The Oppressed People Of Varrag

[Nugog]

Bug 'em All, Say Police

The Issue
The Varaag police force have come to you for permission to use phone taps to trace suspected criminals.

The Debate
"This is a great idea," says police officer Clint Summers. "We can never have too much evidence in a case, and this will be of enormous help to us at reducing crime and seeing that those who deserve punishment get justice! If we could just get those silly privacy laws repealed and some funding we could find out stuff the government wants to know too."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.


"This is an unacceptable intrusion into the personal lives of the population," says Billy Barry while checking under your chair for bugs. "Just imagine all of the sensitive personal information that the police will pick up! Would you like someone listening to you calls to your mother or your lover? I think not! Laws should be passed so that the government and police can't stick their big noses where they're not wanted!"
[Accept]
The Government Position
The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 1.

[Nugog]

Hackles Raised Over Fur Clothes Debate

The Issue
Several animal rights groups have protested the continuing use of fur as a material for clothing.

The Debate
"This is an outrage!" cries Jennifer Steele, president of the Be Nice To Animals society. "The manufacture of fur apparel is unethical, cruel, and disgusting! People just don't seem to realise that millions of animals die each year in fur farms, crammed into tiny cages and suffering the most terrible treatment just so someone can look appealing and rich! This is a sick practice and must be stopped! The same can go for leather shoes and snakeskin belts too."
[Accept]


"You can't mean that, surely?" snorts Stephanie Mistletoe, adjusting his hat, made from real tic hide. "It's the people's choice what they wear. I don't think it's fair that the majority of the public should be deprived of fur clothes because some people are a bit queasy. In fact, if the government would allow us to stock rarer animals, we could produce even finer products. In the end, it's up to the consumer, don't you think?"

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
The Government Position
The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 2.

[Nugog]

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag
"Doing what we are told is good for our health"


UN Category: Compulsory Consumerist State
Civil Rights:
Average Economy:
Powerhouse Political Freedoms:
Unheard Of

Location: Apolyton Regional Influence: Envoy


The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, economically powerful nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 241 million are rabid consumers, partly through choice and partly because the government tells them to and dissenters tend to vanish from their homes at night.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Commerce. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 43%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Uranium Mining.

Varaag is notorious for its citizens' infidelity, lending firms are subject to strict government regulations, phone taps are frequently carried out by the police, and fur coats have become the latest fashion trend. Crime is a problem. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

More Police Needed

Government Acts
The Issue
As crime rates rise, some in the community are calling for increased policing.

The Debate
"Just the other day, I got mugged in the broad daylight!" says ruffian Akira Trax. "And the ironic thing is I had just stuck up this other guy. When muggers are getting mugged, even I have to admit that crime has gotten out of control. We do need more police."
[Accept]


"The solution to crime is not more police!" says noted sociologist and occasional crime novelist Buffy Nagasawa. "Studies repeatedly show that crime is caused by poverty and poor education. Increase government spending in these areas, and crime will fall! Maybe not overnight, but it will happen."
[Accept]


"Yeah, good luck with that," says conservative leader and gun enthusiast George W. Christmas. "Look, we do need more police, that's clear. But that's not enough. We need real punishments: sentences that will act as a genuine deterrent to people considering a life of crime. Like public floggings."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
The Government Position
The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 3.

[Nugog]

Kids And Criminality: Whose Responsibility?

Government Acts
The Issue
Recent studies showing that the sources of Varaag's most common street crimes (vandalism, muggings, joyriding, and witchcraft) are children under the age of criminal responsibility has prompted a national outcry for government action.

The Debate
"These damned hooligans are running wild on our streets!" splutters hard-nosed Sergeant Elizabeth Utopia of the police force. "My overworked officers can't cope anymore! Everywhere we look we're being surrounded by mobs of unruly children! I need you to give me and my officers the power to dish out punishment to these little hoodlums. I don't care how young these kids are - they need to learn to behave properly as soon as possible. Even if it requires a short jail sentence of ten years or so."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.


"The last thing we need is a police force that prosecutes, convicts, AND sentences young kids!" yells outraged Child Welfare Officer Alexei Frederickson. "These youngsters are merely children being playful! Let them learn from their own mistakes! You can't tell me you weren't ever naughty when you were that young! Experience is the tree from which learning is a fruit, remember, and besides: the taxes needed to round them all up would be murder."
[Accept]


"Hah! Yeh're lookin' at this the wrong way!" says Akira Fellow, an elderly pensioner, hobbling up to you and poking you in the chest with a walking stick. "When I was wee, and if I was caught breakin' the law, me dad would've beaten seven types of bahoola out of me! If a kid's gone maladjusted and started nickin' cars and whatnot, look at the parents and punish them for not bringin' the tiny scions up right! Yeh can't blame a kid for the environment they were raised in an' that's that!"
[Accept]
The Government Position
The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 1.

[LordShiva]

Just popping in so you don't feel lonely.

BTW Varrag is for hippies

[Nugog]

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag
"Doing what we are told is good for our health"

UN Category: Compulsory Consumerist State
Civil Rights:
Below Average Economy:
Powerhouse Political Freedoms:
Unheard Of
Location: Apolyton

Regional Influence: Envoy
Varaag is a UN Member

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, economically powerful nation, notable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 276 million are rabid consumers, partly through choice and partly because the government tells them to and dissenters tend to vanish from their homes at night.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it concentrates mainly on Law & Order, although Defence and Commerce are on the agenda. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 45%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Uranium Mining.

Phone taps are frequently carried out by the police, fur coats have become the latest fashion trend, thieves are flogged in public for their crimes, and eight year-olds with lemonade stands have been known to be locked up on charges of embezzlement. Crime is a problem. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

Originally posted by LordShiva
Just popping in so you don't feel lonely.

BTW Varrag is for hippies

Thanks for your support!

[Nugog]

An Archaeological Altercation
The Issue

During the construction of a new Hyper-Mega-Ultra-Super Mall, construction workers have unearthed what appears to be an ancient temple. A furious debate has arisen between those who wish to preserve it, and those who need their retail therapy.
The Debate

1. "This is the perfect opportunity to learn more of our nation's history!" says Professor Prudence Thiesen, head of the archaeological department of the Varaag History Museum. "All building work must be halted immediately so that my team can study this remarkable piece of our nation's past. To bury these ruins under some concrete eyesore would be criminal!"

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.

2. "It's all very nice to get to know some more about our past," argues foreman Fleur Johnson. "But that's just the thing! It's the past! We must think of the future. If you allow those decrepit fossils to take over this place, you put at risk the future of our economy! Today it's archaeological digs, tomorrow it's 'preservation of the environment'. Just let me bulldoze the worthless pile of rubble and bury it under a few hundred tonnes of concrete."
[Accept]

3. "Behold, the hour has arrived! The Holy Temple of Firefury Amahira has been unearthed!" proclaims Yon-Zhauryg v'Klot, leader of the Cult of the Undead Tic. "This land is sacred, and must not be befouled by these corporations! No-one but the enlightened children of Firefury must be allowed to venture inside our rediscovered sanctuary, where we will perform the required rituals to please the Great Goddess and prevent Her from unleashing Her wrath upon the world."
[Accept]

The Government Position

The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 1.

[Nugog]

Test Results Deemed 'Ungood' After Global Survey
The Issue

In a worldwide survey, it has been revealed that Varaag's population has been graded 'dim' by international comparison.
The Debate

1. "These results are terrible!" wails Freddy Jong-Il, a concerned teacher. "Something has to be done, and done quickly, if anyone's going to take today's youth seriously. It's high time we started to promote our gifted children; it is they who are the ones that bring us forward! The rest of today's youth shouldn't worry though, a basic education should be enough for a factory worker."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.

2. "This is indeed a problem, and I believe it's a result of the social inequality in Varaag," comments Pip Johnson, a well-known social reformer. "It is obvious that students from different social classes will score differently in the tests. We can't condemn all these kids to a life of inferiority because of a gifted minority. Instead we should make sure that everyone can follow the lessons! Lower the teaching level, so that even the less intellectually-orientated can keep up with the class. The nerds can always teach themselves; it would be unfair to provide them with extra funds after all."
[Accept]

3. "This is stupid, it would ruin our nation's population of skilled workers!" says Akira Shiomi, a college professor. "There's never enough able-minded citizens for the more specialised careers. We must force our less-intelligent to learn! Get their noses right against the grindstone! Let's raise the bar a bit so even our best students have to sweat whilst learning! The others will of course be forced to learn even more to keep in touch, but that just shows them how real life works. To fund it, well, our defence budget is already too large, if you ask me."
[Accept]

The Government Position

The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 1.

[Nugog]

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag
"Doing what we are told is good for our health"

UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights:
Below Average Economy:
Thriving Political Freedoms:
Unheard Of
Location: Apolyton

Regional Influence: Envoy
Varaag is a UN Member

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, economically powerful nation, remarkable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 282 million are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it concentrates mainly on Law & Order, although Defence and Commerce are on the agenda. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 48%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Uranium Mining.

Thieves are flogged in public for their crimes, eight year-olds with lemonade stands have been known to be locked up on charges of embezzlement, prime commercial land is being swamped with archaeological teams, and the government funds private schools for intellectually gifted children. Crime is a problem. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

Close Encounters Of The Sci-fi Kind?
The Issue

A recent, well-publicized UFO sighting over rural areas of Varaag has turned people's attention to the skies, and what... or who... might be up there.
The Debate

1. "This event proves one thing: there are other life-forms out there," says eccentric astronomer Larry King, "All we have to do is find them! What is the price of a few hundred Radio Telescopes compared to the benefit of living in peace and harmony with our brethren of the stars?"
[Accept]

2. "Spies! It's gotta be spies! A few planes or satellites from our enemies or 'allies' in our region," rages General Klaus Shiomi, head of Varaag's military, "The only way to keep those snoops out of our airspace is to patrol the streets 'n skies, and shoot 'em down! Even if they are some sort of little green aliens, a couple of SAM batteries and a few flak cannons'll keep 'em from abducting our tics."
[Accept]

3. "Extraterrestrial lifeforms? Alien invaders? I don't know why we even have to listen to such idiocy!" complains prize-winning physicist Gregory Thiesen. "In my opinion, the idea of 'aliens' on another planet is highly unlikely, and even if they did exist, getting from there to here is technically impossible! I say we forget this nonsense and stop spending our tax varaag chips on it. Leave this sort of foolishness to the people who attend those 'trekkie' conventions."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.

The Government Position

The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 3.

[Nugog]

International Community Comes Doorknocking
The Issue

The international community has appealed to Varaag to increase humanitarian aid to the world's poorer nations.
The Debate

1. "We must increase foreign aid," says beaded local peace activist Colin Shiomi. "Compared to some of these nations, Varaag is swimming in varaag chips. Let's face it, not every nation in the world is lucky enough to have a government like ours. Let's show some compassion to our less economically gifted neighbors."
[Accept]

2. "Talk about a way to flush varaag chips straight down the toilet," argues Think Tank member Jennifer Fellow. "What I've noticed is that whenever we do give something, it's never enough: a few years later they're back asking for more. The best way to help these poor nations is to stop shielding them from the logical consequences of their idiotic, long-debunked socialist economic policies."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.

3. "Relief wouldn't hurt us... if we 'relieved' the right countries," suggests government advisor Hack Mistletoe. "We give them a little humanitarian aid, they give us access to their Uranium Mining markets... it's win-win. Nothing wrong with a little quid pro quo, especially for a good cause."
[Accept]

The Government Position

The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 2.

[Nugog]

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag
"Doing what we are told is good for our health"

UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights:
Below Average Economy:
Thriving Political Freedoms:
Unheard Of
Location: Apolyton

Regional Influence: Envoy
Varaag is a UN Member

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, economically powerful nation, remarkable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 288 million are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it is mainly concerned with Law & Order, although Defence and Commerce are secondary priorities. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 45%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Uranium Mining.

Prime commercial land is being swamped with archaeological teams, the government funds private schools for intellectually gifted children, X-Files ratings have hit an all-time low, and the nation refuses to provide international aid. Crime is a problem. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

Traffic Cops Needed on Information Superhighway?
The Issue

Certain shadowy ministerial figures have proposed government monitoring of individual internet usage.
The Debate

1. "In these days of terror and uncertainty, it's exactly what we need," says Naki Hanover, signing an arrest warrant. "Every pervert, terrorist, bomb-building maniac and anti-government idiot is currently online. I'm not saying that we should block citizens from seeing it, but let's also watch who's seeking it out. This will give our law enforcement officers the chance to prevent crimes before they happen. If you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to hide."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.

2. "Well, I AM saying we should block out that filth," says a man in a dark hat, stepping from the shadows. "If people want to use the internet, they can view our government-approved sites. Those are swell."
[Accept]

3. Privacy activist Peggy Wall is outraged, as usual. "Tyranny is the natural result of limiting information! Someone, somewhere, will always find something offensive -- mimes for example. Those scare the hell out of me. But should we ban them? No! Free the internet! We have nothing to fear from free information but pop-up advertising!"
[Accept]

The Government Position

The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 1.