Six Notes for the Incoming Members of Dáil Éireann
Day 2,074, 23:46
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Published in Ireland 
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by
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by Arjay Phoenician III
You’re counted as a reader, you might as well vote!
Last month at this time, I was an eager freshman, gaining my first Congressional medal, thanking the people I needed to thank, and wanting to get down to business. I had this notion I was going to learn a little something about Irish politics, about the mechanics of the political module, and start making my name for myself as a leader in the community. Truly, it’s not what I had expected, and in my zeal to get my term off to a flying start, I stepped on a few toes and irritated a few people who were always on my side.
Realizing some of my mistakes, and realizing the realities of our little country, here are a few pointers for you, the first-time member of our Dáil Éireann. Use them however you wish, or don’t use them at all. Just understand, I was in your shoes thirty days ago, and maybe things will go a little smoother for you if you take a moment and laugh at how I screwed up.
1. THERE IS NO MANUAL FOR CONGRESSIONAL PROTOCOL. This country has long abandoned the notion of a national forum, Congression rules of conduct, and chain of command. You will not find any set of instructions posted anywhere, because no one has bothered to post them. Occasionally our education guru, Ian E. Coleman, will publish a useful article, but if you’re looking for someone to point you in the right direction, there’s no direction for you to be pointed in.
2. SOMEONE WILL GET AROUND TO CONTACTING YOU WHEN THEY’RE GOOD AND READY. It may take a day or two, but someone who is experienced will contact you and work you onto a group mail list. This is how the Dáil discusses things. You can try finding other members on IRC, good luck on that one, you may find one or two on #eire once in a while, but that’s hit-or-miss. Yeah, I know, if these people are supposed to be leaders, shouldn’t they be more on the ball? Why should you have to wait for them to get off their arses to get this started? Truly, you’re more than welcome to hunt down everyone in our Dáil and get the thread started, most members will appreciate your desire to take the initiative.
3. USE eIRISH UNIVERSITY FOR FORUM-STYLE DISCUSSIONS. Despite what more established members keep telling me about there being no need for a forum, I started a Dáil Éireann thread at eIrish University. And you know something? It works just fine, thank you very much. For the sake of transparency and getting the rest of the country involved, I felt the thread was necessary. Others seemed to agree, and as a result, we had a mix of Congressmen, ministers, and laypeople chiming in. Whether or not you decide to continue the thread, just understand that the concept is not dead at all. Don’t listen to people when they tell you you can’t do something.
4. DONATE YOUR GOLD. It’s long been a tradition in Ireland and around this world. By donating the gold you gained by virtue of your election, you are telling your countrymen you’re not in this for a quick payday or the medal. The gold is put to good use for national need, usually for MPPs. This is something you’re going to have to wait on, because when I tried to follow the process just now, the org I made the donation to last month isn’t where it should be. Another example of just having to wait until the “leaders” of this country get off their duffs to tell you how things are done. If you don’t feel like waiting on these yutzes, give it to your MU commanders, they’ll appreciate it.
5. THERE’S NO NEED TO GET CUTE OR OVERCOMPLICATED. You’re a Congressman in a small country. Understand the context. You’re not going to draft legislation that’s going to unravel civilization as we know it, so don’t try. Don’t think you have to use every function at your disposal; just because you CAN do a thing doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it. Don’t grant citizenship to anyone just because you can, don’t think you have to tweak the tax levels or the minimum wage, and don’t impeach the president just because he pissed you off in IRC. Leadership is not about access to privileges, it’s about the wisdom to use them only as needed. By all means, if you have a serious desire to propose something, run it by a few other Congressmen and get their feedback before you do, get a little discussion going on the matter, it will help you form a more intelligent proposal if you still decide to pursue it.
6. DON’T TAKE BRIAN BORU SERIOUSLY, HE’S JUST A DUMB KID. He talks out of his arse quite a bit. He’s what I call a “wannabe Machiavelli”, errantly believing he has access to the invisible strings that pull the world. I’ve gotten into a few scrapes with him, and I’ve come to the realization he’s just a dumb kid, a knucklehead who thinks he’s more than what he really is. Don’t waste your time with him. Let him think he’s somebody, nod your head to make it look like you’re listening, say “uh huh” once in a while to keep the illusion of you giving a damn going, and then move onto things more important to you.
Truly, except for Brian, I have the utmost respect for everyone I have encountered during this experience. I’ve gotten into a few shouting matches, but I’ve come to realize that everyone has the country’s best interests at heart, that we’re all just dust in the wind and trying to do the best we can in a world that would trample us shamelessly if given the opportunity.
I wish you the best of luck.
Belfast Lough Times: Issue #38
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Comments
Voted for useful tips
You're an American citizen, and these aren't tips, they're sarcastic.
uh huh...
If you become a Congressman don't turn down any friendship requests from Irish citizens, that is probably someone inviting you to the Congressional discussion thread.
It is the time spent friending new Congressmen that delays the launch of the Congress thread each month.
Everybody is welcome to use forums for discussing ideas, however as a low percentage of Congress members are willing to use them, discussing legislation needs to be done in the ingame Congress thread to effectively reach the Dail.
This article only falls short of being a great informational article because it is needlessly snipey.
Good luck to the new Dail! It's always good for incoming freshman to have a little guidance.
Except this is sarcastic tips plus an utterly random attack on me.
uh huh...
Arjay, you're a drifter who has contibuted nothing but articles stirring the pot to this country.
In fact, your antics in the ILP lost this country an experienced soldier. As for my self-importance, I may be arrogant, but I am a Minister of the Republic, which makes me more important that you at the moment.
than*
uh huh...
Nothing more you can say, I see.
Would have been a great article had you been able to get over your grudge against boru.
You lost me there at the end.
Arjay you were given a chance by ILP what did you do make the LPA best tank leave us and then when you got congress you ran off to grey wolves which was very unfair to those who let you in, in front of if you ask me better candidates and you also went from a far left party ILP to a far right party Grey wolves so obviously you don't have a clue bout politics
Now my rant is over goodbye
Who was the best tank?
Roz.
I don't know Roz, but I do know this, that players here (& in other countries - its not a uniquely Irish problem,) get exasperated & end up leaving for other places.
It is because of the way they are treated by some players.
Sad thing is that every country has these personality types who have an inflated perception of their abilities that match their aspergers type personalities. These clowns spoil it for others.
almost had my vote...
then it got petty
:/
Many of these tips are good, (perhaps sarcastic) but good for younger congressmen regardless. Therefore for the information alone i've voted.
Boated.
Take out the Boru stuff, and it's a good first draft at something the eUniversity should should add.
there was a break in congress usually like this congress there would be an existing telegram off july and then a August telegram would appear later. Therefore a continuation.
I dont think this is a good enough article for the university. perhaps rather than trying to over coach new player why dont you write an article explaining what functions is available , who will usually use it, and why and what its function is strip away the subjective twist your article has now. for example
impeachment: when to use it: very serious misconduct by CP, who can initialize this: any congressman : requirement to pass:70%
also bhane is right you should lose the brian boru part. for the simple fact is your clouding other players attitude towards him.
Well, it's your article so if you want to use it to make comments about Boru than that's your freedom.
The advice on sitting tight until you're added to the congress thread, and on reframing from pushing all the buttons just because you can is great advise though. I might take this general idea and write a MoE article advising new congress representatives.
Yes, well, abuse of said right generally makes one an asshole.
Nothing wrong with open declarations of assholedom.
I'm not supporting the substance of his comments in anyway - I just mean to say that if Arjay wants to sully an otherwise somewhat useful article by vilifying a government official, then that's his choice. It isn't the choice that I would have made even if I held those views, but then Arjay has his own way of doing things.