CNN

[Social Democratic Confederation]

OOC: It seems my old newsthread disappeared due to un-use, so I'll just start again from scratch.

 

Election Time

 

"President Aemilianus announced that he will not seek re-election this election, bringing to the ballot three new names. This will be the first election in twenty years that the incumbant has not sought re-election. Media sources are buzzing with with jive as they propell the names of their patron politicians.

 

The candidate for the Republican Progressive Party is Vipsanius Agrippa. Agrippa promises to create many councils and committees to regulate vital functions of goverment and the economy, claiming that the current operation of government is lagging and slow, and needs to be expanded to meet the needs of the populace.

 

The nominee for the United Council of Action is Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi advocates public works to ease the pressures upon the massive population of the Confederation. Everything from the subways to waterworks and electric power are on his agenda. If elected, Berlusconi's plan will have the highest spending bedget in fifty years."

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Piracy!

 

The Office of the Navy admitted today that a Confederation freighter has been sunk in the Storm Ocean, approximately 100 kilometers from the Isle of Tanasos in the Boreal Islands. Reportedly, the freighter issued a distress signal at 2:24pm two days ago after being hit by cannon fire from an unmarked vessel. The CSS Liberator repsonded to the call for help, arriving at 3:13pm.

 

Eleven sailors were killed by the pirates during the raid, 209 were rescued from the sea by the Liberator. Testimonies from those rescued confirm that the raiders stole goods from the vessel before sinking it. The Office of the Navy declined to comment on who or where the raiders came from, saying that "such intel has not yet been confirmed".

 

Tarentum Command has ordered Naval Task Force #7 into the Storm Ocean with orders to protect Confederation shipping in the region. No word was given on their mission regarding piracy. Tarentum Command did mention "appropriate measures will be taken against crimes on the high seas."

 

Photo taken by the CSS Liberator of the freighter sinking after the attack.

Edited June 17, 2007 by The Social Democratic Confederat (see edit history)

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Tax Code Passes

 

Yesterday the Senate approved President Panos' tax reform bill by a vote of 68 to 56. The new tax code will take effect at the beginning of the next tax year. The new tax code is the most progressive in Confederate history, with the lowest tax bracket being 7% and the highest at 93%. Along with the new numbers and brackets, much of the legslation that allowed tax breaks for the wealthy have been repealed.

 

The new code also created a tax on corporations. Shareholders of businesses that qualify for the tax will be obliged to pay 30% of all dividends and profits to the government.

 

The sales tax has been abolished in the Confederation. President Panos noted that the sales tax "was a tax on the poor and another break for the rich. It had to go." The banning of the sales tax is expected to save middle-class citizens 12% of their income annually, and lower-class citizens are expected to save approximately 33%, while the 'bourgeoise' can be expected to save less than 1%.

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Military Called Up

 

President Panos issued an order calling for 75% more soldiers to be required to retrain in this trimester's* annual training period. The President declined to comment on why the surplus of troops were being called up, but he did note that the military was not being mobilized.

 

Tarentum Command also declined to comment on the order, but suggested that a portion of the military may be called to duty in a foreign theater. No word was given on where or why the military may be deployed, but analysts predict that the recent piracy issue in the north may be a factor.

 

*The military divides the year into three, four month "trimesters" in which conscript soldiers are called into service and take turns training and re-training. This was a measure to cut down on the cost of maintaining troops readiness.

 

A soldier pratices on the firing range in the desolate northern province of Tripolas.

 

Elite Alpha Corps soldiers practice urban combat near the coast.

 

21st Armd. Cav. Divison trains in the snowy peaks in the East.

 

Soldiers train to deal with a chemical attack.

Edited June 17, 2007 by The Social Democratic Confederat (see edit history)

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Aemilianus Renounced

 

President Panos released a public statment, yesterday, denouncing former President Radomir Aemilianus as a murderer and warmongerer. Panos released the "Tarragat Papers", a detailed investigation by Tarentum Command into a secret military adventure in the south, to the press. The papers highlight the use of illegal weapons of war against Tagmatine soldiers, dropped from unmarked aircraft, another violation of war laws.

 

Panos continued outting Aemilianus and the United Council of Action by releasing documents indicating the rigging of provincial elections, theft from opposing parties and threats against other candidates in local election around the nation. While neither Aemilianus nor the UCA has officially been charge with any crimes, President Panos promises that the "criminals will be shown justice."

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Tanasos in Disarray

 

Several days ago the isle nation of Tanasos fell into civil war when leftist revolutionaries revolted against the oppressive government in Volos. Just what is happening on the island is unclear, but the government reports that the first few days have been successful for the rebels, siezing the city and surrounding area while routing the government troops stationed in a base near by.

 

Panos promised support for the rebels earlier today, offering vehicles, arms, uniforms, food and money for the revolution. Also, he authorized the Navy to lauch air strikes on the capital. Panos made it clear that civilian life is an utmost concern and that targets will not be factories, rather government buildings and military bases on the northern sector of the now war-torn island.

 

Panos declined to comment on whether or not Confederate soldiers were going to be sent to Tanasos, but he did mention that the Confederation would be closely watching the progress of the conflict.

 

Government buildings in the Tanasi capital are hit by cruise missiles, launched from Confederation ships in the area.

 

 

 

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Excerpt from Mike Donnigin's Radio Talk Show

 

"...The depsotism mentioned something the other day about how SDC involvment in the Tanasi revolution pairs with Aemilianus' Tarragat adventure. This is bull, people. What we're doing in Tanasos is nothing like Tarragat. Panos announced his position and the committment of a few missiles and old tanks to the cause of freedom (one that still evades certain narrow minds); while Aemilianus kept Tarragat a secret from the public, used illegal weapons and then ruined relations with the Imperium. Panos' support was probably asked for by the rebels, anyway. Tarragat was intruded on.

 

Sayin' that, lemme read this off the transcript, "...actions speak louder than words. The regime may have changed in the SDC, but the country?s egotistical self belief in its right involve itself in the affairs of other countries as, and when, it so chooses has not." This mewling of face-painted neanderthals just shows how little the despotism understands civilized, modern government.

 

Once again, and as always, the situation is much more complex than what is displayed on the surface. The despotism still fails to understand this nuance about the modern era. Still politically trapped in the middle ages, the despotism is comparable to early christians. Someone wrote "Ignorance is strength", seems reasonaable to assume he was Akiiryan..."

 

 

OOC: No disrespect to Orwell meant in that, but seems like Akkiryu and Oceania seem to be peas in a pod

Edited June 21, 2007 by Social Democratic Confederation (see edit history)

[Akiiryu]

OOC: None taken...note, though, that was not the official gov't position, but rather than of a reporter.

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Southern Fleet Activated

 

Responding to the Renposa threat of war against the People's Republic of Red Iberic Workers, President Panos ordered the Southern Fleet to activate and deploy to the area soon. The Southern Fleet, stationed at the Miirosi-Confederate Sister Island, is expected to be deployed to the area within ten days.

 

The Defense Department assures that the issue will be handled cautiously, and that every member of the military hopes the issue can be resolved peacefully and bloodlessly. However, the Defense Secretary swore that the Confederation would not "pussy-foot around such aggressive acts..." also noting that "the attack on Renposan oil hes not been truely linked to the People's Republic. Rather... our experts believe that the attack was done by Renposan secret services... as a means to justify a war based on ideology..."

 

 

 

 

 

 

This could be you, it doesn't have to...

Edited June 22, 2007 by Social Democratic Confederation (see edit history)

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Waves of posters encouraging citizens to support the Iberic Republic and the Confederation have popped up all over the Confederation.

 

 

 

[Social Democratic Confederation]

War-Economy?

 

Panos' order for certain industries to prepare for war-uses comes into full-swing this week as many factories are expected to be ready to produce war materials by Friday. The Senate authorized President Panos to sign contracts with these respective companies, buying out their production for the military. Economic analysts are predicting a moderate boom in the economy as demand for raw materials, labor and final products will boom as production commences. The expenditures of government savings will cause a bout of inflation that economists believe will cause other booms in different sectors of the economy.

 

Replacement parts, fuels, ammunition, small arms and many other supplies are signed under the contract Panos will present to his war-industries as the conflict with Renposa seems to have no end in sight.

 

Panos did remark that patriotism at home is growing and many thousands have signed up for active duty in all branches. The growth in enlisted men, he said, is one of the reasons the SDC will need these industries focused on our, and our allies protection.

 

Panos extended his order to begin war-modeling the economy to several other other companies while increasing his level of control over those industries already under his influence. Some special interest groups are questioning whether or not Panos is planning to prepare the Confederation for military action further abroad. Panos claims that the expansion of the military and military-industiral complex is only a response to the situation in the South. Panos went on to say "we don't know how long this may last, or if we'll be needing to occupy Renposa. But one thing is certain, we will need to be ready."

Edited July 4, 2007 by Social Democratic Confederation (see edit history)

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Votes Tabulated

 

 

The last confirmation of votes from several provinces were accounted last night, officially naming Vi Nevena as the President elect of the Confederation. Ms. Nevena will take office in a month, replacing President Traian as the chief executive.

 

Ms. Nevena won the campaign against both President Traian and Mr. Baltran, a political exile from Suverina. Nevena won 78% of the vote, to Traian's 14%. Nevena promised to uphold the principles of CoSoc with dignity and honor, while creating an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation between the Confederation and the region. Nevena was a high-ranking member of the former SDP, being considered by her peers as "very influencial" in the formation of the philosophy's ideals.

 

Ms. Nevena is seen here in the United States. She was a prominent member of the party before it's dissolution.

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Space Station Completed

 

The Confederate Space Station, Aeolas, was completed late last week as the shuttle crew tightened the last nuts and bolts. The station was powered-up last Saturday, communicating for the first time via its onboard trasmitter. The crew sent an "Ok" to Tarentum Command, reporting the station was in fine condition.

 

Aeolas is a multi-faceted station, designed for atmospheric and geological observations, zero-gravity and 'well-below-zero' temperature physics, and lunar stundies, while serving as a docking station for multiple missions at once. Housing upto 50 cosmonaughts at one time, Aeolas promises to be a leading scientific installation for decades to come.

 

Aeolas

Edited November 25, 2007 by Social Democratic Confederation (see edit history)

[Social Democratic Confederation]

Good Realtions

 

Following the elections in the Commonwealth of Poliskar and rather sudden recession in the Polish economy, the Confederacy opened relations with Poliskar. Offering economic assistance and the establishment of embassies to Poliskar, President Navena says that good relations with Poliskar will lead to an eventual ally in the new socialist country, and a better world-standing for both nations.

 

The agreement of two million Dnar monthly, Navena says, is not a significant enough contribution from the Confederation to be even noticable to Confederate citizens, and that the building materials to be given to Poliskar will be incorporated into the budget of the Department of Urban Development and Housing. "Overall, the total cost of the aid to Poliskar will cost this country no more than five-hundred billion Dnar. Spread out over several years, the incurring debt from the assistance will be most likely paid off before the treaty is even completed, given the Syndicate tax is increased by 1.33%." notes government economist, Vol Incim.

 

Polls taken by CNN News indicate that 55% of Confederates believe the aid package is a good idea, while 11% believe the package should be recinded, and 34% expressed no displeasure with the foreign aid.

 

Election Time

 

This year is the last year in the election cycle, meaning that this December will be the month that Confederates from every province will go to the voting booth and cast their ballots.

 

Ms. Navena has promised that she will not seek reelection, saying that four terms in office has been enough, and that it is time for another to take the reigns of government and lead the Confederacy forward as a strong nation devoted to the emancipation of all people. Navena's withdrawl opened the race to SDP candidates Pontius Cato and Draco Ionnas, the current Senate Consul. Catalin Margh has stepped forward as the Federalist Party candidate.

 

Cato and Ionnas have begun their campaigns in Tarentum, both claiming they will uphold the doctrine of CoSoc and continue Navena's legacy. While in Thermon, Margh promised to acknowledge provincial rights, reduce syndicate taxes and moderate the Confederacy by eliminating some of the programs imposed by CoSoc.

 

Ionnas is seen as the favorite to win the election in December, as a majority of the National Mass Organizations have pledged their support for Ionnas who has eighteen years in the Senate.

 

President Vi Navena

 

Draco Ionnas, Senate Consul

Edited April 16, 2008 by Social Democratic Confederation (see edit history)