Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]



Welcome to the forums of the Undead Dominion of Lazarus. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Join our community!

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features

Username:   Password:
Image hosting by Photobucket
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 5
[Draft] Covenant of Lazarus; Templar Theme
Topic Started: May 1 2015, 01:46 PM (651 Views)
Cormac
Member Avatar
Lazarene
Covenant of Lazarus

Preamble

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, like the sun rising in the east, so Lazarus rises. Though governments and their mandates may rise and fall, Lazarus endures. We, the nations of Lazarus, affirm our collective commitment to maintaining the community of Lazarus as a source of liberation from the chains of past lives, an everlasting sanctuary of rebirth. The Eternal Sanctuary of Lazarus will stand as the guarantor of this affirmation and the government of Lazarus, as mandated by this Covenant.

1. Charter of Rights

(1) Unless otherwise noted, all nations residing in Lazarus will be afforded all rights enumerated by this article.
(2) Nations will have the right to free expression, including freedom of speech and of the press.
(3) Nations will have the right to free association, including freedom of peaceful assembly.
(4) Nations will have the right to equal treatment under the law and freedom from denial of participation based on arbitrarily discriminative criteria.
(5) Nations will have the right to defend themselves against criminal charges before the Chancellery with the guarantee of a fair and speedy trial.
(6) Nations will have the right to due process of law and guaranteed protection against ex post facto applications of the law and bills of attainder.
(7) Nations will have the right to reside in Lazarus and to be protected against ejection or ban without reasonable cause and due process of law.
(8) Nations will have the right to sovereign management of their affairs and to decline to provide World Assembly endorsement to any other nation.
(9) Nations will have the right to maintain World Assembly endorsement count up to thirty less endorsements than the Grand Sentinel or, during periods of transition in office, the Sentinel with the highest endorsement count.
(10) Citizens will have the right to vote and to stand for elected office.

2. Citizenship

(1) Any person may apply for citizenship by disclosing their nation residing in Lazarus and their World Assembly nation, and swearing an oath of citizenship established by statute.
(2) The Grand Master will approve or reject applications for citizenship. The Convocation may vote to overturn approval or rejection of an application for citizenship within fourteen days.
(3) If the Grand Master neither approves nor rejects an application within fourteen days, it will proceed to vote in the Convocation.
(4) Citizenship may be voluntarily forfeited or may be removed if a citizen's nation residing in Lazarus ceases to exist or voluntarily relocates, or if a citizen is convicted of a criminal offense.
(5) Citizenship will not be removed except under the conditions enumerated by this Covenant.

3. Convocation of the Elect

(1) The Convocation of the Elect will be comprised of all citizens and will be the supreme governing authority of the Eternal Sanctuary of Lazarus.
(2) The Convocation may enact, amend, or repeal the rules of its proceedings by simple majority vote.
(3) The Convocation may enact, amend, or repeal statutory law by simple majority vote.
(4) The Convocation may enact, amend, or repeal legally binding agreements with foreign regions or organizations by simple majority vote.
(5) The Convocation may remove any official for which a higher threshold is not established from office by simple majority vote.
(6) The Convocation may remove any of the following officials from office by two-thirds majority vote: Grand Orator, Grand Master, Grand Chancellor, Chancellor, Grand Sentinel, Sentinel.
(7) The Convocation may declare war against a foreign region or organization by two-thirds majority vote.
(8) The Convocation may amend this Covenant by three-quarters majority vote.
(9) The result of any vote in the Convocation will be determined by taking into account only citizens who have voted and discounting abstentions cast in the vote.
(10) The Convocation will elect a citizen to serve as Grand Orator, to administer its business according to the rules of its proceedings.
(11) The Grand Orator may appoint deputies to assist in legislative duties. Such deputies may be regulated by the rules of the Convocation's proceedings.

4. Grand Master of the Convocation

(1) The Convocation will elect a citizen to serve as Grand Master, to serve as World Assembly Delegate of Lazarus and as head of state and government for the Eternal Sanctuary of Lazarus.
(2) The Grand Master will exercise the powers of the World Assembly Delegacy of Lazarus only as permitted by statute.
(3) The Grand Master may negotiate treaties with foreign regions and organizations, which will come into force only if enacted by the Convocation.
(4) The Grand Master may appoint a Council of Ministers to assist in state and government duties. Ministers will only take office upon being approved by a simple majority vote of the Convocation, and the Convocation may regulate the Council of Ministers by statute.
(5) The Grand Master may veto legislation to enact, amend, or repeal statutory law within fourteen days of its passage. The Convocation may override such a veto by two-thirds majority vote.

5. Chancellery of the Convocation

(1) The Chancellery will be the judicial authority of the Eternal Sanctuary of Lazarus and will be comprised of three Chancellors who will serve until resignation or removal from office by the Convocation.
(2) The Grand Master will nominate citizens to serve as Chancellors, who will only take office upon being approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Convocation.
(3) A Chancellor may not serve as: Grand Master, Grand Sentinel, Grand Orator, government minister, or legislative deputy.
(4) The rules of the Chancellery's proceedings will be established by statute.
(5) The Chancellery will try all criminal and civil cases and determine the constitutionality of statutory laws, foreign agreements, and government policies.
(6) The Chancellery will elect a Grand Chancellor from among its membership to administer its business according to the rules of its proceedings.
(7) The Chancellery will reach decisions by majority vote.

6. Sentinels of the Convocation

(1) Any citizen who meets endorsement and influence requirements established by statute may apply to become a Sentinel.
(2) The Convocation may approve an application to serve as Sentinel by two-thirds majority vote. Sentinels will serve until resignation or removal from office by the Convocation.
(3) Sentinels will monitor and report on regional security to the Convocation.
(4) Sentinels will enforce decisions of the Convocation to remove the Grand Master from office.
(5) Sentinels will be prepared to serve as acting Grand Master, if the office of Grand Master is vacant or the Grand Master is absent without notice, according to a line of succession established by statute.
(6) The acting Grand Master will exercise the powers and carry out the duties of the Grand Master for the duration of the office's vacancy or, in the case of absence without notice, until the Grand Master returns.
(7) The Grand Master may only be considered absent without notice if certified as such by majority vote of the Sentinels.
(8) Sentinels who cease to meet endorsement and influence requirements established by law will automatically forfeit their service as Sentinels.

7. Grand Sentinel of the Convocation

(1) The Convocation will elect a citizen to serve as Grand Sentinel, to seek to hold the second most endorsements in Lazarus.
(2) The Grand Sentinel will administer the business of the Sentinels according to the rules they adopt for their proceedings.
(3) The Grand Sentinel will be first in the line of succession to serve as acting Grand Master.

8. Lazarene Liberation Army

(1) The Lazarene Liberation Army will be comprised of citizens and will be the sole legal military force of the Eternal Sanctuary of Lazarus and the only military force officially sanctioned by Lazarus.
(2) The Lazarene Liberation Army will be under the command of the Grand Master, who may further delegate command to citizens.
(3) The primary responsibility of the Lazarene Liberation Army will be defense of Lazarus and execution of all military mandates established by law.
(4) The Lazarene Liberation Army may engage in defense of regions at the discretion of command. The Lazarene Liberation Army will be barred from invading regions absent a declaration of war by the Convocation.

9. Elected Officials

(1) The Grand Orator, Grand Master, and Grand Sentinel will be considered elected officials for the purposes of this Covenant.
(2) An election for an elected office will be conducted if four months have passed since the previous election for that office began or if the office is vacant.
(3) Citizens will cast their ballots for a single candidate per office. If a candidate receives a simple majority of votes cast in the election, the candidate will be elected to the office.
(4) If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a run-off election will be conducted between the two candidates with the most votes. The candidate who receives a simple majority of votes cast in the run-off election will be elected to office.
(5) All ties will be broken in favor of the candidate who has been a citizen for the longest continuous period of time.
(6) Abstentions cast in an election will not count against a majority.
(7) No person may simultaneously hold multiple elected offices.
(8) No person may consecutively serve in the same elected office for more than two terms of four months.

10. Regional Forum

(1) The regional forum will be located at the following URL: http://nslazarus.com/archive/NSLazarus/index/
(2) Violation of forum terms of service or use and establishment and enforcement of moderation policies will be the responsibility of forum administration.
Edited by Cormac, May 2 2015, 02:28 AM.
Mini Profile Top
 
Cormac
Member Avatar
Lazarene
This is my take on a constitution draft, loosely based on the proposed Templar theme (the titles are taken from office titles of Freemasonry). It's also more based on rebirth, in the preamble, rather than death/underworld.

The draft borrows heavily from Gulliver's and Funkadelia's draft, but differs in some ways and is more fleshed out in some ways, and reflects the outcomes of the votes that have been conducted.
Mini Profile Top
 
Harmoneia
Member Avatar
Mhysa
I like the feel but it's a bit too cosmopolitan for my liking. :P Anyhow, I think it needs to have a section for the rest of the cabinet and delegate impeachment though. (Apologies in advanced if I missed it. Skinmed through quickly - logging out soon.)
Mini Profile Top
 
Amerion
Member Avatar
Star Destroyer
Perhaps the Lazarene Liberation Army can be rebranded in accordance with the general theme to something along the lines of the 'Knights Templars' or just 'Templars'? Or is this too Christain-ish?
Mini Profile Top
 
killer kitty
Member Avatar
THIS COLOR ANNOYS LAMB
Cormac
May 1 2015, 01:46 PM
8. Lazarene Liberation Army

(1) The Lazarene Liberation Army will be comprised of citizens and will be the sole legal military force of the Eternal Sanctuary of Lazarus and the only military force permitted to operate from within Lazarus.

That's some oddly specific wording there, Cormac.

I wonder what lead you to include that in there?
Mini Profile Top
 
Cormac
Member Avatar
Lazarene
Harmoneia
May 1 2015, 03:44 PM
I like the feel but it's a bit too cosmopolitan for my liking. :P Anyhow, I think it needs to have a section for the rest of the cabinet and delegate impeachment though. (Apologies in advanced if I missed it. Skinmed through quickly - logging out soon.)

Cosmopolitan in what sense? I'm happy to consider editing in revisions.

Regarding the cabinet, 4(4) permits the Grand Master to appoint a cabinet which is in line with a majority wanting the cabinet appointed -- but I forgot to include legislative confirmation, so I'll need to edit that in. That was an oversight on my part.

3(6) allows for removal of the Grand Master (as well as several other officials) from office by two-thirds majority vote.

Amerion
May 1 2015, 04:07 PM
Perhaps the Lazarene Liberation Army can be rebranded in accordance with the general theme to something along the lines of the 'Knights Templars' or just 'Templars'? Or is this too Christain-ish?

Several people, myself included, wanted to retain the name Lazarene Liberation Army because of its historical value as the military that fought the NPO/NLO coup, along with Lazarene civilians and foreign supporters. I've retained the name for that reason. I'm not sure everything has to be changed to conform to a theme. I'm also considering re-working this same draft to continue the socialist theme and offering it as another draft to be voted on.

killer kitty
May 1 2015, 10:21 PM
Cormac
May 1 2015, 01:46 PM
8. Lazarene Liberation Army

(1) The Lazarene Liberation Army will be comprised of citizens and will be the sole legal military force of the Eternal Sanctuary of Lazarus and the only military force permitted to operate from within Lazarus.

That's some oddly specific wording there, Cormac.

I wonder what lead you to include that in there?

Perhaps it was the extensive discussion of whether the military should be independent of the government, and the widespread consensus that it shouldn't be. It follows from that consensus that nobody wants competing militaries operating independently of the government either, and I seem to recall someone threatening to create such a military.
Mini Profile Top
 
killer kitty
Member Avatar
THIS COLOR ANNOYS LAMB
Cormac
 
Perhaps it was the extensive discussion of whether the military should be independent of the government, and the widespread consensus that it shouldn't be. It follows from that consensus that nobody wants competing militaries operating independently of the government either, and I seem to recall someone threatening to create such a military.


Yes, I did and I still plan to follow through with it, which is why you've specifically added something in a vein attempt to block me.

Why does it matter, though? Activity is activity and if we have enough people in Lazarus to form other groups and get the region more active, do we really care?

I mean, unless you just want Lazarus to forever be Defender for the sake of Defenders and really don't care about the region, that is.

Cormac
 
Several people, myself included, wanted to retain the name Lazarene Liberation Army because of its historical value as the military that fought the NPO/NLO coup, along with Lazarene civilians and foreign supporters.


It's also the same group that was formed by NPO members after an NPO backed, inspired, and supported coup which formed the NPO-knock off government of the PRL.

You get points for trying to make it seem patriotic though, Cormac.
Edited by killer kitty, May 2 2015, 12:13 AM.
Mini Profile Top
 
Cormac
Member Avatar
Lazarene
I've added a draft for a reformed socialist theme. The two drafts are nearly identical except in theme, which means only the wording of the preamble and the titles of various officers differ between the two drafts. Reading one will pretty much tell you what you need to know, aside from titles.

I've also added confirmation of ministers, which was an oversight in the initial draft.

killer kitty
May 2 2015, 12:09 AM
Yes, I did and I still plan to follow through with it, which is why you've specifically added something in a vein attempt to block me.

Why does it matter, though? Activity is activity and if we have enough people in Lazarus to form other groups and get the region more active, do we really care?

I mean, unless you just want Lazarus to forever be Defender for the sake of Defenders and really don't care about the region, that is.

I've drafted these according to the stated desires of the majority of people participating in the constitutional convention. If you want to complain, take it up with them. I could draft a constitution to cater to your individual wishes but I generally don't enjoy deliberately wasting my time.

killer kitty
May 2 2015, 12:09 AM
It's also the same group that was formed by NPO members after an NPO backed, inspired, and supported coup which formed the NPO-knock off government of the PRL.

You get points for trying to make it seem patriotic though, Cormac.

You're not going to get very far trying to argue that the entire current active community of Lazarus doesn't belong here. You could maybe get somewhere arguing that I don't belong here, because I'm new, and I have a controversial history with Lazarus. But arguing that literally nobody here belongs here is just ridiculous and you're making yourself look like a total nut approaching Unibot levels.

This is not even to mention some of the people who support the path you so strenuously oppose that it occupies all of the time you're spending here have been here longer than the PRL. Like Harmoneia. Or is she just an NPO stooge as well, Wolf? Are you and NES the only true Lazarenes?

I'm not going to continue debating alignment with you. That may be all you care about but I'm not interested in beating this particular dead horse.
Mini Profile Top
 
killer kitty
Member Avatar
THIS COLOR ANNOYS LAMB
Cormac
May 2 2015, 12:26 AM
I've drafted these according to the stated desires of the majority of people participating in the constitutional convention. If you want to complain, take it up with them. I could draft a constitution to cater to your individual wishes but I generally don't enjoy deliberately wasting my time.

No, this is your thread, Cormac, and you are the one who specifically added that clause on your own will.

Just admit I caught you trying to lay down a trap and don't cowardly try sidestepping me calling you out with these lame excuses of yours.
Edited by killer kitty, May 2 2015, 12:30 AM.
Mini Profile Top
 
Cormac
Member Avatar
Lazarene
killer kitty
May 2 2015, 12:29 AM
No, this is your thread, Cormac, and you are the one who specifically added that clause on your own will.

Just admit I caught you trying to lay down a trap and don't cowardly try sidestepping me calling you out with these lame excuses of yours.

I added the clause to reflect the wishes of the majority of people who voted in this thread and this thread. If you don't like democracy, that's not my problem.

You're right though. It was a devious trap, a really sly move, posting a constitution draft for public review. However will Lazarus survive my cunning manipulation?
Edited by Cormac, May 2 2015, 12:33 AM.
Mini Profile Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Create a free forum in seconds.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Constitutional Convention 2015 · Next Topic »
Image hosting by Photobucket
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 5


Theme by Sith - Recolored by Seth of Outline