Judicial Branch Debates

[Shaitan]

This is the official debate thread for all Judicial candidates. This includes the Chief Justice, Public Defendant and Judge Advocate. All candidates who have accepted nominations for any of these positions should respond to these debate questions in full.

Be sure to state the position(s) that you are running for.

1. A two part question, answer briefly please: How do you feel about turn-chats and is your position that they should continue as is, or do you favor the concept of private/closed door turn sessions by the DP?
2. What qualifications and experience do you have for the position you are running for?
3. If you are given the chance to name a city, what would you name it?
4. Are you familliar with all of our laws?
5. Do you abide by them?
6. Question for younger candidates: Hypothetical Situation - You totally fail a math test. You realize that this effects your grade in a big way. Which would you do? A- Study harder, even if it meant loosing forum time; or B- Let your grades plummet and continue on with the demogame.
7. How do you stand to the proposal of having very small provinces at the start to get to about 10 governors quick and then redesign the provincial borders for having a solid number of about 10 governors throughout most of the game? (formerly known as the "Provincial Growth Formula")
8. Explain in one sentence why the citizens should vote for you instead of your opponents.
9. If you were in the role of Judge Advocate or Public Defender, and you found that your personal views conflicted with those responsibilities of your job, (for example, defending someone you feel is guilty), how would you deal with that?
10. Do you feel it is the Judiciary's responsibility, or right, to create new laws out of existing legislation?
11. What do you feel the role of the Judiciary should be in the Demo Game?
12. Right now, how much time of your day do you committ to the Democracy Game? Would this amount change if you were elected?

 

[Bill_in_PDX]

Bill_in_PDX debate submission
Candidate for Chief Justice

A two part question, answer briefly please: How do you feel about turn-chats and is your position that they should continue as is, or do you favor the concept of private/closed door turn sessions by the DP?

--While I am unable to attend chat myself as currently scheduled, I have come to acknowledge that this part of our game is a very important component to many. I feel that chat should continue, with reasonable boundaries in place to prevent a small group of chatters from overriding the will of all the populace expressed via the forums.

What qualifications and experience do you have for the position you are running for?

--I am the current Judge Advocate, and have held the position since it's inception. I have more time on the bench than any other citizen. In my time of service to our nation, I have been faced with a myriad of reviews and decisions, and have the experience necessary to deal with it.

If you are given the chance to name a city, what would you name it?

--New PDX

Are you familliar with all of our laws?
Do you abide by them?

--I am extremely familiar with the laws of our nation. I abide by them as well, and if found wrong on an issue, I say so publically.

Question for younger candidates: Hypothetical Situation - You totally fail a math test. You realize that this effects your grade in a big way. Which would you do? A- Study harder, even if it meant loosing forum time; or B- Let your grades plummet and continue on with the demogame.

--I think we all have conflicts with life and the demo game, so no matter if it is a math test for some, or a new facility opening for me, I am 37, then the real underlying question here is commitment to the game.

Everyone should devote their priorities in life to those they love and their RL responsibilities. Beyond that, no committment should be made to the citizens of Fanatika unless you can back it up. There is nothing worse than abandonded posts.

I feel my committment to this game has been a demonstrated consistent reliable performance.

How do you stand to the proposal of having very small provinces at the start to get to about 10 governors quick and then redesign the provincial borders for having a solid number of about 10 governors throughout most of the game? (formerly known as the "Provincial Growth Formula")

--I am in favor of this approach, as we need more governors, however, I caution that we all need to see the final proposal.

Explain in one sentence why the citizens should vote for you instead of your opponents.

--I want folks to vote for me because they like that I have experience in this office, that I have demonstrated a good understanding of the rules with fair application, and have performed my duties impartially and without agenda.

If you were in the role of Judge Advocate or Public Defender, and you found that your personal views conflicted with those responsibilities of your job, (for example, defending someone you feel is guilty), how would you deal with that?

--I wrote this question for the inquisitors and feel it is important. Recently a PI was held in which I was in the position of prosecuting someone whose opinion I value greatly. Nevertheless it was my job as JA to present the government's case and win a conviction.

That's the key in the judiciary. Sometimes you have to put aside your own opinion on a issue and say: is this constitutional? If so, even if you disagree with the concept, you have to be willing to fulfill you duties.

Do you feel it is the Judiciary's responsibility, or right, to create new laws out of existing legislation?

--No. I think it is the Judiciary's responsibility to clarify rules and laws, but not to cross the line and do the job that is rightly held by the citizens (congress).

What do you feel the role of the Judiciary should be in the Demo Game?

--I think the judiciary plays a key role in the balance of power in our government. They should also be a repository of information and answers to questions. They should never been seen as some kind of power hording group.

Right now, how much time of your day do you committ to the Democracy Game? Would this amount change if you were elected?

--I currently spend up to two hours a day with various thread reviews and the like. My time committment would be unchanged should I earn your vote.

Bill
Judge Advocate
Candidate for Chief Justice of Fanatika

 

[Danke]

A two part question, answer briefly please: How do you feel about turn-chats and is your position that they should continue as is, or do you favor the concept of private/closed door turn sessions by the DP?

I believe turn/chats are an important part of the game, providing a public forum for the decisions that arise during play and therefore cannot be addressed in the fora. I strongly believe that the turn/chat logs are an import resource for educating the citizenry and as a record to assist in holding our leaders accountable for their actions.

What qualifications and experience do you have for the position you are running for?

As the Term One Public Defender I have publicly stated legal opinions on a variety of topics. I have a working knowledge of the Constitution, Code of Laws, and Code of Standards, and a belief in the role of the judiciary to create a fair and just game through the impartial interpretation of our laws.

If you are given the chance to name a city, what would you name it?

If coastal, Hassenpfefferhavn. If inland, Sturmundrang.

Are you familliar with all of our laws?

Yes, though not to say I don't refer back to them for reference as necessary. And it is always necessary.

Do you abide by them?

It is my intent to always follow our laws. I am guilty of creating the census thread in the wrong forum, though it was unintentional and later corrected.

Question for younger candidates: Hypothetical Situation - You totally fail a math test. You realize that this effects your grade in a big way. Which would you do? A- Study harder, even if it meant loosing forum time; or B- Let your grades plummet and continue on with the demogame.

While not young, I think it is important for all players to maintain a healthy perspective on life. There are times, for example, when I am only able to spot-check the threads for which I have responsibility. I try not to take on more than I can execute. If life changes unexpectedly, and I don't have time to fulfill my duties, I am obliged to notify the community and seek a transition that serves the public.

How do you stand to the proposal of having very small provinces at the start to get to about 10 governors quick and then redesign the provincial borders for having a solid number of about 10 governors throughout most of the game? (formerly known as the "Provincial Growth Formula")

I am for any provincial plan that follows geographic boundaries and allows for active participation by the citizenry.

Explain in one sentence why the citizens should vote for you instead of your opponents.

As I said in the Term One elections, I feel that people should vote for the candidate who will best serve them. The judiciary should not be a popularity contest. I hope that people have a sense of how I approach the legal issues facing this office and that I will attempt to execute my duties fairly.

If you were in the role of Judge Advocate or Public Defender, and you found that your personal views conflicted with those responsibilities of your job, (for example, defending someone you feel is guilty), how would you deal with that?

As Public Defender, my duty is to judge the legality of issues and to give a defendant in a PI the best possible representation. I have no problem divorcing my personal opinion from these duties. That being said, there are honest differences in the Judiciary in legal interpretation, but these are differences in legal opinion, not personal opinion outside the scope of legal interpretation.

Do you feel it is the Judiciary's responsibility, or right, to create new laws out of existing legislation?

No. At most I feel that the Judiciary can, as part of giving legal opinion on proposed laws, suggest ways that the proponents of these laws can move forward. The Judiciary interprets law, it does not create it.

What do you feel the role of the Judiciary should be in the Demo Game?

To insure the best possible experience for the citizenry through the fair and impartial execution of their offices.

Right now, how much time of your day do you committ to the Democracy Game? Would this amount change if you were elected?

Anywhere from 1/2 hour to 2 hours, five days a week, depending on RL. I expect that to remain the same.

Thanks for the opportunity to again serve Fanatika.

Danke
Public Defender