A Non Acceptable Lack of Respect.

Day 2,221, 14:18 • Published in Ireland Ireland • by Anthony Colby

Hello all. Anthony Colby here. Just to state up front, this is NOT a Community article. Nor is it an article written as my role as Minister of Community, as a member of Congress or as a member of the Cabinet. This is an article written by me as an ordinary citizen of eIreland.

As most of you know ( or should know ) eIreland has entered into an agreement with the eUS for the US to rent to regions of eIreland and then another agreement is up for a vote between the eUS, eIreland, and the eUK for a NAP to go along with the rental agreement between the eUS and eIreland.

However you feel about the current situation, be it in favor or against, that is not what this article is about. It is about the way our community has carried itself in the wake of current events. In my opinion some members of our community have not acted respectfully at all.

First off there have been accusations against CP Bhane that are unwarranted. I have played this game for four plus years, just about four of it here in eIreland. I have known Bhane for most of that time as a employer, fellow TD, fellow Cabinet member and as my CP on three occasions. I have never known Bhane to be anything other than a loyal Irish citizen, respectful of others, truthful and doing his most for eIreland. Currently I am a TD and a Minister in the Cabinet. I read both TD threads and every article and shout I see in order to keep up on current events. What I have read about Bhane really disappoints me. He has been accused of forcing his plan on Ireland then forging the results of the referendum. Other comments of treason and selling out have been thrown about. None of this is true.

First off, Bhane did not come up with the idea for the rental agreement with the eUS. So it is not “his” plan. Secondly Bhane brought the agreement before the Congress. He asked for input after stating that this agreement was not final but that the offer was probably the best we were going to get. He listed pros and cons stating that he was neither for nor against the agreement. He wanted to know what the Dail thought. Well there were comments back and forth as to what TDs thought and a vote to see whether the Dail thought it was a good idea. Bhane did not have to bring this before the Dail. This treaty is not a part of game mechanics. But as any long time player knows these agreements happen all the time. Bhane as CP has the right to negotiate and enact any agreement he feels like that are not regulated via game mechanics. Now if you state that that is “illegal” or “overstepping his bounds” let it be known that all Cabinet positions and state organizations such as the eIrish Bank and the IA are also not part of the game but are created by the players. So to ignore the treaty while agreeing to all other non game player created elements is kind of hypocritical to me.

Bhane then brought the proposed treaty to the citizens to vote upon. Again Bhane did not have to do this. But as this agreement is an issue of such importance Bhane let the citizens decide. NOT the action of a man trying to ram his idea down our throats.’

Well the results of the referendum were 50 in favor to 13 against. 79% of respondents were for this agreement. The people spoke. Now immediately there were calls of fraud. NO proof whatsoever was given. Just people who didn’t like the results I guess. Now like I said for me to hear someone call Bhane a liar and that he faked the results was enough to make me angry. I don’t get angry very often as this is just a game. But to accuse the CP of fraud was enough this time. Especially since Bhane had no reason to fake anything. Bhane did not have to run a referendum at all. No where in eIrish law does it say Bhane had to run a referendum before agreeing to any treaty with another nation. Congress could create such a law via a Constitution but all attempts to do so always are greeted with groans and comments of “non enforceable” and the matter is always dropped. But since there is no such law Bhane could just have agreed to the treaty on his own. He didn’t. His actions show a responsible CP acting in the manner that in this case the citizens thought was best for eIreland. The citizens voted yes. Not Bhane.

I am not commenting on the decision made by the citizens of eIreland nor how individual citizens feel about it. Be it for or against you have that right to feel the way you feel on the subject and I will never tell you you are wrong. I will fight for your right to state your opinion be it in game or real life.

But I won’t agree with the level of disrespect shown for Bhane. Bhane did nothing to deserve this level of antagonism. Not that other CPs have not deserved criticism nor disrespect. But Bhane does not. Bhane brought a proposed issue before the people of eIreland and let them choose what they wanted. If that deserves disrespect then no one in this game deserves any. No one who tries to serve his nation deserves any. No one who does the right thing deserves any.

I am sure there will be many comments on the merits or lack of on the treaty. That is not what this article is about. It is about respect. We can disagree on issues but still respect each other you know. I would hate to think about what we will become if we can’t respect each other while playing a game.