[Discussion] Speaker Appointment

[McChimp]

The Delegate has nominated McChimp to serve as Speaker of the Assembly.

Please discuss this nomination and direct questions to the nominee here in this thread.

Per prior precedent, the minimum discussion period began at the time the Delegate posted the nominations (5:37 a.m. EDT on September 17).

[TempestShadow]

I can't think of a more serious question, so what's your opinion on LazCorp?

[McChimp]

I can't think of a more serious question, so what's your opinion on LazCorp?

It doesn't really appeal to me as an aesthetic. I think that an ancient Greek theme would suit Lazarus, personally.

My only real opinion regarding themes is that they ought to be formatted as a single law that doesn't change the basic structure of the region and can be easily amended/replaced. I think that keeping them clear of the constitution would be a wise decision.

[Amerion]

(1) Will you ping Legislators using telegrams (as TSP does)?

(2) What is your opinion of the discrepancy between the formatting of Mandate 12 and the laws?

[Arlo]

What is your opinion of smoked cheese?

Are you serving in any other regions at the moment?

[McChimp]

(1) Will you ping Legislators using telegrams (as TSP does)?

(2) What is your opinion of the discrepancy between the formatting of Mandate 12 and the laws?

1: Probably not. I'm a student and can't really afford to spend money on things like stamps so it would have to be done manually. This would take an exorbitant amount of time. One of the reasons we use off-site platforms like discord is because in matters like this they are so much more convenient.

2: Given that the mandate predates the assembly procedures act, I see no particular problem with it not meeting that standard. Despite this apparent shortcoming, the mandate is clear and concise. Changing it to meet a later standard doesn't have any real benefits and is risky.

What is your opinion of smoked cheese?

Are you serving in any other regions at the moment?

I'm not such a great fan of cheese in general, really. Maybe I would like it smoked, I've never tried it.

I am currently a Sergeant in The Black Hawks and Minister of Defence in a small UCR, Conservative League, a minimum effort position given the circumstances.

[Arlo]

Yeah I'm not exactly a fancy cheese expert -- not into that moldy stuff the French go for. But smoked... smoked is nice.

What is your opinion of Balder?  :pirate:

[Vulturret]

Firstly, congratulations on the appointment! I could not think of an individual more deserving of the Office of the Speaker than yourself. The conduct, approach, and timeliness you displayed as Deputy Speaker has been most fitting of the Speaker's Office. With that said, while I vehemently support the Delegate's nomination there are certain concerns that I wish to raise.

• How do you feel that the Speaker's Office should handle multiple proposal at vote at the same time? Should there be any kind of delay (maybe even one that eventually codifies a procedure for this) in bringing a motioned proposal to vote to accommodate for an existing vote? Arguments could certainly be made on both sides for allowing (or not) multiple proposals to be voted on concurrently.
  
• What do you see as the responsibilities of the Speaker outside of those mandated by the law? Should the Speaker be attempting to guide debate or provide help? Should they be doing anything additional in the legislative process to what your standard Citizen should be doing?
  
• Do you plan to appoint a Deputy Speaker? Do you have any ideas insofar as candidates go?
  

I thank the nominee for his responses on the matters raised.

[McChimp]

How do you feel that the Speaker's Office should handle multiple proposal at vote at the same time? Should there be any kind of delay (maybe even one that eventually codifies a procedure for this) in bringing a motioned proposal to vote to accommodate for an existing vote? Arguments could certainly be made on both sides for allowing (or not) multiple proposals to be voted on concurrently.

There are no restrictions on having multiple unrelated votes open at once and I think that is an agreeable arrangement.

On the other hand, regarding competing proposals, The Assembly Procedure Act (2-4) is clear on the matter. In those cases I am to bring each to vote in the order in which they received the relevant motion until one passes. That's all above board, it would be obvious were it abused.
 

What do you see as the responsibilities of the Speaker outside of those mandated by the law? Should the Speaker be attempting to guide debate or provide help? Should they be doing anything additional in the legislative process to what your standard Citizen should be doing?

The wider role of the Speaker is to ensure that the Assembly is healthy: that there can be no disputes regarding the legitimacy of votes, that discussion is thorough, that people are treating each other with all due respect. If there are proposals that don't meet the required standards it would be unfair of me not to explain how they fell short, but I don't think that the Speaker should guide a discussion so much as contribute to it as any citizen should. Being responsible for the democratic institution shouldn't make the Speaker's voice any louder than that of other citizens.
 

Do you plan to appoint a Deputy Speaker? Do you have any ideas insofar as candidates go?

Though I haven't yet brought it up with them, I do have an active and keen candidate in mind.

What is your opinion of Balder?  :pirate:

Apathy, really, though if my feelings were stronger my approach to this role would be unaffected. Foreign Affairs is Foreign Affairs, it's not what I've been nominated for.

[Arlo]

Apathy works for me. No further questions sir