Convocation

[Jack Sheltrak]

Harkness looked at the other two members in the booth with him. He turned to Yusan and then to Hanna as he spoke offering a smile. "Okay so I am nervous now, this was so much easier on the other side of the seat. Got anything in my teeth? My hair nappy? No? Alright lets do this team and then drinking lots and lots of drinking."

He gave them both a smirk though for kidding sake cause... yeah he was joking maybe. Never knew he actually didn't know what to say and kept looking at his notes as the pod rose from the floor and the senate building came into view. All around him he could feel the eyes and looked at Yusan. "Got your staff?" With one final smirk he felt the pod come into place finally and cleared his throat.

"Senators of the Republic, as I said three days ago this is a special convocation to show the new direction of our Republic. I know some of you have mixed feeling and I know some of you may not like it but we need to work from the ground up again. The previous administrations steadfast idealistic approach to having peace was noble but gave birth to something dangerous. Now I have bashed our previous chancellors and I am sorry for that my own feelings got the better of me. I am but a man on this stage and now I am here today to deliver something that the entire house of the senate will be called to vote on."

With a look about them all he made sure he did a 360 for the full effect to try and look even briefly each senator in the eyes. It might not have been much but it could serve a purpose he wasn't any more important then they were and his screen beeped while he moved a private file from his datapad to the screen for the rest of the senators to see.

• Article 1: Any citizen of the Galactic Republic prior to the election may run or vote for political office.*
• Article 1 OOC: *with 15 active days within the faction.
• Article 2: All citizens of the Galactic Republic have the right to bear arms.
• Article 3: All policies regarding the Galactic Republic require popular vote.*
• Article 3 OOC: *It must be a faction-wide vote, not just contained to the Senate.
• Article 4: The Chief of State is the Commander-in-Chief and may appoint a Supreme Commander to fulfill his duties.
• Article 5: The Chief of State, at any point in time, may declare war against a “known enemy”.
• Article 6: The Chair of the Senate shall be the presiding officer of the Senate.
• Article 7: The Senate may impeach the Chief of State or any other officer due to crimes.
• Article 7 OOC: The vote requires 2/3 vote in favor of impeaching from the entire faction.
• Article 8: If the Chief of State is absent or his position vacant, the Senate may motion to hold a new election.*
• Article 8 OOC: *The Chief of State must have been absent for more than 14 normal days. The motion’s vote must be popular majority.
• Article 9: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the Galactic Republic except as judicial punishment for crimes committed.
• Article 10: The Chief of State, or the Senate by holding a majority vote, may absolve all crimes any one person has committed against the Galactic Republic.
• Article 11: All nations, foreign or domestic, have both the right and the ability to navigate known space peacefully.
• Article 12: Any "known" enemy, foreign or domestic, found in the territory of the Galactic Republic may be detained without due process.
• Article 13: All members of the established Jedi Order, ally of the Republic, may be considered for and hold positions in the armed forces of the Galactic Republic.
• Article 14: Treason against the Galactic Republic shall consist of levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies in giving them aid or comfort.
• Article 15: All planets that fall under the influence of this new Galactic Republic are considered territory of the Galactic Republic and subject to all articles within the Provisional Charter of the Galactic Republic.*
• Article 15 OOC: These planets must be within the cloud of influence of the Galactic Republic.
• Article 16: Only planets within the territory of the Galactic Republic may hold a permanent voting seat in the Senate.

With a look around at all of them Harkness made a face and then spoke breathing in a little more. His confidence growing that was the hard part that was the part he needed to get past or at least he hoped to. He still have to convince them upon a few other things such as meeting with potential allies and making sure some of these charges were dropped. He brought up the next issue.

"We will also be working towards repairing the burnt bridges that were left behind in the wake of the Dark Harvest. For too long has this Republic tried to go at it alone and failed we need friends, we need someone who can help us while we help them. A sword to match the shield that is the jedi. The problem is before us though of how do we do it?"

"Well I have a few ideas about that, already delegates are being sent out to test the waters and see but it will be something. I have been reviewing and put forth one of the tools we shall need for securing the foundations for a true and lasting friendship with our allies. A blanket pardon for all who fail to meet our new criteria for a known enemy of the Republic. It will sting but we have labeled potential allies criminal, labeled former friends criminal because of shoddy reasons that would not hold up to many. We have called them criminal while some of our own people have committed equal if not greater acts and been labeled a hero."

"We are also not going to be so arrogant that we believe ourselves the betters of the galaxy. We will not try to bend our allies over and demand they do for us but not be willing to help them, we will not sign treaties that won't be upheld and called into records so people can skate. We will not allow sith in the senate buildings. As of yesterday the Calacta treaty is finished, The sith embassy vacated and their senate seat revoked. We are not going to bring them in to make fools of this Republic for their own whims or amusement. The need for security to be increased among our planet will be addressed. For now I have called in the fifth fleet from their patrols near the Protectorate border to reinforce the world."

Then he looked around again and relaxed more. "Now while you all vote we shall move onto some more business, The appointment of the cabinet for this administration.

• Yusan Fenn is Vice Chancellor of the Republic and the keeper of order within the senate chambers.
• Hanna Vondiranach is the head of state and third in command of the Republic
• Gaminara Bennet will be leading the Ethics committee
• Alena Beswin shall be in charge of the Military oversight committe and is in charge of getting the funding for @[member="Cody Jorin"]
• Cody Jorin is in charge of the Republic military both the naval and ground forces overseeing the high Admiral and High General
• Jack Sparrow will be in charge of the Penal Oversight committee his unique perspective will help make sure our prisons and detention area's are better then ever
• High Admiral of the Republic is Joshua Dragonsflame a dedicated jedi master and talented individual
• Chi Chuchi is in charge of the relations between the three branches of the Republic. Senate, jedi and the military. Her skills are well known and we wish her luck.
• Hion the Herglic please see me
• Aliannah S. del D. Filia please see me
• Silas Opri please see me

He gave another look around and towards the other senators who now it was known what some of them would be doing. The ones who ran against him in the race and the ones who were respected. Each had valuable insight to offer and he wasn't one to turn away insight even if it was just one of them explaining the difference between the natives on Mimban.

"So senators are there any questions?"

@[member="Yusan Fenn"] @[member="Aliannah S. del D. Filia"] @[member="Hion the Herglic"] @[member="Hanna Vondiranach"] @[member="Alena Beswin"] @[member="Jack Sparrow"] @[member="Chi Chuchi"] @[member="Gaminara Bennett"] @[member="Cody Jorin"] @[member="Silas Opri"] @Republic characters

 

[Crix Meriet]

Silas nodded in agreement to the chancellors motion, It was nice to see action. He listened as the list of cabinet members was rather shocked he turned to the staff in his pod "Has me hearing been playing tricks on me or did the chancellor request to see me?" Silas asked he was being rhetorical of course He stood up "Of course Chancellor would you be available after this meeting" He asked he imputed his vote of aye whilst he waited for the chancellors reply. Perhaps he was in trouble or perhaps he was too hold. He didn't know what he would be in trouble for so he doubted it was that.

 

[Selena Halcyon]

Grandmaster Selena Halcyon stood on the pod of the Chancellor as an adviser. While the Grandmaster had relevance within the Jedi Order as something of the leader of the High Council, though that was only partially true, it also had another important aspect to it. This aspect was to be someone that the Supreme Chancellor could rely on for advice that was not fueled by political motive. When he had come to her with the proposal for the articles of the Galactic Alliance it seemed like an odd turn. However, she understood the necessity behind it and fully backed him. It was why she now stood where she did, representing that the Jedi were in fact in support of the bill.

 

[Soeht]

((I vote yes))

 

[Gaminara]

After the Chancellor's speech Gaminara Bennett found herself nodding her head with agreement for the articles. Although some may have found them surprising or odd she knew they were necessary to the continuity of the Galactic Republic and she was ready to offer her full support in this matter.

 

[Ellya]

It was a Senate session again. But it was different. Aliannah had to contact her planet's advisors. She didn't know if Lunar Meadow would like it or not. Her five advisors had different opinions. Two of them denied the policies, one agreed, but under special circumstances and two... they thought it's nearly perfect. Aliannah had to improvise... think with her mind and with her heart.

She nodded.

But that was not all... The Chancellor wanted to see Aliannah later. It was kind of... strange. Because she had never thought she was special or anything. But she decided to go.

 

[Vulps]

Zarro listened to the policies, methodically weighing the value of each one. As the newest senator for the republic, he was farily unfamiliar with the procedures, however that wasn't to say he was unable to see a good deal when he saw one. He was after all, one of the greatest traders on Amar. "I believe these are agreeable policies."

 

[Terras Zordok]

FETH NO would have been an inappropriate thing to say in the legislative body of the Galactic Republic, therefore Alena instead stood up immediately following the Chancellor's speech.

"Chancellor @[member="Jack Harkness"]! I must say I am rather disappointed. While much of this is agreeable, I must ask you to remove Article 9 with all deliberate speed. I must infrom you that former Senator of Kuat Brunswick was fired following the passage of his controversial anti-slavery bill. Are you not aware of Kuat's utilization of Telbun? Surely Article 9 goes against the traditions and norms of numerous planets in our Republic! Certainly, we must respect our member planets' traditions and customs?"

 

[Jack Sheltrak]

@[member="Alena Beswin"]

"Senator Beswin as it clearly states "involuntary" the people who are voluntary are not affected by this. Your planet doesn't lose a labor force that does this willingly. Unless you are making them do it against their will which is something that will open a great deal more."

 

[Serah Oricion]

Yusan didnt spend a single second letting anyone else respond to Senator Beswin. He calmly stood and stared at her for a moment before speaking clearly and loud. "Miss Beswin, might i even begin to wonder why you would question an Article that gave the species of the galaxy more rights. We are not the sith or common criminals that use slaves and unpaid labor to achieve great things like those i mentioned. Would you rather we did so though, would you, a Senator for the Galactic Republic push for the use of slavery as you put it all because of traditions and customs. To allow Slavery in our midst and to turn a blind eye to it is an evil reserved for that of the Sith, a criminal..." He paused and stared dead in her direction. "Or a heartless creature unfit to represent those that it does. I vote yes to the Article." @[member="Alena Beswin"]

 

[Sarianna]

[alt account quiet yous]

Articles have been up for a week and voted on. 7-1 in favor this is now the new bill for the Republic. Enjoy and thank you the next motion in the senate will be coming soon

 

[Terras Zordok]

(Can we still have this up for discussion though?)

Alena cleared her throat, it was making her rather furious that @[member="Jack Harkness"] and @[member="Yusan Fenn"] thought such matters of slavery were ones that could be treated lightly. "Chancellor, your excellency with all due respect, the matters of slavery must be dealt with separately and not as an add-on part to what seemed like to be an overall agreeable bill establishing formal limits and basic laws. Numerous planets in the Republic utilize slavery, or are you not aware? In this democracy, you must represent the Republic's interests as a whole, not push for laws to fulfill your moral or ethical expectations. I request that you remove Article 9 immediately."

 

[Vulps]

Zarro clacked his staff against the pod's surface, casting a glare at @[member="Alena Beswin"]. "Senator Beswin, I may be recent to politics, but I'm well versed in the galaxies history. May I remind you that we, that is the Republic, have always fought for freedom? Throughout the times of the past, the Republic has always had major schism against the Empire. We have always believed in freedom over order. While our opposite has always subjugated races for their ideals of complete control, the Republic has worked hard to give everyone the kind of life they deserve. Many have died for such ideals, and those you advocate it in the halls of the senate buildings have never had much backing from the general public, the very people we are supposed to represent."

The Amaran's eyes burned. His own race were free spiritied and strong willed, so it only came natural that he saw slavery as an abomination of the galaxy. "I would also like to remind you what happened when One of the Chiefs of State, Natasi Daala tried to work on the side of slavers. She lost respect from much of the republic, so much so that she was seen as a new age Palpatine. This is no attack on you or your character, but you must realize that these articles are being made as a new foundation for this government, and the freedom away from unwilling slavery must be one of these tenets for us to hold true to the Republic's long lasting ideals. By allowing slavery within your borders, you take away a beings right to happiness and pursuit of their dreams, thereby smothering any chance they may have to contributing to our galaxy more than a simple construction that they may hate with all of their being.

 

[Selena Halcyon]

(( This has already been passed so continuing to discuss it really is kind of pointless. This was up for quite a long time before we decided that it had passed with a vote of 7-1. You're discussing this quite after the fact. Also, there is a great line from the movies that you should think about. When Padmé found out that Anakin was a slave she said with much shock that she thought slavery was outlawed in the Republic, but as we know Tattooine was outside of Republic control. The important thing is that we can deduce from that statement that slavery was illegal. Therefore, this article is par for the course with canon. Arguing against it is senseless, claiming that tons of cultures use it is also pointless because clearly within the Republic in the Phantom Menace's day this was not an issue. It should not be an issue here. ))