Kusari news: KIP Press conference, Planet Kurile

[Kusari Integrity Party]

An elderly Kusari man strides toward a podium lined with microphones. It is Itsuki Sato, a prominent member of the Kusari Integrity Party (if one can be prominent in such a party) from Planet Kurile. He reaches the podium and begins his press conference.

"Recently, our most honorable Prime Minister held a press conference upon our lovely capital planet. The topic was about a station in the planet's orbit. All well and good I suppose. I certainly support ensuring the safety of our capital."

"That being said, have you realized how much time Parliament has spent debating this? How many man hours the Prime Minister's people have looked into options? How much effort the Ministry of Defense has spent? Let me assure you, it has been quite a lot."

"So I ask to you, Shimura Yokitara, why have you wasted our time on this? Our state has serious issues that need dealt with. The University of Planet Kurile is horribly underfunded. Our military is in a sorry state, unable to protect our important borderworlds. Fair Tau-29, as you big city people call it, or Ishigaki as it is known to the locals, is constantly plagued by Outcasts and Zoner hooligans. Why do you persecute the Hogosha in our most secure system when there are myriads of other threats in the others?"

"But most importantly, how can our House continue if we fall behind in important domestic areas. Instead of debating licensing of a lawful organization, why are you not improving our education system? Why are you ignoring important housing concerns on Junyo and Honshu? Why are you not pushing forward to increase medical research?"

"Our House needs leadership who will consider the concerns of the masses. Even the late Emperor ensured proper funding for important programs, even if he was foolish in military affairs. So I implore you, Yokitara-san, please lead our Parliament to address such concerns instead of unimportant matters of paperwork."

"I bid you all good day."

With that, the man bowed to the assembled and strode purposefully away from the podium. He was replaced moments later by a spokesman for the party who opened up the floor for questions.

[Markus_Janus]

A man stood up and slowly made his way to the foreground, clapping while he did so.
Yukimura Manabu, leader of the Kusari Reformation Party had traveled to Kurile upon hearing this announcement was going to take place.

Another voice that calls for reason against the ineptitude of Yokitara's regime.
How often do we hear this during these troubling times?

There was a brief round of applause from the crowd, mostly KIP supporters.
This was waved down by Manabu.

Yes yes.. we all know the trouble Yokitara-san has caused, and now he even blames "those still holding on to vestiges of the old ways".

Manabu points at the camera.

It was your government Prime minister, who allowed this all to happen.
When are you going to take the blame for your own party's decisions.
Whether it was a good or bad decision, how can we trust someone that does not even have the moral fortitude to take responsibility.
Take responsibility for this, take responsibility for the riots in Kyushu, take responsibility for choosing a foreign corporation over a Kusari corporation.
Take responsibility for selling our Kusari one family at a time.

Manabu bows to the crowd and quietly walk towards the back of the hall.

---

Samura Omotai Zaibatsu.

[Zynth]

A woman stood up from the crowd, brandishing a stylus and a datapad.

"Chikuma Ishida, Colony News Service, Kusarian Corespondent."

She waited until the applause from the crowd died down after Yukimura's speech before speaking.

"May I ask what is the KIP's stance in state matters involving the current economics of Kusari? From what you say, the current government has done nothing to finance the military, education, housing and research. Is this something to do with the current economic situation? Post-war depression after the war with Bretonia? Gallic goods suppressing local markets? Or is it the current government? What does your side view as the main problem here and how do you seek to rectify these problems?

After posing a myriad of questions, she sits down and patiently waits for an answer.

---

[Trail]

A bald, gruff looking man smoking a cigarette and who doesn't quite look like a Kusari national steps up too.

"What does the Kusari Integrity Party plan to do with the underfunded and undermanned police force? You talk about Tau-29 Outcast and Zoner menace but the Outcasts have gone and usually go further then that, reaching as far as Kyushu and sometimes even our Capital system of new tokyo. Thankfully we have Itabashi to protect us there now."

He paused to hear a string of questions being asked by others.

"And does the KIP have any plans to restore our military to what it was? Maybe a draft or somesuch?"

---

[West]

A lady wearing dark clothes rose up.

How would you comentate statement of this concerned citizen?

---

[Tigger]

A few questions to the KIP, thank you.

What is the KIP position regarding the demands being made by the prime minister in regards to the Itabashi base? The BDS have informed me that his press conference is the very first communication from the government regarding the installation. As a first communique do think the demands rather harsh and/or hostile?

As the government did not disapprove of the sale, how does the KIP feel this situation is being handled by the government?

Does the KIP support moving this issue into a court rather than a press fiasco?

Last question, as a Samura representative has stated their views and the KSP has shown support for the station's stance, how does the KIP view the fact that kishiro has not come out in support of the prime minister's mandate?




On behalf of the Black Dragon Society,

Gina Kumo
Okane Financial, LLC.

---

[Gypsie]

A young man totally stretched on his chair in the front row raises a hand holding a cigarrette.

Gypsie Skripto, Editor of the No Buns No Cabbages Reports, and Temporary Autonomous Zoner. Seeing how the spokesman nodded, he clarifies. I am talking to you, Itsuki Sato, not your grunt.

After catching the original orator's attention he smiles.

Would you please explain what you mean by 'Zoner hooligans plaguing Tau 29'? Relations between the TAZ and the Kyushu people have always been more than friendly, so whose opinion do you represent by making such bold statement?

Having said that he stretches even more and takes a strong puff off his cigarrette.

---

Malaclypse Freeport

[Kusari Integrity Party]

The man from the Kusari Restoration Party had made a nice speech, ending up "Take responsibility for selling our Kusari one family at a time."

The spokesperson for the KIP immediately jumped on this, after joining in the applause. "Agreed! The majority is causing problems for everyone, why can't they just admit that?"

Chikuma Ishida next asked some questions about the economy. The spokesperson answered, "Indeed there are many causes of the economic issues. These include the import of cheaply mined goods from underpaid, non-Kusari miners within the Tau systems. In addition, brave Kusari are losing jobs to our numerous fuel imports. As a result, the KIP believe the best solution is a tax on all metals mined by non-Kusari registered parties within the state for tax purposes which pass through our borders. In addition, we should have a high tariff on fuel imports. Thirdly, we must close the tax loops concerning the so-called Zoner populace."

"These steps will not stop all trouble, but combined with smarter economic policies, it should solve most funding issues."

The smoking man without hair asked some additional questions.

"Indeed, both our police and military are underpowered and underfunded. I believe we should take the steps mentioned previously, and combine it with additional tax incentives for employers to hire additional workers to work on ship building. I hear Yokohama, Yukawa, and Kure are all at full capacity, so perhaps something could be done to help them expand operations. In addition, I believe an expansion of housing on Junyo and Honshu would allow for more fighters to be built."

"Beyond that, with additional funds, it is simply a matter of increasing budget while allowing for additional oversight in case one of the organizations is wasting money. I am not sure we need a draft at this point, but I also do not feel the KIP would vote against such a measure if one of our honorable fellow parties were to introduce such legislation."

"Any further questions?"

[Kusari Integrity Party]

A lady wearing dark clothes rose up and asked a question.

"I see there are more questions then, a busy day on Kurile!" The spokesperson said.

"But, yes, in regard to that statement, the KIP is strongly in favor of additional audits for both the KSP and KNF and their budgets. We've been having trouble getting straight answers from either department, which is of great concern to many of our representatives."

The spokesperson then moved to answer the next communication which had arrived.

"Neither of the KIP representatives had heard anything before the matter came to parliamentary vote recently. It does seem as though perhaps they should have been in contact with the Society before making such demands as, instead of wasting time not funding our future, they may have reached an easy solution."

"There are many questions being raised about why there was no oversight for this sale if indeed it was of questionable legality. It seems as though it must have been legal, or that all brances of law enforcement have dropped the ball in this matter. The KIP's official position is that it would be better to have this decided by either private arbitrators or within the Kusari courts instead of tieing up valuable parliament time."

"As to your last question, we would certainly like to hear an official Kishiro statement. Many Kishiro employees on Nago Station support our party and we know their opinions, but the opinions of employees and that of leadership is not always the same. For the record, these employees feel strongly about the need for additional security in Ishigaki, as well as increased education opportunities for children born to Kusari miners in the system."

As the spokesperson finished speaking, Gypsie Skripto had said, "I am talking to you, Itsuki Sato, not your grunt."

With that Itsuki Sato rose and again returned to the podium. "Very well, I will field your question, though as you know I am a representative from this fine planet and cannot speak for our supporters in the Barrer, but I will surely do my best."

"While the group called TAZ has never caused problems, there have been many reports of the Zoners of the so-called Freeport 6 allowing anyone to land, including known criminals, even those flying from naval patrols. Now, perhaps even the majority of Zoners are not troublemakers, but there are enough to cause issue. I would call upon the Zoners to deal with such rabble before government power must be shown. I also stand by my associate's feelings against Zoners who are abusing tax laws while living within Kusari systems."

[Gypsie]

Gyp takes notes on a sketchbook

Thank you, that will be all. I will inform both Doc Holliday and Commander Matok about your declarations.

After saying this, he stands up and leaves the room.

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Malaclypse Freeport