Galactic Republic Restructure.

[Corvus Raaf]

We'll take views for a while longer although a consensus seems to be forming. I'm back off my LOA on Monday, so will take stock then.

Of course we won't please everyone, but a working committee to look at the suggestions made seems to be the way forward. And as is the way with these things, we all work with what they suggest

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

So the debate is: given apathy at the time the political structure was changed (and that is a relevant point) is there an overwhelming desire to see new change? Or are people ambivalent?

Getting back to the FA's actual question: No desire to see change. From my perspective, having been part of the GR since March (and, thus, admittedly not very long), what we have going on is working. Our faction is expanding, people are posting, and for the most part all the Republic writers I know are quite happy with it.

Speaking for myself, I have a hard time not creating additional Republic characters because having been part of the Red Ravens, the Primeval, the Rebels, and the Silver Jedi... I find there is a much, much greater sense of community in this faction. I'd be hesitant of any change that would add layers of bureaucracy to that. As [member="Tyl Ro"] pointed out, we do this for fun. Not to write the Star Wars version of the Code of Federal Regulations or the United States Code -- or have to go read posts intended as pseudo-law or policy because I need to understand that the current law of the Republic makes it illegal to use a lightsaber on Sundays, except on the steps of the courthouse.

If we went that route, I'd probably create a senator and introduce a bill against child soldiers or child labor with the goal in mind of taking the Jedi Council to court. Because if we were working in a system of laws in any real life based government since the 1920s, why do we have Jedi younglings?

The answer is, because that's what some people want to write, which is the actual point of all of this.

As I've written far more than I intended, I'll end with this: "I don't know the secret to success, but the key to failure is to try and please everyone."

 

[Damian Starchaser]

So general consensus seems to be that:

1) Senators need a way of effectively doing things that actually matter.

2) The senate needs clearly defined boundaries of what it can and cannot do.

I think that the use of committees might be the answer to these issues. They'd give a focus to senators to concentrate on accomplishing various related tasks or solving specific issues. In a way, the committee could also serve as a boundary (IE, your defense committee member isn't going to be telling everyone in finance what to do). They might even have special powers related to their committees (like a finance senator could potentially block federal funding to a certain company, etc). But that power would limited to that specific area of focus. Each committee would likely need to have the specifics of its power and boundaries worked out in conjunction with the OOC leadership.

I'm somewhat torn by [member="Damian Starchaser"]'s suggestion to allow everyone an OOC vote on a bill. I think it's a great way to involve everyone in the faction's decisions, and perhaps to drum up some activity in the Senate as well. But again, we run the risk of potentially alienating some writers by passing laws that would adversely affect their own plans IC or OOC (for example, as mentioned earlier, banning droid production). In real life, this potential of abuse is why we have the judicial and executive branches (at least in the USA and some other countries) to provide checks and balances. But I don't see a judicial branch being very popular either. Perhaps the "judicial" system could be RPed by the faction staff to act as that check and balance for IC and OOC purposes?

We actually did this once when I was a faction Admin. There was a set of people who knew about real life governance and laws (to an extent) and acted sort of like the supreme court. The idea was a bill wouldn't have to be accepted by them but if some crap got pulled and voted through and someone actually complained and brought it before the courts it would be suspended and then ruled upon. It worked pretty well for awhile.

[member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] also makes some valid points about using real life laws and codifying things. We need to stick in universe otherwise I mean lets go RP on an alternate history forum and be congress...

The key is trying to find a balance. Senators can still do things and still participate in the faction making laws and having some importance without opening the faction up to all sorts of crap. It has been done before and we can do it again.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

The question I have is, why was this thread even created?

Did [member="Alyesa Organa"] PM the Faction Admins about this first? Was an attempt made to get this sorted without public cacaphony?

I'm not talking about six months ago. I'm not talking about two weeks ago. I'm talking about now, before this thread was created. People here are pretty willling to talk things out if all parties are being reasonable.

Starting a public thread in the faction's OOC area about a major faction criticism without attempts to resolve things in a more direct manner (PMing the FAs) isn't reasonable.

And just where have you been? -glares-

 

[Aran Finn]

Changes happen, people. However, as a relatively new member to this faction, I have a few observations about how the changes have affected the faction.

1) Senators have little to no power to actually achieve anything with their characters.

2) I haven't seen a military-focused or initiated Dominion.

3) The faction has become almost entirely centred around the Jedi Order

Now, these things are natural developments. No arguments there. But we can always improve. I have a few ideas on how to iron out some kinks and make this faction better, and would love to join some sort of group where we could discuss the possibility of implementing them.

 

[Uri Aureleos]

That isn't up to you. [member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

Thanks.

[member="Alyesa Organa"]

It is entirely up to me. Anything regarding the military of the Republic going forward may be directed to me via PM.

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/52349-the-galactic-republic-government-charter/

Military Supreme Commander This executive position is held by the highest ranking military member of the Galactic Republic's Combined Defense Force. Military strategy, assignment of resources, weaponry and starship contract negotiation that are to directly impact the military, as well as the oversight of military outposts and defensive planetary construction fall under the sole jurisdiction of the Supreme Commander

I'm not going to lie [member="Alyesa Organa"] my opinion of you isn't high, but I think we established this last time. Still, I give this info so that all of the facts are on the table and everyone has the whole story. There is a reason for this. Also link here for the very beginning as to why this thread appears to have been posted (to me at least). Take it as a stab or don't. I'm not here to fight you. I'm here for OUR Faction.

Now for my unbiased opinion (^biased opinion above): The thought of an all powerful senate reminds me of the Roman Empire and although it was massive and powerful we all know what eventually happened to it. I'm not saying the senate was the Roman Empire's downfall or that it will be ours.

What is the purpose of having a prime minister or a Supreme Commander if they don't do anything? I'm not against giving the senate a little bit extra but it shouldn't be removed from everywhere else to make them the sole power. In my opinion that's when the corruption happens. Even if its a group bias and wrong doing can still happen.

At the moment what we have works. My vote goes to no change and I will stop at that.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

2) I haven't seen a military-focused or initiated Dominion.

If I recall correctly, Attahox was a primarily military Dominion and we actually caught a lot of OOC flak for that (the idea of the Galactic Republic being 'militarized')

Don't get me wrong, I agree that we need NFU characters and that those characters should have meaningful opportunities for development. I retired my NFU doctor because I came to the conclusion that I didn't have any way of really developing him outside of solos, because there seemed no interest in what he added to any roleplay I had him in.

It just seems that when the Galactic Republic does anything 'military' there are immediate OOC perceptions of us being hypocritical with regard to our IC stance on the OS and Remnant.

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Changes happen, people. However, as a relatively new member to this faction, I have a few observations about how the changes have affected the faction.

1) Senators have little to no power to actually achieve anything with their characters.

2) I haven't seen a military-focused or initiated Dominion.

3) The faction has become almost entirely centred around the Jedi Order

Now, these things are natural developments. No arguments there. But we can always improve. I have a few ideas on how to iron out some kinks and make this faction better, and would love to join some sort of group where we could discuss the possibility of implementing them.

1) Senators aren't even consistently active--as is historically the case. Do you know how many bills in the Senate over the last few months have not been proposed by me? Two.
Restructure was necessary for us to actually get things done. And this system works. Sure, we haven't passed almost any laws, but that is how governments work in real life. Committees? There has already been a committee formed with [member="Mark Crassis"] and [member="Faith Balor"] to head an intelligence division.
This system will/does work. But will the writers work? That is the question. I see no room for senators to complain about their lack of power when they can't even take the initiative and give us a bill to work with. If you want to accomplish great things, you have to put in the work. (I believe that's the unofficial factory motto?)

2) Remember that time when the Republic was actually doing bad things to expand? (Like razing villages?) I think it was time for a change to something a little more plausible for a good guy faction, and it seems like that is the consensus with the rest of the regular faction players as well.

3) When has it not?
And, actually, the faction is becoming more NFU-friendly than I have ever seen before, and I have been around this board for quite a while now. We once had a Jedi Chancellor, after all.

The faction is moving in a positive direction. If we need to change things, the OP's drama is not the answer.

 

[The End Narrator]

The system was working fine as it was. Sorry, Beowuff but to say I'm spouting drama is to essentially incite an argument bro. Keep that to yourself...I'd appreciate it.

Some view the changes being made as a top tier person to be socialist and even imperial.

To remove things because you want to and essentially revocate RP or make it null, isn't fun. Having a character in charge of the Judicial branch where he or she could properly handle cases such as the one where treason is brought up...well, that allows others beyond a single scope to be included. See, you being top dawn can select whomever you wish to enter in that judicial hearing...not the ones who were appointed.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

Calm down and keep it civil. Don't think calling someone "bro" can't be seen as an insult by the way.

 

[The End Narrator]

[member="Varus Shatterstar"]

Please see two posts above where intentional baiting is in the first paragraph and the word "mate" is used. I mean, come on. Don't try to single out.

And I am calm, I'm doing some push ups.

 

[The End Narrator]

I would also like to address you first point, I believe until I went on LOA I was one of the most active Senators next to Cira and a few others. I've been solid with the Senate since I joined the Republic and was Senator of Manaan.

So in my case, we could address that privately to save face and time.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

I'm not singling you out. I'm telling you and everyone else to cool off. "Mate" like "bro" is a term of endearment, so sometimes it can be hard to tell one way or the other. It's next to impossible to convey tone with text, but as writers, that's our challenge.

You specifically seem pretty good at it(which actually is a compliment), because I picked it out pretty quickly. Cut it out.

Also, if someone does bring things to an unnecessary level then lodge a complaint, but don't allow them to get the best of you. When you let that happen this all becomes a bunch of whiney, children throwing insults back and forth, and guess who doesn't want to change your diapers?

[member="Aaralyn Gyndar"]

 

[The End Narrator]

I remember when you did the same thing and were consoled and comforted. We all have issues and grievences. This isn't something new.

There was a time where I can look at Skype and myself and Beowuff actually plotted out a reorganization...but it was to be presented to the Faction.

It was ill timed due to the Netherworld event.

There is a lot more to these things than theatrics and dramatics.

 

[The End Narrator]

I am not some evil doer out to destroy the Republic. Regardless of how Jedi central it may or may not be.

 

[Axo Mend]

[member="Alen Na'Varro"]

We just had a NFU themed dominion. It was very popular and it got finished very fast.

 

[Faith Organa]

Fight nice, well actually please don't fight. [member="Varus Shatterstar"] [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"]

As a Senator I try to be as active as I can, and I try to make good arguments or bad arguments just to create good will/strife because it makes the story more interesting for me.

I am bad that like it was said somewhere in here that I don't keep up with every change on how we operate.

Am I frustrated as a Senator that I don't seem to have more to do? At one time I had like 4 Republic threads to reply to with my Senator. I really enjoyed the one discussing the fate of Kayleigh.

The bills brought up do seem to lean towards Imperial tendencies, in my opinion. Is this done to create story, or some other plot that will be revealed at the most surprising of times. I don't know, but Faith will always argue against bills that seem that way.

I know that Alyesa's writer can rub people the wrong way, even I have wanted to strangle the writer from such frustration that I needed to step away and get a drink. The writer means well.

I would support giving the Senate some other things to do for the Republic, [member="Mark Crassis"] and I do have the intel committee, I'm more like a fixture for that he's doing all the work and doing a great job. I'm hoping that here in the future we can turn that into something more, like secret missions or such.

Some power that actually has an IC effect sounds good to me. *rubs her hands*

by the way anyone want to buy some creatures that were vong formed, I happen to have a place that has...a number of them.

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

I'm not entirely certain what you're referring to. All I do know is that the last 6 posts have had nothing to do with the overall topic, which happens when you take something too seriously or don't handle a backhanded comment the right way.

[member="Aaralyn Gyndar"]

 

[Varus Shatterstar]

For the record, I'm not fighting. I'm having a calm, adult conversation, at least on my side of the table.

 

[Zenitha Chuma]

[member="Varus Shatterstar"]

Shamefully avoiding a character I have no motivation for? *sigh* We'll talk outside this thread.