Topic: Edit: August Interview

Darien Fenner

Date: 2013-08-26 01:12 EST
The following should have been included in yesterday's edition of The RhyDin Post (August 25, 2009). We apologize for any inconvenience.

Proposition 37 and the MERA August, 2009

The Post sat down this week with Assistant Campaign Manager Diedra Vall at Proposition Thirty-Seven Headquarters in an effort to make sense of the legislative debate that is sweeping the nation.

Reporter: Thank you for meeting with me, Ms. Vall. I know these days you and your associates are very busy trying to get this legislation to pass.

Vall: We are, but it is imperative that the record be set straight. And please, call me Diedra.

Reporter: Alright, Diedra. Proposition Thirty-Seven. What is it, and what will it do"

Vall: Simple. Proposition Thirty-Seven is a bill that began as a widely circulated petition to regulate the use of magics. People are frightened, you see. In this day and age magic use has gotten out of control and is very assuredly causing more harm than good among magic-users. People who have no right wielding such a potentially detrimental force are using it with abandon, untrained. The M.E.R.A. will put an end to that.

Reporter: The M.E.R.A."

Vall: The Mage and Enchanter Registration Act. It will make it mandatory for magic-users to register themselves with the government so that they can be monitored for illegal activity.

Reporter: What kind of illegal activity"

Vall: What is causing all the trouble right now, obviously. Registration will make magic more detectable and easier to regulate. Take parolees, for instance. When they are released from prison, they are kept under close watch by the government in case of repeat offenses. The M.E.R.A. will not be so extreme, but it will allow the government to be prepared should any magical crimes be committed.

Reporter: Are you insinuating that all magic-users are inherently criminal"

Vall: Not at all. I am merely suggesting that with such a commanding force, magic-users can on a dime pose a very real threat.

Reporter: I understand there has been a lot of anti-Prop 37 propaganda. I have here a copy of a poster by the House DeMuer that insists the bill is "absurd," in that magic forms the rudimentary foundation of RhyDin itself, and you cannot possibly hope to encroach upon its activity. What do you have to say about that'

Vall: We have no intention of removing magic from society. RhyDin's economy would crumple if we did. As they so eloquently pointed out, many technologies and transport systems are run by magic in RhyDin. In fact, mana is one of the most important resources we import. We do not want to abolish magic- certainly not- but to regulate its use. After all, do we not regulate the use of electricity through generators and various electrical companies" This is to prevent the misuse or abuse of industrial power. The M.E.R.A. is virtually the same.

Reporter: How do you plan to enforce the M.E.R.A. if it is passed, and if there is such an overwhelmingly strong voice against it'

Vall: You underestimate the amount of supporters we have. As of yesterday, the number of proponents exceeded two thousand.

Reporter: But the fact remains that the opposition is incredibly strong. What do you plan to do for those who do not ascribe to the conditions of the M.E.R.A."

Vall: If it is made into law, then it is just that- a law. And the government will be obligated to enforce it, strong opposition or not. We also plan to induct a new squad of enforcers for specifically that purpose.

Reporter: And what those enforcers do'

Vall: Swiftly and precisely deal with law-breakers.

Reporter: That sounds like a threat.

Vall: If it is law, then the law must be abided by, else our society would collapse.

Reporter: What do you have to say about the latest gruesome 'display' against Proposition 37"

Vall: We are disgusted, and we are enraged. Not two days ago we received a letter from an opponent of the bill who claimed our actions were going to lead to bloodshed and violence in the streets. Thus far, we have staged only nonviolent demonstrations and have borne criticism resolutely for our cause. I say do not point out the splinter in your brother's eye without first removing the plank from your own.

Reporter: I understand that you plan to hold a debate regarding the legislation in the next few months"

Vall: We do. As of now, we cannot disclose many more details, but we will forward the information soon.

Reporter: Do you have anything else to say to your constituents or fellow citizens"

Vall: We will not succumb to acts of terrorism or prejudice. This bill is being proposed to protect RhyDin citizens- not to ostracize, and not to intentionally oppress. And as long as our opponents remain peaceable, we can prevent havoc in our streets.

End Interview.

Breaking News: A twenty-eight year-old wizard was assaulted today outside of the Augury Artifices bookstore by two men said to be of average build and height, and wearing "Curses KILL!" campaign buttons. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the local Watch immediately. The victim's status remains critical.



It might be.]]