|
Post by karlsie on Sept 9, 2009 2:15:36 GMT -5
Before i start this thread, i'd like to explain a few things about it. The premise for this production actually has an outline and a plot. I first conceived of the idea several years ago when a fellow writer challenged me to come up with a modern day "mouse that roared" type story. I filled in the synopsis in a very short time, but never developed the characters. They were all complex, nearly all foreign. For anyone who would like to take on this challenge and become one or more of the characters, if this thread begins developing into a script, i would be more than happy to collaborate. It doesn't have to develop rapidly. It could be an ongoing project woven in between others. The curious thing about it, as you will see by the introduction, is that my outline, written several years ago and seemingly a complete fantasy then, is alarmingly close to the political atmosphere now.
For this futuristic scenario, i visualize the breaking up of countries into different boundaries, with new alliances, following a period of unrest due to ten years of economic collapse. I've intentionally left many of these boundaries vague. as i'd like to see how the characters representing the different demographic areas perceive handling their future.
|
|
|
Post by karlsie on Sept 9, 2009 2:42:54 GMT -5
The year is 2036. The United States has been dissolved, following a ten year global economic depression. It breaks into seven large city-states, and several smaller ones, each forming their own Constitutions and alliances. Alaska and Hawaii have become their own countries. Hawaii has formed an alliance with Japan, and Alaska with Canada and Iceland. The oil industry collapsed after a Universal decision issued in 2019 declared it no longer a viable resource for the measurement of wealth. What's left on each particular economic table is sustainable foods and water. During the third democratic hearing of the Congressional Counsel of Global Unity, Greenland causes an uproar when it agrees to form a pact with the Northern Alliance. Effectively, this agreement meant a monopoly on the world's water supply, with only Siberia and the Scandinavian countries holding back from the Arctic Circle moratorium. The duly appointed majority leader, President Ting of China, frantically tries to establish order.
|
|
|
Post by president Ting on Sept 9, 2009 14:06:31 GMT -5
Order! May I please have order! Congressman Vanderweerd, your collaboration with Aqualung Recovery gravely jeopardizes the well being of a number of countries. They cannot afford a rate increase of two percent per barrel. I represent a population of four billion people. We have rationed our water as much as humanly possible. Your alliance is in direct violation of the global welfare act and defies the spirit of this legislation. Water should be for the people, not for profit. I ask that you take our position seriously into consideration.
|
|
klaus Vandeweerd
New Member
The irresponsible shall not fasten their hopes on the responsible
Posts: 13
|
Post by klaus Vandeweerd on Sept 9, 2009 14:37:23 GMT -5
President Ting, with all due respect, may I remind you that the Socialized Republic of Indo-China promised more than ten years ago at the Crisis Committee Review to shrink their population by fourteen percent before the 2032 summit. Your Nation has not done this. Instead, the population has risen two percent in that time period. As you have violated an International Treaty, we have no choice but to penalize you; a two percent increase in cost for a two percent increase in population.
Furthermore, we caught two floating processors from the Eastern America Federalist Republic siphoning glacial waters within the ten mile square boundary of our water recovery system. We will tolerate no more trespasses of International boundaries. We will allow no more thefts within the jurisdiction of our territory. Any more violations will be considered an act of war.
|
|
|
Post by president Ting on Sept 9, 2009 17:42:15 GMT -5
Congressman Vanderweerd, since you are so knowledgeable of out Nation's history, I'm sure you also know that we conducted a rigorous campaign, investing countless millions into media advertising for birth control, contraceptive measures and legalized abortions. If the League of Humanitarian Rights had not stepped in when we began executing the worst of our criminal population, and sterilizing some of the troublesome elements of society,we would have reached our goal in the projected time. Our hands have been bound. Every extreme measured we've used has been sanctioned. We can't go against the will of the people, which is to choose the size of their families.
|
|
|
Post by President Troyal Barker on Sept 10, 2009 3:14:59 GMT -5
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Troyal Barker and I'm President of the Confederate States of America. As I'm sure you know, my southern states have formed an alliance with the Mexican Government in operation Western World Energy Conservation. We feel it's a positive thing, and we've consistently reported increases in renewable energy. We've actually gone down in our price since 2020 and that's been consistent. I myself talked with the Mexican President a Mister Hosea Guevera Hernandez. I can barely say his name but we've become blood brothers in the just time we've spent together.
Anyway I don't mean to ramble on but sometimes I do. The point I'm making is that now here in the year 2036 we are entering a new age of what I like to call desperation. What started off as a crises of economy in just a few nations has gradually spread like the AIDS virus to all the nations of the world. We are in desperate times, and it's just sort of human nature to become defensive.
And you know I've been thinking about the water issue for quite a time now. It seems to me that almost every nation represented here tonight has given of themselves, their resources and their efforts. I mean we got Germany and their contributions to the automotive industry, the electric car division they opened. We got Switzerland contributing a lot in chemical research and new pharmaceuticals. We got Italy, China...we got a lot of countries that are carrying their load.
Then again, we got countries on the very bottom and they need our help. Russia's pretty much on the verge of collapse. Africa's been hit very badly. So what are we doing to help them? I know that Russia contributed a great deal to the oil age in the 20th century, and so did Texas. See, me, I'm a big believer in karma. What you put into things, you eventually reap the fruitage of that labor.
What I don't understand about the Northern Alliance is why they seem to be holding the earth's water supply hostage. Water should be a free resource, just like wind is. The Confederate States of America is the leader in renewable energy and though we charge for our technology, we would never presume to charge for the wind.
Now charging for the technology of harvesting water is one thing, but what these countries have done, this axis of greed as I like to call them, is take the world's water supply hostage. Now I'm not an eloquent man and I certainly wouldn't presume to tell anyone I'm smarter than they are. But what seems to be happening here is that the Northern Alliance are elevating their greed above the interests of the world community.
We all deserve water and I believe God gave us this natural resource to replenish us. To hold that hostage, and to try and punish the rest of the world community by restricting the population and forcing abortions? Well, that just doesn't seem right to me. Is that just me? See, I hear all of this talk about how ignoring Alaska's demands is an act of war? To me, that sounds like an act of Fascism. That's not a pretty word, but that's how a lot of us in the community feel right about now.
And they want to talk about war, well, denying us of a natural god-given resource sounds like an act of war in itself. I think a lot of nations and political leaders have been patient thus far, but if the Northern Alliance and Alaska want to try and starve our children, then I don't see what's to stop us from just taking the water ourselves.
|
|
klaus Vandeweerd
New Member
The irresponsible shall not fasten their hopes on the responsible
Posts: 13
|
Post by klaus Vandeweerd on Sept 10, 2009 4:57:18 GMT -5
Excuse me. Excuse me! To begin with, President Ting, we, the countries of the Northern Alliance are in no way responsible for the type of birth control you use or condone. You applied for and received, monies from the International Monetary Funds for the purposes of educating your flourishing populace on the reasons why they needed to lower their birth rates. Educate, Madame President, is the key word. I would hope that with a little education, any global citizen would realize the need to limit the number of offspring they have.
President Barker, let me ask you this. Where were you when we first began to prepare for this crisis? Twenty years ago, we cleaned up the most massive oil spill in history off the coast of Siberia. Who cleaned it up? Not you, President Barker. Not the Federate States of America. Not the Indo-China Nation. The Northern Alliance cleaned it up.
The water recovery process is only a small part of what we have done to conserve the world's water supply. It's vitally necessary to monitor the reserves and only those who are close to the source can judge how much can be expended. We have experts in all aspects of the recycling and water distribution process that can help each country learn how to use every last drop efficiently. We offer these services. We can't force you to accept them. But we can force all those who would violate the conditions of our treaty to stay away from our boundaries. Our conditions have been clear. Only countries that show low or no population growth receive the standard rates for potable water. Countries that show more than two percent growth will be penalized with higher rates. Not fascism, President Barker, necessity. The larger the population, the larger the need for water. Shrink the need and there will be enough water to go around.
As the appointed spokesman for the alliance, I'd like to add that these are not specific demands of Alaska. I am a representative of Iceland. These are our conditions. These are Canada's conditions. These are the conditions of the countries who rightfully own this natural resource.
|
|
|
Post by president Ting on Sept 10, 2009 22:38:55 GMT -5
Congressman Vandeweerd, the Federalist Republic as you call it, is the recognized representation of the true United States and all the powers invested in its Constitution. Just because the federal seat has been moved to New York City doesn't mean the bureau is without council. According to the documentation of lands ceded, the Federal United States still owns fifty five percent of the mass territory. The Democratic Council recognizes that the Federal Bureau has invested a great deal into the defense system and development process of its rightfully owned National reserve. The floating processors were within their rightful jurisdiction. These waters belong to the true United States.
|
|
klaus Vandeweerd
New Member
The irresponsible shall not fasten their hopes on the responsible
Posts: 13
|
Post by klaus Vandeweerd on Sept 10, 2009 22:48:17 GMT -5
The federal bureau illegally contracted the federal lands when Alaska became a part of the now dissolved United States of America. It has been declared its own country. Therefore, any contracts or ties with the former contract of the United States of America are also dissolved.
|
|
|
Post by President Troyal Barker on Sept 15, 2009 1:50:09 GMT -5
Well I believe President Stafford of West America might have something to say about that, as to Alaska's illegal secession. I believe President Stafford might go into more detail about the Alaska secession, but then again, I'm not familiar with East America's property, you understand? I am mainly concerned about The Confederate States of America and what we see as a global need to step up to the plate as it were.
We have been volunteered by many smaller nations as examples, to set the example for how countries that have broken off from the original United States are supposed to act. And we're supposed to act in junction with the rest of the world powers. And I believe the southern states, and Texas in particular, has been very cooperative with the world scene. As a matter of fact, I think I reflect the attitude that many of our world leaders have right about now. We have legitimate doubts about the Northern Alliance, and the Alaskan people, and the Icelandic people, over-stepping their authority. They may have rights to their land, but once ice melts, it becomes water, and it ceases becoming property of an exclusive nation.
The water belongs to the global community, the people, the leaders of Earth. It's not just a matter of Texas owning this or Alaska owning that. It's not about you or I anymore, it's about WE. We the people, not of the United States, but of Planet Earth. See I don't think some people quite get where we're at right now. It's not a matter of coming together for the betterment of the human species. It's about coming together for the survival of the human species.
When you're threatening the rest of the world with starvation and with famine, which is what is seems to some of us what the Northern Alliance is doing, then it's not just a matter of politics. This is the sort of issue that starts wars. This is the sort of issue that kills entire countries of people. I mean we all step up to the plate when the time comes. As a matter of fact, I believe Texas attempted to help Alaska clean up the oil spill when a lot of the community backed away from responsibility. And as I said, Texas has always tried to lead the Confederate States into a responsible age of energy. We've taken the lead in using renewable energy.
Not to get off the point though. Regardless of who Alaska belongs to, whether it's still property of the East America or of Iceland, my point is when the glaciers melt, it ceases becoming land, it ceases becoming property. I don't recall Iceland having property over fresh water. Least of all when the world needs it. So my question is when, does a country stop being responsible to the world community?
|
|
|
Post by Tobias Oyagak on Sept 15, 2009 17:46:18 GMT -5
IF THE INCORPORATED RIGHTS ARE TO BE DISPUTED, IT IS BEST TO HEAR THE VOICE OF ALASKA!
Honorable delegates, I apologize for raising my voice, but it appears we are going in a direction of little interest to this Senate Assembly. If the United States has jurisdictional interests in Alaskan watershed, it is not as agent of Fiduciary! The United States Blockade will understand, as will all delegations; the mean index of consumable water resources held and stored in the Alaskan watershed is not a petty cash account.
There are those that have spoken recently who, regrettably, do not come from areas that produce nor utilize water correctly. The Alaska Delegation over the next fifteen years has promised hundreds of millions of Decca liters to Her North American co-delegate States.
Congressman Barker, beyond the Acceptance of Texas to receive said resources, how have you prepared to receive said assets? Has the Texas delegation even began to prepare for our generosity?
The answer, of course, is no! For we of the Alaska Corporation realize that to import said quantities off our soil is a project beyond current abilities. Therefore, We of the Alaskan Delegation provide in other areas.
As a result of Alaskan corporate intervention on Texas' behalf Mr. Barker, water now flows past Cascadia and feeds your constituents a reliable flow of West Coast de-salinated water privileges.
The resources of Corporate Alaska extend beyond mere asset management of common water. Although water is a source of significant financial resources, and drives the Corporate Alaska credibility at debt, it is the Technological and Logistics Administrative Department, Mr. Barker, of Corporate Alaska on the West Coast that keep you and yours from hydration bankruptcy.
|
|
|
Post by president Ting on Sept 16, 2009 1:01:29 GMT -5
Representative Oyagak, three times your petition to annex the entire land mass into a united country has been received by the Democratic Council, and three times it has been voted against by the majority House. We cannot allow this much monopoly by you and your cohorts over the remaining water reserves. It sets a dangerous precedent for the bankrupt nations that are dependent on the Northwest Passage access. The charted agreement, under the Leningrad Convention, allows for the equal deployment of water cultivation and re-capturing systems by the nations of Canada, Russia and East America, not the Republic of Alaska. East America has the right to use this passage to reach its federal lands, which are still recognized by this assembly. Be reasonable, Representative Oyagek. With Greenland joining the Northern Alliance, you represent a ridiculously small population, controlling a vast number of resources. We can't afford to let Federal Alaska go. We will allow Eastern America every means at their disposal within the Treaty of Low Impact Environmental Land Skirmishes to defend their territory.
|
|
|
Post by President Sal Stafford on Sept 17, 2009 13:46:35 GMT -5
I don't mean to interrupt the Democratic Council, but I wanted to say something. The Democratic States of America wants to remain cordial with all parties involved with this dispute as much as possible. I want to reiterate that the cities and states we are in association with, whose views we reflect, have a strong opinion on this matter as well as a strong desire to negotiate into a peaceful arrangement.
I can't speak for the Confederate States, but I speak on behalf of the former U.S. federal government, now fully incorporated into the Democratic States Offices. We retain rights to contracts that were made, if not to state territory themselves. In 1867 the former U.S. Senate approved the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire $7.2 million dollars. In 1959 it was officially declared as the 49th state of the former United States of America. In 2018, the Unites States entity separated into 51 self-sustaining cities and states, and territories. I want to reiterate that the United States as a country disbanded, but the federal branch of the former United States is still functioning as its own organization, as property of the Democratic States of America. This office continues to exercise rights and offer judicial guidance to many of the fledgling, self-sustaining states and cities of the former United States. The rights we retain do still involve Alaska, and I believe this is what President Barker was referring to.
Throughout 2018 and 2019 we negotiated for the legal secession of Alaska. We resolved that Alaska, as all the states, had the right to become its own independent territory, or even its own nation if it was capable. However, the "release" of Alaska was conditional. President Tunney, acting President of the still functioning United States federal government, stated that it would not be in the Democratic States' best interest, nor in the interests of the global community, to have Alaska join an alliance so as to create a monopoly on any natural resource. At the time, oil was included in the release statement, but the contract clearly stated any natural resource, which could be exploited and then held as ransom in a global monopoly.
This clause was not only the prudent judgment of the United States federal government but was strongly suggested to us by the United Kingdom, and other European Nations. In fact, the cooperation of other nations in the judicious and cautious dismantling of the U.S. was dependent on this contract.
So does the federal government of the Democratic States of America have territorial rights to Alaska? No. But Alaska must give a responsible answer to the world community, and to the Democratic States. We are not challenging their right to exist or to form an alliance for financial purposes. However, holding the resources hostage is a violation of our goodwill agreement and an explicit violation of the contract made.
I want to see a peaceful resolution to this. If the Northern Alliance would cooperate with the global community I see no problem with the alliance continuing business as usual. But like the President of the South said, water is a resource that belongs to the people of earth.
|
|
|
Post by President Troyal Barker on Sept 17, 2009 14:04:39 GMT -5
Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt the council either, but I think it's only fair to address what the Ogoyan Fellow was saying. I don't want to give anyone the impression that the Confederate States of the South is ignorant as to water needs or any other survival methods. We are first and foremost Republicans of this great land and we are responsible for the land we live on. We are sons of the soil, a moniker we gladly take up, as we are the western world's top producer of agriculture, including livestock, cotton, cereal and fruit. We are also top producers of aeronautic and computer technologies and retain a strong central military with great manpower, something the Democratic States cannot say. We are united. We are still a functioning country.
But again, I'm rambling on. The point is that Texas is as prepared as any country to receive water in exchange for our resources. We do want to establish a relationship with the Northern Alliance and the Global Community. I guess you could fault us for being aggressive negotiators, but hell, I'm getting thirty, people!
The point is Texas would receive water through aqueducts, pipelines, canals and tunnels after receiving larger supplies through container shipments, tanks, tugboats. In fact, thanks to our strong military we have tugboats capable of pulling a whole iceberg, and a big old sucker of a water bag.
So let's get to it, people. Water belongs to man. What is the Northern Alliance done for us lately? I think we've all pulled our own weight. I'm sure if the Confederate States stopped offering our resources, things would get ugly. I'm sure if the East America Republic started pulling pharmaceutical drugs from the market, half the world would have a cow, so to speak.
Yeah, you mark my words. It starts like this. World Wars start when one country elevates their selfish interests over the global community. We took down Adolph Hitler back in the 20th cenutry when his little head got too big for his britches. And we consider ourselves the True United States Republic. We are not afraid, gentlemen.
|
|
|
Post by Pres. Vladimir Novogrod on Sept 17, 2009 17:30:46 GMT -5
You talk of Russia as though she does not hear you. Cannot see you. Maybe like she is not ever here. I am speaking for Russia. We are a great country. A magnanimous country. We give Alaska for foolish price of seven million dollars to Capitalistic United States out of our great generosity. Perhaps now, Alaska comes begging us to take it back, now that these Democratic States are leaching its life blood through the Chuchi Sea. We sympathize, but we can not take on the burden of resolving this conflict. Only by freeing itself from the enslavement of the bourgeois and gross corporate manifestations of entitled government will it be accepted into the fold.
We are a compassionate country. The Ozero Baykal is a beautiful lake that has been cautiously cultivated to retain water reserves and to maintain a healthy fish population. Yes, fish! You people of China, we have been kind to you. We have allowed you a percentage of our gross intake from cultivation, and have even accepted an immigration quota of five hundred new citizens a year. We will do no more nor no less than that. The needs of your people, President Ting, exceed the limit to what we are able to conscientiously produce or sell. Our first obligation is to the Reformed Socialist Republic of Russia. Our vote is to remain neutral. We will not raise the water rates, but neither will we fill your request of an extra two hundred cubic tons per trimester.
|
|