The Cultural Department - Term 1

[Cyc]

Although as Cultural Minister I was unable to attend the last Chat, I have read the reports and have studied the maps. I must congratulate our military for their taking of the American capital as well as ridding us of their new infestations. We have achieved a Leader, which The DOC believes should be used to hurry the creation of the Hanging Gardens. The elimination of the Americans and an advance against the Egyptians is also supported. Peace with the other nations may be advisable if cost efficient, although this Department would like to see the Egyptians suffer the same fate as the Americans. In reading the Presidents speech, I was moved. I believe if we stand behind Grey Fox whole-heartedly, in the short-term he will move us toward our manifest destiny.

Many thanks to our Historian Daaraa, for the wonderful record-keeping reports. These reports save me from a lot of research and typing, as all seem accurate. Basically, the only thing left for me to report is the individual Culture Values.

Fox Nest – The Great Palace 194, temple 98, The Great Library 30
Shailonegha – temple 106
PDX – temple 98
Pherris – library 60
Civanatoria – library 21

The DOC would like to take this opportunity to apologize to our esteemed Domestic Leader, Eyrei. We did not mean to criticize your work, as we do appreciate all of your contributions to our nations Culture. Please overlook our past blunders and join us as our nation moves forward into a new era.

 

[disorganizer]

CENSUS OFFICE
The Census Office wants to remember all Citizens to re-register in the new official registry http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20720 !!!

CHAT OFFICE
The Chat Office wants to remember the Department Leaders to announce their chat-representatives in the thread http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20797 until 1 hour before the chat. They will NOT be voiced if not nominated in the thread!

 

[Cyc]

Well, here I am again, apologizing for missing another chat session. Since we moved the start time a little later in the day, Mondays and Thursdays have been too tight for me to be there. Lately I’ve been thinking that we should spend weekdays discussing the directives we want to put in place, the paths we want to follow and the wonders we want to build, and then play two turn chats on the weekend. Maybe Saturday around 1700 GMT (noon EST) and Sunday 2100 GMT (4pm EST). That would pretty much give everyone a chance to attend at least one chat, plus give us all week to discuss issues and complete polls. Just an idea.

So as nothing happened last night, there is nothing new to report, game-wise. We’re still running our polls (don’t forget to vote), and still debating some key issues. I would like to say that the DOC feels the Hanging Gardens should be hurried with the Leader in PDX, making our citizens happier and our Culture value higher. Also switching governments to Monarchy is looked upon favorably. With this done we’re ready to ramp up and go to war. As our plans for making peace keep changing, it’s hard to make a call on which way to go, but with the Gardens and Monarchy the pressure would be lessened IMHO. In viewing the maps, I would think the Forbidden Palace would be better placed in the Athens/Sparta area or even in Phebes. Of course that means we would have to wait a little longer, but placement is better than speed. I understand Eyrei would like to get libraries in our remaining cities and would like to get this done with pop rushing. It all makes perfect sense from an accounting point of view, and Eyrei is gaining support from my Deputy Minister, Justus II and our new Chat Representative ssmith619. Therefore I believe it is time for me to step down and maybe take a literacy class from our new national program. I fully support each of my staff, if they choose to run for Cultural Minister. I would be very glad if the two of them filled the two open slots. I will nominate both of them tomorrow if they don’t self-declare.

So that about wraps it up. I will probably get three more Cultural Reports to do and then I’ll semi-retire as Curator of the Phoenatica Cultural Art Museum. It has been an honor to serve the nation of Phoenatica. It has also been my pleasure to work with my colleagues here in Fox Nest.

Thank you again,

Cyc
Cultural Minister

 

[eyrei]

Originally posted by Cyc
Lately I’ve been thinking that we should spend weekdays discussing the directives we want to put in place, the paths we want to follow and the wonders we want to build, and then play two turn chats on the weekend. Maybe Saturday around 1700 GMT (noon EST) and Sunday 2100 GMT (4pm EST). That would pretty much give everyone a chance to attend at least one chat, plus give us all week to discuss issues and complete polls. Just an idea.

With a little tweaking this could be a very good idea. Maybe if we extended the sessions to a standard 15 turns to be played on Saturday and Sunday, and then added a Wednesday 1 turn session, where actions that have already been decided upon could be carried out so that further actions can be explored (for example, making peace with one civ to see how that affects a peace treaty with another).

Therefore I believe it is time for me to step down and maybe take a literacy class from our new national program. I fully support each of my staff, if they choose to run for Cultural Minister. I would be very glad if the two of them filled the two open slots. I will nominate both of them tomorrow if they don’t self-declare.

I am honestly saddened by your desire to step down. While we have had many disagreements, I think these have given us all a better understanding of how best to run this game. On issues such as pop-rushing, you do not stand alone. While your view is not necessarily held by the majority, a good number of citizens believe as you do on this issue. Maybe you should run for one of the Cabinet members 'at large' (as Shaitan calls them) in the next election. It would require much less time and effort than a normal cabinet position, and your experience in the government would be helpful. In fact, if you do truly desire to pass on your post, and are willing to take one of these seats on the cabinet, I will nominate you myself.

 

[Justus II]

Therefore I believe it is time for me to step down and maybe take a literacy class from our new national program. I fully support each of my staff, if they choose to run for Cultural Minister. I would be very glad if the two of them filled the two open slots. I will nominate both of them tomorrow if they don’t self-declare.

I am both honored and humbled by Cyc's vote of confidence. I joined this game without any experience in the original, and volunteered for Deputy Culture Minister, because I wanted to learn what it was all about. Cyc has always been gracious enough to keep me informed, and I have learned much about this concept, and truly enjoyed myself. I also have gotten more involved in the culture aspect of the game between this and GOTM6.

I would be interested in running for the position of Culture Minister, with the acknowledgement that I am not able to attend the chat sessions on a regular basis. Depending on what schedule is finalized, I will certainly attend as many as possible, but unless the salary of the Culture Minister is substantially more than that of the Deputy, I will have to maintain my present job during the daytime!

I hope that my Campaign was taken in the spirit intended, an opportunity for citizens to unite and support an agenda that benefits both science and culture. We have organizations which support our war effort, and I support our Manifest Destiny as well, I want to be sure that other aspects of our development are not neglected. I know the pop-rushing discussion is more controversial, and it is not specifically a part of the Literacy Campaign agenda. As I tried to state, that is more of a personal recommendation, based on our near-term situation, not necessarily a long-term policy. It was also never intended to be taken as dissension within the Culture Ministry, I certainly support Cyc and the great job he as done establishing precendents for a truly new department.

Cyc, I also hope you will continue to stay involved in the government, and look forward to working with you in promoting the Phoenatica Cultural Museum!

 

[ssmith619]

Well, I am shocked at Cyc's decision to not run for another term at Culture Minister, but I am also honored that he encouraged me to run in the next elections. I realize that I'll be running against Justus II, someone with a lot more experience, but I hope to at least become the Deputy Culture Minister, and I'm beginning to think that that would be better. Well, I'll run anyway and take what I can get. I'd like to congratulation Cyc on his great term and must say that the museum was a great idea. Although I do not support population rushing, I don't think it will matter anymore considering it is likely that we will switch to Monarchy soon (something that I think will come just in time, for we were forced to like under Despotism for way too long). Well, good luck Justus II and congratulations Cyc!

 

[crabapple]

Shall we post a poll about change turn chat times to the weekends that cyc suggested?
It would be good for me then I finally be able to to make it to the turn chats.

 

[Shaitan]

All department heads please vote on the VP Position Band-Aide Measure.

 

[Cyc]

Just for the record, forum downtime is part of the Phoenatica Cultural scene. We were christened on our very first day as a nation with downtime. Hopefully, these small setbacks will be few and far between, but they do give us time to relax and enjoy some time off.

Some thoughts from the DOC:
The DOC agrees with Eyrei’s suggestion of a short Wednesday turn chat addition to my turn chat schedule change suggestion (stated above). Also crabapple’s poll suggestion is a good one and should probably be started soon.
The DOC disagrees with SirPleb’s proposal for Egypt brought forward by Falcon02 in the Military Dept. thread. I can address this later, but basically it will just allow the weaker Egyptians to fall away to a stronger civ, making it tougher for us in the long run. If the powers that be do accept this proposal the DOC advises an ROP with Egypt.
The DOC is glad to see that we are moving forward on the Governor/Province issue. We do not believe there should be a final poll running on the options, as a little more time is needed for more discussion and border options, as well as defining the standards used in declaring a Province.
Sorry to hear about all the nominees for the election who will not be accepting. There is still plenty of time to self-declare, so if you feel you can help the next administration through the Middle Ages in ANY way, please do so.
Civanator, I would have nominated you (and I’m glad you self-declared), but with your long absence, I have no idea how you stand on the issues. Please update.
As far as the war goes, the DOC would like to advance our borders south and east (not necessarily in that order) as much as possible before we stop to rest. We realize that we do not have as many troops as we would like, but with our decent sized bank, maybe we could cast some foot-high golden immortal statues and throw them at our enemies. You never know, it could work…
That’s basically it for now. We hope to see the completion of the Heroic Epic soon. Maybe someone could write of the battles in the Northern Campaign (hint hint). The notion of libraries in all of our cities, especially a library and temple in Eyr and Khatovar, two of our oldest cities, is extremely welcomed by the DOC. Keep the faith and don’t forget to vote.

Cyc
Cultural Minister

 

[Cyc]

Oh, that I were in Greece watching some play whose writers have pointed a bony finger at our government. That’s one part of the Grecian Cultural Scene I admire the most. They weren’t afraid to use their arts to poke fun at or dramatically analyze/criticize the government elite. Some comedy (and I have seen some good groundwork for that here) can be just as inspiring or moving as a tragedy. I would imagine many a law or preference were changed or solidified after a rousing standing ovation or a deathly silent murmuring. But enough about the finer things in life…

It has been too short of a month. The hammering out of ideas, the pondering of hard choices, the listening and the shouting. These times will be remembered well. How one afternoon I plucked an apple from the tree of theDuckofFlanders, taking a position in this government no one seemed to want. From that moment until now, it has been a grand journey filled with perspective and learning, insight and vision. I have learned a lot from my honorable colleagues, witnessing their careful steps on the path of destiny. I will take my brief tenure as the first Cultural Minister as a lesson to guide me in my future endeavors.

I can only hope that I have solidified the backing of our government’s elite. That I have brought about an awareness of issues that might have passed us by. That I have helped others key on the wording of our constitution in its refinement and restructuring. I doubt that I will realize these hopes, but at least there is a small light at the end of the tunnel.

As we move forward in this New Age, let us not forget the trials of the last. Let us be aware of the new sights and sounds of modern technology, but not forget to develop the arts that mirror our society. Build the wonders that will bring pleasure to our people and draw new populations to our fold. Let us become an empire that other nations come to respect and admire.

In leaving the Department of Culture, I wish to thank the Phoenatica citizenry for allowing me this opportunity. I will now strive to repay you from the private sector.

Cyc
Cultural Minister

 

[Cyc]

Another glorious day in the history of Phoenatica. Donsig and I stood shoulder to shoulder with the President as he directed Falcon02 in the commanding of our military forces. As we won many front line battles and recaptured our lands, news of Abe Lincoln’s demise reached us. The President bowed his head in recognition of the men we lost. We are now moving up our front lines and fortifying as new plans are drawn up.

With the Heroic Epic finished in Fox Nest, we are ready to continue our quest of Manifest Destiny, no matter what phase or direction we may presently be in.

Again as Daaraa has drawn up superb historical charts, the only real stats left for me to report to you are the individual Cultural points. At this point, I may suggest to Justus II that in your term as Cultural Minister, our list of cities may grow quite lengthy and individual stats may become tedious. This listing may not be required in the future, although I’m sure you’ll want to make reference to it in regards to one or two cities when you need to stress a point in your Cultural Reports.

Fox Nest – Palace 256, temple 222, library 69, Great Library 216, ...................Heroic Epic 28
Washington – library 90
Shailonegha – temple 230
PDX – temple 222
Pherris – library 156
Civanatoria – library 156

Congratulations again Justus II in your victory. I wish to congratulate all of the winners in the elections today. Hopefully the days ahead will be filled with the same glory as the past. The polls are still open. Don’t forget to vote!

 

[Duke of Marlbrough]

Cultural Department Term 2 Thread