Justice and Liberty: Inaugural Address of Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman

[Knootoss]

This inaugural address comes three weeks after Jan Willem Daatman beat the Green leader Femke Halsema in the second round of the Knootian Prime Ministerial elections. Negotiations between the greens and the liberals have led to a new coalition government supported by the SLP and the KGP. With these negotiations completed, Jan Willem Daatman makes his inaugural adress to the Staten Generaal - the Knootian parliament.

The transcript of the inaugural address can be found below.

Justice and Liberty: Inaugural Address of Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman

“There has been a change of government. It began two weeks ago, when the Staten-Generaal became progressive by a decisive majority. It has now been completed. The Government about to be sworn in will also be progressive, and offices of my ministers have been put into the hands of Liberals and Greens.

This means much more than the mere success of two parties. The success of parties means little except when the Nation is using those parties for a large and definite purpose. No one can mistake the purpose for which the Nation now seeks to use the SLP and the KGP. It seeks to use it to interpret a change in its own plans and point of view.

Some old things with which we had grown familiar, and which had begun to creep into the very habit of our thought and of our lives, have altered their aspect as we have looked critically upon them with fresh, awakened eyes; have dropped their disguises and shown themselves alien and sinister.

Some new things, as we look frankly upon them, have come to assume the aspect of things long believed in and familiar. Stuff of our own convictions. We have been refreshed by a new insight into our own life.

We see that in many things that life in Knootoss is very great. It is incomparably great in its material aspects, in its body of wealth, in the diversity and sweep of its energy, in the industries which have been conceived and built up by the genius of individual men and women and the limitless enterprise of Knootians working together.

It is great, also, very great, in its moral force. Nowhere else in the world have noble men and women exhibited in more striking forms the beauty and the energy of sympathy and helpfulness and counsel in their efforts to rectify wrong, alleviate suffering, and set the weak in the way of strength and hope.

We have built up, moreover, a great system of government, which has stood through a long age as a model for those who seek to set liberty upon foundations that will endure against fortuitous change, against storm and accident. Our life contains every great thing, and contains it in rich abundance.

But the evil has come with the good, and much fine gold has been corroded. With riches has come inexcusable waste. We have squandered a great part of what we might have used, and have not stopped to conserve the exceeding bounty of nature, without which our genius for enterprise would have been worthless and impotent, scorning to be careful, shamefully prodigal as well as admirably efficient.

We have been proud of our industrial achievements, but we have not hitherto stopped thoughtfully enough to count the cost, the cost of lives snuffed out, of energies overtaxed and broken, the fearful physical and spiritual cost to the men and women and children upon whom the dead weight and burden of it all has fallen pitilessly the years through.

The groans and agony of it all had not yet reached our ears, the solemn, moving undertone of our life, coming up out of the mines and factories, and out of every home where the struggle had its intimate and familiar seat. With the great Government of Galadriël went many deep secret things which we too long delayed to look into and scrutinize with candid, fearless eyes. The great Government we loved has too often been made use of for private and selfish purposes, and those who used it had forgotten the people.

At last a vision has been vouchsafed us of our life as a whole. We see the bad with the good, the debased and decadent with the sound and vital. With this vision we approach new affairs. Our duty is to cleanse, to reconsider, to restore, to correct the evil without impairing the good, to purify and humanize every process of our common life without weakening or sentimentalizing it.

There has been something crude and heartless and unfeeling in our haste to succeed and be great. Our thought has been "Let every man and woman look out for himself, let every generation look out for itself," while we reared giant machinery which made it impossible that any but those who stood at the levers of control should have a chance to look out for themselves.

We had not forgotten our morals. We remembered well enough that we had set up a policy which was meant to serve the humblest as well as the most powerful, with an eye single to the standards of justice and fair play, and I remember it with pride. But instead we were very heedless and in a hurry to be great.

We have come now to a sobering second thought. The scales of heedlessness have fallen from our eyes. We have made up our minds to square every process of our national life again with the standards we so proudly set up at the beginning and have always carried at our hearts. Our work is a work of restoration.

We have studied as perhaps no other nation has the most effective means of production, but we have not studied cost or economy as we should either as organizers of industry, as statesmen, or as individuals. Nor have we studied and perfected the means by which government may be put at the service of humanity, in safeguarding the health of the Nation, the health of its men and its women and its children.

Trade sanctions against us cut us off from our proper part in the commerce of the world. Corporate influence makes the Government a facile instrument in the hand of private interests. Our industries exploit without renewing or conserving the natural resources of the country; watercourses undeveloped, waste places unreclaimed, forests untended, fast disappearing without plan or prospect of renewal, unregarded waste heaps at every uranium mine in the Knootian Federation.

This is no sentimental duty. The firm basis of government is justice, not pity. These are matters of justice. There can be no equality or opportunity, the first essential of justice in the body politic, if men and women and children are not shielded in their lives, their very vitality, from the consequences of great industrial and social processes which they can not alter, control, or singly cope with.

These are some of the things we ought to do, and not leave the others undone, the old-fashioned, never-to-be-neglected, fundamental safeguarding of property and of individual right. This is the high enterprise of the new day: To lift everything that concerns our life as a Nation to the light that shines from the hearthfire of every sentient beings conscience.

It is inconceivable that we should do this as partisans; it is inconceivable we should do it in ignorance of the facts as they are or in blind haste. We shall restore, not destroy. We shall deal with our economic system as it is and as it may be modified, not as it might be if we had a clean sheet of paper to write upon; and step by step we shall make it what it should be, in the spirit of those who question their own wisdom and seek counsel and knowledge, not shallow self-satisfaction or the excitement of excursions whither they can not tell. Justice, and Liberty shall be the motto of this Government.

The Nation has been deeply stirred, stirred by a solemn passion, stirred by the knowledge of wrong, of ideals lost, of government too often debauched and made an instrument of evil.

The feelings with which we face this new age of right and opportunity sweep across our heartstrings like some air out of the tumultuous North Sea, where justice and mercy are reconciled and the judge and the brother are one. We know our task to be no mere task of politics but a task which shall search us through and through, whether we be able to understand our time and the need of our people, whether we be indeed their spokesmen and interpreters, whether we have the pure heart to comprehend and the rectified will to choose our high course of action.

This is not a day of triumph; it is a day of dedication. Here muster, not the forces of parties, but the forces of sentience. Knootian hearts wait upon us; Knootian lives hang in the balance; Knootian hopes call upon us to say what we will do.

Who shall live up to the great trust? Who dares fail to try? I summon all honest men and women, all patriotic, all forward-looking Knootians, to my side. I will not fail them, if they will but counsel and sustain me!

Thank you.”

[Pantocratoria]

The Emperor was sitting to display the imperial appetite at dinner in the great dining hall of the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator, along with most of the court. As usual, dozens of onlookers watched on from the public galleries high above the dining tables - it was customary for the Emperor to dine in public. A pageboy approached the Emperor's table timidly.

"Sire," he whispered. "You asked to be informed as soon as the translation into French of the address of the new Knootian Prime Minister was done. It has been done, Sire. It is right here if you would like to read it."

The Emperor put down his cutlery and accepted the piece of paper, looking somewhat annoyed that his dinner had been interrupted. He glanced across the table at Princess Jacqueline, his pretty cousin (and sister-in-law), with whom he had just been engaged in conversation.

"I know politics bores you terribly, Madame." the Emperor said.

"A fact which is a constant disappointment to some." Jacqueline smiled with a flutter of her eyelids and a sideways glance at her husband, Prince Basil.

"Your conversations with Monsieur must be very tiresome." the Emperor nodded, with the vague twinkle in his eyes which those close to him knew to interpret as something approaching a smile.

"Mercifully Sire, there are things Madame is much better at than conversation." Prince Basil replied with a sly grin. Jacqueline's cheeks flushed and the Emperor arched an eyebrow and nodded - his equivalent of a chuckle in such situations.

"Well, in any case, I thought perhaps we might try to liven up this particular political discussion." the Emperor said, beckoning over the court jester. He handed the jester the speech. "See what you can make of this."

"Certainly, Sire." the jester bowed dramatically, before taking a few steps back from the imperial table. He gave the speech a brief look over.

"Zere has been a change of government." he began in an absurd Dutch accent...

[Guffingford]

A release by the Guffingfordian Associated Press, a news source not controlled and/or affected by the State Media Corp.

The Hoogenbosch Telegraph

The Knootian Steering Wheel Goes Left
Knootian Elections - make no mistake about it: the population chooses Liberal and Green

Hoogenbosch, Today – The Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss, The Hague, has chosen for a liberal prime minister for their Staten Generaal, the Knootian cabinet, and it looks like the coalition is consisting solely of Green and Liberal cabinet members. The Imperial Republican administration of Guffingford is yet to comment on the situation, but these happenings were expectable.

“Knootoss is and has always been a progressive and stable democratic nation, something unseen in Guffingford for the last couple of ages I hate to say it. We would have preferred to see a little more right oriented government, since it communicates easier to be on the same political wavelength. Alas, this is not the case. It is their nation, and their elections. Knootoss is the best most well known Dutch nation in our world, and Guffingford being largely Dutch as well, many citizens envy the success story known as Knootoss. Liberalism, a strong and stable economy, and no corruption plagued political system. The Guffingfordian parliament sees no need nor a reason to push for reforms. All is well now.”

So says Christopher Watermont, Imperial President of Guffingford. These comments caused a barrage of criticism at his address, but the Imperial President maintains his policy of the customary authoritarian political agenda, the limited ballot and the pervasive political censorship. “Dictatorship on itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But far too many times the dictator finds the idea of having ultimate power a very comfortable one and his mind becomes corrupted. I shall not lapse because of these treacherous temptations. But Guffingford is a Republic, and a Republic requires effective leadership, and sometimes dictatorial power is a necessary evil, I admit.” Continued from President Watermont’s speech on the Knootian elections.
The new coalition of Knootoss doesn’t affect Guffingford in the slightest way, but socially it might. Many people wish to see a more conservative, and more religion version of the Knootoss’ democracy in Guffingford, although the chances it will happen are nil.

Creating ties with a new government coalition is never a bad thing, and this is also the official stance of our parliament. Without a doubt, the new Knootian cabinet needs success, which is something the Guffingfordian Parliament wishes them wholeheartedly. Albeit not shown on television or heard on the state radio broadcasting channels, our President has sent his personal congratulations to newly elected Knootian prime minister, Jan Willem Daatman. This has been leaked by an undisclosed source in the Ministry of National Affairs.

“It shows how the Knootian population thinks, and act upon their thoughts. They request a liberal and green wind through their nation, which is something they will receive.”

Says Carolus Mint, political analyst and professor in political science and analysis. Mr Mint is a strong lobbyist and advocating reforms made in the current Guffingfordian political system, and the recent fully democratic elections in Knootoss fan the flames of progressive minds coming from the former Freestate of Gooshen, dissolved four years ago. Especially these people who have always been more progressive in nature thanks to their leader Retief Gooshen, strongly applaud the Knootian democratic process.

OOC EDIT: Knoot, you have a telegram.

[Excalbia]

The Imperial Senate
Citadel Excalbia

His Excellency Jan Willem Daatman
Prime Minister,
Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss

Your Excellency,

Please accept my sincerest congratulations on your election as Prime Minister and the formation of your new government. Your victory is truly a sign that a new spirit of justice and liberty is blowing across the Northern Atlantic.

The same winds of change that have ushered you and your SLP-Green coalition to power have shaken the old order here in Excalbia. We stand on the brink of a new liberal coalition on this side of the Atlantic.

It is my sincerest hope that my party will shortly be leading a new government and that with liberal governments in both Knootoss and Citadel Excalbia we will be able to put past disputes behind us and move forward in a spirit of peaceful cooperation.

Please be assured of my highest regards and my sincerest wishes for cooperation.

Sincerely,

Senator Davis Robb,
Leader,
Liberal Party of Excalbia

[Knootoss]

Returned:

To: Senator Davis Robb, Liberal Party of Excalbia
From Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman, Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss

Senator,

I thank you for your compliments, and can only likewise voice my appreciation for the success of the Liberal Party in Excalbia. I fully share your hopes that your party will be leading a new Excalbian government and am convinced that with liberals at the helm we will be able to resolve the past disputes created by the actions previous, more conservative, administrations on both sides.

It is my firm belief that free trade and a comprehensive diplomatic agreement are key to this success. If there is anything I can do to assist the cause of liberty in Excalbia and the peace and progressive cooperation between our two nations, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jan Willem Daatman

[Neo-Tiburon]

<Sent Via CIVINet>
<To: Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman, the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss>
<From: President Altair Lykaga, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon>
<Subject: Victory>

Your Excellency,

First and foremost, it is appropriate for me to congradulate you on your victory for the Knootian Prime Ministerialship. From our side of the North Atlantic to yours, we wish your government the best of luck in building a new path for the people of Knootoss.

The United Solaris Federation believes it is imperative not only for our alliance but also for the benefit of the entire world that we make sure that with the benefits of our capitalist systems- freedom, free enterprise, the ability for people to be upwardly mobile- that we ensure that the rights of the neediest are not trampled on, and we strongly believe that your recent address to the Staten Generaal is another form of the common vision our nations share, and will continue to share, as long as the waters of the Atlantic break on our shores.

Sincerely,
President Altair Lykaga,
The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon

[Austar Union]

{Open Transmission}
{TRANSMISSION ENCRYPTION: Diplomatic, Secure}
{FROM: Lord Indigo Blue, the Libertarian Dictatorship of Austar Union}
{TO: Mr. Daatman, Knootoss}
{SUBJECT: My Congratulations}

I have to be honest, I am glad of your promises to bring a sense of reform to the people, and government of Knootoss. Unfortunately, as the recent times had drawn nigh, I have been powerless to only watch and speculate as the former Prime Minister led your nation down the path of greater destruction. And given the true natue of such a path, I could only force distance between the Austar Union, and Knootoss respectively; as to protect our own national image and political affiliation. Whilst I am by all means, not a religious man, I can only pray that you will seek wisdom and moderation in your rule as Prime Minister.

With this in mind, let me offer my sincere congratulations on winning the recent elections; May the truth you seek be revealed toward your greater enlightenment, and let the glory of Knootoss be restored to as it ought to be.

With Respect,

Lord Indigo Blue
The Libertarian Dictatorship of Austar Union
{Close Transmission}

[Knootoss]

Taken from: “Justice and Liberty – the coalition agreement between SLP and KGP.”

Foreign and Defence Policy: a Beacon of Light in a Dark World

The SLP-KGP coalition is committed to ensuring Justice and Liberty in Knootoss at home, and advancing Knootian values abroad. The policies of the Knootian government, at home and abroad, must strive to balance the nation’s own interests with broader values, such as sentient rights and peace, freedom, and prosperity for all nations.

Making Knootoss safer in the world
VERITAS is a cornerstone of Knootian security policy. The government is committed to deeper VERITAS military and economic integration, and will strive to restore trust between the DDR and VERITAS member nations.

In addition, the government will consider membership of ‘the Concordat’ to consolidate the friendships of member nations and make Knootoss more secure.

Standing security issues must be resolved effectively, and the SLP-KGP coalition has the will to come to effective compromises.

• The government supports the peace settlement in Tanah Burung, and is committed to a quick withdrawal. The government will also make sure that international trials of the Rumbiak Brigade are fair, and that the threat of the Rumbiak Brigade is eliminated once and for all.
• The government is committed to a comprehensive peace settlement in the North Atlantic region to settle standing disputes with Excalbia and Pantocratoria. The government believes that long-term stability can only be achieved with a comprehensive settlement. Such a settlement should include all relevant regional powers.

Democratising the Knootian Federation
The government supports freedom, security and democracy in the entire Knootian Federation, and aims to reduce the presence of the Knootian Defence Force and Knootian political support insofar as this is possible.

• A parliamentary committee will be established to look into possible scenarios for independence of Knootian Colombia and Ale-Yarok from the Knootian Federation within a generation, while maintaining special economic and political ties.
• The government supports the Volksraad of Knootian Colombia in its struggle against domestic terrorism. The government is fully committed to continuing the democratisation process, and will provide additional security to ensure that this process is not interrupted.
• The troop presence in the Knootian Protectorate of Ale-Yarok can be reduced by forty percent within the first six months of the administration due to a downturn in ethnic and religious unrest between Jewish and Muslim citizens. The Knootian Federation remains committed to ensuring continued stability in the green leaf of the Middle East.
• The government remains committed to the further development of Nieuw Rotterdam.

Strengthening International Governance
Financial and economic policy is an important aspect of international governance. Without balanced financial and economic governance, there can be no international justice or solidarity. The need for financial and economic governance flows from the growing interdependence of national economies.

• The government will continue to promote KIST as a valuable institution for free and fair trade, and remain actively involved in free trade initiatives around the world such as the Dominion initiative, MAFTA, a North Atlantic free trade zone and other Free Trade initiatives.
• The government will endorse the establishment of new institutions of international law and cooperation, such as the Lavenrunzian disarmament initiative and the Human Rights Council.

Promoting Dutch Culture and Knootian Values
The government believes that Knootian values such as freedom, democracy and sentient rights deserve to be spread in the world. Knootoss must respect national sovereignty while trying to spread these values in the interest of the world.

The coalition is committed to strengthening ties with Dutch nations and peoples in the world. Many outside the Knootian Federation speak the Dutch language, and even more have a Dutch ethnicity. As the token homeland of the Dutch Race, Knootoss must play an active role in promoting closer ties without excluding good relations with other peoples.

• The government must strive to establish an international Dutch linguistic and cultural union, based in Knootoss, which is to promote cultural and linguistic exchanges.
• The government is especially committed to maintaining and improving good relations with the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka. The coalition believes that the government should explore deeper economic and military ties while maintaining cultural relations with the peoples of Europolis and the former territories of the Vortex Corporation.
• The government will restore subsidies for the International Institute for Secular Governance in The Hague, as well as give out subsidies to the Free Market Research Institute, the Knootian chapter of Amnesty International and various other institutions mentioned in the annex.

Making the military more effective
The SLP and KGP believe that the Knootian Defence Force needs to be strong and cost-effective. It is time to consolidate military spending while continuing military reform.

• Military spending will be maintained to match that of major powers, but ineffective military spending posts will be re-evaluated and, where possible, reassigned. A 1% efficiency cut is believed to be manageable without compromising battle readiness.
• Efforts will continue to diversify the Knootian Defence Force, particularly the Luchtmacht and the Landmacht. The Navy will continue to be retrofitted to work with the new Battlegroup concept.
• The nuclear arsenal will be maintained at 148.000 warheads to maintain the multi-continental retaliation doctrine, but older strategic warheads will be replaced with more cost-effective tactical nuclear warheads.
• The government commits itself to integrating persons without a preferred gender into the military, and will allocate appropriate funding to this purpose.

[Tanah Burung]

Comment from Merdeka, published in Ukun Rasikan, United Provinces of Tanah Burung:

With a change of government in our own country, has come a change also in Knootoss, the country with which we were so recently at war. It can only be a cause for rejoicing that the previous regime has suffered a decisive defeat in elections, in large part because of its aggressive foreign policy that took Knootoss to the brink of war in the Excalbian Isles, and over the brink in Tanah Burung.

It is an open secret that most people in this country would have preferred to see the Knootoss Green Party triumphant. The KGP had an explicitly anti-war platform, while the Social Liberals remained as slippery as ever on the issue of the new Knootian war of aggression: calling for restraint on the one hand, cooperating with the Conservative warmongers on the other. Summing up the party's dilemma, ironically, was not the new Prime Minister, whose policy on almost all issues remains elusive, but the "grand old man" of Knootian diplomacy, the late Jonkheer Hans van Mierlo.

Van Mierlo twisted and turned, never coming down entriely in favour of war, but never quite opposing it either. He kept his options open, never quite standing for anything, never delivering a concession before it was forced from his hands by circumstances, never doing by halves what he could do by quarters. It's a diplomatic style that arguably served Knootoss well for decades, but which seemed irrelevant once harnessed to RCPK aggression.

Can the van Mierlo style still serve, in an age of terrorism and invasions, when quiet diplomacy and cunning at the beize table is trumped by the call of the furtive bomb and the trumpets of partriotism and a new arms race? Or will Knootoss adapt to the new times, choosing a foreign minister with the skills to rebuild old friendships and undo the damage of the past few years? The RCPK attempt to meet new circumstances with hard power failed. Will one that deploys the Knootian reserves of soft power work better?

Only time, and a certain Jan Willem Daatman, will tell. The new cabinet's basis of unity shows decided sacrifices by the Greens in order to woo Daatman's SLP away from Galadriel's seductive embrace, and bears the stamp of SLP caution throughout. As yet, there is little sign of the Green daring that will be needed to undo the damages of the warmongers. But it may be unfolding yet. Van Mierlo played his cards close to his chest. By all indications, Daatman unbuttons his shirt and plays his cards from inside the garment.

Nevertheless, our own new government has extended an olive branch. Alvaro Pinto, the CCF leader named foreign minister yesterday, told the People's Assembly there would be no moves to open trade with Knootoss any time soon, but offered to permit an Institute for Dutch Culture and Language to open in Ukun Rasikan City. It's a small step, but one denounced immediately by the opposition Socialists as a "sell-out to imperialist aggression." So it may be -- but it it pays dividends, they will have been bought very cheaply indeed.

[Knootoss]

From: De Volkskrant, left-wing paper.

Daatman presents new cabinet

THE HAGUE – Jan Willem Daatman presented his new cabinet to the public today, two days after reaching the ‘Justice and Liberty’ coalition accord. The new cabinet has 2 SLP ministers, including Daatman, and 3 KGP ministers. 7 liberal and 5 green state-secretaries will support their work.

Femke Halsema, KGP leader and green contestant for the Prime Ministership, has agreed to become deputy-Prime Minister, taking over the post of Foreign Affairs and Defence which had been manned by the late Hans van Mierlo. She intends to remain the face of the party within government, as Daatman is. Halsema will be facing the difficult task of restoring Knootoss’ tarnished reputation while also having to deal with a coalition accord which calls in many ways for a liberal foreign policy.

The Green former exobiologist and consultant Dr. Mientje Hoogland will become the new minister for Education and Science. Her much-coveted ministry has the largest budget of all the departments. Seen as an experienced candidate she is expected to further improve the quality of the education system. RCPK pundits have already criticised her for her reputation of having a hole in her purse when it comes to government spending. The superministry of Domestic Affairs, responsible for policy areas ranging from culture to justice to spatial planning, will be run by the experienced Teun Klaassen. Klaassen is making a surprising comeback to national politics after having already served for four years in the second administration of Lousewies van der Laan. He is seen as a solid but unremarkable candidate.

Hendrik Zeevalking has been appointed as an SLP-minister with the job to reign in on the spending desires of the KGP minister on the two big spending departments. (Education and Domestic Affairs). He has a reputation for fiscal conservatism and is seen as rather austere. He has been publicly questioned for having ties with the Order of the Invisible Hand, but it is rumoured that he was the only acceptable candidate when it became known that greens would take on the spending departments.

Tim de Boer will become the new State-Secretary of Foreign Affairs, after having been a member of the diplomatic corps and SLP protégé since his role in the Shadow War propelled him to fame. Another controversial part of the government is the new State-Secretary of Foreign Economic Policy, David Davinci. The aging Pink Bunny Cola executive has an extensive network of friends and contacts domestically, but is described by friends as a pleasure-seeker who cares little for the issues. More controversially, he has only been a member of the SLP since three weeks prior to the elections and is said to also retain membership of the conservative RCPK party. He has publicly denied holding membership "at the current time."

The SLP also captured the state-secretariats of ‘Justice & Police’, ‘Spatial Planning, Traffic and Waterways’, ‘Government Finance’, ‘Education’ and ‘Defence’. The KGP state-secretaries will be controlling ‘Private Healthcare, Welfare and Sports’, ‘Culture & Sentient Rights’, ‘the Environment’, ‘Economic Development & Labour relations’, and ‘Research’.

With 15 humans and 2 elves (Andúnë Ancalímon on spatial planning and Aerandir Anwamanë on education, both SLP) the non-humans are slightly underrepresented in the new government, but not to a significant degree. The religious makeup of the Daatman administration is fairly traditional, with 7 atheists, 5 humanists, 2 members of the Order of the Invisible Hand, one follower of the Elvish Faith and one Roman Catholic. Secular groups have criticised the cabinet for having only one atheist minister, and have expressed worry that Humanists might be overrepresented in public decision-making. Jan Willem Daatman is also the first Deist Humanist in Knootian history to become Prime Minister.

[The Resurgent Dream]

A smartly dressed, attractive young woman appeared on the screen. "Good evening and welcome to The Wide World. I'm your host, Sadako Kawabata. Our first topic for this evening is the new Knootian cabinet and Prime Minister. It's a hard things for Danaans to understand because the Knootian government looks overwhelmingly secularist and even atheistic compared to any Danaan government. However, what people have to understand is that this represents a move towards greater tolerance in Knootoss. Mister Daatman is the first Knootian Prime Minister in recent history to believe and the overall composition of the cabinet indicates a decrease in the typical Knootian intolerance towards people of faith."

"As might be expected, some reactionary elements in Knootoss have been criticizing the government for not limiting its offices strictly enough to atheists. As usual, these people want the millions upon millions of religious Knootians to stay out of the nations politics and continue their lives as second class citizens in an atheist theocracy."

[Knootoss]

Fair and Balanced Punditry, KNN domestic television

As society grows political issues become more complex, and it can be confusing for ordinary citizens to form an informed opinion about the world around them. Fortunately, there is the holovision. Music, commercial breaks, news flashes, adverts, news broadcasts, movies, presenters – a filled screen to replace the irremediable void. By juxtaposing different views in talk shows, the holovision brings to its viewers an in-depth and interactive debate. Even at 4 AM, with viewers restricted mostly to people doing a night shift, KNN tries to contribute to this intellectual debate by giving fringe groups an honest platform.

"Now listen up you Papist Reich-loving abortion-clinic-bombing baby-rapist. Your kind has already been given one very important post despite your religion having no other followers then a bunch of old ladies refuse to die!”, a rather fat and unpleasant-looking man yelled across the table to the other side. A KNN presenter looked at it bemused.

“Now listen up you Godless hate-mongering liar”, a firm lady in a suit with a small silver cross around her nick retorded, “If all you can do is call names you might as well go back to kindergarten where you belong.”

The two glared at each other as a television anchor asked.

“Petra, in your latest book ‘Why Knootians deserve Hell’, you said that Knootoss is in effect an atheist theocracy. The recent remarks on The Resurgent Dream television have spurred the debate on your weblog, what do you think?”

“I think they’re right”, she said, “And its people like Pat over here that run it. It’s a bunch of atheists again that will burn in Hell.”

“This anti-Knootian tirade only shows that you hate Freedom", the man replied, "You're also wrong. In a theocracy is the religion is boss, we don't have a religion. Are you thick, you old wench? I say you conform to Knootian values or you can find another country to live in.” He beat his fist on the table as he said so.

“We’re not second class citizen!”, the agitated woman yelled back.

“Cry me a river baby. We’re not in Pantocratoria. Get used to it.”

“Don’t you think that every Knootian has a right to public office Pat? Its in the constitution”, the KNN anchor suggested tentatively.

“Sure they do”, he said self-satisfied that he got another turn at speaking. “Just not every office.”

“Like we get so many!”, Petra yelled.

“More then you deserve”, he bit back. “It’s a fact that a religious person should not be allowed to run departments where they can abuse their positions to spread their poison ideology. Like education or healthcare where they would force their religious issues like abortion. And everyone knows that Christianity is anti-science so it would be ridiculous to give them that department as well.”

“You didn’t make that difference on your talk show,” she yelled, “You were all high-and-mighty when they considered a Catholic for Defence which has nothing to do with that!”

“I ask you”, Pat turned his face to look into the camera, “Would you trust a Catholic to defend us against the Pantocratorian Imperialist Agressor?”

“That’s quite enough”, the KNN anchor mumbled quasi-interestedly. “Its almost five o clock in the morning, time for a news update after the break. This is KNN, stay with us.”

[Knootoss]

Trouw:

Staten-Generaal sounds alarm over new health insurance

THE HAGUE — Liberal and opposition MPs have expressed serious concerns about the potential for chaos when the new health insurance system comes into force in January. The Healthcare spokespersons of the SLP, RCPK and KEP called on Domestic Affairs Minister Teun Klaassen during Question Hour to be more pro-active to ensure the introduction of a public-private healthcare system goes smoothly.

A new universal basic health insurance scheme comes into force at the start of the new year, and nearly all Knootian adults will have to pay insurance premiums. The basic package will be similar to the coverage provided by the basic private ziekenfonds insurance currently provided.

A motion by the RCPK to postpone the introduction of basic healthcare insurance was defeated by 56 to 134.

MPS told Klaassen instead that his ministry must mount a better information campaign to prevent an administrative nightmare. Everyone must be insured and insurance companies cannot deny anyone coverage for the basic package. With three months to go before the new system comes into effect, there are a rising number of complaints from members of the public who don't understand the implications of the changeover. One of the biggest areas of confusion relates to the zorgtoeslag, or extra benefit for people on low incomes. The application form that must be completed for the tax authorities is said to be very difficult to understand.

[Knootoss]

Main thread: 60 year old lady bones count (oh and also some treaty thing)

NRC Handelsblad

Tarasovka and Knootoss intensify cooperation.

THE HAGUE –the Daatman administration is engaging in negotiations with the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka to deepen relations and securing a new agreement on the conditions of cooperation. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Femke Halsema, is in Vigvar to discuss the finer details of the agreement.

The government intends to renew and expand upon the so-called Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation signed by Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan several years ago. In this convention the Knootian government transferred Europolis to the predecessor government of the Grand Duchy, resolving outstanding disputes with Tarasovka and establishing the Knootian colony of Nieuw Rotterdam in Taraskovyan territory.

While nothing official has yet been released, the parties have agreed on a standard non-aggression clause and an intensive cultural exchange programme including student exchanges. Halsema and the state-secretary of Foreign Economic Policy are also pushing for a Free Trade Agreement, but there has been resistance by their Grand Ducal negotiating partners to this idea. A compromise allowing import tariffs on a number of Knootian products is thought to be in the making.

The agreement also marks the start of the international Dutch Language Union, as Tarasovka agrees to cooperate with Knootoss in the establishment of a joint council on the Dutch language which will concern itself with promoting uniformity of the Dutch language. This Union, promised in the coalition accord of SLP and KGP, is yet to include other important Dutchspeaking nations such as Guffingford, Alcona & Hubris and Midlonia in striving for unified spelling and grammar – amongst others.

[Knootian East Indies]

The following editorial was published in De Volkskrant, a left-wing Knootian newspaper.

Concordat membership stirs fierce foreign policy debate

A strategic shift?
THE HAGUE – the bill is on the table, the game is afoot. Yesterday, the government formally submitted a proposal for Knootoss to join the ‘Concordat’ alliance of Midlonia, Euroslavia, Hallad, Tiburon, the Freethinker Commonwealth and Zepplin Manufacturer Industries after getting the formal approval from the Council of State. Knootoss already enjoys strong bilateral ties with all of these countries (bar Hallad, which could present a problem of its own) and is likely to be welcomed with open arms.

The new alliance proposal raises the question if the new progressive coalition of Jan Willem Daatman will continue the strategic foreign policy of Galadriël, or if this means a shift in strategic focus away from relying on VERITAS, towards a rebalancing of Knootian vital interests. The former, the foreign policy experts of the Liberals and Greens reassure, the latter charge the opposition Conservatives and the pro-Menelmacari Elvish party.

Government concerns
The Daatman administration, by mouth of Green Foreign Affairs and Defence minister Femke Vologdov, has officially presented joining the Concordat as a common-sense case of deepening ties with nations already friendly to the Dutch Democratic Republic. Indeed, joining the Concordat would likely provide tangible economic, cultural, military and diplomatic advantages. Unofficially and off the record, it is also said that the Concordat is a more robust alliance when it comes to defending Knootian interests. The refusal of many VERITAS nations to lend even diplomatic support in the Excalbian Isles crisis has left policymakers wary of relying solely on VERITAS for national security purposes. Concerns such as these are not voiced in any official documents, but the The Hague cafés and clubs frequented by the policy elite are buzzing with intrigue and discontent. There are fears that the replacement of Galadiël by a left-wing coalition will lead to an ambivalent approach from Menelmacar and the C’tan (the two leading nations in VERITAS). Further concerns are voiced about the deterioration of Lavenrunzian democracy, and a serious military incident with the Lavenrunzians which alleged to have taken place during Operation Tempo Dulu. Other, anonymous, policymakers voiced open distrust towards the Austar Union and its credibility as an ally as well as its questionable respect for Sentient Rights. “I would not say that VERITAS is unreliable. Its members are amongst the most respected nations,” an official said on condition of anonymity, ”but unlike Galadriël, I do not put blind faith in them coming to help Knootoss when we need it.”

Opposition strategy
The opposition RCPK and the Knootian Elvish Party together reject the treaty, claiming that it is ‘anti-Elvish sentiments’ driving the decision. This allegation has been rejected angrily by Jan Willem Daatman as “dangerous politics, creating rifts between Knootians where there are none”. The opposition, however, needs only point to history: the van der Laan administration (Liberal/Green) before Galadriël came to power enjoyed historically bad relations with Menelmacar, eventually losing the political support of the SLP over percieved international distrust of the very progressive partners it was trying to find while alienating longstanding alliances with the Elvish/Capitalist sphere. If the conservative strategy is successful, it could force the very same rift in the Liberal/Green alliance that swept the conservatives into power thirteen years ago.

Consensus
Knootian parties traditionally seek to come to a three-party consensus on matters of Strategic Foreign Policy to prevent erratic foreign policy changes from happening due to a shift in the domestic balance of power. The Conservative opposition may not have the votes to stop Knootoss from joining the Concordat now, but if their opposition persists it may present problems in the future. On the other hand, Minister Vologdov is determined to pull ahead, pointing out (rightly) that an inquiry into joining the Concordat is part of the Coalition agreement. Her claim that joining the Concordat is not a shift in Strategic Foreign Policy is especially important because it excludes the need for a three-party consensus on joining.

A number of roadblocks still exists, most notably the membership of the communist Workers Republic of Hallad in Haven poses problems. Another issue is Concordat institutional reform, which is necessary to make the treaty more efficient. Presuming that these roadblocks can be overcome, it will be interesting to see how the Foreign Policy game unfolds

~Jan Roodborst is a political scientist at the University of Amsterdam.