An Open Letter to Belea2008, Part I

Day 1,323, 10:55 • Published in South Africa USA • by Merle Corey

I don't often write articles anymore. I have neither the time nor the talent to do it well. However, this needs to be said.

Dear Belea:

For the past several weeks, you have been spending a goodly chunk of time attempting to discredit the non-agression pact between Brazil and South Africa.

You have railed against the pact, claiming (paraphrase here) that only traitors would support it; that only passionless robots who don't care about the future of South Africa would support such a treaty.

You have done everything up to and including calling the previous administration(s) incompetent.

You have insinuated that long time South Africans such as Grimstone, Leewas, and Cyber Witch are leaving South Africa for some hidden, dark purpose.

I don't happen to agree.

But before we get to that, let's assume you are correct.

(1) Only passionless traitors would support the pact.
(2) The previous administrations were incompetent.
(3) Grimstone, Leewas and Cyber Witch are plotting some nefarious scheme to destroy SA.

As to point (1), there has been spirited debate both pro and con the treaty. I would not call either side passionless. Nor would I call either side traitors (although others have done so). People are standing up for their views, which is encouraged. To this point, pro-treaty people have been elected to congress and president, so the treaty stands. If the anti-treaty people can gain majority, then I'm sure more debate will ensue, perhaps with different outcome.

As to point (2), it may be that they are/were incompetent. However, SA wasn't wiped, wasn't even attacked since the treaty was signed. Were the governments the most active, most proficient that I have seen? No. Were they "bad"? Also No. They disgreed with you. That makes them neither incompetent nor bad.

As to point (3), Grimstone, Leewas, and Cyber Witch have left SA to take advantage of game mechanics. Simply put, they needed better production rates than can be gotten inside of SA. Why is SA at a disadvantage? Because Admin changes to the game made it so. I'm sure if you bothered to ask them, they would have preferred to stay in SA. Searching for better return on investment isn't nefarious, it's capitalism. They are playing within the rules that Admin has set up. Simple.

Finally, as it is obvious that you are dead-set against the treaty, why stoop to mud-slinging and slander of long time SA patriots? Why not just propose something better? Let public debate argue over the merits of "The Belea Plan" as compared to the existing treaty. It is easy to tear down and criticize. Hard to build. Build something!

"with respect"
-merle corey