Q&A Session #1
PigInZen
Greetings, citizens of the eUS. President Harrison Richardson has asked me to conduct a Question and Answer session today so I'm opening this article for questions. Leave one in the comments here, send me a message in eRep or contact me via IRC (PigInZen). I'll move the questions to the article and answer them as quickly as I can.
All topics are available, feel free to ask about issues involving the President, his cabinet, the US Presidential elections, foreign affairs, heck, I'll even answer questions about me personally if you're curious.
PigInZen
Deputy Chief of Staff to Harrison Richardson
FOLKS: I AM ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS, NOT HR.
Edit: I've reached the end of what eRep can display; responses will be posted in the comments.
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Question from anarquia via IRC
When are you going to lower the 20% income tax in weapons?
ANSWER
Well considering that the administration can only propose legislation and not actually submit it, this is really up to Congress. But I will say on a personal level as an owner of two Q1 gun companies that the recent VAT tax hike is really killing my profits. That said, I am quite positive that the taxes on weapons accounts for a large portion of government revenues. Demand has never been higher.
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Question from James Skyrider via PM
Hey there PigInZen. Im fairly new and I'm trying to understand a few things when it comes to game mechanics and this war. As it is right now, if we stop Indo from taking Texas an Arkansas, will they have to wait 24 hours before they attack again. Of course, I mean even if they retreat and attack again and we stop them. But if we stop them where they are, then they can only attack Texas and Arkansas right? BTW, I read the article about the Q&A but the people in the comments were just asking ridiculous questions so I decided to PM you instead. Thanks in advance for your reply.
ANSWER
I'm not an expert on game mechanics but I will give this my best shot. If we successfully defend against an attacker then yes, that attacker loses initiative for 24 hours. The problem for us is that we've been facing attacks from three separate powers and those attacks have been spaced out so that we have to stop all attacks over what is more like a 48 hour period in order to obtain the initiative. As long as we are under attack from any power, anywhere we cannot attack.
As far as I know Indonesia can only attack in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.
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Question from Serendipitous (via IRC)
The Portuguese have symbolically won this war by capturing Washington D.C. This also presents them with an excellent oppurtunity to attack several states. In concurrence with this, Russia and Indonesia are tearing up the Mid and Southwest in preparation to decimate our Southern states.
What's your plan of action?
ANSWER:
Our plan of action is to slow down the attacks as much as possible by defending. Citizens should be careful to watch the official orders from the following:
DoD newspaper http://www.erepublik.com/en/newspaper/dod-orders-194506/1
The White House Press Office: http://www.erepublik.com/en/newspaper/the-briefing-room-185289/1
The Emergency Broadcast script located on the eRepublik home page for Firefox and Greasemonkey users
and in IRC.
We need to string together several consecutive defenses until we are able to get the initiative back. It's important to be careful of where and when we're fighting. PEACE GC has been well coordinated in their attack strategies in order to keep us from gaining the initiative.
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Question from Dell Fargus in the comments
Who led the National League in Doubles in 1962?
ANSWER:
Frank Robinson for the Cincinnati Red Legs
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Question from N4ked Sn4ke in the comments:
Is father-daughter incest legalised now you've lost most of the northern states?
ANSWER
Actually, until we lose everything north of the Mason-Dixon line it will remain illegal.
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Question from Wolf Girl in the comments:
How long do you think you're going to have a country?
ANSWER
I don't foresee the US going away completely. I personally believe that PEACE GC will leave us with a few regions but without any sort of resource base.
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Question from Kyler Lee Octan via PM:
There has been talk of either cutting the funding for the U.S. Training Division, or shutting it down all together. Would you approve of either of these measures?
ANSWER
I personally believe that we need to focus on mass mobilization of our citizenry and work towards providing higher-ranked players with weapons. The TD is useful in funneling citizens to the main branches of the military and getting them acclimated to the needs of the military. I don't see that changing however the funding of the TD might be better used elsewhere. In any event I am in favor of finding the most effective and efficient manner to mobilize people and get them involved directly in the war effort. If that's through the TD, so be it.
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Comments
First denied.
Who led the National League in Doubles in 1962?
PIGIMAXXX!!!!!
Is father-daughter incest legalised now you've lost most of the northern states?
How long do you think you're going to have a country?
Ligtreb, thanks for deleting that answer to one of the questions above... 🙂
Yeah we'll keep the resource regions for ourself.
PigInZen, I'll let you answer the questions, that's what you're here for. 🙂
Whooo gooooo redlegs!!
And incest!
Oops
eAmerica who?
eAmerica what?
😃
Baww..
Question(s) from Glorious Failure via PM
1) Lets look at the lead-up to the invasion. From where I'm sitting, it looks like it could've not been stopped, but lessened a little by having a better foreign policy both in your term, and terms previous. Agree or disagree, and state why.
ANSWER
I just want to state that I am answering this, not HR. I agree with this statement. The US is currently being taught a lesson in this war and I for one am not about to let it go by. Instead of adapting to changing world conditions we've continued to alienate potentially friendly nations with an erratic and belligerent foreign policy. I'd like to see this changed permanent and I believe with this current administration it has somewhat. We need to do a better job at communications, both internationally and with our own citizens.
2) The administration has made a fair few tactical mistakes; what would you have changed, using 20/20 hindsight.
ANSWER
Given that I'm not privy to the Joint Chiefs of Staff strategy discussions, I'm not sure how to answer this except to say that we waited too long to counterattack. Some earlier coordination with our allies to gain the initiative might have helped tremendously.
3) Revenge on the UK; when can we expect it? 🙂
ANSWER
Not anytime soon given the conditions... 😉
4) As a semi-follow on; what are the plans for after the war? (for this question assume you've got a few regions, no hospitals, and very little/no money.
ANSWER[/b}
Following the closure of this war I expect to see the US go through a big restructuring of its government and how it works. We won't be able to rely upon a steady large amount of gold to provide us with easy security so we'll need to become more efficient and effective at organization and mobilization of the resources at hand. Certainly manufacturing will become quite important as will imports of RMs.
How do you think, is it possible that US fail in this war ? What will we do then ? Imagine we don't have any regions left, or have a few without any resourses. How are we going to strike back and take our regions ? What will the government do ?
.
Thanks.
Question(s) from Gior:
How do you think, is it possible that US fail in this war?
ANSWER
We already are failing to some degree. Despite the crowing from the people winning I think we're actually putting up a fight. It's not like we've retreated in the face of the attack, we're contesting regions. DC was quite close last night.
What will we do then? Imagine we don't have any regions left, or have a few without any resources. How are we going to strike back and take our regions?
ANSWER
We'll have to get extremely organized and start saving whatever we can to build ourselves back up to where an RW or two would be winnable. We can always manufacture.
What will the government do?
ANSWER
There are contingency plans in place for continued government function even if the entirety of the country was occupied. We're not going to quit and make it easy.
im a noob in texas at leval 4 cannot fight dont know what to do shoild i move and fight when i can are stay
im a noob in texas at leval 4 cannot fight dont know what to do shoild i move and fight when i can are stay
ANSWER:
I'll send you a moving ticket. You should relocate to NJ or FL. Keep two-clicking (working & training) until you reach level 5 at which point you can fight. If your wellness drops below 40 PM me and I'll send you some gifts to raise it. PM me when you reach level 5 and I'll walk you through the fighting/healing process.
Is government going to reorganize the military somehow ?
I'm glad to hear TD will be funded as always. There are too many new trainees, both new players and skilled who want to join the military. It's hard for the current high officers to manage all these things. Are there any plans for improvement ?
.
Thanks
PigInZen: With the resignation of Eugene Harlot, and some other confusion as a result, citizens are not getting quickly updated information about where and when to fight. There has not been a DoD (harlot's Paper) release for two days, and there have been seven or eight battles take place. There has also not been a HRTimes release in almost a week. The military is suffering from the same lag in it's orders, though not as behind as the administration. Where are citizens supposed to look for leadership here, and what can citizens do to get with the program, or get subscribed to the right paper?
Ah chaos is a wonderful thing when it isn't your side! rofl!
Dog girl, you are insignificant. Shoo fly.
Who will take Harlot's position ?
@Daniel Jacob Asher Aaaah did you miss me?
I missed you, but not your flea-bitten hide, doggy.
Nice to know someone missed me! Not that I miss you lot you spent your time complaining.
You know him? O_o
On the eus forumn Sn4ke we exchanged comments!
Ah. 😉
Still haven't been banned? :3
If under the sad circumstance that we are forced to leave the eUS (or it is destroyed), where would it be advised to go?
I'm 9 days old and have much to learn about game mechanics, but since we can't counter attack Portugal,Russia, or Indo, why not attack other peace members like the UK? (not sure how to cross the Atlantic)? We are losing ground every day. Maybe we can divide the enemy forces a bit by putting them on the defensive and slowing their advance.
Or maybe concede that we will lose everything except NJ and FL and help our allies to secure territory abroad? We could help them to be stronger while weakening the enemy at the same time. Then when the enemy attempts and fails to take FL or NJ, we can counter with help from stronger allies. This strategy may send a message to the neutral nations that we are out for the greater good.
Question from Gior Harton:
Is government going to reorganize the military somehow?
I would say we're going to have to. The current structure is not as affective as it could be.
I'm glad to hear TD will be funded as always. There are too many new trainees, both new players and skilled who want to join the military. It's hard for the current high officers to manage all these things. Are there any plans for improvement?
Considering that I was in Congress before the most recent election I need more information before getting too specific but I imagine that broadening the military base is what is needed. We need to involve more citizens at all levels of our society. I would expect to see more calls for volunteers to help out in the coming weeks.
Question from Daniel Jacob Asher:
With the resignation of Eugene Harlot, and some other confusion as a result, citizens are not getting quickly updated information about where and when to fight. There has not been a DoD (harlot's Paper) release for two days, and there have been seven or eight battles take place. There has also not been a HRTimes release in almost a week. The military is suffering from the same lag in it's orders, though not as behind as the administration. Where are citizens supposed to look for leadership here, and what can citizens do to get with the program, or get subscribed to the right paper?
Firstly, general orders are ALWAYS HOLD YOUR FIRE UNTIL AS LATE AS POSSIBLE. I cannot stress this enough. If there are no orders then hold your fire. Orders *WILL* be updated.
Secondly, I am currently aware of this deficiency and am taking steps to remedy it. I have a organizational structure for the Executive branch that has recently been adopted. Part of the problem has been that the President's assistants and Secretaries can't be online 24 hours a day. There has to be some structure in place for authority to exist in the absence of the President, VP, Sec of State, etc. I am hopeful that this structure, fully implemented from the start of an administration (that's two days away, FYI) will help. I have also identified an urgent need for a more authoritative media strategy. Part of this media strategy is to ensure that there are updated orders available for at least 18 hours of the day. The next two days will be tough for this as the current cabinet isn't geared for this structure but after the elections are completed I'll work hard on getting this up and running.
Until then, follow this simple rule: Hold fire until DoD issues orders or the thread in the eUSforums is updated (url: http://eusforum.com/index.php/topic,5174.0.html)." target="_blank">http://eusforum.com/index.php/topic,5174[..]tml).
Question from Gior Harton:
Who will take Harlot's position ?
ANSWER
Leroy Combs has accepted the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Question from boonies4u:
If under the sad circumstance that we are forced to leave the eUS (or it is destroyed), where would it be advised to go?
ANSWER:
There is currently discussion of contingency plans in the Cabinet. Nothing is set yet and we are weighing all options including remaining in the conquered US or relocating to an ally, smaller neutral nation or smaller PEACE nation. Stay tuned.
Question from Rob B:
I'm 9 days old and have much to learn about game mechanics, but since we can't counter attack Portugal,Russia, or Indo, why not attack other peace members like the UK?
ANSWER:
Unfortunately the game mechanics dictate that if a country's home territory is under attack it cannot conduct attacks. If we're on the defensive then we're stuck until the attackers are defeated or attacked by an ally. For more information on this topic, see Joe_Schmo's fantastic article from today: http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/tactics-101-882951/1/20#comments" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/tact[..]ments
Question: (not sure how to cross the Atlantic)?
We're adjacent to several European nations but I don't think we are adjacent to the UK.
Question:
Or maybe concede that we will lose everything except NJ and FL and help our allies to secure territory abroad? We could help them to be stronger while weakening the enemy at the same time. Then when the enemy attempts and fails to take FL or NJ, we can counter with help from stronger allies. This strategy may send a message to the neutral nations that we are out for the greater good.
ANSWER:
We'd love to be able to put our enemies on the defensive. North Korea attacked Russia earlier in the war to help us turn the tide before Indo and Portugal attacked and now NK is completely occupied by Russia. I'm certain that some allies are cognizant of the risk they would be taking since we couldn't send much help at this point.
Question from Mufasa Hamad (via PM):
Why do our enemies call themselves "PEACE" when all they do is attack our regions?
ANSWER
Great question! PEACE GC actually is an acronym: People of Earth Associated under Common Excellence: Global Community. But it's a nice little bit of trivia.
Question from Longbaugh (via PM):
What was the name of your first account?
ANSWER:
PigInZen was my first account. I have two orgs as well. (I *LOVED* this question)
If the state we are currently located in falls to enemy hands, then what should we do since we cannot move back?
In all, if all of eUSA falls what country should we move to in order to regroup?
You are basically all quite looney. However, I was just born in your world and I suspect insanity doesn't occur immediately, in some of your cases, I believe it might have been a lifelong process. When does one get any rights around here?
I would just like to say, here's an interview where he answers a lot of these questions: http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/interview-with-piginzen-gaius-julius1-883100/1/20" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/inte[..]/1/20
What does each major US party stand for?
Question from Zack Mack:
If the state we are currently located in falls to enemy hands, then what should we do since we cannot move back?
You will need to have two moving tickets to relocate to the US. Contact me in game and I'll get you the tickets and instructions on how to move back to US territory.
In all, if all of eUSA falls what country should we move to in order to regroup?
We haven't determined the evacuation process yet or even if there will be one. Rest assured that we're discussing the worst-case scenario plans in both Congress and the Executive.
Question from richboy803 via PM
What is your advice to the people of eMerica?
ANSWER
My advice is pretty straightforwar😛 keep your wellness high, fight as late in the day as possible, follow civilian orders from the DoD, and relocate to Florida or New Jersey. Oh, and I'd like to add DON'T PANIC, no matter what there will always be a United States in this game even if we're exiled from our homeland. Don't give up hope, keep fighting.
Question from citizenclockmaker:
You are basically all quite looney. However, I was just born in your world and I suspect insanity doesn't occur immediately, in some of your cases, I believe it might have been a lifelong process. When does one get any rights around here?
ANSWER: Yes, everyone who plays eRep is quite insane, I agree. As for rights, well, you are "eBorn" with certain ones as outlined in the wiki (http://wiki.erepublik.com/index.php/Rules): the right to freedom from "oppression", the right to freedom of the press, and the freedoms to choose where to work and fight. You will receive more things to do as you level up, for instance, at level 5 you can fight. I suggest you do so.
Question from Azazazazaz:
What does each major US party stand for?
ANSWER:
You know, I really don't know and I really don't care. I wrote a screed about the uselessness of domestic politics and how while there might be claimed differences between the parties that in practice, in Congress, there really isn't much substantial difference. For the record, I used to be a member of the USWP. I still like the USWP, they're highly effective at what they do which is elect Congress members. But outside of that I don't see much point in the rivalries between political parties. It strikes me as much wasted time and really more focused on cliques and buddy groups rather than substantive differences.
I'm more focused on building effective and efficient governing systems, not in beating my fellow countrymen to a pulp in an election.
wolf girls just sad she cant visit our forums anymore.
*pets the puppy*
@Chocolate McSkittles Thanks I think! lol And no I'm not sad all you guys do is complain there like here.
chocolate mcskittles's just sad he won't have a country much longer.
*pets the dolphin*
Oh is that what that is. *Gives him a fish he looks starved*
I'm a newb in California. If I were not a newb, I'd readily start organizing some California Liberation movement but, alas, I cannot. How can I help the USA? I am but a level 2 (just about level 3), 1.5 strength, 48 wellness, and 2.28 IDR. Should I stay in California or work to buy my way out and help our efforts from one of our remaining territories?
Get your wellness as low as possible before working.
You'll still get payed the same, but be far less productive.
Until you get fired, that is. But hey, economic terrorism wasn't designed to make friends. :3