Edge of Europe - A Belgian Interactive AAR

[theAhawk]

Constable Vermeulen, I shall look forward to seeing you in court. Such slander demands a good deal of compensation and a public apology. You cannot accuse someone of fraud yet have no evidence to back up your preposterous assertions. On these allegations more widely, I will not deny that I have spoken with Minister van Brabant on the issues surrounding the election - I believe this much is common public knowledge - but I strongly deny any accusations of impropriety; I voted on my conscience and nothing more. Just as I have not had need to comment on the make-up of the next government beyond its broad ideological tenants to the good Minister, I do not feel any need to do so now; my time in Parliament has come to an end, and I see no reason why such appointments should be any of my concern.

On the issue of the CCP, I have no intention of running back only to be chastised again for having moral standards. I will decline any and all offers to rejoin the party, at least until someone more moderate than the Marquis de Beauffort is at the helm. This man has proved with his mishandling of this affair his true nature; that of a reactionary, autocratic and distinctly unsubtle little man entirely unsuitable for governance. To first ignore a wing of the party who were not silent in their protest, then have the temerity to blame his indifference to those not sharing his reactionary disposition on the moderate wing, is bad enough. His dictatorial move to expel me from the party can only be seen as his true colours shining through. Now having the cheek to invite me back to feign some sort of democracy knowing full well he has already made it impossible by personally accusing me of being a traitor: it is too much. That is why I call upon the CCP to hold the vote despite everything and oppose the Marquis's reign of terror, not for me, but to assert the rights of the members over the fist of the ruler who has overstepped all reasonable bounds.

 

[DensleyBlair]

((Ahawk - we have Parliamentary Immunity thanks to me... Sadly., so I'm afraid Vermeulen is protected.))

And the saddest thing, M. Poisson, is that in a few days time, the man about whim you speak shall be our lord and master.

van der Wyngaert laughs.

That said, I have two youngs sons with whom I have been pressed to spend time of late, so perhaps a spell in the shadow cabinet will do me good?

~Jean-François, Vicomte du Sint-Niklaas, MWO

 

[Marschalk]

Constable Vermeulen, I shall look forward to seeing you in court. Such slander demands a good deal of compensation and a public apology. You cannot accuse someone of fraud yet have no evidence to back up your preposterous assertions. On these allegations more widely, I will not deny that I have spoken with Minister van Brabant on the issues surrounding the election - I believe this much is common public knowledge - but I strongly deny any accusations of impropriety; I voted on my conscience and nothing more. Just as I have not had need to comment on the make-up of the next government beyond its broad ideological tenants to the good Minister, I do not feel any need to do so now; my time in Parliament has come to an end, and I see no reason why such appointments should be any of my concern.

On the issue of the CCP, I have no intention of running back only to be chastised again for having moral standards. I will decline any and all offers to rejoin the party, at least until someone more moderate than the Marquis de Beauffort is at the helm. This man has proved with his mishandling of this affair his true nature; that of a reactionary, autocratic and distinctly unsubtle little man entirely unsuitable for governance. To first ignore a wing of the party who were not silent in their protest, then have the temerity to blame his indifference to those not sharing his reactionary disposition on the moderate wing, is bad enough. His dictatorial move to expel me from the party can only be seen as his true colours shining through. Now having the cheek to invite me back to feign some sort of democracy knowing full well he has already made it impossible by personally accusing me of being a traitor: it is too much. That is why I call upon the CCP to hold the vote despite everything and oppose the Marquis's reign of terror, not for me, but to assert the rights of the members over the fist of the ruler who has overstepped all reasonable bounds.

Captain Poisson, you are not telling the truth. I have never "ignored the moderate wing", I just did not want to ignore the majority of CCP members, as you would have liked me to. You could have always voiced your concerns to me and warn about your decision. Something could have been worked out. You could have left the party or abstained - thant nobody would have said a word about your attitude. I just wanted some honesty- but you prefered to stab the party in the back. Well, you have now chosen your way, that is separate from the CCP one. God be with you. I am rather sad, that we could not settle it in another way, - but you did not want to talk this over, that is your right. I will not be answering your insults, but I must warn you, that egoism and archness never lead to anything good...

And I want to thank Comte de Mons for his patriotic decision. It means, that we can work together, that we still have unity. That is the most important thing...

- Jacques-Anne, Marquis de Beauffort

 

[DensleyBlair]

And I want to thank Comte de Mons for his patriotic decision. It means, that we can work together, that we still have unity. That is the most important thing...

- Jacques-Anne, Marquis de Beauffot

So you plan to form a unity government?

~Jean-Forançois, Vicomte du Sint-Niklaas, MWO

 

[ThunderHawk3]

After thinking long and hard about it I have decided to change my vote for the CCP. I feel that it would be best for Belgium.

~Comte de Mons

((Because I've been keeping unusually close track of this ballot, I know that you mean you want to change your vote from the GLP to the CCP - but please remember to say what you're changing your vote from when changing your votes. Also recall that those on the fence can formally abstain if they so wish and will still have an IC seat in Parliament.))

 

[unmerged(779665)]

Constable Vermeulen, I shall look forward to seeing you in court. Such slander demands a good deal of compensation and a public apology. You cannot accuse someone of fraud yet have no evidence to back up your preposterous assertions. On these allegations more widely, I will not deny that I have spoken with Minister van Brabant on the issues surrounding the election - I believe this much is common public knowledge - but I strongly deny any accusations of impropriety; I voted on my conscience and nothing more. Just as I have not had need to comment on the make-up of the next government beyond its broad ideological tenants to the good Minister, I do not feel any need to do so now; my time in Parliament has come to an end, and I see no reason why such appointments should be any of my concern.

On the issue of the CCP, I have no intention of running back only to be chastised again for having moral standards. I will decline any and all offers to rejoin the party, at least until someone more moderate than the Marquis de Beauffort is at the helm. This man has proved with his mishandling of this affair his true nature; that of a reactionary, autocratic and distinctly unsubtle little man entirely unsuitable for governance. To first ignore a wing of the party who were not silent in their protest, then have the temerity to blame his indifference to those not sharing his reactionary disposition on the moderate wing, is bad enough. His dictatorial move to expel me from the party can only be seen as his true colours shining through. Now having the cheek to invite me back to feign some sort of democracy knowing full well he has already made it impossible by personally accusing me of being a traitor: it is too much. That is why I call upon the CCP to hold the vote despite everything and oppose the Marquis's reign of terror, not for me, but to assert the rights of the members over the fist of the ruler who has overstepped all reasonable bounds.

You shall have neither from me sir. I know the truth. Even if you weren't solicited, as I was, you're change in vote in such a tight election is still rather suspect.

It matters not. All words live and die in this chamber.

 

[unmerged(779665)]

After thinking long and hard about it I have decided to change my vote for the CCP. I feel that it would be best for Belgium.

~Comte de Mons

You're doing the right thing my friend.

((Crap I didn't know we weren't supposed to be double posting, won't do that anymore.))

 

[DensleyBlair]

Even if you weren't solicited, as I was, you're change in vote in such a tight election is still rather suspect.

I'll quote your words back to you:

You're doing the right thing my friend.

I believe that is called 'hypocrisy,' don't you?

~Jean-François, Vicomte du Sint-Niklaas, MWO

 

[Scrapknight]

I believe that is called 'hypocrisy,' don't you?

~Jean-François, Vicomte du Sint-Niklaas, MWO

Savarin puts his feet up on his desk and drinks from a cup of coffee.

Vicomte, I could not say it better myself.

I think that is all the proof anyone needs of the zealotry and hypocrisy of what much of the conservative movement has morphed into in the past year. I can't claim to speak for him, but I know Archbishop Delcroix rather well despite of our differences, and it is my firm belief that he would be ashamed of the levels of conduct some members of these chambers have sunk to.

 

[unmerged(779665)]

I'll quote your words back to you:



I believe that is called 'hypocrisy,' don't you?

~Jean-François, Vicomte du Sint-Niklaas, MWO

How so? Comte de Noms is changing his vote and I support that. He is a member of our party. Are you suggesting that he was perhaps made promises to change his vote? Maybe he was. But he is a member of the CCP, shoring up support in the midst of an election is what a diligent party does. From their own members. That is the difference here.

 

[Fingon888]

How about everyone calm down. Including esteemed Signore Vermeulen. This bickering has gone on long enough.

 

[Scrapknight]

How so? Comte de Noms is changing his vote and I support that. He is a member of our party. Are you suggesting that he was perhaps made promises to change his vote? Maybe he was. But he is a member of the CCP, shoring up support in the midst of an election is what a diligent party does. From their own members. That is the difference here.

Ah, I see, so a man should only change his vote when the outcome benefits the conservatives! Now I understand.

Savarin mutters to himself.

The only the time the PLM has had to enact any form of party discipline amongst its members, at least to my knowledge, was in the expulsion of Damseaux, which was decided not solely by Monsieur Van Brabant but by discussion among the government in exile. I'm sure you could agree that no respectable political organization would allow a traitor to the nation of such magnitude in its ranks - if the tables were turned, and Damseaux was in the CCP, I have no doubt you would have expelled him, as well you should have. Even I was informed of the decision (though had no say in it, as I am not a party member.) Other than this situation, the diversity on display in the PLM is truly amazing; the fact that men like Monsieur Loewen and Monsieur Van Brabant can work together in the same party effectively is a testament to their ability to compromise and our successful culture of consensus-based decision making, not brutal party discipline.

Your party, on the other hand, criticizes the PLM for supposedly always "voting the party line" while you then turn around and bash your members over the head with a demand for party loyalty with all the delicacy of a sledgehammer. I'm sorry, but criticizing Captain Poisson for changing his vote and then welcoming the Comte de Mons back into the fold for doing the exact same thing in the opposite direction is not a tenable argument. At the very least, the fact that you make this argument shows how fundamentally anti-democratic the CCP has apparently become.

 

[Gen. Marshall]

After thinking long and hard about it I have decided to change my vote for the CCP. I feel that it would be best for Belgium.

~Comte de Mons

Gentlemen, these accusations of bribery were a nuisance at best, but now they have evolved to simple slander. You have even scared away dissatisfied Conservative voters from the ranks of the MLP, who will now be forced to vote for Jingoism and the destruction of our nation.

For the last time; I did not bribe any Conservative to join my party.

Comte de Mons, you of all people should know. If it is your reputation you are worried about, do not fear. The opinion of these warmongers will matter little to anyone as soon as our innocence is proven.

- Maximiliaan van Brabant, GLP Candidate

 

[Fingon888]

Armando walks in and looks about him. He shakes his head in disgust.

How long have you all been arguing? Days? You people make me sick. How about you stop fighting? Liberals, stop attacking conservatives. Conservatives, stop attacking liberals. This is enough.

 

[DensleyBlair]

How about everyone calm down. Including esteemed Signore Vermeulen. This bickering has gone on long enough.

I'm afraid that is the way of things, M. Diaz. A government's function is to sit and 'bicker.' Standing aloof only makes one more susceptible to such things.

~Jean-François, Vicomte du Sint-Niklaas, MWO

 

[Plutonium95]

Dewitt laughs and leans back.

Or what Diaz, perhaps you'll follow in your mentor's footsteps? This is parliament after all, what will we do if we are not arguing with each other. I take it you don't come to see "deliberation" here very often.

-Anthony M. Dewitt

 

[Marschalk]

Gentlemen, these accusations of bribery were a nuisance at best, but now they have evolved to simple slander. You have even scared away dissatisfied Conservative voters from the ranks of the MLP, who will now be forced to vote for Jingoism and the destruction of our nation.

For the last time; I did not bribe any Conservative to join my party.

Comte de Mons, you of all people should know. If it is your reputation you are worried about, do not fear. The opinion of these warmongers will matter little to anyone as soon as our innocence is proven.

- Maximiliaan van Brabant, GLP Candidate

It seems, that you are quite worried, that a party member has decided to vote for his own party. Do not worry, these thing is not in any way connected with the alleged machinations and schemes. Though. I think that such things might have happened, we should let an independent commission investigate the matter.

You see, we sometimes are able to settle our differences without the interference of "benefactors" from the opposition. Actually, I find it quite funny, that MLP constantly tries to meddle in the CCP party matters. But I also find it rather unethical. But anyway, sirs, lets stop arguing. We should let the God and the people make their decision.

- Jacques-Anne, Marquis de Beauffort

 

[Gen. Marshall]

It seems, that you are quite worried, that a party member has decided to vote for his own party. Do not worry, these thing is not in any way connected with the alleged machinations and schemes. Though, I am quite sure, that such things happened, we should let an independent commission investigate the matter.

You see, we sometimes are able to settle our differences without the interference of "benefactors" from the opposition. Actually, I find it quite funny, that MLP constantly tries to meddle in the CCP party matters. But I also find it rather unethical.

- Jacques-Anne, Marquis de Beauffort

I simply do not think a man should be forced to vote for a party which supports ideals (read: Jingoism) that are destructive to our nation, if they damn well know it.

- Maximiliaan van Brabant, GLP Candidate

 

[Fingon888]

Armando looks at Dewitt, with a little bit of well hidden anger.

If you are speaking of my old friend Field Marshall Damseaux, then I shall not. Perhaps you should follow in the footsteps of your mentor. Anyways, I am not a man of government, but even I can tell that this hateful rhetoric is useless. The function of government is to govern, not argue. While arguing will occur, can we keep it at a minimum?

 

[Plutonium95]

A commission to investigate alleged plans to create a unity government if elected? What is the purpose? To waste money that the government does not have to ensure that people don't stray from their party? A pointless exercise even if it did find any evidence, which I doubt considering that the good constable, a man directly involved in law his entire life, who was directly "offered a position" can't bring us any proof. And all that is assuming that offering someone a position is illegal.

Armando looks at Dewitt, with a little bit of well hidden anger.

If you are speaking of my old friend Field Marshall Damseaux, then I shall not. Perhaps you should follow in the footsteps of your mentor. Anyways, I am not a man of government, but even I can tell that this hateful rhetoric is useless. The function of government is to govern, not argue. While arguing will occur, can we keep it at a minimum?

Dewitt laughs again.

A simple joke Mr. Diaz, I fear most people in this room take themselves far too seriously. I figured a fellow military man would understand my humor, my apologies.

-Anthony M. Dewitt