Le Bien Public

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#1 Tridi, le 1 Vendemaire de l'an VI (23 September 1997)

Today marks the beginning of the Nouvelle-Rouenais New Year, which five years ago began our era with the declaration of Portoclarian independence within the district of Nouvelle-Rouen. Governor Jean Tisserand has announced that Nouvelle-Rouen will celebrate the first three days of the New Year with a holiday throughout the district, concluding with the National Independence Day celebrations on Cinquedi (25 September). Certainly, Porto Claro has much to celebrate:

WE HAVE A KING!!

Senate names Regent João Hilario King, establishes new dynasty

The Portoclarian Senate named Regent João Hilario King of Porto Claro, and Anne Sourbonne Princess of Chifon earlier this month by a strong majority, despite some Green Party backbencher sentiment in favor of a Republic. In the event of the King's death or abdication, Princess Anne would become Queen. King João ascends the Throne following three months of interregnum after the short and very unhappy reign of Queen Joana II, who abdicated 21 Floréal (11 May). The new dynasty, the House of Hilario, replaces the old House of Coimbra Mesquita, which was deeply involved with the rule of paper dolls in Porto Claro, and most of whose monarchs in recent years, especially the Leonardos, were considered tyrants. The general consensus in the Senate, and in the nation at large, is that King João established himself as a wise Moderator and adept leader during the crises following the election of 19 Messidor (29 June).

The King takes his duties as Moderator seriously. Recently, he questioned the veracity of the Diário Portoclarense in its coverage of the debate on the new Constitution:

"The problem is that Daniel adores to create stories to place in his newspaper, and apparently doesn't lose an opportunity " to make up " the things so that they are as he wants. Daniel doesn't like the fact of not knowing what happens in the Senate. That is the problem.... Only that I think other forms exist of being informed..."

WE HAVE A NEW CONSTITUTION!

The Senate announced just yesterday that it unanimously approved the Socialist draft of the Constitution by a unanimous vote of 13-0 (Kharoliny Kaprinsky (Communist) did not vote, and there is one vacancy). The Constitution did not sit well with the Communists, possibly because one it its members (the Duke of Aguiar) had written a competing draft; however, with strong leadership from the Socialists and Greens, and the emphatic endorsement of former Prime Minister Jean Tisserand, a much simpler and workable document was worked out. An English translation will be added to this site in the next week or two. Major changes include a variable-sized Senate (9-25, depending on national population) and very great autonomy for the districts. It is an enabling law to let the people of Porto Claro enjoy their liberties and develop creative solutions to the problems of nationhood.

WE HAVE A FREE PRESS

In recent weeks, the newspaper business has proliferated in Porto Claro. At the present time, there are no less than eight newspapers active in Porto Claro (including this one), although some mergers and failures might be expected as time goes on. Still, journalistic competition will encourage popular participation and debate, and will work to put an end to the reputation for so-called "Portoclarian fakeness" that has plagued us. The other publications are the Diário Portoclarense (daily, Portuguese), the Gazeta Réal (the government newspaper of record, Portuguese), the Eco das Pirraines (weekly, Portuguese & French), O Farol Socialista (weekly, Portuguese, French, and English), O Grita de Vanguardia (Green Party, weekly, Portuguese), The Revolutionary Lampoon (new publication, Portuguese & English), the Portoclarian Times (new publication, Portuguese), and the Gazeta Portoclarense (new publication, Portuguese).

So, with all these publications, why one more? Le Bien Public will hold a unique place in Porto Claro, being an English language publication, seeking to comment objectively on the politics of the nation, to provide real and useful information to the people of Porto Claro, particularly residents of Nouvelle Rouen and Pirainnes, and forming a window on the world, through which other micronations can learn about us, and us about them. We plan to publish weekly, but will not hold ourselves to a set schedule. To learn when new issues are coming out, subscribe!

This web page has been restored by The Tisserand Museum
October, 2000