Election of the Senate Chair
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Eli_Fitzgerald | Date: Monday, 27 Feb 2012, 11:21 PM | Message # 1 |
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| We all know, of course, that His Excellency, Sate Pestage, is the Grand Vizier of the Empire. He is also the Chair of the Senate. These are two different positions--as Grand Vizier, he tends to the Ruling Council and oversees the operations of the Empire, etc. The Chair of the Senate is a position that pre-dates the Empire, and is essentially the President of the Senate, the person who maintains order, brings votes to a close, and so on. I think Sate Pestage has done an excellent job in both of these roles, but I also think the time has come for him to abdicate one of them.
I propose henceforth the Senate vote to elect its Chair, rather than having it chosen for us by the Emperor.
This is not a comment on Sate Pestage's conduct as Chair. As I said, I think he's done an excellent job. But a less able man wouldn't be able to handle all of the duties that His Excellency performs as Chair of the Senate and Grand Vizier and, so the rumor has it, the man who tastes the Emperor's food for him. A less able man wouldn't be able to handle it, but shouldn't have to. This is simply too much responsibility for one man and, moreover, the independence of this Senate must be assured by having its Chair elected from among its own members. Otherwise it is ultimately an arm of the Emperor, not a co-equal branch of government.
I vote in favor.
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."
Message edited by Eli_Fitzgerald - Monday, 27 Feb 2012, 11:21 PM |
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Senator_Cambrist | Date: Tuesday, 28 Feb 2012, 11:32 AM | Message # 2 |
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| Why shouldn't the Emperor have a representative in the Imperial Senate? The Senate that elected him Emperor, moreover. I do not envy the Grand Vizier the stresses of his many responsibilities, but if we're agreed that he is "up to the task," as it were—and here I think we are agreed—why change things? Experience has shown us that without Imperial stewardship this Senate is susceptible to the crude slurs and slanders of a Mical de Crion, a Crin Star, a Ja'nar Cerra, or any of the other reactionaries this Senate has seen.
I suspect and I fear the real intent of this measure is far more nefarious than an innocent concern for Sate Pestage's well-being. It is, quite possibly, nothing more than an attempt to establish a reactionary tyrant as the leader of this Senate (Senator Fitzgerald, perhaps?) and usurp the authority the Emperor needs to keep us safe and secure. My oath of office compels me to vote against this measure.
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Avadrie_volFyr | Date: Saturday, 03 Mar 2012, 5:02 AM | Message # 3 |
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| Empress Teta is against this measure. The Emperor appointed Sate Pestage, I believe it to be not within our purview to dismiss him.
Lady Avadrie volFyr Senator of Empress Teta Defense Committee Member
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Draken_Turot | Date: Saturday, 03 Mar 2012, 9:45 AM | Message # 4 |
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| Acherin is against this! The Emperor's judgement will not be contested by us! His will is sound and from a man whom survived the traitorous Jedi rebellion, our Emperor has the right to appoint whom he feels is best served towards the Imperial cause!
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Tremaine_Fowlkes | Date: Sunday, 04 Mar 2012, 9:11 AM | Message # 5 |
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| The Senate is a body of democracy, and it will continue to be one for as long as we remain intact. Thus, that is why I believe we should be the ones to vote someone to be the Senate Chairperson. I have nothing against the Emperor or the Grand Vizier himself. Telos IV votes in favor.
Tremaine Fowlkes Senator of Telos IV
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Roman_Lekpin | Date: Sunday, 04 Mar 2012, 11:55 AM | Message # 6 |
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| Senator Fowlkes, the Senate is indeed a body of democracy, but Chairman Pestage was indeed appointed by Emperor Palpatine. It is not our place or right to remove him.
Lorrd votes against.
Roman Lekpin Representative, Lorrd (11 BBY-10 BBY) (9 BBY-Present) Chosen of House Garth
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Toben-Domon | Date: Sunday, 04 Mar 2012, 11:58 AM | Message # 7 |
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| Chairman Pestage has been a fair overseer of the Senate. I believe that, despite his duties and everything involved, he is still the Chairman we need. Whether or not he is the arm of the Emperor in the Senate is not the issue. Simply because he was appointed by our Emperor does not mean the Emperor controls the Senate in any regard.
Sluis Van votes against.
Toben Domon Senator, Sluis Van
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Senator_Ordan | Date: Thursday, 22 Mar 2012, 5:40 AM | Message # 8 |
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| I do not support this, on principle, not as Senator Domon has because of pragmatism. While I believe Senator Domon is right that the Chair of the Senate has conducted himself excellently, it is not this conduct but rather the right of the Emperor to nominate the head of his Empire's Senate that I vote Against.
Senator Hubert Ordan __________________________
Senator of the Azure Sector Foreign Minister of Anaxes Captain-General of the Azure Interest Protection Squadron Deputy Chairman of the Ethics Committee Worshipful Master of the Most Loyal and Honourable Company of Blockadeers Archtreasurer of the Vault of Pols Anaxes Autocrat of Selgon Owner of Azure Durasteel Systems Admiral (Ret) Order of the Canted Circle
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Bernard_Oriel | Date: Thursday, 22 Mar 2012, 5:42 AM | Message # 9 |
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| More dangerous and inflammatory "flamethrowing" from Senator Fitzgerald here I feel. The position should not be elected just as Judges should not be elected, I want a Senate chair immune to the tyranny of the Majority. Thus I vote Against.
Bernard Oriel Senator for the Planet of Vjun 1st Earl Malreaux (Second Creation) Vjun Delegation to the Imperial Senate
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Artemis_Vanden | Date: Friday, 23 Mar 2012, 10:06 PM | Message # 10 |
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| The Emperor has demonstrated that he is immune from the will of the majority in any case. But it's worth remembering that the Senate "elected" the Emperor, and according to the Imperial Charter it will elect his successor, too. I don't dispute that the Emperor is sovereign, nor that the power of the Senate has been diminished under his rule. But I understand it to be, if not a co-equal branch of government, at least an independent one. And I find it hypocritical that we're told the Senate cannot "meddle" in the conduct of the Emperor's Ruling Council but the Council can do so in the Senate.
I criticize neither His Excellency nor His Majesty, but I respectfully disagree with the argument that many have put forth here today, that it's "not our place" to choose from among us who gavels the Senate to order and voting to a close and issues warnings and suspensions, etc. I feel these are Senate matters that neither the Emperor nor his Grand Vizier should distract themselves with.
Artemis Vanden Representative of the Naboo
Message edited by Artemis_Vanden - Friday, 23 Mar 2012, 10:06 PM |
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Augusta_Aurelius | Date: Monday, 26 Mar 2012, 1:47 AM | Message # 11 |
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| I fear that, by law, the position of the Chair of the Senate, and who exactly serves in the role, is a matter of the Emperor's prerogative, and thus outside of Senate authority. Unless Senator Fitzgerald wishes to attempt to push through a constitutional amendment, which ultimately be the Emperor's to accept or deny, I believe this bill to be dead in the water. However, I see the direction Senator Fitzgerald is coming from, and I do not want to see such an idea be squandered by procedural limitations.
If you'll allow it, Senator Fitzgerald, I propose the following:
The Aurelius Amendment I. The Senate shall restore the position of Vice Chair, (a) To handle administrative responsibilities in regards to the Imperial Senate that the Chair delegates, (b) Manage Senate operations, © Ensure coherence of activities and programs, (d) Support the Chair of the Senate in his/her duties, (e) Represent the Chair of the Senate at conferences, official functions and ceremonial and other occasions as may be decided by the Chair of the Senate, (f) To act for the Chair of the Senate in the case of the absence of the Chair of the Senate from the Senate session and in other cases as may be decided by the Chair of the Senate, and (g) To undertake such assignments as may be determined by the Chair of the Senate.
II. The Vice Chair of the Senate shall be elected from among the standing Senators and Representatives of the Imperial Senate at the time of election. The Vice Chair shall be elected by the Imperial Senate by popular vote in an open election, with the majority candidate declared the winner. The Chair of the Senate may recommend one member to the position, however they must still stand in election with the other candidates.
III. The Vice Chair-elect must forfeit their position as delegate of their constituency, the appropriate governmental body being able to appoint a successor for the remainder of their term or an election shall be held for their replacement, whichever is appropriate according to local law. Should the replacement be required to be elected, the appropriate government shall appoint a replacement for the interim.
IV. The Emperor must validate the results of the election.
Augusta Aurelius Queen Conosrt of Deralia Chair of the Human Rights Monitoring and Crisis Resolution Sub-Committee of the Planetary Defense Committee
Senator of Deralia and the Tammuz Sector (30 BBY - 18 BBY, 10 BBY - Present)
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Sate_Pestage | Date: Thursday, 29 Mar 2012, 12:03 PM | Message # 12 |
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| I don't make a habit of commenting on frivolous legislation with no apparent chance of passing. But now that Deralia has proposed a more reasonable amendment, and seemed to have invited the comment of the chair, I will so oblige. 1E and 1F are problematic, Senator Aurelia. I can't be expected to have someone represent me whom I've not chosen to do so. Moreover, I am here representing the Emperor, and it's the opinion of the chair that a representative of the representative of the Emperor would be redundant. 1A is also redundant, as I'm quite able to delegate responsibilities as needed as the law stands now. I do not choose to do so, and so I object also to 1B.
The rest of the amendment is reasonable. But I cannot state more strongly my opposition to Ralltiir's bill in its current form, and cannot more strongly agree with Senators Ordan and Cambrist as to why. I thank them, and Senators Lekpin, volFyr, Tu'rot, and the others who have opposed a bill that, I suspect, is a desperate attempt by the Senator of Ralltiir to regain some public attention after a long and unproductive silence from him.
Sate Pestage Grand Vizier of the Empire Assistant to Emperor Palpatine Chair of the Imperial Senate
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Eli_Fitzgerald | Date: Thursday, 29 Mar 2012, 5:06 PM | Message # 13 |
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| I can't agree to 1A either. A "Vice Chair" having only the powers that the Chair delegates to him is as good as useless. Especially with articles like 1D and 1G that make the "Vice Chair" nothing more than an assistant to the Chair. The Grand Vizier already has assistants, he doesn't need one elected by the Senate.
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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Augusta_Aurelius | Date: Friday, 30 Mar 2012, 9:57 PM | Message # 14 |
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| I believe this is an issue which may gain some traction among certain sections of the Senate. Perhaps, if all parties are interested, the Chair, as well as Senators Fitzgerald, Oriel, and myself can hold a conference in which we can reach a compromise on the matter of reinstating the position of Vice Chair? I may be stepping over my bounds here, and please stop me if I seem presumptuous on this matter, but why let what could be an issue, or problem, sit in the open when we can come together and build an equitable and agreeable solution?
Augusta Aurelius Queen Conosrt of Deralia Chair of the Human Rights Monitoring and Crisis Resolution Sub-Committee of the Planetary Defense Committee
Senator of Deralia and the Tammuz Sector (30 BBY - 18 BBY, 10 BBY - Present)
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Sate_Pestage | Date: Saturday, 31 Mar 2012, 1:34 PM | Message # 15 |
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| I'm open to a meeting on this subject. I have every desire to accommodate the Senate's wishes, as always. However, Senator Aurelia, you're more than adequate as an advocate for this new position, thus Senator Fitzgerald's presence at this meeting will not be necessary (or useful, I suspect). But if you would like to resolve this in private discussions, it'd be a gesture of your commitment to these discussions to vote against Senator Fitzgerald's attention-seeking proposal, yes? I wouldn't want it to complicate our discussion and debate of this issue.
Sate Pestage Grand Vizier of the Empire Assistant to Emperor Palpatine Chair of the Imperial Senate
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