Not a Manifesto but a Pledge
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by Donovan Thomas
Good Day eIreland,
Yesterday in the Independent Voices forum I announced my candidacy for "Party" President. I do so not in spite of the other candidates (Fionn and Binksy) but in celebration of them, their contributions and leadership. I do not look upon them as opponents, but as patriots and brothers. I bid them both good luck.
Please take note of the title of this article.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines Manifesto as "a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer"
It defines Pledge as a "binding promise or agreement to do or forbear"
Please also take not that I have placed the word "Party" in quotations. I place special emphasis on this because though game mechanics force us to join a political party to fully enjoy some of the privileges inherent to our system I do not see Independent Voices as a "Party".
It is my opinion that Independent Voices is an organization of free thinkers not tied down by manifesto, ideology, economic dogma or social agenda. We are, in my opinion sovereign in our independence, each delving across party lines in support of issues and ideals personal to us which we believe are in the best interest of eIreland.
Why a Pledge in lieu of a Manifesto?
Though calling this a manifesto would be semantically correct I believe it places too much emphasis on the personal desires of the writer; my only personal desire if to serve my fellow independents.
My pledge is thus;
-To engender intelligent debate preserving and fostering Political Independence and open and equal discourse ensuring to the best of my ability that all members have an equal voice.
-Stimulate an environment suitable for promoting goodwill and camaraderie.
- Demonstrate by example a sense of responsibility in support of the eIrish people in keeping with innate values of tolerance, respect and equality.
- To aid in growing a renaissance of independence along with non-partisan cooperation, love and loyalty of country.
I sincerely thank you for your time, good luck to my brother candidates, and good day.
Very Respectfully,
Donovan Thomas
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Comments
Best manifesto (wait no pledge) for the "party" I've seen so far 🙂
Would have liked to have seen something more concrete like your stance on how voting should be carried out or your red lines for where the 'party' becomes a party.
But those are good basic promises which hopefully all party president candidates for Independent Voices would accept.
I dont beleive that there is a "red line". If Independent Voice were to become a "political party" it would cease to be Independent Voices. If you are interested in assisting in developing a process to standardize in-forum decision making please join the debate and contribute to this threa😛
http://e-independentvoices.lefora.com/2009/09/10/proposed-bylaws-for-independent-voices-please-comm/page1/" target="_blank">http://e-independentvoices.lefora.com/20[..]ge1/
The help from all Independent Voices is appreciated and encouraged! It is our decision to make together.
Donovan Thomas has been doing a great job has your MoInfo. By voting for Donovan you are supporting a very active and integral part of Ireland
top notch guy this
good luck
DT :"I dont beleive that there is a "red line". If Independent Voice were to become a "political party" it would cease to be Independent Voices."
The point at which Independent voices ceases to be IV is the red line! I was asking you what traits Independent Voices would need to acquire to do exactly that.... become just another political party.
Interesting that you link to that thread since it was that document which prompted me to ask the question on red lines. Your proposed bye-laws would move Independent Voices closer towards being just another political party... instead of maintaining or improving upon it.
FROM DONOVAN THOMAS' PROPOSAL
PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY
-It says the purpose of Independent Voices is to promote the general welfare of members not to better eIreland.
FORCED PARTICIPATION
- obligation to participate in activities sponsered by Independent voices.... rather than being FREE to decide INDEPENDENTLY!
COMMITTEES
- to concentrate power into the hands of few rather than allow each member to express himself and participate fully in all decisions.
- Can be chaired by citizens with allegience to another party
OFFICER APPOINTMENTS WITHOUT A VOTE
-by the party president without any vote or consultation with any member of independent voices...
- Vice President of Independent Voices would NEVER BE VOTED ON EVER!!!
REMOVAL OF OFFICERS BY COMMITTEE / PP IN SECRECY
- Committee files investigative report with ONLY the party president
- NO ability for members to VOTE on the removal of an officer unless the party president of VP has not "resolved" the accussations.
Mr. Powers, are you in the habit of taking things out of context to serve your own agenda?
Honestly. Did you read the entire exchange?
This is clearly a first draft that is being put forward for consideration. While IV does not dictate the individuals values, it nonetheless does have a common value in the fact that all people should be heard. It doesn't mean that there shouldn't be some sort of document that outlines how we do business, and how situations should be handled when they arise. It is clearly a work in progress and is being submitted to the membership as a place to start.
To create such a document, demonstrates forward thinking and vision. Something that I want in a Party President.
@Edana. Thank you. Your logic is refreshing in the face of Mr. Power's hate and intolerance.
Sean: *shakes head* it's a shame you use your abilities like this rather than taking part in the forum discussion and giving constructive comments. I'm glad DT knows how to deal with you 😉
DT: Good non-manifesto 🙂. You'd certainly do a great job! And just so it's sai😛 It's a great thing you took the time to write that proposal Sean quoted here.
It's an excellent basis for discussion and NOONE ELSE (including Sean) has bothered doing it!
Good pledge DT and good luck 🙂
Seems binksy and DT have great possibilities, they are more experienced here at eIreland than me.
Ah Fionn, regardless of which of us wears the hat we shall all strive toward the esprit de corps we believe in. Buena suerte a mi amigo, aunque mi voto será para mí todavía me están detrás de ti!
You are Irish in your heart!
it going to be one hell of an interesting election all over the place this month
*applause*
Hate & intolarance? Like to exaggerate much?! I critiqued the proposal in a tabloid manner for a change. There was nothing hateful or intolorant. You attacked me personally by stating
1. That I attacked a person of a 3rd party.
2. That I haven't contributed to the betterment of the forum
3. That i've been negative and inflammatory
4. That I joined IV with dishonourable motives
1 & 2 are wrong but I'm sure you believe them. On 3, I would prefer to say critical and outspoken🙂 4, I'm try to work hard as a TD and citizen of eIreland. It seems party politics are not forgotten when a member joins IV.
I'm sorry that you feel I'm unsuitable for the position of Supreme Court Justice. It is quite understandable if you're basing that view solely on my comment here... which was a fairly reasonable one up to the caplocks part.... and out of character in terms of tabloid tone.
From my point of view the fact the provisions, which detail the things I forcefully denounced, were left in at all gives an indication of your preferences. Its great that you're capable of compromising on them since most of the provisions in the proposal I "attacked" were already criticised within the forum... most of which you've accepted. But the fact you did not feel in your gut that those type of structures were not appropriate reveals your intial thoughts on direction of IVs structure.
No there wasn't a vote on this yet... I never claimed there was. And yes you had been looking for input. My point was that the inital proposal misjudged alot of points.
Will indicate on IV forum my preference for those provisions, which would move IV closer towards being like other political parties, to be removed ..... in abit more detail at a later date....
Dáil has exploded with proposals over the last 3 days.
Woops! Mistakenly deleted one my own comments while scrolling on my phone.
@Sean Power
I've decided against ignoring you. Like a bothersome fly you will no doubt continue to buzz, but the fact remains until you actually contribute something worthwhile to the discussion that myself and others are having you will be just that; bothersome and annoying. I remember when I first came here I was under the false impression that you were honorable and intelligent. I moved toward contempt when I began to understand the extent of your ineptitude.
But I'm left only with pity for you. For in all your words you have failed to teach me anything, to build anything or to bring one iota of sense. Good luck to you Mr. Power. They say god loves a fool. I think you must be his favorite.
Good eLord Gentlemen!
A truce.
Sit, and have a whiskey ffs.
Donovan I hope to change you're mind about me, not through any focused attempts, but through future conversation.
I would hope tho that no matter how bothersome or annoying you feel I am, you would respect that there is a person sitting infront of a monitor reading here. A person who really doesn't like to be called a fool or dishonest or inept or unintelligent or any of the other many personal insults you have thrown my way. I'm not trying to insult you back.... it would just be seriously nice if you stopped it. please.
You're pity is not needed..... for now I have slipped into self pity.
@Sean
Not the first time we have been through this. I believe you are looking for something I cant offer.
personal insults are acceptable.... I guess that's the way it is from here on in. I still won't use them.... good to know they are acceptable tho.
@Sean
Why the friend request? What you did in this thread was ludicrous and unprofessional. You could have contributed to making a better place. It's easy to get on my friends list the first time. Getting back on after removal? Hard as hell. If you want my respect then stop bringing complaints without solutions. Stop being part of the problem and come on board for the team. Not just for Sean Power. Until such time I'm not interested. Sorry if I hurt your feelings but you have told me twice now about "the person on the other side of the monitor". Show me through your actions that it is a two way street.
The solution that was implied was to remove the offensive provisions. But in general I disagree with the idea that solutions always have to be offered by the person raising a complaint. I see now where your problem with me lies... thanks I meant no offense to you personally in what I wrote. I was just trying a different style of writing... didn't work out too well🙂
@Sean
You know darn well what I offered in the forum was not a finished product. I ASKED for help in fixing it. You acted as if I was presenting it as my beliefs. It was the shell of an idea that I hoped my friends and colleauges would help me mold TOGETHER.
MY BELIEFS are in this pledge. You tried to take that away.
If in the business I'm in in RL someone who brings a complain without a solution is ostracized as a non team player. Take that as food for thought.