[Discussion] Appointments (December 2018)

[McChimp]

The Delegate has nominated the following individuals to serve as government officials:

Councillors for Lazarene Security:

New Rogernomics
Harmoneia
Killer Kitty
Aflana

Court Justice:

Roavin

Minister of the Lazarene Regional Guards:

JoWhatup

Per prior precedent, the minimum discussion period began at the time the Delegate posted the nominations (3:28 p.m. EDT on December 18th).

[Constie]

I can’t conceive why the Delegate would select Killer Kitty to serve in a position where they may very well assume the Delegacy once again. Regardless of the situation, he still participated in a large scale purge of citizens of this region during the Civil War.

Secondly, it is no secret that EW suffers from activity issues (and it’s not really his fault), so I’m not sure why he’s been a put forth as a choice for the CLS. Firmly against, as it stands.

As for Aflana, I really do not know them well, but I trust that they will answer our question. As for right now, I have none.

The next two should have been expected to the vast majority of us, and I have no issues with their appointments.

[Cormac]

I'm not interested in holding the events of the civil war against either side, since we now know that the NPO was manipulating both sides to try to push them toward civil war. Do I think Killer Kitty & Co. did absolutely everything the right way? No, but I believe he at least meant well (I'm less sure about Funkadelia and Lamb). So I will be voting to confirm him to the Council on Lazarene Security. I'll say this though, should he abuse the region's trust again I won't be inclined toward another chance for him. I give second chances -- not third, fourth, fifth chances. So I hope he will be the upstanding Councillor that Lazarus deserves.

That said, I do believe Roavin's civil war actions are disqualifying for him. Unlike Killer Kitty, he wasn't simply manipulated, he was one of the people doing the manipulating. As Curious Observations, whether intentionally or not, he constantly pushed the NPO's narrative that Lazarus was being subverted by raider and raider-leaning "userites" (a word I can't recall if he actually used, but certainly the implication was there). He did all of this under a pseudonym, while Prime Minister of the South Pacific, a region that was supposed to be Lazarus' ally. For more than a year he concealed this pseudonym, and he continued to conceal it from the Assembly during his prior confirmation, even though it had been disclosed to the Delegate. While I can appreciate that it was disclosed to the Delegate, the Assembly is the institution that confirms government officials and declining to disclose that information to the Assembly was improper on Roavin's part. It was also improper for him to disclose the information only to the Delegate and to put her in the position of having to decide whether to keep his confidence or disclose the information to the Assembly -- he should simply have disclosed it himself. The truth is, had the Task Force Lazarus leaks and the probability of more leaks not threatened to expose him, I don't think Roavin would ever have disclosed his identity as Curious Observations. With a great deal of respect for the Delegate and her choices, I nonetheless don't think Roavin can be trusted (from a purely IC standpoint) in our judiciary and I will be voting against confirmation.

In regard to Aflana, I don't really know them beyond Lazarus. I would like to hear a bit more about their history in NationStates. At present, I'm concerned I don't have enough information to make a confident decision to confirm them to the CLS, which means I'm leaning against. Nothing personal, and with more information I could easily change my mind. It's just I'm wary of voting to confirm people I don't know well after the Adytus/Feux, AMOM/Wrektopia, Kowassati/Stujenske situation. We have to be very careful not to ever let that happen again, and to make sure all appointees are vetted with due diligence.

Full support for the other nominees I didn't mention above. All good choices.

[Aflana]

In response to people who say they don't know me. I don't have a particular gameplay history before Lazarus - more just issue answering. I have been in Lazarus since September of 2017 and was a citizen of the Undead Dominion, and I was involved in their government because I liked the theme, until March when I was ejected after the formation of the Khanate. After that, I helped in efforts against the Khanate. Then ever since Imki has taken delegacy in Lazarus I've been an active citizen, and I've also been keeping a high endorsement count because I don't want Lazarus to go back to the chaos it was before.

As for the people concerned about Killer Kitty's appointment, months before I would've probably been against it but I believe considering that the NPO was influencing both sides I also think Killer Kitty meant well for Lazarus.

If you have any questions regarding me, please ask and I'll try to respond ASAP.

[Roavin]

The CLS and Guard appointments are solid.

Regarding my appointment, I'd be happy to answer any and all questions. I also recommend reading through my answers in the Curious Observations AMA thread.

As Curious Observations, whether intentionally or not, he constantly pushed the NPO's narrative that Lazarus was being subverted by raider and raider-leaning "userites"

Just on this specific point, I should note that this narrative didn't come from me simply picking up a talking point that may have originated within NPO. Rather, the observation came from actual hard data, which was presented in that now infamous article - whether the conclusion drawn from the data was correct or not is a different story.

[Imaginary]

For all the appointees: What will your goals be as government officials if confirmed? What kind of culture would you like Lazarus to have, and how will you help build that?

NR: You seem chill. Are you though? And do you think that will help you be an awesome Council member or no?

Harm and KK: Do you think you'll be able to keep your endorsement levels up?

KK: Why do you think I should approve your appointment?

Aflana: What's your favorite preparation method for potatoes? What was your favorite thing about the Khanate outside of the theme? What is your favorite thing about Lazarus now? What would you do if due to an emergency you became the delegate of Lazarus?

Sorry for so many questions. I don't know you that well, and would like to.

[Imaginary]

Oh whoops, forgot about specific questions for you other things... :< Welp, since I'm on a lame browser that won't let me edit my posts...

joWhatup: What military experience do you have? How and where do you plan on leading Lazarus in our war against the NPO?

Roavin: What did you do as a Court Justice before? Do you intend to do anything differently if your nomination is approved again?

[Aflana]

For all the appointees: What will your goals be as government officials if confirmed? What kind of culture would you like Lazarus to have, and how will you help build that?

My goal if confirmed is to keep Lazarus a secure place, and to prevent the instabilities that Lazarus had before. I would like Lazarus to have some more work on roleplay and community building, and I plan to be involved in that as I have an interest in roleplay as well.

Aflana: What's your favorite preparation method for potatoes? What was your favorite thing about the Khanate outside of the theme? What is your favorite thing about Lazarus now? What would you do if due to an emergency you became the delegate of Lazarus?

For preparing potatoes, I like to make baked potatoes. I originally came to Lazarus because I liked the Undead theme as it fit the region's name and purpose of housing revived nations however, I was banjected as soon as the Khanate was formed so I don't really know much about what the Khanate was. My favourite thing about Lazarus now would be the fact that everyone has the opportunity to participate and it's a fair government, without any outside influences. The community in Lazarus is also nice, with many friendly and talented people. In the event of an emergency where I became the delegate, I would work to maintain delegacy by endoswapping to collect as many endorsements as possible if there was a threat. Then once it was secure enough, I would follow what the Mandate states that in the event of the office of the Delegate is vacant, the first person in the line of succession who is willing and able to serve, will become delegate.

[Chanku]

I have issues with the appointment of Harmoniea given her behavior towards members of the community and her aid in making serious, but false, accusations against someone who used to be a contributing member of the region, and against a foreign region that up until that time, had been friendly towards Lazarus. She has shown, at the very least, poor judgement in that capacity, and while she may very well be able to act well in the security of Lazarus, I have doubts that she is someone we should have representing our community and region that like that IMO.

[Cormac]

Aflana, how did you find Lazarus? Did you refound here, or did you move here after founding in a Feeder or after some time in a UCR, and if so how did you hear about the region and what made you decide you wanted to be here?

If you refounded, or if you moved here from a UCR, what were your prior regions?

Thanks!