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Recognizing the Smuggler's Alliance
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Thursday, 05 Mar 2009, 3:27 PM | Message # 1 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
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| Representative Loran was a good man in many of his endeavors, and did good works in the Senate and the Economics Council. But with respect to the Smuggler's Alliance, Mr. Loran might have been well intentioned in withdrawing the New Republic's recognition of that organization, but I remain disagreed with him (as much of the Senate was at that time). For those of you who don't recall, the Senate voted by a narrow margin several months ago to disassociate itself diplomatically with the Smuggler's Alliance, and now I believe it is time to reexamine that policy. Before I get into my reasoning, I will allow other Senators to make the case for me (as quoted from the original debate): Quote (Regarding the Smuggler's Alliance) "I believe we owe it to [the Smuggler's Alliance], to show them some support, because afterall, they did help us, and I can foresee them giving us aid yet again in our most vital need."
-Senator Ray (12/23/07) "Exar Ray is correct in the sense that the Smuggler's Alliance has been extremely beneficial to the Republic in many senses of the word... Currently the Smuggler's Alliance mostly participates in legal activities within the New Republic and do not pose much of a harm or threat to us."
-Senator Emerest (1/7/08) "... it is evident that the Republic is mostly aware of the legitimate business practices of the Smugglers Alliance, and should not be benalized for such. However, I strongly agree with the esteemed Senator Emerest, the Smugglers Alliance is beneficial for the New Republic."
-Senator Niedra (1/7/08) "Smugglers have indeed been very useful to us in the past; they can weaken hostile businesses, move materiel over sensitive borders, gather intelligence, and distract Imperial forces on costly interdiction efforts... as long as the Smuggler's Alliance is making its own efforts to respect the rule of law in Republic territory, and not standing in the way of our own counter-smuggling operations, then my administration will continue to maintain a relationship with them as Senator Emerest [h]as said."
-Chief of State Fitzgerald (2/19/08) Representative Loran was absolutely right, however, that the New Republic should not tolerate or encourage illegal activities―including smuggling―within its borders, especially activities that might undermine its commercial interests. But I do believe that he and those who voted for the measure (such as convicted war criminal Xavier Page) were too zealous in their approach. It is now the belief of the Commerce Council that it would be in the Republic's interest to return to cordial, diplomatic relations with the Smuggler's Alliance. As some of the quotes above have alluded, encouraging an allied consortium of smugglers is, in fact, the best and only practical means to restrain smuggling within New Republic space (while encouraging it in Imperial Remnant space, much to our economic benefit). Thus, while making clear to the Smuggler's Alliance that the New Republic will not allow smuggling within its borders, and will take whatsoever measures are necessary to prevent it, we can also seek assurances from the Alliance that it will use its own influence to curtail smuggling within our borders (all the while fulfilling the services that the Chief of State, quoted above, has mentioned: "... weaken[ing] hostile businesses, mov[ing] materiel over sensitive borders, gather[ing] intelligence, and distract[ing] Imperial forces on costly interdiction efforts." And so I vote in favor of recognizing the Smuggler's Alliance once again, resuming the cooperation between our factions, and granting the Commerce Council the responsibility of directly presenting and negotiating the most favorable terms with the Smuggler's Alliance in the future. Senator Cambrist, Brentaal
Chairman of the Commerce Council
Message edited by Reuke_Cambrist - Thursday, 05 Mar 2009, 3:28 PM |
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| Exar_Ray | Date: Thursday, 05 Mar 2009, 3:39 PM | Message # 2 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 353
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| As points brought up by Senator Cambrist, I vote in favor. Exar Ray
Senator of Dantooine
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| Eli_Fitzgerald | Date: Thursday, 05 Mar 2009, 11:42 PM | Message # 3 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 355
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| Likewise, Senator Cambrist has left me with little to say but to vote in favor of this resolution, just as I was opposed to Representative Loran's original proposal. I believe that I have been quoted here fairly, and I stand by my remarks as concerns this matter. Eli Fitzgerald
Chief of State
Eli Fitzgerald
Senator of Ralltiir (10 BBY—Present)
"I was elected to do some flamethrowing in the Senate. To a light a fire under those Senators and make it hot for them."
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| DannilBoVar | Date: Friday, 06 Mar 2009, 12:54 PM | Message # 4 |
 Major
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| "A queston if I may esteemed Chairman Cambrist of the Commerce Council. Will these sole negotiations and presentations being conducted by you be within an open forum where the entirety of the Senate will be aware as to the Commerce Councils current functions; or am I to assume that you will take the brunt of the labour and speak with the Smugglers Alliance alone? Such a burden is not something that I would wish to put on any one Senator within these halls, much less the esteemed Senator from Brentaal."
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Dannil Bo'Var
Representative
InterGalactic Mining Core and Subsidiaries
Message edited by DannilBoVar - Friday, 06 Mar 2009, 12:55 PM |
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Friday, 06 Mar 2009, 12:58 PM | Message # 5 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| I thank the Representative's concern, and I assure him that all proceedings that he's mentioned will be conducted by the Commerce Council in an open manner, and that all decisions will be entirely public, yes. But for the most part, this bill represents a change back to the way things were before Mr. Loran's motion last year, and it is a change which I believe is long overdue. Senator Cambrist, Brentaal
Chairman of the Commerce Council
Message edited by Reuke_Cambrist - Friday, 06 Mar 2009, 1:00 PM |
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| DannilBoVar | Date: Tuesday, 10 Mar 2009, 1:36 PM | Message # 6 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 84
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| "I thank the Senator for answering my question to the fullest"
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Dannil Bo'Var
Representative
InterGalactic Mining Core and Subsidiaries
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| Jory_Carson | Date: Tuesday, 10 Mar 2009, 8:59 PM | Message # 7 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 317
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| “I would question the moral obligation the New Republic has to its citizens to prove that we understand the difference between right and wrong; and we all know that at the very core smugglers are, by nature, criminals. Now, before I get ostracized for my bluntness let me state that I do understand that people like former Generals Han Solo and Lando Calrissian were once thought criminals as well, but let us face the facts, we were all criminals at that time. “Fellow Senators, we are not simply posing as a legitimate Government, we are a legitimate Government. We cannot, I repeat, simply cannot risk breaking down the law just to grant ourselves a few perks which our more than capable Military has the ability to accomplish with just as much impunity and far less burden on our already taxed economical status. “Understand that I mean to make a clear definition between support and recognition. As our Chief Of State made mention in his earlier statements regarding this issue, if I may quote, ‘as long as the Smuggler's Alliance is making its own efforts to respect the rule of law in Republic territory, and not standing in the way of our own counter-smuggling operations, then my administration will continue to maintain a relationship with them’. And rightly said. We may benefit from their involvement against the Remnant, but similarly we will suffer from that same involvement. “For that reason I will not allow them to operate within New Republic space illegally without repercussions just because they are 'recognized’ within the Senate. Sadly I was unable to attend to vote last time but I stood behind Loran then and I do now. I remain opposed to this measure.”
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| DannilBoVar | Date: Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, 10:34 AM | Message # 8 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 84
Status: Offline
| "The InterGalactic Mining Core cannot in good conscious vote to recognize the Smugglers Alliance as any form (being it Guild, Representation etc.) within the New Republic. Similarly, the InterGalactic Mining Core can not on good faith, turn away such a reputed and venerable organization as the Smugglers Alliance, who aided and helped us through our more turbulent years. Therefore, respectfully, the InterGalactic Mining Core abstains from this vote. Thank you."
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Dannil Bo'Var
Representative
InterGalactic Mining Core and Subsidiaries
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| Cul-utaanForte | Date: Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, 7:09 PM | Message # 9 |
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Colonel
Group: Users
Messages: 150
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| This is outrageous. Senator Carson speaks the true on this subject than anyone in this hall. We ARE the galactic government now, not a group of rebels fighting such... and we must act as such. Just because we have risen to power doesn't mean we can allow lawlessness and anarchy sweep the galaxy, just because we have risen to power doesn't mean the law will be shattered, just because we have risen to power doesn't mean we are incapable of enforcing the law. Yes, smugglers helped us get here, and I thank them for that, I honestly do. But now is the time where they must conform to the law of the galaxy, and become legitimate businessmen...just as we have become a legitimate government. I believe we have forgotten that. If the Smuggler's Alliance wishes to transform itself into a legitimate shipping business, let them... give them as many contracts as you possibly can... but if they are to remain a group a smugglers, they are to be treated as nothing more and dealt with as the rest of their peers. You, Senator Cambrist, I am shocked such legislation would come from you. A man who just ranted about how we must uphold the law...how we must honor the Common Charter... then turns face and proposes we give a full pardon past, present, and future to a group of smugglers? And you Chief Fitzgerald, you are supposed to be our leader... someone who can determine right and wrong, and can ensure we act as a legitimate government... and you destroy that. I echo the words of Senator Carson...we are not simply posing as a legitimate Government, we are a legitimate Government. We had enough Senators that knew this is the mindset we must have the first time this came to a vote...Senator Fowlkes in fast was the first to bring forth the arguement Senator Carson and myself have, granted in not such eloquent fashion. Even the Undersecretary General himself, admitted that the time has come to act as a government, not a rebel movement, and voted in favor for this very bill Senator Cambrist is attempting to repeal. I am shocked however, that Representative Bo'Var is not reinforcing his previous sentiments on the issue, which was, and I quote... Quote "I must agree with Representative Loran that we can not allow an illegitimate group to have the safety of the Republics protection as a legitimate business. Especially with illegal activity." -Represenative Bo'Var (12/27/07) Needless to say, I vote Against this measure.
General Cul'utaan'forte
Forte's Legion
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| DannilBoVar | Date: Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, 7:38 PM | Message # 10 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 84
Status: Offline
| "The argument made by Former Representative Loran was irrefutable in accordance to logic and with which the argument was stipulated. However, while the argument holds true, I will reaffirm my standing that I can not in good consciousness turn my back on an organization that helped the New Republic survive. You can be shocked if you would like Senator, but to put it simply--don't poke the wolf when he's saving you from the bear. I reaffirm our abstention from the vote."
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Dannil Bo'Var
Representative
InterGalactic Mining Core and Subsidiaries
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Friday, 13 Mar 2009, 10:28 AM | Message # 11 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| Senator Forte, nowhere in the smarmy tripe that were your remarks did you say anything approximating a correct or rational thought, just as nowhere in this bill does it encourage illegality within our borders. This is not a sentimental measure; the Smuggler's Alliance must and will understand that where it breaks our laws, it will be punished by our laws. This is a measure that will manifestly reduce smuggling in the New Republic, and increase it in the Remnant, much to our commercial (and military) benefit. I will not bother to refute the rest of your rant, Forte, because I am the bigger man and my bill speaks for itself. Suffice to say, do understand the bill you are denouncing before you mar it with your spittle, and if you cannot understand it then abstain. Senator Cambrist, Brentaal
Chairman of the Commerce Council
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| Eli_Fitzgerald | Date: Friday, 13 Mar 2009, 6:56 PM | Message # 12 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 355
Status: Offline
| Since quoting each other is apparently fashionable for this debate, I will quote myself as well: Quote (Remarks on the Original Smuggling Bill) "Of course, smuggling is a crime and there are those among their ranks who bring a particularly bad name to the profession. But while I understand Mr. Loran's motivations, I can't wholly agree with this resolution for all of the reasons that have already been stated, and also because I think there are less drastic ways of expressing our displeasure with the Smuggler's Alliance.
Smugglers have indeed been very useful to us in the past; they can weaken hostile businesses, move materiel over sensitive borders, gather intelligence, and distract Imperial forces on costly interdiction efforts. The Representative is right that smugglers can pose a threat to our own economy as well, but as long as the Smuggler's Alliance is making its own efforts to respect the rule of law in Republic territory, and not standing in the way of our own counter-smuggling operations, then my administration will continue to maintain a relationship with them as Senator Emerest as said." Eli Fitzgerald (2/19/2008) I had my reservations at that time about the Loran resolution, and I stand by those remarks. Senator Forte, please don't suggest that I have "destroyed" the New Republic as we know it because I support diplomatic relations with the Smuggler's Alliance. Senator Cambrist happens to be right (and he quoted me correctly in this matter) insofar as the Republic will remain committed to enforcing the law and opposing smuggling, but we will also recognize the Alliance in its legitimate enterprises, and this measure can help us work with them to discourage smuggling within the New Republic. Since the Senate seems to have spoken its peace on the matter, I declare the vote closed. The measure passes by a margin of 3 to 2, with one abstention. Eli Fitzgerald
Chief of State
Eli Fitzgerald
Senator of Ralltiir (10 BBY—Present)
"I was elected to do some flamethrowing in the Senate. To a light a fire under those Senators and make it hot for them."
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| DannilBoVar | Date: Friday, 13 Mar 2009, 7:16 PM | Message # 13 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 84
Status: Offline
| ((Wow, good thing I didn't go with my previous vote lol. ))
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Dannil Bo'Var
Representative
InterGalactic Mining Core and Subsidiaries
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