I would like to make it perfectly clear to everyone that the Zoner Factions, this so-called 'Zoner Alliance' did not discuss its plans with the Council of Zoners, with any delegates of the Council of Zoners, or with the current leadership of the Council of Zoners. Nor, before it's dissolution, were these plans discussed by the SHIZL. I can not and will not condone the formation of a splinter group who's creation was made behind closed doors and dark rooms. If the factions had not been so set on conspiring their way to this position, they may have found myself and the Council of Zoners much more amenable and cooperative, but how can we be cooperative with an organization that has done its best to do the opposite? And furthermore, how can we trust such people that they will not abuse their wished authority or leadership over others in the coming months when their beginning was so conceited?
And how do we trust and respect an organization that declares that one must either be 'In the Zoner Alliance, or in the Council of Zoners, not both.' They are forcing individuals to take a side. If one wishes to be a part of this 'alliance,' they must burn all bridges and stab their old comrades in the back to do so. How can trust and respect be earned like this? What sort of judgment are we to make about an organization that operates in this manner?
When the factions resigned from the Council of Zoners, did I tell all of the members of those factions, you must leave those groups if you wish to stay on this Council? No, I fully allowed them to retain their Council status, despite the fact that they were still members of groups that had pulled its support for the Council. But this new alliance decries that all Zoners everywhere must either be with them, or against them. That does not sound anything like the democratic views we Zoners hold. It sounds like an Oligarchy, intent on controlling large amounts of people with an elite few. It sounds like a leadership that will just as soon demand respect with the barrel of a gun than with compromise and diplomacy.
This 'alliance' claims; "The Zoner Alliance will be the main responsible body managing all negotiations and trade agreements with factions and houses, outside of the alliance, which will affect all members."
This sounds mighty close to "We will make whatever decisions we feel is in our best interest, and then force these decisions on all other Zoners."
Is that not the exact type of leadership that caused us Zoners to leave the houses? We came into the Borderworlds and the Edgeworlds seeking peace and freedom from oppressive government. This is not an easy life, but it is one we've chosen as no matter how difficult, it is better than living our lives in the houses where our choices are made for us, whether we like them or not. But here I see an exact copy of that leadership style. I see someone taking what we fled from and attempting to force that on others. I see a leadership demanding respect without proving itself worthy of it. And I see a group of people trying to declare space and stations as their property, when it rightfully belongs to all Zoners equally, not those with the most power.
And I ask; What was so wrong with how things were done that an entirely new system must be made? What gives a group more authority than an equal number of individuals? Why does this 'alliance' say that it is entirely separate from the Council of Zoners and will respect its decisions on one hand, while on the other hand it's calling for its dissolution and saying that anyone who wishes to be a part of this alliance can no longer participate in the Council of Zoners? I think this is merely a smokescreen the alliance is using to attempt to get rid of its only opponent so it can claim all authority of Zoners to itself.
The alliance claims that there will be distinct groups.. The factions and the 'Zoner Union of Independents', all four being granted one vote a piece.. But what if all the factions equal a total of twenty Zoners between them all.. And the Independents number in the fourties or fifties? Than a group twice the size of the first has only a third of the decision-making capabilities. This is a very transparent method of granting the factions power over those who decide to leave the real Zoner life; As free individuals allowed to make their own choices and decide how to leave their own life, not a puppet on strings pulled by the factions.
This is nothing but a power grab by several people who would rather take over than work to fix problems. And who can then step in to fix problems made by this new government? No one, for the factions take all the power.
This 'Alliance' gives Zoners two choices. Either join, or have to fight them to remain truly free.
As Chairman of the Council of Zoners, as a Zoner, and as a free person, I can not and will not acknowledge this Alliance's authority. I will not acknowledge or abide by any of its decisions, policies, or foreign treaties. The 'Alliance' has not earned respect, it has demanded it, and I can not condone that sort of action with a clear conscience.
I call for Zoners and non-Zoners alike to realize this for what it truly is, a sham being used by the factions to put power over us in their hands.
' Wrote:From: Louisa Salome, (]c[)
To: Jefferson Richmond
Dear Mr Richmond,
the Zoner Union of Independents (ZUI) can be founded by any Zoner or any Zoner group feeling responsible and able to do this. The first public announcment containing the reference to a public registry, as well as, a short explanation regarding the political procedures should actually suffice.
Establishing link
Link established
Opening communications
Comm ID: Captain Norrington
So basically instead of working out the issues with the Council you folks are just leavin' it high and dry and makin' your own version of it?
Seems like yer just leaving a bad party to start your own without botherin' to work out why the party was bad te begin with.
Essentially seems like a less democratic Council, with the exact same issues as the last one.
This captain 'ere got nothin' against ye's but he isn't gunna help ye's out either, since you are just leavin' other Zoners high and dry.
** Target Communications Relays: Located **
** Transmitting **
*sigh, grumble* I sometimes wonder why lengthy announcements are made when nobody reads. Or listens... Depending on your system's message formatting... *cough* I digress!
In short, democracies become too weighty and inefficient when the population exceeds bureaucratic capability. Thus calls for the implementation of a republic or... Something like it. I wont make a myriad of points on a subject I don't fully understand; I will instead leave that to those whose thoughts were being formulated before I was introduced to the Alliance, but I will explain the format.
Groups have representatives. Group members say Yay. Group members say Nay. Representative tallies. Representative gives out collective Yay or Nay. Thus, the majority decision is still met, its simply faster. If 6/10 say Yes for a vote in three different parties, the Yay-Nay ratio is still 18:12 (18 Yays to 12 Nays) (Given, of course, these controls. In any case, it will carry out the same).
The only difference between this and the council when it comes to being 'democratic' is in its speed of execution. Of this, I can assure you.
Ms. Silvan's concerns about independent representation have been noted, and redirected to my peers for review.
Paddy O'Donaghue,
Captain of the OSI-Lazarus (V)
** Transmission Terminated **
=================================================
** Transmission Reestablished **
To avoid an over abundance of communiques in this channel, I'll reestablish an uplink here. This is directed to the transmission directly below this one, as operated by one "Saronsen".
*static puff*
Apparently it was a systems malfunction on Mr. Saronsen's part. Likely explaining the lack of sense behind it.
' Wrote:From: Louisa Salome, (]c[)
To: Taylor Davis
Dear Mr Davis,
if you read the announcement of Mr Nichols again, and my prior reply to Mr Richmond open mindedly you should be able to see that the Zoner factions are not trying to just destroy the current assembly of independent Zoners. We are suggesting to all independent Zoners, including the delegates of the CoZ of course, to join the ZUI and to dispatch their representative to the Alliance Commitee.
Sincerely,
Louisa
To: Mr. Nichols, CEO OSI, and Louisa Salome (and whoever else wants to read it I guess)
From: Taylor Davis
Yes, and if you read my message, it was addressed to Mr. Nichols. If I were him, I might be upset that you had opened a message clearly addressed to him. But no matter, *I'm* not upset that you opened it, I left it on an open message board after all. I would still like a response from Mr. Nichols himself, however.
And yes, I do see that you're not trying to JUST destroy the CoZ, but that is certainly part of what you and the factions are trying to do. You don't have to say it, it's obvious.
MY point and question is why this was necessary. What did the factions feel was/is so wrong with the CoZ that couldn't have been solved with discussion and tweaking from within? What made going behind the CoZ's backs and creating a separate group necessary? Answer me those for starters.
Taylor Davis
Taylor.Davis - Zoner - Osprey MkII based off Ames Research station
Dekishima-Maru - Zoner - 'Pelican' Armored Transport co-owned by Taylor Davis and Fumiko Kimura, based off Ames Research
Alex.Reed - OS&C - Firefly based off Planet Curacao
.::Incoming Transmission::. Message to : Omega Pirating Guild
Comm ID: Yev Lightwing, Shipmaster, (]c[)
Location: Freeport 15, Omicron 74
To OPG Ivan:
Let me be perfectly clear here. The Treaty of Bethlehem is Council of Zoners' affair. The Consortium takes no responsibility for treaties and contracts drafted by other parties.
It is not our business what other Zoner communities wish to do with their political power. Likewise, we are in no position to tell the Council of Zoners what to do about the current situation between them and the Corsair factions.
They are grown adults and we are not their Mammas and Papas. Naturaly, we regret about the latest turn of events in regards to the Bethlehem Treaty and will support poverty struck Hispanian communities with humanitarian aid from our faction.
As for No-Fire Zones, we will continue to enforce them as we have before on all pilots regardless of nationality, race, gender, age, sex, or religious affiliation. To quote a great leader of the Zoner people:
' Wrote:If you violate our NFZs, you die.
If you attack our ZRT Security Forces, you die.
If you touch ANY of our stuff, you die.
If you even FART in our general direction, you die.
OPG has been very supportive of our No-Fire Zones in the past and they are certainly within their right to exercise self-defense, so we hope to find no problems there.
However, we do not care if you have a Bretonian flag or a Corsair flag pasted on your rear. Freeport Security comes first and Bethlehem treaties, including anti-CoZ hatred will have to take a back seat, gentlemen.