I would like to announce my candidacy for Minister of Defence in the upcoming election. Having made Canada my home nearly a year ago, I feel that this is a way, in small part, to give something back to the region that has been so good to me.

I have worked in the Defence department here for several months now, and feel comfortable that I have a good relationship with the new delegate and other members of the cabinet. I realize that taking over such a sensitive position will require hard work, and if elected, I intend to rely heavily on Carb, as well as others with experience, to help me learn the ropes.

I have been in the game for a long time, and have a presence in many regions, which I believe will be useful in this line of work. I have previously served in the Rejected Realms Army, where I gained experience in intel gathering and defense, and also served as Deputy Secretary of Intel in the South Pacific for two terms.

I realize that sometimes, I can be somewhat of a hothead, but it is only because I am passionate about what I believe in. In the brief time that I have been Interim Minister of Defence, I have come to realize what an important position this is and have accepted the fact that I am no longer accountable only to myself, but to each and every one of you, and please realize that my passion will be directed towards protecting our safety and security, and ensuring the democratic ideals here are maintained.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. I look forward to the opportunity to serve, currently as Interim Minister of Defence, and hopefully as the next duly elected MoD. Thanks!

Thank you for stepping up Liarg. The Ministry of Defence is a position that requires the utmost dedication.

I would also like to thank you for stepping up and running for one of the most demanding positions.

I have one question for you, however, which is probably inconsequential.

You've made two recent trips back to the Rejected Realms. Was there any other reason behind this other than to say 'hello' to old friends?

Please take no ill will from this question, as there isn't meant to be any. I just want to be fully secure in my notion that you are a perfect fit for this job.

Crazygirl is my oldest friend in the game. When she came by here a few days ago, she invited me to come by the RR RMB and I promised her I would. (T & P's-page 127-128)

So, I popped in a couple times looking for her...(she promised me extra raw fries with my sandwich after all...)

I have no plans to go anywhere permanantly..... ;)

Hope thats ok!

I happen to think that the Ministry of Defense is our most loosely defined portfolio. In many ways your having been part of a defender group can be a useful experience. I would however like to know how much of their processes you think apply to Canada. Do you see Canada ever being involved in a defensive action that does not directly involve our region?

Do you feel the Dogs of War Alliance still serves a role in region?

How do you feel the Hudson Bay Doctrine relates to the activities of the MoD? http://invisionfree.com/forums/NationState...p?showtopic=793

What is your feeling about providing the Cabinet with regular "current state of NS" reports? (if you do) How often would you provide them?

Do you think that Canadian ambassadors have a role in gathering intelligence for the Cabinet and/or MoD?

With the recent discussion of intelligence infiltration of governments; what checks and processes would you add to prevent the MoD, its' self, from being infiltrated?

I cannot fault a fellow man for following the request of a female, for logistically, females are always right.

Kosher with me. You know ... as long as you share the fries.

:lol: I thought you were going to ask him to share the girl! :lol:

Since 420 didn't ask him, I will. After all, it is the time for sharing isn't it?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

On a more serious note, would I be out of line to ask if our previous MoD (Carb) plans to endorse Liarg in his candidacy?

In response to Hudson Bay's questions:

I will have to get up to speed on the methods at our disposal for checking background on prosepective MoD agents. I am sure Carb will be a great assistance with this. I like the idea of having different levels of security clearance, with the clearance getting higher as trust is earned, and as there is a need. I suppose there is truly no way to COMPLETELY insure that there is no infiltration, but we should always take every precaution and do our due diligence before allowing anyone access to our intelligence.


I hope that these answers make sense. As I have stated, I know I have a lot to learn, and will certainly have to count on input from Carb, and others to get up to speed, but I look forward to the challenge.

Thank you for responding to my questions. However, I would like you to expand on your answer related to the Dogs of War Alliance.

I am very comfortable with us gathering intel on possible threats to the region. I am also comfortable with analyzing the endorsement patterns within the region. Related to that would be designing possible counter measures to perceived threads. It's activities that go beyond these that I feel start to run counter to how the region has been run to date.

I'm not asking you to disclose actual defense plans. I'm looking to get clearification on where the MoD candidates feel the limit is to your day to day defense activity. I understand that if we are subjected to a successful invasion we would use some different techniques. I'm really seeking to hear you voice your vision of the defense (non-intel) posture for the region.

sounds like you're on the right track. i think id support your campaign. unless anyone better comes along :P

Hudson Bay

Day to day, I believe that we gather intel, we monitor endorsement levels and we look for threats. If you are asking if I would consider a preemptive strike against a possible invader region, the answer is no. I would never consider such an option without first bringing the idea before the cabinet. Just as sending the Dogs of War, or any other aid to a region in distress, acting against any invader region would need to be handled on a case by case basis with the full support of the Cabinet.

JT, I'm not sure that's a fair question. It seems a bit personal to me. Unless Carb had already planned to endorse Lairg you now put him in a ackward position. It's one thing to never make a public endorsement, it a whole other matter to say no you don't endorse someone.

I am sure that Carb, (as I hope all of you will), will support the person that he believes to be the best candidate to fulfill the obligations of the office of MoD. Regardless of who supports whom during this campaign, at the end of the day, I am sure that we will all support our duly elected Minister of Defence and work together for a secure region.

Sadly, with females, I don't share well.

I share MUCH better when there are raw fries involved.

I think I understand what you are saying. Just to make sure I'm clear, you are saying: we would only recruite, train and deploy agents to monitor the region and to gather intel. Any actual defense (counter threat) planning, recruiting and training would only happen after an actual threat has been defined.

Did I get it rignt?

Hope I'm not intruding here, but since my name was mentioned anyways... :P


I think Liarg's experience as a defender has helped him understand invader tactics better, and also tactics on how to counter those. And of course it is also useful to have contacts in the defender world, because if friends here something about a threat to Canada, it will find it's way easier to here, and makes taking precautions easier too. Just my two cents.


And yeah, the RR has a great restaurant called Kandarin's BB@ & Grill, and I invited old Liarg over for a bite, but seems I keep missing him :lol:

I had no desire to put anyone in an uncomfortable position. I do feel however that since Liarg did work as UMD under Carb that Carb would be an excellent person to quote on his qualifications and capabilities. I feel the same about any other candidates that Carb may have worked with.

I also believe very strongly that when you enter the world of politics, you need thick skin and also better be prepared to let the public know whatever they need to know to make an inteligent decision.

Let me rephrase my querry to ask any and all government officials that have worked with any of the candidates the following questions:

1. Do you believe that if elected these candidates can perform the duties effectively based on your experiences working with them?

2. Do you have any reason why any of these candidates should not be MoD based on your experiences working with them? If so, what is that reason?

Being that we have individual freedoms in this region, I understand and respect anyone's desire not to respond to these questions. On the other hand, I prefer to have more than the candiates statements to base my votes on.

I regret very much having put anyone on the spot due to my questions, but just as you have the right not to answer, I have the right to ask.

I feel there is a weak point in the current way ministers, with admin privileges, sometimes select their deputies. While asking for volunteers is a good way to get fresh people involved in the workings of government I'm not totally comfortable with that approach when the potential for someone to have admin access is involved.

Do you have in mind who you would like to be your deputy? How do you foresee filling the deputy position should you win election?

I have a couple of ideas in mind, but I have not spoken with anyone about the possibility yet. I do not want to put the cart before the horse here. I agree that there may be a weak point in the way that deputy ministers are chosen, and this may be an issue that should be addressed in the near future, with some hard and fast guidelines put into place. However, until such a change is made, with formal policies put into place to govern this selection process, I would probably proceed in the previously accepted fashion.

While I do not think there is anything wrong with recruiting and training operatives for any possible scenario, I believe the main function of the MoD would be to work to gather information and to monitor the NS climate, and to promote internal support for the government. In the case of an infiltration or invasion, the focus would then become repelling the invaders, or rooting out the infiltrators and bringing them before the MoJ's office for a ruling on punishment. Even in the case of an invasion...I do not forsee sending operatives in a retaliatory strike, unless the Cabinet should deem it necessary and order it. Of course, these issues would have to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

After review of the results of the Vote of Confidence for the Interim Minister of Defense (or perhaps more fittingly, the vote of no confidence), I have decided that it is in the best interests of not only the region of Canada, but also of myself, for Liarg to withdraw from the upcoming election for Minister of Defense. If forty percent of the voting public truly do not have confidence in my holding this position for a week, I do not think it is prudent for me to attempt to gain this Ministry for a full term. I am thankful that this revelation has occured at this time, and appreciate each of you who voted with your true feelings.

There is an obviously more qualified (and trusted) candidate in Daemon, and I will be supporting his campaign from here forward. I appreciate the opportunity to serve Canada in this limited capacity and wish the Ministry of Defense continued success. I will continue as Interim Minister until such a time as the election is completed and a new MoD is elected and will assist in an orderly and smooth transition.

*hugs Liarg*

I think a number of unfavourable votes were due to the fact that I made a mistake in the wording of the poll. I apologise for this awfull mess.

Don't worry bout it. Its all good. You are doing a great job, BTW.

I'm sorry to hear you are withdrawing.

I'm sad to see you withdraw. Tis one of the potential problems I saw happening with the wording mistake in the vote of confidence post.

But hey - only you know what is right for you. Commendations for doing what you believe is right.

People are not stupid. They knew what they were voting for, and if they had questions, they would have asked them. Fact is, you were probably the first and only one to spot the mistake and report it. (I would certainly hope that people around here are not so oblivious to whats going on that they would vote "no" because of a typo rather than clarify it.) It was an eye opening experience and I am glad it happened now. Its no big deal.

*hugs Liarg* You know we love you.... *puts ice down his shirt*

oops! ^_^

If you really feel that way, I would think you haven't spent much time working with the public.
:ph43r:

I see what you mean. What I mean is that our citizens are not stupid..... ;)

"People will, with vigor, assert their God-given right to be stupid"

- Someone very smart.