«12. . .2,6442,6452,6462,6472,6482,6492,6502,651»
As a concerned citizen I would like to see some proof of said promise!
Esterild, Jutsa, Atsvea, Lord Dominator, and 2 othersZerphen, and Greater Morvonia
It was conveyed in the form of a wink. I'll transcribe a copy for you:
*wink*
Jutsa, Atsvea, Lord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, and 2 othersZerphen, and Greater Morvonia
I agree with Coniferous Forests.
I don't believe this argument is adding anything to the conversation at hand, and, in all honesty, feels rather disrespectful to victims of raiding, comparing often the near-total destruction of their region to something as annoying, however entirely fixable as kicking over someone's sandcastle, and also is very clearly victim blaming.
If someone walked into someone else's house and stole everything that had value, but the house's door was unlocked, who would be at fault for the robbery?
The robber, right?
It is clear to me that in this hypothetical scenario, you would blame the victim for leaving their front door unlocked, and not the person who went out of their way to take another person's property against their will.
Einswenn, Jutsa, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, and 3 othersLord Dominator, Uan aa Boa, and Anxious and Kevin
Yes, of course I'm bad because I said raiding is not like sandcastle destruction, and Coniferous Forests, who said it is, which started the sandcastle discussion, is based. Understood.
...maybe I should have started it like Einswenn, being free to do so, did: "of course I, as a raider..." and have added an "It’s been proven correct quite well." somewhere?
Atsvea and Lord Dominator
That's not true; you mentioned "sandcastles" before Coniferous Forests ever did. If you search the words "sandcastle" and also "sand_castle" in the RMB, the timeline of mentions from 2024 goes like this:
1. Apr. 10th, 11:30 PM - 
Zerphen - page=rmb/postid=55520969
2. Apr. 12th, 7:25 AM - 
Belevia - page=rmb/postid=55534084
3. Apr. 12th, 5:40 AM - Zerphen - page=rmb/postid=55534112
4. Apr. 12th, 8:50 AM - Belevia - page=rmb/postid=55535449
5. Apr. 12th, 10:36 PM - 
Coniferous Forests - page=rmb/postid=55545000
6. Apr. 13th, 6:41 AM - 
Greater Morvonia - page=rmb/postid=55546806
7. Apr. 13th, 10:27 AM - Belevia - page=rmb/postid=55548395
8. Apr. 13th, just now - 
Ruinenlust - this post itself
Instead of beating around the bush, why not just explain exactly why the lack of successful defending is itself a justification for raiding, as you alleged in this post?
Why is a region's being "inactive and dead" a justification for raiding? What if they want to have a region which others would interpret as "inactive and dead"? Isn't that their prerogative? Does having only one or zero residents in a large, mostly empty house justify its being broken into? Or a few people in a mostly empty country justify its being invaded by another country?
Also, why is it incumbent on the residents of a non-aggressive region to "do stuff" to secure their region? Why is a region obligated to have a password to prevent raiding? Wouldn't that just lead to the aforementioned "inactivity" that also justifies an invasion? Why shouldn't a region choose to have an executive delegate, which several of our community members voiced very well-reasoned arguments for when Forest opted for a Governor? Why does a region have to maintain an active governor, and who gets to make the moral judgment that a governor isn't active enough, and therefore that the region deserves to be raided? I'd love to know your reasoning for these positions.
Most of all, I find your statement that "they know what will happen and do nothing to stop it" to be very...strange. Does that also apply to women who don't dress conservatively enough in the eyes of judgmental people and then have unwanted advances by creepy men? Does that apply to small countries bordered by large countries? Why is it incumbent on the attacked to repel the attacker, as though the attackers were unthinking forces of nature, like floods or earthquakes? Why isn't the burden on the attackers to not involve themselves with people who want to simply be left alone? You have not produced any logical reasoning for why those using the game apparatus in an intrusive and unwanted manner are somehow justified in doing so, but that those who want to play the game as designed and in peace are somehow in the wrong for having the temerity to want to exist in peace and to consequently view those doing the attacking poorly or with hostility.
So what's the real reason, or is it a generally applicable principle, in your view, that those with the ability to exert their will on others should be able to do so, and if others who'd like to be left alone can't successfully repel the incursion, then they are in the wrong and should simply accept the harassment?
I would assert that the burden of proper words and actions rests with each person to not attack or harm others. The burden is not on each person to successfully defend or repel the unwanted attention or aggressive actions of others, and that, failing such successful defending, they deserve to be attacked. That's absolute nonsense, in my view, and it runs contrary to the basic principles of what would constitute a successful group, community, society, and world.
RMB search is not working correctly today. I wasn't able to find it too at first. You can search for "sandcastle" and it will give you "sandcastle" but not "sandcastles". This is the post you didn't find:
And the "inactive and dead" regions usually don't have any natives left who could be asked if they want their regions to look like that.
Lovely, point taken. They absolutely mentioned it before you did.
I'd still love to hear your argument, so I've reproduced the remainder of my entire post here and spoilered the first one to not clog up the RMB:
~
Instead of beating around the bush, why not just explain exactly why the lack of successful defending is itself a justification for raiding, as you alleged in this post?
Why is a region's being "inactive and dead" a justification for raiding? What if they want to have a region which others would interpret as "inactive and dead"? Isn't that their prerogative? Does having only one or zero residents in a large, mostly empty house justify its being broken into? Or a few people in a mostly empty country justify its being invaded by another country?
Also, why is it incumbent on the residents of a non-aggressive region to "do stuff" to secure their region? Why is a region obligated to have a password to prevent raiding? Wouldn't that just lead to the aforementioned "inactivity" that also justifies an invasion? Why shouldn't a region choose to have an executive delegate, which several of our community members voiced very well-reasoned arguments for when Forest opted for a Governor? Why does a region have to maintain an active governor, and who gets to make the moral judgment that a governor isn't active enough, and therefore that the region deserves to be raided? I'd love to know your reasoning for these positions.
Most of all, I find your statement that "they know what will happen and do nothing to stop it" to be very...strange. Does that also apply to women who don't dress conservatively enough in the eyes of judgmental people and then have unwanted advances by creepy men? Does that apply to small countries bordered by large countries? Why is it incumbent on the attacked to repel the attacker, as though the attackers were unthinking forces of nature, like floods or earthquakes? Why isn't the burden on the attackers to not involve themselves with people who want to simply be left alone? You have not produced any logical reasoning for why those using the game apparatus in an intrusive and unwanted manner are somehow justified in doing so, but that those who want to play the game as designed and in peace are somehow in the wrong for having the temerity to want to exist in peace and to consequently view those doing the attacking poorly or with hostility.
So what's the real reason, or is it a generally applicable principle, in your view, that those with the ability to exert their will on others should be able to do so, and if others who'd like to be left alone can't successfully repel the incursion, then they are in the wrong and should simply accept the harassment?
I would assert that the burden of proper words and actions rests with each person to not attack or harm others. The burden is not on each person to successfully defend or repel the unwanted attention or aggressive actions of others, and that, failing such successful defending, they deserve to be attacked. That's absolute nonsense, in my view, and it runs contrary to the basic principles of what would constitute a successful group, community, society, and world.
Extra, extra, read all about it! Corruption scandal in the Rejected Realms! RO elites abusing their powers!
~~Official Government Announcement~~
The third week of the trivia competition has finished! Thank you to everyone who took part, I really appreciate it...
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We've had a few full marks so congrats to: 
Kannap, 
Ypogegrammeni, 
Logophilia Lyricalia (Haiku) and
Esterild
For this week, the prize comes in two parts! Each of the aforementioned nations shall recieve a s2 Verdant Haven (3.00 MV) AND a s3 Zerphen (2.50 MV). Special thanks to all those in the cards community who helped me out with obtaining the s2 Verdant Haven (it wasn't easy, hehe)
Once again, well done on getting 6 out of 6.
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The answers and full leaderboard for week two and a NEW overall leaderboard can be found in my dispatch here -
Forest Trivia Week Three
.
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The questions for week 4 are now out! Don't miss out on the chance to win a legendary!
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Question 1 -
What is the connection between these four seemingly random clues?
- Prime Numbers up to and including 229
- Elements up to and including Tin
- US States
- Shades of Grey
Answer 1 -
- Answer = The number 50. There is 50 of each of the clues...
- Other Accepted Answers = N/A
- Will NOT accept = The number 38349282, hehe...
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Question 2 -
What is the connection between these four seemingly random clues?
- Ouagadougou
- Lilongwe
- Freetown
- Praia
Answer 2 -
- Answer = They are all African capital cities - Ouagadougou = Burkina Faso
- Lilongwe = Malawi
- Freetown = Sierra Leone
- Praia = Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
- Other Accepted Answers = N/A
- Will NOT accept = They are all capital cities/they are all cities. Need to be a bit more specific, sorry
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Question 3 -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- Numbers
- Leviticus
- Exodus
- ?
Answer 3 -
- Answer = Genesis
- Explanation = They are the first four books in the old testament counting back to the first... Going to be honest, had to look up what the fourth was. Seems this is a gap in my trivia knowledge!
- Will NOT accept = Deuteronomy, that's the 5th book in the old testament...
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Question 4 -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- 64
- 27
- 8
- ?
Answer 4 -
- Answer = 1
- Explanation = These are all cube numbers. We were counting back from 4^3 (64) to 1^3 which is 1.
- Other Accepted Answers = N/A
- Will NOT accept = I think everyone got this, well done!
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Question 5; DOUBLE POINTS! -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- Onion Eaters
- Agent Wombler
- Path Reels
- ?
Answer 5 -
- Answer = E.G. Half Ourari, Info Urge
- Explanation = They all contain the numbers 1-4 across the two words - Onion Eaters
- Agent Wombler
- Path Reels
- e.g. Half Ourari
- Other Accepted Answers = Anything with FOUR split across the two words
- Will NOT accept = Anything else... you either get it or not. There's a reason why it's the bonus question...
And just because I think this is quite frankly incredible... here is Verdant Haven's thinking for their answer.
My reasons for choosing the specific response I did are:
1) Seeing an AABB couplet that utilizes the following pattern:
- The first pair (1A) is a word followed by a word one letter longer than itself (5, 6)
- The second pair (2A) is a word of the same length as in 1A, but followed by a word *two* letters longer than itself (5, 7)
- The third pair (1B) is a word followed by a word one letter longer than itself (4, 5)
- The second pair (2B) must therefore be a word of the same length as in 1B, but followed by a word *two* letters longer than itself (4, 6)
2) The Vowel/Consonant pattern of the example word pairs is VV, VC, CC, so leaves only CV as a remaining option.
3) The number of letters from the divided word that are to the left of the space flips back and forth: 2, 1, 2... so the next should be 1.
4) The pluralization of the pairs is Plural, Singular, Plural... so the next should be Singular
With that information, we know that the answer must be a 4 letter word that starts with a consonant and ends in F, followed by a 6 letter singular word that starts with the vowel-led trigraph O-U-R. Result: Half Ourari.
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Logophilia Lyricalia (Haiku)
The Washington Federation (TRTHNBB)
America the Greater (TRTHNBB)
Kissinger-Monroe (TBOTCOER)
Wan Nyan (Yggdrasil)
Texas Jaguarundi (Texas/Forest)
Aequus (Wintreath)
Logophilia Lyricalia (Haiku)
Kissinger-Monroe(TBOTCOER)
Aequus (Wintreath)
Wan Nyan (Yggdrasil)
Texas Jaguarundi (Texas/Forest)
The Washington Federation (TRTHNBB)
America the Greater (TRTHNBB)
Almonaster Nuevo (Canada)
Krayo29 (TRTHNBB)
Macrasetia (XKI)
South Miruva (TLA)
Szaki (Canada)
Orcuo (TRR)
New United Common-lands (TRTHNBB)
MountAye (Philosophers)
Forest Trivia Competition Leaderboard | Week Two |
6 out of 6 | |
6 out of 6 | |
6 out of 6 | |
6 out of 6 | |
5.5 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
4 out of 6 | |
3.5 out of 6 | |
3 out of 6 | |
3 out of 6 | |
3 out of 6 | |
3 out of 6 |
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Forest Trivia Competition Leaderboard | Overall Leaderboard |
18 | |
15 | |
14.5 | |
13 | |
12 | |
12 | |
12 | |
11.5 | |
11.5 | |
11 | |
11 | |
10.5 | |
10 | |
9 | |
8.5 | |
8 | |
6.5 | |
6.5 | |
6 | |
6 | |
5 | |
5 | |
5 | |
4 | |
4 | |
3 | |
3 | |
3 | |
2.5 | |
2 | |
1 |
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For the rules and some helpful tips, you can check out this dispatch -
Forest Trivia Rules
.
Trivia Rules
The questions will be released every Saturday
These questions will be in the style of the popular quiz show, Only Connect
I shall post the dispatch with the questions in on the RMB
From that point onwards everyone, residents of forest or embassy regions, has One Week to answer the questions
Answers Must be submitted by Telegram
Only Telegram submissions will be accepted. Any answers posted on the RMB will be suppressed.
ABSOLUTELY NO GOOGLING OF ANSWERS IS ALLOWED if you are suspected of googling, a point will be deducted. Repeat offenders will have more severe sanctions
ABSOLUTELY NO USAGE OF AI IS ALLOWED if you are suspected of using AI, a point will be deducted. Repeat offenders will have more severe sanctions
Results
After the week has concluded, I shall release the answers to the previous week's questions in the same dispatch.
There will also be explanations as to how you could have reached the answers, in case anyone is interested
Alongside this, there shall be a two leaderboards compiled. One weekly leaderboard and one overall leaderboard.
Prizes!
The person(s) who get the most correct answers each week will share the "prize pot" equally which shall be equal to 20.00 DV
At the end of each month, the person at the top of the overall leaderboard shall receive a legendary!
The person who is at the top of the overall leaderboard at the end of the term, shall receive a grand prize of 5 legendaries!
Helpful Tips
If you don't know the answer, just have a guess! There's no harm in having an educated guess, you might just be right!
Watch out for a word question! If the clues seem so random that you just can't find a connection, it could be that it's a word question! The words themselves could be the connection!
If you aren't sure about the answer to the question, when you're submitting them, try to explain your thinking to me! If your thinking is correct but you don't quite get the answer, you'll get half of a point. They all count in the long run!
Take your time! There's no rush... You have a week to answer the questions so you have plenty of time to think and trivialise!
And most importantly...
Have fun!
Please remember that Only Telegram submissions will be accepted, answers posted on the RMB will be suppressed... Thankfully there hasn't been any issues with that so far so thank you everyone!
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Well, I don't know if anyone is interested but here are my thoughts for this week...
I think this was the best week yet! I didn't screw up anything (Yipeee!)...
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank... AGENT WOMBLER! The confusion caused was a lot more than I thought. Check out the answer dispatch to find out what (or who) Agent Wombler is!
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And this... Is the moment you have been waiting for... WEEK 4!
Here are the questions for this bumper edition -
Forest Connect!
.
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Connections Round
Question 1 -
What is the connection between these four seemingly random clues?
- Wagner
- Mahler
- Grieg
- Strauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question 2 -
What is the connection between these four seemingly random clues?
- Ruby
- White
- Milk
- Dark
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Question 3 -
What is the connection between these four seemingly random clues?
- Categories
- Pigeons
- Crowds
- Rattler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question 4 -
What is the connection between these four seemingly random clues?
- Alps
- Himalayas
- Andes
- Ural
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Question 5 -
What is the connection between these four seemingly random clues?
- Alpha
- Bravo
- Charlie
- Delta
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Sequences Round
Question 6 -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- Vettel
- Verstappen
- Schumacher
- ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question 7 -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- 1950 - Uruguay
- 1938 - Italy
- 1934 - Italy
- ?
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Question 8 -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- The Final Frontier
- JEFF
- Starlight Brigade
- ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question 9 -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- Charles III
- Elizabeth II
- George VI
- ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question 10 -
What would come 4th in this sequence?
- 1908 - London
- 1904 - St Louis
- 1900 - Paris
- ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Connecting Wall -
Find the four groups of four clues hidden in the grid below
Group 1 -
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
Connection - They are all...
Group 2 -
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
Connection - They are all...
Group 3 -
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
Connection - They are all...
Group 4 -
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
Connection - They are all...
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The Missing Vowels Round -
Question 11->15 -
We've taken the vowels out and changed the spacings, but what are these clues?
Category - Capital Cities
Question 11
- CN BRR
Question 12
- BN SRS
Question 13
- KN G STW N
Category - NationStates Regions
Question 14
- T HRJC TDRL MS
Question 15
- THBR NT HCR NRFV RYR GN
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The General Knowledge Round -
Question 16 -
According to Benjamin Franklin, two things in life are certain. Death and what?
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Question 17 -
Which famous painter is most well-known for painting waterlilies?
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Question 18 -
What is the only country in the world with 3 capital cities?
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Question 19 -
What is the name of the part of the plant cell where photosynthesis occurs?
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Question 20 -
What type of number is the square root of minus one?
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Bonus Question! -
Question 21 -
The 5 people with the closest answer shall recieve 3 points
Approximately how many ACTIVE man-made satellites are currently orbiting Earth?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are some NEW question styles and even some general knowledge!
The is a good time to re-affirm ABSOLUTELY NO GOOGLING IS ALLOWED, I'll be keeping a close eye on this for the general knowledge, hehe...
The winner for this week, shall receive a legendary! Don't miss out!
If you have any questions then feel free to ask!
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Any and all feedback is welcome!
Have a great day...
As another, different, moderation note for posterity, I have just rejected the embassies of five different regions that suddenly spammed requests at us, and in the interest of not getting spammed with requests from nothing regions again, have banned all of the nations that made these requests. Ru did this previously with another region that had sent us many requests in the past, and while I wouldn't normally jump to that right away if it was just one person making one request, five requests coming in at the same time is too much of a coincidence. It seems they also sent requests to The Region That Has No Big Banks.
What a strange range of nations, ranging from 12 billion population to 436 million. I kind of expected them to have all been founded recently.
I don't think I should say publicly right now, but I have quickly identified who did it, and I will assure that it was no one from this region. Still not clear why they thought this was a good idea, but if they happen to be reading this: please feel free to explain yourself in telegrams.
Columbiqash Embraces Gender Identity with State-Supported Sex Reassignment Program
In a pioneering move, the Columbiqashian government has officially recognized the complexities of gender identity by launching a state-supported program for individuals seeking sex reassignment surgery. This initiative, aimed at providing essential medical treatments and affirming individuals' rights to self-determination of identity, has ignited both applause and debate across the nation.
Supermodel Sloane Scheer, recently in the spotlight due to controversies surrounding her gender identity, praised the government's decision. "This recognition is a monumental step towards acknowledging the pain and struggles of those battling with their gender identity," she commented. "It's about time our society understands that gender is not just binary but a spectrum, and supports those who wish to align their external appearance with their true self."
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the implications of taxpayer-funded surgeries and the broader societal impacts. Right-wing talk radio host Victoria Baker argued, "While individuals should have the freedom to express their gender as they see fit, the financial burden of these surgeries shouldn't fall on the taxpayers."
Despite the mixed reactions, Columbiqash's hospitals have quickly adapted to accommodate the new surgeries, signaling a significant shift in societal norms about gender. This policy not only seeks to alleviate the struggles of those dealing with gender dysphoria but also positions Columbiqash as a forward-thinking nation championing inclusivity and human rights.
The government's initiative has sparked a broader discourse on identity, freedom, and the state's role in personal well-being, challenging traditional views and encouraging a more inclusive understanding of gender identity.
Columbiqash Takes a Stand: Stricter Industrial Waste Disposal Laws Enacted
In a pivotal move that sets a new precedent for environmental stewardship, Columbiqash's government has introduced sweeping reforms to its industrial waste disposal regulations. Aimed at curtailing the detrimental impact of toxic industrial by-products on the ecosystem, the updated laws mandate the adoption of advanced waste treatment technologies and enforce stringent disposal standards across all sectors.
This legislative overhaul, heralded by environmental advocates and policy makers alike, marks a significant stride towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of Columbiqash's natural resources and the health of its populace. Under the new regulations, industries are required to not only minimize their environmental footprint but also actively participate in the remediation and preservation of the environment.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the irreversible harm caused by negligent waste disposal practices, including water and soil contamination, which pose serious risks to public health and biodiversity. By holding corporations accountable for their waste, the government aims to foster a culture of responsibility and innovation, encouraging industries to seek greener alternatives and sustainable production methods.
Environmental groups have commended the government's initiative, emphasizing that stringent waste management laws are crucial for combating pollution and driving positive change in corporate behavior. Meanwhile, some industry representatives initially wary of the financial implications of compliance, have started to recognize the long-term benefits of environmental sustainability for business continuity and social license to operate.
As Columbiqash embarks on this ambitious journey towards environmental conservation, the international community watches closely. Many hope that this bold stance on industrial waste management will inspire other nations to follow suit, paving the way for a global shift towards more sustainable and responsible industrial practices.
The enactment of these laws not only positions Columbiqash as a global frontrunner in environmental governance but also underscores the nation's commitment to preserving its rich natural heritage for future generations. This landmark policy underscores a clear message: environmental preservation and economic growth can go hand in hand, setting a new benchmark for nations worldwide.
"The Columbiqashian Boy" Ignites Free Speech Rally in Bluff Creek
In a dramatic showcase of free speech and civil debate, Bluff Creek witnessed an impromptu gathering outside Books 'n' Bits, a well-known bookshop in the heart of the city. Protestors advocating for traditional morals clashed peacefully with supporters of LGBTQ+ rights, catalyzed by the sale of "The Columbiqashian Boy," a novel that has quickly become a lightning rod in discussions about gender identity and freedom of expression.
Amidst the fervor, the book's author seized the moment, engaging directly with the public and signing copies. The protest, rather than deterring visitors, seemed to fuel interest, turning the day into a vibrant forum for debate. As supporters of the book and the protestors exchanged views, the bookshop buzzed with activity, a testament to the community's commitment to engaging with complex social issues.
Observers note that such events underscore the vitality of public discourse in Columbiqash, a nation known for its passionate embrace of open dialogue and civil liberties. The debate surrounding "The Columbiqashian Boy" has not only elevated discussions about LGBTQ+ rights but also highlighted the broader importance of protecting free speech in a diverse society.
As the day drew to a close, it became evident that the event had transcended its initial cause, embodying the spirit of democracy and the enduring value of open, respectful conversation. Regardless of one's stance on the novel, the day was a powerful reminder that in the bustling streets of Columbiqash, every voice has the right to be heard.
Columbiqash Considers Designated Smoking Areas Amidst Industrial Tensions
In the midst of heated trade union negotiations, a new debate has sparked in Columbiqash over public smoking policies. The controversy began when the Minister of Industrial Development, in a desperate need for a cigarette amid the stress of labor discussions, left a critical meeting to smoke legally at home, only to return to a corridor filled with disgruntled unionists.
Woody Creek, an advocate for smokers' rights, has proposed a balanced solution amidst the uproar: the establishment of designated smoking areas. This compromise aims to cater to both smokers and non-smokers, suggesting that special zones be set up in public places, particularly in parks where the issue of cigarette littering is most pronounced.
"Designating specific areas for smoking could potentially solve multiple issues at once," explained Creek, speaking from a rain-soaked park known for its accumulation of cigarette butts. "It respects the rights of smokers while protecting others from second-hand smoke, and it helps keep our public spaces cleaner."
This proposal comes as a middle ground in a debate where health concerns and personal freedom are both fiercely defended. On one side, anti-smoking advocates like Paris Romero argue for a complete ban on smoking to protect public health, emphasizing the harm of second-hand smoke, especially to children in homes where smoking is allowed. On the other hand, proponents of smokers' rights, including the beleaguered Minister, argue that the ban is an overreach and impacts productivity and personal freedom.
As the government contemplates this new proposal, the public reaction has been mixed. Some citizens welcome the potential reduction in litter and second-hand smoke exposure, while others view it as an unnecessary regulation that segregates smokers.
The debate underscores a broader challenge facing Columbiqash: balancing public health initiatives with individual liberties, a task that becomes especially complex in the context of labor relations and workplace regulations. As discussions continue, the outcome could set a precedent for how Columbiqash addresses similar health versus freedom issues in the future.
Columbiqash Celebrates "Ill Girl" Hustle: When Fraud Meets Free Market
In a nation that reveres the entrepreneurial spirit, the story of Cindy Silva has ignited a fervent debate across Columbiqash. Cindy, once hailed as the plucky survivor of Helen Burns’ Disease, recently revealed to be a victim of her own mental health delusions rather than the terminal illness she claimed, has captured public attention not for her non-existent disease but for the boldness of her deceit.
Aphrodite Nagasawa, a local advocate for laissez-faire economic policies, defends Silva's actions as a mere exploitation of market demand. "This is the free market at its most raw," Nagasawa stated in an interview. "People have the right to spend—or waste—their money as they see fit. Silva identified a niche and filled it. It’s not criminal; it's capitalism."
This perspective has resonated with many Columbiqashians who see Silva’s actions as a lesson in personal responsibility rather than a call for stricter regulatory oversight. "Why punish someone for others’ gullibility?" Nagasawa added, highlighting a sentiment echoed on social media platforms and in coffee shops around the country.
However, the Deputy Minister of Health, previously one of Silva's most ardent supporters, is calling for a full judicial review into her activities. "It’s a clear case of fraud," the Deputy Minister argued. "To chalk up such deceitful acts to market forces is to ignore the basic principles of ethics and morality in business."
Meanwhile, Selma Grossman of the Columbiqashian Relief Organisation proposes a middle-ground solution: regulate charitable donations through official channels to prevent future frauds. “We need a system where claims are properly vetted, ensuring that generosity reaches those who are genuinely in need,” Grossman suggested.
As the debate rages on, the saga of Cindy Silva remains a contentious topic, emblematic of broader societal questions about morality, capitalism, and the fine line between hustling and outright fraud. Whatever the outcome, this episode is a stark reminder of the complexities of human nature and the perpetual dance between trust and skepticism in modern society.
News Template Here: page=dispatch/id=1937790
~ Quick mini official FA announcement ~
Hello everyone! With a very clear vote against having any sort of "formal" relationship directly between Forest and Astoria, it looks like we will not be pursuing any kind of ambassador program, officially note each other as regions for invitations to events, or debating the construction of embassies any time soon. This was about what was anticipated, and I thank you all for your passionate debate about the proposal. I shall note that individuals are still largely welcome to participate in both regions as they pleased as non-representative individuals just as they may with any other region (including TBH, which we indeed have members of) - exception maybe being a region like Fifth Empire but that's another debate I invite you all to take ;P
Aside from that, there are a couple of small pieces of news. Firstly, we have indeed lost one of our ambassadors. We also have an existing ambassador on leave for a couple of months, so Zerphen or I will fill in that position until they return. However, I have also assigned 
Newquay Rainforest to be posted at Singapore.
I'll be reaching out to several of our ambassadors to share the news of The Realizer's week 4 trivia, since this is indeed a major event. If you'd like to share the news (ambassador or not) to any region, help youself. I'll specifically be reaching out to folks from larger regions out of respect for our smaller regions' more quiet RMBs (and out of necessity to actually kick my butt and get some college homework done) to share the event, but all are as welcome as when we started :) That also extends to regions we do not have embassies with; again, I just can't practically spread the word farther than embassies and our GP embassy.
That should be all for now. I had another request, but due to a combination of irl and regional instabilities that rapidly developed unexpectedly (which happens surprisingly often ;p), they've decided to hold off for the time being. I also still haven't mustered myself to inquire about another potential diplomatic situation, but I think that'll be easy to resolve, although it may be worth reviewing our embassy anyway. For the time being, Forest is now (hopefully) [mostly] MoFA-drama free and I can finally leave you all alone for a while xD
Now to procrastinate by doing something else...
Let me be the first to say... Welcome back!
It's been a gruelling NSless 10 days, yet we have persevered, and here we are, back in the glory of Forest. Let us never take this place for granted again.
My stats. They're gone. I spent SO much time on that **** are you kidding me? All my stats that I acquired were basically all in the time frame of this data wipe :(
Edit: Also looks like I won't have any cards anymore that I've been building up for such a long time now lol GREAT.
Edit Edit: Alright enough complaining welcome back everyone.
Your stats will be back soon, and cards you had before a year ago too.
I missed this!
I've honest to God forgotten what NS was like X3
Welcome back NS!
Glad to see everyone getting back on. Hope everyone took the time to touch some grass over the last 9 days!
Jutsa, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, McClandia Doge 2, and 3 othersZerphen, Garbelia, and Greater Morvonia
Yeah, stats seem to be considerably broken as of right now, lol. Though, I think I am less complainy about that given that for some reason I shot up from top 1% in the 3,000s range of the world in 5 categories to top 1% in the 100s in 23 categories; which seems like a less drastic error to the fact that my nation is listed as top 1% in taxes and top 10% in freedom from taxes, which seems like a paradox to me, but alright census takers, I get your records caught on fire :3
Trust the process man. NS will eventually be back in action like nothing happened!
Yeah Prusmia what the hell why do you have so many stats now. This true insanity!
Jutsa, Atsvea, Ruinenlust, Lord Dominator, and 2 othersZerphen, and Greater Morvonia
Welcome back everyone, I guess Max has finally either caved to the server hamsters' demands or started using some other rodents to keep us online
No, your dispatches are not ok. Your dispatches have never been ok. You never had dispatches. You never had factbooks. You never had upvotes. You never had downvotes. You never were real. It’s all been one big lie. Don’t ask what happened to the dispatches. They’re not real. You’re not real.
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