Post by Alvero on Nov 6, 2018 8:01:46 GMT
News Service of The Democratic Socialist Assembly Issue 4
Greetings, Comrades
Severing Ties With Soviet Democracy?
A statement from West Bengalis
It is my sad duty to announce today that we shall be ceasing all diplomatic relations with Soviet Democracy, with embassy closure initiating after 0000 UTC, 14th September 2018. The region has seen an implementation of an unelected government pushing reforms, that goes against democracy. We have also seen that their Vice-President spread and supported far-right ideals and openly supported Alternative für Deutschland, who supported the Chemnitz rallies. When we voiced our concerns, we were met with the following official response from said vice-president and also their president:
Soviet Democracy does not endorse or unendorse any set of political dogma. If you have an issue with the politics of one of our members you should take it up with them personally, we are a roleplaying region not a censorship bureau.
I reiterate once again that this is my sad duty. It pains me to say that we are closing embassies, but unfortunately, this is a necessary task for us to stay true to our ideals of Democracy, Equality, Solidarity and Freedom.
Interview With Xingal
Our fourth interview is with Xingal, who is, at the moment of this publication, the sitting Minister of Domestic Affairs
⦁ When did you first join NationStates? How did you first hear about it?
Hmmm, good question. I have been around for quite a while now. It think it was during one of my last years as a Bachelor student. That would make it at least four to five years. I started with a different nation that long since CTE'd since back then, I didn't understand the game well and it went into a direction I didn't want it to go. So I started over, and joined the DSA. About how I first heared about it, I'm honestly not sure. I think I just googled political simulation game or something like that, and stumbled over it.
⦁ When did you join the DSA? Were you just looking at regions when you found us or did you come through recruitment telegram?
Well, after founding that second nation, Xingal, back then, I received the recruitment telegram. It sounded like a nation close to my own ideological believes, so I wanted to be part of it. I think it was four years ago? I'm not sure, I didn't manage to be very active for quite a while, but I do remember taking a break a little while after joining due to writing my thesis.
⦁ What are some things you've come to enjoy about the DSA most? A favorite memory?
The people, and the discussions. Sure, I'm arguing quite a bit with some people in Discord at times, when our views clash; but I like that there isn't a lot of bad blood despite some times heated debates. It also gives me the confidence to state my opinion, something I'm usually not very good at. Also, I found some really good friends in the DSA, and you could say that the people have long-since replaced my drive to continue with Nationstates, instead of the game itself.
⦁ What do you do outside of NationStates? Examples: what your job (if employed)? Hobbies? Talents? etc
I work for a state-owned trust whose job is the development of infrastructure, especially in the countryside. I mainly help by making maps for the different projects, be they maps detailing what plots of land have to be acquired for a certain road to be built, what land can be given as compensation, what plots can be used to compensate for lost bioms, researching owners... you get what I mean. It is at times very stressful, at other times boring, but it's not a bad job. My hobbies are gaming, reading, and drawing, and I'm hitting the gym at least twice a week. I would also love to start with music again, if I find the time, or work with horses. This are hobbies that went to sleep for quite a bit
⦁ What made you first want to enter DSA government? What made you want to enter for this cabinet?
Me joining Discord, ultimately, led to me to entering Cabinet. I felt very welcome and had a lot of fun, and wanted to give something back to the region. For this cabinet, I actually considered not nominating myself anymore. I felt I didn't do too well on my previous position, in part due to time restraints, so I was a bit afraid I would fail again. What convinced me to run for MDA was a conversation I had with a very close friend in the DSA, and their support. Actually, it was their suggestion to begin with, saying that I would be a good fit for the position due to my character, basically. I hope I'm doing a better job than as MoFA, haha
⦁ Who are some people whom you've come to consider good friends in the DSA?
Solus Unus comes to mind first. I think nobody in Discord will argue we don't get along, haha. Sparrow Isle is very nice, too. And then there are a few others, like Dekks or Gribelt, and this weird guy asking me all those questions may count as well :p
⦁ What are your plans for the future in your life? What do you hope to be or accomplish before you die? Or more simply and less macabre, within the next 20 years?
That's a pretty hard question. I'm not really sure myself. I would like to try and get a PhD I guess. But if I ever get one, who knows. The field I studied is very small, making it harder.
Interview Conducted By: Student Loan Debt
To see more quality articles in this issue of Solidarity, including an article on our recent map update, you can view Solidarity: Issue 4 here.