The Oppressed People Of Varrag

[Nugog]

Watershed Down?

The Issue
An anonymous society of 'cinematic aficionados' have brought the debate over the proposed disposal of the watershed, the hour after which adult material is allowed to be shown on television, to your attention.

The Debate
"We don't need a watershed!" scoffs 'romantic-movie' buff, Roxanne Trax. "I don't see why I should wait 'til way past midnight to watch my preferred film genre. It's high time that parents stopped treating their children like... well, children! If you sugar-coat these kids' lives, they'll just end up seeing everything through rose-tinted glasses - and we can't have a country filled with spoilt brats now, can we?"
[Accept]


"This is an endorsement of bad taste if ever I saw it," says Jean-Paul King, a child-care worker. "It's just wrong to subject children to graphic violence and nudity on afternoon television like this: who knows what it might possess them to do? We've all heard stories of kids who have seen some film where someone jumped off a cliff and then gone off to have a shot themselves. We must ban all violent and salacious material from our TV screens. If only to protect the innocence of our progeny!"
[Accept]
The Government Position
The government is preparing to dismiss this issue.

[Nugog]

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


UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights:
Some Economy:
Strong Political Freedoms:
Outlawed

Location: Apolyton Regional Influence: Ambassador


The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, devout nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 452 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 juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Healthcare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 70%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Arms Manufacturing.

The nation's first space rocket -- sponsored by Pepsi and shaped like an enormous soda bottle -- is being developed, protesters are up in arms over new nuclear power stations, school uniforms are compulsory, and military service is compulsory. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

Varaag Decides:
"Don't Dam Our Rivers, Damnit!" Say Protesters

Government Acts
The Issue
A group of Greenpeace protesters have called for an end to a government proposal to begin damming rivers in Varaag to increase water supplies and generate power.

The Debate
"Don't build dams!" shouts protestor May Love through a microphone heavily afflicted with feedback. "Do you know how many fish die in other dams in our region each year? Have you heard of the adverse effects building a dam has on the surrounding environment? Dam up this flood of dams, damn it!"
[Accept]


"Think before you open your mouth," says engineer Konrad Fellow. "While Varaag may have to pay the price in animal diversity, as well as adverse effects on the environment, do we really want fossil-fuel based plants polluting Varaag? If you use your common sense, I think you'll find that damming some rivers would be a good idea. Plus, think of how much the economy would benefit from all the jobs these projects would create."

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]

Put The Phone Down On Cold Calling?

Government Acts
The Issue
A growing group of Varaag's citizens are battling for an end to unrequested solicitations from salesmen.

The Debate
"This has to stop," says mild-mannered parent Jazz Christmas. "My family can't even have dinner without being interrupted at least five times by telemarketers or door-to-door salesmen! My privacy is being invaded! The government ought to ban all forms of unrequested solicitations from salespeople. The sanity of the populace is at stake here!"
[Accept]


"This must be a joke," retorts insurance sales solicitor Faith Christmas, in between cold calls. "Telemarketing and door-to-door sales are some of the most effective methods of increasing revenues. Banning them would be a huge blow to business, and put thousands of workers out of their jobs! Let's face the facts - Varaag needs an economy, and banning cold calls isn't the best of ways to improve it! One way you could improve it would be to, say, give us some government funds. For the sake of Varaag, of course."
[Accept]
The Government Position
The government is preparing to dismiss this issue.

[Nugog]

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


UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights:
Some Economy:
Strong Political Freedoms:
Outlawed

Location: Apolyton Regional Influence: Auxiliary


The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, safe nation, remarkable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 458 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 juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Healthcare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 69%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Arms Manufacturing.

Protesters are up in arms over new nuclear power stations, school uniforms are compulsory, military service is compulsory, and scenic mountain valleys are flooded with water as damming projects get underway. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

Military Budgets Up For Approval

Government Acts
The Issue
The various branches of Varaag's military brought their budget petitions to your attention and, as usual, they are all asking for widespread increases over the rest of the military departments.

The Debate
"Clearly the army requires the greatest increase in funds this year," says Field Marshal Chastity Spirit. "After all, wars were never won by air or sea and in this dangerous world we must be able to protect the interests of Varaag. Currently our men get hand-me-down weapons, rations I wouldn't feed a pig - the army is increasingly looking like a bad career option and we can't have that. If we're going to get recruits, we need more funding to support our brave lads in their duty."
[Accept]


"Hah! It's the Navy who needs the money, mate," says Grand Admiral George W. Mombota. "The army and the police forces can protect us domestically, but can they protect us from having our foreign trade cut off? Can they protect us from terrorists and pirates? How are the soldiers going to get to the enemy's borders? Swim? I think not. Fund us, the Navy, the true protectors of Varaag!"
[Accept]


"Despite the statements of my colleagues," says Steffan du Pont, Marshal of the Air Force. "The Air Force requires more money than these men playing around with boats. We are increasingly seeing terrorists taking to the air, and more ships or guns are not going to stop that. Our people will only be safe when the Air Force has the power it needs to defend us - and for that we need more funding and more government support for industries geared towards the development of new aircraft."
[Accept]


"You're all thinking too small!" exclaims Falala Barry, an avid Star Wars fan. "What we need is more research into the possibilities of space weapons! Big laser cannon and satellites with complete annihilation power! And cool spaceships! Boom! Rat-a-tata! Bang! Bang! It'll be expensive, sure, but think of the power! THE POWER!"

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.


"It's simply not good enough!" wails Max Li, the Minister of Defence. "It's not about the money - it's the manpower. Not enough people by far are signing up! All we seem to be getting nowadays are drunks and people who volunteered for a dare. The current conscription laws need to be either more strictly enforced or drastically rewritten. What I propose is a universal draft: everyone capable of pulling a trigger should become a part of the Army, Navy or Air Force. Only in this way can we ensure the dominance of Varaag in the region."
[Accept]


"The military is a stain on the peace-loving nature of our nation!" cries Billy-Bob McGuffin, while sporting a Rastifarian hat. "People should be allowed to choose what they do for a living! Conscription is wrong and I don't see why our tax varaag chips should go to such a despicable cause! The money should be going to more important places - like our pockets!"
[Accept]
The Government Position
The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 4.

[Nugog]

Gunman Kills Three

Government Acts
The Issue
Tragedy struck Varaag today, as a gunman killed three people in a suburban shooting rampage. The community is united in grief, but divided in opinion as to what should be done.

The Debate
The strongest voices demand tighter gun controls. "The only way to prevent further atrocities is to take the guns out of the hands of the murderers," says anti-gun campaigner Aaron Mistletoe. "There's no justification for them in today's society. We need tighter regulations on who can hold guns, so only our police and military have them."

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.


"That's not all we need," says radical left-wing activist Anne-Marie Shiomi. "The government should ban all guns outright--even in the police force. This is an opportunity to make Varaag a totally gun-free state."
[Accept]


"Guns don't kill people, people kill people," says NRA head honcho May Love. "If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns. Is that what we want? Think, people. The answer isn't to ban guns. It's to crack down on those Hollywood movies and computer games that glamorize violence. They're the real criminals."
[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:
Some Economy:
Strong Political Freedoms:
Outlawed

Location: Apolyton Regional Influence: Auxiliary


The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, devout nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 464 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 juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Healthcare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 72%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Arms Manufacturing.

Military service is compulsory, scenic mountain valleys are flooded with water as damming projects get underway, most of the military's funding goes into researching space-age weaponry, and guns are banned. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

A Capital Idea

Government Acts
The Issue
A crowd of penniless ex-businessmen have amassed in Varaag's capital city, demanding that the government return all the nationalised industry to private control.

The Debate
"GREED IS GOOD!" bellows Billy Wall, a famous advocate of capitalism. "The economy is stagnating terribly under government control. Complete privatisation is the only option here. It's time to give power back to the people! Well, rich people, anyway..."
[Accept]


"This it outrageous!" cries armchair revolutionary, Clint Hanover. "The government must maintain the principles of equality and socialism that we fought so hard for, and not sell the country to corrupt and greedy corporations. We must eject these shameful capitalists from our great nation at once!"
[Accept]


"Hey, aren't we all being a little extreme about this?" says noted economist, Peggy Christmas. "Surely we could just keep the key industries, such as the electricity and water supplies, under government control and lessen the regulations on the others so they could function more independently? That way, the people can't complain that they are at the mercy of big business, and industries such as retail can function more effectively."

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]

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


UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights:
Some Economy:
Very Strong Political Freedoms:
Outlawed

Location: Apolyton Regional Influence: Auxiliary


The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, safe nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 476 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 juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Healthcare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 67%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, followed by Uranium Mining and Beef-Based Agriculture.

Scenic mountain valleys are flooded with water as damming projects get underway, most of the military's funding goes into researching space-age weaponry, guns are banned, and the government has legalised small-scale capitalism. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

Don't Puff On Me, Say Non-Smokers

The Issue
There is a growing call within Varaag to abolish smoking in public areas.

The Debate
"I'm in full support of this motion," says man on the street Lars Chicago. "I'm sick of being stuck behind smokers, sucking in their pollution! They can light up in the privacy of their own homes, if they want."
[Accept]


"What's so special about their homes?" says anti-smoking campaigner Colin Thiesen. "The government has a responsibility to stop people from hurting themselves -- it's the same reason we should make them wear seat belts in cars. Sooner or later, they end up in one of Varaag's hospitals, sucking on taxpayer-funded healthcare. Not that that's why we should ban smoking. We should ban it because we care."
[Accept]


"Get your hands off my ***!" wheezes long-time smoker Dave Jones. "I've been smoking for fifty years and it's never done me any harm. Helps me concentrate, it does! The government should back off on trying to tell me what I can put into my own body. Telling a smoker he can't light up in a restaurant is discrimination, pure and simple. If you want to put a stop to unfairness, stop that."

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]

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


UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights:
Some Economy:
Very Strong Political Freedoms:
Outlawed

Location: Apolyton Regional Influence: Auxiliary


The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, economically powerful nation, renowned for its punitive income tax rates. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 481 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 juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Healthcare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 67%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, followed by Uranium Mining and Beef-Based Agriculture.

Most of the military's funding goes into researching space-age weaponry, guns are banned, the government has legalised small-scale capitalism, and eight year-olds can be seen lighting up in public areas. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the varaag chip.

[Nugog]

Orbital Armageddon?

The Issue
The space research organization in Varaag has requested more government funding for space-related research and development, and the possiblity of creating orbital weapons platforms has become a topic of intense debate.

The Debate
General Steffan Hamilton says, "We should spend more. But not just on exploration. We should start developing Orbital Weapons! Space Marines! Armed Spacecraft! We would rule the region, and look cool doing it! Just divert some funding from environmental protection, and BAM! Sci-fi goodies!"

This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.


Noted Scientist and pacifist writer Buffy Licorish thinks otherwise, "No! Space is a place for peace! It's the only place left we've got that we haven't screwed up. Oh, the space program still needs funding, don't get me wrong, but none of this 'military in space' stuff will do! We ought to divert funding from the military to education and space research instead!"
[Accept]


Fringe Group Leader Abraham du Pont disagrees, "Space is a total waste of time. We should spend more on stuff people actually CARE about. Like voting rights and protecting the environment! Forget that fancy-schmancy space station!"
[Accept]
The Government Position
The government has indicated its intention to follow the recommendations of Option 1.

[Nugog]

Think Tank Proposes Privatised Prisons

The Issue
In response to increasing costs of running state prisons, several government advisors have suggested allowing the private sector to play a greater role in managing Varaag's correctional facilities.

The Debate
"Varaag's prisons are in a ghastly state," says Zeke Wu, representative for several large businesses. "The state now pays a fortune in varaag chips each day for every prisoner. My clients will be able to operate the prisons more efficiently and charge the state far less than they're having to pay now. With our help, those in jail will be able to get themselves jobs to do and the government can imprison as many people as they like!"
[Accept]


"This is just another scheme by multinational corporations to turn our great nation into a corporate dictatorship!" claims Freddy King, of the Social Justice League of Varaag. "Just say NO to privatised prisons. We should be closing them all down so we can begin focusing on rehabilitation anyway!"
[Accept]


"Private prisons?! Rehabilitation?! How utterly ridiculous!" exclaims Zeke Steele, Varaag's toughest police officer. "Both of these proposals will simply waste resources on the scum of society. I say that we should summarily execute all violent criminals and give their property to their victims."

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]

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


UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights:
Some Economy:
Very Strong Political Freedoms:
Outlawed

Location: Apolyton Regional Influence: Auxiliary

The Oppressed Peoples of Varaag is a huge, safe nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 487 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 juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Healthcare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 68%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, followed by Uranium Mining and Beef-Based Agriculture.

The government has legalised small-scale capitalism, eight year-olds can be seen lighting up in public areas, billions of varaag chips are being blown on orbital weapons development, and criminals are executed and their property seized. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Varaag's national animal is the tic, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the varaag chip.