|
|
|
Volume II Sept-Dec. 1998
|
||
|
Orange's Oldest and Most Respected English-Language Newspaper Published by Éditions Tisserand, Calais-sous-Soleil, Lafayette |
||||
|
If you are not on the Orange National List, click here for an e-mail reminder when new material is added.Write the Editor with comments, suggestions, or letters to the editor. |
||||
|
|
||||
Monday, 30 November 1998
Former Secretary-General Guilherme of Orange has recently used the Orange National List to agitate for a republic in Orange, stating that he prefers that form of government for its inherently superior quality of supporting democracy. While observers in the capital believe that he faces an uphill battle, he has generated some support from other Laranjians. The prevailing mood, however, seems to be that, while Orange has not been politically active recently, another major change is not needed at this time. Sources close to Floresters Speaker Jean Tisserand have suggested that the real problem is with Guilherme himself, who has suffered two major defeats in recent months, one of not being more influential in the existing Government, the other in the failure of the Act of Union. "If Guilherme wants a republic," said one source on condition of anonymity, "he can go to [the Republic of] Porto Claro. It is an open and democratic republic that speaks Portuguese and would likely embrace his ideals."
Editorial: Give it a rest, Guilherme!
The effort to build a Laranjian language (known as Oranjiane) showed its first fruits (or perhaps we should say "blossoms") at last Friday's Poetica Sexta-Fera, when Jean Tisserand submitted a short romantic poem on life in Calais-sous-Soleil, Lafayette, in Oranjiane, with an English translation. "This is Version 0.1," Tisserand wrote, stating that he expects extensive revisions before Oranjiane enters into common use. He hopes to have a rough draft of an Oranjiane grammar for the Academie Linguistiqe Oranjiane within a week.
Speaker of the Floresters Jean Tisserand, responding to criticism of inactivity in the nation's legislature, has reworked the calendar to set the period between now and 6 December for voting on two amendments to the Judiciary bill, originally submitted by Secretary-General Filipe Oliveira. Amendment PL6a, submitted by Francesc Savalls, would create a court of three judges appointed in the same manner as the Council of State (one by Princess Anne, one by the Floresters, the third by the Secretary-General). Amendment PL6b, submitted by Tisserand, would guarantee the right of appeal to the Council of State. In the original bill, up to five judges would be appointed by the Secretary-General for a term of one year, with no right of appeal, unless the court consists of only one judge. Voting on the Judiciary Act as a whole is expected late in December.
The Floresters also is considering a bill to override the Council of State veto on PL1, which was introduced in September to set a time limit within which the Council would have to veto an act, after which it would automatically become law. The final vote is expected by 6 December.
Finally, Tisserand has introduced a comprehensive electoral law providing the methods for electing the Council of Floresters, of setting up a referendum (voting on an issue by the entire electorate), and of electing single officials (such as a provincial governior). The most difficult aspect of this bill may be understanding the Hare Clark system of proportional representation, imported from Penguinea, which enables the election of independents to the Council of Floresters under a fairly complex formula that allows voters to set the order in which they prefer the Councillors to be elected. The voting date on this act has not yet been set.
Details of all legislation may be found (in English) in the Laranjian Chronicles. Some legislation has also been translated into French, and may be found on the floor of the Council of Floresters.
Tuesday, 27 October 1998
In voting this weekend, the Council of Floresters passed emergency legislation (R6) to set October 28, Princess Anne's birthday, as a national holiday. It will likely become a permanent holiday under the National Holidays Act, currently under consideration by the Council, and slated for vote this coming weekend.
In other legislative news (well, not so new, but not yet in the Orange Peel), the Council of State approved on 18 October a bill (PL2) introduced by Secretary-General Filipe Oliveira to revise the official map of the Principality by removing the portion of Pirraines within the territory of Porto Claro from our territories. The proposal received a 2-1 vote over the strong opposition of the Guerilla Muito Leal e Vermilha, strongly supported by Florester Francesc Savalls (PPG-Pirraines). On the same day, the Council approved PL3, authorizing Ambassador to the LOSS Jean Tisserand to pursue Orange's application for membership in that body. At the present time, the application is stalled, due to a policy in the LOSS holding new member applications until completion of the LOSS Charter, which is expected in December.
In a speech before the Council of Floresters, Jean Tisserand (RP-Lafayette) stated his opposition to the removal of Secretary-General Filipe Oliveira. "While I agree with my fellow Florester [Savalls] that we must ever be careful to protect the rights of our people, I believe that Filipe has taken to heart my warning from last week and will be more careful in the future," Tisserand said. "However," he added, "if he continues to show signs of unwarranted repression on the rights of the people, I will reconsider my position. In the cases of removal of certain individuals from the Orange National List, he is acting according to law. If the Citizenship Decree (31 May 1998, accessible from the Arquivo Nacional section of the Orange National Site) is a bad law, then we Floresters must be held to account for not changing it; not Filipe for lawfully enforcing it." Tisserand believes that the removal of a Secretary-General should only take place when the S-G has committed a crime, or is acting contrary to law. "It should not be a political trial," he concluded.
Tuesday, 20 October 1998
Citing human rights violations in the moderation of the Orange Discussion Group and the administrative removal of citizens from the Orange National List, Florester Francesc Savalls (PPG-Pirraines) has introduced Resolution R5 to the Council demanding Secretary-General Filipe Olivera's removal from office. In addition, he has launched a Parliamentary Inquiry to demand information as to who owns the site and details of its management.
Responding to Savalls' original post October 15, Florestier Speaker Jean Tisserand agreed that the actions of removing citizens from the list was tantamount to stripping Laranjians of their citizenship and right of free speech. Earlier, Florestier Davi Baccan had expressed great enthusiasm for preparing such a law, and on that basis had been named by Oliveira as Secretary of Immigration; however, he has not been heard from, and has failed to vote in the Floresters in the last two weeks.
Tisserand said, "Filipe must remember that the Constitution provides a tension between guaranteeing the right of free speech* and calling for citizenship activity** on the one hand; and requiring respect for the State and other individuals*** on the other." He argued that "Oliveira's eagerness to enforce fair speech has suppressed free speech, and is cooling the desire of Laranjians to participate in their political system." Tisserand had no comment on Savalls' demand to remove Oliveira from office.
In a related matter, Tisserand also called on the Secretary-General to appoint a judge as soon as possible, as required by the Constitution. "Obviously, we have a caseload in need of a judge," he commented.
* Article 43 (IV) and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (
English | Portuguese)** Article 45 (III),
*** Article 46 (I)
Over the weekend, the Progressive Action Party, headed by Secretary-General Filipe Oliveira, named Plinio Marcos Mendonça to the Council of Floresters. A new citizen, Plinio has already shown great enthusiasm for the task. In another development, Council Speaker Jean Tisserand introduced PL5,"The National Holidays Act". Believing that the country needed a break from the heavy legislation discussed in recent weeks, Tisserand invites discussion and amendments to his bill.
Monday, 12 October 1998
In two e-mails during the last week, an organization known as "Radio Free Orange" has sent messages to the Orange National List highly critical of the "inactivity" of the nation since the repeal of the Act of Union. The messages are in the form of sextet poems in Portuguese, and have "lamented" the "loss" of Ramon Llatzer and Francesc Savalls, referred to the "genial stupidity" of Jean Tisserand, and made comments about the alleged love affair in Annestadt between the Princess and Roderick of Savoy (which they have publicly denied).
The emissions are anonymous, but speculation in Guillaumesbourg points to Guilherme of Orange, recently emigrated to Réunion as the source. The style of the transmission clearly indicates that it did not originate with the founders of Radio Free Orange, Llatzer and Savalls, since the language is Brazilian Portuguese, and it is well known that Savalls writes in continental Portuguese.
Pedro Aguiar
In a tersely-worded announcement Sunday, Emperor Claudio I of Réunion announced that Pedro Aguiar had been stripped of all his titles in Réunion, including Lord Protector, Rector of the University of Réunion, and Ambassador to the LOSS. He declared the positions vacant and stripped Aguiar of his Réunian citizenship. When asked for comment by the Orange Peel, the Emperor had little to say except that Aguiar had attempted to blackmail him by demanding the removal of the newly-elected vice-premier Laura Dayspring, with the threat that either she goes or Aguiar goes. No word has been received from Aguiar, although it appears likely that he has returned to the Kingdom of Porto Claro, whose interests he has increasingly promoted in recent weeks.
Balloting this weekend in the Council of Floresters was intended to fill the third position for Council of State, to complement the Princess' appointment of Morgan de Rockraven, and the Secretary-General's appointment of Guilherme U. Lenin; however, only one vote was received -- Tisserand's for new citizen Klaus Köen. Voting will continue for another week, announced Speaker Tisserand.
Tuesday, 6 October 1998
In two e-mails, dated Sept. 27 and Sept. 30, Francesc Savalls, speaking for the "Single-Person Parliamentary Group of the Progressive and Gallant Party" has issued a demand for a response from Filipe Olivera, the Secretary-General., ollowing Oliveira's failure to answer a Parliamentary Question related to the manner in which the Act of Union was repealed, and his failure to provide a program for the new Government.
Specifically, Savalls called for the following: (1) For Oliveira to present to the Council of Florestiers his explanation for addressing these charges; (2) Revocation by the Council of Floresters of the act repealing the Act of Union "made unilaterally by the Secretary-General"; and (3) Presentation of a plan of government within 24 hours.
Florester Speaker Jean Tisserand commented that it is indeed a serious offense against the Floresters, and a violation of the Constitution for the Secretary-General to refuse to answer a Parliamentary Question, but that he has no desire to reopen the Act of Union as Savalls has suggested. "It is time to move on," he said.
Moving on, Tisserand has nominated new citizen Klaus Köen as the Council of Floresters representative to the Council of State. Voting is to take place this weekend (9-11 October). Tisserand has also introduced two bills for later consideration, both constitutional amendments. One (Substitute PL1) amends Article 13 of the Constitution by placing a 14-day time limit on the Council of State in determining whether it will approve or veto a bill of the Florestiers. The other (PL4) amends Article 29 to provide for the replacement of a Florestier who is not a member of any political party. Details may be read in the Laranjian Chronicles.
Saturday, 26 September, 1998
The Sourbonne Palace in Annestadt, Pirraines, was the scene of joyful celebration, as Her Serene Highness, Princess Anne and loyal Laranjians, including Francesc Savalls, Morgan de Rockraven, Roderick of Savoy, and Ramon Llatzer, celebrated her restoration to the Throne. In Calais-sous-Soleil, Lafayette, the event was marked by a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of the Laranjian Orthodox Church, attended by Floresters Speaker Jean Tisserand, and flowers laid beneath a portrait of Princess Anne at the Château Valençay, labeled "Queen of Lafayette" as a token of the love the citizens of Lafayette have for her; and in Oranjestadt, Utrecht, by quiet celebrations in private homes, in deference to Secretary-General Filipe Oliveira. Loud cheers could be heard from crowds at government buildings throughout the Principality as the Réunian flag was lowered for the last time.
Quiet discussions began Thursday between Secretary-General Filipe Oliveira and Reunian Emperor Claudio I following concern that Orange, so recently re-established following a long period of anarchy, was about to return to that state. Finally, at 5 pm Friday, the Secretary-General announced to the nation that Emperor Claudio had given his cumpra-se to a less than glorious Ordinance repealing the Act of Union. The full English text of the Emperor's message, along with a reply by Tisserand, may be found in the Orange Discussion Group. In that message Claudio had expressed disappointment at the lack of Laranjian regard for what he viewed as the rule of law. Ironically, while the discussions between the S-G and the Emperor were going on, the
Rally for the Principality had met in emergency session to draft a proposal for restoring national unity. Points included an acknowledgment of the legality (if not the morality) of the Act of Union, and a proposal to allow dual citizenship, at least for Réunians in Orange, which is currently forbidden by Article 46 of the Constitution. The Secretary-General, on hearing these proposals, indicated that he viewed dual citizenship as a greater threat to national sovereignty than the Act of Union, and would oppose such a move. In view of the events of the last two days, it appears unnecessary. One sad note, occurring Thursday, was the planned emigration of former Secretary-General Guilherme of Orange, in terms reminiscent of that of André Pfeiffer.Explaining his action, Oliveira said, "None of the benefits that the Act could bring to us values the state of chaos that Orange was living. That's because I choose for the end of the Union." Indeed, the motivation for creating the Act of Union was to put an end to chaos in Orange by encouraging participation by more individuals in the government that was just created by the Constitution. Ironically, the movement to repeal the Act provided exactly the impetus the nation needed to develop its own politics and culture.
Both Emperor Claudio and Tisserand expressed hope that new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries could develop, once, as Tisserand said, "Laranjian passions had cooled somewhat". Ideas being floated for future consideration include the formation of an "Alliance of Lusophone Micronations", potentially bringing together Orange, Réunion, the Porto Claros, Econia, and several other South American states; an alliance between Friedrich Engalls University (recently established by Guilherme U. Lenin) and the University of Réunion; further development of the Simulated Economy along the general lines of what the Réunians call the "Plano Cifra", and development of a new language to simplify communication between Lusophones and Anglophones in both nations.
The Act of Union had been opposed from its inception (24 August 1998), as earlier articles in this paper and
editorials indicate. The final struggle began when Tisserand cast the swing vote in the Floresters in favor of Filipe Oliveira for Secretary-General, stating at the time that, while "Oliveira was a Réunista, he was one we could do business with." The S-G's early actions did not bode well, however, as he immediately refused a corporate license to the Collins Foundation on the grounds that it offended the Emperor (who under the Act of Union had been given the title "Prince of Orange"). The Collins Foundation site had included pictures of Princess Anne and the Sourbonne Palace in Annestadt. Rumor was also afoot in Guillaumesbourg that the S-G would deny permission to the Orange Communist Party for the same reason. Resentment was also stirred by Oliveira's appointment of Patricia Trigo (a Réunian who had just resumed her Laranjian citizenship) to the Council of Floresters. Trigo resigned the Council yesterday in the wake of the repeal.The week was not all infighting, however. The Secretary-General did write a Provisional Measure providing for the formation of political parties and the conduct of elections that appears to be well-written, though an English translation is still forthcoming. Two political parties have been formed, a Progressive Action Party, consisting of Filipe Oliveira and Thiago Mello; and the Rally for the Principality, with Jean Tisserand and Ramon Llatzer as members. Today, the Collins Foundation was given a license, and it is expected that the Orange Communist Party (Morgan de Rockraven and Roderick of Savoy) will resubmit its application, with approval expected. The S-G also named Ramiro Maia Rezende, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and João Luis de Pinho-Cervalho, Secretary of Immigration. Cervalho has shown great enthusiasm for writing an immigration law, and is expected to take the lead on that issue.
Issues of foreign policy had been put on hold, due to the preoccupation of the Government with the domestic crisis, but an application for membership to the League of Secessionist States is expected in the next few days. Jean Tisserand has been named Ambassador to the League.
Monday, 14 September, 1998
Saturday and Sunday, under temporary rules established by Secretary-General Guilherme of Orange, 80% of the voters of Orange turned out to elect the first Council of Floresters. Under the S-G's rules, only one vote could be cast per voter, even though there were five positions to be elected. Jean Tisserand (right) was the front-runner, with four votes, and was named by the S-G as acting President of the Council. Davi Kraissajeck, Filipe Oliveira, and Mello received three votes each. Francesc Savalls received two votes. Guilherme Lenin also ran for office, but while not elected, is expected to hold a major post in the new Government.
Tisserand indicated that rules for the new Council were being prepared, and would be sent out to the new Councillors within a day or two. The effect of this election on the Act of Union is currently unclear. While Tisserand and Savalls have been outspoken Loyalists, and Oliveira and Mello Réunistas, Davi's position is not well known on this issue, which could result in a very interesting debate.
Followup to our 10 September article on Rick Harwood: The Orange Peel has been advised that Harwood has renounced his Choconyan citizenship; however, as a candidate for the Penguinean Althing (legislature), has come under fire from Althing Speaker (President) Anthony Lawless and others for taking out Réunian citizenship at the same time as he is running for the Althing and beginning a new press venture in the German micronation of Textor (whose Primat [Prime Minister] is Harwood's political opponent and candidate for the Althing Dieter Hamm. Further information on the Penguinean elections may be found at the Penguinean Discussion Group.
Thursday, 10 September 1998
The Orange Peel is pleased to announce a first in micronational journalism -- advertising! Our first ad (strangely enough, for Éditions Tisserand :-) ) can be reached by clicking on "Advertising Policy/Classifieds" in the masthead above. And, oh yes, please... someone apply for the position!
Wednesday, 9 September 1998
Attacking the "patriots" (Loyalists) for turning Orange from a "beautiful dream" to "a place where the anarchy and the terrorism overcome democracy," André Pfeiffer announced yesterday that he would "totally and completely separate himself from the Principality of Orange." Pfeiffer, one of the most creative and brilliant minds in the Principality, had become the lightning rod for the Réunista movement, being the subject of a negative editorial in this paper, and considerable criticism from the Loyalist camp. Unfortunately, in the heat of battle, what began as a legitimate discussion of issues turned into a personal attack, questioning Pfeiffer's loyalty to his homeland relative to his almost gushing enthusiasm for Réunion. The full letter, and Tisserand's response, may be found in the Orange Discussion Group.
In a later post to Tisserand, Pfeiffer added, "I do not answer that the editorial is identical to all of the aggressions. I do not have as much time as you "patriots" [Loyalists]. It is sad that this time cannot be used in the construction of Orange but was used in the destruction of Orange." Emperor Claudio I by Glorious Ordinance immediately accepted André as a citizen of Réunion, and cancelled the ordinary immigration process in his case.
Laranjians on both sides regretted André's departure, and their reaction was swift and heartfelt. Francesc Savalls wrote: "I find that division [Pro- and Anti-Réunion] is a little simplistic, and does not reflect the complicated Orange mentality. I think the Pro, in its desire to find activity had forgotten some important things that made Orange come to exist. Orange was not born, nor had its citizens come to live in it, to be the adopted or protective son of anyone... I think also (Filipe understands this best), that union with Réunion meant the death of Orange, that the main activity of the Laranjians would have been in the Holy Empire, until we came to nothing... We do not have an agreeable place to return to if pride in that place does not include for its people, its friendships, its institutions, its dynamics. We cannot be enamored of a landscape or a climate, any cities, or of a place to live. We live in cyberspace. We only have our capacity to imagine, to decide problems,of in amusing ourselves, to read what others think... We did a very difficult thing, create a pluralistic micronation."
Roderick of Savoy wrote, "That all want the best thing for Orange is undeniable... The oppositionists [Loyalists] that I know have chosen to go for the action (Lenin creating his University, I the Princess' Palace, etc.) and to demonstrate that we can have a productive life in Orange." In a later post he added, "The Act [of Union] was a great incentive to make us conscious of the fact that if we did not move, we die. We did not have to have it materialize."
Lord Mello wrote, "Then, my friends, who will not be satisfied with Orange if he goes to another micronation... We want to be conscientious, we need to be just a little bit adult at this moment. We want to see Orange grow, together and without these problems! We go to be friends, to support one another, to make constructive criticisms!"
Tisserand's response is in the Editorial:
Loyalist hurricane sweeps Orange, leaves damage
Following Guilherme of Orange's repeal of Decree 09/02-1, which now allows non-nobles and citizens with less than five months' residency to seek candidacy to the Council of Floresters, Lord Mello and Guilherme U. Lenin announced their desire to be elected. Lord Mello has not yet stated his platform, but is running as an independent ; while Lenin, a staunch Loyalist, has affiliated with the
Rally for the Principality. In his announcement, Lenin said he would "try to give the best of myself for Orange ... a sovereign nation, respected, active, and fraternal, ... at the limit between reality and fantasy."Francesc Savalls, an Exodee, Baron of Bon Marché, and former Margrave of the Two Pirraines announced today that he would also run for the Florestiers.
Rick Harwood (right), known throughout the micronational world as the « Penguinean Rupert Murdoch » has applied for Réunian citizenship, according to a Glorious Ordinance issued by His Imperialist Majesty, Claudio I, Emperor of Réunion, over the weekend. This is the third known micronationality for the energetic publisher, who is known for publishing The Penguinean Globe, The Réunian Globe, The Penguinean Enquirer (a supermarket tabloid), and Run-In (an interview magazine). He is currently standing for election to the Penguinean legislature, known as the Althing, and is also a citizen of Choconya. No reason has been given for his decision, though one of his brothers, Justin, has been a Réunian citizen for some time. Harwood was formerly a Réunian citizen during its short-lived annexation of Soveraat (now part of Choconya).
Correction : In the 3 September article on the Decrees that were passed, we reported that Guilherme of Orange (in Decree 09/02-5) had suppressed the Guerilla Muilto Leal e Vermilha and Radio Free Orange. He actually did the reverse, suppressing all movements except the Guerilla and Radio Free Orange. The error was caused by a very confusing triple-negative construction in the AltaVista-generated English translation. The Orange Peel regrets the error.
Thursday, 3 September 1998
Responding to a barrage of Loyalist (i.e., anti-Réunista) e-mail suggesting how the inactivity of the Principality could be resolved without resorting to union with Réunion, Guilherme of Orange issued a communiqué. On the so-called "Act of Union" he wrote, "After innumerable arguments, many of them baseless, the Princess has taken control of the negotiations, therefore I have no comment." He notes that for Réunion and some Laranjians, the so-called "Act of Union" is valid, for others it is not. "It is not for me to judge whether [the Act] is correct or not," he added.
He also announced that elections for the Council of Florestiers will be held 11-13 September, but did not elaborate a procedure for collecting and counting the ballots.
Decree 02/09-1 limits candidacy to the Council of Florestiers to Laranjians holding titles of nobility who have been residents five months or longer.
Decree 02/09-2 threatens with severe punishment anyone who issues a "baseless" criticism against Princess Anne.
Decree 02/09-3 grants immunity to prosecution to the family of the Princess and all government members, unless this privilege is used to offend others or any other type of "unjust aggression."
Decree 02/09-4 requires that the creation of political parties be approved by the Secretary-General and by Princess Anne. Each must have a clear program and be different from each other. The granting of political party status will be rescinded if collusion is found between different parties.
Decree 02/09-5 states that the Principality does not recognize the organizations known as "Radio Free Orange" or the Guerilla Muito Leal e Vermilha. Abuse of these "non-recognized entities" will result in suspension, arrest, and if activity continues, expulsion from the country.
Wednesday, 2 September 1998
HH Princess Anne
Last Thursday, 27 August, Her Highness Anne, Princess and Stadtholder of Orange and Defender of the Rights of the People, promulgated the Constitution, following by four days Guilherme of Orange's illegal promulgation of the Constitution and the so-called "Act of Union" with Réunion. The opposition, which we call the Réunistas, consisting principally of Réunian activists Filipe Oliveira and André Pfeiffer cited as one reason for annexation the inactivity of our Princess. Her Highness was understandably defensive of the charges of inactivity, but noted that while she did not enjoy politics, she did enjoy ruling the nation, and was an avid student of history and political geography. While she notes that the life of a Princess is an extremely busy one (not to mention real life), she saw (and her defenders see) no reason to give it up.
Debate on the Constitution had begun in mid-July, with the draft essentially completed by 24 July, except for a few minor changes completed 27 August. At this time, both Réunistas and defenders of Princess Anne agree that the Constitution is the supreme law of Orange. At the present time, the Secretary-General is drafting an election decree, so that the Council of Floresters may be elected by mid-September. The top item on their legislative agenda is expected to be confirmation or rejection of the so-called "Act of Union."
Editorial:
"We don't need Réunion to make politics work"After a five-month hiatus (and considerable learning how to speed up building Web sites), Éditions Tisserand is pleased to bring back the Orange Peel, known throughout the nation and the micronational world as the leading news source on Orange. As before, we shall publish whenever there is news. We recommend that you set your bookmark to the Archive page ( OPeel/op_arch.html ), which will always be correct.
This web page has been restored by The
Tisserand Museum
October, 2000
