From: Elizabeth Tate
to: trusted Freeport transmission network
"A new era is dawning, political situations changed and still change. But where do we Zoner stand in all that? - With more and more Zoners being born Zoners and not having chosen their ideals based on the unsatisfactory leadership of what some might call "civilized houses", what are our aspirations ... but also more importantly, how do we reach them.
Years ago, Zoners had employed the "Council of Zoners" - an institution that gave us Zoners a centralized, yet democratic podium of free speech and opinions capable of making serious political decisions.
With the change of Sirius, and some political situations becoming more and more hostile, Zoners were forced to form up security fleets - which provided protection, but also drew the focus of our ever vigilant neighbours on us.
during the course of the past years, we had to deal with various "hotspots", small battles in omicron-delta, omicron-theta, omega-3 and tau-37 to name but a few. all the while we sometimes managed, but also sometimes failed to back up our demands and needs as ONE.
This is - you may call it - a mailbox for all Zoners to speak their minds on the reformation of the idea of the Council of Zoners - adjusted to our modern threats and needs. The idea is to allow us Zoners to speak as one again and to find communion where there are different ideas.
Gallia is threatening from the far reaches of the western borders, various pirate groups are still rattling their sabers, houses are trying to annex our property.
there is power in standing together and in finding one voice where there are many.
<div align="right]Elizabeth Tate
postscript:
- the original Council of Zoners was an open plenum that welcomed EVERY Zoner alike.
- ever member was allowed to speak and to be heard - and even to be elected chairman
- foreign political parties were able to address the CoZ instead of the various subfactions
- the authority of the CoZ was based on all zoners, including the factions, to submit to its decisions."
//ooc:
this is mostly a feedback thread for the re-institutioning of the CoZ once 4.86 is released. - it is not meant to be a simple revival, but rather an adjustment of a centralized but voluntary plenum for all zoners, especially non-factionized zoners to gain political weight. - but also to make it easier for other factions to "address" zoners.
While I do not believe we can unite once more at current, forming security force to intervene where Zoners are at danger no matter of affilation would be much apreciated. But still we're not enough to withstand anything, possesing very limited combat capabilities as we never been into warmongering and for our own sake we shouldn't in any future. current and maybe future allies co-operation would be neccesary to secure some desolate or hotspot Freeports. And even there, that force should co-ordinate ALL Freeports to lock down docking rights for troublesome individuals rather than hunting them.
This is an interesting idea Elizabeth.
I think there are at least 2 at important points that must be discussed:
- what could be decided by the new CoZ, what would be the limits of its power?
- how would be enforced a decision of the new CoZ, what would happen if some zoners would not respect a decision of the new CoZ?
Comm ID; Lev Shestov.
Location: Bear's Cave, Freeport 14
Whoa boyo,
Liz, ya see, I think yer looking at the whole COZ with rose colored glasses. I was there which ya remember? I remember the fighting, I also remember the factions push for power was the final nail in our proverbial house of cards. I think all of us former Councilmen, and women of course, have to be truthful about what a epic failure the COZ turned out to be. All talking and fighting and very little actually getting done.
That said, part of the problem is the whole concept was flawed. Most of us Zoner types, we left the Houses so we could have control over ourselves, not to listen to so other man's word as law. I don't reckon too many of us would be ready to just jump back under someone's fist again, even if it is a Zoner fist. I know I wouldnt.
I guess my main point is there was a reason for the failure of the Council of Zoners, and we probably shouldn't be resurrecting what aught to be left dead and buried.
Lev Shestov
Nooblet\' Wrote:Living life as a Zoner? Sure, on my Eagle, Kingfisher, Conference, Fearless, Corvo, Aquilon and/or Juggernaut perhaps. Not on an Advanced Train or Zoner Whale.
' Wrote:While I do not believe we can unite once more at current, forming security force to intervene where Zoners are at danger no matter of affilation would be much apreciated.
Douglas out
Comm ID: Malaclypse, ex-Chair, CoZ
I humbly submit that the formation of "Defense Forces" under the auspices of the old Council of Zoners may very well have been the reason that the Council splintered and collapsed. The "straw that broke the camel's back", so to speak.
Many Sirians, both in the Houses, and in Hispanian Council halls, perceived this move to be "sabre-rattling" on the part of a previously peaceful Zoner community. I would caution against making the same mistake again, Brother Douglas.
Brother Shestov, at first glance, your caution and reticence seems logical; but on the gripping hand, we are facing a different set of threats, and I see no harm in "testing the waters" regarding Sister Tate's suggestions.
I will be the first to admit, as a former Chairman, that Zoners are a contentious and long-winded lot, often dancing around an issue for weeks before coming to consensus. However, I would also submit that the Council afforded common ground, and a means of reaching consensus between widely divergent Zoner groups.
However you perceive the old Council's accomplishments and decisions, or lack thereof, I compliment Sister Tate for revisiting the question. I will reserve my personal judgement on the feasibility until others have presented their views.
The Council and the Alliance after it both had their successes and their failures and both no longer exist for a reason. One of the major flaws of both the Council and the Alliance, in my eyes, was the fact that other peoples were able to treat us as one people and also viewed us as one people. Under the Council and the Alliance, while we spoke with one voice; we also were treated as one. The mistakes of the few punished the majority.
This seems to be one of the main goals of your revival of the Council; which means it will be doomed to the same fate as the previous Council. The past has proven we aren't one people, but merely many groups that share similar ideals. The Council and Alliance required members to compromise their ideals to suit the needs of others. Is that not what the house governments do?
You are correct, Ms Tate, the authority the Council and the Alliance wielded came from the willingness of people to submit to them. What happens when people begin to feel that this new Council doesn't deserve the authority it wields? Are people going to be labeled traitors for standing up for their ideals and refusing to submit; as has been the case in the past?
The past shows us that organizations of this type eventually begin taking power for themselves at the cost of those who submit to them. Who can better judge the needs of Freeport One? Some Council of Zoners made up mostly of people who don't live on or near Freeport One? Or the men and women who reside on One?
Posts: 8,060
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*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: [TAZ]Doc Holliday
Location: Planet Honshu, Honshu System
I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, since the dissolve of the CoZ and the ZA, we've seen increasing numbers of our technology being used without anyone asking for it. Also, Freeports around Sirius have become a ground for "tug-of-war" between Administrators trying to keep a peaceful existence and house space trying to lay claim to them. Freeport 1 is a good example with Bretonia claiming it as their own property. Granted, Dakun only made matters worse.
snickers and then rolls his eyes
On the other hand, we had opposing groups pressuring us to do or not to do certain things and whatever road we took, someone was going to be mad and take their anger out on a Freeport. The Treaty of Bethlehem, signed by that traitor, Aurelia DeFrance, gave more rights to Bretonia over Freeport 1. The response? The bombing of that base by some very angry Corsairs.
I remember various reports coming from Freeport 2 in Bering between the Liberty Navy and Rheinland Navy, each claiming they own Bering space and that we were harboring the others people.
No matter what we did or what we might do if another Council were to form, someone will always take exception.
I chaired both. It's a lot of work and it's very uncomfortable when you know that a decision you make will cause friction with someone that would prefer diplomacy with plasma. Right now, I don't think I'm ready for another council nor do I believe that the people I represent would support it. We have lived in relative peace, our own Baffin Superhighway and Med.Force being symbols of neutrality and peace.
Maybe the jurisdiction of the CoZ would need to be restricted.
What about a CoZ that would be dedicated only to the management of zoners technology requests?
>Incoming Transmission
>ID: Aksel Goldstein, Freeport Ten Security Pilot
>Location: Freeport Ten
Zoners gave me asylum when I needed it the most, certain persons taught me the way of peace, and since then I am a better man, released from the feelings that held me back in the past.
This peace and calmness are the things I cherish the most, and I'm sure that most of us feel the same way. But I do understand, even though I am not so easy on the trigger anymore, that peace needs to be protected to remain something that can actually be called "peace".
We need to stand united at all costs, to preserve the base ideal that every zoner cherishes, and if our ideals are threatened by anyone, I say let them come, I am ready.
And while in no way do I speak for the rest, consider this a word of a common Zoner.