[PRIVATE] The Diamond Office Term 10

[Josephus I]

Josephus walks in. He is startled at first by the saluting of the uniformed presidential guard.

At ease gentlepers, at ease.

He looks at the sign on his office door.

Congratulations, Mr. President...I'll see you around.

- Former President PJ Vasquez

Josephus laughs and tears it down. "Strange guy, that one was." He enters his office and sits on the leather couch. He is comforted by its smoothness and good back support. Power is not without its perks. He reclines back and puts his feet up on his desk. He has things to do. He must get the cabinet going as soon as possible. He must have a quick talk with Tilly and that general guy, what's his name. Lefarge or something like that? But not now. He is far too tired. He opens the liquor cabinet and pours himself a scotch. He sits back down on his comfy chair and puts his feet up on the desk. He has a lot to prove, this much he knows. But for now, sleep, only sleep.

 

[von Streusser]

As Josephus opens the door, he hears the clink of bottles...not in a celebratory fashion, but rather in the manner of items being pushed aside. A quick glance at his feet reveals empty bottles strewn about the room, the detritus of some sort of wild party. A closer inspection reveals a strange brown residue on a few things, and the bitten-off ends of Topa root. In order to sit on the couch, Josephus has to sweep away a few lacy undergarments as well.

Another note waits for him on the desk, underneath a disheveled stack of rolling papers.

Josephus,

No no, I mean it. Congrats. While the couch is nice, I also recommend the liquor cabinet...ah, well I'll recommend it again in a few days once its been restocked. Sorry about the mess, housecleaning should take care of it before your first real day. But you're only President once...well, at least I'll only be President once. Who knows, you might get re-elected.

Let me pass on a little of what I learned in my brief tenure as Eutopia's Chief Executive. While it's important to do all you set out to do, the universe in which we live is uniquely configured to prevent it. You will never accomplish everything. Some day you'll have to walk away from it, and all you can do then is hope to one day leave something behind that you can point to and be proud of. And while it's important to work hard at what you do, take my advice...

...when your people are out dancing in the streets, take a moment to dance with them.

While I'm sure I was your first choice for MIDA after I slashed tolls and made Eutopia's highway system usable again, along with getting the only cooperation out of Tilapia the UPE has had yet, I'll save you the paper and the time. I must decline. I'm no politician...besides, I'm going home. Maybe get a nice desk job in Tilapia. Become a cop...well, only if I have to. Anyway, if you need a briefing on anything I did as MIDA, send word to the Tilapian embassy. Should be setting up shop right down the street from ya. They'll know where to find me.

And next time you toss 50 cents into a highway toll booth, think of me.

- PJ

 

[Josephus I]

The following are temporarily invited to my office to discuss the cabinet formation: Gonzov, Black, De Fourgeres.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Loic de Fourgéres, who was already in Eutopia City on business, appears to have arrived first. He goes through the security checks, and proceeds to the Diamond Office. He announces himself to an aide in an anteroom, who checks and then shows him in.
"Congratulations Per President!

Thank you for inviting me. After you let me know that we would be meeting, I sounded out the other Party for Progress General Assembly candidates who did not gain seats, to see what possible ministerial direction would be most compatible with their interests and skills. Robert Austri, our current ambassador to Japan would be interested in either MTIA, which would allow him to build on his diplomatic achievements, or in MDIS. Jonh Kenny, our founder, felt he could serve best, if needed, in MERL. I am somewhat flexible. As a lawyer, that is a reason to consider MIDA or the AG post, but the latter would not be assured. If you could extract a pledge from John O'Floinn to keep things running expeditiously, then it might be better to reappoint him.

I believe there is substantial corruption in many areas, both in business and government. If I were in MIDA, I would have to pursue those vigorously. If I were in MTIA, I would work to complete the steps to get us into CAFTA, apply for NATO membership, and try to negotiate a mutual defense pact with our neighbors, which could be solidified by selling them Gorgon II tanks and agreeing to mutually acceptable force ratios, but you or Bob Austri could follow those policy goals too, so it isn't necessary for me to be MTIA for that to happen. MTIA is an important role for a Presidency without a majority of GAs, as you can sign treaties on your own.

Whoever is MDIS, but especially if it is you, needs to fill the vacant service chief roles. I would consider moving Levarge from ENDTech to Army Service Chief, or if he has too little seniority, then find someone ready to retire (OOC: an NPC) as chief and appoint him as deputy. For the Navy, if HJ Tulp doesn't move into a GA seat with Tilly's departure, then likewise, he could make a useful deputy service chief. I don't know anyone in the Air Force. The immigrant Isreaki businessman, Per Mofaz, might be able to run ENDTech, but I don't know if he can be lured away from the private sector, althoug I suppose we could have ENDTech either buy his firm or cancel his contracts, so he would have little choice.

Please consider these only a choices, as possibilities, not requests. I am interested to hear what the others have to say."

 

[Voshkod]

A letter on ENDTech stationary arrives for the President:

Mr. President,

There are classified matters you should be briefed on at your convience. Please let me know when you are available.

/s/Lt. Gen. (Bvt.) Marcus Levarge

 

[Josephus I]

Thank you Per Loic.

I too want to hear from the others before I make a decision.

So far, I'm thinking the following possibilities:

Myself: MTIA or MDIS
Austri: MDIS or MTIA
Loic: MIDA and VP
Gonzov: MERL
Keller: MESA

But I'll wait to hear from the others.

Josephus

 

[Voshkod]

Within the hour of receiving the President's invitation, Marcus Levarge arrived in the antechamber to the Diamond Office. He was in his full class-A uniform; his general's stars gleamed, his "fruit salad" was resplendent, and his shoes shone like a thousand suns. He had a thin briefcase with a prominent lock in one hand. He announced his presence to the receptionist and found an uninteresting picture in the corner to study. He stood there, at parade rest, hands tight behind his back, waiting for the President of Eutopia.

 

[Josephus I]

The president invites Levarge in.

"Good day, Per Lt. General. Please have a seat.

Before we begin, I want to tell you something. Can I get you a drink?"

He pours himself a scotch and leaves the bottle and an empty glass on the desk.

"Lt. General. I have reviewed your files. You have served your country with distinction. You and I may not agree with each other politically, but we both have served our natiion to the best we can. Therefore I wish to belay any fears you might have about your position.

"So, what is it you have to show me?"


Josephus

 

[Voshkod]

Levarge came to attention and saluted. He then sat down, his back ramrod straight, on the very edge of the proffered seat. He ignored the drink. "Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate your reassurances on this matter, sir. I serve at the pleasure of the President, sir, as both ENDTech Director and brevet Lt. General. Speaking freely, Mr. President, I am an Eutopian soldier above all else; that transcends politics. I will obey all lawful orders, sir.

"I would like to brief you on three classified programs, sir. The first is classified Top Secret/ANIMAL PARK. At the orders of Minister Tilly, ENDTech is working on specifications for two deep-water oceangraphic research vessels. Such vessels, with their pre-existing arrays of antennae and aerials can easily be seconded as ELINT and COMINT platforms. The ANIMAL PARK project is to work on the ELINT/COMINT side of these vessels.

"The other two projects are classied at the SCI level, sir. We'll need to step into your SCIF to continue these discussions."

Levarge waited for the President to stand and then followed him into the Diamond Office's SCIF.

 

[Josephus I]

Josephus came out of the secret briefing room with Levarge behind him. Weird, if it wasn't for Levarge he wouldn't even know it existed. He shook Levarge's hand.

Lt. General. I appreciate you briefing me on all this. Until you are instructed otherwise carry on with your work. I'll look over everything you've said. You can expect a call back here shortly.

Thank you sir.

He saluted the general and showed him the door.

 

[Josephus I]

Josephus calls back Black, Gonzov and Loic.

Ok. Can we agree on this:

Myself: MTIA or MDIS
Austri: MDIS or MTIA
Loic: MIDA and VP
Gonzov: MERL
Keller: MESA



Josephus

 

[unmerged(23409)]

Gonzov calls back Josephus

Josephus, I'm at Eutopia General Hospital at the moment sorting out what might be a Fracture, but I can't remember what happened last night. Did we win?

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Ok. Can we agree on this:

Myself: MTIA or MDIS
Austri: MDIS or MTIA
Loic: MIDA and VP
Gonzov: MERL
Keller: MESA

That would be fine with me. I would look forward to serving in those capacities. However, as I have said some things that have provoked the opposition, having Bob Austri as your VP might be more palatable to a broad spectrum of political activists, and thus might help you get more accomplished this term, although reading the conservative rags, it seems they will try to stop you no matter what, so the choice of VP may not matter.

 

[Josephus I]

It's up to you Loic...I offered it to you because I've had some good dealings with you. If you'd rather let Austri have it, that is fine. Per Reczynski has asked for a cabinet spot, but, personally, I'd just as soon pass on him.

Keller has approved her intereest in MESA. So, once Gonzov comes out of hospital and approves this list and once Black says OK...we can start moving. I'll form a Cabinet HQ and we can start debating policy then.

Josephus

 

[unmerged(23409)]

Wait, Reczynski as a Cabinet member could be valuble. If we give him a Cabinet post, we can get him to support our bills in the GA. If he says no, then we lose nothing.

 

[Josephus I]

Wait, Reczynski as a Cabinet member could be valuble. If we give him a Cabinet post, we can get him to support our bills in the GA. If he says no, then we lose nothing.

Reczynksi won't support our Bills. His ideology is diamatrically opposed to ours.


Josephus

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Reczynksi won't support our Bills. His ideology is diamatrically opposed to ours.


Josephus

If Reczynksi supported our bills, the CUE party leader would take his GA seat away from him, and put Levarge in the GA in his place. If we wanted to be inclusive, we would better off with someone from UMP than CUE, but only if it would lead to the break-up of bloc they are forming against the administration's program.

Practically, one way to get something accomplished will be to have omnibus bills that cover significantly different areas. For example, perhaps we can merge a pension reform bill, which they seem to like, with a bill increasing healthcare spending.

As to the VP, let's see who Per Black would suggest.

 

[Josephus I]

OK. I've spoken with Austri and he's happy with MDIS, so I'll take MTIA. So it currently looks like this.

Myself: MTIA
Austri: MDIS
Loic: MIDA
Gonzov: MERL
Keller: MESA

We'll wait until Black offers some input; but I'd like to get this finalized in 24 hours.


Josephus

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Sorry I'm late, but I appreciate the exchange we've been having by e-mail (OOC: PMs, lot's of 'em ).

As I had mentioned before to you, I see it as important to reach out to the UMP as they will be needed on some important votes, and they do have members with a lot of experience to offer.

And as you've explained to me, they have not exactly been extending an olive branch of cooperation, not have you received any applications from potential candidates. The things that you have indicated to me seem to suggest less than a spirit of cooperation on their part. So, while I still think finding a place for them is important, I can also see your point and don't know what it would take to convince you.

Perhaps this is a suitable compromise? Let us do our part to show support for them by nominating or supporting a UMP candidate for Speaker. Our support is crucial so that they, not the CUE, get this important position of leadership.
Add to that some important advisory posts, Deputy Ministers perhaps, in some areas where their agenda and ours does not radically differ, and maybe we've got the makings of a "working relationship", if not cooperation.

What do you think about that? I suspect it would make your administration run a lot smoother if you had, say, Jake Langely as an important advisor on issues of infrastructure or, some other UMP member in a role that could provide them with a productive way to contribute and you with a cooperative and productive assistant.

Simply a thought,

John Black

 

[Josephus I]

Johnny. Your ideas are not without merit. I understand they are creating a shadow cabinet? maybe their shadow cabinet ministers would make perfect deputies?
Regarding supporting an UMP candidate for speaker, I have actually already had a chat with one of my party's members about that possibility.

Did you want to have a chat with Jake or should I? My guess is he'll listen to you more than me.

You may want to approach him with the deputy minister idea and tell him it has my full support as well as the speaker idea.

One other bone you may want to toss is this....I'm considering, soon, about starting a Budget Steering Committee to develop a budget that can hopefully be approved by the GA. I'm considering having, in addition to the entire Cabinet on the Committee, to having one member from UMP and one from CUE in this committee.

What do you think?

Josephus