Comm ID: Coriko Lameos
Recipient: Council
Fellow Zoners, I apologise for speaking her unregistered or unsponsored. I was registered with the Traders Guild, however, that is no longer the case. I humbly request to be added to the voting register.
Brethren, I have done many wrongful things in my time, and now the guilt of it has caught up with me. I therefore want to attone for my actions as best I can.
Too long have the lawful forces overlooked the slavery problem, they have neither the connections or history that I do, I believe that I... we... the Zoners, can make a difference.
I wish to fund a slave rehabilitation centre on Gran Canaria. Releasing slaves outright would be unhealthy for them, they have been institutionalised. They would not function in a normal environment without vast amounts of help.
I can fund the building costs, and for transports to bring Slaves to this centre... however day to day costs, fuel, staff, medicine, food, oxygen and water i cannot.
The pilots would purchase the slaves in Texas, they would then be loaded into cells on prison liners with few luxuries, they need to be deinstitutionalised gradually, so as not to shock or scare them with the unknown. They would then fly through New York, cruising by Planet Manhatten, so they can see the centre of Sirius before continuing.
Once delivered to our centre at Gran Canaria the slaves would be put to work, this would be gradually lessened over time. They would be educated and trained in skills. During this time they would be producing commodities for the use of the Zoners, whilst being well fed and looked after. Once we feel they are ready, they shall be released and assigned a job. They are now responsible for their own lives, and assides from regular checks, they would be independant.
The ships themselves would be equipped with cap ship armour, as one can never know when there might be a misunderstanding with the navy. Also they would carry a maximum of 2500 slaves. The rest of the cargo space is occupied by oxygen, food, water, medicines, and fuel. Each ship would also require 200 staff, including guards, navigators, doctors, gunners, and carers.
These wages would need to be provided by Gran Canaria's tax system, as would the items. The pilot's wages will be paid by the centre, 900 credits per slave, although, in turn that is funded by the Government.
This is not to our financial loss... more populous equates to more revenue in the long run.
Therefore please accept my proposal for the 'Lameos Slave Rehabilitation Centre' for both moral, and financial sake.
Signed,
Coriko Lameos
//i'm not actually asking for any money... but a scheme like this would have to be government funded in-RP
::INCOMING ID: The Erinloch::
' Wrote:I wish to fund a slave rehabilitation centre on Gran Canaria. Releasing slaves outright would be unhealthy for them, they have been institutionalised. They would not function in a normal environment without vast amounts of help.
That sort of attitude, while seemingly enlightend, is really just condecending to a vast number of them Sir.
I've spent time with many slaves, current & former... & yes there is a percentage that are broken, but if you spend some time in their bars, talk with them, & maybe take time to meet their families, you'd realize that on the whole, they are not a class that needs, or even
wants sympathy.
Don't pity them. Meet them.
These people on the bottom rung of society are more powerful than you know, & in a very measurable sense, infinately more powerful than the richest of us.
Don't misunderstand me squire, I like you gave this some thought, & that you want to affect some change, but change it from the trenches by their side & not some ivory tower of virtue above them.
Do that, & I'll vouch for you in your membership bid to the council.
Comm ID: Coriko Lameos
Recipient: Council
' Wrote:That sort of attitude, while seemingly enlightend, is really just condecending to a vast number of them Sir.
I've spent time with many slaves, current & former... & yes there is a percentage that are broken, but if you spend some time in their bars, talk with them, & maybe take time to meet their families, you'd realize that on the whole, they are not a class that needs, or even wants sympathy.
Don't pity them. Meet them.
You are right sir, I said slaves as a generalized term, that is my mistake.
Furthermore if individuals don't want to be freed or taken on our ships then we will not purchase them.
As said previously:
Quote:Once we feel they are ready, they shall be released and assigned a job. They are now responsible for their own lives, and assides from regular checks, they would be independant.
They will be thoroughly assessed by counsellors and personnel to maintain that their best interests are upheld. If this is immediate then so be it, if they require time then it is available.
End Transmission
::INCOMING ID: The Erinloch::
Beggin' the council's indulgence, It's not many things that drive me to speak up on this channel...but this is one of them.
Mr. Lameos, please don't think for a moment that I am trying to discourage your idea. I have done many things in my life that I am not proud of, & some of those things are unforgivable no matter what I do to attone...so I completely understand your desire to find a cause that inspires you.
However, my issue stems not with your willingness to right a perceived wrong, but with how you perceive the ones being wronged.
We all know that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, & after hearing your proposal, I am forced to ask myself if you are yourself willing to walk along that road to its destenation alongside the very people you wish to 'rehabilitate'
Before flying through New York to show them the center of Sirius, consider flying with me on the exact same route, & I'll show you something completely different.
::Riley out::
Comm ID: Coriko Lameos
Recipient: Council
I'm afraid I do not understand your point sir.
I am happy to fly with you, I'm available right now if possible. If not then please inform of a time when you shall be, and what vessel callsign you have. I'm currently in a ship registered as
[tg]Export.Officer
end transmission
Incoming transmission from FP 9, Omicron Theta...
Sender ID: Captain Elias Elonen...
Greetings Fellow Zoners and Council Members
I would like to submit a question for your perusal.
Two days ago I was hauling a batch of plutonium to Lanzerote. Just as I jumped into Omega-52, two Coalition fighters abruptly ordered me to halt and state my business. I told them that I had acquired permission to fly in Coalition space through the proper channels. They eventually found the paperwork concerning my permit and allowed me to proceed to Lanzerote. However, they asked me to sell 400 units of plutonium on Cape Verde before I jumped. The Reckless was escorted to Cape Verde and I was compelled to part with some of my cargo. Evidently the Coalition must have a steady supply of their own plutonium somewhere, because the selling price of plutonium was rather anemic.
On an unrelated note, their station merchant was rather surly and reeked of old Stolichnaya and borscht.
Does the Council have any comments on this matter? I would have preferred that Zoners would have received a full shipment of plutonium. The merchant on Lanzerote was not particularly pleased but seemed to calm down a bit after I explained to him that -400 units is much better outcome than -4993. If the Council deems that the Coalition policy is acceptable, I will be giving O-52 a wide berth.
Elonen out.
from: Sanctimony, cpt. Richard Bach
to: the council
"now that is a funny thing indeed. when i asked for permission to pass o-52, i initially offered the coalition a regular payment for using this route as is the custom. as authorized by freeport 11, i offered 5% or 10% of the cargos profit - i believe to remember - but in the message concerning my access to 52, i was told that no payment was necessary whatsoever.
so to me it was said that i would be allowed to pass o-52 unescorted and without military or para-military support, but no "share" would be required.
either they have changed their general policy - or they have changed their mind, which would be strange for such a large military organization to change their mind in such a short time.
now the sanctimony is currently not in service due to maintenance for another 3 or 4 weeks, but the news of the coalition "asking" for a share is really weired, since it was denied by principle that they d take any share for the passage, even when it was offered.
Richard Bach, Captain of the tradeship Sanctimony"
Comm ID: Malamused.
Well, it would appear that our neighbors the Coalition is approaching the matter of traffic through its home on a case-by-case basis.
I would advise those Zoners who have a need to enter Omega 52 to negoitiate their best deal, rather than expect this Council to support, vet, and be responsible for, individual Zoner traders.
This Council at present does not have a blanket position on "donations" to the Coalition during passage thru its space. I will tell you that the Coalition donated last year to the Harvest Festival Fund here on Canaria; and were assured docking rights for a year in return. They have also been generous to the Church of Eris Esoteric in the past.
Who knows.. perhaps in future Cape Fear and the Coalition will discover or develop commodities to exchange for that plutonium. Until that time, I suggest we all respect and adapt to our neighbors' wishes in whatever way we can as factions and individuals.
In other business, I have a specific question for Brother Lameos, who appears to be moving ahead with his little "Rehab Farm".
What will become of these slaves, once rehabilitiated, sir? Will you put them in CSV's to mine niobium? Will they replace our robotic deuterium miners, shortening their lives significantly in the process? Will they end up standing in soup kitchen lines, because there is very little else to employ them on Canaria other than digging beets and turnips, or sculpting dung?
My approval of your request to set up your facility on Gran Canaria will depend on your answer, sir.
Comm ID: Coriko Lameos
Recipient: Council
Greetings council members,
In answer to this very relevant qestion:
Quote:In other business, I have a specific question for Brother Lameos, who appears to be moving ahead with his little "Rehab Farm".
What will become of these slaves, once rehabilitiated, sir? Will you put them in CSV's to mine niobium? Will they replace our robotic deuterium miners, shortening their lives significantly in the process? Will they end up standing in soup kitchen lines, because there is very little else to employ them on Canaria other than digging beets and turnips, or sculpting dung?
My approval of your request to set up your facility on Gran Canaria will depend on your answer, sir.
A small facility is setup and ready to help few of those in need, this is a converted large portion of my property. This is not currently running, as we have not received licensure to transport slaves. Although responses from the various House lawfuls involved are positive. Should these licenses be provided before the proposed centre is approved or built then at least there would be some support to take those being exploited out of slavery as soon as possible. Likewise, that is why the Ships are, or are being, setup now. Currently these are distributing leaflets, with information about our intentions and operations, facts about slavery, and also a quiz. They are also receiving donations, and giving mystery prizes to those that donate a substantial amount. Slavery is currently a closely guarded secret, with little public knowledge about the extent of this. We hope with their support, more negativity will be directed towards slavers, therefore culture itself would support our cause.
Anyhow, onto your question:
As stated before, once deemed to be stable and skilled enough, although we could and would not force them to be part of this scheme, those freed and rehabilitated would be assigned a job. I have not mentioned the exact location of these placements, as they are various. They would be put where needed, for their benefit, their employers, and the Zoners in general. I agree that few jobs are available in Omega 49 due to our self supporting economy and eco-system.
They would neither be forced neither to accept, or keep that job. We would also have little control over where they went, as said, for the most part they would be independant. However, if they decline our placement they will have to make their own arrangements, once declared independant they would no longer receive ANY government funding either. Therefore, if they wish to stay on Gran Canaria, and cannot get a job, they will be forced to starve or go elsewhere.
This may seem harsh, but it would encourage both emmigration of these persons, and discourage unemployment.
I don't suggest they stay in Omega 49, or even in Zoner space. For example, Borderworld exports is on a recruitment drive right now, as is the Bretonian Police and Armed Forces. These are only a few examples from only one of the House systems.
As we are helping prevent their Slavery issues, particularly Liberty's a minute portion of standard tax would be passed to us, as less slaves=less slave traders, which means that forces can be better utilised to protect civilians, rather than halting smugglers. In protecting these civilians, more goods are successfully transported. We are also taking away unskilled, and returning skilled workers, therefore they have increased their revenue and number of tax payers. Add to this generous donators, who agree with, and want to support our cause. This scheme would be self-funding, if not slightly profitable in the long run, as said before.
I hope this has belayed your concerns, and answered your question sufficiently.
regards,
Lameos
Comm ID: Lucky LeRoux
Recipient: Council
Greetings All!
As a new member I'm catching up on the Affairs of the Zoner Council, and in particular what catches my eye is the recent proposal by Brother Lameos for a program to re-habilitate slaves by purchasing them from Texas and processing them through Gran Canaria.
Now, my old heart says that this is a fine idea 'cos I for one am dead against slavery. I think it's great that Brother Lameos has taken the time to think through the details of his plan.
However, when I put my hard, market trader Zoner head on and think about this proposal, an alarming vision emerges. What's being proposed is to buy and release slaves into the community, but think....this in turn creates and inflates the slave market by the simple law of supply and demand. As soon as the slavers (and they ain't stupid) realise that Zoners are actively buying slaves they will naturally enslave more poor boogers to feed the demand, and not only that, the slavers prices for this "commodity" will escalate.
Therefore I fear that all that will happen is that we will be inflating profits for slavers whilst simultaneously increasing the size of the slave market. Not Good.
But I don't want to seem all negative here and Brother Lameos, as a reformed character, obviously has a mission. So I'll try some more positive thoughts... It seems to me that slavery will never be defeated without the support of the major Houses, so how about using the extensive Zoner diplomatic network to try and persuade the Houses to strictly enforce a ban on Slavery? And maybe instead of buying slaves...just go ahead and release them through brute force? (but this option may not be for the Zoners)
In conclusion, in my view, the best way to end slavery is to destroy the market, not feed it by trading these poor souls through Gran Canaria.
Well, that's my 2 credits worth. Maybe some food for thought.
Best regards to Zoners everywhere.
Psst!... Need any cheap gear?... Just let me know!
Lucky