BAILEY AND ERINA BREAK LOOSE:
The Republic, the Boys, the Candidates, the Rumours
Story by ERINA JENSENEDITOR
IN A WORLD of deadlines and brick walls - Bailey Moreville is no stranger to the complexities of managing the various responsibilities that come with editing a university campus paper that has a combined student, faculty and off-campus circulation of over 6,200 copies every week.
On average that represents approximately one-quarter of your average rural town.
Coming to the Herald as a Guest Writer while 'checking out' what Titulia was all about, Bailey (or 'Bailz' to her friends - due to her kind nature hiding out pledges from campus security!)
In the hectic environment that is the writer's bullpen at her college paper, don't be fooled by this mild mannered 19-year-old's pleasure at making people cry - indeed.
BAILEY & HER IMPRESSIONS OF TITULIA
We asked her how she felt about Titulia and what she wanted to share and experience from her time in the republic.
"In truth I'm still mystified about the whole experiment - it's pretty wild but I think some of these want-to-be hard-asses can easily be tamed", she joked.
The Republic of Titulia was founded by the Barzika Corporation under Karl Kantor to dabble in the plethora that was intended to be nation building. To date, citizen-led achievements have been successful to a point but have been largely formulated to benefit the 'inner circle' of Titulia's elite.
BAILEY ON TITULIA'S KITTENS (aka 'the boys')
When I sat down with Bailey we spoke about the perception that many guys (especially the younger ones) tried out Titulia for the power trip and had difficulty grasping or even understanding the experiment's goals.
"I can't work out why there is so much fighting -- as of today there has been very little completed that hasn't had a lot of work put in by the Administrators. It's like 'hello!' Why do we even need a government at all for all the bitching they do?!", she said.
THE JUNE 2009 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
We took a moment out of the touchy-feely to chat about the weight (or rather lack of) the candidates contesting the June election.
So far there are five candidates contending what seems to be an uncontested election by Titulian President Dennis McVicker. Sources within the Libertarian caucus however speculate the incumbent will make a last-minute entry before nominations close.
William D Money of the Linardist Party threw his hat in the ring and made it his first order of business to send a mass mail-out care-of Lin. President former Congressman F. G. Handy. In the mailing Money called for a massive multi-tiered $100 and $200 stimulus package aimed at tantalising lagging activity but is yet to address guarantees of economic flow on or site stability.
Money took the unusual step for a political party's first-time run of a candidate. In his mail-out, he took the leap in overestimating the limits of his perceived political muscle in admonishing those who participated in the democratic process - labelling them "pontificators" and "antagonists".
Money was the first candidate to be enlisted under new electoral laws which gives the Party President the power to nominate their party's chosen candidate for the top job other than themselves. Rumours have emerged that the former Congressman waited the opening of the nomination period to preclude the Republican Party from nominating.
Former Republican Leader T. J. Norton referred to it as 'typical' and he 'expected this kind of strategy' from the Linardist Party.
"This is the kind of scared strategy Titulia pays to see from the Linardists. Keep it coming we got our TV Guides", Norton joked as he headed into the June Republican National Convention organising conference.
Bailey - self-proclaimed as 'apolitical' - called the Linardist nomination a good way to take the Republic's temperature on 'out of the box' political movements.
"Amazing what happens when you're a party digging-in from the bottom of the ladder, isn't it?", Bailey laughed regarding the Linardist strategy calling it "their bid to be Commander-in-Green" making reference to the Lin. platform to legalise marijuana.
"It's the best decision they [the Linardist Party] could make at this stage - they stood no chance against Karl Christen and the decision to call a snap election specifically targeting the time frame only reinforced that. If I were them I'd make a strong statement in a full field.. any gains aren't likely to provide the electoral precedent they need to make a serious run in the future".
The Social Democrats are running their first candidate since the historic win of 2nd President of the Republic Eric Meissner. Matthew Ingebritson signed up for what is set to be his first time in the national spotlight.
Bailez considered 24-year-old Ingebritson to be the wild card in this presidential ballot.
"If he stays true to his politics Matthew doesn't need to say much. SDP is a socialist progressive force and any platform announcements are unlikely to be out-of-step with left tradition .. any policies or campaign promises won't come as much of a shock", she said.
"I've watched him in debates and my concern is he hasn't defined himself as a leader - more like a very angry dude fighting the institution for a foot in the door .. not sure that's going to be enough to win but likely to upset the field for a second-round showdown".
Other candidates Owen Merry (Independent) and pro-racist Commonwealth Party candidate, young teenager James Inglis are considered spoilers on the ballot not expected to pick up more than 10 votes between the two only contributing to second-round voting where they'd both be eliminated from the race at that stage.
"I don't know about Owen I'd love to get a voice chat opened up with him. He's either a pretty smart guy or a poorly disciplined child I swear man I can't tell the difference!", confessed Bailez hysterically.
When I moved the conversation to young Mr Inglis, 'B' s facial expression neutralised from what was a distinct smile only moments earlier, she spanned her hands to cover her face only to resign herself to her lap whispering "no comment .. let's move on".
A VOICE ON THE TICKET - JASON RAGAN ('TRVTHSEEKER')
So far the only presidential candidate rising to the challenge of debate is former vice presidential nominee and long-standing citizen Jason Ragan - also known as 'Trvthseeker'.
Proposing a citizen-led government of the people, Bailey reckoned that Ragan introduced several points on economic stimulation, social participation and job creation.
Bailey suggested the best way forward for the experienced citizen to lock-up the ballot today is to pick a well-respected and moderate running mate early like former Vice President Karl Christen.
"Karl [Christen] is 'the' president in-waiting .. not a doubt.in my mind .. he's talented and got some heavy ideas for the future and seems to care majorly for all Titulia citizens", she said.
"He'd [Karl Christen] be the perfect decision on a ticket destined for domination come ballots' open".
WHERE TO FOR OUR NEWEST IMMIGRANT?
On her appointment as Editorial Partner of the Herald - Bailez responded saying, "that's pretty cool sh*t" - before exploding in laudable affirmation.
"This game needs a stronger female presence .. these guys aren't so tough they just need a hug and a few moments quiet time", she said.
"I'm hot for the chance to do something real here in Titulia. Man .. geez .. I dunno .. I'm .. I'm not into running for politics but I like watching how things unfold. I've enjoyed writing for TMG and the Herald and between this and what's bein' planned over at TBW [Titulia Business Weekly] this should be one sweet opportunity. I'm revved up ready to go and thanks girl for the shot".
I then scored a hug and a free contraction of H1N1 Swine Flu (just kidding!!)
This has been Erina and Bailey for the Titulia Herald - news, views and most important .. err .. B?
Bailey: YOU!
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