======================================================================

PE-QS-Diplo [Jon Snow]: Greatly Saddened
Date:Mon, 25 Aug 2003 15:40:35 +0000

I am Jon Snow.  My family line has a proud history of holding the
northern front of the civilized world from the constant attack of
demons.  We live hard lives in the harsh cold and make sacrifices so
that the other peoples of the world can rest safely and soundly in
their beds without having to worry about dark forces coming in the
night.  This is who I am and I make no apologies.  

If a nation in this world is named "demon spawn" and is lead by
Balthazar, a famous demon, then I take it at face value.  I made no
peace agreements with Balthazar and he never contacted me about any
peace agreements.  My attacks have been honorable and my sources have
confirmed that he was warned before my attacks even started because of
a misplaced communication on my part.

If what we name ourselves and our nations in this world is not to be
taken at face value as being the truth then why give names to
ourselves?  We should just have a leader number and nation number and
be nameless and faceless.  It greatly saddens me that I have been
judged badly for following what is clear to me to be the right and
just course.  There is no question in my mind that Balthazar and his
demon spawn are demons as they have so obviously proclaimed
themselves.  I hope that F.D.R. can realize that if he chooses not to
believe that he might as well deny himself his own identity.

I first contacted F.D.R. long ago and asked him if he would help me
against Balthazar or if he could at least agree to not attack me while
I was fighting the demonic forces.  He said he could not currently
help but that I need not worry about our borders.  I would think that
more than one turn notice would be in order following such words.  He
accuses me of sneak-attacks yet only offers me one turn notice that he
plans to attack me.  That is not far removed from a sneak attack
considering the slow pace of troop movement in this world.  I hope
that he can extend his notice to 4 or 5 turns considering what he
previously expressed to me concerning our borders.  That would be the
honorable thing to do.

Winter is coming,
Jon Snow


======================================================================

PE-QS-Diplo [F.D.R.]: Mr. Snow's grasp of English
Date:Wed, 27 Aug 2003 04:50:48 +0000

Mr. Snow seems to find a binding unilateral 5-turn nonaggression
agreement written into a very few words at the end of a long
conversation.  According to the Arsenal Records, all that was said at
the time was that we would not get in his way.  That was a statement
of the moment and not a long term promise of policy.  Furthermore, it
was spoken before Snow chose NOT to honorably inform his intended
victim prior to launching his sneak invasion.  Having given Mr. Snow
freedom to show his nature, we find it odd that one who claims to
fight evil would resort to sneak invasions.  Balthazar also noted that
his relations with Snow had been cordial prior to the attack -- it is
odd that Snow, who sees nothing wrong in launching sneak attacks upon
others, now chastises my nation for not giving him a full 5 turns'
notice when we never promised anything of the sort!

Nevertheless, my people are split upon this matter.  Some argue that
we should give Mr. Snow a taste of his own poisonous medicine, and
that we have already given more notice than he deserves, who gives
none to others.  Others argue that we should not follow that path
ourselves, and that someone must set a proper example of giving due
warning, lest the world become a cesspool of treachery.  The matter
remains unresolved here, so we will grant Mr. Snow at least a second
turn's advance notice.  Perhaps this is a time when the nations of the
world would like to speak up and make clear their own policies which
apply in the absence of clear agreements, to prevent any more such
misunderstandings? 
 
If none speak up, and silence reigns, then the Arsenal of Democracy
shall make it our own policy to give 2 turns' notice and no more,
unless a specific agreement is in place which states otherwise.

F.D.R.



======================================================================

PE-QS-Diplo [Scherazade]: The Ways of the World
Date:Wed, 27 Aug 2003 13:08:40 +0000

Once upon a time, in the early days of the world when animals could
talk, there was a great congress of all the animals of the land.
Representatives of all the species came; antelopes, lions, jackals,
wolves, crows, eagles, and may others.

The antelopes spoke first. "We are weak and fearful. No lion should
attack us without roaring first, so that we can be warned and run
away." The lion's response was simple, "It is not our job to help you
avoid being eaten. You have been given great numbers and great speed
to escape our attacks. We must sneak up and attack with surprise if we
are to survive."

An old elephant spoke "Let us not fight. Let each eat their favorite
foods and be safe in their lives". The rabbits replied "That is easy
for you to say, so big and strong that none can defy you. What of us
that are small and weak. What will protect us from those who seek to
eat us?"

A cacophony of voices soon arose. "How dare the wolves gang up and
worry and attack one animal until they pull it down." "And the
jackals, always lurking at the edge of my kill and joining in to pick
up the scraps I leave. What gives them the right."

After 3 days of this, the noise reached heaven, and God sent an angel
down to speak to the animals. "There are many ways to live on this
earth. There is not one right way. Each animal must find its own way
in the world. Some will prosper through their size and strength. 
Others will survive by their numbers, working together to achieve what
each one alone would fail at. Some will live by their cunning,
overcoming foes they cannot best by strength alone. All of these are
good and acceptable in the eyes of he who made you all."

There have been many speeches lately about honor and evil and warning
and rules. We reject the premise that there is a single way to act
that is appropriate for all nations at all times. It is not always
wrong to attack another nation without warning. It is not always wrong
to make speeches and try to get other nations to work with you to
advance common goals. 

The goal of this world is to survive and to prosper. No one nation is
strong enough to do so alone; so diplomacy and alliances and treaties
are a key part of how we as leaders will thrive. Judge us by our
actions and how we hold to our word. I will not easily trust a leader
who I know has broken his word to another. But FDR did no such thing.
He had no treaty with Jon Snow from what I have read. Neither do I
fault Jon Snow for his attack on Balthazar. He acted in what he felt
were the best interests of his people. (Whether I agree with his
actions is a different story. I simply do not feel that his actions
are necessarily reprehensible simply because he attacked without
warning.)

Please do not be so quick to judge the acts of other nations and
assume that all leaders will act according to your rules. We have a
duty to our people; to lead them through a difficult world and its
many dangers. Each leader must follow her conscience and act as they
think best in the situation they face.

Scherazade