#262: Sticks And Stones [Zwangzug; ed:Sirocco]
The Issue
Nicholas Condor, a prominent Bigtopian activist and soapbox orator, caused quite a stir last week when he publicly called for the complete extermination of the people of @@NAME@@, accusing fellow citizens of being ‘sub-human’, ‘immoral’, and ‘really ugly too’. Citizens Against Intolerance, a pressure group aiming to reduce social inequality, has demanded that the government put more resources into combating hate speech. Coincidentally, another society, also called Citizens Against Intolerance, has stood up for Mr Condor, claiming that inhibiting his speeches would be a violation of his right to free speech.
The Debate
1. “I can’t believe we’re even debating this,” says @@RANDOMNAME@@, who was present at the infamous speech. “Doesn’t it worry you that a man, who would obviously be happier if we all died horrible, painful deaths, is allowed to walk around in public? Let him continue and he’ll cause a riot! Free speech is supposed to protect people! But talking about genocide and killing, well… that doesn’t help anyone. It breaks society. It drives us apart. Hate speech is a very serious crime, @@LEADER@@. You can’t just ignore it.”
The Result: a fashion designer has been arrested for inciting hatred after claiming redheads couldn’t pull off vermillion.
Civil Rights -2
Political Freedoms -2
2. “Words by themselves can’t hurt anyone,” counters @@RANDOMNAME@@, a free speech advocate. “We don’t need to be ‘protected’ from hearing different opinions for goodness’ sake! Oh, what a boring place the world would be if we all had the same thoughts! You can’t punish people for disagreeing with you! That’s crazy! I hate my mother-in-law, but if I told her so and she then tried to stab me with a kitchen knife then the problem is obviously hers – not mine.”
The Result: violently opinionated speakers can be heard preaching their hateful views on every street corner.
Civil Rights +2
Political Freedoms +7
3. “I agree to an extent,” ventures @@RANDOMNAME@@, your Minister of Domestic Security. “But insulting one person is not the same as insulting an entire social grouping. The wrong word in the wrong place and you WILL have violence on the streets: that’s the reality we live in, whether you like it or not. If we want to make any real difference then we need to nudge cultural values in the right direction with government awareness programmes and the like. Educate the masses! Laying down a reactionary law will just fuel resentment in the long run.”
The Result: the government is promoting multicultural values with the new ‘Just Be Nice, OK?’ initiative.
Civil Rights +2
Political Freedoms +10
Taxes +1
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#264: Not A Drop To Drink [Vincon; ed:Kandarin]
The Issue
@@NAME@@ has been hit with the worst drought in a hundred years; as a result thirsty citizens and a growing number of brown lawns are pleading for a government response.
The Debate
1. “We have no choice but to ration water,” says @@RANDOMNAME@@, Chief of the @@CAPITAL@@ Department of Public Works. “We can’t afford to let what little water we have slip through our fingers. We must clamp down on how much water each person is allowed to use. If our more wasteful citizens complain because they’ll have to actually think about how much water they pour down the drain, all the better for the rest of us.”
The Result: fewer people are bathing as citizens must show ration stamps before they can turn on their faucets.
Civil Rights -4
2. “You think too small,” sighs Foreign Secretary @@RANDOMNAME@@, between sips from a sparkling bottle of gourmet dihydrogen monoxide. “@@NAME@@ may be short on water, but the rest of @@REGION@@ has water to spare! Why not just import the water from abroad? Sure, it’ll cost money, but what’s worth more to the people of @@NAME@@, a little tax money or their most basic physical needs? Our neighbors wouldn’t dream of cutting off the water, right?”
The Result: almost all of NATION’s water is piped into the country from abroad for exorbitant prices.
Economy +2
Taxes +1 (or 0 in smaller nations)
3. “This drought is a warning sign sent by our Creator!” shouts a strangely familiar-looking man who has just walked in from the desert clad in camel hair and sandals. “If this nation will only turn from its wicked ways and hearken unto our God, surely He shall grace us with water once more!”
The Result: NATION’s newly-famous raindances to summon storms instead attract tourists from all over the REGION.
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#267: Controversial Coup Causes Commotion [Sedgistan; ed:Sedgistan]
The Issue
A coup in a neighbouring country has seen a mercenary force led by retired @@NAME@@ian general @@RANDOMNAME@@ take charge of the peaceful backwater, purging the opposition, and suppressing freedoms. Despite the new leader making a dubious promise to hold elections, the government in exile is demanding that @@NAME@@ takes action.
The Debate
1. “THIS IS A DISGRACE”, bellows Brigadier General @@RANDOMNAME@@, scattering plastic soldiers over the floor. “This traitor must be overthrown! Gather together our forces and sweep the tyrant from power. While we’re at it, @@NAME@@ could do with some more tanks – you never know when the next coup might be.”
The Results: the government is pouring money into ‘Operation Enduring Democracy’.
Taxes +2
2. @@RANDOMNAME@@, a junior official, puts down “Diplomacy for Dummies” and pipes up. “The best method of solving problems is talking. Send the new regime a strongly worded letter of protest and encourage them to negotiate. On a similar note, perhaps you could take your spouse out for a meal tonight. You’ve been spending far too much time sorting out this nation’s issues lately.”
The Results: the art of conversation has been rediscovered.
Taxes -1
3. Noted realist and tabloid columnist @@RANDOMNAME@@ disagrees. “We should give this new regime a chance. After all, they now control a sizeable economy, and they need weapons – we could offer to recognise the new government if they agreed to buy arms from us. Also, I couldn’t help but notice some protesters outside your office. We wouldn’t want a coup happening here – everyone would feel safer if they were moved on.”
The Results: the government encourages conflict abroad to increase arms sales.
Economy +1
Political Freedoms -11
Taxes -6
4. “I don’t see what the problem is”, a voice strangely like your own whispers in your ear. Your twin, standing far too close for comfort, continues, “this has given me a great idea – why not just declare yourself supreme leader of @@NAME@@? After all, the people do love you so very much.”
The Results: pollsters are out of a job as elections have been cancelled.
Political Freedoms -21
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#269: Stop The Presses! [Lenyo; ed:Sanctaria]
The Issue
It has been revealed that many of @@NAME@@’s newspapers are deep in red ink. Opinions are divided on whether or not the government should intervene.
The Debate
1. “There is no real problem here,” says noted economist @@RANDOMNAME@@. “If newspapers are no longer selling, they shouldn’t exist in a free market economy; let capitalism take its course. Who cares if a few newspapers go under? Besides, it’s probably good for the digital industry, right?”
The Results: morning coffees are no longer the same since the disappearance of newspapers.
Economy -3
Taxes -1
2. “You can’t just allow the newspaper industry to die!” panics newspaper editor @@RANDOMNAME@@. “We are the core of our nation’s news media! Where will the talk shows, internet news sites, and other media outlets get their stories from? We’re their sources after all! @@NAME@@ needs newspapers to inform the populace! Just allow us to be exempt from taxation and I’m sure we will recover. After all, quality news is worth the price!”
The Results: the newspaper industry is subsidised by the government in order to keep it afloat.
Economy +6
Taxes +2
3. “Why bother subsidising when we can go all out and take back control of the media!” muses one of your innumerable advisors. “Newspapers are full of sensationalised, makey-uppy events designed to sell more papers and they ignore what really matters – like what we the Government are doing for the people! As a bonus, there’d be no need for newspapers and stations to compete with each other, and job losses would be at a minimum, so everyone’ll be happy.”
The Results: daily newspapers are permitted to run only pro-government stories.
Political Freedoms -9
Taxes +2
4. “Yu’r not attacking the problem,” states elderly gentleman Woody Cane. “Newspapers will never be able t’ compete with them internets. All you’ve got t’do is shut them newfangled things down. Problem solved!”
The Results: abacus sales outpace those of the personal computer following the closure of the Internet.
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#273: Is our children learning? [Panageadom; ed:Lenyo]
The Issue
When a relatively minor official in your government vowed to increase the standard of education in @@NAME@@, the press came knocking on your door to ask how this might actually be done.
The Debate
1. “It’s all a question of money,” says veteran teacher @@RANDOMNAME@@, “If we really care about education, we’ll make it our number one priority. Double the education budget, halve the teacher-student ratio, and make sure every teacher has a master’s degree in education. After all, the children are our future.”
The Result: students cut up leftover CURRENCYs during Arts and Crafts.
Economy -2
2. “As much as I’d like to have more money, it’s really a question of most of the faculty belonging to one of the most powerful unions in the whole of @@NAME@@ that stops this school from being great,” says Headmaster @@RANDOMNAME@@, “I can’t discover which teachers are good and reward them for their excellent work, nor fire the useless ones. Destroying teachers’ unions is perhaps the most important thing we could do. ”
The Result: rag-wearing teachers are often mistaken for homeless people.
Economy +8
Taxes -2
3. “I think specialization is the way to go,” says your defense minister, standing arm in arm with a bishop of @@FAITH@@ and @@NAME@@’s top CEO, “Specialization lets each focus on what they’re truly good at, and I’m sure that religious institutions, the military, and private companies would fork out a bit to train up the next generation, so we could save on taxes too.”
The Result: NATION’s schoolchildren are manufactured into a segregated bunch of soldiers, religious zealots, and computer technicians.
Civil Rights -2
Economy +5
Taxes -1
4. “As we’ve proven in the past, the free market can manage this far better than the public sector,” says market-analyst @@RANDOMNAME@@, “Now, I’m not saying that the state shouldn’t help people go to school – far from it. Still, schools need greater freedom to maximize learnedness: to set their own tuition, salaries, curricula, etc. Give private schools a small government subsidy, and let the free market take its course. So what if a few poor kids drop out earlier? You can’t make omelets without breaking a few eggs.”
The Result: wealthy students ride to school past mendicant dropouts.
Economy +23
Taxes -3
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#275: Wiki Worries [Maurepas; ed:Lenyo]
The Issue
State department officials are in an uproar over the leaking of key government cables by the website WikiSpills. The site’s owner, under the nom de plume “El Denunciante,” is operating from an anonymous location in neighboring Bigtopia, where the government can’t reach him. @@NAME@@’s leaders are sharply divided on how to respond.
The Debate
1. “This man has done no wrong!” says @@RANDOMNAME@@, who also happens to be the head writer of The @@CAPITAL@@ Times Magazine. “The people have a right to transparency of government. El Denunciante is a hero who has revolutionized my magazine sale-er-Freedom of Speech for this country. No state action must be committed that would infringe upon our right to disclose government information, regardless of the effects on diplomatic relations. Besides, it isn’t as though you’ve got anything to hide…do you?”
The Result: the “Underwear of Women in Power” issue of THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER is sold out
Civil rights +1
Political freedoms +6
Authoritarianism -0.020
Averageness -90
Corruption +6
Happiness +1
Ideological Radicality +13
Pacifism +5
Political Apathy -5
Safety +4.5
Rudeness -0.8
Social Conservatism -1
Toxicity +3
Youth Rebelliousness -1
2. “El Denunciante is a terrorist and has committed treason,” argues reactionary talk radio host @@RANDOMNAME@@. “The fact is, he has consistently presented an anti-@@NAME@@ agenda, and people like him need to be stopped from propagandizing their filth. What we need is to block this website and any others which threaten the security of this great nation. Like those opposition party blogs that keep popping up! I mean, what use is personal freedom if you don’t have security and peace of mind?”
The Result: popular websites like NationStates are blocked for “national security”
Economy +1
Political Freedoms -12
3. “This seems like a lot of needless work, if you ask me,” says @@RANDOMNAME@@, your brother-in-law, while enjoying a foul-smelling beverage in your office. “Why should the people get to discuss you and your government anyway? Seems to me things would be much easier if you just told them what their opinion was and blocked out all others. After all, who knows what’s best for them better than you, am I right? Cheers!”
The Result: the Ministry of Truthiness now manages the entire media industry.
Civil Rights -1
Economy -2
Political Freedoms -16
Taxes +2
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#276: Circus Clowns Cause Chaos! [Sanctaria; ed:Maurepas]
The Issue
Rather than finding them funny, a recent survey shows that most children are actually afraid of clowns. The public is demanding that you do something to stop these terrifying menaces.
The Debate
1. “Kill them! Kill them all! Or… you know, just ban them”, opines noted sociologist @@RANDOMNAME@@. “Better yet, why not ban all circuses from @@NAME@@! Think about it, they’re distracting children from what’s important in life; namely, doing well in school, getting a job and contributing to the economy. That’s what’s important here!”
The Result: strange looking men with big red noses are found hiding behind bushes and inside dustbins.
Civil Rights -3
2. “Banning clowns is a little extreme, if you ask me”, inputs your Minister for Culture, @@RANDOMNAME@@. “I think what we need to do is educate children about what clowns actually do. Tell them they aren’t scary and that what they do is actually beneficial! After all, happy kids are less likely to go down the path of crime, which means less spending goes to the police and more funds can be diverted to somewhere important – like my Department!”
The Result: students are wary of colorfully decorated new teachers with names like Professor Pipsqueak.
3. “It’s not always about the kids”, mumbles a red-nosed man in the corner. “Think of us clowns! We have to put up with the kids screaming, and shouting and hurling things at us. How would you feel if you were dressed up like a fool and paraded in front of 8 year olds! The Government needs to create a program to treat us clowns for depression – you don’t know what it’s like, man. You weren’t there!”
The Result: clowns are being rounded up and admitted to mental institutions.
Taxes +1
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#280: Oh the Humanity! [Prevania; ed:Reploid Productions]
The Issue
During a recent severe storm, the airship @@NAMEINITIALS@@AS-Hiddenburg caught fire and ended up making a crash landing in @@CAPITAL@@. Everyone on board as well as several hundred people on the ground were killed in the resulting inferno. Reporter Herb Morris’ incredible live coverage of the disaster and the media circus surrounding the safety of such vessels has people looking to the government for solutions.
The Debate
1. @@RANDOMNAME@@, apparent spokesperson for the families of the victims gasps out between sobs, “The only reason this happened is the government has turned a blind eye to the dangers of these vehicles! The solution is obvious, pass and rigidly enforce safety regulations on dangerous industries! Oh, and make the owners of these companies financially liable to the families. I mean, I lost my dad after all, I deserve a little bit of compensation.”
The Result: the airship business has been driven out of the country by strict regulations and high fines.
Economy -5
Taxes -1
2. “Really now, airships safely make these trips on a routine basis! These people are looking at a tiny mishap and not the bigger picture!” claims @@RANDOMNAME@@, owner of Airship Enterprises, the company that operates airships like the crashed @@NAMEINITIALS@@AS-Hiddenburg. “If anything, the government should be supporting the industry through this tragedy! You know, ‘encouraging’ people to use airships so that they learn just how safe they really are!”
The Result: airship use has soared while property values beneath their routes have plummeted.
Economy +6
3. “Tiny mishap? TINY MISHAP?” screams @@RANDOMNAME@@, author of the controversial bestseller ‘Corporations Are Bad, Really Really Bad.’ “Hundreds of people dead, millions if not billions of @@CURRENCY@@s in damage to buildings downtown, and these industry goons are trying to just shrug and tell the rest of us ‘Oopsie,’ and buy their way out of trouble?! They have a huge debt to the society they’ve harmed, make them work in the trauma centers and see first-hand what they’ve done!”
The Result: the new hit series “NATION’s Got Trauma” has corporate executives fleeing the country.
Economy -4
Taxes -1
Nationstates Issues 