http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/6264346944a710cfe80dc5.jpg Senior Columnist and Investigative Journalist: Darien Fenner

A Little Bit of Freelance: Election 2012 June 11, 2012

It is Election 2012, and something feels like it is missing.

Could it be no candidacy of Corlanthis Wystansayr this year" No Matt Simon' No Sheridan Driscol" No electoral head butting" No presence of a certain newspaper or its columns" No screaming matches or extravagant scenes during the debate?

Regardless of where the money comes from, words are cheap, and RhyDin's politicians know that very well. While already common knowledge, this point was only cemented following a string of interviews funded by a third party before Sunday and a debate hosted by none other than Dominion Exports glib green goblin Dib Jaster Aurene, who apparently was too late to fit his knobby foot into a glass slipper to ask questions on RhyDin's familiar issues like slavery, healthcare, or business. That doesn't mean this year's candidates haven't visited these subjects, though, and that is precisely what this commentary is for.

Elections close June 17.

Audrey Horne

Perhaps there is something to be said about an electoral candidate who is too ill with the flu to show up for her own debate, but for integrity's sake we will presume that all was for good reason. Conspiracy theorists might even submit that Audrey Horne's abject absence Sunday night might well have been a political ploy, and farfetched as that may sound given the kind of campaigning she's done, it may not be far from the truth. Where Horne is typically absentminded and imprecise in her formal political position, the spokeswoman she sent in her stead on Sunday " as luck would have it, her wife Magenta " managed to explicate and develop that position just a little bit more, if only to make it infinitesimally more concrete.

"I'm a little bit younger," Audrey said in an interview last week. "But that just means I have a different perspective, I guess. I've thrived in several different cultures. I know how much it blows to wind up here unaware, but I also know how quickly a person can fall in love with this place."

Glad to know that while the electoral candidate is fewer in years, she is further from experience. The extent of her platform was as much:

"I think I can do better. I'm a fresh mind and I watch people. I don't mean creeper watching, but I do pay attention to the people around me. I hear their disappointments and their grief and their happiness. I will listen to everyone, sir, if they have a problem and I'll encourage them to listen to their fellow citizens. I have a different set of eyes, I notice different things. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I could take this position by the horns and spin it around."

And that seems to be the bulk of Horne's design for office: encouragement. This is nothing to thumb your nose at, of course; Koyliak VanDuran-Simon when on RhyDin's Council of Ministers launched the spectacular Welcome Center with a sentiment not unlike such a one. But how far will encouragement really get you in a place like RhyDin, where simple issues such as local policing mean the difference between life and death"

"Audrey has pledged to bring the Watch up to snuff with mandatory training courses, and to establish separate, more rigorous training to increase the number and caliber of its offices. In times of crisis she would also establish protocols to allow the efficient deputization of RhyDin citizens, who often come to the fore when needed."

Swing and a miss. What with the R.A.S.G. and standard ground forces, in 2008 and 2009 Matt Simon did just about all there was to do with the RhyDin Watch to make it slightly more useful:

"If you take existing personnel and make them more efficient, then you don't need to necessarily add more people or create a new bureaucracy."

And he had a point. We have revisited the possibility of revamping the RhyDin Watch training programs time and again, and each successive year the outcome is met with overwhelming futility. This topic is one that doesn't have a ready solution, and that is precisely why the incessant regurgitation of old ideas just won't cut it.

Where Horne has shined, however, is in her " or her wife's " position on education:

"RhyDin is full of entrepreneurs, and where there is a need there is a market. Education is no different, but a society that won't invest in its children will not be remembered by them kindly."

Far from the usual fluff of opening new schools or giving local ones new funding, Horne's spokeswoman seems to have nailed the essence of RhyDin on the head: Supply and demand. Our economy isn't booming, but it never cripples either. And why' Because as long as someone wants to have a beer in the market, there will be someone else who wants to start a brewery in the market. The city of RhyDin is personified in that way; if there is something within reason its citizens want, it will create it for them. It is not always by neighborly means, of course, and that is something Horne expects to change with a few pieces of paper.

"PSA's, events, fliers. Nailing signs to trees if that's what it takes" could be encouraged. Just give people a push in the right direction, remind them that the person bleeding on the floor of the inn could just as easily be them."

Why does this image suddenly evoke memories of Taneth's "Hugs for RhyDin" campaign" Under normal circumstances the thought of verbal and written encouragement might count, but RhyDin citizens have proved on more than one occasion that if they have no interest, then it may as well be a lost cause. Perhaps that is exactly what Horne is getting at " spiking interest enough to provoke some kind of change in universal apathy. But then again, littering RhyDin's streets with technicolor leaflets may not be the best way to achieve that.

Ultimately Audrey Horne's campaign seems to be the obligatory fluff-and-glitter option that nearly every year brings. She certainly has some nice sentiments, but for someone who has lived in RhyDin and is raising a family here, she has exhibited a surprising amount of naivet' that the other candidates have long outgrown. They can see RhyDin past the trees and bloodstains. Can she?

Fenner: Let's get this over with and get you back to campaigning, shall we" For the record, would you mind stating your name for the record"

Allen: My Name is Aristotle Kruger Allen. Surely this isn't what you want to know though.

Fenner: We'll get to that, Mr. Allen, but first I need to ensure that RhyDin knows exactly who you are. When did you first arrive in RhyDin"

Allen: You could say I was born here, but I wasn't raised here. I first took up permanent residence around twenty years ago. Don't do the math on how old I would have been then. I have for one reason and another taken my leave of the city, but I always return. This is my home" May I call you Darien"

Fenner: If you must. So you haven't spent the entirety of your life here, but it sounds as though you have been spending a much longer time here as of late. Whereabouts do you live in RhyDin"

Allen: Currently I am staying at Belglade, an old estate north of the city. It is in disrepair, but she is being restored to her former grace.

Fenner: Do you have a business here"

Allen: I run a shop, Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor, and Leather. It is doing very well. I used to be a partner in a different place, but it was burned down in the riots back before the turn of the century' Do you remember those, Darien"

Fenner: RhyDin has been through its fair share of riots.

Allen: This would be when a group calling themselves Neoists were growing and threatening any who were not purely human....A lot of non-human businesses were burned then.

Fenner: Ah, those. So those incidents affected you in a significant way"

Allen: Aside from the loss of the forge, my best friend and partner was killed. I still look up and expect to see him coming through the door with that grumpy demeanor, though he had the softest heart.

Fenner: I am sorry for your loss. But I digress. Clearly you have business experience. But what about political experience"

Allen: I have more experience with politicians than the politics they trade in.

Fenner: Would you care to expand on that"

Allen: There are those on the council that I call friends. Others I have had opportunity to work with on a project or two. Are you asking me to give names" I don't exactly expect my personal familiarity will sway their votes, I would lose respect for them if they voted for me just because of friendship.

Fenner: I am a journalist, Mr. Allen. I understand the gravity of source confidentiality. So I'll move on. This is something I've asked all the candidates: What do you think is RhyDin's most pressing issue right now"

Allen: To be quite honest Darien, I believe there is a great deal of confusion within the hearts and minds of the citizens of RhyDin. The Naval Guard failed because the current government rightly refused to impose upon civil liberties. There is not one entity that should be treated differently, regardless if they are a slave or a Lady of Court. RhyDin is not made up of one governing law for the good of its citizens, but more of a biased opinion and action, dependent on who you are or how deep your pockets are. That is an injustice for everyone. I'm sure you understand Darien. Who was it that wrote Terrans are "considered a borderline minority and command relatively small influence in RhyDin politics?" Wait, that was you, right"

Fenner: I am not sure what point you are trying to make. Are trying to say Fio's lack of heavy-handedness is a shortcoming"

Allen: Where we speak of defense of the city Darien, a leader who is indulgent, but not able to make their authority felt, kind hearted yet not able enforce their commands...and incapable of quelling disorder...That leader's forces are as spoiled children. I am not saying a lack of heavy handedness is a shortcoming, until it fails to defend us.

Fenner: So you do think Fio's term has its flaws.

Allen: Is that a question or are you paraphrasing"

Fenner: Let me rephrase, then. You seem to be suggesting that Fio should have been focusing her attention on a stricter kind of military. Am I correct"

Allen: I'm saying that perhaps she needed to stop asking for volunteers, and start leading us into battle. I have and will again defend this city from any threat. I would have followed a strong leader into the depths of hell.

Fenner: Remind me: Why are we marching into hell, exactly"

Allen: The current situation probably won't call for it, but I suppose that depends on your definition of hell. I mean that if you love your leader and respect him or her that you follow them wherever they lead.

Fenner: Well you've already hinted at your opinion of Fio, but what is your opinion of the other candidates or their platforms"

Allen: This is a political debate; I think each have their own issues, points and devices. My opinion is "to each their own". However, I love their shoes....couldn't see them well till they stood on the platforms. But I digress.

Fenner: I am not certain what to make of that response, but as you say, "to each his own." So I'll move along. What is your platform' What is it that makes you different from the other candidates"

Allen: I am not part of a political party whose platform must be run on and adhered to. I'm going to do what I claim to do. I am here not to spring from bridges that have already been built, I am here to strengthen those that are solid and fix those that have been burned by others if possible. If that fails, I will build anew.

Fenner: Let me try to wrap my head around this metaphor; do you mean to say you are not going to institute any new policies in RhyDin politics"

Allen: I'll try to be clear, the policies already in place either function, or they don't. Where they function, I will make them better, stronger. Where they need improvements that to will come. New policies are a means to cut away that which fails without the ability to recover.

Fenner: What kinds of policies are we talking about exactly' Which are ones that you do agree with and hope to bolster"

Allen: I'll give you a few examples of policies that I agree with. The formation of an advisory council was an act that showed great wisdom. No one should have to shoulder the burden of leadership alone. The small business relief fund, I believe in that one so much that I have helped to arrange an event designed to promote it, and the businesses it is meant to help. Finally, there are the service medals; it is good to recognize those who give service.

Fenner: What do you think you can offer RhyDin that no one else can'

Allen: It's not what I can offer. An offering is something that is not solid, is not fact and does not bear an outcome. What I can give is my dedication and devotion to making some serious changes for the good of all in this city and not faltering from that.

Fenner: Last year RhyDin citizens faced a very serious outbreak of RBF that resulted in a panic and fear of medication shortage. What sort of actions would you have taken during the outbreak of RhyDin Benghu Fever"

Allen: First and foremost, called a Citizen Town Meeting in the Square, urging everyone to gather together. I would have then spoken to the populace as a whole, assuring them that we were doing everything we possibly could do, right down to a medical command center, emergency services bureau and a solid inventory count of the medicines used to treat RBF. We cannot have panic in the streets like that again. How many deaths were not reported" The homeless were forgotten and left in the proper and harbor district. They have to have someone they can rely on that they know will be thinking of them and them alone during the time of need and beyond. Someone they can trust and will have faith that they will be taking care of them.

Fenner: What is your position on vigilantism vs. the RhyDin Watch'

Allen: Vigilantism will exist in every city, every world there possibly is. There is no sure fire way to rid it one-hundred percent I urge any vigilantes, whether they are a part of a group or only themselves, to please work with the Watch even if that is done anonymously. An eye for an eye does not always equal an eye, or a means to an end.

Fenner: What steps will you take to promote solidarity in RhyDin"

Allen: By bringing it back to the community and the people as a whole. We lost that somewhere along the line and it's about damned time it stopped. We are here, we must learn to co-exist together or continue the chaos.

Fenner: What is your position on a running mate or a council of some kind"

Allen: Darien, there are a lot of great minds out there with the good of the community at heart. This city can't be run by just one voice or opinion. I do not believe that my way is the only way, I will need those great minds around me.

Fenner: And lastly, I have only one more thing to ask: You have mentioned making 'serious changes for the good of this city." Exactly what changes do you believe you can bring to office"

Allen: The office and I must grow together. What benefits are taken by it from me is indeterminable. My voice will always be for the people though.

Fenner: People of RhyDin are already familiar with you as the current governor so I won't waste time with 'getting to know you' questions. Where I would like to begin is whether you feel you've made an impact in your career as governor this past year.

Helston al Amat: Oh, yes. I believe so. I am, in fact, very proud of what we've done over the past 13 months. The city came together in the face of a devastating medical crisis. We've established a public calendar recognizing no fewer than thirteen official RhyDinian holidays that represent the diverse spectrum of our citizens. The institution of the advisory council has proven to be very effective, giving a voice to people throughout the city, while the governor's service medal program has recognized heroes and encouraged community efforts of every sort. The city successfully passed its first year working towards FLA compliance very successfully. We established a small business relief fund, built a network of private citizens willing to fund small business start ups, and refurbished the Welcome Center network throughout the city. I could go on and on. Yes. I think my term as governor has made a positive impact.

Fenner: I'll get to the GAC and the relief fund a little bit later, but if it's alright with you I'd like to tackle your initial reaction to RBF. For those who weren't completely informed or don't remember, would you mind outlining the government's involvement in the RhyDin Benghu Fever outbreak"

Helston al Amat: Certainly. We first became aware of the epidemic when three hunters appeared at a local clinic, suffering from symptoms of the disease. The clinic staff quickly recognized that they were dealing with something very serious and quarantined those who had known contact with the three men and alerted my office requesting assistance. We put them in contact with RhyDin General and other local hospitals and clinics, as well as with Stars End resources, to identify the disease and determine appropriate treatment. The government's role was to coordinate efforts, educate the public about the disease and the need for vaccinations, obtain resources and maintain the peace during the crisis.

Fenner: There was some speculation during the outbreak that there was a cover-up, but if I recall you quickly quashed that rumor.

Helston al Amat: Absolutely, I did. The first public notice went out within an hour of positively identifying what we were dealing with. It would have been irresponsible to have announced anything before we could give instructions. It would have caused a panic, and potentially made things worse, not better

Fenner: Do you feel there is anything else you could have done in that situation or that you regret"

Helston al Amat: We did everything that could be done during that terrible event. I am so very proud of how the citizens of RhyDin responded to the crisis, and thankful for all those who volunteered to help, from caring for the sick to hosting vaccination clinics.

Fenner: Moving on, then. Let's talk about the GAC. A lot of what you, during the past term in office, have accomplished has been rooted in the GAC, do you agree"

Helston al Amat: I said when I was running for office last year that I believed the community had to come together to effect change. The ministries failed because the ministers were each given broad power and then left alone to their own devices by an absentee governor. The GAC has been a success. I believe it proves that a collaborative government is effective, and that the governor must be intimately involved in the management and direction of the government.

Fenner: Even so, there are many in RhyDin who find the private meetings, and I quote, "shady." How do you expect to promote this "voice" of the city when you are, in fact, meeting with only a handful of people - without public access - to discuss that public's dealings"

Helston al Amat: I need to correct you there. There have only been two special meetings of the council conducted privately - and those were closed because we were concerned about information related to the security of the city getting into the hands of individuals who wished to wreak havoc and destruction. All monthly meetings of the council have been held in a public venue, and have not only been open to the public to attend, but the transcripts of all of those meetings have been published for any citizen to access and review.

Fenner: How were the GAC candidates selected initially"

Helston al Amat: A call for nominations went out and all citizens were encouraged to present the names of those they thought would do well on the council. An effort was also made to bring those former ministers who were still available and interested in being involved into the council. Everyone who was nominated was accepted.

Fenner: Overall, have you been satisfied with all of the members of the GAC"

Helston al Amat: Overall, yes.

Fenner: There are a couple of incidents that have occurred during your term. One I'd like to address is the bullying of several business following an influx of Japanese gangsters. Your thoughts on that"

Helston al Amat: Anytime you have a prosperous and free economy, there are going to be those who want to exploit it. Interplanetary warrants have been issued through the Spaceport Authority for the specific individuals involved in the GrangerGuild bombing, but we believe they left RhyDin and extradition is unlikely. A number of businesses came forward about the threats they received and banded together to say no to the demands being made. Like most bullies, the group has not been heard from since then.

Fenner: And he's dropped out of the race, but I'd also like to briefly mention Ander Northlander at this point. Lately he's made a point to increase the private security presence in RhyDin - to an almost excessive or overbearing amount, many have said. Did you consent to this"

Helston al Amat: I have not. However, there is no specific law against private security details that I can cite. To my knowledge, his forces have not detained any private citizen unlawfully, and he has been careful not to overstep the authority of the Watch. And, initially, his displays were part of his political campaign. I am sure you can understand that I would not specifically forbid any lawful candidate for this office from campaigning.

Fenner: That being said, what are your impressions of the other candidates"

Helston al Amat: On a personal level" I think they are both fine people and their interest in the city is something to be admired. I believe I am the better choice for the job. I've proven myself over the past year and my aim has consistently been to honor the diverse interests of the city. I believe that some of the campaign promises being made are fundamentally empty - either because those things already exist, such as funding for start up businesses or clinics offering magical healers....or because the city does not want or need them. I'd point to talk of taxation of the public on that.

Fenner: Would you like to expand on those promises a little more"

Helston al Amat: Let's save something for the debates on Sunday.

Fenner: Fair enough. Before the debate, however, I might mention that your fellow candidate Audrey Horne claims that she thinks she is younger and has a 'better perspective' than you. Care to comment"

Helston al Amat: Ms. Horne has not once attended a meeting of the GAC in the course of the past year. Until she put forth her name, she evinced no interest in politics and since then, I understand that one of her driving concerns has been what uniforms to force the town hall staff into. So, yes. I believe we have very different perspectives on the responsibilities of the job. I'll leave it to the voters to decide which is better.

Fenner: There's just one more thing I'd like to address before we wrap up, and that is the matter of the RhyDin Navy. It seems as though the project is, for lack of better words, dead in the water.

Helston al Amat: No pun intended.

Fenner: Precisely.

Helston al Amat: When you have no volunteers for a volunteer force, you have two choices. Abandon the plan or invest a vast amount of time, energy and money into it anyway. The naval guard was an idea the city wasn't ready for yet. When it is, the project can be resurrected.

Fenner: And yet, your predecessor Matt Simon launched the R.A.S.G. with great success.

Helston al Amat: Our efforts with the naval guard were exploratory in nature. The committee was tasked with gaging the interest of the ship captains and the inhabitants of the coastal districts. There was insufficient interest there to proceed, and the need has not been sufficiently proven. It's not a failure to make an informed decision to end a project based on evidence. Governing is about making choices. I think that it was a good choice.

Fenner: I think that will work for now, then. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Helston al Amat: Just that I have great plans for the coming year. I am very excited about continuing the work we began a year ago and expanding on the opportunities that we've created together.