45 replies to this topic

[Dave]

Now that I've thrashed you all in our Fantasy Congress League (not once, but twice), I'd like to propose something new (and potentially sillier). I won't bore you with the details on the genesis of the thing, but the basic idea is a Democracy Simulation.

The task is:
1. Create a constitution for Misfitopia.
2. Create a set of laws for same.

How it works:
Since our forum is on the small side, any member may act as a legislator. Introduce a bill in this thread. Another member must second it. Once seconded, set up a poll. Members debate and vote for a predetermined time (let's say for a minimum of two days). Laws may be serious (abortion, gay rights) or silly (abolition of Yu-Gi-Oh and all related merchandise).

Once a member has five of his/her bills passed into law, he/she gets a keen lawmaker icon under their avatar.

How it will work if the forum becomes bigger:
We will elect Senators to represent the interests of members.

Reality check:
The point is to have fun and to engage in debates over issues. Obviously, we can't declare war against France, annex Honduras, or anything like that. Also, these laws are to be for an imagined or idealized utopia (or dystopia, depending on your bent). They are separate from the rules of the forum, i.e., none of this: "I propose Dave allow spamming on the forum."

The list of laws admitted to the constitution is here

Edited by Dave, 21 February 2007 - 06:32 PM.
clarificatory goodness

[Adam]

Do we introduce the bill in this thread or in a separate thread? As I ask, I realize that is a stupid question if we're voting, which implies there will be polls, which I don't think you can add to individual posts. But, I've been typing this long, so I'll ask the question anyway.

[Dave]

How about: You introduce a bill here. Someone will second it here. Then you may start a separate poll.

[Chad]

This is gonna rock so hard.

[WebKittyn]

This sounds fun, I'm into this.

I can't wait to read some of the bills, I can only imagine.

[malfouka]

i really wish the dancin' banana and cat could get into synch. the discordance is almost enough to induce a seizure.

[WebKittyn]

malfouka, on Dec 26 2006, 11:36 PM, said:

i really wish the dancin' banana and cat could get into synch. the discordance is almost enough to induce a seizure.

Sorry about that, Madame carnivore. I have no rhythm. Never have, never will.

That's part of the reason I don't do the show with the webcam, the world doesn't need to see any dancing around.

The banana has the moves.

I back any bill Malfouka initiates, you've got my full faith in what's best for us misfits.

[malfouka]

Dave, on Dec 24 2006, 11:44 PM, said:

Now that I've thrashed you all in our Fantasy Congress League (not once, but twice), I'd like to propose something new (and potentially sillier). I won't bore you with the details on the genesis of the thing, but the basic idea is a Democracy Simulation. ...

1. just wait Mr. Arrogance-Pants, next round you will be owing so many sexual favours and buckets of cheese you won't know what to do...
2. but boring us with details is one of your specialties. why stop now?

[Dave]

malfouka, on Dec 27 2006, 06:12 AM, said:

2. but boring us with details is one of your specialties. why stop now?

Zing. 2 points.

Bill #1: The Marshmallow Preservation Act. All cereal marshmallows must be a single color and must conform to a recognizable shape, "recognizable" being a common standard of a jury of cereal-eating peers. Two-toned and three-toned marshmallows are an affront to the Natural Laws. The consequences follow that 1. Lucky Charms should be declared illegal until the makers of such conform to this act; 2. The creation of a postmodern or pseudo-hipster Museum of Modern Art type cereal would be illegal.

We must act now to stop our tumultuous slide down the slippery slope of cereal debauchery. Will a fellow comrade have the courage to second this bill?

[Adam]

I will second it provided we can add a rider that makes consumption of Trix cereal strictly prohibited until they ditch the fruit shapes and go back to the anonymous round ball shapes they used to use. I think we were all fully aware that the purple round ball was grape flavored. Mutating it so that it now somewhat resembles a bunch of grapes is an insult to our collective intelligence and we should stand for it no longer!

[FRA]

You're mad Dave!!

My favorate cereal is a Lucky Charms knock off called Lucky Stars and while I have no idea what in the world most of the thingies are I adore the blue circle with the yellow star inside of it.
Marshmallows of two colors in recognizable shapes could be acceptable.
More pressing to me is the problem with the marshmallows feeling like styrofoam when you take your first bite.

HoneyCombs should be illegal, period, due to all the damage to the roof of your mouth those vile, razor sharp, wicked things do.

Edited by FRA, 28 December 2006 - 03:52 PM.

[riss]

I will second the Uniform Marshmallow Bill provided we add that they bring back the original formula for Cookie Crisp. They changed it, faced a public outcry and say it is now back to where it was before. But we the cereal-eating public are not stupid. The current Cookie Crisp on the market is not as good as the old one.

Look at us fat cats, making provisos.

Edited by riss, 28 December 2006 - 05:36 PM.

[Adam]

That's two people seconding the bill. Or one seconding and one thirding. I think this calls for some sort of Breakfast Cereal Integrity Committee. First, we must overcome FRA's objections.

FRA...Riss challenges you to a duel!!!!!!!

[malfouka]

i propose that California wines (specifically from the Napa Valley and Sonoma regions) be declared superior--in all ways--to any and all wines currently generated in other regions, states, and countries. Furthermore, i propose that California wineries have exclusive rights to the term "wine" and--exempting that which is produced in the Bordeaux region of France--any and all vintages originating outside of California must immediately cease and desist using the denotation "wine" on their labeling, advertising, and official and unofficial documents.

Also, the use of animals, cartoon characters, and/or sophomoric and/or irreverent titles (ie. Le Snoot Cabernet Sauvignon, Fat Bastard Shiraz , Perry Creek Zinfandel Zin Man) and descriptions be immediately ceased (with the exception of Vampire Cabernet) on any and all labeling, advertising, and official and unofficial documents.

i further propose the disallowance of the use of the term "wine" on any and all White Zinfandel vintages.

oh, and one more thing. i propose that the idiot i saw on a PBS wine show be immediately fired for his recommendation of sherry as a dinner "wine".

Edited by malfouka, 28 December 2006 - 06:47 PM.

[jeckles]

Sorry Mal.

I have to oppose you. If Thunderbird can't be called wine, then we can't call those who drink it winos. This intern could upset the fragile ecosystem of the inner city. The balance between bums, winos and crackheads is a delicate one. A radical change such as this could start a social chain reaction whose consequences can't even be predicted.

THIS CANNOT HAPPEN!

[malfouka]

jeckles, on Dec 26 2006, 04:51 PM, said:

Sorry Mal.

I have to oppose you. If Thunderbird can't be called wine, then we can't call those who drink it winos. This intern could upset the fragile ecosystem of the inner city. The balance between bums, winos and crackheads is a delicate one. A radical change such as this could start a social chain reaction whose consequences can't even be predicted.

THIS CANNOT HAPPEN!

okay, how's about this: Thunderbird, Night Train and any and all equivalents are exempt from labeling laws so as to preserve social order.

[riss]

Adam, on Dec 26 2006, 04:16 PM, said:

FRA...Riss challenges you to a duel!!!!!!!

"To the death!" "No, to the pain!" "I'm sorry, I'm not quite familiar with that phrase."

My challenge, my choice of weapons I assume. I choose those big styrofoam fingers they give out at ball games.

[Dave]

Let's sort this out.

Bill #1. The Marshmallow Preservation Act. All cereal marshmallows must have a single color and recognizable shape as determined by the Cereal Integrity Committee. This act further calls for an establishment of said CIC to convene no less than once per annum.
Attached: The 1985 Breakfast Cereal Preservation Act. All cereals must revert to their recipes as they were on or about 1985.
Seconded. Poll to be started.

Bill #2. The California Wine Superiority Act. California wines are to be labelled Superior Cru to piss off the French Gran Cru wines. All imports save those from France must bear the "grape juice byproduct" label and may not say "wine" anywhere on the bottle or case. Furthermore, any and all White Zinfindel is prohibited from carrying the "wine" label.
Attached: The Wine Anti-Silliness Referendum. Sophomoric wine names and mascots must cease. Vampire Cabernet is excepted. This act calls for the creation of a Wine Anti-Silliness Committee to arbitrate such matters.
Attached: Fire PBS wine expert.
Attached: Thunderbird and Nighttrain and other fortified wines are exempt from these restrictions.

I will fight Bill #2 as it currently stands. It would set a bad precedent to exempt single company (i.e. Vampire Cabernet) from the Law. I shall capitalize Law here to make my point more pompous. I suspect illegal campaign contributions may be the culprit in the actions of my esteemed colleague. I further object to government arbitrating aesthetic decisions. I also object to the Thunderbird rider as it is superfluous.

[FRA]

riss, on Dec 26 2006, 06:29 PM, said:

"To the death!" "No, to the pain!" "I'm sorry, I'm not quite familiar with that phrase."

My challenge, my choice of weapons I assume. I choose those big styrofoam fingers they give out at ball games.

Foam Fingers at dawn it is then!
As long as one of us wears a holocaust cloak.

[riss]

Yes, foam fingers at dawn. You will SO be mostly dead!!!