*Senator Kruus' empassioned address to the Senate was broadcast not only on the Holonet, but in many Sector Assembies, where similar motions began to spring up.* Beings of the Senate, allow me to read a poem, composed following some recent news items. I hope it touches you, as it touches I, and
moves your heart to support the motion I will then propose.
"Stand ye calm and resolute,
Like a forest close and mute,
With folded arms and looks which are
Weapons of unvanquished war.
And if then the tyrants dare,
Let them ride among you there,
Slash, and stab, and maim and hew,
What they like, that let them do.
With folded arms and steady eyes,
And little fear, and less surprise
Look upon them as they slay
Till their rage has died away
Then they will return with shame
To the place from which they came,
And the blood thus shed will speak
In hot blushes on their cheek.
Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you-
Ye are many — they are few"
A Poem, in memoriam for the victims of the School of Hidden Wisdom Massacre.
The Portmaster of Murmann City Starport (recently emplaced after Neimoidia became the suzerain of Baltimn's starports in order to levy certain tarrifs) informed me today in writing of an atrocious massacre which has taken place on Baltimn, so far as I am aware, his account is a true and fair one, and recounts some of the most abhominable acts of irresponsible droid programming since the clone wars.
The School of Hidden Wisdom, ever a contraversial place has now been the scene of a massacre, after its automated defense system opened fire upon a crowd of idealistic youths (some as young as nine standard years) seemingly attempting to vandalise the property. All but five were systematically gunned down.
Thankfully a Jedi allegedly was on site quickly to prevent any further murders occuring, and rescued 5 individuals. The others, some 25 were killed, all were wounded or killed by turrets, and while the Jedi was attempting to disable the defense system with an ion charge (in order to enter the residence and check the beings gunned down within for suvivors) a self-destruct mechanism was activated, causing the complete obliteration of the structure, and all the beings within. From our measurements, flaming debris was spewed atleast a mile, causing massive destruction of property, and also a dozen more casualties.
This is completely irresponsible conduct on several counts:
A. Automated Defense Systems with no failsafes to prevent mass deaths/child deaths - this massacre could easily have occured to children playing in the area.
B. The question of Baltimn Law allowing such defense systems.
C. The question of Duke Cale being indictable for of Setting automated guns with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, Certain Explosives related offenses (It makes it illegal to use -- or conspire or intend to use -- any explosive substance to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, whether or not any explosion actually takes place. A person guilty of an offence under this law is liable to imprisonment for life.), and 25 counts of what can be at best described as Manslaughter by gross negligence, and at worst, outright murder.
As such, I propose the following motion.
SUBJECT OF RESOLUTION: CONDEMNATION OF THE "SCHOOL OF HIDDEN WISDOM MASSACRE" AND THE PLANETARY LAW WHICH PERMITS IT.
SUBMITTED TO: THE FULL CHAMBER OF THE SENATE
SUBMITTED BY: NEIMOIDIA
THE SENATE OF THE NEW REPUBLIC
RECOGNIZING the situation which has occured at the School of Hidden Wisdom as an atrocity.
SHOCKED that the Baltimn Legal System appears to be broadly supportive of the perpatrator of this massacre.
BELIEVING THAT justice must be served, and that Baltimn should re-evaluate the system which permits such atrocities.
1. DEPLORES the Massacre at the School of Hidden Wisdom.
2. CALLS UPON the Government and Judicial System of Baltimn to bring Duke Cale to trial for his crimes;
3. URGES that the laws which permitted this massacre to be revised with immediate effect.
4. ADMONISHES Baltimn not to attempt to protect the perpatrator of this Massacre.
5. EXHORTS that Baltimn's Diplomatic Status to be Re-Evaluated, and the New Republic evacuate its Embassy on Baltimn until the Chief of State feels the situation to be rectified.
6. DEMANDS recompense be paid to the families involved.
7. COUNSELS Baltimn to dis-affiliate itself from Duke Cale, and begins a systematic investigation into his dealings and finances.
8. WARNS Baltimn's Government to keep its house in order, to assure public safety and to observe basic rights and individual liberaties.
9. ENCOURAGES Baltimn to consider whether it is tenable for Baltimn to Join the New Republic, and if it is in the best interest and wishes of the people for Baltimn to do so.
