[EARTH] Leaders of the 'Standard-Bearers' Recognized for Domestic Philanthropy Efforts

[EARTH] Leaders of the 'Standard-bearers' Recognized for Domestic Philanthropy Efforts

via Macario Azevedo, Tayseri Times

[TOKYO] In what many are calling a significant turning point for the growing political movement, Mr.’s Khorshid Shahbazi and Isaac Algard along with Ms. Chandrabhaga Sathe and Chairwoman Lê Thi Mai jointly received the Masaru Matsumoto Philanthropic Award today for their extensive investment and direct involvement in a number of Earth’s most devastated regions; namely the Latin America-Central and South East-Pacific administrative zones. And, according to recently released reports by the office of Admiral Hackett, their work has not been without tangible effect: if the current rate of reconstruction and rehabilitation continues the national blocs are expected to break the Sixty Five Percent barrier by close of the the second and third fiscal quarters of 2189 respectively. A welcome change from the much more conservative reports released early last year that placed said dates closer to late 2192 if, indeed, at all.

“Truly, these men and women have honored my father’s legacy of charity and hospitality,” stated Matsumoto Junko, CEO of Matsumoto Technologies during her presentation speech. “To all those who would doubt the power, or reach of human kindness, I say that one only need to look to people such as these to have their faith reaffirmed.”

However the selection of the recipients has drawn no small amount of criticism and ire from watchdog groups such as the popular blog EyeOnTheSkies; which, in a recent post, drew attention to the party’s connections with the SA military, steadfast backing of the Systems Alliance Transitional Authority on Earth, as well as the party’s recent absorption of a substantial number of Terra Firma moderates. Accusing the organization as a spiritual successor to the ill-fated group, the essay has already seen widespread distribution across the extranet.

In an interview with the Times the Chairwoman acknowledged the accusations, though reaffirmed her adherence to what she believes to be the party’s basic tenets and organizational discipline. “Our motive is not and has never been one of xenophobia or hate. Hate is born of fear and misunderstanding and I find that all three make for a poor seat from which to make decisions on policy. What we support, what we have always supported is a strong, self reliant humanity that can engage with its allies and colleagues such as the Hierarchy and Clans on equal terms. And we believe that the key to this rests within the preservation of the myriad of human cultures against exterior erosion, a strong national navy and marine corps, a secure colonial network, and the growth of domestic industries.”

A retired Rear Admiral of the SAN Third Fleet who served during the Mindoir Incursions and subsequent crackdowns in the Skyllian Verge; Ms. Lê Thi Mai was elevated to a position of some prominence during the Reaper War; primarily for her actions in coordinating and leading resistance forces in the South East Asian theater. She is credited with overseeing the evacuations of Hanoi and Tokyo as well as organizing a number of successful guerrilla actions over the course of the conflict.

In the same interview Chairwoman indicated that the Standard-Bearers would be both capable and interested in participating in the SA Parliamentary elections at the conclusion of the Five Year Plan, citing party discipline, the self evident results of their work, and an amenable political atmosphere.

“Frankly,” stated Ms. Lê Thi Mai, “I like our chances.”

So when will Earth actually be inhabitable?

Ok I'm increasingly uncomfortable with our officials "subtly" giving the finger to the asari and the salarians every chance they get. Sure their contribution left to be desired during the war, but they'll be valuable partners in the future. No need to burn bridges.

Where exactly does it say that the Standard-Bearers are giving a finger to the asari and salarians?

We have a military pact with the Hierarchy and Coalition and therefore a higher co-operation with them, beyond what we do as a council member. The Standard-Bearers are very much pro-military, so they're going to focus on that. Beyond that, they're still private citizens, not elected officals and as such, are not representatives of the Systems Alliance and nor do they have impact on policy. If you don't like what they're saying, don't vote for them when the Five Year Plan ends.

'Sides, if the Union and Republics can't handle a little bit of self-righteous anger, what are they doing in galactic politics? That's half of what politics is!

Here we are in the context of reconstruction, something salarians have provided an invaluable help for. Not include them, or the asari, in the list of our colleagues and allies is deliberate. And they're not the only ones to do it. I just feel like we're basing tomorrow's economic and political strategies on military alliances. We're not at war anymore.

You're right that they're not officials, I used the wrong word, but we're in that weird moment where soon-to-be politicians speak for the people, even if they're not been elected yet. And a LOT of them follow that line, which worries me.

I'm not worried that the republics and the union get upset by this particular statement. I'm worried that we're entrenching ourselves, and that they'll do the same, which would have future economic ramifications. I'm just not seeing the point of that.

Forget it boss, the spit and polish cocksuckers have already lined up their chosen few and are prepping for the new war. Though I can't wait to see who'll they'll try to screw over next, my money is on the independence factions on earth.

I don't think they'd actually get a war going, but they sure are stuck in that mindset...

I certainly can't speak for the Republics as a whole, but I don't think I'm enormously atypical; I didn't really see a pronounced issue there. In fact my first thought was that the Hierarchy was intended to represent C-Space as a whole, with the Clans standing for the 'new' allied star nations - just a verbal shorthand to avoid derailing the address with a long list of every ally the Alliance has.

I don't know how much merit it might have, but it would be pleasant to think that there aren't a great many would-be voters in the Alliance who are specifically worried about whether they may or may not be on equal terms with the Republic, that any disparity in any particular field (by which I don't mean 'inferiority' on the Alliance's part, mind you) won't result in any great hardship. We like to think we're amiable neighbours, after all - having just been very greatly shamed by our failure in that regard, I'm hopeful we'll not repeat that mistake in the future.

No, we're not at war anymore. But one day we will be again. When that day comes, we'll need to be ready. That means rebuilding our military and defence network. Everyone acts like we're militarizing or whatever, when we're just rebuilding our military. We're still well below the SADF's size pre-war. Pre-Eden Prime even, if you want to leave out the rapid mobilisation just before the war.

War's like death. You can try avoiding but one day it's gonna come.

That being said, you're still equating comments by unelected politicians to Alliance policy. When the admiralty or Joint Command starts expressing those sentiments, then you start worrying. The Fleet Admiral and the Commandant haven't said anything to offend our salarian and asari allies as far as I know, so I feel confident in saying that the Alliance isn't doing what you're saying.

Also, the Hierarchy isn't just good at fighting and the Alliance has heaps more dialogue and trade with the Terminus, which i think is a win-win because new sources of tech and resources and alliances with Terminus nations means more overall stability in the galaxy.

of course reconstruction is important-it's the Alliance's main goal afterall, but no one's ignoring it in favour of MOAR GUNZ.


I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Unelected politicians don't speak for me. They speak for themselves.


Look, no one's saying 'break off the alliance!' or trying to drive them off the Council. A little anger is to be expected and to be honest, I'd be very surprised if it got in the way of what any nation wants. And the Alliance still has good reason to want the Republic's eezo and the salarians' tech, as well as economic ties.

One thing to consider: the military is inextricably tied with a strong economy. You can have all the dreadnoughts in the galaxy, but they'll be useless if you can't afford to crew them, maintain them and arm them. It does the government no favours to neglect the economy.


That's a great idea! Let's send out war-weary, under-strength, underequipped military to fight on the planet many of them are from, against their own people!

That'll work out great/


Really?

Justifiable anger at the Union and Republics + a need to return the military to a functional state=MUST HAVE MOAR GUNZ AND FUCK THE ECONOMY?


Thank you. I'm not sure how one sentence of this article equals the Alliance telling the Union and Republics to go fuck themselves.


I...don't think this is a issue.

i'll be honest with ya

I don't care about the frogs or squidheads either

Three percent military attendence before the War, wasn't it?

What's it like living on fairy tale gumdrop mountain? First, war weariness. We'rd not going to see another conflict without massed anti-war protests all over the planet on both sides. Secondly, equipping an exhausted volunteer OR WORSE, a conscripted fighting force just a year after the war to peak levels isn't happening. Look, Snowy, I know you get your jollies ragging on the Systems Alliance but have some fucking common sense and stop believing whatever you tell yourself.

It's making you, dare I, as the pot, call the kettle black, a little unhinged.

My political orientation is so confused, it's like being in highschool again.

Right...now basically? The issue so much isn't a lack of arable land as on Palaven, the issue is getting that land and the cities on said land to the point that they can actually support a population of any significance at a quality of life (and economic growth) at least somewhat equal to pre-War standards.

Oh woe is our political system, the ostensibly military oriented party is forgoing wrapping their lips around the Union and Republic's nonexistent cocks in favor of emphasizing alliances and relationships with our major military partners.

But no seriously, they're not defaming them, they're not lauding them, they're simply not mentioning them which, frankly, is the most politic way of handling it considering that their target demographic (ie. the SAMC and SAN) are largely still a tad bitter about that whole thing.

The fact that they're also taking pains to denyand decry xenophobic rhetoric shoots that whole argument in the knees too somewhat.
...What kind of galaxy do you think we live in?

And awww here comes the lapdog, he's so gruff and chewed up but he loves his master don't you boy? Yes you do! Yes you do! Tell you what, if you're a good boy all the way through the discussion I might even toss you a treat but shhhh, it'll have to be our little secret.

So pray tell, what's your rationale for an Alliance directed military conquest of Earth?

...what? No, really, I'm asking. I'm genuinely rather curious to hear the thought process involved.

The problem is not: "can we possibly hope to measure up to the perfectness that is the asari Republics", the problem is: "what is our criterion for a firm alliance and what galactic governments meet those requirements".

I'm frankly rather curious to see the Standard-Bearers stance on that you know, trade with the Terminus I mean. It goes without saying that historically the relationship between the two has been decidedly...fraught.

Well clearly it's a zero sum game King. If you're not prioritizing civilian development uber alles and getting into a seriously kinky political bondagefest with everyone in C-Space equally clearly you hate freedom and are the kind of person who would replace their dick with a dread spinal given fifteen minutes and a rusty cheese knife.

Which evens out to somewhere in the neighborhood of three hundred and fifty million people on active duty, all who regularly vote, have strong ties with various colonial administrations and spacer populations (both of which are disproportionately represented in the Parliament), have strong ties to the civilian bureaucracy at the upper echelons (Generals, Admirals, and the like), and tend to keep their party loyalty even past the point of discharge after which they tend to settle on the aforementioned disproportionately represented colonies.

They're part of the reason the Solarists can't just roll over the rest of Parliament through sheer numbers essentially and have formed the backbone of many a Labor-Colonial legislative project. You underestimate them as your own political peril.

Wasn't planning on it. That was pre-War, after all. You know, before a bunch of horrendous space crabs from the Dark Dimension tried to turn you into their choice prime beef.

In other words, I'm doling out a measure of respect for what you could do if your race was filled less with xenophobic pissants than your Andersons and Shepards.

I know, I know, pot, kettle, black and all that, but it is what it is.

Oh I didn't mean you you, I meant general "Oh-if-I-were-a-Parliamentary-Politician~" you, all apologies. And yes! Frankly I'm somewhat optimistic as well, I know I know it's getting some flak for picking up ex-TF ministers and the like but, frankly, the issue was never really with Terra Firma's ostensible platform. Rather their hilariously xenophobic execution, general disregard for anyone outside their support base, no party discipline, and, you know

all the terrorist money keeping them afloat.

So frankly, it's rather nice having someone who actually knows what she's doing setting up a platform that actually has a number of things I can get behind without feeling the need to qualify it immediately afterwards.

Cute Swagman, coming from the same bigwig who swings from SATAE's nuts every chance he gets. Why in the blue hell an earther would listen to a holier than thou shitbag like you, is beyond me. As for you Three Headed Mongrel, you just need some authority to bow down to. Shit, first TIM, then Admiral Whack-it, have you EVER questioned authority, knowing you cerberus/ex-cerberus fucks, my guess would be no.

Oh, and Tracerhead, I never once said that SATAE is rational, if they were they'd let locals govern themselves rather than use martial law to enforce the five year plan...and I remember reading about another five year plan over 200 years ago, bad idea then, bad idea now.

Well since invoking an earthborn childhood is apparently metric enough to lend someone the Golden Standard of Argumentative Legitimacy I suppose on that basis then?

Sssssoooooooooo what you're saying is you don't actually have a reason or cogent argument as to why or how this could take place, only that it oh so absolutely must because according to a view that even you yourself have to acknowledge as subjective the Alliance is quote-unquote "irrational". Oh and some almost entirely unrelated event from two centuries ago.

Mmmmmyyyeeeaaaaaah no.

No I think there's small issue here.

Like basically everything you said.

So, okay, let's try this again. You think that the SA will stage a full joint naval/ground invasion of Earth because why?

Just fuck logic. Fuck it. Who needs it?

Since you seem to think this is actually a legitimate point of view: yes, the Systems Alliance (SATAE is one division of the SA) is rational. It's a government that generally doing a pretty good job in purely practical terms, whatever the separatists like to say. They're not suicidal, they're not delusional enough to think their personnel would go along with aggression like that.

We're not these evil, mustache-twirling villains you think we are.

Also yes, martial law was necessary since there was no way for the nations to govern themselves because all of their governments were indoctrinated or dead. But just ignore the facts, who cares about them, right?

Finally, legitimately good candidates I can stand behind! The Standard-Bearers shall have my vote when it's time, and it'll be a vote for strong and viable Systems Alliance!

Screw Terra Firma, and whatever afterbirth sludge they may have given birth to. They were simply the puppets on Cerberus' johnson, taking big Illusive Meat in the can, and parroting his ideals. I hope that others will show some common sense and start an opposing group.

Oh and here I was sitting all (handsomely) disappointed at the lack of people going "HURR DURR TERRA FIRMA", well done sir. Well done. I do so hate to leave my expectations unfulfilled.