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+------ Thread: Nyland Daily News (/thread-134.html)
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 02-22-2017
Nyland Daily News
President outlines "enemies" ahead of foreign visits
By Wong Wei
Published: 20 Zechyr, 1582
![[Image: PtYUUsk.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/PtYUUsk.jpg)
President Kohout at his outdoor press conference on events in Caladria.
NYKOPING - President Kohout is slated to fly to Lanlania on the 28th for the first of many official overseas state visits, the first truly major foreign activity since his inauguration. Other countries on the list include Kortoa, Angiris, Severyane, Mordvania, and Florinthus, among others.
However, news of the planned visits was quickly overshadowed by the President's remarks in his press conference on the unfolding details of an apparent coup in the Mandavine Island nation of Caladria. After affirming that the Nylander Consulate in [] "is safe and secure, but still remains closed" and that the administration is "working closely" with Lanlania, Florinthus, and the Mandavine Community, the president quickly went on the verbal attack, directly placing blame for the coup on past presidents.
To quote the president:
Quote:"This coup in Caladria is just one more example in a decades-long erosion of the democratic order that has kept us at peace and kept Nylanders safe, an erosion that began with the destruction of Oslanburg, and allowed and enabled by the inaction and ineptitude of Presidents Karlsson and Harrow. Emboldened by our cowardice, Fascists and other tyrants again and again invaded country after country with weapons of fear and lies, and now Caladria is the latest potential victim in a long line of casualties in this war against democracy.
Like it or not, we are at war, but this isn't a war that can be won with a single show of force, like days of old. This is not a war with a state, it is one with a global ideological order that infiltrates democratic institutions to corrode us from within. This enemy cannot be debated, because it doesn't seek an understanding. This enemy can not be negotiated with, because it doesn't act in good faith and only seeks to subsume absolute power at the expense of all others. The only option is to crush this enemy, fully and absolutely.
This enemy is Fascism. Proper Fascism.
This Fascist enemy is not the same so-called "right-wing" or a "left-wing" phantom invented by your grandparents: these are not communists, because the Fascist does not value equality; these are not conservatives, because the Fascist does not value human dignity; these are not nationalists, because they do not love Nyland and what makes Nyland great, only the power that comes with ruling a nation as great as ours. Fascism doesn't care for liberty, or justice, or fairness because all these things, these things that are so intrinsically a part of our nation, cannot exist exist with Fascism, and Fascism cannot exist with them. Either we destroy Fascism, or Fascism destroys us.
Oh, I can hear it now, our enemies crying "oh President Kohout, I thought you Liberals were supposed to be the tolerant!' Yeah, we're supposed to be the smart ones, too, but we keep buying the 'tolerance' crap, all while our enemies grow stronger through our naivete. Make no mistake, fascists and tyrants cannot be debated. They are not to be debated, they are to be destroyed.
How do we fight such an enemy? We act. We rise from our slumber. We've tried inaction, and guess what: the world has grown more volatile through our inaction, and we've become weaker and less secure because of it. In this world our failed presidents of the past have created, the only path to security is the path of action. This nation will act.
Good and evil, right and wrong. These things are absolutes. Whoever fights to defend the dignity of his fellow man, whoever fights to free others from their oppression, he fights on the side of justice and righteousness; this is the side I stand on, the side Nyland was born and built to defend and uphold and if you do not stand on this side of righteousness then you stand with evil, with tyrants, with those who wish to steal your liberty for their personal power and destroy the very heart and bedrock of this nation.
Why? Because Nyland isn't just a collection of peoples. Nyland is freedom. Nyland is Justice. Nyland is fairness and compassion. A war between good and evil is being waged, and Nyland stands on the side of righteousness. If you don't walk with us in goodness, you walk with evil, and with my God as my witness here today, you will be dealt with accordingly."
President Kohout declined comment on the nature of Nyland's future involvement, his upcoming meetings with foreign leaders, or rumored plans for a large military expansion, saying only that these topics would be revealed "soon."
RE: Nyland Daily News - Ceausescu - 02-22-2017
![[Image: agapimenos-vretanos-ithopios_002.jpg?fit=600%2C400]](https://i2.wp.com/psifisto.gr/wp-content/uploads/agapimenos-vretanos-ithopios_002.jpg?fit=600%2C400)
RE: Nyland Daily News - Hadash - 03-03-2017
![[Image: ?url=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-origin-images.polit...rs_328.jpg]](http://static2.politico.com/dims4/default/c0e278f/2147483647/resize/1160x%3E/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-origin-images.politico.com%2F2012%2F07%2F120729_michele_bachmann_reuters_328.jpg)
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 03-04-2017
Nyland Daily News
Presidential directive takes aim at recent legislative hurdles
By Wong Wei
Published: 4 Septem, 1582
![[Image: bdJRM43.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/bdJRM43.jpg)
President Kohout seen some time after his memo to the Treasury was published.
NYKOPING - Debate over the fate of President Morgen's income tax plan finally drew to a close in the Federal Assembly a couple days ago with the definitive defeat of Kohout's plan to reduce VAT on food and hygene products, as well as slash Federal income taxes across all incomes. The defeat came at the hands of PCP and NCL legislative leadership breaking with their peers in the cabinet to put the final nails in the coffin of the proposed tax plan.
However, while one battle has ended, another has just begun with a memo early this morning from the White House effectively changing Federal Income and Revenue Service collection procedures.
Treasury Secretary Annalisa Pearce made public to the media the president's directive to the Treasury, stating that the country's federal tax enforcement and collection agency would be downsizing starting in 1583, from the current staffing of 129,000 to 109,000 employees, primarily from the bureau's enforcement division, which saw massive expansion under President Karlsson. More surprising, though, was news that the agency would, temporarily, no longer pursue full payment from reported underpaying individuals who paid at least two-thirds of their reported income tax liability, and would issue waivers of penalties for underpayment of tax to such individuals. These changes would take effect for the 1582 filing season.
In effect, if you pay two thirds of what you owe, you can keep the remainder without fear of FIRS coming after you.
While invariably good news for essentially everyone who pays income tax in Nyland, the move does come with a plethora of detractors, livid with the administration's willingness to by the administration's side-stepping of the Federal Assembly's blockage of Kohout's tax plan. Treasury Secretary Pearce has flatly denied allegations of "going beyond the Treasury's authority," citing that the new procedure is in place so that FIRS agents may "direct more of their limited resources to more of the especially erroneous cases of fraud and abuse," and that they do not absolve taxpayers of their responsibility to file their taxes correctly as dictated by law and regulation.
"This is an exemption from assessed penalties," quoted Secretary Pearce, "not an exemption from proper filing, where audits and penalties will still be assessed."
For his part the president has remained mum regarding comments or responses to accusations, but government spokespersons mentioned that Kohout had considered the idea for some time and that this directive was "in the pipe for months," but could not deny that recent events had "influenced" his decision.
The Treasury memo isn't the final say in this turn of events, however, as the announced changes will not go into effect for some weeks: the proposed change to FIRS rules must first still be submitted as a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" to the Federal Register, with the changes being open to the public for discussion and comment before being changed, dropped, or adopted.
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 03-07-2017
Nyland Daily News
President drops limits on refugee entries
By Wong Wei
Published: 12 Dein, 1582
![[Image: JCeysXq.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/JCeysXq.jpg)
Nyland Customs and Border agents at Folkestad's Albrecht Lund Airport check papers
and documents for asylum seekers from Oslanburg. Photo taken 10 Dein.
FOLKESTAD - In the continuing use of his executive power, President Kohout has once again made news, as he signs an executive order effectively removing limits on refuge and asylum seekers.
While not the sole reason, the change in immigration posture comes off the back of continuing and growing violence in Oslanburg, which has sparked a historic high in asylum applications from that country not seen since fascists and the late Ibsen usurped government power in the country. While not a particularly large number - and certainly eclipsed by other conflicts such as Tambossa in the past and New Galasia in the present - the troubles in Oslanburg are just the latest in a long line of situations around the world that have generated historically high numbers of refugees and asylees around the world for the last decade.
But now, President Kohout has gone futher than any recent president by not just raising refugee limits, but removing the limits altogether, effectively putting refugees and asylees on equivalent footing. Already in the past couple days, tens of thousands more individuals and families previously skeptical of their chances to earn refugee status have applied for refuge under the new rules, mostly New Galasians currently flooding refugee centers in Angiris, with great rise in many more applications expected in the coming days and weeks.
However, the removed limits on refugees aren't an open door. First, they must apply, and are still subject to having those applications denied under all the same grounds. Furthermore, according to the State Department, new applicants are still subject to extensive interviews and background checks before being admitted into Nyland with their coveted permanent status, a process that may take anywhere from several months to several years, depending on country of origin and the circumstances of their flight.
"Nyland's vetting processes have been continually improved across nearly a decade, and three presidents," a State Department spokesman is quoted as saying. "Nylanders have never been safer, and this release of refugee limits is simply a sign of confidence in the skill and professionalism of the immigration, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies involved in the refugee process."
This affirmation has done little to quell dissent from certain quarters. Already several Ultranationalist-led states have pledged to refuse any and all future refugee resettlement within their borders, should the president not reverse his decision, citing both security and economic concerns. The Kohout administration thus far has refused to budge, dismissing concerns as "political posturing couched in lies."
"The basic fact here is that refuge and asylees are the safest and most law-abiding members of our society," White House spokesman Benjamin Geathers commented during the press conference. "They are grateful and hardworking, respectful of our law, mostly quite educated, and often the drivers of great economic growth and development in our nation throughout history. What's more, how can we really call ourselves the greatest nation, the free-est and most just nation, a compassionate and a bastion of liberty, if we turn away those in need because we reached a hypothetical, arbitrary limit designed to protect the sensibilities of morally bankrupt sociopaths scared of anyone that doesn't look, speak, or act like them."
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 03-13-2017
Nyland Daily News
Department of Defense lifts ban on women in combat
By M. M. Goode
Published: 9 Tolven, 1582
![[Image: womencombat.jpg]](http://www.motherjones.com/files/womencombat.jpg)
Women participating in Army training exercises...notably, alongside men.
HESTIVIKEN - Following Pentagon hearings over the matter for the past couple weeks, the Department of Defense approved a measure lifting restrictions on women entering combat-specific roles in all branches of Nyland's military. The change in regulations marks the first time in history where men and women will be expected to serve in a fully equal capacity across all branches and all work disciplines. DoD Secretary Olof Sverkerson (Army Gen., Retired) affirmed that the changes would not in any way change current testing and training standards.
While indeed historic, most of the arguments for the removal of the ban came not from work equality advocates, but pay equality arguments. While serving in the military is certainly nothing new, gender restrictions prevented women from seeking specific training or assignment into combat-specific roles, though women still saw action in many logistical or medical roles, as evidenced in the Tambossa Conflict. However, while women undoubtedly performed their work in dangerous and hostile environments, they were still denied either combat and hazard pay, due to their "not being allowed in combat."
Major Anette Cedar was one of the women leading the fight for practicably equality in military service. Now serving as a surgeon trainer for the army, she once served as a combat medic during the conflict in Tambossa; then Captain Cedar was awarded the Silver Star for "distinguished heroism" in her duties, but it never "sat right" with her. Speaking on the record during the hearing, she mentioned that, "It always felt like some great irony, receiving that [medal]. Here I was being recognized for 'gallantry in combat,' while at the same time being told I couldn't be compensated because I wasn't actually in combat because women can't be in combat? It was incredibly demoralizing."
Now, however, men and women will be allowed to serve together on the field of battle in equal measure, and, maybe more importantly to some, be compensated for their actions equally, as well.
While celebrated by many, the measure is not without its criticism. While few argued against women receiving due hazard pay for duties that put them in the path of danger, some such as Maj. General Oscar Varela on the hearing board expressed concerns as to the effects on unit morale and viability of women serving in mixed-gender combat units. Many questions still remain unanswered as to the psychological effects of wounded women on male counterparts, as well as how fully aptly a woman's body can perform under the strains of high-activity scenarios. Still others questioned whether the nature of combat, especially against modern insurgent enemies, might present women with excessive and "unique" dangers.
"You do not need to lecture women about these dangers," commented Major Cedar at the hearing. "These might be hypothetical to you, but they are real daily dangers we face every day, and the current regulations do not do anything to make it any less a possibility; women are already in combat and already faced with these dangers, and trust me when I say that any woman in the service today has already considered the possibilities before enlisting, or accepting a commission."
As far as mixed-gender units are concerned, the Department of Defense has not gone so far as to force integration of units until further studies on their effects on combat effectiveness can be determined. "The military is not the place for social experiments," a statement read, "and while women in combat is a proven valuable asset, the safety of our troops and the integrity of our missions are paramount."
For their part, servicemen in currently all-male combat units have presented mixed feelings on the subject. However, most have voices a kind of acquiescing indifference; as one sergeant aptly put it, "I don't care if you're a man, woman, or three-toed-sloth, as long as you can pass your training and pull your weight." The Department of Defense seems to agree, as the new regulations on women in combat are set to be in place and enforcible starting at the beginning of 1583.
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 04-18-2017
Nyland Daily News
Amid Angiris visit, President addresses Galasia
By Heather Gray
Published: 1 Ochtyr, 1583
![[Image: EGWrG8J.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/EGWrG8J.jpg)
The President in Angiris
CATHEDRIUM, Angiris - The civil war in New Galasia took another turn recently, as coup leaders in the regime capital of Alsace held promised elections, the results of which have been widely regarded by international observers as "wholly fabricated" and "dominated by fraud and intimidation" after the coup-supported party won an unbelievable 74% of votes. While this and other developments in New Galasia have been largely ignored by the international community at large, Nyland, Mordvania, and a handful of other countries have led ever deepening sanctions over the coup plotters and their accomplaces for the past few years, to no apparent effect.
Now, however, a change at least seems likely. When asked about New Galasia at an after-meeting press conference with Chancellor Aerandariel Apotecarius on his visit to Angiris, President Kohout held some very strong words for the Alsace regime as he demanded the release of political prisoners, an end to political killings, and a return to democratic order. "There is no need to delude ourselves into thinking we can return to the way 'things used to be,' after all this time of trouble and inaction, and all these deaths," he mentioned, "but these are the basic things that must take place to bring peace and normalcy to New Galasia. With them, we can begin the path to removing sanctions and resuming relations, but failure to comply will leave us with no further course than to pursue harder measures."
The civil war in New Galasia has gone on for years, just before the country saw further trouble from the country's military overthrow of the monarchy and parliament. The power vaccuum caused an immediate and bloody split as long-suppressed factions in the largely Akhadic "Eastmarch" region used the disruption of the coup to further their own interests. The military conflict in the east and political conflict in the west of the country have resulted in hundreds of thousands if not millions of refugees fleeing for their lives to neighboring countries and especially Angiris, which has borne the lion's share of the burden.
Even before President Kohout's visit, Angirisian Chancellor Apotecarius had voiced concerns on the crisis, even threatening action in New Galasia should the conflict continue. With Angiris at the end of its patience and no end to the war in sight, Kohout once again voiced his support for the East Brigidnan power, reaffirming Nyland's unconditional support should Angiris request need of it. However, the support came with a warning that Angiris must act "soon and with conviction before other countries take their own action," to prevent the civil war from "spiralling too far down the path of an irredeemable quagmire." He also cautioned against military action without a clear diplomatic exit plan, urging all in attendance to "remember the lessons of Tambossa."
The rest of the conference held a much brighter mood, as Kohout praised Angiris as the cultural bridge between East and West and a "proud, steadfast ally in the defense of freedom and liberal democracy" in the region and the world, calling the country a "natural friend" to Nyland and a worthy partner. Reporting a fruitful discussion with his Angirisian counterpart, the President stressed their close trade ties and many opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit, as well as a great joy in having the opportunity to deepen that friendship in the future.
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 04-25-2017
Nyland Daily News
President Kohout visits Florinthus
By Heather Grey
Published: 13 Dein, 1583
![[Image: SuLA74v.png]](http://i.imgur.com/SuLA74v.png)
President Kohout, pictured, left, visited personally with members of the Federal Assembly in Florinthus
DENIL, Florinthus - President Kohout made another foreign stop on his continuing tour of the world, this time visiting the Florinthian capital of Denil as he met with Florinthian Prime Minister Ben Blanckenship and spoke with members of the country's Federal Assembly.
His meeting with his counterpart in Denil was relatively brief compared to some others, as they reportedly discussed matters of current world affairs, international security, and areas of cooperation between the two countries. Of particular interest was the role of Nyland and Florinthus in the promotion and preservation of liberal democracy against Kohout's so-called "enemies of Liberty," a discussion where the President seemed thankful for his partner's "insight and experience." "[PM Blanckenship] has spent much time and effort advancing the cause of equality and justice," Kohout noted, "and his efforts have left an indellible mark on us all. I dare say, with a man of his values and prominence defending the free world and preserving the great Brigidnan peace, there's no doubt in my mind that we can carry the light of liberty to every corner of the world."
Following this short stint, Kohout moved on to address the country's Federal Assembly, where he joked about the country's affinity for giving an unusually large number of its organizations the initials "FA," and praised the country for its upstanding character and long history of being an unshakable bastion of liberal democracy. "Most like to consider Nyland a Lanlanian successor state," he commented, "but it's clear that we owe our love of freedom and justice more to our Florinthian heritage. As a nation, you have a unique and unshakably strong character about you, sucha strong sense of national identity and self-worth that, even in your recent dark moments when peoples' and nations' resolves are tested, even in circumstances that caused others to crumble, Florinthus didn't sink into the clutches of fear, despair, and demogoguery, but showed the world its courage and conviction and came out the other end of its dark tunnel to become a bastion of liberty in a world that desperately needed one. I am filled with immense respect for Florinthus, and I think Nyland and the world can learn much about how to carry themselves by learning from the Florinthian example."
In addition to just spouting fanciful words of praise, President Kohout also met with members of the Federal Assembly to discuss matters of policy. Tomorrow he will leave the country, as he begins a special week-long tour of Kortoa, Laurentian Lochland, and Democratic Kholar.
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 04-25-2017
Nyland Daily News
Presidential healthcare reveal draws heavy praise...and sharp criticism
By Budd Tugley
Published: 14 Dein, 1583
![[Image: iwYeqkO.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/iwYeqkO.jpg)
The President ardently defends his plans to introduce mandatory price controls on healthcare.
NYKOPING - President Kohout's administration and his allies in the Nyland Liberalists surprised the legislature and the country with a highly progressive plan to make controversial changes to the nation's healthcare system. The plan comes out as a response to more than a decade of exponentially increasing medical and drug prices, which have driven reasonable healthcare to the brink of unafforability for many millions of working class Nylanders.
The plan makes several smaller changes to the nations Medical Voucher Program, such as increasing the voucher payout for qualifying households and rolling the related Prescription Voucher Program into the medical program to save on administrative costs for the two similar agencies. It also guarantees that persons with pre-existing or chronic medical conditions who participate in the voucher program shall not be denied insurance coverage. However, the most controversial changes come in the form of the Medical and Prescription Prices Review Board, an agency to be created by Kohout's new healthcare act that will set and monitor price controls for medical procedures and patented prescription drugs and ban companies' ability to directly advertise them to the public, all in the interest of finally controlling the rampant spiraling costs of healthcare.
Proponents of the bill have lauded the administration for being the only voice to put forth a "real and functional solution" to the problem of ballooning health costs. Nyland Liberalist party leader Milan Vuletaski has been one of the measure's loudest supporters, though he admits he was skeptical at first. "I needed a little convincing from the President," Assemblyman Vuletaski admitted, "and while I don't think the bill is a perfect bill, it is the best solution anyone has come up with to both protect healthcare access for working Nylanders while also preserving the quality of care that only a model of free and open competition can provide. I would urge everyone to support this bill, if not as a a final solution, then at least as the right first step to finally fixing healthcare in our country."
Opponents of the measure have been incredibly varied, from both those on the left - such as the NPA and NMP - who prefer a single-payer national health system and believe the bill doesn't go far enough to provide true universal healthcare, and from those on the right who balk at the President's "destructive and overreaching" attempt to institute "socialized" (or if not being politically correct, "communist") medicine in Nyland... a voice led loudest by the "Karlssonite" caucus within President Kohout's own party.
Led by Assemblyman Astrad Johannsson, the "Karlsson Caucus" as they have become known is a group of old-guard liberalists and largest portion of the NL party bloc who've been wary of Kohout's brash attitude and unconventional agenda. While the group has often been split on the president's various ideas, the Medical Relief Act or "Kohoutcare" as they've begun to call it, seems to have finally united the bloc in opposition. According to Assemblyman Johannsson and his colleagues, the act would "stiffle medical competition, the driving force behind innovation" and outright kill Nyland's leading edge in drug research. "The president may believe he's doing the right thing, but this program of aggressive dictatorial price control is a huge overreach of federal power and will actively kill our outstanding system of medical care as we know it."
For his part, even though he has been out of the country for some days, Kohout has aggressively defended his administration's plan as the only responsible solution to a uniquely Nylander problem, calling out party opponents like Johannsson as those who don't know what they're talking about (to paraphrase in nicer terms) and who need to "sit down shut up, and fall in line," or he'll deal with other, more receptive groups to pass his agenda.
"The fact of the matter," Kohout argues, "is that ordinary people are making tough choices between affording healthcare, and affording rent. Nyland pays the highest prices for healthcare in the world, and yet we're not getting an equally exceptional quality of care for our price. Why? We're literally funding healthcare for the entire world; it's robbery, and its ridiculous. They can defend a broken system all they like, but if they're not willing to put forth a solution, then they need to get out of the discussion and let us grownups solve problems."
RE: Nyland Daily News - Seperallis - 04-25-2017
Nyland Daily News
Kohout promises to right past wrongs after three-nation tour
By Heather Grey
Published: 20 Dein, 1583
![[Image: BDU0z5w.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/BDU0z5w.jpg)
President Kohout on his visit to Kortoa
SEOBAEK, Kortoa - President Kohout rounded out a week-long three-nation tour today in Seobaek, Kortoa, where he spoke with heads of state and political leaders. The tour held a consistent theme as all three countries - Democratic Kholar, Laurentian Lochland, and Kortoa - have suffered fairly recently in warfare against anti-democratic and authoritarian uprisings, with Kholar and Kortoa still not having fully recovered from their conflicts nearly a decade later.
Visiting each of the three countries in turn, Kohout spent much time touring monuments and memorials, stopping at schools and answering questions about Nyland before meeting with political leaders and discussing such aspects as stronger trade and diplomatic ties, and areas of both domestic and international cooperation. He consistently praised each of the three countries in their turn for their resolve in defending justice and democracy, and their strength in moving forward from past horrors.
Kohout also apologized for Nyland's past inaction in each of their respective crises. Giving a speech during his final tour stop in Seobaek, Kortoa, the president once again made clear his stance on Nyland's place in the world. "We not only have an interest in promoting democracy in the world," he said, "we have a duty as the greatest democracy of them all to defend it and its ideals from whoever and whatever may so threaten them. Through many governments and many decades Nyland has shied from its unique and historic duty, but that will not be the case any longer. The attrocities of the past must serve as a reminder for what evil will always befall the innocent should the good choose not to act. I am proud to stand with these brave people on the side of good."
Kohout promised the support of his administration to help finish rebuilding process in those countries still suffering from the effects of conflicts around the world.
Following his stop in Kortoa, the president is expected to take a short break from foreign travel to finish planning his promised "resurrection" of Nyland's military, and to campaign aggressively for the passage of healthcare reform.