Gentlemen, I vote In Favour of this ratification, and state my support for Kalevala becoming a full member of the New Republic, in time... but I ask... What is to be done about the rest of the sector? Ruled, as it is, by Madmen, Barbarians and Brigands.

Senator Fowlkes' Amendment:

Article Six: The Government of Kalevala and Mandalorian Empire form a joint council, giving both equal access to running the Mandalore Sector as one people.

Added (21 Feb 2010, 11:43 Pm)
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Allow me to quote the Honorable Senator from the Tapani Freeworlds... "It is the Republic's interest to defend the sovereignty of independent worlds? This is news to me. Last I heard, we supported brutal regime changes on these worlds. Or left them to die should they not support us"..

While I assumed this was a criticism of New Republic previous policy, or an attack on the Government, apparently I was mislead and Mr Crion apparently was expressing support for the things which he decried.

I call upon Mr Crion to clarify his words, he intends to support Brutal Regime Change? He supports leaving words to die? He is against the sovereignty of Independent worlds?

Clarification would be useful here.

"Senators, I would be happy to answer on behalf of my world any questions pertaining to this treaty. As I percieve it, while it does signify an assertion of our Sovereignty that has historically been extant (We held a seat in the Old Republic Senate), it may be viewed as threatening by the Military leader of the Old Mandalorians, but this is not of consequence.

The basis of peaceful, moral and free governance and sovereignty, as expressed in our Constitution stand head and shoulders above such concerns. We are a peaceful, hardworking people, and wish to take up our place as a member of the Galactic Community, the opposition of an Unelected Military Leader is illegitimate and unjust.

However, while the Mandalore may be the last person to consent to the continuing independence of Kalevala, I hope will be the first to accept the friendship of the people of Kalevala as an independent power. And we believe this Treaty will go a long way towards defrosting the relations with the Mandalore, and I fervantly hope Kalevala will stand testament to the prosperity and peace created by our non-violent way of life, in stark contrast to the primative tribal conditions elsewhere in the sector, and may cause a spreading rejection of violence in the wider Mandalorian people."

Woe to the Vanquished! And be not in doubt, the New Mandalorians will be vanquished, again and again likely as not, because they do not have the military courage and strength of their Old Mandalorian Brothers.

Zuthus Bralor is a man of honor, and should be allowed to rule his sector as the Noble and benevolent Slaveholder he is, a paragon to all those free people who value skill at arms over the pissant utterances of cowardly politicians. How can we recognise a state that didnt have the will to fight off the Empire? That sat idly by?

They are cowards, weaklings and worms, and should be treated as such. I would not be suprised if the Mandalore did not declare all these cowardly Kalevalan's to be public chattel slaves for their cowardly and weedling attempt to circumvent their honorable and legitimate overlord, the Mandalore.

Peaceful societies have as much right to exist as martial ones. And my culture belives in being judged by your abilities and acts, rather than your mass, shape, size or muscle.

I represent a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy, and one that has long existed as an Independent cause. Just because we are not a brawnocracy does not mean we are weak, we are strong in spirit, and resolve to bring about a peaceful resumption of our peoples historical right to Independence and self-government.

There are many different governments out there in the galaxy, among our own members even. Communism, Confederal, Corporatist, Democratic, Republic, Monarchy, Federalism, Fascist, Oligarchic, Theocratic, and Tribal to name a few of many. Who are we to declare which one is right or wrong? Who are we to declare which one is a paragon and which one is a dictatorship? Who are we to declare which is the rightful government and the usurper government? Who are we declare whether or not a certain state is even a government?

The Mandalorian government as it stands, has existed as such, albeit with varioud changes over time, for over seven thousand years, with its descendant government existing as far back as two hundred thousand years ago, once existing on Coruscant when it was known as Notron. This would make the Mandalorian government the longest running government in galactic history. Yes, indeed they are tribal, but does that make them a barbarian horde? While they indeed have different styles of ascension, there seems to be an equal account of those rising through the ranks because their people or leaders choose them, as their are of those that earn their place through combat with others. And let us examine the Mandalorian combat ascension. It is not a fight to the death, with I believe the only case of such being the position of Mandalore...but I have been told such an act of ascension to their leadership position has occured as such in over a thousand years. While tribal, I believe the people are happy with their way of life. And to the slavery issue, although it may be different now, I will admit, in the past...slaves have been more than the traditional slaves we think of. They do not suffer the indignities people, such as Senator Forte's Twi'lek people, suffer in the portions of the Outer Rim still allowing it. They are a part of the people and the culture, albeit a form of second-class citizen, but still a part of the people. Some slaves have been recorded as going to battle with the Mandalorians, and even eventually being adopted into Mandalorian families...even during the Mandalorians most brutal period in their history, the Crusades, also known as the Mandalorian Wars.

President Cretwright misleads, which by the way President Cratwright, while in this chamber, despite any...questionable...comments from one us, out of respect of this body, you address us with proper title. While indeed many have impressive physical attributes...these are not the characteristics of Mandalorian ascension. Ability in combat, family life, as well as acts and abilities are the attributes by which a Mandalorian ascends. In their culture a man may be an impressive example of superior physical being, but if he is dumber than a stone and horrible father, he will not ascend at all. But should a man who is of small stature, proves a capable leader and combatant, and a good father, among other aspects, he will ascend far beyond the level of which the first example will. President Cratwright is indeed correct in that peaceful societies have as much right to exist as martial ones. Or tribal ones. Or democratic ones. Or monarchic ones. Or Confederal ones.

By those words, he somewhat contradicts himself. While saying as such, he just said moments ago that Kalevala opposes, "Unelected Military Leader [that] is illegitimate and unjust.", leaving nothing to the imagination as to what he refers. Kalevala expresses the right to the True Mandalorian government's existance, and in the same conversation, claims it illegitimate and unjust, and opposes it. I see what is going on here, and I wish that others would too. The Republic is being dragged into another cultural conflict. One group wishes to usurp the other, but won't due to its insignificant military force, or in this case it is against their beliefs, as they say anyway. So they wish to become nice and cozy with the Republic...and then proceed to provoke conflict. The Republic will then have to become involved in either mediating countless disputes, or to the point of having to take full fledged military action in the defense of its ally through treaty obligations. This has too much risk for the Republic, too much cultural connection. If we take Kalevala's side, we are antagonizing the situation. As I said, the Republic should not be involved in this cultural affair. This is merely an attempt by Kalevala to subvert the True Mandalorians and eventually replace them. I will not stand by and watch the Republic dragged into yet another feud...and neither should any other Senator.

I stand by my vote...

I would also like to thank the fine scholars and professors at Mrlsst Academy for providing information on the Mandalorians.

I realise I am being passionate, more so than ever on any subject, and some of my words may be harsh, and no disrespect is intended towards anyone for I am in the heat of the moment...however, this is a subject that I strongly believe in...and I feel this is a poor choice for us to make at this time.

Even the word of the Kalevalian government belie the prejudice sentiments they carry against their fellow people.

The True Mandalorians have been exemplary in their behavior, believe me I would know, I've watch their culture evolved from sitting through 3 different governments on this senate. True they maybe brash, true they may be prone to violence. But if anything the idiotic and foolhardy remarks and disrespectful action have incited more problems then solved.

We all know the Mandalorian people are a proud people. Criticisms is something they can handle as Zuthus Bralor has thoroughly demonstrated. But Dishonor is something they have little toleration for. Something Cambrist is inciting as well as our good friend Pluto Cartwright, by fabricating "Mandalorian intentions" on Kalevala where none exist and then using those very lies on this senate to justify a shameful recognition of an illegitimate government.

I do not see Cartwright acknowledging his other half of True Mandalorian constituents on his planet. Proving to me at least that this new illegitmate government is shaky at best.

Yes illegitimate. I say so because the Mandalorians never touched Kalevala with military force except only to drive off Imperial slavers whom they spent a good many years fighting off their sector. The people then chose that the True Mandalorians were to be the government of the sector in most cases very democratically. The New mandos lost because they could not, nay would not fight off the system.

What I see here in this bill is a attempt to undermine a fledgling democracy for the purpose of gaining cheap political clout among a few senators and a chief of state to naive to see deeply into the matter and realize the catastrophic consequences that would befall on acting to hastily and disrespectfully with the Mandalorians

Beings of the Senate I must stand firm with Crion on this issue. I vote against this bill.

Senator of Coruscant

Gus

I do not feel it is fair that the recognition and fair treating with Kalevala has become a political issue in the way that Certain Senators are attempting to make it.

As Mr Emerest says, the "Old Mandalorians" can be "Brash" and "Prone to violence", But I would like to state for the record that our constitution does not discriminate against them them in this insulting manner, and they are welcome to take a full role in society so long as they follow our laws and customs and only violent customs are prohibited. Just as we would be expected to follow their laws and customs if we went to Mandalore.

Mr Emerest incorrectly quotes me as saying the "Mandalorians have intentions" against my world, I am not aware that the Old Mandalorians had made any such move clear, perhaps you have more information at your disposal than I.

I freely admit, the Old Mandalorians have not invaded us, but they do consider themselves our rulers, which is injust. We are a free, democratic state, with an elected Government and Constitution. May I remind this chamber that Kalevala has been a sovereign state for over 700 years.

This treaty, not a bill, Senator Emerest, is there to provide support for free and open trade and movement between Kalevala and the New Republic, to prevent undue taxation etc. This is not a Treaty in any way undermining democracy, but one endorsing it.

Gentlemen, while I do not wish to be bellicose, the Old Mandalorian state is a Feudal one, we are a Democratic one. We work around an ascending model of government based on the will of the people, they on a descending model of absolute loyalty to a military leader.

The argument that other systems of Government are just as legitimate is patently a ridiculous one. The New Republic is based around the idea of ascending Government, and so is Kalevala. We wish to reach out to the galaxy, cast off any signs of warlike primitivism and work to build a better galaxy for everyone. We believe in the interests of the many, not the few.

We believe that being ruled by a world where "Might Makes Right" is not something we, and I do say we, speaking for the vast majority of my people, do not wish to be ruled by. We believe that Right Makes Might gentlemen, that the best solution is a peaceful one, and that cool and clear heads, and fine oratory are a much better way to a solution than the spilling of the blood of those we disagree with.