his canidacy.

Tasneemia City, Natopia - Currently the hotbed of Natopian activity what with the Free Juice and Bagel World HQ abuzz over Lavalonian elections and helping to make the newest Tasneemian, Zachary F., to feel at home, Tasneemia also played a role in a minor Imperial/Regional controversy. The Imperial College of Arms, the organ of displaying, protecting, and issueing symbols for the Republic, issued Tasneemia a flag, of the College's own design. Tasneemia flew this flag for months until the College realized the official flag of Tasneemia was set down in the Tasneemian constitution. The College revoked its Tasneemian flag and reissued the Islamic Republic its proper flag. While nothing illegal happened, as the College is an organ of the Imperial government, and thus "trumps" all actions of regional governments, the Imperial government quickly moved to rectify the problem as to placate the Regions and honor their local autonomy.

International Association - Ironically, talk of disbanding the IA has slapped the IA out of its inactivity. IA Citizen Matthew Vasroixe had suggested that the IA close up as it was no longer useful. Upon hearing objections, Vasroixe modified his proposal to renew the usefulness of the IA. Vasroixe advocates the forfeiting of Council's sovereignty to a reformed IA government, a stronger more central one. The current IA government relies soley on the Councils' willingness to be in the IA, and can do nothing to force members to do anything, short of deny them membership. Along those lines Associate Carson Smith proposed disbanding the IA completely and meshing IA Councils into a "super nation," a single state with many the current Councils reduced to a provincial status. This proposal has met both support and fierce oppostion.

Talk is also focused on amending the procedure for electing Representatives to the Lower House. Currently, many are in agreement that amending the Elections Act 2004 to allow only Associates/Citiens that recieve votes in the elections to be able to vote in the Lower House. Associates/Citizens may still voice opinions and debate if they do not recieve votes.

Lindstrom City, Natopia - The Deutsche Autowagen Kompanie has set up a dealer on Natopia's economic hot spot, Davis Street. The DAK offered Natopians a deal: half off their s-5 sedan model.