--------------------------------------
ICQ Chat Save file 
Started on Fri Sep 11 18:40:30 1998

--------------------------------------
<Harold> Back again...
<Filipe> Hi! 
<Filipe> 
<Harold> 
<Harold> I did too.
<Harold> 
<Filipe> I found it. I was reading the Act. I really like the idea.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> It's a bit tricky, but the basic point is that not all candidates need a majority of the vote to win, but more than the average of votes cast.
<Harold> 
<Filipe> I only don't understando pretty well the counting system. 
<Harold> for all candidates.
<Harold> 
<Harold> Hang on a sec...
<Harold> 
<Filipe> Give an example. If you received 4 votes "preference 1" type and I received 10 votes "preference 2", what happens? Let's say that there's just an vacancy chair for the two of us.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> Preference 2 would win. The 4 votes for Preference 1 would be counted as 8 votes.
<Harold> But I'm not sure that is exactly how it works. Let me put out a message on the PDG, and I'll get it straight for us.
<Harold> 
<Filipe> It's a good system. But it's too late to use it in our elections. 
<Harold> I agree, but we could write it into our permanent Electoral Law.
<Harold> 
<Harold> Now, to more pressing concerns:
<Harold> 
<Filipe> Yes, we must do it.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> The Loyalists do not (as far as I know) have anyone in mind for S-G. I was thinking that if the Loyalists commanded a majority in the Florestiers (which I think is likely), it would be good for national unity to have a moderate Reunista for S-G. Such as yourself.
<Harold> 
<Filipe> Oh, and what Savoy think about it? :-)
<Harold> I have no idea. I just came up with the idea :-) 
<Filipe> And thanks for the indication! :-))
<Filipe> 
<Harold> You would have to pass what the Americans call a "litmus test", though. 
<Harold> The question is: if the Loyalists repeal the Act of Union (I'm putting it nicely, now), would you try to veto it or let it stand if you were S-G?
<Harold> 
<Harold> Nice political answer, Filipe. What if the FLORESTIERS repeal the Act?
<Harold> 
<Filipe> If the people repeal the Act, they Will must rule. If the "patriots" win 3 chairs, it's clearly to me that Orange doesn't want the Act any longer.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> Now we are getting somewhere...! :-)
<Harold> 
<Harold> Let me assure you that if the Reunistas win, I will swallow my pride and accept the Emperor.
<Harold> 
<Filipe> I don't worry about you or even Savalls...the problem is Savoy and, maybe, Lenin. 
<Filipe> 
<Harold> I think they can be tamed a bit. Savalls can work on Savoy, and I think I have some influence with Lenin.
<Harold> 
<Harold> The thing is, though, Porto Claro messed up because the "messers up" got into power, even as far as Prime Minister. I do not see that happening this time. Savalls and I are moderate Loyalists -- and you and Guilherme are moderate Reunistas. I think we can do business.
<Harold> 
<Filipe> I just could accept that they mess up Orange, like the portoclarians did, in november.
<Filipe> 
<Filipe> Ok. It's always valueble to talk with you.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> Thank you. One more comment: What we most need is a COMMITMENT to make the Constitution work. I think those of us who have been around for a while are tired of a nation with no rules that gets nothing done. 
<Harold> 
<Filipe> You have my word that the Constitution will be respect
<Harold> Well, it's good to know that the Father of the Laranjian Constitution supports his own product! :-)
<Harold> 
<Filipe> I m not the father...I couldn't did without you. 
<Harold> Said what?
<Harold> 
<Filipe> I said that because Savou made me angry.
<Filipe> 
<Filipe> He called me "moleque" - I don't know how to tell you the exactly mean. 
<Filipe> 
<Harold> My Portugese dictionary (poor as it is) defines it as a street urchin, or what the Americans used to call a "nigger". 
<Filipe> You're almost there. It means, in a technical term, a young boy. But it's a pejoractive term. 
<Filipe> 
<Harold> Really... It is pejorative.
<Harold> 
<Harold> Obviously, Savalls and I would have some work cut out for us if Savoy is elected... 
<Harold> 
<Filipe> He said that I'm a "moleque", that I disrespect the Constitution...and go on.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> I'm sorry I can't read Portuguese better. There is so much work to running it through AltaVista that I am tired when I actually try to read the messages...!
<Harold> 
<Filipe> And I'm sorry we can't write all messages in english too. It's a shame.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> I would settle even for a sentence or two in summary. Also remember (this helps me with Savalls) that I know French.
<Harold> 
<Harold> Oops...
<Filipe> Yes, I can't forget it...a summary helps a lot.
<Filipe> 
<Harold> 
<Harold> Thank you.
<Harold> 
<Harold> 
<Harold> My wife (who is learning to tolerate Orange) just came home from work, and says she can eat a horse, so I'd better get off. Have a good evening! We'll see how the election goes...
<Harold> 
--------------------------------------

The Tisserand Museum
October, 2000