Forum Elections: The Cellars

[Banya]

Thank you, Campaign Manager Mhera.  It was easily overlooked, as the Binturong had not been made an official candidate at the time, but that does not make his answer of any less importance.

To recapitulate, here again is the original question and the responses by each candidate:

How do you feel about attempting to undermine the authority structure of the forums and running for a position in an illegitimate government?

That would be wonderful as it would benefit Isfet and upset the balance of Ma'at greatly. That would be fun.

I would not attempt such an action, as the toppling of power is nearly always more destructive than helpful.
Instead, a better idea would be to influence them greatly with mind-control to gradually change things for the better.

I don't think of myself as running for a position to undermine any authority granted to the moderation staff, whom I have great respect for. I'm not trying to become a dictator or a supreme ruler. The position of Celler President would be bestowed only on those who are respected in our community, not to take over, but to enhance. Enhance the same fun and wonder that exists within the Cellars already. If elected, my goal would be to build upon what the excellent staff has already done.

Unless authority can be completely and utterly enforced, it is nothing but a subjective concept. Therefore, I consider the current forum's authority structure to be just that. The current ruling party of this forum has some degree of power, but, as seen by the chaos that has arisen with the Guest War, it is ultimately unable to demand complete authority and respect from its citizens.

My answer to the latter question is much the same: unless there is universal recognition of a government as being illegitimate, its illegitimacy is merely subjective.

The candidates may now make their rebuttal speeches.  Note that they are allowed to repeat any points already made, add to their earlier answers, criticize their opponents' arguments, or any combination of those.

*bangs gavel*

[Lady Ashenwyte]

I'd like to be Jet's campaign manager.

[Jetthebinturong]

Then you may be.

[Lady Ashenwyte]

The DDB Council is watching these developments with interest.

[The Skarzs]

To Jet: Isfet? Ma'at? Do we want a foreign power enforcing his strange ideas of his immortal freindemies in this establishment? Ladies and gentlemen, we are looking at a person who appears to have personality disorder; perhaps further tests can be made, but as a psychologist I feel it is my duty to warn you of potential danger.

To Soren: Such lukewarmness can be harmful. You are trying to tempt people into voting for you by saying what they want to hear [much like the politicians of the real world. . .], but we all know you would simply turn this place into a land of useless fun and games.

To Izeroth: Ah, another extreme. Chaos will be present whether or not one wants it to, and no amount of dystopian enforcement will change that. Forceful respect is not respect; it is fear, tyranny. Leading by example shall be the best of policies.

[Jetthebinturong]

Ma'at and Isfet are concepts, not beings. Ma'at, as I understand it, is the Egyptian word for the natural order of the universe. The opposing force of Ma'at is Isfet, or chaos, the force that attempts to destroy reality with its mere existence.

[Lady Ashenwyte]

To Jet: Isfet? Ma'at? Do we want a foreign power enforcing his strange ideas of his immortal freindemies in this establishment?

Yes we do.

[Jetthebinturong]

Also, I'd like clarification on what the Torte is saying. Both he and Faiyloe have conceded that I actually do the things I speak off. Also, what frienemies? You mean Tyrull? Because he is by no means a frienemy, he's just an enemy, full stop.

[The Skarzs]

For clarification on what HE is saying, that's a "being" stuck inside his head.

[Faiyloe]

I request to the moderator that my candidates title be changed, to Skarzs the Cave Troll, Torte is just a pet name.

[Luftwaffles]

Is Jet an official candidate now?

[Hickory]

Excuse me.

All candidates are nereby banned from viewing the Cellar Council thread as sensitive information will be posted there. That is all.

[The Skarzs]

Riiiight. . . Like that is really going to happen.

[Hickory]

Miss Banya?

[Jetthebinturong]

For clarification on what HE is saying, that's a "being" stuck inside his head.

And what is strange about that? What implications could that have for me being ruler of the universe president of the Cellars? It's quite obvious that it's not a split-personality because I keep him in control and I'm still there while he speaks. You need to become a better psychologist. Also we were once entirely separate entities and I'm searching for a way to transfer him to something else.